Category: Dr John Ekundayo

“I don’t have any anointed candidate for 2023. Work very hard to win the ticket …” – President Buhari speaks from the Federal Executive Meeting (FEC) meeting of 13th April 2023.

In a particular hamlet, the oracle spoke regarding two men, who were incidentally friends and contemporaries that either of them would emerge as the king in the future while the other one unfortunately would end up a servant. The one that was favoured by the oracle to become king beat his chest confidently and changed his lifestyle forthwith. He was already living as a king with people swarming around him and he in turn expended his resources in extravagant and exuberant riotous living. On the other hand, his friend that oracle did not favour relocated to another hamlet and changed his lifestyle. Getting to the new location, he decided and disciplined himself to ensure poverty was a forgotten phenomenon in his life and family. He decided to invest in a large acreage of farming applying a great knack of decision, discipline, diligence and dedication. Within a few years, he emerged the wealthiest farmer in the whole hamlet. Traditionally, his place of abode normally picks the wealthiest farmer as the de facto king of the hamlet. He was summoned and surprisingly crowned king. Simultaneously, his contemporary and colleague who had the oracle’s endorsement had gone bankrupt and in the process of salvaging the pieces of his life together had to resort to eking out a living through serving another wealthy farmer in the same hamlet where he grew up! It was a shameful and subjugating experience for him. What is the import of this story to the present political conundrum of consensus threatening the well – being and wellness of the two most popular political parties – APC and PDP?

2023: Leadership Conundrum

Presently, there are eighteen (18) political parties in Nigeria. Taking cognizance of findings of research of past elections conducted from 1999 till 2019, it has been discovered that the president always emerged from either of the two most popular parties. It has been the norm in the 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 elections. It will be seemingly situated come 2023. In essence, the President of Nigeria, all things remaining the same from now till the time of the election early next year, will either emerge from the presidential candidate of APC or PDP. It is therefore imperative for followers to be involved in the issues relating to the process, procedure and policy guiding who will emerge on the platforms of these two parties as the candidate of either of them will eventually lead this country. It is as sacrosanct as simply and succinctly stated in this piece!

The duo of this columnist and Professor Vincent Anigbogu of Institute National Transformation were involved in a discourse tagged “The Leadership Question” on Channels TV, Sunrise on Saturday 9th April 2022. It was surmised that Nigeria’s political space has been largely bestridden by political gladiators who were mostly not prepared or envisioned to lead. In fact, many of them were not even passionate about taking over the batons of leadership when few “owners of Nigeria” (apology to Chief Dele Momodu) beckoned on them to prepare to sit on the saddle. In essence, over the years, even after the many military incursions and interregnums, many of our leaders were thrusted on the country by few powerful personalities and principalities, some of which are resident in Ota, Minna, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, Enugu, etc. Is anybody still wondering why over the years Nigeria has been apparently ruled and ruined by accidental governors and presidents? It is high time the teeming millions of followers, in this season of democracy, woke up the sleeping giants within them, and take their positions in national politics and politicking. In this context, this columnist shifts the blame largely on the elites among the followers. The elites are enlightened and educated but unfortunately most of them are diametrically ignorant and docile in political education. They should eat humble pie and be ready to be educated. This is the reason that politicians court and mobilize artisans, traders, okada riders, maruwa riders, commercial drivers, market men and women, etc. Take it or leave, these set of people understand the game and they play it with the politicians in a win – win scenario. However, the context is changing with churches, mosques and traditional worshippers urging their members to fully partake in politics. This columnist was watching the revered Daddy GO, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. He was passionate recently in a global telecast to his church members responding unapologetically to those opposing the RCCG prodding her members to take more interests in politics. The revered cleric had one cogent punch: “Witches are urging their members to participate in politics and elections, so I should not urge my people to participate? (sic)” What a poser?

2023: Candidacy and Consensus Contraption

In less than 60 days the primary elections in 18 registered political parties would have been over! It is high time Nigeria’s followers needed to wake up from slumber and seize the moment even as primary elections across party lines take place next month – May!! Whoever emerges take the flag of the party and fly it to the proper election in early 2023, be it presidential, gubernatorial, national assembly or house of assembly election!!! For now, this column will fixate on the presidency. It is knocking at the door but many are seemingly uncaring and unconcerned about the processes, procedures and personalities involved. This is the ‘real’ election before the election! Possibly, the raison d’etre of politicians referring to it as the shadow election.

