Latest news with #Ijebu
AFP
30-07-2025
- Politics
- AFP
Posts misleadingly claim Nigerian governor renamed school after monarch died
'Governor Dapo Abiodun announces the change of name in honor of the Late Awujale Of Ijebu Ode from Tai Solarin College Of Education oo The Oba Sikiru Adetona College Of Science And Technology (sic),' reads the caption of an X post published on July 21, 2025. Image Screenshot showing the misleading post, taken on July 25, 2025 Attached to the post is a one-minute video showing Ogun state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, listing projects completed in honour of Adetona, including the renaming of a state-owned school from Tai Solarin College of Education to Oba Sikiru Adetona College of Science and Technology. Shared more than 500 times, the claim was published by an account called 'AsakyGRN'. A review of the account shows it shares posts on Nigerian politics and entertainment with more than 89,000 followers. The claim was also shared here on Instagram by a popular Nigerian blog called 'instablog9ja'. Adetona, the late Awujale of Ijebuland and one of Nigeria's longest-reigning monarchs, died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91 (archived here). While Adetona was revered for his principled 64-year leadership of the culturally rich Ijebu people, Tai Solarin, known for his bold ideas, love for education and fearless voice for the common man, was celebrated as one of Nigeria's most influential educators, and has several institutions named after him. However, the post does not show Ogun state governor Abiodun renaming an educational institution after Adetona following his death. Old change Using Google Lens to conduct reverse image searches on keyframes from the clip, AFP Fact Check was led to the original video published on YouTube on July 23, 2025 (archived here). The video, which runs for 55 minutes, shows the 8th-day Fidau prayer — a Muslim memorial held to pray for the soul of the deceased — organised for the late monarch and attended by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, state governors, and other top political figures. At 12'13', Abiodun takes the podium and speaks about Adetona's legacy and impact on Ogun state. 'In appreciation of our love, respect and support for Kabiesi, one of my first actions upon assuming office was the immediate award for the reconstruction of the Ijubu-ode/ Ojoda/Egbe road…', the governor says a few minutes later at 15'45' — the exact point where the video in the misleading posts starts. At 16'08'', he adds: 'We also renamed the Tai Solarin College of Education in Ogun in his honour, and I am glad we did all these in his lifetime. It [the college] is now known as the Oba Sikiru Adetona College of Science and Technology.' Using the institution's name as a keyword in an internet search, AFP Fact Check was led to a news article published in 2022 when the school was formally renamed — a development Abiodun had initially discussed in 2021 during a political campaign (archived here and here). In a statement by Abiodun's media aide, Kayode Akinmade, the governor clarified that the institution renamed after the late monarch was one of two campuses that emerged from the former Tai Solarin College of Education (archived here). He said the degree-awarding arm became Tai Solarin University of Education, while the second campus — focused on teacher training — was renamed Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology in 2022.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Culture and colour come out in praise of a Nigerian king
Thousands gathered on Sunday in an ancient town in south-west Nigeria for a spectacular display of culture, colour and tradition. The Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode, brought together locals and visitors to pay homage to the Awujale - the traditional ruler of the Ijebu people. This union of drummers, musicians and dancers coupled with a fashion parade told a tale of people deeply connected to their roots. Ojude Oba - a Yoruba phrase meaning "the kings forecourt" - began over two centuries ago. Earmarked for the third day after Eid, this was originally a modest gathering of the Muslim faithful, thanking the king for allowing them to practise their religion freely. But it has grown to symbolise pride, unity and identity among all the Ijebu people regardless of religion. The women were elegantly turned-out in colourful traditional dresses, known here as iro and buba, along with the gele, or head wrap. Their outfits were made from lace or aso-oke, a locally sourced fabric woven by the Yoruba people. The sunglasses and hand fans meant to provide respite for the blistering sun were must-have accessories, complementing the looks. Dressed in traditional Yoruba agbada, the men agree months ahead on what outfits, colour and accessories to use for the festival. Each year, they tweak the style and colour and display. Accessories include matching caps, beads and shoes. Regardless of social status, the people are classified into age groups known as regbe-regbe, with hundreds belonging to each one. They are aimed at fostering unity among the locals. The horses were adorned in colourful ornaments of gold and silver. Their riders displayed their prowess and the strength of their horses circling the arena to thunderous applause from spectators. Shots from locally made guns sent white smoke into the air, signalling the arrival of each of the traditional warrior family, known as Balogun or Eleshin. They protected the Ijebu kingdom from external aggression at one time. The flamboyant parade of culture provides an economic boost to the area as dress makers, weavers, shoe makers, jewellers and others are contracted to make the desired outfits and matching accessories. Additional reporting by Ayo Bello and Kyla Herrmannsen Nigeria's Egungun festival: Colour, culture and community Nigeria's spectacular horse parade closing Ramadan Nigerians take to the streets for Calabar Carnival Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
