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Obaseki: An Ugly Glimpse of What to Come by Yusuf Biliaminu

The re-election campaigns of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, and his new political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently suffered a major setback, when they were totally disgraced penultimate week outside the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II.

The governor’s convoy was blocked. The angry residents numbering hundreds booed and jeered at him and his guests. They called him various derogatory names, particularly “thief.” It degenerated into violence, scores were injured and properties vandalised.

That development did not go down well with the governor and the PDP and has generated different reactions from both parties, because of the potential implications it has on the governor’s political fortunes. The direct interpretation of the incident could that he had been rejected by the people and that his defeat is not just imminent, but would be overwhelming.

Not anybody could fathom that level of outrage outside the Benin palace against an incumbent governor and the implications are huge. For one, if it was just the youth, who reacted like that, they had sent a clear signal to the Oba that they weere done with Obaseki.

The reason was simply because in Edo State, the Oba of Benin is well respected in political decisions and a politician, who does not have the backing of the palace would find it very difficult, if not impossible to garner the support of the people.

The PDP claimed that the APC sponsored the attack and that the grand plan was to eliminate the entire opposition leadership, because Obaseki had the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, members of the PDP National Working Commissttee (NWC), Governor Neysome Wike (Rivers State), Governor Ifeanyi Okowo (Delta State), Governor Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto State), Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo State) and other notable leaders with him.

Earlier, at a press conference, the APC had pointed fingers at Governor Obaseki over the violent incidence at the Oba’s palace. The Vice Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the APC Campaign Council, Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon, specifically blamed the clash on the PDP.

He alleged that the governor resorted to violence, because the duo of former governor and former National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and business mogul, who his government had been victimising for fear that he was planning to pick the APC governorship ticket, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo.

Obahiagbon stated that after the palace incidence, APC supporters were accosted and attacked on the street of Benin, stressing that it is “unacceptable to us as a party. How long more can we persuade our teeming party loyalists to hold back?”

The former House of Representatives member, who said the opposition PDP unleashed terror on the citizenry by enlisting the support of renowned cultists in Benin, further alleged that Obaseki is working on plans to arrest the duo of Oshiomhole, Okunbo and other APC leaders on the eve of the election for not supporting him. He also claimed that there was a plan to set Okunbo’s farm on fire.

“The PDP and the governor were planning to arrest and detain the former National Chairman of the APC Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on the eve of the election and also set fire on the farm of billionaire businessman, Captain Hosa Okunbo for refusing to back the second-term agenda.

“Obaseki is planning to continue his persecution of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole with trumped-up and inconsequential charges at the eleventh hour of electoral politics. His plan is to arraign Oshiomhole for a probe that has been revealed as nothing but a targeted political witch-hunt and then deny him bail on the eve of election to paralyse the APC.

“He is planning to use COVID-19 as a ruse to neuter grassroots leaders of our party, the APC on the eve of the gubernatorial election by abducting and detaining them in isolation center. This way, disenfranchising them and forestalling the political force they would deliver in pursuant of APC’s victory,” Obahiagbon alleged.

Not unmindful of the attacks on him just on the ground of assumption that he was the preferred candidate for the governorship and his perceived support for the APC candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Okunbo was quick to state that he had no hand in the embarrassment the governor faced at the palace.

He said: “I condemn the booing of the governor and the PDP team, and the reprisal attack. I am particularly pained that some ungodly insinuations in some quarters have linked me with the unfortunate saga.”

But away from all the rhetoric, the governor’s goodwill is fast dwindling among the people and so also is his political fortunes.

In 2016, his cousin, Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki categorically urged the people not to vote for him. He didn’t stop at that, he stepped down his ambition and endorsed Ize-Iyamu of the PDP then on the ground that he was the “best candidate” for the election.

“I will rather support Pastor Ize-Iyamu, who represents the collective aspiration of Edo people than support Godwin Obaseki, who is being promoted by external political and economic investors,” Obaseki stated in 2016.

Talking about making a choice between Ize-Iyamu and Obaseki, his first cousins said: “Osagie is actually an uncle and Godwin is a cousin, so both of them are family. But it is not the family I am looking at because I can no longer wish Edo State based on family filiations; I cannot because someone is my brother because we answered the same name wished away the collective patrimony of the entire Edo nation.

“You don’t need to be told I am a very convinced young man, I have come to praising my conviction even as a young boy, when we were fighting as a CLO Director, running radio Kudirat and in Godwin I would not lie, I see nothing that represents my vision to change Edo State.”

The APC candidate, Ize-Iyamu, also feels there are enough reasons why the people don’t want the governor to have a second term. In a recent interview, he said contrary to claims that Obaseki has been a performing governor, who is hated by a political godfather that is mad at him because he was not allowing the access to the state’s purse, but identified several factors that made the governor ineligible for a second term.

“They say we have a technocrat as a governor. How can you have a governor, who didn’t pass his school certificate? How was he able to enter university with three credits and none of them were English and Maths? He is always talking about godfather. Who is the godfather? This is the governor, who increased security votes of the state from N6bn to N7.5bn. The money goes to him.

The APC governorship hopeful said Governor Obaseki is not getting the people’s support, because he has not made good his campaign promises in the education, security and health sectors, and that despite all accolades he receives for his major achievements in the education sector, Edo Best, he did not employ teachers throughout his first term of office.

While he continues to appeal to his supporters not resort to violence, Ize-Iyamu has repeatedly assured the people of the state that given the opportunity to lead, he would ensure that the people experience economic growth and infrastructure development.

