www.oruntoowuabeokuta.org.ng , the premier online platform dedicated to showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Owu Kingdom, Egbas, and Abeokuta, is proud to celebrate its first anniversary.

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Over the past year, OruntoOwuAbeokuta has established itself as a vibrant hub for cultural enthusiasts, researchers, and the Owu community to explore and engage with their roots.

Through its comprehensive work, the platform has preserved historical narratives, traditional practices, and contemporary updates, promoting cultural awareness and appreciation.

Orunto Owu Abeokuta has fostered community engagement through interactive forums, events, and festivals like Odun Omo Olowu, uniting Owu descendants worldwide.

The platform has also provided valuable resources for scholars and enthusiasts interested in Owu history, socio-political contributions, and cultural significance.

“We are thrilled to mark this milestone and appreciate the unwavering support from our community,” said the management team. “Our impact extends beyond cultural promotion, contributing to the Owu Kingdom and Abeokuta’s economy and tourism.

Initiatives like Odun Omo Olowu and Lisabi Festival have attracted international attention, boosting local businesses and skill promotions.”

With over 350 articles, write-ups, and pieces published within a year, the website is a treasure trove of interesting reads and stories told through captivating 1000+ photos.

OruntoOwuAbeokuta’s dynamic nature is a testament to its commitment to growth and development.

“Reading makes a healthy life and personal development,” and OruntoOwuAbeokuta is a shining example of this philosophy in action. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to many more years of preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta history.”

The platform is a brainchild of Chief Abiodun Lasile, the Orunto Owu Kingdom Abeokuta and Founder/Coordinator The SixthSense Initiative and Sixth Sense Series Publications
Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors (Ogun Chapter)

The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has ratified the suspension of the Ogun State Coordinator, Sekinat Salam, and the Financial Secretary, Charity James, following a resolution by the State Congress and subsequent approval by the State Executive Council (SEC).

In separate letters addressed to the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, the Vice Chairperson/Secretary and the embattled Salam, the National Secretariat acknowledged receipt of the communication conveying the Congress resolution and the SEC’s ratification of the suspension.

The letters, signed by the NAWOJ National Secretary, Wasilah Ladan, stated that the Secretariat upheld the decision of the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee as well as that of the SEC, noting that due process was followed in arriving at the suspension.

According to the letters, in view of the circumstances surrounding the development and the pending investigation, the Ogun State NAWOJ Chairperson was advised to “honourably resign and step down” to allow the Vice Chairperson to assume leadership in an acting capacity.

The National body, after ratifying the suspension of the State Coordinator and Financial Secretary, further directed the Ogun State Chapter to ensure a smooth transition of duties. 

It also urged all concerned parties to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation and emphasised that any reconciliation or corrective measures must be pursued strictly within the constitutional framework of the Union.

The National Secretariat expressed regret over the situation and requested that its apologies be conveyed to the Ogun State NUJ Chairman, while reaffirming its commitment to upholding the integrity and constitutional provisions of the Union.

NAWOJ is the women’s wing of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and operates as an affiliate association under the supervision of the Union at both National and State levels.

In Ogun State, the association has recently been embroiled in an internal crisis following allegations of financial impropriety against some members of its executive council. 

The dispute centred on claims that a cheque issued by the Ogun State Government, in the name of NAWOJ, was allegedly used to open a bank account bearing the name of the NUJ, prompting a referral to the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee of the Union.

It was the report of the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, presented at the Ogun NUJ monthly congress in Abeokuta, that culminated in the suspension of the affected NAWOJ officers.

The Convener of the United Premier Movement (UPM), Hon. (Chief) Olalekan A. Shoyinka, has criticised the recent presentation of brand-new vehicles by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, to local government chairmen, saying the gesture raises concerns about the financial autonomy of local councils.

Governor Abiodun had, on Christmas Day, presented Toyota Corolla Cross vehicles to chairmen of the 20 local government areas in the state, describing the move as the fulfilment of a campaign promise to strengthen grassroots governance.

Shoyinka, popularly known as Ayinla Egba, while acknowledging the goodwill behind the gesture, said local governments should ordinarily be able to procure official vehicles and other tools of administration if their statutory allocations were paid directly to them.

According to him, local governments exist primarily to deliver development at the grassroots, including rural road maintenance, functional primary healthcare, quality public education, electrification and other community infrastructure, rather than depend on external support for administrative convenience.

‘Sustainable governance is not built on seasonal generosity, but on institutional autonomy, fiscal responsibility, and accountability. When Local Governments are properly funded, empowered, and monitored, they will no longer wait for gifts — they will deliver governance.’

He noted that no president in the Fourth Republic has gifted official vehicles to state governors, adding that governors have always relied on state resources appropriated through budgets to meet such needs, a situation he said should also apply to local governments.

The UPM convener said the development has once again brought to the fore the unresolved issue of local government financial autonomy, stressing that direct payment of statutory allocations from the Federation Account remains critical to effective grassroots governance.

‘History does not record that any President of Nigeria, since the dawn of the Fourth Republic, has gifted state governors official vehicles in this manner. Governors have always drawn from state resources, appropriated through budgets, to procure tools they deem necessary for governance. This raises a critical concern: if Local Government allocations were truly reaching councils directly, wouldn’t chairmen be in a position to prioritize and procure their own needs — vehicles included — without external benevolence?’

Shoyinka also referenced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s repeated commitment to enforcing the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, urging concrete action to ensure councils are properly funded and empowered.

He maintained that while the governor’s gesture may be commendable, sustainable grassroots development can only be achieved through institutional autonomy, fiscal responsibility and accountability at the local government level.