The Nation Newspaper

Category: Arts & Life

  • A thought for Makoko less-privileged

    A thought for Makoko less-privileged

    It was a cold Saturday morning. Hundreds of children and some aged at the Makoko slum in Lagos were almost hopeless over their situation. They wore long faces. But, shortly before sunrise, White House Group, a team of volunteers, led by its president, Mr. Austin Eroutour, visited the community with packs of foods.  And that changed, albeit, temporarily, the mood of the people. The people mostly children were excited and smiled as they filed out to receive their gift.

    The gesture of the society is driven by passion and quest to grow people and better the society.

    As they struggled to take turns, falling over one another, you could feel and see the innocence in them – the strong will to live, striving to add value to the larger human community.

    They were joyously exhibiting the ‘child’s innocence’ bringing to the fore their innate abilities to live their full potentials if given the opportunity by giving them education, while guiding and guarding them on the right paths, imbibing in them universally acceptable norms and values.

    Though there are education facilities in this community but many of the children were out of school for various flimsy reasons ranging from their parents inability to pay one levy or buy a book that the cost is not enough to buy meat pie in a fast food spot. Among these children are future doctors, accountants, lawyers, teachers, journalists, architects, administrators, writers, painters and engineers.

    Some of the children spoken to commended Whitehouse and other NGOs that had visited them and provided food and other items including medicine for their efforts. According to the children, they prefer being given scholarship that is real not on the pages of newspapers.

    Mr. Vincent Utere a PR trainer and a member of the team said that ‘the future development and unity of Nigeria lies in the hands of these children. Among them are would be great leaders in diverse fields. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to help them discover and develop themselves. To realise this, we must all be involved irrespective of creed or tongue.’

    Mrs. Olanike Eruotor, who counselled some of the children stated that ‘our coming here is to see what we can do in our own little individual way to help make these wonderful children better than us. This is indirectly protecting ourselves as well as securing the lives of our children, building a peaceful and united Nigeria.’

    President Lagos Penya Club, Mr. Leslie Oghomienor,  said ‘a time has come for us as individual to allow our consciousness to be above our strength to make progress for the benefits of these little ones – our future. This place will never change. We have to change it. Our person-to-person little effort will make a great different. Do something for someone around you. It might be your lifeguard’.

    The team went on to attend to the elderly many of whom were women who apart from their inability to pay their rents or feed well, were having health issues due to the environment they line in – swampy and water logged. The team could not do much in terms of medicals since there were no qualified health personnel in the group.

    From Whitehouse effort and that of other organisations and individuals,  it is observed that change will only be made possible by those whose spirits are far bigger and stronger than their present circumstances.

    Eruotor noted that to strive to rise above the situation and hope for the better for no one was born with wealth or education. “You have the ability to be whatever you want for your own good and for the best of the society. Be strong do your best and God will surely do the rest,” he added.

    As the convoy of six trucks rolled off roaring towards the main road a few of the people chorus, ‘Please you people should come again… Apart from Makoko, over one billion people go to bed hungry each night and there are millions of children without clean potable water not to talk of food. There are women dying in bid to get the fruit of the womb while others are busy aborting pregnancies.

  • Obaseki on Muson stage

    Obaseki on Muson stage

    drama

    It was a rare moment for young thespians as pupils of   Childville Schools, Ogudu, Lagos presented Agho Obaseki, a part of  Don Pedro Obaseki’s play  – Ovonramwen Nogbaisi at the fifth edition of her yearly stage play presentation.

    The performance, which ran for two hours, was presented at the MUSON Centre, Lagos penultimate Friday. It was witnessed by pupils from the school and other schools, such as the Grange College, Ikeja. It didn’t exempt the presence of parents who jointly applauded and commended the performance.

    The play centres on the travails of the then Oba of Benin, Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, and his people. In 1897, the British launched a punitive expedition, sacked Benin City, sent the  Oba on exile to Calabar and took over the area to establish a British colony to further its commercial interest.

    Oba Ovonramwen later died in exile in 1914. After the exile of the Oba to Calabar, the British used Obaseki to terrorise the Benin people to gain access to their culture, and Obaseki used the opportunity in a wrong way by misbehaving. But the position of the Oba was taken back by his son.

    According to Mrs. Ettah Ezinwanne the Head of Secondary, the yearly stage play presentation was aimed at making the pupils knowledgeable of historical events of our country. She said  a lot of learning can be extracted from it  and make them develop the artistic side possessed by every child.

