Eleranigbe Monarch Marks Solemn Birthday 

. Prays For God's Intervention 

The Gbadewolu of Eleranigbe and the Olu of Araromi kingdom, Oba (Dr) Hameed Adejoro Ajijola has called for God's intervention in the affairs of the country.

The monarch made the call on 20th February 2024 while marking his birthday at his Ogudu GRA, Lagos residence.

The occasion was solemn  and devoid of the usual merriment that characterized previous birthday celebrations. Rather,  it was a sombre affair as the monarch was joined by Islamic clerics and members of his household for a frenetic prayer session to appreciate God for His mercy, protection and sustenance to mark yet another calendar year.

Oba Ajijola specifically requested for a special prayer  for God's intercession in the affairs of the country as the economic situation of the nation takes an excruciating turn for the worse.

"I appreciate God for His mercy, protection and sustenance over the years. He has been there all the way. So, this year I have decided to appreciate Him for sparing my life till this present moment. No music, no merriment but having prayerful time in His presence particularly now that we are having economic struggles in the country.

"We pray to God to intercede in the affairs of the country because it is only Him that can take us out of the turmoil facing the country," the monarch remarked.

 Eleranigbe Monarch Greets Alaketu On His 13th Coronation Anniversary

Wednesday, 14th February 2024 all roads led to 3Bees Event Hall Ketu, Lagos as Ketu Day was celebrated with funfare.

The day also coincided with the 13th Year Coronation Anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Oba Isiaka Oyero Balogun, the Alaketu of Ketu kingdom, Lagos.

Alaketu is a descendant of an ancient farmer who migrated from Ile-Ife to settle in a small village called Ketu. The areas covered by ketu are Ogudu Road, down to Ojota. The Kosofe Local Government secretariat headquarters is in Ketu, across Ikorodu Road after Ojota down to Olusosun, then to Oregun. From Oregun across to 7up again, across to Lagos-Ibadan Expressway down to Shangisha, Magodo and Agiliti, Ogun River to Ogudu.

Oba Oyero Balogun mounted the throne of his forefathers in 2011 after his retirement from the defunct Africa International Bank.

Eminent and distinguish personalities were on hand to celebrate with the monarch on the auspicious occasions. They include the Gbadewolu of Eleranigbe and the Olu of Araromi kingdom, Oba (Dr) Hameed Ajijola; the Onishangisha of Shangisha, Oba Lawal, Member Lagos House of Assembly representing Kosofe Constituency 1, Hon. Ganiu Sanni Okanlawon and Member Lagos State House of Assembly representing Kosofe Constituency 2, Hon. Femi Saheed.

Others were Executive Chairman, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Hon. Dele Osinowo; Executive Chairman, Ikosi LCDA, Mayoress Samiat Abolanle Bada and House of Representative Member representing Kosofe Constituency 1, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara.

In his goodwill message to the monarch on the occasion of his 13th Year Coronation Anniversary, the Gbadewolu of Eleranigbe and the Olu of Araromi, Oba (Dr) Hameed Ajijola remarked that the elderly monarch is worthy of being celebrated because of his peaceful disposition to life in general, noting that he was therefore not surprised his reign has been peaceful.

"We are gathered here to celebrate a man of peace who eschew peace and tranquility in everything he does.

"Like they say, the palm wine taste better with age. Oba Oyero Balogun is imbued with humility that defies his age. His age, wisdom and peaceful disposition to life generally has no doubt attracted socio-economic development to his kingdom and that's why his coronation anniversary has attracted eminent personalities who have come in contact with him. 

"On behalf of myself and the good people of Araromi Eleranigbe, I send my warmest felicitation to Oba Isiaka Oyero Balogun on the occasion of his 13th Coronation Anniversary. Aside being a monarch, Oba Oyero Balogun is a complete gentleman whom younger monarchs like me are greatly inspired by not only his peaceful outlook but his disposition to life in general.

"The kingdom of Ketu, being an ancient stead is lucky to have him as it's monarch and I pray for God's continued benevolence and protection for him to continue his peaceful reign in Ketu," Oba Ajijola prayed.

 ERCAAN Recognizes Eleranigbe Monarch With An Award

6th of February 2024 was yet another glorious day for the Olu Araromi Eleranigbe monarch, Oba (Dr) Abdulhammed Adejoro Ajijola as he was presented with an award of recognition by the Lagos State branch of the Estate Rent & Commission Agents Association of Nigeria (ERCAAN).

The award was presented by the association chairman, Hon. Bisi Ogunneye at a modest but colourful ceremony held at the monarch's residence in Ogudu GRA, Lagos.

