Culture
Outrage as Ezendigbo of Ibadanland confers chieftaincy title on Olubadan
Published
2 years agoon
By
akonitv
There has been an uproar as a self-titled Ezendigbo of Ibadan land and Oyo state, Alex Anozie, conferred an Igbo chieftaincy title of Ezi ogo ukwu Ndigbo on the Olubadan of Ibadan land, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Senator Lekan Balogun.
Anozie, who conferred the award recently in Ibadan, explained that Ndigbo on January 29, 2023 made history by gathering together to launch their almanac besides using the opportunity to honour their beloved great in-law, His Imperial Majesty, Kabiyesi Olubadan, with an Igbo title, which means a very good and great in-law of Ndigbo.
He recalled that on December 4,2022 during their Igbo day celebration at Liberty stadium, Ibadan, Ndigbo conferred on their daughter, Her Imperial Majesty, Joyce Balogun with an Igbo Chieftaincy title of Ada Oma Ndigbo nala Ibadan and Oyo state.
Anozie observed that Kabiyesi Olubadan is married to one of their beautiful daughters of Igbo origin from Onitsha adding that the marriage is wonderfully blessed with beautiful children while the couple are living together peacefully all these years as husband and wife.
“With the authority conferred on me by my people Ndigbo in Ibadan and Oyo state since the year 1997, I hereby confer this title on our dear Imperial majesty, Oba Lekan Balogun”, he declared, “Everything we can do to keep moving on with the peaceful and progressive manner Ndigbo and Ibadan people and indeed Yoruba have been living together in Nigeria, we shall continue to do and encourage.”
However, this didn’t not sit well with Yoruba scholars and elders as such title was seen as an insult on the throne of Olubadan and the Yoruba race in general. Many were of the opinion that the self acclaimed Igbo king, a guest in Ibadan, overstepped his boundary by giving a title to the Olubadan kingdom, his host.
“Àyà gbàngbà nílé onílé, hábà 🤥.😎 Àlejò conferring a title on the King on his own land! This shows how stupid we appear to have become! A mà wá r’ógo o. They are playing politics here but it is rude and we have to separate issues and disallow our revered Oba being disrespected. Ọba kii joyè n’ilẹ̀ tiwa. Nobody can confer Chieftaincy title on any of our Ọbas no matter how tiny his town his. This lady should be scolded and made to publicly denounce this nonsense and apologise to Kábíyèsí,” one wrote.
“Abomination. Even a prince don’t take chieftancy title from other king,” wrote another.
“One “Anozie confers chieftaincy title on Olubadan.” Meaning an Anozie (whoever he may be & wherever he may be from) conferred a chieftaincy title on the paramount ruler of Ibadan! Other than the audacity, it is even procedurally and ethically unheard of, for a paramount ruler (equivalent to a King) to now be subjected to the indignity of being regarded as a lesser Chief of whoever! Abomination buruku niyen now! That’s the height of indignity that can be visited on a King! Abi after King, wetin remain?! Conferring our Olubadan with another minor chieftaincy title is akin to subjugation. The “conferer” has essentially assumed authority over the “conferee”. It’s simple!
“That someone would even think of doing it is one thing, that the person now actually has the gut and effrontery to actualise it is quite galling. Arinfin gba niyen! It is the worst of slight and an affront to the Stool.
“How do you demote a paramount ruler (King) like Olubadan and now call him one of your chiefs?!
“There was and is nothing noble behind that intention! It was a deliberate act of mischief calculated to ridicule the symbol of the people of Ibadan. Plain and simple!
“Where else have you heard of such ridiculous conferment?! What is bad is bad please.
“If the Olubadan can’t run the culprit out of Ibadan, let him at least reject such brazen insult with extreme prejudice! Arrant Nonsense!” a lawyer submitted.
“Èèmọ̀!” wrote one indignantly.
While response is being awaited from the Olubadan palace over the development, the Yoruba people are concerned about the implication of allowing such action to go unpunished.
