A new palace that was built by Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, was on Saturday handed over to the monarch of Osoogun town, Oyo State, Moses Olalere.

Osoogun is the ancestral home of the late Bishop Ajayi Crowther, after whom ACU was named.

The event witnessed by representatives of the state government, traditional rulers from the state and clerics from Anglican Communion.

At the event were Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola, his counterpart from Igbeti, Oba Basir Olalekan, Bishop of Ajayi Crowther Diocese, Rt Rev Collins Babalola, that of Oyo Diocese, Rt Rev Olugbenga Oduntan, and Oladotun Ajibola from the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Timothy Adebayo, who led principal officers of the school to the ceremony, said the multi-million project was embarked upon after the management deemed the building housing the community monarch unfit for his status.

He said, “After a visit by the management of ACU to the monarch in his home, we decided to seek the permission of the university owners, the Anglican Church, to build a befitting place for the traditional ruler of a town where Ajayi Crowther came from.

“Osoogun is important in the history of ACU, being the home of Bishop Ajayi Crowther. The school has also benefited from a donation of large piece of land on which its Osoogun campus is built. It is therefore worthy for ACU to invest in its development.”

Speaking at the event, the Aseyin of Iseyin launched a fundraiser with N300,000 donation to sink a borehole in the community.

He also called on the state government to rehabilitate the road leading to the town and ensure stable electricity supply.

ives encountered a group of about six unknown gunmen all armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.

“On sighting them, the suspects in a bid to escape had an encounter with the policemen during which two of the suspected robbers were arrested with serious gunshot injuries.

They were immediately taken to the hospital where they were confirmed dead, while other suspects escaped.

One locally made cut-to-size double barrel gun loaded with two live cartridges and a battle axe was recovered. Efforts are on to arrest the fleeing suspects.