The Nation Newspaper

Category: Arts & Life

  • Foundation for orphans launched

    Former Editor of The Guardian on Saturday and Editorial Board member Mr Banji Adisa and his wife Margaret have established a foundation called The Lord’s Kids Care Christian Foundation in Ogun State to take orphans off the streets and give them a home and hope.

    Speaking at the launch, which took place at Achievers Baptist Church in Ejigbo, Lagos, the convener, Mrs Adisa said the foundation is a Ministry God  called her into adding that it was registered in 2013 with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

    “Although there are many orphanage homes across the country but when we fully start, people will see the difference. Our vision is to see those children growing up becoming somebody in life and being ambassadors of Christ,“ she said.

    She said the aim of the Foundation is to influence a greater Nigeria devoid of vulnerable children.

    “Its objectives include: To rehabilitate, reform and reintegrate the orphans, abandoned, abused and uncared kids spiritually and physically, to give them a new lease of life through education and extracurricular activities and to demonstrate the love of God to mankind irrespective of their race, colour or creed,” she said.

    Mrs Adisa added: “We want to create a family-based care, provide excellent standard of education, including vocational training in preparation for employment and to continue to expand their facilities that will enable the Foundation meet growing demands as funds increase”.

    “Responsible and God-fearing parents could adopt them, whereby the kids will be fully integrated into the family,”she said.

    Corroborating her point, Mr Adisa said the kids expected at the Orphanage are from day old to 10 years and are to be sponsored from elementary school to the tertiary level.

    “This orphanage is not going to be a baby-selling factory because of the vision we received from God for this project. We believe that the children that will come out of this home will be of great benefit to the society,” he said.

    Adisa stressed that the foundation will do its best to restore dignity to children and treat them with the kind of respect that they deserve, saying they will not be subjected to any abuse.

    “If it is only 10 children we are able to bring up to a quality standard, we are fulfilled. What we are after is to raise children that will better the society not with many children but few that will be of immense benefit to our society,” he said.

    He said it is their own little way of contributing their quota to the society and  of showing little kindness to people in the society just like the famous Mother Theresa did during her lifetime.

    Guest Minister of the day, The Presiding Pastor, Estate Baptist Church, Rev Paul Adebayo counselled the couple to show commitment and dedication in their service to the calling of God, adding that they should do everything possible to give future to the children that would be committed to the Home.

    “They should try to make them Kings and Queens that will be used as instrument of change and transformation in this country. I was underprivileged and I know what it is to grow up with no one to assist. I will like to advice them to make integrity their watchword and when people see the good work they are doing, they will join hands and assist them”, he said.

  • AWEP, helping to strengthen women entrepreneur

    The South-West network of Africa’s Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP), an organisation committed to dismantling the obstacles faced by women in business was recently launched in Lagos. Yetunde Oladeinde reports.

    Female entrepreneurs from different sectors in the society came together recently to talk about their challenges, potentials and how to make use of the opportunities available. This took place at the launch of the South West network of Africa’s Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP). The presentation, which took place at Moor House Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, had representatives of different women groups, local and international organizations and other stakeholders in attendance.

    For the national President of the organisation, Hajia Zainab Jaji, a farmer and entrepreneur, the objectives of the association is to dismantle the obstacles to businesses owned by women, as well as eradicate poverty, which has a woman’s face. While stressing that the women should avoid corruption and live above board, Jaji says she is optimistic that things would change positively soon. “The organisation is the initiative of Mrs Hilary Clinton and it aims at supporting economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The AWEP initiative further advances the Policy Guidance on Promoting Gender Equality through economic and civic participation in sub-Saharan Africa. “

    She adds: “We rise by lifting others and that is why community service is important for all of us. However, working within the AWEP family is to engage other CSO’s and the other agencies that can help you. We are all in it and do not be quiet about what you are doing. I used to be AWEP’s VP for the North East and in each state; we are putting in place coordinators that can work with the grassroots. We have a national executive and the desire is to reach as many women as possible.”

     Ora Ataguba, art connoisseur and vice president in charge of AWEP, South-West zone took members, intending members and guests through the programs listed for the year, strengths and opportunities, as well as other potentials that would help make businesses run by these women expand and become profitable in the long run.

    AWEP is an outreach; it is an engagement initiative that targets African women entrepreneurs. It promotes business growths and it increases change regionally because people focus on how we trade internationally. It creates a better business environment and empowers female entrepreneurs in their communities. We do three things basically; try to build partnerships, increase the number of women gaining access to finance and help drive the markets. By building capacity, we are working with a lot of agencies. We would be doing a lot of training and exhibitions. We would also be working with individuals who are resource persons. We are part of a coalition of 18 women business NGO’s known as the Association of Nigerian Women Business Networks. So we are going to be taking from each other and giving back to each other.”

    Ataguba adds: “We have six geo-political zones and I manage the South West, which consists of six states. The second thing is that we are going to get loans, gets grants and partnerships. It is not just about getting the money; you have to be ready for it. We have in-house gurus who have been consulted for the projects that we are doing. We also have the International Visitor Leadership program (IVLP), where women’s businesses are assessed and they would be taken to the US. Here the women would benefit from the Business exchange platforms and we are partnering with the Ministry of Investment and Trade.”

    Issues like problems associated with access to finance were also discussed and the group was partnering with Skye Bank Pearl Initiative to help members with this. Some other organisations like Sterling Partnerships would also be working with AWEP to help members with some of the financial literacy problems that they are usually faced with in the running of their organisation, as well as requirements for accessing credits.

    An inspirational documentary on the achievements recorded in the agricultural sector by the former president of the organisation, in the production of starch from cassava was also aired.

    Giving a goodwill message, Mrs Omawunmi Gbadamosi, CIPE’s country director, advised the women to be focused, determined and work at their goals. “We support business associations that include women and men. This comes from the nexus that stable democracies and a sound economy. Where the markets are struggling there is no guarantee that that democracy is going to be stable. Statistics has it that the lifespan of a democracy is short, where per capita income is less than a thousand five hundred naira.”

    Gbadamosi adds that: “Unfortunately, one of our researchers was in Birnin Kebbi in 1952, Nigeria’s per capita income then was 2,000 dollars between that time and now, we have 54 years. So after 54 intervening years of oil wealth, per capita income today is less than 1,500 naira. So that means that we cannot go to bed with our two eyes closed, thinking that we have a democracy. This democracy is threatened and that is because the market is troubled. What you are doing now is what we need to move forward our fragile democracy.”

    Other speakers at the events include Adesuwa Onyenokwe, CEO TW magazine, Mr Adeniji, Director of Commerce with the Lagos State Government, Akinyemi Adeleke who represented Dr Gloria Elemo, the Director General of the Federal Institute of Research (FIRO).

     Africa Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) is an outreach, education, and engagement initiative that targets African women entrepreneurs to promote business growth, increase trade both regionally and to the U.S, markets through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), create better business environments, and empower African women entrepreneurs to become voices of change in their communities.