Thus, from the orchestrated show that held outside the palace of the Oba’s place to the much anticipated election of September 19th, it is evident that the battle is already a lost for Obaseki and that indeed, the governor’s defeat would come handy as a critical lesson in poor and vindictive leadership. Importantly, re-electing Obaseki coud mean rewarding treachery, betrayal and ingratitude.

– Biliaminu wrote from Kaduna

Poet and Social Activist, Valentine Okolo, talks on Rape, Genocide, and the Power of Words

Poet and social activist, Valentine Okolo, speaks in this interview to Godwin Iheancho about his thought provoking poetry book, ‘I Will Be Silent’.

Excerpt…

Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

I got it from the title of a poem I wrote called “I Will Be Silent.” This was a poem I wrote concerning the genocide which happened in Darfur, Sudan, many years ago. I wrote it in response to the then international media blackout that occurred during that period and how men and young male children were systematically slaughtered by government supported Janjaweed militia. And how women were also gang raped, and impregnated by their oppressors, and sometimes mutilated.

In genocides rape is most times weaponized by the aggressive side, and the suffering sides to such wickedness are women, old and young. Such actions tear at my core and reveal mankind’s depravity at its worst. That poem and a few others similar to it form the back bone of the book.

Genocides, sex slavery, rape and a few other indignities suffered by many women in improvished regions of the world continue still. Boko Haram, and it’s aftermath, the Fulani Herdsmen follow in the footsteps of the Janjaweed militia in Sudan which commited those attrocities with government blessings.

In Nigeria, it is apparent that the government is in accord with Boko Haram and the Fulani Herdsmen as it has repeatedly played to the gallery whenever it is called to question regarding the poor equipments deployed and the improvishment of military troops sent to the effected regions to combat the insurgency. Rather, they result in the use of euphemisms by calling the terrorists “Bandits” and the deployment of mass media propaganda to negate the seriousness of the insurgency.

The entire idea of the book is centred around the themes of pain, and perseverance that these people, and may more like them in different regions of the world, face and have to endure constantly.

I Will Be Silent is not just a book to me. It is more than that. It is a call to witness. It is a series of poems which proceed not from the heart but from the gut of tribulation and endurance. It is a book which bears witness to the collected voices who cannot speak for themselves because they have been silenced.

How do you get inspired to write?

Most times I feel the emotions of others when I write. In those moments I become that which I write about. I see with their eyes, I hear with their ears, I feel with their skin. In those moments I cease to be myself, and become someone else. I become her, they, it. I become someone’s dreams. And relive, sometimes, their nightmares.

I write from a place of suffering. From a place of joy. I explore the two extremes in my poetry.

In my book I Will Be Silent I wrote many poems which grew from those two extremes. Or should I say, some poems made me write them inspired by these extremes of human existence.

I most times don’t plan a poem in advance. Some poems, if I may use the expression, fall at my feet, almost fully formed. They are a few poems, however, that I do make plans to write in advance. And in order to write them I have to enter into a period of poetic gestation. A period in which I allow the idea of the poem to take root and grow within me until it is ready to be birthed. Sometimes the gestation period may take a few days. Sometimes it can take months or even years.

I like writing organically. So I don’t force anything out. I allow myself to be. I allow myself to feel. I allow the words to come to me like the wind. And I try to catch whatever message that is whispered in the breeze.

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

First, they should close their eyes and feel. And then write what they felt. Some of the notable works of literature (which includes fiction, non fiction, poetry, science fiction and so on) were written from an abundance of feelings. If you don’t feel what you have written, don’t expect someone else to feel it too. (Unless, you want to be too intellectual and write drab college textbooks.)

Your writing has to move you first before you expect it to move someone else. Write what you feel first. Then put it away for awhile, and then look at it again with the eyes of a stranger. If you read what you had written earlier with the stranger’s eyes and say to yourself: “Wow! Did I write this?” Then someone else will also be wowed by it as well.

Words convey emotions. Be successful in conveying your emotions in your lines.

Next is style.

If expressing your emotions is fuel for your writing, see style as your technique for progress.

See writing as you would a dance in progress. A dancer may have the necessary energy to prance about. But this prancing alone without an arranged motion may not result in anything beautiful to behold. A dancer uses learned dancing techniques and translates those techniques and that energy into beautiful motions (insert here any dance style of your choice: ballet, foxtrot, salsa, tango, hip-hop, contemporary, and so on). When done properly these motions of choreography capture your attention. For a writer, style is like those beautiful motions. Some you can learn from the writings of someone else. Some you can teach yourself.

If you can afford it, enrol into a good writing class with a teacher that you respect his or her style of writing. Such a person will help ground you in the proper techniques of sentence constructions, and the proper use of words, characterizations and lots more.

What’s the best thing about being a writer?

It allows me to state what I feel. It allows me to display on a blank page the potency of my thoughts. I am a poet. And I write poetry. And to me words are not just a means of communication. To me words are life. Words carry with them a strong creative force. A force that makes things happen. The first thing that happened in the creation of this planet was the issue of a command. From God Almighty Himself. As documented in the Bible book of Genesis where it was written that there was darkness every where and the Earth was void and without form and the Spirit of God was hovering over the deep. And God Himself uttered the immortal words that started the beginning of life in this world. He said: “Let there be light.” And lo, light came to be. And illuminated the perpetual darkness.

