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Osun Restates Claim To Adire’s Birthplace
The Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor, Olawale Rasheed, has defended the statement credited to his principal, on the source of Adire as impeccable, stressing that historical facts and tradition clearly support the claim made by the Governor Ademola Adeleke.
In a statement issued on Friday, Rasheed traced the origin of Adire to the spiritual deity called Osun goddess, noting that Ile Aka in Osogbo and Ile Akoda in Ede had been in the business of producing Adire long before the 13th century.
Rasheed pointed out that the Igi Elu, which is the major traditional ingredient used for the production of Aro before the advent of imported Chinese dyes, is situated in Osun, saying that Governor Adeleke’s position is rooted in historical facts and not just mere opinion.
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“The origin of Adire is from the spiritual deity called the Osun goddess, and it has been in existence long before the 13th century in Ile Aka in Osogbo and Ile Akoda in Ede. They inherited the indigenous Adire Eleko from their forefathers that had an encounter with the goddess during their search for water for their domestic use and water vegetables in their migration journey. Hence, the existence of Adire in Osun predates the 13th century,” Rasheed explained.
Providing further historical facts, Rasheed noted that “King Lamoye Olutimehin, the great hunter and others migrated from Ipole Omu in search of a riverine area to settle down and in their journey, they found a flowing river and decided to settle down there. While clearing bushes and cutting down trees to construct their huts, one of the trees they are cutting fell over the river and broke the goddess dye pot, prompting the Osun goddess to complain to them that they have broken all her tye and dye pots (Lamoye Timehin, gbogbo ikoko aro mi leti fo tan).
“The above historical narration established that Osun goddess has been processing Adire before the arrival of Lamoye and his people in the 13th century. It is worthy to note that majority of the Adire merchants today across the Southwest were historically trained by Adire producers from Osogbo who migrated to settle in those regions.
“It goes without stating that Osogbo is widely known by the acronym, ‘Osogbo ilu aro… aro n be ni Osogbo, ni Osogbo fi n wun ni’. It is on record that Ogun Adire traders were artisans that learnt the art of Adire from their Osun State masters.
“Another historical facts that placed Osogbo and Osun State as the origin of Adire include the coming of Ulli Bier and Susan Wenger, better known as Adunni Olorisa, who established the Osogbo School of Arts, where thousands of artists were trained in the art of Adire and Batik productions. A lot of trainees included notable Nigerian artists, such as Twin 77, Chief Jimoh Brainoh, Yemi Elebuibon, Duro Ladipo, Kongo Rao Kawawa amongst others, thus creating visibility and acceptance.
“In summary, Adire is an offshoot of traditional tye and dye by the Osun goddess way before the 13th century, and as such, Osun state remains the traditional home and source of Adire in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.”
According to the Spokesperson, the historical narration was to clear misconceptions and guide against a needless debate on what is clear as day, maintaining the Adeleke administration’s interest in preserving and projecting the state’s rich cultural and traditional potentials as can be seen with the promotion of Adire.
“In reclaiming its historical rights, Osun plans to host the maiden edition of Adire Osun carnival in November 2025– a colourful parade and celebration of Yoruba culture in Adire to be headlined by the renowned Adire Osun queen and global ambassador, Chief Mrs Oyenike Okundaye (Mama Nike Gallery).”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government over what he described as a sluggish response to the renewed wave of xenophobic violence targeting Nigerians in South Africa.
Atiku, in a statement released on Sunday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said it was disappointing that Nigeria failed to act swiftly despite repeated attacks on its citizens living in South Africa.
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The former presidential candidate stated that smaller African countries had already taken decisive steps to protect their nationals, while Nigeria appeared slow in responding to the growing tension.
According to him, Ghana had approved the evacuation of more than 300 of its citizens affected by the latest anti-immigrant threats, while the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu only reacted after mounting pressure.
“It is deeply troubling that Nigeria, a country that prides itself as the giant of Africa, once again found itself reacting instead of leading in a moment of continental crisis,” Atiku said.