    Globally, women make up 50 percent of the global population, 40 percent of the global workforce, yet only own about 1 percent of the world’s wealth. Given the opportunity, women invest the majority of their income into their families and communities, but unfortunately most women experience unnecessary barriers that limit their ability to fully participate in the economy.

    In Africa, women are the backbone of communities and the continent’s greatest potential to unlocking economic growth, as they provide the majority of labour with the least amount of resources. Reductions in the gender gap in education, health, political participation, and economic inclusion will result in an increase in the continent’s economic competitiveness.

    Through the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP), the U.S. Department of State seeks to dismantle the obstacles to business opportunities and economic participation that African women face. Launched in July 2010, the initiative identifies and builds networks of women entrepreneurs across sub-Saharan Africa poised to transform their societies by owning, running, and operating small and medium businesses, and by becoming voices for social advocacy in their communities.

  • What Boko Haram has joined together…

    What Boko Haram has joined together…

    The popular saying that love knows no barrier came to the fore at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, Games Village, Abuja, recently, where Victoria and Solomon John have found each other.  In spite of the sorry situation in the camp, the couple got married and now has a three-month old baby boy.  They shared the story of their joy and hope with Edozie Udeze.

    It is said that love is ever strong and that it is the human mind that can either control or suppress it.  For most people, the joy and delight in their inner heart when they fall in love with the right person tastes sweeter than wine. This is the story of Victoria and Solomon John who are both members of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) located at the Games Village, Abuja.  The story of how they came to be husband and wife began like a fairy tale; but in the end, the hand of fate fell on them and today, they have been joined together. They were joined as man and woman in the camp by elders of their town, who are also Internally Displaced Persons in the camp.  It is a story that fills them with unbridled love and satisfaction.

    Solomon who was not initially forthcoming on how he met and fell in love with Victoria, eventually opened up to The Nation. He said that his joy has known no bounds since Victoria agreed to be his wife.  “Ah, it was love”, he enthused.  “The first time I saw her at the camp, I could not hold back my breath.  She is so lovely and calm”, he said, looking straight into the eyes of his woman.

    Funny enough, both Solomon and Victoria are from the same Gwoza town in Borno State.  But they only came to know each other at the IDPs camp.  “I didn’t know her before”, Solomon confessed. “But in the camp, she was one of the most reserved persons.  Each time you saw her, she would be on her own. It is either she was going to the market or fetching water for the family.  The first time I noticed her, I told myself that I’d like talk to her.”

    That first time wasn’t smooth for young Solomon, who at 26 felt it was time for him to settle down to a family life.  “We are far away from home; far from everything we hold dear for close to three years now. So the sight of Victoria made me reminisce once more about my home and so many lively girls that abound there. I did not know her in Gwoza, but the hand of fate occasioned by Boko Haram, has tied us together forever.  It was here that I met her for the first time.  I used to see her alone a lot,” he said, tapping her amicably on the shoulder.

    It was Victoria’s near melancholic lifestyle that did it for him.  “Often she would be strolling around alone.  But I noticed that she is so beautiful like the rose of Sharon.  You see, whenever you see such a woman, you know you’ve got a good woman for a wife. This was why I was moved to talk to her that fateful morning.”

    Unfortunately, Victoria proved a hard nut to crack.  That first time, she snubbed Solomon somewhat.  “Yes, she only smiled and went her way.  Later that day when I told one of my friends, who had also noticed her rare character, he told me to persevere. So a few days later, I saw her again while she was leaving the camp. In fact, I had to wait for her on her usual route to the market that lovely morning. This was around 10a.m when a few people were still in the camp.”

    As fate would have it, that day Victoria was only able to tell him her name.  This gladdened Solomon’s heart that he waited long enough within the same spot for her to return from the market.  “When she told me her name, I said, ‘oh, this is a name I love so much.’  By 1p.m when she returned and discovered I was still there for her, she was overwhelmed with joy.  On seeing me, she laughed and held her breathe for a while.  She couldn’t believe it; but that was the magic.”

    At 21, Victoria was actually hoping to settle down.  All the years of the Boko Haram palaver had deprived many young girls of her clan of eligible bachelors.  Either that the young men they knew had been killed in the fracas or that they had disappeared into unknown places.  So, when Solomon showed so much interest in her, Victoria noticed that her own time and opportunity had come.  “Yes, we met here in the Games Village IDPs”, she said as she rolled her eyes to show her delight.  “He is like an apple tree among the trees of the forests.  When he spoke to me with his tender voice and gentle mien, I knew that the man of my dream had come,” she reflected with her trade mark impeccable smile.

    No doubt, Victoria smiles a lot, a habit Solomon agreed makes her stand out among other women.  “You see, I often join other women and children fetching water every now and then inside the camp.  But I noticed that Solo always appeared different in both his looks and dressing. Very cool indeed, he loves to be in company of more serious and responsible boys in the camp.  It is not that I did not notice, but I never felt he would talk to me,” she said, blushing.

    As it is now, the union is blessed with a baby boy, Adam.  According to Solomon, “The elders did not want it to look as if we were engaged in an unlawful affair.  That was why they quickly conducted a traditional marriage for us, even though we will still do church wedding when we get home.  Before this, we went on with our courtship for two months.  Her mother who is also here gave her consent,” he beamed.

    Solomon John who obviously is a man of few words is always going to be a woman’s delight.  Almost a 6-footer, his handsome face glitters even in the throes of the scorching Abuja sun and the terrible human conditions at the camp.  He said, “We gave our son the name Adam because Adam is the first man in the Bible.  We hope he will grow into a big boy who will love his people and play a bigger role to make Nigeria a better place.  If Adam is significant in human history, if God chose that name for man, then our own Adam will surely be a blessing to mankind, more so to our brothers up North”.

    Interjecting in her comely voice, Victoria said, “Yes, Adam is significant to us.  This is our first son born here in the camp.  He is just three months old, yet we feel we’ve had him all our lives. When we had him three months ago, everybody was so elated for us; happy to see us have this baby barely a year after we got married.  The truth is that we have found love.  When Solo first met me, he said simply, I love you!  I thought he was joking; that he wanted to play a fast one on me.  Today, what began like a joke has produced the biggest joy in us.”

    In Solomon, Victoria sees her hope of becoming a very fulfilled housewife.  “My husband is everything to me,” she beamed.  “In him, I see a very bright future.  He is there to protect me; shield me.  Men no longer come to toast me or talk to me anyhow, because he is always there to provide for me.  I fell in love with him because he is so handsome; he plays and jokes a lot.”

    Her greatest regret however, is that like most young men in the camp, her man is always idle.  “He needs something tangible to do to keep him busy.  How I wish we will go home now.  You know, he is a farmer and he told me he used to make up to N500, 000 from his farm produce every year.  If we go home now I will join him in producing groundnuts, millets and maize.  Together, we will make more money every year.”