Jesus Christ Himself used words to heal. It was written in the Gospels that He issued words of command and the blind were made to see, the lame walk, and the diseased were made clean. Even to the point of raising the dead. The words: “Lazarus, come forth!” are perhaps one of the most unforgettable lines I have ever read in any form of literature. Because they were more than just words. A mummified man who was dead for four days heard them from beyond the grave and rose to life!

How do you deal with writer’s block?

I empty my mind. And do something else that is not related to what I am writing about. Sometimes I take long walks, and focus on being in the present. As I walk, I take note of the rise and fall of the land, the diverse faces of people, the roaming animals, and the sounds coming from cars and motorcycles. Most times when I do this ideas flow to me freely, clearing my imaginative inhibitors.

Develop Homegrown Solutions, Human Capacity and Invest in Agriculture to Rebuild Africa; Experts say at UBA Africa Day Conversations

Prioritise SMEs Development
Advocate Partnerships between Private Sector and Government

African thought leaders and great minds have noted that the development of homegrown solutions and adequate investment in human capacity building and agricultural expansion are key steps that will help to rebuild Africa and put the continent on a stronger footing post Covid-19.

Analysing the theme ‘Domestic Policies, Regional Development and a Global Agenda: SDGs and African Development at Crossroads; the speakers collectively gave this submission during the second panel session of the 2020 edition of United Bank for Africa (UBA) African Day Conversations.

The virtual session, which was moderated by Veteran Journalist and Media Consultant, Eugenia Abu, was made up of thought leaders from across Africa, including the Regional CEO, UBA West Africa, Abiola Bawuah (Ghana); Senior Program Coordinator, Regional Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes, Dr Nalishebo Meebelo (Zambia); Leadership Coach and Chairman, Go Ahead Africa Ltd, Roland Kwemain (Cameroon); Founder and Executive Director, Social Change Factory, Sobel Aziz Ngom (Senegal); Special Assistant to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Digital and New Media, Tolu Ogunlesi (Nigeria); and Social Entrepreneur and Founder, LEAP Africa, Ndidi Nwuneli (Nigeria).

Abiola Bauwah who emphasised how Africa should rely less on foreign donors, said, “There are five areas we should work on more for us to reach the SDG goals; the private sector; rapid industrialization; institutions and the rule of law; develop our human capital; remove the barriers across Africa. We should institute Africapitalism which is an economic philosophy that says that the human and capital resources of Africa are the only ways in which we can develop Africa.”

Nalishebo Meebelo noted that there’s a lot that young people can do along the value chain of manufacturing, transporting, technology and marketing, adding that, “Government cannot do it alone, they need to work with other stakeholders. Cut and paste solutions do not work for us here in Africa, we need to have our own homegrown solutions to fight this pandemic.”

Eugenia Abu, who focused on the huge role that women and youth must play in rebuilding the continent, said that Africa had to work together to provide solutions to its numerous challenges. “Women, entrepreneurial champions, young people and collaborations between African countries are very key to developing Africa,” she stated.

Ndidi Nwuneli who was saddened that the agricultural sector remained hugely untapped, emphasised the need for a change of mindset where people usually equated agriculture to poverty. “This is a $1 trillion industry and we are neglecting it; therefore my charge to you is that we invest in the agricultural sector, prioritize it, leverage it, transform our educational system to prepare our young people for this sector, change the mindset and trade with each other,” she explained.

Sobel Aziz Ngom pointed out the need for the youth to take charge in Africa. “It is time to not just serve young people, but to trust them to lead. The challenge that we have at the domestic and continental level is making the change in our structure and in the political system that give the place to young people to be 100% engaged,” Ngom stated.

In his own submission, Tolu Ogunlesi, said, “All over the countries young people are seizing opportunities, and we need to start thinking about how to make sure that this is not just for the age of COVID but for now and beyond COVID-19. Even if the pandemic was to disappear today, I hope that the lessons we’re learning, we’re not going to forget them and go back to where we used to be.”

For Roland Kwemain, more institutions need to tow the line of UBA in events such as UBA Africa Conversations. “If 100 multinationals in Africa were doing that UBA is doing, we would go far because CSR is an amazing leverage not just for the brand but also for supporting people & women in terms of activities. The truth is that we need partnership between the government, corporates and the civil society,” he said.

The United Bank for Africa is a leading pan-African financial institution offering banking services to more than twenty million customers globally. With footprint in 20 African countries and presence globally in the United Kingdom, the USA and France, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

“Ugbo Throne is the first and oldest throne in Yoruba Land”- Oba Frederick Akinruntan, Olugbo of UgboLand

Oba Dr. Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan is the traditional ruler of Ugbo Kingdom, an ancient riverine town in Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State, South-West Nigeria.

Rated by financial magazine, Forbes, as the richest monarch in Nigeria and second richest on the African soil. With a net-worth and conglomerate spanning into billions of dollars, Olugbo has his hands litters across many pies of business littered across the the world with choice properties at highbrow areas across the world.

Oba Akinruntan is currently the Chairman of Ondo state Council of Obas, the Chairman of Yoruba Obas Conflicts Resolution Council. He also shoulders an academic title as the Chancellor, Olusegun Agagu University of Science & Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State.

The reputable philanthropist blessed with a large heart of Gold is also a recipient of National Honours, Commander of the Order of Niger (CON).

