Brigadier General SOG Aremu honoured by Osina Ancient Kingdom

Osina Town Union (OTU) Lagos Branch made history when on Sunday, December 8, 2024 organised an End of Year Party/Historic Award which was the first of its kind in the annals of the ancient kingdom.

The event which took place at the main Auditorium of Ozubulu Event Centre, Festac Town was not just the gathering of creme de la creme in Osina Ancient Kingdom; it was noticeably a loud recognition of the unique and obvious importance of the community by friends and well-wishers who thronged the venue to show commitment to the cause of the town.

Highlight of the event was the celebration and honouring of a worthy friend of the community, a complete gentleman and General in the Nigerian army, Brigadier General SOG Aremu who was recognized and honoured as the Friend of Osina Ancient Kingdom for his commitment, contributions, mentorship and uplifting of youths of the town in general and Lagos Branch in particular.

Giving the occasion more colour, the Brigadier General graced the award ceremony in company of his friends, they include the Commander 81 Division Intelligence, Brig Gen Hassan, Commander 81 Division Garrison Brig Gen Bukar, and Director Army Works Brig Gen Jungudo, amongst other dignitaries.

Brigadier Aremu was formerly Commanding Officer 14 Field, Nigerian Army Engineers Military Cantonment Army Barracks Onitsha. He was also President Mess Committee Military Cantonment Onitsha where he became friend to Osina Ancient Kingdom through Nnaoma Cyriacus Udum. Presently Brigadier General Aremu is at the Army War College Abuja, Brigadier General S.O.G. Aremu was honoured with double award, one by OTU Lagos Branch and secondly His Royal Highness, Eze O.S. Ben Igwilo, Ezedioramma of Osina Ancient Kingdom as friend of Osina Ancient Kingdom  despite being a Yoruba man.

Of course, friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between two people; it is a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an acquaintance or association, in friendship there is intimacy and a fellow feeling. As George MacDonald put it, a true friend is forever a friend, and to Taylor Coleridge, friendship is a sheltering tree.

The mutual and symbiotic friendship between Aremu and Osina people is a demonstration of the imperative of cultural integration and peaceful national co-existence. The relationship between Brigadier General SOG Aremu, a highly detribalized and patriotic Nigerian and the people of Osina Ancient Kingdom is such that should be encouraged in Nigeria especially at this time the country is going through national identity crisis, a time the nation needs patriotism and love among her citizens irrespective of tribe.

Therefore, General Aremu was honoured by the good people of Osina Ancient Kingdom in recognition of his virtuous characteristics as a true Nigerian and a soldier whose detribalized mien is good for emulation; he is a gentleman soldier who has contributed his quota in securing the nation and keeping it habitable. To the youth of Osina Community, Brigadier General SOG Aremu is an institution and a role model.

Chief Chukwudi Emeh (Okadigbo 1 of Osina), while handing over the award to Brigadier General Aremu said, "We are members of OTU Lagos Branch, you are a great friend of Osina Ancient Kingdom, we have observed with interest the long standing friendship between you and our people, all the wonderful things you are doing in our town. Also you know that Lagos State is a pacesetter, the centre of excellence, so OTU Lagos Branch, we decided to invite you today to show appreciation for all you are doing and all that you are still going to do for Osina Ancient Kingdom.

"This is an Award of Merit in the Diamond Award Category, in recognition of your commitment, contribution, mentorship and friendship with Osina Ancient Kingdom. Lagos Branch appreciates you sir.”

Receiving the award, Brigadier General SOG Aremu put on display his characteristically humble mien and disposition by thanking Osina Town Union (OTU) Lagos Branch for the honour and award. He said the award is a concretization of his friendship with Osina people. "This award is a sign of appreciation of our friendship and I will never take it for granted. Thank you so much, I appreciate." 

Brigadier general Aremu was so appreciative as he recalled the long standing relationship that have existed between him and the people of Osina Ancient Kingdom right from Onitsha where he served and since then the mutual relationship has been further been upgraded to a level where it is now.

He thanked the people of Osina Town and also appreciated in a special way, His Royal Highness Eze OS Ben Igwilo, Eze Osina of Osina Ancient Kingdom for honouring him with an award as friend of Osina ancient kingdom and also OTU Lagos Branch for honouring him in the Diamond Award Category.

 

 

Hon Ugochinyere, Ikenga Imo, honoured by Osina Ancient Kingdom

By Cyriacus Nnaji:

Honourable member representing the good people of Ideato North and South in the Federal House of Representatives and Spokesperson Nigerian opposition coalition, the Conference of the United Political Parties (CUPP) a lawyer, an activist, Honourable Ugochinyere Michael Ikeagwuonu, Ikenga Imo, has been honoured by his constituents, the people of Osina Ancient Kingdom.