    “We want our pupils to know and understand some of the things that happened before now, we also want them to know some traditional things that shape our future as we have done plays like Moremi, The gods are not to blame by Ola Rotimi, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Oba Ovonramwen that revealed those traditions, we want them to be able to learn how to speak in public like our fathers did in the past as they spoke out for their rights since they were actively involved in situations around them, and we want them to be able to use the stage which are life skills that we want to them to be exposed to.”

    She noted that the schools management has carefully and specifically selected drama as a genre of art in bringing the mission to reality because drama as a genre of art is more encompassing; enriching and more beneficial to the pupils since it constitute music and poetry.

    Ettah urged other schools to venture into likely strategy that Childville has put in place by using the little that is within their power for presentation and engaging in class drama to assist their pupils. She said the school is looking forward to making the annual presentation opened for all to witness that the benefits embedded in it may get across to all and sundry.

    The director of the play, Gboyega Jerome a seasoned thespian who had worked with gurus of theatre like Ben Tomoloju, Bayo Oduneye, and late Chief Hubert Ogunde said that with what the pupils are manifesting on stage, there won’t be deviation from what they are being taught on the profession because the Nollywood stars today are more financially capable than some bank officials. He added that  drama would be taken by the young stars as a means of living or a hobby. He said the pupil can do better in future if they are well trained starting from now and made to see the right approach to a bright future from now.

    “When we talk about Richard Mofe Damijo and other big Nollywood stars, they started from somewhere so we are to start with the kids from now.”

    Jerome noted that the stage play that featured seventy one casts is of high relevance to the society as it connotes that every individual should stick to whatever belong to them by trying to be contended with it because cheating is nothing good.

    Ini-inyang explained that he never expected to get to play the role of Oba Ago Sinwi because he was auditioned since he never had the idea of acting hence he used every opportunity that appeared before him. He noted that the production took three months to undergo the rehearsal stage and it was seldom frustrating as they came during mid-term break and had to wait for extra hours after school so as to attain perfection.

    “Kudos to my director- Mr. Jerome for the professional work; sometimes he might be very strict but he knows what he is doing at the end of the day” He said.

    Ayo Adejuwon a primary six pupil who acted as the main character revealed that he is only doing drama as a hobby for now because he would like to be an engineer. He however said that every pupil should be committed in whatever they do and never loss faith due to the fact that the performance has really assisted in the building of his confidence in doing better things since he performed Ago Obaseki’s role.

  • Abeokuta…Beyond the rocks for launch

    Abeokuta…Beyond the rocks for launch

    book

    Ever been to Abeokuta the Ogun State capital? If you have, you would not miss the imposing rocky hill of Olumo, one of the famous tourist sites in the country. But, there’s more to the ancient city of rusty-brown rooftops and hilly terrain.

    It occupies a prime position in the nation’s socio-political development for its many firsts. Abeokuta boasts of the first newspaper-Iwe Irohin, first church, first hospital and first psychiatric hospital in the country and many more ancient sites that define the city.

    But, these historical firsts are unknown to many visitors and tourists to the country. Unfortunately, the state government, which ought to derive maximum benefits from promoting these tourism potentials the city possesses, has done little or nothing to push the sector. The result has been a wasting tourism corridor, with just a little light shed on the Olumo Rock, when the Gbenga Daniel-led administration gave the rock a face-lift by developing it and building an elevator that rides to its top from where the city’s breathtaking view can be assessed with stunning effect.

    Determined to record history and put everything about the ancient city in a book format, Hakeem Adenekan has published a new standard coffee table book entitled Abeokuta… Beyond the Rocks. The book, which is laced with a vast pictorial layout that puts the city in proper perspective, will be launched on July 4 at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. The launch is  a deel between Ogun State Government and Nigeria’s foremost culture centre, Terra Kulture Lagos.

    Adenekan took up the project because he felt saddened that there was no literature to capture the rich cultural attractions of Abeokuta to outsiders who might wish to visit and help boost the local economy.

    In a chat in Lagos, Adenekan said he is happy that through the book he has been able to keep some aspects of Abeokuta history as many old building have given way to renewed urbanization. He noted that apathy among Nigerians towards record keeping is one great disservice. “Unfortunately, Nigerians don’t have their own history. In order to complete the book, I had to travel UK to get some of the history,” he said.

    Adenekan wondered, like most ordinary Nigerians, what the country’s leaders usually bring back as real value from their numerous and wasteful trips abroad when they can’t execute a mere coffee table book to showcase the different attractions in their states, if only for its ego-trip. Having gone abroad for study and other sundry trips and seen firsthand how small things like a coffee table book about cities help boost cities of little consequence, he felt compelled to produce one, as a wakeup call on those whose statutory duty it is to do so back home.