In this interview, the Okoro Ajiga 1, Paramount Ruler and Prescribed Authority of Ugboland, revealed some mind blowing information affecting the Yoruba race. He addressed other salient issues by setting the records straight, correcting distorted history connecting Ile-Ife and Ugbo….

Excerpts….

What’s the position of Ugbo in Yoruba connectivity?

The position of Ugbo in Yoruba connectivity still remains what it is. It is an historical fact that cannot be affected by the passage of time or circumstances. Nobody can change it! I am the first, the oldest throne in Yoruba Land. The position of Ugbo in Yoruba history cannot be contradicted by anybody. Nobody can say no to that sacrosanct position of Ugbo in Yoruba oral or written history because it is there for all to see. A lot of people are grumbling and murmuring; I see them as cowards. They are very cowardly and are not even coherent in their stuttering cowardly counter claims that to all intent and purpose stand logic on its head because my father, Oranfe is the progenitor of Yoruba Land. Oranfe, a half man, half spirit being is the father of Obamakin who is my ancestral father and whose dynasty founded Ile Ife and he reigned as the aboriginal Paramount ruler of Ile Ife. Ife was known at that time as Ugbomokun; so I am claiming it as the owner of Ile Ife and that claim i lay claim to is not just narratively pure but historically correct! I am still claiming it up till tomorrow.

Who exactly is Obamakin Osangan gan?

Osangangan Obamakin is the son of Oranfe. They are the owner of Ile-Ife. His father, Oranfe is the owner of Ife; Obamakin is the owner of Ife, thus, myself, I am the owner of Ife. We are still claiming it up till tomorrow! That’s the fact! Let me tell you one thing: in Ife today, if they want to get anything from god, they will say,” haa baba mi Oranfe, Iwo loni Ile Ife, Joo je ki ohun ti mo n wa temi lowo…( My father Oranfe, you are our progenitor; let our heart desires be granted!) That’s how they pray up till today. They won’t mention the name of any particular Oba, but they always remember the name of their forefather, Oranfe. That’s it!

In your book,” A history of the oldest throne in Yoruba Land” which you published in 2016, you talked about pre dynastic struggles that existed in the time line of Yoruba history. Can you shed more light on that?

Now in Ife, we are the owners of that place. We have 16 communities in Ile Ife. A lot of scholars testified to the existence of these sixteen communities and acknowledged them in their scholarly work. A Professor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Prof. Wande Abimbola acknowledged it that the Olugbo and his ancestors are the owners of Ife. He also said before we left Ife, nobody asked us to leave. We left on our own volition. He noted that Olugbo left Ife to his new place on his own free will. Part of the evidence we have to show the whole world is the fact that we are the husband of Moremi Ajasoro. She is our wife. You can see that we have it here to show the whole world. You see, the fact is there, nobody can contradict it. Look at my book since 2016, nobody has been able to fault or contradict it till date. So, what are we saying? Historical fact speaks for themselves. Not only that book, OAU, Ile Ife acknowledged this fact too in their ‘Odu: a journal of West African Studies – New series No 46’. If my book is not authentic they won’t acknowledge my historical view point; you know OAU for that. So anybody can say anything they like but they can’t confront me because I guard my loins with the truth, fact, incontrovertible fact of history of the significance of Ugbo in Yoruba historical relevance.

You are the Chairman of Peace and conflict resolution council among Yoruba royal fathers. What can you say about unity among Yoruba Obas?

Yes, we have been doing that, trying to reconcile Yoruba royal fathers in order to foster unity amongst us. Don’t forget Yoruba is a difficult race. Let me be sincere to you and to myself, Yoruba is really a very difficult race. There is one thing we call egoism; that’s the major problem affecting us. Some of the conflict issues we have among the royal fathers boil down to egoism and complex. To make the matter worse, a lot of people without the royal blue blood assume the royal stool. So we have challenges curbing and reining in egoistic proclivities and tendencies. In those days before you can become an Oba, you must not be a south paw, you must not be bald headed or hunch backed; if your father is still alive, you can’t assume the royal stool. It wasn’t possible in ancient Yoruba Land! You are getting me? If you are nine fingered or nine toed, meaning you are not complete, you can’t become an Oba. If you are a stammerer or you are a twin, you can’t be an Oba. If you are a female or child of a female kindred to the throne, you can’t be an Oba. The problem we face now is that our tradition has been bastardised, a lot of the things we held dear in our culture had been watered down and have become severely tinkered with and adulterated. My dear brother, those are the kind of challenges we are facing that we are taking our time to correct. The second one is if there is conflict between two royal fathers, we try to settle it amicably between them and we settle a lot of cases. One thing is I don’t do any of these things for anyone to praise me. I can call my colleague royal father who has an issue with another and try to settle the issue and no one else needs to know.

Let’s talk about Ode Ugbo, your kingdom. How far have you developed this great land of your great ancestors?

