The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • As flood threatens Maiduguri again

    As flood threatens Maiduguri again

    Sir: On the night of September 10, 2024, the people of Maiduguri experienced a calamity that was both preventable and predictable. The Alau Dam collapsed, releasing a force of water that surged through communities, homes, and markets. Over 400,000 residents were displaced, and more than 150 lives lost in a matter of hours.

    Almost a year later, thousands of those affected are still struggling to rebuild their lives. Many families remain without shelter, forced to live in makeshift tents or overcrowded compounds. Traders who once ran thriving businesses in Monday Market, Gwange, Moduganari, and Customs areas are still unable to return to their stalls.

    Some have relocated entirely, while others now rely on daily handouts to survive. The truth is, for many of them, recovery has barely begun. What is even more painful is knowing that much of this suffering could have been avoided if the right steps had been taken early enough.

    Yet, after all the pains, the structural root of the problem—Alau Dam—remains unrepaired, unexpanded, and not reconstructed. The dam was not just overwhelmed by water, it had been weakened over the years due to a lack of maintenance, and nothing meaningful has been done to strengthen or expand it since.

    If we are serious about preventing future disasters, Alau Dam must be reconstructed with modern engineering standards that can withstand extreme events. A city like Maiduguri cannot be left at the mercy of a dam that is both outdated and unreliable.

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    The rivers and drainage systems that cut through Maiduguri—especially those in Monday Market, Gwange, Moduganari, and the Custom area—have become bottlenecks. They are either blocked by debris or too narrow to carry runoff during the rainy season. When the water rises, these waterways overflow into neighbourhoods, turning entire communities into flood zones. Dredging and expanding these channels is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Every rainy season without action only increases the cost of the next disaster.

    Recent warnings by the National Flood Early Warning Centre of the Federal Ministry of Environment indicate that Maiduguri and Ngala are likely to face flooding again this year. With Cameroon releasing water from the Lagdo Dam and rainfall levels projected to be high, the signs are clear. If we do nothing, we are walking into another tragedy with our eyes wide open. We must stop acting like this is a surprise. It is not. We know what will happen. The question is whether we care enough to act.

    I believe this is the moment for not just boldness, but proactive leadership. The federal and state governments must go beyond relief donations. They must invest heavily in preventive infrastructure. Rebuilding Alau Dam is step one. Dredging and expanding the river systems within Maiduguri is step two. And step three should be the construction of new multipurpose dams on the outskirts of the city. These new dams will not only help with water management, but they can also be used for irrigation farming, thereby creating jobs for our teeming youth population.

    Let us not pretend that this problem is unique to Borno. Other states across Nigeria are also at risk. But Borno remains among the most vulnerable due to its topography and its already fragile infrastructure. If we get it right here, we can create a model for flood resilience across the country.

    How many more homes must be destroyed before we acknowledge that climate change, poor planning, and neglect are a deadly combination? This is a moral question, not just a technical one.

    As someone who has worked in the mud, cried with victims, and seen hope disappear under dirty water, I say this with a full heart: enough is enough. Let this year be different. Let this be the year we prepared, not the year we mourned again. Let us not wait until the next rainy season swallows another community before calling a press conference.

    The cost of inaction is too high. The reward for preparation is immeasurable. Borno deserves more than sympathy—it deserves protection, planning, and progress. The time to act is not tomorrow. It is today. It is now.

    •Lawan Bukar Maigana, lawanbukarmaigana@gmail.com

  • The interior minister must hear this!

    The interior minister must hear this!

    Sir: The relocation of the Ikoyi Marriage Registry to the headquarters of the Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service at Alagbon Close, Ikoyi without first and proper relocation of the command to a suitable place is an affront to national security. Although, the registry generates revenue, it is more like prioritising revenue generation over national security. Yet, the implications of exposing and degrading the command centre of five major prisons and other security outfits in Nigeria cannot be anything but dire.