As it is being mooted, both All Progressives Party (APC) and People Democratic Party (PDP), are angling for consensus candidacy, as the mode, for the primary election to choose their presidential candidates. In a political party setting: what is a consensus? In an attempt to sustain the peace and progress of a party, leaders usually resort to offering players or participants, in electoral contests or appointment to offices, equal consideration by seeking their input and concerns. Even as these leaders welcome all diversities of ideas and opinions to help the team arrive at an agreement with the aim of keeping the majority happy. In a context such as this, some of the leaders, forging a way ahead, had to forget their own dreams and desires in order for the group or party to move forward. In the two most popular parties, APC and PDP, can any discerning mind distinctly declare that the intended mode of consensus earlier applied during their convention toed this line? Will the consensus to be adopted in the coming primaries be in sync to the premise depicted here? I doubt it! It is likely going to connote slight or seeming shade of autocracy similar to the APC convention of 26th March 2022 in which President Buhari, within a few days to the convention, threw up a candidate that later expressed that a month to that convention, he (the candidate) was not aware that he would be the anointed candidate of the party! Is that a true and thorough consensus? This route should not be taken in arriving in the presidential primaries in both APC and PDP else Nigerians should prepare for an “accidental” President come 29th May 2023!

The question could be asked at this juncture: Is consensus the same as majority? Saliently and squarely put, in consensus, every opinion counts; it accounts for dissent and addresses it. Consensus does not always accommodate dissent. This is one negativity associated with the consensus mode of running elections. In a nascent democracy, such as Nigeria, indirect primary with terms and conditions, should have been adopted by the two political parties. However, how can party leaders forestall and frustrate foraging money bags hijacking the outcome to their advantage in a poverty ridden environment as ours? It is containable and doable if the political will is there! There are strategic sagacious steps that can be adopted and/or adapted to checkmate and cripple corrupting this electoral system.

Concluding Thought

It was gladdening and cheering that President Muhammadu Buhari in chairing the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting within the week stated inter alia :”I don’t have any anointed candidate for 2023. Work very hard to win the ticket …” The veracity of this statement will be tested to decipher the sincerity of the President who rhetorically was of the same body language days to the Convention of his party, APC. President Muhammadu Buhari urging aspirants to work hard to win now is a good signal towards making the race competitive. However, many observers and analysts are treading cautiously knowing that the power brokers within and around Aso Rock may come up with a last mistake calculation and conjecture that only they could conceive that could invariably change the calculus. In the course, Strategy Execution, this columnist underwent at Harvard Business School (HBS), Professor Robert Simons emphasized and wrote on the “Seven Strategy Questions.” What is germane in these questions is that they equally lead to seven implementation imperatives that are sustainable in all contexts. The last of the questions: “What are strategic uncertainties that may keep you, as the boss, awake at night (sic)? In concluding this piece, one sure point that might keep sleep away from President Buhari is: “Who will I hand over to on 29th May 2023?”  On the other hand, in the PDP, it would likely be for the Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, to wake up at night and tinkered aloud: “Who among our aspirants can wrest power and position our party as the ruling party come 29th May 2023?” There may be follow up questions. Hence, Professor Simons’ admonition and advice is for operating managers in organizations tinkering to align thus: “Everyone watches what the Boss watches.” In essence, it is sagacious for all chieftains within the ruling party, APC, to watch what President Muhammadu Buhari is watching! Peradventure, he is still looking for a sign or symbol. However, with the array of contestants and gamut of preparation of few of them in both APC and PDP, the best option to get democratically elected candidates should be through the adoption of a moderated indirect primary method that all stakeholders would adjudge as fair and square otherwise there might be concomitant consequences that may threaten the composition and configuration of both APC and PDP within the coming months. A word is enough for the wise! Time is ticking!!

• Ekundayo can be reached via 08155262360 (SMS only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

“Awolowo knew that each time the progressive forces are forcibly side-lined and alienated by the security/feudal complex, disaster always followed. This was what happened in the first and second republics and the aborted Third Republic which was eventually consumed by the annulment of Abiola’s presidential mandate.” – Tatalo Alamu (Nation, 27th March 2022).

An Yoruba common parlance, it is said: “agba ki wa l’oja ki ori omo tuntun wo”, meaning that the presence of an elder within a market square should prevent the awkward positioning of the head of a new born baby backed by the mother. The great sage and stormy petrel of Nigeria’s politics of the first and second republic, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, was known for his many philosophical postulations and pronouncements about Nigeria. It is a truism that many, if not most of these declarations, are as valid and veritable as if they were said today or yesterday. He was a seeming political philosopher and oracle that lived ahead of his time in this columnist’s perspective. Any wonder then, that the controversial Ikemba of Nnewi, the late Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, depicted Awolowo, an avatar or epitome of governance and politics, as “the best president Nigeria never had.” Definitely, this statement holds sway today among the progressives within Nigeria’s political context. It is equally true that the conservatives would also concur albeit in covert or clandestine connotation.

This columnist at this juncture would want to commend Mr. President for putting his feet down to ensure the convention of the ruling APC held as scheduled on Saturday, 26th March 2022 even though there were initial hoopla and hurly – burly among top party leaders bordering on the status of the Chairman of the then Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State. However, certain issues cannot be swept under the carpet arising from the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention. As 2023 beckons, especially with the primary elections coming within a few months’ time, it is imperative that new National Working Committee (NWC) of the party should hit the ground running. Paramount on top of the table should be cleaning the Augean stable thereby purging the party of any odoriferous ambience unbecoming of a ruling party that is supposed to amplify and exemplify democratic ethos and etiquettes.