Beautiful question! You see, I am not trying to be boastful, but the truth be told, this palace is one of the best in the world. I have 25 bedrooms and 14 palatial living rooms in this sprawling palace. If the United States of America’s President visits, he will be conveniently hosted in this palace; I think that’s worthwhile enough! This monument wasn’t here until I ascended the throne of my fathers in 2009. I have changed a lot of things and given this kingdom a facelift. I have restructured the architecture of this terrain. The new things you can see around are the things I changed when I became the Olugbo. Of course, I have empowered my people who are fishermen with modern boats; I have offered innumerable scholarships to our young ones from secondary school to university level, among other notable things I have done to contribute to the well-being of my people. Opposite my palace here, we are planning to build one of the best hospitals in Nigeria. It’s in the pipeline and it’s coming up very soon. I am a private individual, but in my capacity, I have contributed a lot to this land. Before I ascended this throne, Ugbo was a no go area for so many people because of the fear of communal insecurity and threat to life. All that have stopped now! When I came, I told them anyone who tries nonsense, constitutes nuisance or dares to turn my kingdom to a canvas of blood where people are killed would be summarily dealt with and would wind up in jail. I told them all the wanton killing must stop; anyone who tries it is going to jail. And all the insecurity to life stopped! I am glad to say that peace, once alien to Ugbo, has returned to the land since I assumed the throne in 2009. I thank God for that. I have sent all the criminal elements bolting out of Ugbo and my people are enjoying peace and tranquility. I am a peacemaker in the mold of Henry Kissinger of the US White House way back whose name was synonymous to peace in the White House.

Kabiesi, do you think your tenants, the oil companies have done enough for the oil rich Ilaje nation?

No! They haven’t. They always promise to do this and that; I haven’t seen them do anything except for the promises. I am going to 11 years on the throne now, all they have been doing is promises, promises and promises.

How far have you been able to cope with life as a royal father?

Well, I am enjoying it. I am on the throne of my forefathers, so it’s for me a great pleasure. Before I became the Olugbo, I have been a successful business man by all standard. So, I have been a moderately excellent dresser all the way. Now that I am an imperial royal father, I am always in tune with royal fad and fashion , always very careful with what I wear because I always make statement with my outfit: my cloth, my shoe, my crown, my royal staff, even my car , they always rhyme. I am very stylish person with my royal Vogue and this has come a long way. I could remember vividly as a business man, I went to the US in 2007; I was invited by President Bill Clinton to the White House for an award. I could still recall my dapper blazers and all. I bought my outfit at Rosiny in London. The shoe I wore too, I bought the pair at Rosiny also in London. My tie alone was fifty thousand pounds! So, when they saw me, they marveled at my dress sense. After the whole event and the photo-op’ and we had shaken hands, Bill Clinton told me I am an admirable man, an outstanding Nigerian with an admirable sense of dressing. I asked him there and then, Mr. President, how did you single me out of so many business elite corps in Nigeria for the honor and award? Bill said they profiled me and my business concern and concluded I have made an impact in my business life deserving of mention and global recognition. He said, how many Nigerians can give account of their grass to grace rise in the business world in my country? Only a few! He said my background and integrity accounted for the honor the White House has bestowed on me. If you look at my profile, I put it there that I started my oil business from bottle to gallon, to Jerry can, to drum , to dispensing pump before I could have a fueling station. That is my grass to grace story. America wants to know how you started your business, so, my profile really impressed them. My background is transparent and my business is transparent as well, strong enough to pass the test of integrity and due process. So, all along I have been taken things in my stride and I have been enjoying every bit of it. I have coped well so far and I have no course to regret my decision to occupy the stool of Olugbo.

What is responsible for your daring courage?

(Smiles) You see my courage is the function of my mindset. A clear conscience doesn’t fear accusation. I am always daring because I have nothing to fear. It’s God who has given me a lion heart o! You don’t dare he whom God himself has specially made and not regret it! Yet, I don’t have or use anything; it’s God!

What do you have to tell people about Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the country?

Well thank you for that. Coronavirus is real! Coronavirus is real; coronavirus is real. Our people are encouraged to please note that this virus is a novel virus which cure has not been found and it kills within days. I want to appeal to my people in Ilaje, Ondo state and Nigeria to adhere to all the COVID-19 safety protocols as prescribed by the COVID-19 Presidential Task Force. Watch your hands regularly, use hand sanitizer, wear your face masks if you are going out and if it’s not essential, stay indoor! I want to thank our Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his sustained campaign for safety across Ondo state concerning the deadly coronavirus. The Governor is concerned about our safety, so each person should please take responsibility for a healthy living so that we all can survive the pestilence.

How about palliatives. Have you thought of giving your people palliatives?

Most definitely, yes. I was the first in this country to give palliatives to my people. I gave them food items and money and it cut across the kingdom. I told you earlier that the well-being of my people is my concern. I have given them palliatives and I will still give them again and again until this COVID-19 challenge clears off. Ondo state government in the able leadership of our Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) had also presented Ondo state people with palliatives. I thank him for that too.

Finally your Imperial Majesty, your advice to your people?

Thank you very much. I preach peace among the people of Ode Ugbo. Without peace there can’t be development. I preach contentment because when people are not contented with what they have, their activities brew trouble and unrest. I preach love among my people. Let’s love ourselves so that together we can work for the growth of our kingdom.

I want to tell my people to be patient with the Ondo state government because Gov. Akeredolu meant well for us. He has promised us the Deep sea project; he has promised us Ugbo / Ilaje free trade zone. If we have these two alone, even me, I don’t have to go to Lagos again. That’s why we all need to support Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s second term bid because he is a man of his words.

I want to appeal to our youths to run away from crime. They should not do “Yahoo yahoo” because it doesn’t last. Our young ones who are ladies should not go into prostitution. It’s not a way of life.

And above all, let’s all us learn how to trust God because He knows what is best for us.