Related
Culture
FG to develop diaspora city to reconnect Nigerians abroad
Published
3 days agoon
February 10, 2025By
Lanre
The Federal Government is developing Diaspora City to help Nigerians abroad invest and reconnect with their roots, Minister Hannatu Musawa announces.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to develop *Diaspora City*, a tourism and investment hub aimed at reconnecting Nigerians abroad with their roots.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, **Hannatu Musawa**, made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja during the launch of *Motherland 2025*, an initiative celebrating Nigeria’s cultural heritage and economic potential.
According to Musawa, the project goes beyond tourism—it aims to strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and its diaspora while fostering cultural exchange and national development.
“Our vision extends beyond attracting global visitors; it is about ensuring that the creative and tourism sectors serve as critical tools to improve the lives of the Nigerian people,” she stated.
The *Motherland 2025* initiative is designed as a fully immersive cultural experience, featuring **state pavilions, exhibitions, and showcases** that highlight Nigeria’s innovation, business landscape, and cultural heritage.
A key component of the project is the creation of *Diaspora City*, which will serve as a **thriving tourism and investment hub** where members of the diaspora can seamlessly engage in economic activities, reconnect with their heritage, and settle in Nigeria.
“This year, we open our doors to the global diaspora, inviting them to immerse themselves in our rich traditions, explore investment opportunities, and witness the remarkable transformation unfolding across our nation,” Musawa added.
Chidinma Nwakwo, Managing Director of *Discover Motherland Africa*, described the initiative as a **transformative movement** aimed at deepening Nigeria’s connection with its diaspora while unlocking business and tourism opportunities.
“This is the beginning of a movement that not only reconnects Nigerians abroad with their roots but also fosters investment and cultural pride,” she said.
With *Motherland 2025* and the planned *Diaspora City*, Nigeria aims to position itself as the epicentre of **global Black and African culture, commerce, and community**.
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Culture
Governor Bassey Otu’s vision for Cross River: tourism, agriculture, digital economy
Published
1 week agoon
February 6, 2025By
Lanre
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, outlines his administration’s plans for economic growth, tourism development, food security, and digital transformation, emphasising shared prosperity and sustainability
Governor **Bassey Otu** has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic growth and tourism, particularly through the **2024 Calabar Carnival**, themed **”Shared Prosperity.”** Emphasising the need for **economic inclusivity**, he stated:
Also read: Cross River State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Abubakar Robert Ewa, Passes Away
> *“Unless there’s some equality of purpose in every society, there will be no peace… Shared prosperity is the key to achieving progress.”*
Despite **economic challenges**, Otu assured that the **Calabar Carnival** remains a **major cultural and economic event**, attracting investment and boosting local businesses.
Plans are also underway to **reintroduce the international segment** in the coming years, including a **diaspora band** to enhance global participation.
Tourism Development: Upgrading Cross River’s Attractions
Tourism remains central to Otu’s **economic blueprint**, with significant efforts being made to:
Upgrade **key tourism sites**
Enhance **hotel and transport infrastructure**
Train tourism professionals **locally and internationally**
Stabilise **product pricing** to encourage investment
The governor assured that **Obudu Ranch**, one of Nigeria’s premier resorts, is undergoing **a major restoration project** in partnership with **Marriott Hotels** and **international investors**.
*“We are bringing our tourism infrastructure to 21st-century standards, ensuring easy access to tourism sites and stabilising product prices,”* he said.
Tackling Hunger and Revamping Agriculture
Governor Otu has prioritised **food security**, acknowledging that agriculture was once **Nigeria’s economic backbone**. His administration is:
Conducting **soil mapping** to determine ideal crops
Launching a **5,000-hectare cassava farm pilot project**
Expanding **oil palm and cocoa farming**
Providing **microcredit schemes** for smallholder farmers
*“We are doing everything to revamp agriculture,”* Otu emphasised.
**Digital Economy: Training Youth for the Future**
Recognising the importance of **technology in economic transformation**, Otu is spearheading initiatives to:
Train **youth in digital skills**
Establish **technology incubation centres**
Integrate **agriculture with digital innovations**
Combat **cybercrime and ensure ethical tech practices**
*“The future lies in balancing digital advancements with agricultural productivity,”* he stated.