Baba Buhari: Builder or Bulldozer?

This columnist as a builder and engineer knows the process of erecting a gigantic edifice takes a lot of time and resources especially in the foundation depending on the terrain and nature of the soil. In contrast, pulling or bulldozing the same structure takes little time, in fact, what took three years to put up may require just three hours to be levelled to become a pile of debris. It is gratifying in the run off to the APC Convention that President Muhammadu Buhari specially and specifically created the space out of his crowded schedule to meet with the founding fathers of the party. This is commendable for Baba Buhari as the father of the house knowing the antecedents culminating in the formation of the party. The ruling party then, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described the coming together of politicians to form APC as strange bedfellows. Hitherto, the party has survived against portentous predictions. However, how far can the APC forage through ominous or foreboding cloudy cum stormy weather as the party prepares to land safely still retaining the seat of power as 2023 beckons? Much, to the perception of this columnist, rest simply and squarely on the shoulders of President Muhammadu Buhari, as the head of this house consisting of children of contextualized circumstance and coincidence. It is said in Yoruba common parlance: “orisirisi omo la nri nile alagbara”, meaning, the house of a powerful warrior is full of diverse kinds of children. In this newspaper edition of 27th March, 2022, celebrated columnist, Tatalo Alamu, was unequivocal and unambiguous in succinctly and saliently stating: “Awolowo knew that each time the progressive forces are forcibly side-lined and alienated by the security/feudal complex, disaster always followed. This was what happened in the first and second republics and the aborted Third Republic which was eventually consumed by the annulment of Abiola’s presidential mandate.” Incidentally, 2023 will make 40 years of the late sage, Chief Awolowo uttering these words. The political hawks are at it again, not just in the ruling APC but also in the main opposition party, People Democratic Party (PDP) knowing that from the inception of the uninterrupted democratic practice spanning 1999 till date, either of the two most political parties wins the presidency! Which way will APC go in the next couple of months should be the concern and concentration of the founding fathers and key stakeholders, if this house will not self-destruct? If the hawks continue in the trajectory of projecting, propagating and promoting primary election in the mode of consensus, then, the pathway would be clear to all discerning minds! Baba Buhari, it is good to leave a legacy of a stronger APC after the expiration of your presidency come 29th May 2023. It should still be fresh in the minds of key stakeholders in APC that PDP once day – dreamed of ruling Nigeria for 60 years but because of pride and pomposity, the party tumbled into irrelevance. APC is seemingly treading that same ignominious path to self-destruct!

Cantankerous Consensus Contraption?

Aftermath of the APC Convention of 26th March 2022 at Eagle Square still left a sore taste in the mouth. It witnessed a high-level horse trading and trade – off in arriving at the “unity list” in order to achieve the much desired “consensus” skewed towards pleasing and placating the presidency and the all-powerful governors, thus leaving the legislators out in the cold. Any wonder the Electoral Act may not be amended so soon as desired by the presidency! There are many silenced opposing voices if not assuaged by patriotic party chieftains may torpedo some of the outcomes of the seeming concordial connotation called consensus in the lexicon of the ruling party. Imagine instances of few aspirants mounting the podium to vehemently voice their dissension to the concomitant “unity list.” It will be advisable for the Legal Adviser of the party to pinpoint and ponder on Section 84 subsections 9 – 11 of the Electoral Act 2022 aftermaths of the convention and going forward to the conduct of primary elections into offices at both the state and national levels. Equally sagacious of the Legal Adviser would be the dire need to consult and confer with cerebral heads in APC who are legal luminaries. This should be done in conjunction with leaders of the National Assembly (NASS) who are concerned, crucial and critical stakeholders in this context. Surreptitiously, the parliamentarians are apparently watching and waiting to take their own pound of flesh albeit covertly as they perceive their powers are already whittled down by the seemingly almighty executive especially the governors. Definitely, all is not well within the ruling party if the leaders are not apparently hiding behind seen – through dried palm leaves! It is high time founding fathers and well – meaning patriotic chieftains hobnobbed and hatched the way forward to ensure that the party not only survive but thrive in the coming crucial months.