    A visit both the command and the registry at its new site since they moved there will confirm this. The place is in a mess.

    Of equal concern are the activities of the managements of Zone A and Lagos State Command of the Correctional Service. It is as if they do not understand the job they are doing. They are routinely giving out sensitive places as car parks, shops, drinking joints and visitors’ stands to the registry for tokens and this at the expense of national security and prestige. Could this be a case of greed and low self-esteem overriding national interest?

    Today, the area looks like something between a marketplace, car park and an entertainment hub. Everywhere has been turned into shops for different kinds of businesses. This is an area that is supposed to be the command centre of important national security facility.

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    I was informed that one unbefitting block is being renovated where the command will be moved to, adjacent to the desecrated area (registry) while the registry will now occupy the whole area that previously housed the Zone A and Lagos State Command of the service.

    Again I ask, is revenue generation more important than national security? Will the money generated from these ventures be enough to manage the consequences of this security breach and negligence?

    As a visitor and friend of the service and citizen, I am compelled to highlight my worry over this institutional neglect and relegation of an important security agency in the country. The fact remains that the relocation of the marriage registry to that area without properly relocating the command first to a befitting place is a slap on the service and threat to national security. The command needs a proper place to be built that suits it roles in national security management. Not a one block cubicle to cramp its activities.

    •Owolabi Alani,Lagos

  • When culture becomes a battlefield for existence

    When culture becomes a battlefield for existence

    • By Richard Odusanya

    Sir: In recent days, the controversy surrounding the burial rites of the late Awujale of Ijebu-Ode has once again stirred the complex waters where culture and religion collide. That a revered traditional ruler chose to depart under Islamic rites—eschewing certain customary rituals—has sparked reactions ranging from mild confusion to near-outrage.

    But beneath the noise lies a deeper conversation, one that compels us to re-examine the evolving nature of identity, culture, and the politics of belonging.

    Religion typically offers a metaphysical framework of beliefs and rituals, while culture encompasses the totality of how people live, express, and organize their lives. But in reality, religion is embedded within culture, and culture is often saturated with religious values. There are cultures with multiple religions and religions that wear different cultural “clothes” depending on geography.

    Christianity in Brazil looks nothing like Christianity in Finland; Islam in Morocco sounds different from Islam in Malaysia. Culture provides the context for religious expression. In this light, religion can be seen as a subset of culture—and not its superior. While culture roots a people to history, meaning, and collective memory, it must never become a prison. Culture, like language and law, must be dynamic, not static. It should evolve in response to knowledge, ethics, science, and human dignity. Practices once normalized—like the killing of twins in Efik culture—are today unthinkable, thanks to the enlightened resistance led by individuals like Mary Slessor. We cannot, in the name of “tradition,” continue to worship shadows while crucifying progress. To insist on certain outdated cultural forms without questioning their utility, justice, or morality is to risk becoming irrelevant—or worse, harmful.

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    Cultural identity is not a relic of the past—it is a pillar of national development. It fosters social cohesion, creates a sense of ownership, and builds resilience. When people know who they are and where they come from, they are better equipped to engage the world confidently and creatively. It also protects against the homogenizing tendencies of globalization that often erase indigenous knowledge and values.

    To modernize culture is not to destroy it—it is to redeem it. A “universal scientific culture”—grounded in human dignity, scientific reasoning, and moral clarity—must inform our journey forward. We must learn to hold the past with reverence, not bondage; to inherit without being imprisoned; and to question without losing our roots.

    If we insist on using hoes for large-scale farming simply because our ancestors did, we are not honouring tradition—we are sabotaging progress. Culture must grow, or it will become a museum piece: admired, but no longer lived. In the end, the fight for culture is the fight for identity, and the fight for identity is the fight for freedom and human dignity. And that, surely, is a cause worth standing for.