Hon. Ogunneye noted that Oba Ajijola was being recognized for his diligence, commitment and contributions to the growth and development of Araromi kingdom.

Indeed, the monarch has been the leading light in the development agenda of the riverine community through his pain-staking efforts at attracting investors,  industries and individuals to take advantage of the massive investment opportunities that strategically position Araromi Eleranigbe as an investment destination of choice in the state.

This is coming on the heels of the massive economic development currently on-going in the Ibeju-Lekki axis of the state with the setting up of Dangote Petrochemical & Refinery, Lekki Deep Seaport, Lekki International Airport, 4th Mainland Bridge etc.

Responding while receiving the award, Oba Ajijola thank the association for finding him worthy of the recognition, noting that the socio-economic development of his community naturally appeals to him.

"The development of Araromi Eleranigbe is forever uppermost in my mind and it naturally appeals to me and that is why I spare no effort at ensuring infrastructural development of our community.

"Through this award of recognition, I am greatly inspired to do more not just now but for future generations," Oba Ajijola said.

 Lagos NURTW Crisis: 

198 Branch Chairmen Sign Petition Against MC Oluomo

A total of 198 branch Chairmen across Lagos motor parks and garages have signed petition against the embattled chairman of the Lagos State branch of the National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya (a.k.a MC Oluomo).

MC Oluomo, who served as the state chairman for the past four years, is facing opposition from stakeholders who claim his leadership did not align with the union’s interests. 

At a stakeholders meeting, members demanded a change of guard in the union's leadership. Lagos Island branch chairman, Mustapha Sego (a.k.a. Sego) was unanimously chosen to replace Akinsanya.

The meeting which was devoid of rancour or acrimony was reportedly pleasing to MC Oluomo who publicly supported Sego's choice as his successor and thereafter announced his intention to vie for the National President position of the union. 

The embattled union boss had pleaded with stakeholders to give him a month grace to sort out himself before inaugurating a new state executive committee members.

However, two months after, Oluomo is still holding on to power much to the chagrin of stakeholders across the state. His reluctance to step down as chairman of Lagos NURTW two month after promising to do so is causing uproar in major parks and garages across the state.

Despite Oluomo's repeated assurance to hand over to Sego, the actions and utterances of his prodigies run contrary.

The development has therefore engender fear of possible breakdown of law and order in the state as stakeholders and members look poise to overthrow MC Oluomo at all cost.

Pointer to this emerged over the weekend when 198 out of the 205 branch chairmen across the state signed a petition denouncing Oluomo's continued leadership of the union. The petition alongside the signatures of the branch chairmen was addressed to the Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu through his Special Adviser on Transportation, Hon Shakirudeen Giwa.

Interestingly, the battle for the soul of the union has, however, shifted to the social media with influential members expressing their anger over the ugly trend which the leadership crisis has turned into.

In a video message which has since gone viral, Alhaji  Murtala Lawal (a.k.a. Muri Pepper) warned about the impending crisis which may engulf the union following Oluomo's delay in handing over the affairs of the union to the new chairman, Mustapha Adekunle.

"Oluomo's tenure had expired since August 2023. Ogun and Ondo states who started their own struggle much after that of Lagos, they have inaugurated committees. Why is Lagos own different. 

"We are pleading with Gov. Sanwoolu to intervene in this matter before it gets out of hand. We don't want violence in Lagos but MC Oluomo is courting violence and we think he should be stopped," says Muri Pepper.

In yet another video, an influential member of the union, Shamsideen Oladiti described Oluomo as 'Mr. Goliath who does not want peace in Lagos.'

According to Oladiti, the embattled chairman is not trustworthy. "We do not pray for violence in Lagos but Oluomo is not consistent. He says something but goes ahead to do exactly the opposite. We had looked forward to one month grace period for him to handover to a new chairman but he has refused to do so and our members are not happy over this. He should go. Is MC Oluomo bigger than the union or the state governor? Oladiti asked.

On his own part, Abayomi Olusegun (a.k.a. Yomi Poly) representing the younger element of the union, pleaded with Gov. Sanwoolu to intervene in the leadership crisis before it snowball into an orgy of violence in the state, noting that majority of union members cannot wait to see the end of Oluomo's draconian regime.

However, findings revealed it would take more than a petition to ease out Oluomo. Contrary to members demand for Gov. Sanwoolu's intervention, an influential member of the union who does not want his name in print because of the sensitivity of the matter said it would be difficult to remove Oluomo now. 