Conclusion

In wrapping up this treatise, this columnist would like to again copiously quote from Tatalo Alamu referred to earlier: “Given the dire circumstances in which the nation has found itself, all hands must be on deck to save the Fourth Republic from going under in an apocalyptic meltdown. This is the time for efforts of a bipartisan nature to prevent the operators and managers of the polity from pressing the self-destruct button.” It is good to point out that politics and politicking should not just be about winning the next election. It should focus more on building inclusive and sustainable institutions with the overarching objective of bettering the society through impacting the lives of constituents. It is equally vital to point out that the Nigeria of the digital age of 2022 is different from that of 1999 or 2003 when some elder statesmen thought they were the supposed “owners of Nigeria” (apology to Chief Dele Momodu). Nigerians are becoming more politically enlightened, educated and emboldened to refuse, repulse and reject imposition of any candidate. This columnist, a few days ago, was a guest at the “Morning Delight” on Lagos Television (LTV) where he vehemently, as a concerned follower, voiced against thrusting accidental governors and president on Nigerians. Enough is enough! Any intending aspirants should come out to consult, canvas and campaign. This is in line with democratic doctrines in practice globally. It is a pity that most presidents Nigeria had between 1999 and now were thrusted on us. Nigerians are now wiser especially with the Electoral Act 2022 strengthening and shielding the electoral process against perceived malpractices of the past. There will be no more business as usual as unscrupulous politicians will be played out into irrelevance in the coming elections. In conclusion, Baba Buhari, as the father of this house, it is imperative to consult, commune and converse with core, crucial and critical stakeholders of the ruling party going forward to the primary elections. The clock is ticking with little or no time! However, a stitch in time saves nine!! Baba Buhari, in leaving a lasting legacy, act now!!!

• Ekundayo, can be reached via 08155262360 (SMS only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

“We have to repent on behalf of the USA and Russia as these two countries will not repent in the looming war between Russia and Ukraine to avert a 3rd world war (sic)” (Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, 8th February 2022).

It is not news that annually, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, normally reels out prophesies at the crossover service of 31st December as his millions of his spiritual children and adherents look forward with hope into the new year. It was on record that the last edition of the crossover service that was held at Redemption Camp, Nigeria, one of such divine messages for the international scene was that “the issue of migration will take a new turn in the new year.” Is it not happening currently? This columnist was part of the select faithful fixated on fasting and praying for Nigeria and nations of the world, 8th February 2022. Prior to this date, Russia was flexing muscle with the sublime intention to invade the sovereign nation of Ukraine. It was the second day of the gathering that the referred clergy and statesman stated saliently and succinctly to the hearing of all that we needed, as intercessors, to repent for the two nations of the United States of America and Russia to avert a third world war! The congregants lifted up their voices and cried as directed. The following day, which was the 3rd day of the praying and fasting, Pastor Adeboye came and informed us that God Almighty had heard our prayers, meaning no 3rd world war! The prophet has spoken; let the whole world be at rest! Definitely, this would not result in another world war even as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) coalition is throwing a plethora of sanctions against the belligerent and irreverent Russians. There is indeed a prophet amongst us!

As if lending credence to this attestation, President Muhammadu Buhari in felicitating with Pastor Enoch Adeboye on his 80-birthday stated inter alia: “his contributions to the betterment of Nigeria and other countries stand out clearly as testimonies of his divine calling, impacting greatly on education, health and infrastructural development, which include many urban and rural roads.” Dissecting and deliberating on this statement of the President will birth a treatise on the quintessential Adejare Adeboye, a man born in Ifewara, Osun State, 80 years ago from a no pecunious pedigree who for virtually 18 years of his existence could not afford a shoe even as a secondary school student of the famous Ilesa Grammar School, Ilesa, Osun State. God is indeed great; with Him all things are possible as Adeboye himself preaches globally! Professor Jide Osuntokun painted a pathetic picture of the penury – ridden pedigree of Enoch Adeboye in his article in the Nation newspaper of 3rd March. However, in a divine twist and turn, God elevated Adeboye beyond human comprehension. In a great turnaround, Adeboye became a global icon! Succinctly and squarely scripted by Osuntokun: “He was once asked by the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York to lead an invocation declaring open the United Nations General Assembly. He was once adjudged to be one of the most influential 100 people in the world. There is no other Nigerian who has been so recognized.” Evidentially, this could not be a happenstance but the high hand of the Almighty in all these feats.

Adeboye: Perspectives and Personal Encounters

It was in the ancient city of Ibadan. This columnist, as the senior pastor of the headquarter church, was part of the committee hosting the annual Holy Ghost Convention of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries having the incumbent President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, as the Presiding Bishop. In the midst of the convention, Pastor Adeboye arrived without any pomp and pageantry as was common with men of God of his caliber. This columnist was alerted by the wife of the Presiding Bishop, Rev. (Mrs.) Victoria Tokunbo Oke, of the coming of Daddy GO. I dashed out of my office with ecstasy and enthusiasm to meet with him as the Presiding Bishop was ministering at the Advanced Ministers’ Conference. Meanwhile, Daddy GO was ushered into the Presiding Bishop’s office. This columnist was directed to wait on him till he would be beckoned to come for his ministration at the conference a stone – throw away from the office. It was a one – on – one encounter with this great man of destiny. Quite unusually, this writer got a whisper, to seize the golden opportunity before it evaporated! At that instant, I went on my knees before him and told him he should pray for me and he obliged! It was divinely orchestrated that no one came in throughout the duration of the communication between this columnist and the dignified man of God.