    “Like I usually ask people, especially those in government, why don’t you bring something new back to Nigeria among the many good things you see abroad to enrich the stock of what we have here?

    “We talk about tourism and all that. What we do in Nigeria is scratch the surface. To realise this book, we went into the archives. The title is from a small survey we did in Lagos on what people want to see if they were to go to Abeokuta as tourism destination. People said they wanted to come to Abeokuta to see Olumo Rock. But there’s more to the city than Olumo Rock. We had to create this compendium that is internationally acceptable.

    “The idea came to me while in the United Kingdom studying. We just want to document and keep our history. It’s better for us to start our own documentation and not allow it to be done for us by foreigners. It took five and a half years to put this together. We took aerial photographs of Abeokuta landmarks using a helicopter.”

    Adenekan said the challenges he faced while producing the book ranged from Nigeria’s perennial apathy about record-keeping, which is near zero to ‘area boys’ wanting their own share and weather conditions so the photographing could be right. He lamented Nigeria’s poor archiving, adding that on occasion, he had to resort to the British Museum to get certain facts about his own country. Abeokuta… Beyond the rocks will be useful for the general public and those who believe in history.

     

  • ‘Why I sang Ibi Giga’

    ‘Why I sang Ibi Giga’

    Her voice reverberated loudly inside the capacity-full Restoration Chapel in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state capital, where she sang a number from her seven-track musical debut. Singer, evangelist and music teacher Tofunmi Ayodele thrilled the guests to other scintillating tunes from her album, entitled Ibi Giga (High Places) recently to herald her maiden musical work in praise singing and evangelism.

    Ayodele’s music, which soon attracted regular airplay on radio stations across Southwestern states, was  presented at the headquarters of Restoration Prayer Ministry in Adebayo area of Ado Ekiti. It was graced by hundreds of worshippers, clerics and music lovers in and outside the Ekiti State capital. The album has seven tracks of great messages rendered rhythmically to the delight of the audience. The musical work essentially comprises songs of praise and exaltation to the Almighty aside rendering prayers and admonishing Christians to always put their trust in their maker and shun frivolities.

    When asked about how she composes her songs, the pretty mother of three children disclosed that Ibi Giga came to her as a revelation which reminded her of a people who were held in captivity and locked up with giant iron gates. The people engage in perpetual struggle to regain freedom but only those who can fast and pray fervently eventually got released. According to her, Ibi Giga which was produced by Judah Associates was inspired the Holy Spirit, as she received special messages from God to man. Her words’ As a singer and minister, I usually receive special messages in my closet. And when God speaks to me, His words come with great revelations. The revelations are what I turn to my songs and the Holy Spirit always teaches me the lyrics’.

    Ayodele, who studied Music privately after her university education, first and second degrees in Biochemistry- hinted that she also chants Ewi (Yoruba poetry) in churches and at wedding ceremonies. ‘ I enjoy singing and chanting for God in appreciation of His mercy and love for me and my people. My husband too has been a great source of support and encouragement to me. Both of us are ministers. He is popular for playing musical instruments while people know me as a singer. He plays the organ while I sing and we also train choristers aside teaching songs and instrumentation’, explained Ayodele who added she is overwhelmed by the way the audience received her first musical work. She disclosed that the success of Ibi Giga has spurred her into working on the next album, noting that she would never disappoint her teeming lovers and admirers.

     

  • ‘My journey in acrylic’

    ‘My journey in acrylic’

    visual art

    Osazuwa Osagie’s name and paintings are not new to most arts collectors in Nigeria. What perhaps are not too common of the former cartoonist at the defunct National Concord and recently The Nation on Sunday are his paintings done in acrylic. Churning out paintings in acrylic is one decision he took recently to correct the erroneous belief that acrylic as a medium is ‘inferior’ or less popular to oil.

    In his solo art exhibition entitled My Journey in acrylic, opening at the Quintessence Gallery, Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos on Saturday, Osagie is presenting about 25 paintings in acrylic focusing on landscape, seascape, life and more importantly issues bothering on child abuses. Despite the seeming low popularity of the medium Osagie is believed strongly that his exhibits at the show will turn many heads. However, he noted that he is exhibiting primarily to make statement about his new forms as well as to promote the acrylic as a medium.

    “To me, exhibition is not primarily about sales, but to keep your name in the minds of collectors and enthusiasts. In fact, any versatile artist must not rely on sales from exhibition to survive. This is because there are lots of other avenues through which an artist can make money.

    Above all, this show is to affirm that acrylic is not inferior to oil, which many collectors appreciate much more than acrylic,” he said at a sneak preview of his works. Osagie said most of his oil paintings are in large size canvasses unlike those in acrylic, which are done spontaneously and smaller in size for easier pick.