**Cross River’s Economic Future: A Bold Vision**
Governor Otu remains **optimistic about Nigeria’s economic reforms**, drawing from his experience in the **Senate’s Finance and Banking Committee**. He assured citizens that despite **current economic hardships**, positive changes will emerge.
With ambitious plans for **tourism, agriculture, and digital transformation**, Cross River is poised for **sustainable growth and economic prosperity**.
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Culture
Lagos State tourism commissioner discusses collaboration with Nigeria immigration service
Published
1 week agoon
February 5, 2025By
Lanre
Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, met with Mrs. Kemi Nandap, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, to discuss ways to improve the immigration process at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, paid a courtesy visit to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Kemi Nandap, at her office in Abuja on Friday.
Also read: Lagos State launches monthly landmark tours to boost tourism
During the meeting, both officials engaged in constructive discussions focused on fostering collaboration between the NIS and the Lagos State Government.
A primary area of concern was optimizing the immigration process at **Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA)**.
Both parties acknowledged the importance of simplifying entry procedures at the airport to enhance the overall experience for visitors.
They highlighted the critical role this would play in supporting the expected surge in tourism, particularly after the successful tourism campaigns of the fourth quarter of 2024.
Several strategies were explored to improve the immigration process, including:
– **Faster processing lanes** for international arrivals
– **Clearer communication** regarding visa-on-arrival policies
– **Enhanced training** for immigration personnel
The aim is to create a welcoming atmosphere that would encourage international travellers to see Lagos as a prime destination.
Both Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka and Mrs. Nandap agreed that a smooth and efficient immigration process is essential for solidifying Lagos’ position as a leading hub for cultural, artistic, and recreational tourism, contributing to the state’s economic growth and enhancing its global image.
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Oluyemisi Santos
February 10, 2023 at 8:45 am
You will recall that Dr Mimiko as Gov of Ondo State dealt with the so-called Eze Igbo of Akure when he was rude to the then Deji of Akure, such that the Eze title was banned in the whole of Ondo State, only allowing them to use “Chief of Ibos”! I thought similar ban should have been adopted in the entire South West.
This particular incident is highly despicable as, in Yoruba land an authentic prince cannot be conferred a chieftaincy Title by a sitting king of another Yoruba town, not to talk of a king receiving chieftaincy Title! Abomination! The implication here is that the Olubadan is a subject of the so-called Eze.
It is unfortunate that our Igbo brethren have this in-built character of not just dominating any environment they find themselves but actually taking over other people’s domain without qualms!
The Olubadan should take immediate action to prevent this desicration of not only the Ibadan stool, but of the Obaship institution in Yorubaland, to wit, outright withdrawal of the highly offensive and demeaning “title” along with public apology as appropriate, and henceforth, adoption of “Chief of Igbo in Ibadaland/Oyo State accordingly as was done in Ondo State by Gov Mimiko.
Oluyemisi Santos
February 10, 2023 at 8:52 am
The so-called Eze must withdraw the offensive and demeaning title and also offer a public apology in appropriate media, and secondly the title of Eze ndigbo should be replaced with Chief of Igbo in Ibadaland/Oyo State as appropriate.
Kola
February 10, 2023 at 8:42 pm
In the those days, they would pronounce that the head of the father of the self acclaimed Eze be brought to the palace for such an insult. How come? From where to where? Anyway, I am sure the palace will give to him the response the ‘yeye’ Eze deserves and within short period if nothing is heard, Ibadan youth will take charge.
Malik A.
February 11, 2023 at 12:30 am
This is nothing but mischief by the writer of this article. The writer of this nonsense should go back and tell his paymasters that they have failed once again. You are deliberating trying to twist issues out of context and spin a narrative. Ko work!
Abduljelili Aderogba
February 11, 2023 at 12:38 am
Awon òtè!!!! The so-called certificate is a novelty document that accompanied the award. Is it possible to confer a chieftaincy on someone wearing a crown? Why all these lies nitori Olorun? E jáwó nínú iro.
Tajudeen Matti
February 11, 2023 at 5:27 am
Height of insult
Olurin Olaleye
February 11, 2023 at 1:09 pm
Ti eru ba pe nile alajobi ni o ma nbu. These people have over stepped their boundaries.