Secondly, there was this occurrence while sojourning in Singapore sometime in 2006. Baba Adeboye was to inaugurate the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in that city – state – nation. The set man to shepherd the flock, Pastor Chidi Umeh – Ujubuonu, a friend of mine, was at the airport with a few trusted aides to welcome Daddy GO. It was a delight to see Pastor Adeboye coming out with simplicity in symphony with his humble mien that endears him to many globally. He approached the vehicle taking him and his retinue to the hotel. He then beckoned to Chidi and chatted with him in a hushed tone for a few minutes. Surprisingly, Chidi then called on me to join them. Then, Pastor Adeboye asked in a meek mien: “what is the duration of the ministration in the service tomorrow?” Respectfully, I retorted by saying that it would be between forty-five to fifty minutes. Word ministrations in Cornerstone Community Church (CCC), Odeon Katong, Singapore usually last for about 50 minutes. It was on record that Daddy GO, as the guest minister, came and ministered for about 42 minutes only! He dropped the microphone enacting a great applause from many Singaporeans – few Africans were in the service. Personally, I perceive this as a mark of solid integrity in content and colour. It was etched in my memory.

Thirdly, while I was sojourning in Singapore, the Senior Pastor of CCC, Pastor Yang Tuck Yoong, was invited as a guest minister in RCCG Desire of Nations, Abuja at the behest of Pastor Kunle Omotoso. The year was 2008. Pastor Yang requested that I joined the retinue of ministers going as the only Nigerian in the workforce of CCC. The stay in Abuja was exciting to the team of ministers from Singapore. Interestingly, Pastor Yang was to jet out of Nigeria evening of Sunday, 2nd March 2008. Having heard earlier that Daddy GO’s birthday fell on that Sunday, he decided to join him in the morning service at the RCCG Throne of Grace, Ebute Meta, Lagos. Aftermath of the service, we were ushered into the spacious and palatial office of the man of God. I got the extraordinary encounter of my life. This columnist seized on another unique opportunity again before it slipped! This time, it was a suave double request – to be prayed for and to have a photograph taken with him. He responded by saying “yes” and complementing it with a radiating smile. I was overjoyed. Today, the framed pictures of this columnist and Pastor Adeboye are conspicuously displayed in his office and home.

My Testimony connecting with Adeboye

This columnist has some friends in RCCG who are now Regional Pastors and Provincial Pastors with the start of friendship dating back to when some of them were Area Pastors. However, in a divine twist and turn, there was an uncommon encounter in a memorable night. In that encounter, there was a voice that pointedly told me: “I am joining your destiny with that of Enoch Adejare Adeboye to take you from the lowest to the highest”. In the year 2009, I took that giant and great step to humble myself to be embedded in the doctrines of RCCG. No doubt, my life was rebooted and rerouted resulting in alignment with the trajectory of greatness. It is unfolding as well as emerging looking back at my professional profile and pedigree!

My Requests from Daddy Adeboye

Concluding this two – part serial on Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye as he is still basking in the euphoria and ecstasy of attaining 80 years in his sojourn here on earth as a pilgrim looking for that city whose builder and maker is God – “land of endless days”, as fondly called by Daddy GO himself – this columnist will be making two requests from the highly referred man of God and elder statesman.

One, I would plead that as he advances in years approaching 90, he should commence writing his autobiography. It is a pity that within the African context, we have lost some iconic men of God like Apostle Ayo Babalola, Moses Orimolade, Archbishop Benson Idahosa, etc. without them telling their own stories. Thus, we were bereft of their interesting and intriguing stories turning to glory. In essence, generations coming after were denied of gleaning and learning from their stories. Aftermath of their death, nebulous writers and historians came up with all kinds of perspectives about their lives. This is a path, in this digital age, that we must not tread again.

Two, there are some Pastor Adejare Adeboye’s encounters that are somewhat exemplary and extraordinary in content, context and colour. I have read in the Bible the young sterling and stout-hearted David dealing with lions and bears with bare hands, and this sounded incredible to many. In the same vein, I was a participant in one of the memorable Holy Ghost Services at Redemption Camp in which Daddy GO shared an unforgettable encounter. He was involved in a night long prayer walk and confronted with a strange sight that made him switch on his torch light. Out of the blues, it was a big python that was a mirage mien of a pillar of light within the dark. The deadly reptile hated light and was triggered for a fight. According to Daddy GO, the poisonous and noxious snake was killed while he engaged in battle with it! Battle without gun or knife or any weapon? This is one out of many superlative encounters which if not documented now that Daddy GO is alive would be like fairy tales told at moonlight in an African village setting. In essence, I am requesting for the permission of the referred man of God to extricate such encounters and emplace the treatise as: “Extraordinary Exploits of Enoch Adeboye.” While looking forward to the granting of my prayer request, I once again pray to Almighty God to lace your life and that of your family with unending sure mercies that would ensure you all flourish, as well as fulfill God’s purpose whilst finishing strong and gloriously in Jesus’ mighty and matchless name. Amen.