Repackaged Abuja Begging Profession that put Beggars’ Earning above Civil Servants’

By Felix Victor

Canadian writer Marty Rubin once said, “Giving alms to the rich is a luxury no beggar can afford”. This assertion is not looking like a saying for Nigeria if the strategy employed by some skilled Abuja beggars is put into consideration, it is a fact that that the recently celebrated increased minimum wage is nothing but stipend compares to how much these set of professional beggars are making just for collecting stipends from unsuspecting Nigerians.

It is no new thing to an average Nigerian who steps out at the early hours of the morning and comes back at late evenings to get approached by tattered looking children or elders, who sings chorus trying to evoke sympathy and attract currencies. Over the years, the strategies of these beggars seem to have evolved from seating at road sides with plates, to looking tattered and singing, down to dressing properly and standing at the road side and now making moves like they are commuters and those the ones that are making the real cash out of bus passengers.

These beggars stand at bus stops where there targets are the buses on queue loading passengers in turns, looking all flashy as though they were headed to an office, they get into busses and ensure they are noticed by those in the vehicle, the sometime put pressure on the drivers to move fast, (probably because they’ve got clients in other busses they have to catch up with), immediately the bus starts moving, they smile at the person seating next to them and say “sorry please can you assist me with 100 naira?” Of cause as easy as that seems, the person gives to them, after a while they highlight with an excuse that they changed their mind as to where they are headed and move on to the next bus.

Findings shows they usually works on vehicle with a daily target of 40 and above, putting it into perspectives a free gift of N100 per or more vehicle with above 40 vehicles (always moving in the direction that is having high movement of commuters) per day, will be looking at an amount around N4,000 per day and N24,000 per week excluding Sundays because commuters are usually not much that day, monthly they will be going home with and average amount of N96,000 an amount that makes the civil servant salary with the new minimum wage looks more like beggars.

Corporate begging it was gathered is a new found occupation that is not restricted only to Abuja it has its root in Lagos and the actors are even said to have formed an association. With the employment situation in the country professional begging seems to be a new employment opportunity for jobless Nigerian since the government haven’t granted them any and the workers varies from the young to the old.

Nigerian Labour Law for Review as Labour Ministers Ngige and Keyamo declare Retreat Open

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator (Chief) Chris Nwabueze Ngige and and his State counterpart, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, FCIArb (UK) today, March 2nd, 2020 kicked off the review of the proposed Nigeria’s Labour bills. The epoch-making event is holding at the prestigious Eko hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The historic event, tagged 3-day retreat on the review of National Labour Bills which has as participants, stakeholders including social partners such as the International Labour Organisation-ILO, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association-NECA, Nigeria Labour Congress-NLC, Trade Union Congress-TUC, Resource Persons, egg-heads of the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the government is expected to last for 3 days.

The programme which started formally with the rendition of the National Anthem had in attendance the Ministers of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige and Festus Keyamo SAN, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr.Ayuba P. Wabba, Representatives of NECA, ILO, relevant Directors of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and other vital organizations.

The sessions for the review have begun with critical deliberations on the floor of the venue, on the need to ante the nation’s Labour bills to the best international standards and practices.

It will be recalled that efforts by successive administrations to review the “stale” National Labour Laws which have been in-use for decades have met brickwalls before this fresh attempts by the President Mohammadu Buhari-led government.

Tunde Moshood
SA Media and Communications To The Honourable Minister of State, Labour and Employment

Businessman sued Inspector General N20 million for breech of Fundamental Human Right

A N20m fundamental human rights suit has been filed against Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and six others over allegations of unlawful detention, torture and inhuman treatment of a Lagos-based businessman, Akinfolabi Akindele,

The case was filed before a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, has as co- respondents, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Force CID, Alagbon, Lagos; Assistant Inspector General of Police Force, Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos; Lagos State Commissioner of Police; Deputy Commissioner of Police State CID Panti, Lagos; Alhaji Azeez Ashiru, and Sergeant Adeyinka Adekunle

The applicant in the suit accused the Inspector General of Police and other respondents, of violating his fundamental human rights by arresting and detaining him in a brutal manner, sometime in February, 2019.

Akindele, who is also the Managing Director of Adamakin Investment, in the suit marked as TEMP/49826/2020 filed through his Lawyer, Idris Mohammed Doko, stated that at the behest of Alhaji Azeez Ashiru (the sixth respondent), sometime in February 2019, he was arrested, brutalised, detained and without being allowed to legal representation, compelled to make statements on each occasion of his arrest and detention without arraignment before any court of law till date.

He prayed the court to declare that the humiliating and brutal arrest and detention constitute a violation of his fundamental rights to dignity of the human person, guaranteed under Sections 34 and 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Article 3 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

He further asked the court to declare that the fresh invitation sent to him on a matter that has already been investigated and concluded by the Deputy Commissioner of Police State CID Panti, for the purpose of restricting his movement, personal liberty and freedom, constitute violation of his rights under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

Also, he is asking the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves or their officers, agents or representatives, from further harassing, intimidating, and or arresting him, or interfering in respect of the facts or transactions in the case, or any fact relating to the management of Estate of Madam Iyabode Efunroye Tinubu, for which the Respondents have been harassing, arresting and detaining him.

In addition, he asked the court for an order directing the respondents to jointly and severally pay him the sum of N20 million, as damages for violation of his fundamental rights.

Akindele in the affidavit in support of the motion, averred the that on August 27, 2012, the head of Tinubu family, other accredited representatives of the family, as well as the Trustee of the Estate of Madam Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu, gave him the Power of attorney dated August 27, 2012.