    For now, Victoria is no longer worried unduly about her condition.  “Even though Solo’s parents are in Adamawa State, the fact that they gave their consent to our marriage gladdens my heart.  He is a man who feels concerned for others.  As a farmer, he will feed not only his household but others around.  So having him as a husband is a great joy to me,” she mused just as two young men dashed across to beckon on Solomon to join in watching Murna, a love dance-drama brought to the camp by the National Troupe of Nigeria.

    “You know Murna is our song, it is our dance.  The drama is part of us back home,” Victoria noted.  “As it is danced now, we are transported back to Gwoza, where we knew love; where we were born, a place where we lived together as brothers and sisters.  Today, it is good that the National Troupe of Nigeria has brought it to us.  The dance will help to cement more love and open new ways to lovers here in the camp,” she said, nodding her head to the rhythmic percussions of the drums and the stampeding feet of the dancers.

  • ‘Let’s focus on tourism to engage the youths’

    ‘Let’s focus on tourism to engage the youths’

    Mrs. Sally Mbanefo is the Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), which has brought her wide-range experience and expertise to promote the tourism sector in Nigeria.  Her personal passion and zeal for the job have helped her to take the sector to greater heights.  In this interview with Edozie Udeze in Abuja, she explained why culture drives tourism and how the private sector should always come in to make tourism a reality and create more jobs for the youths and more

    What is your total concept of tourism?

    My understanding of the concept of the sector in Nigeria is that this is the time for tourism.  It is time for all of us to diversify the economy away from total dependence on oil revenue.  The sector is rich enough to earn as much as oil has been earning for the nation, only if we give it the desired attention.  All over the world, like most of us can testify to, tourism is the largest employer of labour.  It is a fact no one can dispute and we are saying that with the proper indices in place, Nigeria can equally attain that enviable height where tourism is the king.

    Out of every eleven jobs, one is in the tourism sector.  It is a sector where people are ever busy; people want to travel, they are inquisitive.  They want to know the world; they want to have a handshake, a hug, trying to know what obtains in other people’s cultures and beliefs.  People want to feel good when they travel to places because that is what tourism is all about.  And you know when you die, you do not go with your money or hand bag or diamond or car or shoe.  But you discover that tourism is here to stay; it is an intangible commodity where people need to converge to feel the beauty of the world in all facets.  And this is what we do in the sector by ensuring that we preserve what is ours so that the world can come to see and appreciate us the more.

    About fifteen years ago, people invested in agriculture.  Now, you can see the benefits coming out of it.  What I am saying is that tourism is a value chain of activities in the effect that everything involved in it revolves around human action.  So our strategy is to go out there to diversify the economy away from the oil.  This will help to improve the GDP.  Then we need the involvement of the private sector.  Let them come in to invest.  Government cannot do it alone.  We need a private sector that is the beneficiary of the sector.  If you enter your car today, for instance, and you go from Asaba to Anambra and you fuel your car, is it not the oil and gas that is benefiting?  That, indeed, is tourism contributing to oil and gas and this goes into the economy of the nation.

    When you enter a hotel and you order for food, is that not both food and hospitality that go into it?  Even culture that gave birth to tourism is also benefiting.  Why couldn’t we give the same attention to tourism?  Tourism contributes 10% to the global GDP today and this is why we have to give all, we have to make it a priority.  Gambia, Kenya, Brazil, Egypt and all have taken their tourism higher than ever.  In Nigeria, where are we in this regard?  In 2014 people who came into Nigeria moved up to 4.1 million.  It was an improvement on the previous years.  Yes, people are coming to Nigeria, but we need to do more.  Our contribution still remains at 4%.  This is not so impressive when we have so many tourism sites and monuments in the country.

    We even have more sites than Gambia, South Africa, Senegal and others.  We have fantastic festivals compared to others.  We have incredible carnivals here and there in Nigeria.  Osun Osogbo is a world-heritage site and people troop in there every August to savour the aura of the festival.  We have the Jukun and the Mambila Plateau in the North.  We have a lot to offer.  Lagos State is a beehive of activities all year round.  This is why we are saying that if given the desired effects, we are ready to do more.  Lagos State is number one in the best tourism practice in Nigeria.

    What of other states?

    Lagos State should be emulated.  Most of their tourism programmes in Lagos State engage the youths and provide them with jobs.  This is the whole essence of it all and we say other states have to fall in line.  Nigerian youths need to be engaged and it is in tourism that we can do this.  Other states are doing the best they can.  However, involving our youths should be topical, should be paramount so that they too can resolve to make headway in the tourism sector.

    What are the practical things government ought to put in place to make tourism as attractive as it is in some of the countries you have mentioned?

    A thousand mile journey begins with the first steps at a time.  First of all we need to create awareness; awareness of a paradigm shift.  Nigerians should desire to first of all be patriotic, love what is their own.  We must love our country and what we have.  We must see what we have here as the best and what that they are here for a purpose.  People ask me, why did you leave banking where you were an acting Managing Director to be here now?  I was an Executive Director, competing with an MD of a bank, driving two bigs Jeeps; I was comfortable.  But let me tell you, it is my desire to serve the nation.  I am even ready to serve in a higher capacity if called upon.  But we have to expand the frontiers of tourism.  Unless Nigerians are able to leave their comfort zones to work out the best things for Nigeria, we may not be where we should be on time.  Now, I have to run after bankers, investors and others to come invest in the sector.

    For me the best thing is for us to believe in the system; believe in ourselves, in who we are.  We ought to be proud Nigerians.  Often foreigners are more proud Nigerians, the way they embrace our cultures.  They want to enjoy our cultures, our foods, our weather, our fashion and our environment.  This is what we, as Nigerians, should do first and show the way.  And this is what I do always by the way I dress and talk and perform tourism.  So, the believe system is to encourage people to be rooted in what is called Nigerian.  And that is why you see me often dressed in Nigerian colours.  I do not care how ridiculous I look or what people say.  I do it to promote our values and what essentially are ours.  I can wear the national colours anywhere, as long as people will think Nigeria and identify who I am and where I am coming from if I am outside Nigeria.

    Some people say if this Oyibo-looking woman can be a proud Nigerian, why not others?  Truly I am a full-blooded Nigerian and I am proud to be so.

    So, what is the statistics of the influx of foreigners into Nigeria today?

    Go to the airport and see the number of foreigners that come into the country everyday.  We are not talking about Indians or Chinese and others who are already resident in the country.  We are talking about Europeans and Americans; people who are coming here to explore our cultures in diversity.  And like you said, one of the ways to encourage people is to avoid double taxation, then encourage standardization and all that.  You know we have not been able to grade our hotels and even then it has not been recognized that tourism should be on the concurrent list.  Put it on the concurrent list.  These are some of the things we’ve been fighting in the sector.  Even members of the National Assembly have been hailing me, saying, eh Madam, you’ve been giving us headache the way you propel tourism.

