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Atiba University Oyo founder advocates responsible scholarship

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Alaafin Owoade

*Urges greater respect for traditional institutions

Obaloluwa Darasimi

The Founder and President of Atiba University Oyo (AUO), James Adesokan Ojebode, has called on scholars, public intellectuals, and opinion leaders to uphold the enduring values of responsible scholarship by ensuring that academic criticism is expressed with fairness, intellectual rigour, restraint, and due respect for Nigeria’s revered traditional institutions.

Ojebode made the call while reacting to recent public commentary concerning the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, stating that although academic freedom remains a fundamental pillar of democratic society, it must always be exercised with a deep sense of responsibility, cultural awareness, and historical perspective.

According to him, scholarship fulfils its highest purpose when it enlightens, promotes understanding, enriches public discourse, and strengthens institutions, rather than generating needless controversy or diminishing the dignity of time-honoured cultural establishments.

“The Alaafin is far more than an individual occupying a traditional office. The throne represents one of Africa’s oldest and most distinguished royal institutions, embodying the collective history, identity, civilisation, and cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. Consequently, public commentary concerning the institution should be guided by the decorum, sensitivity, and respect befitting its historical significance,” he stated.

The AUO founder observed that, by long-established Yoruba custom and protocol, the Alaafin is not regarded as an ordinary guest at public ceremonies. Rather, the monarch’s arrival traditionally signifies the commencement of proceedings, reflecting the institution’s symbolic importance rather than any personal privilege.

He noted that understanding the cultural philosophy underpinning traditional institutions is essential before subjecting them to public criticism, adding that indigenous protocols often possess historical meanings that cannot be adequately assessed through contemporary assumptions alone.

While acknowledging that constructive criticism remains indispensable to national development, Ojebode maintained that concerns regarding protocol, scheduling, or the conduct of public events should be communicated through respectful engagement and responsible dialogue rather than through language that could diminish the dignity of revered traditional institutions.

He further urged members of the academic community to recognise their unique responsibility as custodians of knowledge and culture, stressing that intellectual excellence is measured not merely by the forcefulness of criticism but by the wisdom, objectivity, civility, and evidence-based reasoning with which opinions are expressed.

Expressing concern over what he described as the gradual erosion of public reverence for traditional institutions in parts of Yorubaland, Ojebode observed that traditional rulers in many other parts of Nigeria continue to enjoy profound public respect despite differences of opinion.

He emphasised that while no institution should be insulated from legitimate scrutiny, such scrutiny must always preserve the honour and dignity of the ancient stools that have sustained the identity and continuity of the Yoruba civilisation for centuries.

Quoting the timeless Yoruba maxim, “Oba kì í dé pẹ́; nígbà tí Oba bá dé, àsìkò ni ó dé” (“A king is never late; when the king arrives, the appointed time has arrived”), Ojebode described the saying as an enduring expression of the unique cultural philosophy that governs the institution of the Alaafin and the traditional protocol surrounding the throne.

He concluded by calling on scholars and public commentators to cultivate a culture of intellectual engagement rooted in mutual respect, cultural literacy, and national responsibility.

“Responsible scholarship should illuminate rather than inflame, educate rather than denigrate, and strengthen rather than weaken the institutions that preserve our collective history and cultural civilisation.

As academics, we must recover the discipline of disagreeing without desecrating, correcting without contempt, and criticising without diminishing the institutions that define who we are as a people,” he said.

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Igbokoda crash: Olugbo mourns victims, consoles Tinubu, Air Force

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Olugbo

Igbokoda crash: Olugbo mourns victims, consoles Tinubu, Air Forc

The Olugbo of Ugboland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, has condoled with President Bola Tinubu, the Air Force, and the families of those who lost their loved ones to the recent Nigerian Air Force (ANAF) ATR-42 crash.

Speaking during an assessment visit to the crash site, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohuagwu, confirmed that there were no survivors from the impact.

“Officers of the State Marine Police, in active collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and local volunteers, have been working tirelessly in the swampy conditions to recover the remains of the victims and salvage the aircraft wreckage,” CP Ohuagwu stated.

Reacting to the disaster, Oba Akinruntan expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy occurring within his domain.

The revered monarch, through his spokesperson, Dr Ademibo Akingboye, extended his heartfelt condolences to the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the Federal Government and the grieving families of the fallen heroes.

Oba Akinruntan prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed officers and urged the nation to rally around bereaved families during this painful period.