    •Richard Odusanya,

    odusanyagold@gmail.com

  • State of origin: A call for balanced unity

    State of origin: A call for balanced unity

    • By Professor Adeyemi Adams

    Sir: The persistent proposal to abolish Nigeria’s ‘State of Origin’ policy, which would grant indigeneship based solely on residency, resurfaces with promises of a unified nation where birthplace no longer restricts opportunity. On its surface, this idea champions equality, envisioning a Nigeria where all citizens share equal rights regardless of ethnic or regional roots. Yet, beneath its appealing facade lies a complex issue that demands careful scrutiny. The implications of dismantling this policy touch the core of Nigeria’s cultural diversity, historical sensitivities, and human instincts.

    As a Nigerian scholar observing from abroad, I urge our leaders to approach this matter with caution, guided by history and a deep understanding of our shared humanity.

    History offers a stark warning. In 1966, General Aguiyi Ironsi’s Unification Decree sought to promote national integration by opening civil service roles to all Nigerians, regardless of origin. The intent was to foster meritocracy and dissolve regional divides. However, the policy was perceived, particularly in the North, as an overreach that threatened local autonomy. Ironsi’s Igbo heritage intensified suspicions of ethnic favoritism, fueling fears of a covert power grab. The result was devastating: the July counter-coup unleashed violence that scarred Nigeria’s collective memory. This tragic episode reminds us that policies, even those with noble aims, can ignite unrest if they disrupt established cultural boundaries. To ignore such lessons is to risk repeating them.

    Humans, by nature, are protective of their spaces. Like creatures in the wild, we define our territories not with physical markers but through traditions, laws, and shared narratives. Nigeria is not a single tribe but a rich tapestry of peoples—Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Efik, Fulani, Kanuri, Ijaw, and countless others—each with unique languages, customs, and histories. Before colonial powers drew the borders of “Nigeria,” these groups thrived as independent nations, their identities shaped by centuries of distinct heritage. Unity is a noble goal, but it must not erase these vibrant identities. A Nigeria where all are forced into a singular mold risks losing the diversity that defines its strength.

    Each region should be encouraged to nurture its cultural landscape while contributing to the nation’s broader identity. In my native Southwest, newcomers can purchase land, start businesses, marry freely, and pursue careers without barriers. This inclusivity reflects their values. However, when it comes to shaping the region’s political future, they prioritize leaders whose roots are deeply embedded in the land—those who understand its history, challenges, and aspirations. This practice is not unique to the Southwest; it is a common thread across Nigeria, where communities hold their heritage dear.

    Eliminating the ‘State of Origin’ policy risks transforming hospitality into perceived overreach. When a community’s generosity is pushed beyond its limits, it can awaken deep-seated feelings tied to identity. Such feelings, once stirred, can spark conflicts that are difficult to quell. The 1966 unrest serves as a grim reminder of how quickly mistrust can escalate. Policies must promote progress without destabilizing the delicate balance of unity. Instead of erasing regional identities, we should focus on systems that ensure fairness—transparent recruitment, equitable education, and economic opportunities that uplift all regions.

    The push to abolish ‘State of Origin’ often arises from legitimate concerns: unequal access to jobs, education, and political representation. These are symptoms of deeper issues—governance failures, corruption, and inadequate systems. The solution lies not in dismantling cultural frameworks but in building robust institutions. Transparent policies, merit-based opportunities, and investments in infrastructure can address disparities while respecting regional pride. For instance, strengthening federal character principles with integrity can balance national unity with regional representation. Economic incentives for inter-regional collaboration can foster partnerships without blurring cultural lines.

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    Nigeria’s diversity is its greatest asset and its greatest challenge. A one-size-fits-all approach ignores the unique needs and strengths of each region, risking alienation and resentment. Policies should celebrate both individual ambition and collective heritage. Education systems that teach respect for diversity alongside national pride can bridge divides without demanding uniformity. Economic initiatives that empower regions to thrive independently while contributing to the nation can create a harmonious balance.

