Emir Sanusi urges states, FG to encourage investment in power sector

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II has called on both the Federal and State Governments to encourage private entrepreneurs to invest in the power sector.

He made the call while delivering a keynote address at a two-day conference in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of Kano state.

NAN reports that the conference is part of the week-long activities organised by the state government to celebrate the anniversary.

He said there was urgent need to encourage private investors to invest in the power sector with a view to promoting socio-economic activities of the people in the country.

According to him, investment in the power sector was necessary in order to ensure economic growth and development in the state in particular and the country at large.

We must invest in the development of Kano and the country at large.

The monarch, who lamented the current power shortage in the country, noted that majority of the industries in the state had collapsed or stopped production due to inadequate power supply.

He, however, called on the Kano state government to continue to give priority attention to education with particular emphasis on girl-child education.

Education holds the key to our development. We must continue to give priority attention to the sector because it is the bedrock of any development,” he said.

Government should also give priority attention to the agriculture and industrialisation because they are key to moving the state and country forward,” he said.

He noted that with the collapse of the nation’s industries, the country was now importing three million pairs of shoes from China annually.

We must be ready to change our way of thinking; if we must be able to face the challenges and ensure economic growth and development of the state.” he added.

NAN reports that the conference was attended by prominent personalities from within and outside the state. (NAN)

Beyonce holds African themed baby shower

Grammy award singer Beyonce,35, who is expecting twins with husband Jay-Z, had an African themed baby shower to celebrate her upcoming bundles of joy with friends and family.

The “Carter push party” which held on Saturday In Los Angeles, had African drummers, people dressed in African outfits and Afrobeats music blasting in one of the make shift huts.

Celebrities in attendance included Jay Z, Mum, Tina Knowles, Kelly Rowland, Solange, Michelle Williams and a host of others.

Beyonce and Jay Z, officially became billionaires according to Forbes which has placed their joint wealth at $1.16 billion.

“Eyo Festival’s’’ early morning showers: Signs of peace, acceptance by gods of Lagos City

Lagosians in their thousands on Saturday defied the early morning downpour but trooped out to welcome their own “Adamu Orisa’ popularly called Eyo festival.

The Naijaroyaltyculture.blogspot.com reports that festival is part of the activities to celebrate Lagos @50 marking 50 years after Lagos State was created from the old Western Region on May 27, 1967  by the then Military head of state, general Yakubu Gowon.

He appointed Brig.-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson as the first military governor of Lagos State.

The residents who did not open shops described the rainfall as a sign that the gods of the land were pleased with the celebrations and with the present administration of Lagos state led by Gov. Akinwumi Ambode.

It is also a sign of peace that greeted the popular Eyo festival and our masqueraders as we used the cultural festival to commemorate Lagos @ 50, they said.

They told the Naijaroyaltyculture.com in Lagos that rainfall during “Eyo” masqueraders’ parades was a sign that the heavenly beings or the gods were at peace with the land.

Naijaroyaltyculture.bologspot.com also observed that the masqueraders in their immacualte white regalia and accompanying palm frond and caps to match danced round Lagos island in the downpour that had been drenched and stained from red mud and erosions from floodings.

Mr Jacob Kehinde, an indigene of “Eko’ the Yoruba name for Lagos city, said that the array of white regalia and costumes was a true replica of the culture and traditions of the indigenes of Lagos Island.

According to him, the festival was a theatrical display and pageantry that highlights and showcases the rich indigenous history of the people and Lagos city.

“Every thing done in this festival is showcasing what we have as a people and what our culture entails.

Lagos is a tourist attraction centre and we must use this medium to showcase sites while we celebrate Lagos as a state,’’ he said.

Also, Mr Taofeek Adebisi, a freelance journalist, advised Africans and the general public to seek knowledge rather than attributing Eyo festival to a fetish practice.

“I was born and breed as a Muslim on the mainland of Lagos and over the years I have been made to believe that Eyo masquerade dance is diabolic.

“On the contrary, it is not true because I have been going around town with the guys dancing since 10p.m. on Friday night and I have not seen anyone pouring libations to any deity.

“Eyo is all about fun and nothing else, but, pure fun,’’ he said.

The  Festival which started several decades ago was invented as part of the regalia for the purpose of wading off undesirable elements.

From the beginning, the festival depicted by the image of masqueraders in flowing white apparel has grown for a rural festival to an internationally acclaimed event, he said.

Oba Ewuare II recalls ostracised family

Oba Ewuare II N’Ogidigan of Benin on Friday recalled Mrs Victoria Orhue ostracised from Obe N’Evbueribo in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo by Odionwere (head) and Ohen of the village.

The Oba also directed that all her lands and other property that were confiscated by the village leadership be returned to her immediately.

Ewuare II gave the order at Ugha-Ozolua in his palace while presiding over matters affecting individuals, families and villages. Orhue and her children were banished from Obe N’Evbueribo in Ikpoba-Okha by the Odionwere, Mr Oyeobasojie Ekhator and Ohen Osaghae Edobo after a dispute over land and other property.

She was also said to have been assaulted severally by some Community Development Agency youths believed to have been working for the Odionwere and Ohen.

Oba Ewuare said the banishment was unacceptable and a unilateral decision of the Odionwere and Ohen, adding that they had no powers to banish anyone from the village.