    Asked of his cartooning strips, he said he is missing that part of his art, which he has done for so long. But, because of his experiences at the defunct National Concord newspaper where he couldn’t retrieve his old cartoons, he now takes proper care of preserving his new cartoons.

    Little wonder, some bonded copies of his cartoons at The Nation on Sunday occupy prime place on the book shelves in his studio. To him, the copies are also a testimony that I have done newspaper cartooning successfully apart from being a studio artist.

    The Auchi Polytechnic trained fine artist is equally at home with sculpting, which he said, is his next assignment. “Sculpting is part of me way back from school. I sculpt but do more of commissioned job. I hope to hold a solo show featuring sculptural pieces and paintings,” he said.

    My journey in acrylic will run for a month at Quintessence Gallery, Lekki, Lagos.

  • African Story berths at Thought Pyramid

    African Story berths at Thought Pyramid

    visual art

    A new chapter was opened in the compendium of art with the introduction of a new platform in a grand style to the arts community in Abuja.  Called Ferrum, it is a formidable initiative of the young Ugochukwu Ikpeazu who flew in from Geneva, Switzerland, to see to effective take-off of the platform.

    Venue was the now upgraded, cozy Thought Pyramid Art Centre. There was a heavy presence of rich art and art-loving distinguished individuals. It was a twin-event – the launch of the Ferrum platform and the opening of a one-day exhibition titled An African Story, a 10-man, 20-work exhibition curated by Mufu Onifade.

    The scene was electric with excitement and pure enthusiasm as a new art platform was born. “In all that we have given”, explained Ugochukwu Ikpeazu, founder of Ferrum, “I feel we have failed to export one of our defining pillars: our cultural heritage” He stated further, “Our voice has been drowned out by globalisation when it should have joined the choir, singing praise to human creativity”. He was motivated by the richness of Africa as a continent, especially as exemplified by glaring evidence of human and natural resources. By its underlining handout, Ferrum is, therefore, established to become an international art house and a formidable platform “to promote art and culture as avant-garde agents of development, pushing for progressive and objective change through social integration”.  The platform was publicly and officially launched by the Acting High Commissioner of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Rtd. General Claudus Nelson Williams. With this artistic ritual duly performed by a diplomat, Ferrum looks set to take off on a high note.

    An African Story, the chosen theme of the commemorative exhibition designed to berth the Ferrum platform paraded bright flickers of young vibrant Nigerian artists whose quality not only dazzled the audience, but also rose to the occasion of standard, which Ferrum firmly represents. The show presented 20 outstanding works by 10 young vibrant Nigerian artists whose age bracket is capped at 35. They are Stephen Osuchukwu (Market Agenda and Strength), Abigail Nnaji (Sisi and Tranquility), Balogun Waziri (Untitled and Untitled), Lucky Isaiah (Playmates and Commerce) and Millicent Osumuo (Sister I and Sisters II). Others are Suraj Adekola (Hustle & Bustle and The Call), Godwin Adesoye (First Born and Lady’s World), Stella-nitta Cornelius (Entangled and Redemption I), Obiora Ekeanozie (Dali (Footprints of a Legend) and The Way We Look) and Tyna Adebowale (Identity Series and Nontitled).

    An African Story, which appropriately ignited the evening to redefine the epoch-making event, showed pure class and freshness of creativity, which the young exhibiting artists possess in abundance. All the works, in their collective objectives, expressed Africanness which the curator described revealing “our inner feelings – our pains and joys – arising from struggles and strives, economic activities, social interactions, political permutations, educational orientation and ambivalent cultural expressions”.

    Deputy High Commissioner, South African High Commission, Mr. K. Pedro, who declared the exhibition open could not withhold his awe even as he commended the founder of Ferrum, Ugochukwu Ikpeazu for exploring the positive virtues of youthfulness while unleashing his dream to African art development. This was the path toed by other commentators who believed that in this age of excessive negative influences on the global youth population, a dream that gave life to art and its producers was, indeed, a unique proactive force that positively engaged and redeveloped the African youth.

    The view was shared by master artist and former President of the Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria, Edosa Ogiugo who travelled from Lagos to witness the twin event in Abuja. He praised the quality of artists and their works, which he believed could “compete with outstanding works from any part of the globe”. On Ferrum, he said, “I am delighted at the procreation of a platform for young African Artists. We do not have enough of this kind of platform that deliberately takes care of the interest of young artists, especially in Nigeria. I commend Ugochukwu for this initiative”

  • Babalakin at 55: From vilification to vindication

    Babalakin at 55: From vilification to vindication

    As he turns 55 today, he must have a special reason to be grateful to his Maker, the Almighty Allah. After almost two years of intense vilification in the hands of people of power, Dr. Bolanle Olawale Babalakin, SAN must be looking forward to heave a sigh of relief this year, hopefully, from the mountainous hurdles deliberately hurled in his way.