    Wisdom must guide this process. Leaders should avoid policies that reopen historical wounds or trigger ethnic sensitivities. The path forward lies in dialogue that embraces Nigeria’s diversity as a strength. We must invest in initiatives that nurture both personal aspirations and regional identities—cross-cultural programs, equitable resource allocation, and governance that prioritizes accountability over division.

    Nations are not forged by proclamations but by the collective will and wisdom of their people. Let us build a Nigeria where every citizen can pursue their dreams without losing their cultural roots, where unity amplifies diversity, and where hospitality strengthens rather than divides. The future of our nation hinges on this balance.

    •Professor Adeyemi Adams,

    Dallas College, Texas, USA.

  • USSD: When Telcos quietly dip into your airtime

    USSD: When Telcos quietly dip into your airtime

    • By Elvis Eromosele

    Sir: In Nigeria, one phrase captures the endless stream of troubles that trail daily life: “Wahala no dey finish.” This timeless street slang now finds fresh relevance in the realm of mobile banking, especially with the storm brewing between telcos, banks, and the supposed “saviour” in between, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). After years of battles over who should bear the cost of USSD transactions, the NCC made a grand intervention: going forward, customers would pay USSD fees directly from their airtime, not their bank accounts.

    At first glance, this appeared like a clear-cut win. No more bank debits. No more inter-corporate disputes spilling into the public domain. The problem, however, is that while the squabbling giants may have agreed to stop fighting, it’s the unsuspecting Nigerian consumer who is now being short-changed, quite literally.

    The NCC’s policy to move USSD charges directly to consumers’ airtime accounts was heralded as a user-friendly solution. With this move, telcos could now collect fees instantly, sidestepping the previously convoluted billing process that required bank involvement.

    On paper, the process seems fair: you initiate a USSD banking session, you’re charged N6.98 for the service, and you proceed to complete your transaction. In reality, however, this is where the chaos begins.

    Today alone, I attempted four USSD transactions on my mobile phone. Not one of them completed. The system failed at various points, some before I could input my PIN, others at the point of confirming the amount. Yet, for each attempt, I received the same cheerful text message: “Your last USSD session was successful and charged at N6.98…”

    Successful? Really?

    Let’s break this down. Transferring money via USSD is typically a six-step process: (1). Dial the code; (2). Select transfer option; (3). Input account number; (4). Confirm name/amount; (5). Enter PIN; (6). Transaction completed.

    My session failed between step 3 and 4, yet the N6.98 was deducted by the second step. Where’s the value in that?

    This is the critical question: If a USSD transaction fails, and value isn’t delivered, no money sent, no confirmation received, why should users still be charged? It’s akin to paying a taxi fare for a trip you never took. Worse still, there is no obvious path to recourse or refund.

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    While banks previously handled disputes with some structure, telcos are not exactly known for efficient customer care. You call, you queue, you explain, and in the end, you get told to “try again later.” So, are we now in a system where users get taxed for failed services with no accountability?

    In Lagos parlance, “one chance” refers to a fraudulent situation disguised as legitimate transport. Many Nigerians are beginning to feel that this new USSD billing system may just be the digital equivalent. You think you’re initiating a transaction, and boom, before you know it, your airtime is gone and you have nothing to show for it.

    Even more worrying is the absence of a seamless complaint resolution channel. If a telco charges you repeatedly for incomplete sessions, who do you report to? NCC? The telco’s customer service? Your bank? There’s a growing fear that the consumer is now trapped in a billing Bermuda Triangle.

    In my mind, to regain user trust and ensure fairness, several things must happen urgently: (1). Transparent Billing Logic: The charge must only apply after the transaction is successfully completed. It’s unethical to charge for an incomplete process.

    (2). Instant Refunds for Failed Sessions: Just like bank reversal notifications, telcos must auto-refund airtime where a session fails or terminates prematurely.

    (3). Centralized Dispute Resolution Platform: NCC must compel telcos to create user-friendly, time-bound dispute resolution platforms where customers can easily report and resolve airtime deductions for failed transactions.