    But they have to change the law.  If they do not do that there is no basis on which we can practice tourism more effectively.  First, we must ensure that the constitution recognizes tourism and gives it all the attention it deserves in the concurrent list.  Then we reduce double taxation.  So if the Federal government is setting standards without effectively curtailing taxation, we may not go far.  People pay tax to the local government, to the state and then to the federal government.  We have to stop that and have a uniformity in everything that we do.  The federal government is here and has to work successfully with the private sector to get it right.  Above all, tourism is private activity.  Then we need to seriously develop and diversify our domestic tourism.  We have a population and that is a great advantage.  170 million people is a lot.  If only 4 million find the habit to travel round just to explore, you can imagine the amount of money that will generate to the national economy.

    Again the corporate Nigeria has to be extracted to make their own contribution.  No matter how small they have to make their own contribution to make the national GDP higher.  This is why we want tourism to be sufficient.  When you go to defend the budget, it is the same story.  You defend and they will appropriate it.  You have headache because you run on deficit all the time.  And you will be working as if there is no budget.  This is not what it should be and therefore we have to find a way to make it totally self sustaining and people will have faith in tourism.  It has to be like the way they do it in The Gambia, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia and the rest.  Even in small Cuba and in Jamaica where people are too tourism-conscious.  Go to the Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and see how they do in those places.  In these places love of country is key; people project what they have with love and patriotism.  When I go for international conferences and Nigerians see me, they are happy; they are excited because they see me in national colours of green-white-green.

    What of UNESCO sites?

    Ah we can’t do it alone.  We need the cooperation of state governments to achieve this.  We have so many of such natural sites that can be upgraded and developed into UNESCO-World heritage sites.  States owe it to us to develop and project these sites to meet world standards.  They will reap from it if they do it.  See what Osun-Osogbo does to the state every year.  It is marvelous, indeed.  Once the states have done it, we’ll carry it on our heads and market it.  We have to work to get the necessary recognition for them.  We have over 500 natural sites yet we need more to meet the world-heritage site.  These sites are good.  We know Lagos is ready, Ogun State is ready; Ogbunike Cave in Anambra State is there.  What I love most is that wherever I go, the state governments embrace me.  They are ready to work with us to make tourism grow.

  • The Hurricane, book on late Murtala Muhammed, launched in Kano

    The Hurricane, book on late Murtala Muhammed, launched in Kano

    It was tribute galore and exhibition of mementos depicting the life and times of the late military Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed at the Coronation Hall of the Government House, Kano State, on Saturday, February 20.

    The event was put together to mark the legacy and accomplishments of the late General which are still being referenced 40 years after his assassination. The State Government and Topseal Communications Limited, who organised the event, believe that 40 years in the wake of Muhammed’s tenure and demise is a milestone period to commemorate the iconic leader and celebrate his legacy.

    The Deputy Governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, who represented the Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, during his remark described General Muhammed’s six months in office as very impactful. He described Murtala as God-fearing, a virtue he urged every leader to imbibe. Abubakar drew a similarity between the regime of General Muhammed and the present dispensation of President Muhammadu Buhari, stressing that both faced similar challenges of change.

    Abubakar further described as laudable the effort of the writer of The Hurricane, Mr. Taiwo Ogundipe, in writing a biography of the late General, which was also officially launched on the occasion. Abubakar announced an endowment of the book by the Kano State Government, adding that the government would facilitate the distribution of the book to every educational institution, especially tertiary institutions and secondary schools in Kano State.

    The guest speaker, Dan Masanin Kano, Alhaji Maitama Sule, celebrated the virtues of the late Muhammed, whom he said he knew very closely. He recalled their personal interactions together. Sule described Murtala as a great patriotic leader who never lied.

    Present at the occasion were the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Alhaji Bashir Wali, a former Justice of the Supreme Court, who came with other members of the Murtala Muhammed family like himself. His Highness, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II CON, was represented by a retinue of high profile members of the Emirate Council.

    According to the author, “The Hurricane, after a thorough assessment, the book secured official approval of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, and has been certified suitable for use in Nigerian institutions and recommended for adult readers and tertiary institution’s libraries.”

    Ogundipe said; “The main idea behind promoting The Hurricane is to make many Nigerians, especially the young ones, as well as the people of the world generally, know that we have heroes and values worth celebrating in the country.”

    Recalling the inspiration behind the book, Ogundipe said: “I was in my last year in the secondary school when the sad news of Murtala’s assassination came about. I was in my mid-teen and a student of Ibadan Boys’ School. That fateful evening, our hostel supervisor, a vibrant Youth Corps member from the South-South part of the country, summoned all the students in the boarding house to the sport field and forecourt in the school premises to break the sad news to us, and to lead us in observing a vigil session for the beloved leader.

    “That was the day most youths in my age bracket lost our innocence regarding political affairs in the country. Prior to that, I, like many other Nigerians, had grown increasingly fascinated by and enamoured of the frenetic pace of the drama playing out in the political space of the country. Day after day, night after night, Murtala would come on air with his clipped stentorian voice to announce one policy or the other or dish out one punishment or the other with ‘immediate effect’ refrain.

    “On our sports field that evening, I was inspired to write a book on the life, policies and death of General Muhammed. I started collecting every scrap of information on him. I strove to make sure that no detail, big or small, escaped my attention.”

    Ogundipe said it has been a big struggle for him to get the book launched and widely distributed. “That is why I approached the Kano State Government to collaborate with me. I also chose Kano because it is the birth place of the beloved General and I believe the state should have priority over any other in the bid to celebrate his memory.” He added that the certification of the book by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) as being suitable for use in educational institutions will be translated into Nigerian languages, especially Hausa.

  • Twenty days in Rwanda

    Twenty days in Rwanda

    Just back from Rwanda, Julius Okorie, who was in that country for the recently concluded African Nations’ Championship (CHAN) football tournament returns with impressive memories of how order and gradual prosperity have returned to a former war-torn country.

    It was a bright Saturday afternoon, January 16 to be precise. As the Ethiopian Airline Flight 900 taxied down the runway of Murtala Mohammed International Airport in readiness for takeoff. I fastened my seat belt; but my mind remained crowded with so many issues struggling for attention.

    What lies ahead for me in Rwanda? How easy or hard will it be to cope there? Everyone remembers the country as a one-time theatre of war; has anything changed? Can it be said to be safe in the real sense of the word? How about the family I am leaving behind for this journey that may take close to a month?

    What about the national team, the CHAN Eagles – the reason for the season, as it were? How ready are they?

    Will they rise to the occasion and make the trip worthwhile, or will it be a case as usual of falling below par, followed by the blame game?