    His story looks like the typical case of how Nigeria does not often like to appreciate exceptional breeds that are succeeding in their chosen fields. But for Babalakin, who cut his legal teeth under the great ‘Timi the Law’ (late Chief Rotimi Williams) this may be about to change as fresh facts emerge and the truth is being established in the matter in which he is being tried in court.

    Not a few people know that Babalakin’s name is associated with the legal profession and ingenious business enterprise. As a lawyer with a very high intellectual acumen, he is one name that young lawyers flock to in cutting their teeth in the profession. I am aware that his firm, Babalakin & Co has more than 60 lawyers who are among the best paid in the profession and some of whom have risen to the highest echelon of legal practice through Babalakin’s active support. For several years, his chamber has published an annual Law Report. For this Cambridge-trained legal colossus, there must always be a trace of scholarship and intellect in whatever he touches.

    The second terminal of the Muritala Muhammed Airport (MMA2), built and operated by Babalakin’s Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd, is not just an example of how private initiatives can rescue government from difficult and capital-intensive projects but is also a unique example of how to run a business with respect for best global practices. In its eight year, MMA2 remains the only private airport terminal in the whole of Africa; is described as the cleanest public space in the whole of Lagos and more importantly is adjudged as the only airport in Nigeria that has met global standard.

    In recent years, if he was not attending to legal services or nurturing enduring business projects, Babalakin would be found attending to the needy, be they individuals or even government. To many stakeholders in the ivory tower, he was the Pillar of Education in Nigeria, on account of his undisguised passion and commitment to excellence in that crucial sector. As the Chairman of Committee of Pro-Chancellors between 2009 and 2013, during which period he was also the pro-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri as well as the Chairman of the Implementation Monitoring Committee of the 2009 Agreements between the Federal Government and university-based unions, Nigeria did not witness any industrial action.

    So impressed with his achievements and record of selfless service as the pro-Chancellor of UNIMAID that the authorities of the institution once said that Dr. Babalakin “built more structures in the university during his four-year tenure than was achieved since the establishment of the university 38 years ago.” He was saluted for leading from the front by denying himself all the allowances due to him. He did not collect a kobo from the university as he repeatedly said that Nigerians needed to sacrifice in order to reposition the education sector.

    You would not need to be so close to him to appreciate how Law, business and humanitarian services pre-occupied this proud alumnus of Government College, Ibadan until his vilification became a sinister project for a few greedy and desperate lots who apparently used authority, and perhaps state resources, to arm-twist genuine businessmen and investors. Babalakin’s vilification of course is largely over issues surrounding MMA2, the purported revocation of the concession agreement that Bi-Courtney Ltd had on Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the alleged charges of money laundering against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    All the three issues appear related if one chooses to interrogate them closely. A clear case of witch-hunt and abuse of power will almost certainly be detected. One would see an ingenious businessman being vilified just for succeeding in ventures that mere opportunists won’t dare to discover or explore. But in each case, the Law, Babalakin’s dependable recourse, has always proven worthy as the last hope of the ordinary man. It did in September last year when the Court saved MMA2 from the pangs of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) which wanted to appoint a Receiver/Manager on the airport terminal on account of contentious debts. It was as logical as it was commonsensical that a government agent cannot be alleging a N50bn debt let alone take over the facilities of an investor that is being owed a sum of N132bn by the same government that caused the private investor to lose huge revenue resulting in ability to fulfill its loan obligations.

    The court came to the rescue because an individual had the courage to confront a bully.

    Yet, a more glaring vindication came his way in February this year when a Lagos High Court discharged the case by EFCC against Babalakin for lack of merit. One would think that the adversaries would relent. Nay! They chose not to appeal the judgment instead and curiously too, re-filed the same case before another judge, pushing desperately to try Babalakin all over again… over allegations of assisting former Delta State governor James Ibori to launder money; the same case that a court of competent jurisdiction had found no merit in.

    Why are they seeking to destroy Babalakin? Why are they desperate to destroy a man of intellect, vision and courage whose contribution to national development is felt daily by millions of people?

    However, the truth has a way of imposing itself. Could it, therefore, be the way of truth and vindication that made the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to receive a wise counsel from within its own fold, cautioning that instituting a fresh trial of Dr. Babalakin on the same money laundering allegation would amount to an abuse of court process and that the case, if it had been filed at all, ought to be withdrawn without delay?