    (4). Consumer Awareness Campaigns: Many Nigerians are still in the dark about this billing change. There must be a comprehensive public awareness initiative to educate users on how the system works and how to seek redress.

    (5). Monthly Public Report on USSD Deductions: NCC should demand transparency. Telcos must publish regular reports on total USSD charges, refunds processed, and customer complaints handled.

    From endless queues at the bank to USSD sessions that deduct airtime but deliver no service, Nigerians are once again caught in the web of poor systems and zero accountability. The NCC must step up. Telcos must clean up. And consumers must rise up, to demand fairness, transparency, and value for every kobo deducted from their airtime.

    •Elvis Eromosele,

    elviseroms@gmail.com

  • Our leaders keep failing the health sector

    Our leaders keep failing the health sector

    Sir: News of President Muhammadu Buhari’s death in a London clinic is a moment of deep reflection, not just on the life of a former leader, but on the failure of a system that continues to betray the trust of its people. Why do our leaders always run to Europe, India, the United States, or even Egypt when they are sick? Why have we failed to invest in the Nigerian health sector, despite being the largest black nation in the world and one of Africa’s biggest economies?

    We are blessed with some of the best medical doctors, not only in Nigeria but across the globe. Nigerian doctors are performing wonders in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and other developed countries. Ironically, these are the same places our leaders go when they fall ill. From 1999 to 2025, not one of our leaders has built a world-class hospital that even they trust enough to use. Why?

    It is painful that the spokesman of the late President Buhari once said his boss would have died long ago if he had relied on medical care in Nigeria. That statement alone is a deep insult to the thousands of dedicated Nigerian medical personnel working day and night in difficult conditions. How are they supposed to feel when the very government that employs them has no faith in their ability?

    The sad truth is that we have the resources. We have the human capital. But we lack the political will. In the 1970s, Saudi royals came to Nigeria for medical treatment. Today, Nigeria sends its leaders abroad for what should be basic care. Our best doctors are running away, taking any opportunity to leave the country for better working conditions. It is a national shame.

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    Gimba Kakanda once reminded us of a powerful story. In 1989, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had a heart attack. His doctors advised surgery in the United States, but he refused. He insisted on being treated at home in Malaysia. He said, “I had to have faith in our Malaysian doctors.” He knew that if he, the Prime Minister, did not trust local doctors, the people would never.

    He stayed in Malaysia and got treated. After that experience, he went on to build world-class hospitals. By 2018, at the age of 92, Mahathir was re-elected as Prime Minister. His people remembered his courage, his honesty, and his leadership.

    That is the difference. In Nigeria, we have had leaders who flee the country when they are ill, who fail to leave behind even a single hospital that the average citizen can depend on. They do not lead by example. They do not show faith in their own country. How can we expect young Nigerians to believe in Nigeria when even their leaders do not?

    It is not too late to change. But it will require more than words. It will require a leader who, like Mahathir, is ready to take risks for the good of the people. A leader who will build a health system that works for all, not just for the rich or the powerful. A leader who will choose to live and die with the people, not escape them.

    Nigeria deserves better. Our doctors deserve respect. And our people deserve leaders who will build a country we can all trust, even in sickness.

    •Baba Abdullahi Machina, <abdullahibabamachina@gmail.com>

  • On Femi Adesina’s faux pas

    On Femi Adesina’s faux pas

    Sir: In a stunning confession, former presidential spokesman Femi Adesina recently stated that former President Muhammadu Buhari might not have survived his health challenges had he relied on Nigerian hospitals. Speaking on Channels Television during a special live coverage in honour of the late president, Adesina attempted to justify Buhari’s repeated medical trips to the United Kingdom by claiming it was “a matter of survival.”

    But in doing so, Adesina exposed not just Buhari’s medical secrets, but the total failure of the government he served, a government that for eight years had every opportunity, every resource and every mandate to transform the health sector but chose neglect instead.