    I was still engrossed in my own world, when I suddenly felt a drop in my weight, as if a seat has been removed from under me, an indication that the aircraft was already tearing into the sky.  Now the journey has indeed begun, I told myself. The close to five hours flight to Addis Abba, Ethiopia, and the first stop-over of the journey was generally smooth.  Although one could hardly rule out intermittent bumpy sessions during flights, but it was really nothing to worry about. However the touchdown at Addis at about 6pm Nigeria time and 8pm in Addis, brought me face to face with a very cold weather. It hit me with a bang as I emerged from the aircraft, for the connecting flight first to Entebe (Uganda) and then to Kigali.

    In spite of the cold however, I didn’t fail to notice the presence of several Ethiopian Airlines planes of different sizes and makes parked all over the tarmac.  Of course that is to be expected as Addis is known to connect to  different parts of Europe and even Asia.  There are connecting flights to China, Hong Kong, Dubai and several other places. As I tried to count the number of aircrafts on the tarmac, my mind went back home to Nigeria. Where is Nigeria Airways? Certainly there was a time we had something like this. I still remember some of the popular aircrafts in the Nigerian Airways fleet, Forker 28 and 29, Boeing 727, 737, DC 10. Now not even one is left; and no national career anymore. Lord, please have mercy!

    Well I had to battle the cold for sometime before the connecting flight to Kigali via Entebbe. The flight to Entebbe took about an hour, and as the aircraft descended on Entebbe Airport, something came to my mind.  It was a novel and equally a film, “90 minutes at Entebbe.” The Israeli counter-terrorism operation of 1976 in which a record 103 hostages were rescued, following the hijack of Air France with 248 passengers on board.  I wished we had landed in the afternoon, so as to get a clearer view of the airport. Surely it has been rebuilt since then, but just looking around in broad daylight would no doubt tickle the imagination. There was no need stepping down, we only had some passengers join us for the third stage of flight to Kigali. Finally, we landed at Kigali Airport at about 2am Sunday morning. Sizeable airport if you ask me, but very clean. The weather was very cold. The first idea was to stay back at the airport and allow day to break before venturing out, but a professional colleague who had landed the city earlier, called to say he was on his way, as the hotel (Shan Grilla Motel) that eventually became a home was not too far opposite the airport.  But was walking down at that time of the day a good idea?  He actually came over and confirmed that locals assured him there was nothing to worry about.

    “It is very safe, there is absolutely nothing to worry about,” they were quick to announce.

    PINNED CLEAN CITY

    Kigali the capital of Rwanda may not be that big, but one thing that arrests the attention of first-time visitors is its cleanliness.  You just can’t fail to notice it.  Private and public buildings show evidence of landscaping adorned with flowers that are maintained religiously, giving an interesting and attractive view at all time. In this city, you don’t even think of dropping anything on the floor or along the road because nobody else is doing so. Like they say, if you are in Rome, you have to be like the Romans. Interestingly, the last Saturday of the month is observed as environmental sanitation day and it is taken seriously by all.  You don’t go about wandering during that period or you risk being picked up by Security and Environmental Officers. Fine is 10,000 francs, a little over 13 dollars or close to N5,000. You will be issued receipt of payment, which is regarded as shameful.

    Law and order reigns supreme

    It is apparent that Rwandans have no problems whatsoever obeying laid down rules. The thinking is that it is easier to be on the side of the law than to attempt to do otherwise.  For instance, though there are cars, taxis, their own version of BRT or Kigali Bus Service (KBS), which plies designated routes, the use of motor bikes is very popular as it gets you faster to where you are going and costs less compared to taking a cab.  However the rule here is that you must carry only one passenger and both the rider and the passenger must wear helmets.  This is not negotiable. I sought to know what would happen if a rider decides to carry two passengers; I was advised not to even think about it. If you are caught either attempting to do that or riding without a helmet, you will be arrested and your bike seized.  You can only get it back on payment of 30,000 francs about $40 or about N14, 000.

    The roads are smooth and riding on anything can be fun. As for riding on a bike, you can only worry if you have a phobia for height, the reason being that the road though smooth is full of meanders and sharp corners. A ride from Stone Road by the International Airport to Nyamirambo Stadium for instance could give anyone a fright. The intermittent climbing and descending can be really breath-taking, especially for a first-timer; but after a few days, you get used to it, and enjoy the beautiful view.

    Maintenance culture and target Setting

    National edifice like the stadia, museums and institutions may not be gigantic but one thing is certain, they are maintained always. Those charged with the responsibility of maintaining such places do the job as if their lives depended solely on it.

    It will interest you to know that district heads at the beginning of the year state what developmental plans they have and when they hope to complete such projects. Periodic inspection is done on the project to determine whether or not they are measuring up.  Those who fail to measure up are sent packing; it is not a question of ‘I have been elected in office for four years and I have to complete my term whether you are performing or not.’

    Mansions without fans and air-conditioner

    If there is one thing I later fell in love with, it was the Rwandan weather, which I initially considered very cold. I found out that the weather appeared to be self-regulating; some days might be cold in the mornings and nights but when the sun is up, it remains mild.  Little wonder you see five star hotels without air-conditioners, yet no one is complaining.

    No compromise over security

    To say that security is top priority in Rwanda is to put it mildly. Interestingly the security agents go about their jobs without necessarily getting in your way. Both the Army officers sighted and the policemen alike were very young men, perhaps in their late 20s and 30s. Unless you’re extra vigilant, you may not even notice them. Most of the roadsides are lined with beautiful trees, an indication that tree planting is a serious matter. The security men are positioned in strategic places, most times under these trees; and they’re there even at night, complemented by those on patrol – an indication of seamless handing over routine. One needs to see them in action when duty calls. A good example is before, during and after football matches.

    Security checks are thorough and the one that tickles my fancy really is what I choose to call “operation 10 minutes”.  It takes 10 minutes for the crowd to disperse after each football match. While entering the stadium, only one entrance may be maintained for screening but once the match is over, all the gates are opened with precision and within 10 minutes, you would wonder if indeed a match had been played there.  It was so impressive.

    Light is your right

    Regular power supply is one thing you cannot take away from Kigali. That is not to say that there is absolutely no period of interruption; but it seldom lasts more than 15 minutes. In the 20 days of my stay in the city, I never saw anybody or company running generators.  I did see one or two supermarkets with generators but they looked more like decorations and I never saw any of the shops, corner-shops, houses and event centres running on them.  My submission is that it is not necessary.  First the weather is good and does not get too hot as to make you uncomfortable.  Again, there is always light, both in the day and at night, and when it gets interrupted – definitely not at night, it takes less than 20 minutes to restore it. Interestingly, Rwanda imports and does not produce petroleum. Independent marketers handle the petroleum and liquefied gas industries but in compliance to the letter according to the regulations of Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority(RURA), initially created by the Law n° 39/2001 of 13 September 2001 with the mission to regulate certain public utilities, namely: telecommunications network and/or Telecommunications services, electricity, water, removal of waste products from residential or business premises, extraction and distribution of gas and transport of goods and persons. Stakeholders here have copies of this regulations and everyone goes the extra mile to ensure that it is followed to avoid preventable hardship.  For Twenty days, I did not hear the sound of a generator, so you can guess the feeling when it was time to pack my baggage and head home.