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John Ekundayo, Ph.D. – Harvard-Certified Organizational Strategist, and also a Leadership Development Consultant, can be reached via 08155262360 (SMS only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

Diya will not die; it is Abacha that will die!” – Bishop Francis Wale Oke (1998), President Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN)

The small and unique gathering was in the city of Ibadan, Oyo State capital of Nigeria. It was in 1998 aftermath of the tribunal judgement on the phantom coup involving Lt. General Donaldson Oladipo Diya and other military officers. The military tribunal sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital, sentenced Diya and other officers culpable to death by firing squad! Major newspapers’ headlines of that particular Saturday, the day of the gathering, were all agog laced with gory pictures pinpointing the judgement of the tribunal. The gathering was called by the President of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries International (SOTSM), Bishop Francis Wale Oke. It was aimed at building capacities of pastors in SOTSM. In opening the meeting, Bishop Wale Oke, now the President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), out of the blues and without recourse to the context of the training, jolted virtually all of us when he declared: “Diya will not die; it is Abacha that will die!” It was irrational and illogical to human reasoning! Most of us present were flabbergasted and did not want the referred man of God to be in trouble knowing the ruthless antecedent of the dark – googled general, Sanni Abacha, the then Head of the military junta. All said and done, there was a mysterious divine twist and turn resulting in the sudden death of Abacha. Ultimately, Diya was let off the hook and he is still alive! This brings to mind the words of Ezekiel in the Holy Writ: “So when it comes to pass—as it most certainly will—then they will know [without any doubt] that a prophet has been among them.” Ezekiel 33:33 (Amplified Bible).

Adeboye and Nigeria – Great Sense of Patriotism

I have been a keen follower of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the Ifewara – born, Osun State, cleric for over a decade. The uncommon love, bond, devotion and faith in his service to God and humanity cannot be gainsaid. He shared these traits together with his one and only beloved wife, Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye (Mummy GO). Particularly, the monthly Holy Ghost Service holding at Redemption Camp, along Lagos – Ibadan Expressway on the first Friday of every month; the October edition is usually resplendent with the thousands of singers (Mass Choir) in sartorial splendour of green – white – green replica of the Nigeria’s flag – national colours! Daddy GO, as he is affectionately called by millions of his spiritual sons and daughters globally, together with his wife, Mummy GO, as if acting in symphony and synergy, adorn the same green – white – green attire synonymous with strategic branding in organizational dynamics. What an open display of love and affection for one’s country! No, doubt, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye is a true patriot who is passionate for Nigeria to emerge as one of the best globally.

Pastor Adeboye: Passion for Nigeria

This columnist remembers with nostalgia that it was in the early 1990s that RCCG was involved in 100 days praying and fasting solely for Nigeria. Many of us in Christendom were seemingly mocking the believers then in RCCG as if they were the only disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Annually, the church fasts and prays for Nigeria. Any wonder, the crème de la crème of Nigeria today belongs to the denomination, RCCG? What a man sows he reaps! This columnist was a participant in a particular Advanced Ministers’ Seminar in Ibadan where Bishop Francis Wale Oke told all participants that Adeboye’s life laced with fasting could only be akin to fish and water. Adeboye believed so much in fasting and praying that at almost 80 he is still going strong in the art, with many days without food, while many younger Christians are avoiding fasting. What a peculiar man of uncommon grace!

There was a time when a former Head of State felt the vitality and efficacy of Baba Adeboye’s prayers even in Aso Rock! It was during the time of General Sanni Abacha mentioned earlier on in this article. He was then surreptitiously scheming a life – presidency project in which he was planning to initially transmute to a civilian president and then keep himself in power in perpetuity. Adeboye was joggled when someone tapped him on the shoulder that it was time to hide or run! Why? He was told that Abacha’s marabouts pointedly told him the only impediment on his way was a man in the person of Adeboye dwelling in Redemption Camp. The informant told Adeboye to prepare for a visitation of some men signaling seeming bad omen. What was he to do: run or hide? Pastor Adeboye borrowed the wisdom of Nehemiah, who in such dire straits declared: “Should a man like me flee [in fear and hide]? . . . I will not go” (Nehemiah 6:11 Amplified Bible). The renown elder statesman resorted to what he knows best – seeking the face of God aggressively. His Daddy, as he fondly calls God Almighty, spoke to him, that he needed not to worry as it was the man looking for Adeboye’s head that would rather lose his. He then directed him to tell his congregation at the monthly Holy Ghost Service of the month of June of that year to vociferously and vehemently yelled to one another: “Happy New Year!” Would it not seem abnormal or look strange? Yelling “happy new year” in June? Apparently unpredictable, so is the way of a prophet! It could be strange as prophets operate in the unseen word of the spiritual!! The sermon was acted as it was scripted, and within 72 hours the whole Nigeria was shocked and shaken as the dark – googled general mysteriously kicked the bucket! There is indeed a prophet among us even though Pastor Adeboye himself most often declares he is a pastor and not a prophet as he only hears God occasionally. This is just depicting and displaying the humility and meekness inherent in Adeboye that set him apart from many influential men and women of God in Africa and even globally.