The oba ordered that decision on certain traditional matters must be brought to the palace for due consultations before adjudicating on them by traditional and village heads including ohen in Benin kingdom.

Ewuare II further directed odionwere and ohen to desist forthwith from such decisions and make peace with Mrs Orhue and her children including all the people of the village

Also, Mrs Ann Aghayere reported Odionwere of Amagba, Mr Oduoriyekemwen in Oredo Local Government Area to the palace over the selling of her land.

Oba ruled that a fresh land of same measurement with the one sold, including the seized documents, be restored to her with immediate effect.

The oba also directed that a perimeter fence should be erected on the said land by the Odionwere as compensation.

The Naijaroyaltyculture.blogspot.com, reports that there was jubilation in the palace ground by friends and relations of the litigants after the verdicts, and prayed for the success of monarch.

Oyo monarch canvasses continuity in tenure for Oke-Ogun lawmakers

Oba Sunday Adepoju, the Oniro of Otu in Oyo State, has advocated continuity in tenure for first term lawmakers from Oke-Ogun area of the state.

He made the call on Friday at  a town hall meeting and inauguration of projects by Rep. Abiodun Olasupo in Otu, the headquarters of Itesiwaju Local Government in Oyo State.

The Naijaroyaltyculture.blogspot.com reports that Olasupo (APC-Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency) held the programme in the four local governments in  his constituency.

Continuity for our representatives is very important to us as it will help them finish whatever project they facilitated or embarked upon.

For instance, a fresh lawmaker in the National Assembly will find it difficult to lead a committee but a second term lawmaker has the opportunity of being a principal officer,’’ he said.

Adepoju urged political leaders to look into the issue and ensure continuity for the representatives, adding that it would benefit the constituency greatly.

I am very particular about  this constituency which is the largest federal constituency in Oyo State with four local governments,’’ he said.

He said that Olasupo had  performed creditably well  in the last two years, describing him as an unbiased representative who had evenly distributed all his constituency projects.

The monarch expressed optimism that the lawmaker would have achieved a lot if he was allowed to represent the constituency till 2023.

Similarly, Mr Niyi Adeagbo, the Caretaker Chairman, Itesiwaju Local Government 

Area,  commended the lawmaker for facilitating projects for the constituency.

Adeagbo stated that the lawmaker was a good representative of the constituency, adding  that he had  always returned home to implement development programmes apart from those he facilitated.

Sometimes ago, he came around and his attention was drawn to one of the dilapidated schools which he promised to renovate.

Today, we are here to inaugurate the school. This is  great commitment from a real and upright lawmaker, he said.

Naijaroyaltyculture.com reports that the lawmaker had  facilitated the  construction and renovation of classroom blocks, supply and equipping of ICT centres as well as  provision of desks  in schools.

He had  also sunk  10 modern boreholes  and  sponsored ICT training of young school leavers.

Naijaroyaltyculture.blogspot.com further  reports that the lawmaker would on Saturday distribute  empowerment equipment and cash to beneficiaries in his constituency.

Ooni unveils Yoruba Parapo Cultural carnival Logo

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has unveiled the Logo of Yoruba 

Parapo Cultural carnival (YPCC), an event put together to promote the oneness of Yoruba race.

The Ooni officially unveiled the YPCC logo and inaugurated the Central Coordinating Committee, in his Palace, on Friday, in Ile-Ife.

Prince Solomon Gbenga, the Executive Consultant to the programme, said that in the history of Yoruba, tribe and cultural development needed to be lauded and honoured.

He said the peaceful coexistence and unity of the race was worth celebrating and promoting, adding that the carnival would attract cultural troupes at home and internationally.

He said it would also be colourful, entertaining and would add value to the political, socio-economic focus of the generality of the Yoruba race.

Gbenga said the economic and socio-political efforts of the sons and daughters of Yoruba race globally are reckoned with.

He called for the blessing and support of royal fathers, stakeholders, Nigerians, and corporate organisation toward a successful programme.

He also appealed for a land from Oba Ogunwusi to construct a Mega Yoruba Cultural Dome in Ife with 25,000 seats capacity.

In his remarks, Oba Ogunwusi commended the organisers of the programme for promoting the Yoruba culture and tourism potential.

He promised his full support to ensure the success of the programme.

The Ooni also assured the organisers of the sustainability of peace, unity and progress of Yoruba race globally.

Acting President receives 2017 budget from NASS

Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, on Friday transmitted the 2017 budget recently passed by the National Assembly to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

The event was done under closed-door, but Enang confirmed the delivery of the document to Osinbajo.

The budget as passed by the National Assembly has just been transmitted to the acting president. I just delivered it,’’ he told State House correspondents.

Enang used the opportunity to clarify the issue surrounding the power to sign the budget.

The acting president has the power to assent to the budget and he will assent to it when the processes are completed.

In February, he assented to seven or eight bills. Those that he didn’t agree with, he wrote the Senate and House of Representatives that he had withheld his assent from them.

He has the power of the president to assent to it,’’ he added.

The president’s aide also said that the assent to the Appropriation Bill would be after the completion of the standard operation processes.

According to him, the bill has 30 days within which it will be assented to, but the process can be completed within two or three days.

So, it is not possible to say it will be assented to in so, so and so days or in two or three days.

It is upon the completion of the process that it will be assented to by the president, and the president here now is the acting president,’’ he explained.