    Pelipeli all the way

    Peli-peli is the pepper sauce used to eat virtually everything here, from rice to potatoes and cocoyam, which are in abundance. There were enough fruits to last the distance. Avocado pear, carrot, banana are some of the common ones; maize is available and could be roasted or boiled.  Roasted corn incidentally is equally garnished with sauce but I prefer it without the sauce sometimes. Rubavu, where Nigeria played her final match against Guinea could represent Benue state of Nigeria that prides itself as the food basket of the nation.  Rubavu is fertile and food is in abundance.  It is a common sight to see men carrying big bags of fresh maize on their bicycles and home-made tricycles. Vegetable Potatoes and cocoyams were easy find. Though Rubavu is three hours away from Kigali, it is relatively easy to go there and back as timely buses take off every thirty minutes from the bus terminal in Rubavu.

    Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre

    The 1994 Genocide remains a very dark aspect of this country that attained her independent on 1st July 1962 from Belgium. The horrible ethnic cleansing that saw the death of over two million people, men, women and children, has left many with their lives incomplete, with many youths on their own after losing their parents at early stages of their lives. The Memorial built in 1999 and commissioned in 2004 to mark 10 years of the genocide has since become a “tourist” center, as many troop in from far and wide to see for themselves the atrocities that depict, to say the least, the height of man’s inhumanity to man. When the bible said the heart of man is continually evil, a visit to this center cannot but bring the statement to the fore.  That a person, a people or group of people can afford to create a situation where neighbours, whose children played together and shared meals together suddenly turned against each other and began a needless slaughter, is heart-aching.  No one makes a tour of the centre, which has about 59,000 people buried under it and remains the same without getting emotional. The pictures of young kids shot dead point-blank and names on stones where surnames indicate a complete wipe out of entire families has not completely left my mind since that visit on 23rd January 2016. No one who has taken time to visit this centre can genuinely muster enough courage to call for war for whatever reason.

    The good thing about Rwandans though, is their resolve to move forward as a people and say ‘Never again will this ever happen.’ Stability recorded under former war-lord and current President Paul Kagame has been tremendous. The level and speed of reconstruction that has brought the country to what it is today is commendable. Although it is to be expected that some are not at home with Kagame’s desire to go for a third term in office, the fact remains that many who are impressed with what he has done to forge unity and a new orientation believe it is better to continue to enjoy that than bother about the number of terms or how long he desires to be in office.

    Be that as it may, one thing many who experienced that unfortunate incident or were victims keep praying against is that when the Kagame era is finally over, no matter how long it takes, they never have a leader who will be interested in opening old wounds. The Super Eagles may have failed to fly in Rwanda, but the trip to that country was worth it. And to the very friendly people of Rwanda, I say Murakonze!

  • ‘How much are we worth?’

    ‘How much are we worth?’

    Can we put a price on a man’s life? How much are we really worth? These and other questions resonated at the solo art exhibition: State of the nation by an artist and cultural activist, Ndidi Dike, at the National Museum, Onikan in Lagos. The four-piece installation provoked debates on political and socio-economic issues, such as the energy crisis, the efficacy of power and the 217 abducted Chibok school girls. Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.   

    Ndidi Dike’s solo art exhibition State of the nation could pass for a critical judgment on the state of the nation. With found objects (expended bullets, rubber slippers, rickety chair, kerosene stove, fuel pump nozzle, and iron bed), she constructed installations that focus mainly on political leadership and energy situation in Nigeria, which shape the existential consciousness of Nigerians.

    As guests walked into the two exhibition halls of the museum, they were confronted with the unusual body of works and installations. First was How much am I worth? an empty dormitory-type bunk (iron bed) measuring 78cm by 171 cm. On the floor near the bed were many rubber slippers of various colours and sizes. On the bed was a golden blanket made from expended bullets. The abandoned bed and slippers left a strong image on the viewers who pondered on many questions, such as: who are the occupants of the bed and who are the owners of the slippers?

    To the artist, the imagery is to raise questions on the value life in Nigeria and, specifically those of the missing Chibok school girls, who were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents two years ago. The artwork is a fresh voice asking the government óf what value it thinks the Chibok school girls are to the nation. It is also to prick the conscience of Nigerian political leaders while amplifying the role of the artist as the conscience of society. The other three works were National Grid, Untitled 1 and Untitled 2.

    Another outstanding of the quartet was National Grid made from a number of carefully selected materials to depict the true state of the nation, especially in relation to the unsteady power supply and the people’s dependent on petroleum products in their day-to-day life.  Dike artfully attached the materials to an underlying wire mesh board. But it also reflects the geographical spread of Nigeria. On this wire mesh board, she attached scraps of metal from what looked like a generating set’s coil.

    Other found objects were lanterns, stoves, generator parts, motorcycle fuel tanks and nozzles for refilling fuel tanks of vehicles.

    The installation is a confirmation that most Nigerians have become extremely dependent on generating sets to get power supply. But the nozzles, which spread all through the installation, are symbolic of the lack of supply of petroleum products in the midst of plenty.

    State of the nation is the first in a series of staggered exhibitions planned by Dike this year to examine aspects of our national life. Unlike many of her peers, Dike is not a stranger to advocacy art. In the last few years, she has focused greater attention on ‘hot button social, economic and political issues around globalisation, migration and consumerism.’

    The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi), who was the special guest at the opening, urged Nigerians and government at all levels to appreciate works of art, saying through art the nation’s economy could be enhanced.

    He woyds: “The government should come and see the art first! The youths also should come and see the arts too! Then they can begin to talk about our challenges. The government alone cannot solve all the problems in the country; all citizens should begin to work together so that they can begin to solve the problems of the country. Each person, every child, every teacher, has a responsibility to assist the leaders. So I think we should all come together.”

    On the messages of the works, the Onitsha monarch said: “It is not fair to say that one (artwork) is more important than the other. They all strike me in different ways, and they meant to strike in different ways. They are all impressive.”

    The exhibition was attended by leading art collectors and enthusiasts. They included former Attorney General of  Lagos State Mrs. H. A. Balogun; Frank Okonta; Funke Akinyanju; Director of Drama, National Troupe of Nigeria, Josephine Igberaese;  Toyin Akinosho; Yolande Chirwa; Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development  Annena Jemitola; Ms. Iyabode Aboaba; Molara Wood; Peju Alatise and Bisi Silva,  among others.

     

    Speaking truth to power

    Consulting curator Dr. Smooth Ugochukwu Nzewi described Dike as one of the most visible artists on the Nigerian art scene. According to him, she is also one of the most consistent since her break out exhibition at the Imo Concorde Hotel in 1986.