Adeboye and Dream of Glorious Nigeria

In concluding this part of the series on Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, this columnist would want to draw attention to a one-time vision of this great but humble man of God. He once shared the vision of Nigeria’s International Passport in green colour, presently and apparently being disdained at immigration counters of developed nations. In the vision, he saw many peoples of diverse nationalities that were surprisingly spotlighted struggling to behold the colour and content of Nigeria’s green passport! This smacks of a vision of a glorious country hereafter!! Could this come to pass within this generation taking cognizance of the seeming socio-economic cum political quagmire Nigeria is currently confronting? Will Nigeria survive disintegration, if it takes place at all? Will self-determination take place within Nigeria’s context?

It would be recalled that Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye was one of the voices that clamoured for restructuring of Nigeria to avoid a break up. This was in October 2020. As a true elder statesman, and a patriot, with access to the seat of power, he met President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock in August 2020 behind closed doors. The outcome of that meeting was not divulged to the public but analysts believed that issues such as insecurity and restructuring of the country were on the front burner in their tête-à-tête. This is one indication of passion for Nigeria that runs in Adeboye’s veins knowing that with God all things are possible. He has such unwavering faith and confidence that Nigeria will reach her promised land despite countless crisis, challenges and constraints analogous to the Biblical Israelites reaching Canaan even though their trajectory traversing through the wild wilderness was both wearisome and worrisome. They made it! Nigeria will make it too!! However, it will take passionate, patriotic and progressive leaders who know and value the true prophets amongst them to emerge so Nigerians would not wander and waste in the wilderness as the journey of forty days took the hard – hearted and rebellious people of Israel forty years. Are we not on the route to that wilderness wandering whereas there is a true prophet amongst us? This is wishing Daddy GO, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, a blessed and bountiful birthday. My prayers, and that of many Nigerians, are: as your days so shall your strength be, with many more years to serve God and humanity; your head will not lack oil; fresh oil of the Lord be upon you daily; you will be fruitful, fulfilled and flourish; and finally, may you finish strong and gloriously in Jesus’ mighty and matchless name. Amen.

John Ekundayo, Ph.D. – Harvard-Certified Organizational Strategist, and also a Leadership Development Consultant, can be reached via 08155262360 (SMS only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

Elated and excited to have my holiday in the land of the Kiwis– New Zealand – in the year 2015, uppermost in my mind was to hold in my arms my first grandson, Oluwasemilore AdejolaJesu Ekundayo. In the course of my traversing Auckland (similar to Lagos, the former capital city of Nigeria), and environs, I came to discover farmlands with many sheep laced with houses. I pointed the attention of my son, Dr. Samuel Ekundayo, to these litanies of farmlands. He retorted by saying: “Dad, one day possibly all of us will become farmers as these are the wealthiest set of people in the land.” I was not only surprised but shocked by his statement. He told me that these farmers also own estates. My mind raced back to Malaysia where I resided and did my PhD research for three years, from 2009 to 2012. The oil palm plantation owners trading in oil palm derivatives for years suddenly became wealthy as their farmlands were becoming nearer to towns and cities. The value of the land spiraled resulting in a boom for these farmers. The farmers expanded to new frontiers in rural communities. Developers swoop on the plantations near the towns and cities and in a jiffy, they became super rich through investment in real estate development; some from their own toils, and others through labour of their progenitors or forefathers.

Cheering news from Julius Berger’s Agrobusiness venture targeting cashew processing

It is cheering and gladdening reading of the engineering construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, taking a trip, though viewed by many as risky, into the unpopular foray of agribusiness. Why agribusiness? This columnist will want to respond with a clever quip: why not agrobusiness especially in this day and age when the supposed boom in crude oil prospecting, production and processing is gradually turning to doom? The big picture Julius Berger is seeing is to have zero-waste processing of the cashew – exhausting the entire value chain – and so cash on the opportunity of sharing from the humongous 6 billion dollars ($6b) global market provided through the production, processing, packaging and marketing of cashew. Julius Berger (JB) in putting action to their words have already commenced, before alerting the press, on the construction of an ultra – modern plant in Epe, Lagos State. This is expected to be commissioned in earnest. This is very strategic for JB.

This columnist while at Harvard Business School (HBS) studying strategy execution learned that one way for firms to only survive but thrive in any business environment is not by management harping on command- and – control techniques. Professor Robert Simons encapsulated it thus: “But command – and – control techniques no longer suffice in competitive environments where creativity and employee initiative are critical to success.” It is remarkable that JB is diversifying, applying innovative control systems, from engineering construction, the company’s main turf, into agrobusiness. It is also gratifying and gladdening that the firm, JB, has done a lot of homework in not just getting any plant into the country but one that will ensure zero – waste operational practice thus enunciating and enhancing sustainable business practice.