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the tragic loss of military personnel, declaring three days of national mourning in honour of the deceased. The President has also ordered an immediate, full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

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Accident: Normalcy returns to Lagos roads as LASEMA rescues hit-and-run victim

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The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) on Wednesday restored normalcy to Lagos roads after two separate accidents, one involving a teenager.
In a press statement signed by the agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the first incident occurred at 5:10 am opposite the National Orthopaedic Hospital at Onipanu, inward Fadeyi, Lagos.
The agency swiftly deployed its team to the scene.
“Upon arrival, we discovered a road crash involving a HOWO truck with registration number T-36016LA and a black Toyota Camry with registration number FST-970KS, ” Oke-Osanyintolu disclosed.
A preliminary investigation revealed that reckless driving and overspeeding by the truck driver were responsible for the accident.
It was gathered that the Cobra Team of LASEMA, working collaboratively with officers of the Nigeria Police Force and LASTMA officials, promptly diverted traffic to forestall secondary crashes while undertaking recovery operations.
No life was lost. The affected Camry was evacuated and towed with the Agency’s light tow truck to Onipanu Police Station, while the truck was also driven to the station.
In the second incident recorded at 4:30 pm along the Onipanu BRT corridor inward Fadeyi, the Cobra Team responded within two minutes, arriving at 4:32 pm to find a teenage boy who had been hit by a vehicle while crossing the expressway and was in urgent need of medical attention, having sustained head and leg injuries in a hit-and-run.
The PS disclosed that the LASEMA team provided immediate assistance and ensured the swift transportation of the victim to the Trauma Centre for definitive medical care.
“Government reiterates its appeal to motorists to desist from reckless driving and overspeeding and to obey all traffic rules, while pedestrians are strongly advised to make use of provided pedestrian bridges and designated crossing points to avoid preventable tragedies.
“The protection of lives and property remains the top priority of the administration, and the state will continue to strengthen its emergency response architecture for the benefit of all Lagosians, ‘ Oke-Osanyintolu concluded.

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LASEMA responds to multiple emergencies

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The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) successfully responded to a series of emergencies between Friday, September 25, and Sunday, September 27, 2026.

According to a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the agency, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, in the early hours of Friday, 25th September, following a distress call at 8:41am, the Alpha Eagle Team stationed at Cappa was immediately deployed to Palm Avenue Bus Stop, inward Oye, where a truck conveying a 40ft container had suffered a mechanical fault and become immobile, obstructing vehicular movement.

“The agency successfully recovered the broken-down truck off the road and safely parked it at a nearby layby, thereby restoring free flow of traffic,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

That same evening, following a call received at 7:24pm, the Alpha Eagle Team was again deployed to Ojuwoye Bus Stop, inward Oshodi, where another containerised truck had suffered an electrical fault.

“The response team secured the scene, managed traffic effectively, and with the aid of the Super Metro, the truck was recovered and moved to a safe location, ensuring unhindered vehicular movement along the corridor.

“On Saturday, 26th September, the Agency responded to a serious Road Traffic Accident at Otedola, Mobil inward Berger, involving a Ford Escape SUV and a moving truck. Upon arrival at the scene at about 6:07am, the Tiger Squad from C3 discovered that the SUV had rammed into the truck from behind, resulting in injuries to an adult male driver and a female adult passenger. The Agency’s Paramedics, in collaboration with LASAMBUS, promptly administered first aid and provided immediate pre-hospital care before transporting the casualties to the Trauma Centre for further medical treatment. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASTMA and the Nigeria Police Force were also present at the scene to ensure effective incident management. Both the affected truck and the SUV were thereafter moved to Isheri Police Station for further necessary action,” the PS said.

The Agency also successfully managed a truck breakdown at Olorunshogo Bus Stop, inward Cappa, on Friday evening, where a containerised truck became immobile due to a mechanical fault.

The vehicle was recovered with the aid of the Super Metro and relocated to a layby, while another breakdown involving a truck conveying interlocks at Ojuwoye was similarly recovered in the early hours of Sunday, 27th September, ensuring that all affected roads were cleared and reopened for public use.

The agency also responded to a fire outbreak at Bakare Street, Ojodu Berger, on Sunday afternoon.

Three out of eight shops stocked with foodstuffs and frozen foods had been engulfed by fire allegedly caused by an electrical surge following power restoration.

“The swift and professional intervention of the Tiger Squad and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service successfully contained the inferno, prevented it from spreading to other shops, and completely extinguished the fire. Fortunately, no loss of life was recorded,” disclosed the PS.

Also on Sunday, the Agency responded to a containerised truck incident at Shoprite, Inward Governor’s Road, where a 40ft loaded container detached from the turntable of a Sinotruk head and fell with its flatbed, fully obstructing a lane. The response team immediately secured the scene and implemented traffic management measures. Through a well-coordinated multi-agency effort involving the Agency’s Lowbed, a private tow truck, an empty Sinotruk for transloading and a private forklift, the Peak Milk products contained therein were successfully transloaded, the affected truck head was towed to the LASTMA yard, and the flatbed was uprighted and recovered to a nearby layby. The roadway was subsequently cleared and reopened for vehicular movement.

The Agency’s heavy-duty equipment, Hiab, was also deployed to Fagba Bus Stop, inward Iju, on Saturday evening to provide technical support for the safe hanging of a billboard, which was completed.

“All operations have been concluded, affected roadways have been restored, and response teams have returned to base in good condition.

“The Lagos State Government under the leadership of Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu remains resolute in ensuring a safe and secure environment for all residents. The Agency reassures Lagosians of its continued readiness for prompt and professional emergency response at all times and urges all road users to adhere to safety regulations, ensure proper maintenance of vehicles and exercise caution while driving,” Oke-Osanyintolu concluded.

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