    In his paper Speaking truth to power, Nzewi said: “Over the last thirty odd years, she has evolved as an artist, moving across diverse art forms, employing multiple media, and seeking new directions for her work. It is that endless search for a mode of address that can hold public imagination while retaining the transcendental quality that all great art must command. A self-described cultural activist, Dike has sought to use her work to engage with matters of culture though bearing in mind that culture is a construct shaped by the imperatives of the immediate social environment in previous solo exhibitions such as Totems and Signposts at Goethe Institut in 2002 and Unknown Pleasures and Competing Tendencies at the National Museum, Onikan, in 2012. In the last few years, she has focused greater attention on hot button social, economic, and political issues around globalization, migration, and consumerism. She has also shined critical light on historical events that continue to impact contemporary consciousness such as the legacy of the trans-Atlantic Slave trade which was the subject of the acclaimed exhibition Waka-Into-Bondage: The Last 3/4 Mile at the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos in 2008. That Dike’s advocacy is genuine is no longer in doubt. This present exhibition titled State of the Nation further cements it.

    According to Dr Nzewi, “it is the first in a series of staggered exhibitions planned by Dike in 2016 to examine aspects of our national life. The others will hold at different junctures this year. State of the Nation explores the theme of power writ large but with a dedicated focus on the abject political leadership and energy (that is to say, electricity and other forms of petroleum-derived energy that is suppose to drive the economy) situation in Nigeria. More than anything else, the two ideas or dimensions of power shape the existential consciousness of Nigerians. Sadly, both have been largely defined by malfeasance, sleaze, and hopelessness as the four works that comprise the exhibition suggest. Using a rickety wheel chair, painted gold and surrounded by a blanket of expended bullets stitched together in Untitled 1, Dike presents the tacky and imperious brand of political power in Nigeria in which the winner takes all. In addition to interrogating the absence of any real understanding of statesmanship on the part of Nigeria’s political class, she draws attention to unbridled vanity, venality, irresponsibility, and intellectual poverty that have trailed the political landscape especially since the fourth republic. As such, it is hardly surprising that 219 Chibok Secondary School girls remain missing nearly two years since they were kidnapped.”

    He went on:“What nation, except Nigeria, would display such callous lack of compassion and wanton irresponsibility to its young folk? Dike addresses this sorry state of affairs in the deeply emotive installation How Much Am I Worth.

    “Like Untitled 1, Untitled 2 examines the perplexing dynamics of political power in the country. Dike uses the cooking stove as a visual trope but also as a metaphor in addressing how the political class (both men and women) is a tightly-knit group with a common agenda to appropriate the nation’s commonwealth for itself, party-affiliations notwithstanding. The back story for this particular piece is the 9.2 billion Naira earmarked by the last administration for the purpose of buying kerosene stoves for indigent women. Dike treats the stove as a symbol of corruption, misappropriation, and misplacement of priorities. Finally she addresses the unsteady power supply in spite of the insane amount of money that has been sunk in that sector by successive administrations since 1999 in the installation titled National Grid. This installation draws our attention to a dream deferred, what Nigeria can become given its industrious and highly-driven population; an economic giant in the true sense of the word. With these works, Dike addresses the main issues that majority of Nigerians contend with, and amplifies the role of the artist as conscience of society in trying times.”

     

     

  • NOMRA to support DAME award for migration

    The Network of Migration Research in Africa (NOMRA) has unveiled plans to establish the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) for migration reporting.

    At a workshop for media professionals on migration reportage at the Domus Fidei, Ikeja, Lagos, NOMRA coordinator, Prof Aderanti Adepoju said the group was in deliberations with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to facilitate the award.

    Speaking during the workshop, Prof Adepoju said: “We have deliberations with IOM to establish an award in journalism for migration reporting. Not many people can be experts in migration reporting but there are many areas that can be linked to migration reporting. The media shapes publication and it is a huge responsibility. We should go one more stage in accurate reporting.”

    Also speaking, representative of the IOM, Mr. Sunday Omoyeni said the aim and key achievement of the programme was to help government manage migration project achievements and maximize the development potentials.

    He noted that the workshop started in May 2015, in collaboration with the National Commission for Migrants and Refugees to push for the implementation of the National Migration Policy, which was adopted by the Federal Executive Council in October, 2014.

    Mr Tosin Clegg  said: “When I came to the workshop in Unilag in 2015, initially I didn’t see anything I could do for ShowBiz relating to Migration. But after two months, I noticed a lot of things have to do with migration. Of the 36 states in Nigeria, Lagos seems to be where ShowBiz is formed and bubbles up. To an extent, a lot of people from the 36 states come to Lagos so that they can sell their music. In Rivers or Kaduna States, they complain that nobody comes to hear your music, but once you come to Lagos, they say people are willing to hear their music. A lot of non-Nigerians from Angola, Tanzania, South Africa, all come into Nigeria to set up their music. So many issues relate to migration.”

    Head of education Desk of The Nation, Kofoworola Belo-Osagie noted that education was a contributing factor to migration in the country, as many find succor in getting their certificates outside the border.

    Decrying this act, she said education outside Nigeria is not only costly but also bad for the Nigerians, as it enhances flow of resources outside the country.

    “Resources needed in the country are carted outside the country by the teeming youths who relish the desire to be educated. Money meant to be spent in Nigeria is actually taken to other countries abroad which is extremely costly and this brings down the value system of schools in Nigeria,” Belo-Osagie said representative of National Commission for Refugees, Migrant and Internally Displaced (NCFMI), Aisa Mohammed, urged reporters to research and write on children education in IDP Camps and create awareness for youths in comparing Nigerian education with that of schools abroad.

    “This will help youths in their choice of schools and make them believe in their country. I encourage that you should write more on education on IDPs CAMPS and write articles for youths comparing Nigerian schools with those outside the country”, Mohammed said.

    Meanwhile, some reporters lamented reporters’ poor standard of living and access to funds, which hinders them from doing in-depth research.

  • FunPlex Amusement Park opens in Lagos

    FunPlex Amusement Park opens in Lagos

    Fun-seeking children and their parents living in Magodo-Shangisha area of Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State may now heave a sigh of relief as FunPlex Amusement Park has commenced business on the CMD Road, Shangisha. The Managing Director of Allied Thrust & Systems (Nigeria) Limited, ATS, owners of the facility, Mr. Emeka Nwasike said the Amusement Park was established to service the need of children and their parents living in the neighbourhood as well as those dwelling in Ikosi, Ketu, Omole for entertainment and fun.

    Nwasike said the Amusement Park hosts a bouquet of activities such as Pirate Ship, Carousel, Frog Jumping, Ocean wave flying chair, Bumper cars, Bug one Train, Sand pit, and Bouncing Castle which can variously get children relaxed and entertained. Before now, schools and churches in the vicinity used to take their students and children out on excursions and camp out because there was no such Amusement Parks in the area .