    How can a former presidential spokesperson admit that their administration could not provide one world-class hospital in a nation of over 200 million people? How can such a man say this publicly, without realising he has indicted the administration he glorified? It is an insult to every Nigerian who died due to inadequate healthcare, who could not afford overseas treatment, or who had to endure broken-down equipment and unpaid health workers.

    Femi Adesina as a spokesperson must understand that public communication at that level is not propaganda. Public relations is rooted in truth, responsibility and patriotism, not blind loyalty to individuals. As citizens and leaders alike, we must be ever mindful of how our words and actions affect the sensibilities of millions. The true measure of our duty should be the welfare of Nigeria and her people always above personal ambition or political alignment. At least it should be responsible.

    Nigeria is not short of talent. Our people are healing the world while their own homeland bleeds. Nigerian medical professionals have become global trailblazers, proving that the problem is never about human capacity but about leadership irresponsibility.

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    Femi Adesina’s remarks were not only tone-deaf but amounted to a grave insult to the millions of Nigerians who depend daily on a struggling healthcare system for both basic and critical medical needs. His comments, which sought to downplay the failures of the past administration, inadvertently exposed what many already knew, that the Buhari-led government, in which Adesina served for eight years, failed woefully in its responsibility to build a functional, accessible and equitable health sector for its citizens. It is both ironic and painful that those who had the power to fix the system now casually distance themselves from its collapse, while everyday Nigerians continue to pay the price, sometimes with their lives.

    With such utterances, Nigerians need to rise beyond outrage and begin to demand accountability, asking tough questions about whether our leaders ever had the country’s best interest at heart or were merely in power for personal gains. It is time, for citizens to stop excusing incompetence and start insisting on governance that delivers real results.

    The tragedy is not that Buhari flew to the UK for medical treatment; it is that he failed to build even one world-class facility to help others survive what he survived. History will not be kind to those who had the power to make a difference but chose mediocrity and selfish comfort over national progress.

    It is not a lack of resources that is killing Nigeria; it is the mismanagement, greed and lack of conscience by those entrusted to lead. Femi Adesina’s comment is a confession of failure, and we will not forget!

    •Dayo DaSilva (arpa, amncs), dsv123ng@yahoo.com

  • The case for Oke-Ogun State

    The case for Oke-Ogun State

    Sir: Recently, the Joint National Assembly committee on constitutional amendment held public hearings on the review of the 1999 Constitution. The hearing held in Lagos for the Southwest zone provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss strategies for advancing Nigeria.

    During the hearings, several key issues were raised, including the need to create additional states to foster development across the country. I humbly urge the esteemed committee members to consider the creation of Oke-Ogun State from the current Oyo State.

    The resources generated from Oke-Ogun by previous governments have not led to significant development in the area. This region possesses enough natural resources to be self-sustaining.

    Oke-Ogun consists of 10 densely populated Local Government Areas: Olorunsogo, Oorelope, Irepo, Saki East, Saki West, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Kajola, and Iwajowa. Currently, Oke-Ogun has a population of around four million people, an increase from two million as reported in the 2006 national census.

    With the largest landmass in Oyo State, Oke-Ogun covers 13,537 square kilometres, accounting for approximately 60 per cent of the entire state. Oke-Ogun is often referred to as the food basket of Oyo State and the western states. Due to its fertile land, the area excels in agriculture and food processing. It attracts buyers from various parts of Nigeria and even Africa seeking food supplies.

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    Culturally, Oke-Ogun is rich in heritage, reflected in the lifestyle of its people. Its endowment in solid minerals is unparalleled.  They include marble, dolomite, and other resources found in Igbeti town in Olorunsogo Local Government and Oriire. The area also boasts tourmaline in Komu town, tantalite in Sepeteri town, and quartz in Itesiwaju, along with columbite, talc, and several other minerals available in commercial quantities throughout the region.

