9JA Twins Festival 2009: Alaafin endorses project; donates bus - Picks Tai Lawal, Ekiti Deputy-Governor, as arrow-head

By Wale Ojo-Lanre - updated: Wednesday 17-06-2009

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III
(middle) in a group photograph with some
sets of twins and triplets during a courtesy
visit to the palace by the initiator’s of 9JA
twins festivalTHE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, Iku Baba Yeye, has given full endorsement and support to the first ever Nigeria Twins Festival, slated for August.

Kabiyesi who had just been blessed with a set of triplets, recently played host to a horde of twins and triplets in his palace last week Saturday.

Receiving the 9JA Twins’ delegation at the palace, Kabiyesi described the idea of holding the Twins Festival as commendable and worthy of support. “I am impressed by the thought of you special gifts and creatures of Almighty God about having a festival where all of you will congregate and show the world the virtues you are made of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi said.”

Kabiyesi pointed out that “The festival is necessary and welcomed, particularly at this point in time when there is the need to debunk and counter the invidious stereotypes and negative mind-sets which many have about multiple births.”

Oba Adeyemi III said that “whoever or any household whom God considers to give twins, triplets or more at a time is highly favoured. This is because while some are frenetically searching and supplicating for just a baby, some are over blessed with multiples without any sweat.”

The traditional ruler pointed out that; in Yorubaland, we appreciate the twins. Our appreciation is so deep that we idolized you not as gods but to show our gratitude to Almighty God for his infinite and unending blessings on the community where twins are born, whereas in other climes, they were not only seen as evil but also as beings which deserve no right to live. But we are grateful that this is no longer the case in that realm.”

“You are not only special but unique and extra-ordinary creatures. You are harbingers of good luck, fortune, prosperity, and harmony. You open doors and create unity.”

Oba Adeyemi revealed that no set of twins are good for nothing. “I have made my research about the twins and I found out that each of you comes to the world with certain intrinsic aura and values which are not found in a baby that comes to earth alone.”

He blessed the 9JA Twins Festival and described it as “a successful festival already.” “I have no doubt that all Twins in Nigeria will support this festival of note. On my part as the father of all in Yorubaland, I will not relent on my support, not only for this festival, but for the welfare of all extra ordinary beings in Yorubaland. And on this, I promise to acquire for you an 18-seater bus.”

The Iku Baba Yeye pointed out that “One of the rare virtues of you wonderful children is your loyalty and commitment to whatever you believe in. An example suffices here. See what Dr. Tai Sikiru Lawal, the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, is doing over there. He is loyal, dedicated, committed and truthful to his boss. Such is the life of Twins, such a man should be one of your arrow-heads.”

Responding, the leader of the delegates and organisers of 9JA Twins Festival, Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye, who were visibly surprised by the promise of a functional bus gift, thanked kabiyesi for his fatherly role.

“We are short of words. We are dazed. But we are not surprised because Kabiyesi, Iku Baba Yeye, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, is not only a wonder but an enigma, which Yorubaland has not been able to comprehend.”

The Oguntoyes told the Alaafin: “We are happy to inform Kabiyesi that we have contacted Dr. Taiwo Sikiru Lawal, the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State and like you rightly pointed out, he has agreed to be our arrow-head.”

The twins also revealed that the logo of the festival would be unveiled at the Alaafin’s palace, Oyo, at a date to be decided upon by the Kabiyesi.

CBAAC to kick-off Palm Print Documentation Project - Yar’Adua, Goodluck, David Mark, Bankole on Phase 1

By Wale ojo Lanre
President Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and
Senator David Mark

as part of its efforts at ensuring that the legacies of Nigerians and their contributions to the development of African Arts and Civilization is not easily forgotten and rubbished with the passing of time, the Centre for Black and Arts and African Civilization, (CBAAC) will soon commence the Palm Print Documentation of distinguished Nigerians.

According to TTH’s investigation, the Palm Print Documentation Project is part of the African Hall of Fame Project, which is being initiated by Professor Olatunde Babawale, the Director-General,CBAAC, and which aims at preserving for posterity, the evidence of great men and women who have contributed to the survival of Nigeria and Africa in the comity of nations.

“It is a different and unique way of preserving those rare palms which these great and distinguished Nigerians used to shape the world. “The Project entails embossing their palms on a concrete plate with their names and a short story about their activities and achievements.

“These rare palms, rather than their foot, translated whatever their brains commanded them to do. Hence, the palms print must be preserved, protected and promoted for this generation and the generations yet unborn,” said a source at CBAAC.

Prof. Babawale has been giving a new lease of life to the centre, making it a relevant, virile and visible parastatal, which blends admirably well with its charter of inauguration.

Recently, CBAAC was rated as the lead parastatal in the culture segment of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The Palm Print Documentation Project, which will kick off in August this year, will be executed in phases.

According to the scheme on ground, President Umar Yar’Adua, his Vice-President, Dr. Jonathan Goodluck, Senate President, Senator David Mark and Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole will have the first shot of the wonderful project.