"He is back in the NURTW even though he came in through the back door. It would be difficult to remove him now unless there is a disagreement between rival factions. Then, the state government can step in to avert crisis," our source confided.

He further informed that there is a subsisting injunction against rival factions to maintain status-quo till the determination of the case on 11th March 2024 by the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja.

 MC OLUOMO LOSES OUT OF BID FOR NURTW PRESIDENCY

By Lanre Olaleye 

Socialite and Lagos big boy, Musiliu Akinsanya (a.k.a. MC Oluomo) may have lost out in the power struggle to become the National President of the National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW).

This is coming on the heels of the recent palace coup which prompted Oluomo's decision to step aside as the Chairman of the Lagos State branch of the NURTW ahead of the forthcoming state election.

Oluomo is scheduled to hand over to Lagos-Island branch chairman, Mustapha Adekunle (a.k.a. Sego) in a yet to be constituted state exco later this month.

The Snoop gathered that Oluomo had initially planned to extend his second term in office beyond his tenure but a mutiny orchestrated by influential members of the union across the state had prompted a change of guard in the union.

Intelligence report gathered by the state government had predicted a looming crisis within the union if Oluomo did not hand over power at the end of his mandatory two-term.

Hence, in order to forestall crisis across motor parks and garages in Lagos, Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu interceded by summoning union stakeholders to a meeting at Alausa. Sources at the meeting said Gov. Sanwoolu restated his commitment at ensuring a smooth and seamless change of guard in the union, warning of a dire consequence for anyone who wants to fornent trouble.

However, stakeholders clearly told the governor there is no succession crisis as the state executive committee had unanimously chosen Mustapha Adekunle to lead the new administration in the state. The development was said not to have initially gone down well with Oluomo who had wanted to plant one of his proteges as his preferred successor. 

But seeing the unanimous choice of Sego, Oluomo decided to beat a retreat and instead elected to vie for the vacant National President position of the union. 

In assuaging his loss in Lagos, Gov. Sanwoolu reportedly promise to assist him in realizing his presidential ambition in Abuja.

Unfortunately, Akinsanya's permutation for the national presidency does not seem to be adding up. Though, the duo of Gov. Sanwoolu and Fuji icon, KWAM 1 are leading Akinsanya's quest for the union presidency but sources at the Presidential Villa in Abuja are not so convinced about the prospect of the Lagos big boy becoming the NURTW National President.

According to our sources, MC Oluomo's pre-election antecedents had become a big burden on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. "The president knew he would be lending a voice to rumours that he plans to bring miscreants such as MC Oluomo into government and as such the president is reluctant to give his support," one of our sources volunteered.

Aside this, the gale of opposition to Oluomo's ambition from the labour union is seen as a strong stumbling block. Having Oluomo as NURTW helsman under a Tinubu administration amounts to caging of the most influential affiliates of the labour union. Hence, the need to stop Oluomo at all cost.

Back home in Lagos, stakeholders and structures are gradually adjusting to the reality of a post-Oluomo administration in Lagos. Majority of buses in Lagos are adorning Sego's photograph proclaiming the change of guard in the union in the state. At Oshodi, Idumota, Ajah, Iyana Ipaja, Ojota, Mile 2, Ajah etc drivers, conductors and motor park touts are eulogizing Sego for the anticipated changes in the leadership and structure across all branches in the state.

Indeed, changes are expected in the state, branches and units executive committees across the state as most stakeholders are beginning to warm themselves into the hearts of the incoming chairman Mustapha Sego in a bid to secure juicy appointment and position.

Interestingly, among the stakeholders jostling for plum position in the incoming administration is MC Oluomo's right hand man, Ganiyu Oyedepo popularly called 'Koko Zaria' who recently paid homage and oveyance to Sego at the latter's Lagos-Island office.

The visit was a rude shock to Oluomo and his proteges who were alarmed by Zaria's alleged betrayal. 

But close sources felt nothing is amiss in Koko Zaria's jump-shipping antics, noting that the bearded motor-park tout only demonstrated his survival instinct.

Koko Zaria had stood beside Oluomo to fight many battles and was handsomely rewarded for his loyalty by the embattled NURTW Chairman. For instance, Oluomo single-handedly brought him into the state exco as Assistant Treasurer. Koko Zaria was assistant to Sego but despite his assistant role, he earns more than the Lagos-Island boss.

However, with the table turning against the Oshodi kingpin, Koko Zaria knew his next meal lays with Sego and was not apologetic about his decision.

Even though, many had castigated him for betraying his friend and benefactor, Zaria's instinct is focused on the future as he is reportedly eyeing the Treasurer position in the incoming administration.