    As if to finally vindicate this great man of industry with a large heart, it was reported that the London Metropolitan Police, which was erroneously thought to be looking for him in London, has indeed sent the report of its investigation on the Ibori saga to the Minister of Justice and nowhere in the report did either Babalakin’s name or any of his companies appear among those suspected to be involved in the alleged money laundering. How else can a man be so blessed and vindicated? What else do they want from this man? But the traducers think they can continue with the impunity of old at a time when the country now breathes fresh air, with the hope that the perfidious past will soon be history? A close interrogation of Babalakin’s travails will reveal a link between the untidy manner in which Bi-Courtney was robbed of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession and the trumped-up charges of money laundering by EFCC. It may well turn out that those behind these travails overrated their ability to cheat, manipulate the system and perpetrate their relevance.

    Day of reckoning for the wicked might just be near. And this is why it has become imperative to urge Babalakin not to be deterred and broken. He is a shining example of how an investor can make a great impact in the life of a nation. He deserves encouragement.

    He has never stopped being a cheerful giver, anyway. In March, more than 10,000 people benefitted from his free eye check-up and treatment in Zaria. That was reminiscent of a similar philanthropic gesture he did in Osun and Ondo States a few years ago. Many more are silent beneficiary of his humanitarian causes, particularly in matters of education and health. Such great men of honour should not be allowed to fall victim of a few despicable men foisting impunity on the system.

    Dr. Babalakin is lucky to often have his birthday celebrated during the holy month of Ramadan. The hand of the Almighty is unmistakable in his matter. He should persevere and stay on the path of honour. Days of perfidy might just be over, almost.

     

    •Dr. Alli, a Public Affairs analyst, lives in Abuja

  • From UK with charity

    From UK with charity

    Remi Badozi, an immigration officer in the United Kingdom, works long and hard. So, work-offs and vacations mean so much to her. This year, her plan was to be at the exotic beaches in Spain for a well-deserved rest. Everything appeared set until she realised the Grace and Mercy Programme (GAMP) of a group she belongs to was scheduled for June.

    She dropped all her engagements and family ties,  headed for Lagos for the GAMP in company of no fewer than eight team members from the UK.

    “I had no hesitation in cancelling all previous arrangements to be here,” she said, adding. “There is no way on earth I would miss a charity work for anything.”

    The team ran an eight-day empowerment scheme for residents of Isawo Community in Lagos, which ended last week. No fewer than 1,000 members of the community benefited from the charity activities of the group. Food items, clothing, shoes and medical check-ups were offered freely to residents.

    Badozi said there was no greater feeling than giving back to her native country. “I feel refreshed and fulfilling seeing the joy on the faces of people. There is something helping others does to one’s humanity. I feel great with myself and perfectly at peace,” she explained.

    She said spending her vacation for a charitable cause was exhilarating. “Yes, I could have been in Spain, at a remote beach enjoying myself and relaxing. But this is the perfect way of vacationing for me. It feels great to spend time helping others cope with economic and social pressure. It is something I would never trade off for anything,” she said.

    Chima Ihenacho is into shipping business back in the UK. He also runs a digital and mobile solutions firm across the UK where he has resided in the last 12 years. But for some weeks in June and July, he is putting business considerations in the back foot to participate in the charity works.

    “I look forward to my annual vacation because this is how best I love to spend it. It is refreshing to be able to draw smiles from people and help them out of the woods. When people smile at you while helping out, a glow comes into your heart. There is nothing that can replace that feeling,” he said.

    Ihenacho, said: “Of course, we spend a lot of money to come on our own. You don’t even want to talk about it but that is nothing compared to helping people smile in a place where there isn’t much to smile about.”

    He is delighted he has imbibed the culture of giving back, especially to his fellow Nigerians. “I just feel that life is not just about grabbing and grabbing. There comes a time in one’s life that you realise the greatest happiest is in helping others overcome challenges of living.

    “Some of us have travelled to Europe and imbibed their values. So, what we are doing is bringing them back home. UK is an aid-giving nation and we want to replicate that too in our own little way. We are creating a chain of change and it is so reinvigorating,” he added.

    A sweat dropped from his chin as he packed the charity items into what the team called the goodies bag. Reminded that he shouldn’t be working this hard at a time he should be on vacation, Ihenacho let out a big smile. “It’s fun actually. It may be a little stressful physically but it is mentally fulfilling. You get to rest your bones after a few hours, you know, “he reasoned.