One point worth pinpointing here is that JB is not just involved in production of cashew nuts for export. Nigeria has taken part in this atavistic way of doing business in the agricultural sector way back to the days of our political progenitors – Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello and Awolowo – associated with raw palm oil, groundnut and cocoa export. Never again, should Nigeria tow that inglorious trajectory! It is upsetting and worrisome that two African countries mainly grow the plant used as the main raw material in producing the popular Lipton Tea. Up till now, these countries naively export this dried raw tea to the United Kingdom for processing; thereafter resulting in global distribution, marketing and sales fetching that country humongous profit annually while Africa bleeds in poverty and underdevelopment. Whose fault? One cannot but corroborate Cassius in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar who pontificated: “the fault lies not in our stars, but in ourselves.” Simply and squarely stated, we, Africans, have refused to put our brains to work. The fault lies at our doorstep! I will chip in this timely advice to JB management: the finished products should target African markets starting with certain West Africa countries. It is high time Africans arose for Africa’s development; no super power would come to do this for us.

Governments in Nigeria: When are they going to stop paying lip service to Agribusiness?

This columnist is mostly at a loss as to why, in most cases, both the federal and state governments in Nigeria are seemingly paying lip service to agribusiness and agro – allied industrialization. It is puzzling and pitiful! The discovery and exploration of oil blinded and blunt our reasoning and rationality even as climate change and gradual jettisoning of fossil fuels globally is staring all oil producing countries in the face. In the next 10 years, the world’s demand for oil would greatly reduce whether Nigeria likes it or not. What will Nigeria do? Diversify or die! This has been my blunt and scary advice!! One way out is proactive agribusiness and/or agro – allied industrial development. The governments at all levels should show more proactiveness and offer mouthwatering incentives. This can be in the form of public private partnership (PPP) arrangement that could involve offering and clearing expanse of land, granting of tax holiday for up to 5 years, government holding equity of not more than 40% in some investment to ensure investors wields more power, etc. It is noteworthy to commend certain effort by some states’ helmsmen such as Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, incumbent Ekiti State Governor, in establishing the Ikun Ekiti Diary Farm and Professor Ben Ayade, the Cross River State Governor, in founding the Cross River Seeds and Seedlings Factory. More of these initiatives and innovation are needed to boost food security, employment generation, internally generated revenue (IGR), foreign direct investment (FDI), earning foreign exchange, gross domestic product (GDP), poverty alleviation, etc.

Replicating New Zealand’s and Malaysia’s Models

In the introduction to this article, this columnist made mention of his holidaying in New Zealand in 2015. It is noteworthy to succinctly state that one of the starting points for New Zealand’s economy to gain traction was the early days investment in special sheep breeding. This type of sheep boosts wool production. Sheep produced was locally processed but subsequently exported as the market grew. Presently, New Zealand, is less than 5 million in population but boasts of up to 25 million special sheep species! Nigeria can take cue from this especially the state governments. Each state could focus on one to three items as raw materials for agro – allied industries to be sited within the state.

Secondly, Malaysia is a shining example from the time of the historical visit to Nigeria. It was at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, the eyes of Malaysians were open to the good in the oil palm seed. Presently, through innovation and research studies, Malaysia has unique species of oil palm seeds that could yield fruits in 24 months! Surprisingly, Malaysia, apart from producing bleached oil (referred to as vegetable oil in our market, the King’s brand), the country is also producing diesel from oil palm processing! One point to highlight here in emphasizing the political gain of the government quest into agro – industrialization in that country, Malaysia, is that the rural dwellers have been made rich and consequently keep voting massively for the central government in any election year. They loathe migrating to Kuala Lumpur or any of the cities but rather flock to these cities to enjoy during holidays or special festivals. The opposite is the case in Nigeria. Thus, in Malaysia, it was a strategic and sagacious political master stroke investing in agribusiness, and later agro – industrialization, though its occurrence was overtime.

Conclusion

In concluding this piece this week, this is a clarion call to other business entities to diversify into agribusiness and agro – industrialization like Julius Berger. In addition, the states, and even local governments, could initiate aggressive and proactive inculcation of agribusiness as a means of diversification from depending on oil revenue which is nothing but a mirage. This columnist is not stating that agribusiness or agro – industrialization is the only way out of the socio – economic quagmire the country has found herself. Firms and governments could explore investment opportunities that equally abound in information communication technology (ICT), tourism and health care delivery. In health care delivery, kudos should be given to Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, for foraying into cerebral medical research, building capacity of personnel, procuring and installing infrastructure to ensure sustainable medical practice, possibly adjudged the best in Nigeria presently. In capping this piece, our country’s leaders should divert the ship of state off the cliff through innovative and creative maneuvering. Kudos to Julius Berger! Notable businesses in this clime should follow suit!! The time is now!!!