He argued that the delayed response raised serious concerns about the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad.
The former vice president noted that Nigerians in South Africa had for years endured intimidation, harassment, looting and repeated xenophobic attacks, with several businesses destroyed and lives threatened during previous outbreaks.
Atiku stressed that the protection of citizens remains one of the primary responsibilities of any government, regardless of where those citizens reside.
He urged the Federal Government to issue stronger travel advisories, begin evacuation plans for willing Nigerians and intensify diplomatic engagement with South African authorities.
The former vice president also called on the African Union to take stronger action against recurring xenophobic violence across the continent.
“Africa cannot continue to preach unity while tolerating periodic persecution of fellow Africans,” he added.
He further urged Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act with greater urgency whenever the safety and dignity of Nigerians overseas are under threat.
Panic swept through parts of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Friday after a fresh gas leak affected more than 100 students and teachers across several schools, forcing many victims to be rushed to hospitals for treatment.
The incident, which occurred less than two months after a similar case in the town, reportedly affected schools including Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende, and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, among others.
Witnesses said students suddenly began complaining of breathing difficulties, stomach aches, dizziness, and weakness as the strange gas spread across the affected areas.
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Videos circulating online showed frightened students running out of school premises while teachers and residents assisted those who fainted into vehicles for emergency medical attention.
Many of the affected students were taken to the Ogun State Hospital in Ijebu Ode, while others were rushed to nearby private medical facilities as worried parents stormed the hospitals.
An eyewitness described the situation as more severe than the previous gas leak recorded in April.
“I am currently at the Ogun State Hospital, Ijebu Ode, and the hospital is overcrowded. Some parents had to move their children to private hospitals. The students are complaining of stomach pain and weakness. This incident affected multiple schools and over 100 students,” the source said.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the development, stating that emergency response agencies had been mobilised to contain the situation and investigate the source of the leak.
According to the commissioner, air quality monitoring devices installed within the area detected elevated methane gas concentrations, with readings reportedly peaking at about 13,500 ppm in surrounding locations.
He explained that although the methane level remained below the lower explosive limit, the situation was environmentally significant and required urgent investigation.
Oresanya said the state government had activated a multi-agency environmental and public health assessment team comprising environmental regulators, emergency responders, security agencies, and air quality experts to determine the source and extent of the emissions.
Officials, including the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, and the Managing Director of OGEPA, Kenny Bello, were also seen visiting affected schools and hospitals to assess the situation and monitor medical response efforts.
Residents were advised to remain calm, avoid open flames or ignition sources in areas with unusual gas odours, and immediately seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, or respiratory discomfort.
The latest incident comes weeks after over 30 students and a teacher were hospitalised following another gas leak at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in April, raising fresh concerns over environmental safety in the area.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government and Kaduna State authorities to release former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai before the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, describing his continued detention as unfair and politically troubling.
Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Friday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
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The former presidential candidate condemned El-Rufai’s detention ahead of the Muslim festival, saying it contradicts the spirit of mercy, compassion, and reconciliation associated with Eid-el-Kabir.
According to Atiku, it would be wrong for any government to deny a citizen freedom without clear justification, especially during a significant religious period when families are expected to reunite.
He warned against the alleged use of state institutions to intimidate perceived political opponents, stressing that democracy should not be used as a weapon to settle political scores.
“At a time when millions of Muslims are preparing for Eid-el-Kabir, it is unconscionable to keep a citizen away from his family without just cause,” Atiku stated.
The former vice-president also argued that the credibility of any democratic government depends on how it treats opposition figures and perceived critics.
He urged authorities to ensure transparency if El-Rufai’s detention is connected to ongoing legal proceedings, insisting that every Nigerian citizen is entitled to constitutional rights, including liberty and due process.
The demand comes days after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission confirmed that a Federal High Court in Kaduna granted El-Rufai access to medical treatment while in custody.
El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Joel Adoga, are facing a 10-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering, and possession of proceeds of crime before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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