    Mrs. Tina Adewemimo has been  nurse in the UK for almost nine years. She first participated in GAMP last year. “The experience was touching for me. It was a great privilege that we could give back and the people were so friendly and grateful.” This year, she almost didn’t make it. But she considered it a miracle she was granted her annual leave she applied for it.

    “It is summer time in the UK and this is when everybody wants to be on leave. I asked for it and was granted. I’m happy because a part of me would have been sad if I couldn’t make it,” she stated. Adewemimo, who was part of the medical team, said working while on vacation was a great idea.

    “I am enjoying myself. This is the best way to rest. I tell you what when you help others, you don’t get tired. You can always draw from your inner strength and a part of you is fulfilled. So, I have no complaints. I’m having the time of my life and will keep coming for as long as there are people to help.”

    Mrs. Lola Oseni runs a travel agency based in the UK. But making money will have to wait for some weeks because she is in Lagos for the charity works. “This is what I love to do. I’m just bouncing in my heart. I feel great; I feel good. I feel elated,” she stated as she worked on the goodies bag.

    “For me, there is no rest when there are needs to meet. You cannot rest when there are people suffering. You get overwhelmed looking at the level of poverty here. But it also makes you want to stop at nothing to help. So, this is it for me. This is where to be. I don’t feel out of place at all,” Oseni shared.

    Beyond giving out food and clothing  to meet immediate needs, the team also empowered four graduates of its Grace Fashion Institute with sewing machines. Each of the graduates received N30, 000 for take-off. “The plan is to teach them how to fish as against just handing them fish every year,”  Pastor  Atinuke Adesanya, the team’s leader said.

    Adesanya, senior pastor  Grace to Grace International Church, said: “We are in Isawo to make a difference. We want to completely transform the community. We have started already and we hope to do much more. We believe that lifting people is the way to go.”

    She stated that the team had concluded plans to construct a free purpose-built walk-in hospital for the community where residents can receive free medications and treatment. “In the next one year, the clinic will be functional. There would be a doctor and nurses from the start that can attend to people. We believe health is wealth. A healthy community will make prosperity easier,” she added.

    Despite the inconveniences and costs during the trip, the team said they would be here in 2017.