The vibrant, energetic and articulate lawmaker was recognized and honoured in the Diamond award category for his commitment and numerous contributions to the growth and development of, not just Osina Ancient Kingdom and Ideato nation, but for his quality representation of the people of Imo State and Nigerians in general at the national assembly.

Ugochinyere was decorated with a diamond medal and a diamond plaque presented to him at his country home in Akokwa, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State during the Yuletide. Recall that due to the exigencies of his office, Hon. Ugochinyere was unable to attend the award ceremony in Lagos.  

According to Chief Chukwudi Emeh Okadigbo, Chairman, Osina Town Union (OTU) Lagos Branch, Osina Community is 100% behind Ugochinyere and therefore acknowledged his massive support to the town in its quest for infrastructural growth and development.

Chief Emeh, before handing over the award to the prominent lawmaker, said, "We are members of OTU Lagos Branch, we know and we know that you know that Osina is over 100% for you. We have observed in Osina all the wonderful things you are doing in our town. Also you know that Lagos State is a pacesetter, the centre of excellence, so we decided, even though it is long overdue, to come and show appreciation for all you are doing and all that you are still going to do for Osina Ancient Kingdom.

"When we were planning for this award we called Chief Njesi, but because of your very tight schedule he suggested that we bring the plaque to the village, that is why we are here, to thank you, to honour you the way we planned it in Lagos, here in our fatherland. So in the first place, the medal is what we give to those who merit this award just like you, to tell you welcome.

"This award is an award of merit to thank you for all the wonderful things you are doing in Imo State, in Ideato and in Osina Ancient kingdom. 

"We understand your very tight schedule, and that is why, even though the award ceremony took place in Lagos, we considered it imperative to bring this award to you at home this Yuletide, Chief Emeh stated.

"This is an Award of merit in the Diamond award category, in recognition of your performances in Osina Ancient Kingdom. Lagos Branch appreciates you sir.”

"This is an Award of merit in the Diamond award category, in recognition of your performances in Osina Ancient Kingdom. Lagos Branch appreciates you sir.”

Receiving the award, Ikenga Imo, put on display his characteristically humble mien and disposition by first of all apologizing for his inability to make it to the award event in Lagos, and then thanked Osina Town Union (OTU) Lagos Branch for the honour and award. "We regret we didn't make it to your event in Lagos and that is why I say you can bring it down here this Christmas, I appreciate Sir, thank you very much." 

NIDOE debunks Hundeyin’s Conspiracy Theory, reaffirms independence from government

Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) a non-governmental, non-profit organization, has debunked what it termed the Conspiracy Theory being propagated by one Mr. David Hundeyin.

In a statement signed by Cllr. Harold Ogunfemi, Continental Chairman NIDOE; Hon Michael Otogo, General Secretary, NIDOE and Engr. Shakiru  Oladunjoye, PRO/Assistant General Secretary, NIDOE, the organization debunked Mr Hundeyin’s alleged claim that NIDOE is infiltrated by Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency (NIA). 

It maintained that Hundeyin’s claim is not only unfounded but also a demonstration of a lack of understanding of NIDO’s history, structure, and purpose. 

The organization averred that while Mr. Hundeyin was entitled to his opinions, however he is not entitled to misrepresent facts, and therefore debunked the allegations in its entirety. 

The statement also stressed NIDOE’s independence and Non-Governmental Status like other NIDO chapters, as an independent, non-governmental organization (NGO), adding that although the formation of NIDO was facilitated by President Olusegun Obasanjo in collaboration with Nigerian embassies, the organization operates independently.

The statement averred that, “The Nigerian government and embassies have, in the past, provided facilitative support to NIDO in recognition of its value to national development. However, this relationship is purely advisory and does not extend to control or interference.”

Speaking further on the autonomy of NIDOE the statement stated that the autonomy of the organization is guaranteed by it constitution: “NIDOE is governed by its constitution, which ensures its independence. Embassies collaborate with NIDO on mutual goals, but NIDO’s operations are self-governed.”

NIDOE therefore emphasized that Mr. Hundeyin’s theory appears to stem from a misinterpretation of a statement on NIDO’s US website acknowledging its origins as a government-facilitated initiative. It however stated that such an acknowledgment does not imply covert control or infiltration, adding that transparency about its origins reflects NIDO’s integrity.

It disclosed that Mr. Hundeyin also failed to provide any names, documented investigations, or verified sources to substantiate his claims. “His allegations are based on conjecture rather than investigative journalism, which undermined the seriousness of his statements.”

NIDOE, while stating that it is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that has consistently upheld its mission to unite and whose work reflects transparency, integrity, and community service, directed her members to ignore such baseless allegations and remain focused.

It said “The NIDOE Executive Council reaffirms its commitment to these principles and encourages all stakeholders to seek verified information and engage constructively with NIDO’s work. Let us not allow conspiracy theories to distract from the meaningful progress we are making.”