“By virtue of the said power of attorney, I was saddled with responsibility of managing or administering the entire Estate of Madam Iyalode Efunnroye Tinubu as Chairman and Managing Director of the company, which comprises of vast expanses of land across Lagos and Ogun State known as Ewe-Agbibo and Iwaya Farm Land, covered by the survey plan drawn by late Herbert Macaulay with registered title No. 45 at page 45 in volume 2212, comprising about 4.5 miles as delineated in the upgraded survey plan. Attached and marked Exhibit AD2, is the copy of the survey plan.

“That the various portions of the said expanse of land is occupied by known and unknown persons, as delineated in several survey diagrams exhibited in this affidavit and marked Exhibit AD3. “On becoming aware of the illegal or unauthorised occupation of the lands, I instituted an action against unknown persons in this court, in Suit No. LD/1604LM/17 currently pending before Hon. Justice Pedro sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, challenging the adverse claim of the ownership of any potion of land belonging or forming part of Madam Iyalode Estate.

“Alhaji Adio Lumosa is currently in Court in respect of same issues reported above, and had also earlier reported the same matter to Efcc for investigation, where it was established that the allegations were not only baseless, but false.

“Notwithstanding the fact that the matter had already been investigated by the EFCC, they did not bother to get in touch with the EFCC for the outcome of the investigation, nor confirm from the court in Lagos and Ogun State, where the matter was instituted by Alhaji Lumosa in suit no Temp/41292/2018, Alhaji Adio Kazeem Lumosa & 2 Ors v Akinfolabi Akindele, Suit No. AB/243/52019 High Court Abeokuta, Suit No. ID/6319GCM/2019 at the High Court Ikeja, but kept me in detention for well over one week.

“In fact, they transferred me from their cells at Obalende to the Anti-cult unit of the Police at Gbagada, Lagos, where I was put in the cell with some hardened criminals who continued to beat me mercilessly, until I was later separated by the station officer, upon my cry for help and made a manhunt for the lawyers representing me in the defence and prosecution of these matters, at various courts in Lagos and Ogn State.

“In fact, Mr Kunle Awoma Esq, my Lawyer, who was invited to come for my bail at their office in Obalende, Lagos, was also arrested and detained with me till we were moved to the office of the IGP in Abuja, before we were granted bail,” he averred

Cool FM’s Amin Mousalli, Allon Nelken, Kavitta Chellaram, Diana Chan, Others For Ethnic Business Award

Nigeria-based foreigners who’re contributing to the nation’s economy in terms of visible investments and employment generation will be honoured and celebrated during the Ethnic Business Awards (www.theethnicbusinessawards.com) on Valentine’s day, February 14th, 2020 at the prestigious Oriental hotel Lagos.

These diaspora foreigners who have chosen Nigeria as home despite the stormy waters, according to the organizers of the epoch making event deserve more than celebration and will be honoured in different categories such as Ethnic Man of The Year, Woman of The Year, Entrepreneur of The Year, CSR Brand, Beauty Brand, Financial Institution to mention but a few.

On the Ethnic Man of The Year category are revered international business tycoon such Alli Mousalli of Cool FM, Allon Nelken, (Mega Plaza), Benoy Berry (Contec Group), Robert Tung (Wempco), Mann Lababidi of Crown Flour Mills to mention but a few while the nominees for Ethnic Woman of The Year are Diana Chan (GAC Motors), Kavita Chellaram (ArtHouse Contemporary) and Caterina Bortolussi of Kinabuti Fashions.

Other interesting categories are the Ethnic Financial Institutions where the likes of Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered and Citi Bank are being nominated.

Foreign entertainers who’re making waves in the Nigerian showbiz industry will also be honoured in the catrgories itemized as Cross-Over Actors, Actress and Musician of The Year. Prominent African stars such as Juliet Ibrahim (Ghana), Princess Shyngle (Gambia), Cynthia Emade (Cameroun), Ela Mensah (Ghana), Okawa Shaznay among others.

The Ethnic Business Awards is aimed at recognizing and appreciating the outstanding contributions of foreign businesses, organisations, individuals and communities to corporate Nigeria, “this is like thinking outside the box, the awards is designed to reward and encourage innovations and excellence among Nigeria-based foreigners in enterprise”.

Inspired by the growing population of foreign investors, organisations, individuals and migrants communities who have impressed with remarkable inputs into the growth of the Nigerian economy, the Ethnic Business Awards [EBA] seeks to reward the best practices in commerce, international diplomacy and excellence across other industries.

Nigeria became Africa’s largest economy for the second year in a row according to a multinational professional services network, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), in 2019. Beyond doubts, this feat would have been impossible without the faith reposed in her by men and women of other nationalities who have defied doom prediction to swarm Nigeria to grow her commerce.

The EBA (www.theethnicbusinessawards.com) pays very special attention to promising and established foreign companies, missions, communities, organisations and individuals of sterling qualities all of whom have been identified and grouped into different categories following a public opinion poll and wide consultations with some of the industry’s finest experts.

The event holds on St. Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2020 at the prestigious Oriental hotel Lagos.

Kavita Chellaram of ArtHouse Contemporary

The Important Role played by ERUKUCITY and Pheminik Life Support Boss in Liberation of the Two Women sold into Slavery in Lebanon

+ How Dr. Toyin Aborisade Coughed out $5000 for their release
by Oluwaseun

A mother of two, Mrs Taiwo who was stranded in Lebanon, has been rescued after the homemade video went viral in the social media. In the video, she had disclosed her identity and revealed her hometown to be ‘Erukucity’ in Kwara State.

