Culture

Ile-Ife indigenes in Nigeria go spiritual, storm University with charms to force out new VC (Video)

Published

2 years ago

March 22, 2022

African traditional beliefs and spiritualism played out when some indigenes of Ile-Ife in Osun State, Nigeria, stormed the campus of one of the oldest universities in the country, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), with assorted charms, amulets and other fetish objects, to force out the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the institution which is located in the town.

Their grouse?
The indigenes of the town were angry that the new VC was not one of them but someone from another town, despite the fact that there are eminently qualified natives who can take up the position.

The University’s Governing Council led by its Chairman, Chief Owelle Udoji, had on Thursday, March 17, announced Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, a Professor of Agricultural Economics as the 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university.

But the decision of the Council angered the indigenes and to show their grievances, they decided to go spiritual and storm the main campus of the school with their charms and paraphernalia of their spirituality.

The indigenes who are adherents of the traditional Yoruba religion, invaded the institution with charms and other fetish objects, and closed the two major gates of the institution, and prevented staff, students, and other stakeholders from coming into or leaving the campus.

The University’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Abiodun Olarewaju, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said the people “became very violent as they beat up workers, particularly the staff of the Security Unit, and vandalised their office at the main gate.”

“The protests by the Ife indigenes started on Thursday, March 17, 2022, shortly after the University Governing Council, led by its Chairman, Owelle Oscar Udoji, announced a Professor of Agricultural Economics, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, as the 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor.

“On Monday, March 21, 2022, things took more dangerous dimensions as the indigenes beat up some OAU students whom they met at the gate, blocked the two major gates as early as 6: 00 am, and came into the campus with charms, and other fetish items.

“They assembled at the motion ground of the University Secretariat, dressed in all-white spiritual traditional attire, chanting incantations while performing rituals.

Indigenes of Ile-Ife pride themselves as the true custodians of Yoruba culture and traditions and are known to settle their differences with the employment of their revered charms.

Watch Video here:

The Yorubas of Nigeria believe their civilization began in Ile-Ife where the gods descended to earth, thus the name, Ile-Ife, which literally means “place of dispersion.”

According to Yoruba tradition and mythology, Ife was founded by the deities Oduduwa and Obatala when they created the world. Obatala was said to have fashioned the first humans out of clay while Oduduwa became the first divine king of the Yoruba people.

The first traditional ruler, the Oòni of Ife, was said to be a direct descendant of Oduduwa, which was the 401st Orisha.

Ife is home to many traditional worshippers of deities and is where they are routinely celebrated through festivals.

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Culture

Spotify names Asake most-streamed artiste in Nigeria in 2023

Published

17 hours ago

December 4, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, has been named as the most streamed musician in Nigeria in 2023 by music streaming platform, Spotify.

The global platform, in a release tagged, “Spotify wrapped: 2023 – Nigeria Diverse Music Scene in 2023”, revealed that from available data, Asake topped the list of the most streamed artistes of the year.

In the Spotify Wrapped segment, the released noted that Asake’s songs emerged in the top 10 most streamed tracks, with three of his hits tracks, “Lonely At The Top” “2: 30” and “Amapaino” topping the charts.

The platform also noted that thr 28-year-old star’s reign at the top extended to the Gen Z demographic, with Asake becoming the most streamed artiste among Nigerian and Ghanaian Gen Z listeners.

Another Nigerian prodigy, Rema, also rounded up a superlative year 2023 as his world acclaimed song, “Calm Down”, became the first Afrobeats track to hit a billion streams on the streaming platform worldwide.

Spotify called Rema and Asake Afrobeats’ global ambassadors. Rema holds the title of the most globally exported artiste. Asake’s songs, which have captivated audiences across Nigeria, Ghana, and Togo, have earned him the coveted title of “most streamed artiste in each country.”

The late Mohbad also had a mention in the list as he secured a position in the top 20 list of the most streamed artistes in Nigeria.

His hit single, “Ask About Me”, according to Spotify, was the top streamed track every day between the 13th and 25th of September.

Speaking on the rise and acceptance of Afrobeats around the world, Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa, said:

“Nigeria is a hotbed of musical talent, and we’re incredibly proud to showcase the diversity and passion of Nigerian music lovers through Wrapped.”

Okumu added that this year’s Spotify Wrapped was a testament to the power of music to connect people and bring them closer to the culture and traditions of Nigeria.

This is a full breakdown of the top Spotify Wrapped list:

Most Streamed Artistes in Nigeria

Asake

Burna Boy

Davido

Seyi Vibez

Omah Lay

Bnxn

Rema

ODUMODU BLVCK

Olamide

Wizkid

Most Streamed Female Artist in Nigeria

Ayraa Starr

Tiwa Savage

Tems

Mercy Chinwo

Most Streamed Tracks in Nigeria

Lonely At The Top – Asake

GWAGWALADA – Bnxn ft Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez

FEEL – Davido

2: 30 – Asake

Reason – Omah Lay

Party No Dey Stop (with Zinolessky) – Adekunle Gold

Soso – Omah Lay

DECLAN RICE – ODUMODUBLVCK

KANTE (feat Fave)-Davido
Amapiano – Asake ft. Olamide

Most Streamed Albums in Nigeria

Timeless- David
Work of Art – Asake

Boy Alone – Omah Lay

EZIOKWU – ODUMODUBLVCK

I Told Them – Burna Boy

Rave & Roses Ultra – Rema

Mr Money With The Vibe – Asake

Sincerely Benson – Bnxn

Love Damini – Burna Boy

Unruly -Olamideo

Culture

Algerian Muslims, Christians unite in prayer for peace in Middle East

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

In what has been described as a powerful and outstanding display of interfaith solidarity, hundreds of Algerian Muslims joined their Christian counterparts Saturday at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers to pray for peace in the Middle East, with special focus on the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Led by Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco of Algiers, over 200 people, including foreign diplomats and representatives of various associations, had responded to the call by the Catholic Church in Algeria to come together and pray for peace in Gaza.

Among those who attended the religious gathering were the French Ambassador to Algeria, Stephane Romatet, Palestinian Ambassador, Fayez Mohamed Mahoum Abu Aita, Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco, and the president of the Algerian association, “Passerelles de la paix,” Youcef Mecheria.

While addressing the worshippers, Archbishop Vesco said the call became necessary as an expression of collective unity. He said the intention behind the gathering was to pray for peace in a land “where residents are enduring what the an insupportable tributary to conflict.”

“Today, we wanted to organize a day of fasting and prayer for peace and for an end to the fighting, but with justice in Gaza. It’s a day of prayer in solidarity with all the people of Gaza,” Vesco said.

Also speaking, Ambassador Romatet said the significance of the diverse community present, encompassing Muslims and Christians, particularly in a time when global peace was under threat, especially in the Middle East, showed the importance of peace in the world.

“We responded to this call to pray for the end of the conflict in the Middle East, in Palestine, and in Gaza,” he added.