  • Babalakin at 55: From vilification to vindication

    Babalakin at 55: From vilification to vindication

    As he turns 55 today, he must have a special reason to be grateful to his Maker, the Almighty Allah. After almost two years of intense vilification in the hands of people of power, Dr. Bolanle Olawale Babalakin, SAN must be looking forward to heave a sigh of relief this year, hopefully, from the mountainous hurdles deliberately hurled in his way. His story looks like the typical case of how Nigeria does not often like to appreciate exceptional breeds that are succeeding in their chosen fields. But for Babalakin, who cut his legal teeth under the great ‘Timi the Law’ (late Chief Rotimi Williams) this may be about to change as fresh facts emerge and the truth is being established in the matter in which he is being tried in court. Not a few people know that Babalakin’s name is associated with the legal profession and ingenious business enterprise. As a lawyer with a very high intellectual acumen, he is one name that young lawyers flock to in cutting their teeth in the profession. I am aware that his firm, Babalakin & Co has more than 60 lawyers who are among the best paid in the profession and some of whom have risen to the highest echelon of legal practice through Babalakin’s active support. For several years, his chamber has published an annual Law Report. For this Cambridge-trained legal colossus, there must always be a trace of scholarship and intellect in whatever he touches. The second terminal of the Muritala Muhammed Airport (MMA2), built and operated by Babalakin’s Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd, is not just an example of how private initiatives can rescue government from difficult and capital-intensive projects but is also a unique example of how to run a business with respect for best global practices. In its eight year, MMA2 remains the only private airport terminal in the whole of Africa; is described as the cleanest public space in the whole of Lagos and more importantly is adjudged as the only airport in Nigeria that has met global standard. In recent years, if he was not attending to legal services or nurturing enduring business projects, Babalakin would be found attending to the needy, be they individuals or even government. To many stakeholders in the ivory tower, he was the Pillar of Education in Nigeria, on account of his undisguised passion and commitment to excellence in that crucial sector. As the Chairman of Committee of Pro-Chancellors between 2009 and 2013, during which period he was also the pro-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri as well as the Chairman of the Implementation Monitoring Committee of the 2009 Agreements between the Federal Government and university-based unions, Nigeria did not witness any industrial action. So impressed with his achievements and record of selfless service as the pro-Chancellor of UNIMAID that the authorities of the institution once said that Dr. Babalakin “built more structures in the university during his four-year tenure than was achieved since the establishment of the university 38 years ago.” He was saluted for leading from the front by denying himself all the allowances due to him. He did not collect a kobo from the university as he repeatedly said that Nigerians needed to sacrifice in order to reposition the education sector. You would not need to be so close to him to appreciate how Law, business and humanitarian services pre-occupied this proud alumnus of Government College, Ibadan until his vilification became a sinister project for a few greedy and desperate lots who apparently used authority, and perhaps state resources, to arm-twist genuine businessmen and investors. Babalakin’s vilification of course is largely over issues surrounding MMA2, the purported revocation of the concession agreement that Bi-Courtney Ltd had on Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the alleged charges of money laundering against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. All the three issues appear related if one chooses to interrogate them closely. A clear case of witch-hunt and abuse of power will almost certainly be detected. One would see an ingenious businessman being vilified just for succeeding in ventures that mere opportunists won’t dare to discover or explore. But in each case, the Law, Babalakin’s dependable recourse, has always proven worthy as the last hope of the ordinary man. It did in September last year when the Court saved MMA2 from the pangs of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) which wanted to appoint a Receiver/Manager on the airport terminal on account of contentious debts. It was as logical as it was commonsensical that a government agent cannot be alleging a N50bn debt let alone take over the facilities of an investor that is being owed a sum of N132bn by the same government that caused the private investor to lose huge revenue resulting in ability to fulfill its loan obligations. The court came to the rescue because an individual had the courage to confront a bully. Yet, a more glaring vindication came his way in February this year when a Lagos High Court discharged the case by EFCC against Babalakin for lack of merit. One would think that the adversaries would relent. Nay! They chose not to appeal the judgment instead and curiously too, re-filed the same case before another judge, pushing desperately to try Babalakin all over again… over allegations of assisting former Delta State governor James Ibori to launder money; the same case that a court of competent jurisdiction had found no merit in. Why are they seeking to destroy Babalakin? Why are they desperate to destroy a man of intellect, vision and courage whose contribution to national development is felt daily by millions of people? However, the truth has a way of imposing itself. Could it, therefore, be the way of truth and vindication that made the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to receive a wise counsel from within its own fold, cautioning that instituting a fresh trial of Dr. Babalakin on the same money laundering allegation would amount to an abuse of court process and that the case, if it had been filed at all, ought to be withdrawn without delay? As if to finally vindicate this great man of industry with a large heart, it was reported that the London Metropolitan Police, which was erroneously thought to be looking for him in London, has indeed sent the report of its investigation on the Ibori saga to the Minister of Justice and nowhere in the report did either Babalakin’s name or any of his companies appear among those suspected to be involved in the alleged money laundering. How else can a man be so blessed and vindicated? What else do they want from this man? But the traducers think they can continue with the impunity of old at a time when the country now breathes fresh air, with the hope that the perfidious past will soon be history? A close interrogation of Babalakin’s travails will reveal a link between the untidy manner in which Bi-Courtney was robbed of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession and the trumped-up charges of money laundering by EFCC. It may well turn out that those behind these travails overrated their ability to cheat, manipulate the system and perpetrate their relevance. Day of reckoning for the wicked might just be near. And this is why it has become imperative to urge Babalakin not to be deterred and broken. He is a shining example of how an investor can make a great impact in the life of a nation. He deserves encouragement. He has never stopped being a cheerful giver, anyway. In March, more than 10,000 people benefitted from his free eye check-up and treatment in Zaria. That was reminiscent of a similar philanthropic gesture he did in Osun and Ondo States a few years ago. Many more are silent beneficiary of his humanitarian causes, particularly in matters of education and health. Such great men of honour should not be allowed to fall victim of a few despicable men foisting impunity on the system. Dr. Babalakin is lucky to often have his birthday celebrated during the holy month of Ramadan. The hand of the Almighty is unmistakable in his matter. He should persevere and stay on the path of honour. Days of perfidy might just be over, almost.   •Dr. Alli, a Public Affairs analyst, lives in Abuja

  • Big, big fun as FEGICOLLA Class of ‘95 celebrates 20

    Big, big fun as FEGICOLLA Class of ‘95 celebrates 20

    Fun, laughter and cheers filled the air last Saturday as the Federal Government Girls College, Akure Class of ’95 celebrated 20 years since leaving their alma mater. The all-ladies affair which took place at the exquisite Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos had in attendance over 60 old girls who were obviously enraptured with seeing one another once again.

    It was tagged ‘Reunion ’95’ and the high points were when each of the ladies came out to give a brief update of their lives so far, the sumptuous buffet and when the president of the association placed a call to their principal at the time, Chief Mrs E.O Shodeinde, who for unavoidable reason could not be at the event.