    Nwasike said FunPlex is ready to enter into partnership with any school and church whose focus is provision of fun, enlightenment, and entertainment for its students and children. His words: “Our wealth of experience in entertainment and hospitality has not only given us an insight to what people want but also made us an outstanding organisation known for Quality Driven Services. We promise professionalism, excellent service delivery, ethical practices, quality standards and many more.”

    Nwasike said FunPlex occupies over 3000sq meters, providing a breathtaking atmosphere, safety and thrilling experience. He assured prospective customers of fun and entertainment at the Amusement Park as ATS specialises in creating exciting and exhilarating moments for kids, families, schools and churches.

     

  • Ibadan people seek review of chieftaincy system 

    Ibadan people seek review of chieftaincy system 

    Ibadan traditional title is unique. It must be respected. But it must however be reviewed.” These was the view of the prominent indigenes of Ibadan at the symposium-lecture organised by the Oyo State government to discuss the life and contributions of the late Olubadan, Oba Odulana Odugade I, to the development of Ibadan and Nigeria at large, as part of a week-long activities for the funeral of the late Olubadan.

    The symposium-lecture, however, turned out to be a deliberation on how to reform the chieftaincy system.

    Like other Yoruba towns, the traditional system in Ibadanland is monarchical in nature but with a unique hierarchical structure as in the military; at the head of which is the king, the Olubadan of Ibadan land.

    While other Yoruba (even none Yoruba) towns and cities operate the hereditary system of government which makes rulership the exclusive preserve for certain families or family, Ibadan operates a quasi-republican succession system of traditional administration. This makes it mandatory for a potential monarch or aspirant to the Olubadan stool to climb a 22-step ladder from Jagun Olubadan or 23-steps ladder from Jagun Balogun to the Olubadan throne because there are two alternating lines (Otun and Balogun) to the Olubadan stool.

    Notable Ibadan indigenes were present at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan to discuss the topic; Issues in Ibadan Traditional Chieftaincy System. Scholars at the event urged leaders in Ibadanland to find a way to encourage younger, educated and influential men to ascend the exalted throne of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    A former Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ismail Olalekan Alli, who represented Governor Abiola Ajimobi, at the event, said the symposium was put together to celebrate the late Olubadan.

    The personal physician to the late Olubadan and the chairman on the occasion, Emeritus Prof Olu Akinkugbe, described the monarch as a rare gem who excelled in all facets of life before he ascended the throne of his forefathers in 2007. Akinkugbe described the late monarch as someone who has played remarkable roles in the development of the Ibadan and the nation in general. He noted that Ibadan city remains the only city as a republic in the whole Nigeria adding that the late Olubadan had left unmatched legacies behind.

    The special guest of honour and former Oyo State Governor  Victor Omololu Olunloyo who described the Ibadan Chieftaincy succession as unique, called on sons and daughters of the ancient city to reduce the number of steps in each of the two lines to ensure quick ascension to the throne.

     

    The former governor said that the Olubadan chieftaincy tradition, Chiefs Law and Subsidiary Laws are replete with contradictions and obstacles that needed urgent review in order to make ascension to the Olubadan throne problem-free.

    Olunloyo insisted that the Olubadan chieftaincy promotion is not without rancour as widely believed, given the contention by the Seriki and Iyalode chieftaincy lines to be accorded due recognition.

    He said, “No government can legislate on the issue of traditional chieftaincy because of the principle of separation of powers. There are six obstacles in the way of an Olubadan until the laws are reviewed. Some of these obstacles are in the Chiefs Laws and some are in the Subsidiary Laws.

    “The system is semi-promotional. There was this Akinyo crisis when the late Oba Akinyele wanted to become Olubadan. In fact what the law says is that the Olubadan-in-council can choose from the four most senior chiefs in any line, not necessarily the most senior.

    “Something must be done to reduce the lines and the rung of the ladder. We also need to remove all obstacles in the Chiefs Laws. The current Olubadan-designate is qualified to ascend the throne. The Supreme Court judgment on the Seriki line is relying upon to stop him is an unenforceable law, as Chief Afe Babalola will say.”

    Professor Bolanle Awe who was described as an oracle of Yoruba history at the even in her speech said Olubadan was a  distinguished man and good example of what Ibadan man but however called for total reformation of the system to meet up with the present day challenges.

    Despite its touted uniqueness, Awe said that the Olubadan traditional chieftaincy needs to be rejigged to encourage younger men to become Olubadan.

    She said, “But I want to say that reform should take into cognizance the Iyalode line in order to take care of women. Women should not be relegated.”

    In his lecture, a veteran journalist and former Editor Daily Times Chief Areoye Oyebola, titled: “Ibadan’ Chieftaincy Tradition Imperatives for Reform”, Oyebola emphasised the need for nominating young, educated and successful people to ascend to the Olubadan line to replace the present gerontocratic nature of the Olubadan throne.

    Oyebola, who said he had close relationship with four Olubadans, noted that the Olubadan chieftaincy system was fraught with complexities that has made it impossible for any Olubadan to reign for too long.

    He said it was not in the best interest of modern Ibadan city for a prospective Olubadan to wait for more than 35 years after becoming a Mogaji before becoming an Olubadan, since they must climb the 23 promotional steps on the rung.

    He said, “A situation where you have more than 200 Mogajis waiting in line to become Olubadan and to make the matter worse majority of these Mogajis are not educated and competent enough to rule over a big city like Ibadan calls for a review.

    “Some don’t have the means and knowledge. I want to call for a review that will make it impossible for such people to become Olubadan. What I can advise the Olubadan-in-council to do is to assess the current Mogajis and separate those who are not competent to become Olubadan

    “Make them advisers to the Olubadan and remove them from the chieftaincy lines. Baales should henceforth nominate young, educated and successful men of between 35 and 40 years to become Mogaji. To wait for 35 years before becoming Olubadan and reign for few years is not in our best interest.”

    “We have to be realistic, we must have a new idea of who becomes Mogaji, there are over 200 Mogajis presently, the Olubadan in Council can find a way of reducing them, by compensating some of them as advisers to the Olubadan.

    One of the discussants, Prof. Adedotun Ogundeji spoke on the life and times of the late monarch. An Ibadan Senior Chief, Lekan Alabi, also spoke on the topic of the day.

    Lekan Alabi noted that the late Olubadan has fulfilled his destiny before his demise urging people to emulate his good attributes.

    “Our system otherwise perceived as “long and winding,” ensures that Ibadan traditional chiefs from Mogaji position to whatever their individual destiny ship discharges them become matured with time, steeped in our rich culture administration, law, civil and social rules. In other places, a new king learns the royal ropes, as it were, within a month or two.

    “Nevertheless, Ibadan Mogajis are equal in status to Obas in some other climes, if you take into view the land mass, population, economy etc that Ibadan Mogaji presides over,” Alabi noted.