The video, which circulated for days, caught the attention of the CEO of Phemmick Life Support, Network Dr. Toyin Aborisade, coincidentally an indigene of Erukucity, who sprang into action and set the tone for the eventual rescue of Mrs Taiwo.

It was learnt that Dr. Toyin Aborisade, after watching the viral video and found out the woman is an indigene of his hometown ‘Erukucity’, quickly sent messages to some Erukuans who live in Kwara to inquire if anyone could identify her and as luck would have it, she was identified by Mr. Olasunkanmi Ayeni, the PRO of NSCDC Kwara State who he even traced Taiwo’s compound to Erukucity.

Her twin sister, Kehinde was contacted and it was she who gave an insight into the whole scenario. According to her, a Lebanese who lives in Ilorin had cajoled Taiwo with a promise of a teaching job in Lebanon not knowing that the man had other plans of luring her into the hands of another Lebanese agent in Lebanon for slavery.

When a call was put across to Phemnick Life Support boss, Dr. Toyin Aborisade, he said it took God’s intervention and the efforts of Ayeni Olasunkanmi NSCDC Kwara State PRO; Mr. Harry Ilori, EPU Financial Secretary; Mr. Sola Daniel EPU President, Phemnick Life Support staffers and NSCDC Kwara State who wholeheartedly made every effort to get the Nigerian-based Lebanese agent arrested and instructed him to put a call to his partner in Lebanon on how to secure Mrs Taiwo’s release.

The Lebanese agent demanded for $2000 to be paid into her account before Taiwo could be released. Without hesitations, Phemnick boss Dr. Toyin Aborisade transfered $2500 to Mr. Harry Ilori who paid the money to the Lebanese.

As at the time of filing this report Taiwo had arrived Nigeria and was received by Phemnick Life Support staffers and Nigeria Civil Defense, Kwara State Squad.

Meanwhile, another victim, a single mother identified as Omolola, a native of Osun State has cried out to Phemnick Life Support,Network and a leading travel agent in Nigeria to also come to her rescue.

A reliable source has confirmed that Phemnick Life support boss has also paid $2500 for her immediate release from Lebanon.

The Nigerian-based Lebanese agent is cooling off in the custody of NSCDC while investigations are on.

Used and Dumped? How T.B. Joshua, NFF Desert Injured Celebrated Nigerian Junior International Sani Emmanuel

Recently there’s story that former Nigerian youth international golden boy Sani Emmanuel has been off the radar because of a career ending injury, in the published news the player explained how injury forced him to quit the game of football at the time when he should be playing active soccer.

Sani Emmanuel was among the players who played for Nigeria at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup which was hosted by the West African nation. Nigeria reached the final of the championship before losing 1-0 against Switzerland, and Sani Emmanuel was among the players who helped Nigeria that year.

The 26years old Sani Emmanuel scored five goals for the Golden Eaglets in the championship to win the Silver booth after he had won the Golden Ball in a tournament that paraded players like Alvaro Morata and Isco of Spain, Neymar of Brazil, Mario Gotze of Germany and Nigerian internationals Kenneth Omeruo and Ramon Azeez, and was forced to call it quit with football just four years into his playing career due to an hamstring injury.

Sani who recently took to the social media to solicit for support from Nigerians to enable him operate on his unhealed leg injury (Achilles Tendonitis) that has kept him bedridden for so long, since he had depleted the money he made during the four years he spent as a player for Beitar Jerusalem of Israel.

According to a story published by Evangelist Johnson Bisola Hephzi-bah on her blog, she shed light on the relationship between the General Overseer of Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN), Prophet T.B. Joshua and the injured player whose fame during his playing days for the Golden Eaglet of Nigeria had been harnessed for publicity to the advantage of the pastor.

In her right up, she explained that the boy was just one of the boys using the church’s open field for training and that they decided to do a documentary on the boy weeks after he returned from the Golden Eaglet assignment, teaching him what to say as if the church was part of his success story.

She challenged Prophet T.B. Joshua on the welfare of the boy that was once dubbed the Golden son of the SCOAN. It was discovered that the Prophet T.B. Joshua led church had during and after the World U17 tournament the church blog had published a story under the title “SANI EMMANUEL: FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH!”

In the article the church claimed the young player is back in the church where he’s living “The news is that the boy honed his soccer career at a most unlikely place – the church, specifically the Synagogue Church Of All Nations, where he is top striker with My People FC, a football club owned and funded by the church’s General Overseer, Prophet T.B. Joshua.

Emmanuel has since returned to the Synagogue where he lives. And last Sunday 22nd November 2009, he set thousands of parishioners into rapturous celebration as he stormed the sanctuary for a thanksgiving session. Former Zambian president Frederick Chiluba was among other eminent persons that rejoiced with Emmanuel, who dedicated his awards to Nigeria’s rising army of suffering youth, pledging to start a foundation that would help them become useful and influential members of the society” the report said.

Evangelist Biola Johnson also accuse the televangelist of using Sani’s documentary on Emmanuel TV to lure youths who were of the opinion that they have a career in football into the church while he’s doing nothing towards the development of these boy, she affirmed that the disposition of the supposed benevolent giver towards the health implication of Sani Emmanuel during this his trying period shows Prophet T.B. Joshua’s giving philosophy is to merely gather publicity towards his supposed philanthropic nature.