    Additionally, Oke-Ogun is home to numerous tourist attractions, such as Iyake Lake- the only known natural suspended lake in the world, located in Ado Awaye, Iseyin Local Government. Igbo Oba in Kishi town, Ebedi Hill in Iseyin town, Asabari Hill in Shaki town, and Akomare Hill in Igangan town are otherb tourist sites. Establishing Oke-Ogun State would enable the government to tap into these resources and govern effectively without relying solely on federal allocations.

    In terms of education, Oke-Ogun has produced numerous professors, teachers, technocrats, and professionals who contribute significantly to the country’s human capital development. Today, the people of Oke-Ogun are grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing a University of Agriculture and Technology in Okeho, located in Kajola Local Government Area. This institution will complement existing tertiary institutions like Ladoke Akintola University in Iseyin and Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, enhancing access to quality education in the region.

    •Taoreed Abdullahi, taoheedolajideabdulahi@yahoo.com

  • Awujale: Let the gods avenge themselves

    Awujale: Let the gods avenge themselves

    Sir: Awujale Sikiru Adetona never hid his disdain for what the Yorubas called Isese. He jettisoned his relationship with all forms of traditional worship and dared the Ogbonis, the dreaded Agemo cult group and similar groups to do their worst. He visited anywhere where taboo forbade him.

    Many years ago, he withdrew from participating in the dreaded Agemo festival. At a point, the Agemos were said to have given him a year to live after he openly insulted them. He lived to the ripe old age of 91.

    The holy books, the Bible and the Quran are replete with situations where God avenged Himself after being disparaged. There abound examples in Yoruba mythology of gods who took the battle to those who disrespected them.

    Sango was betrayed by his most trusted general when he was in human form. Upon his death, whether self-inflicted or murder, he transformed back as an Orisa and set the kingdom ablaze in retribution. His people never took Sango and his power for granted again.

    The Ijebu Kingdom has been inundated with cries that the Awujale was buried contrary to tradition. And as such very dire consequences will follow. What it is that would happen no one has told us. The offence we were told was against the alales (that is the gods of the land). If indeed the gods have the powers ascribed to them, then no one needs to defend them or even be their mouthpiece. Let the gods avenge themselves!

    I was born in Ilese-Ijebu. The Elese of Ilese is one of the Obas who cannot see the Awujale. I find this tradition not only ridiculous but absolutely against good conscience and a breach of fundamental rights. I do hope that when a new Awujale comes to Ilese to wear the first crown as an oba, both he and the Elese would sort out whatever the issue that gave birth to this ridiculous tradition and be able to see each other. The new Awujale would fraternise with the Elese after his coronation. Enough of this otiose tradition!

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    Awujale Adetona while alive gave notice of how he wished to be buried. He ensured that there is a law to back up his wishes. The law has been followed. The alales know all those who ganged up to do this. Let the gods pursue them!

    There is no doubt that Awujale Adetona had a long reign and longevity made him an orisa of some sort. That perhaps was the reason why no one dared to challenge his beliefs even when he wrote a 275-page book about it. Modernisation of the obaship institution was a plus for him. We cannot be talking of human sacrifice in 2025.The so called burial rites are disgraceful, demeaning, fundamentally a breach of rights of humanity. I witnessed one so many years back as a young Ijebu lad. The body of the deceased Oba was tied by the neck and dragged throughout the community in the dead of the night!

    Let each Oba die in dignity without his remains being mutilated and his remains buried instalmentally. This is one sure way of attracting quality people to Ijebu thrones. Take a census of Ijebu obas. We have lawyers, medical doctors, captains of industries and highly successful men in diverse fields.

    If indeed the gods are aggrieved about Awujale Adetona’s stance on burial of obas and the manner he was buried, let the gods avenge themselves!

    •Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaye SAN, KSC Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State

  • In defence of Okpebholo

    In defence of Okpebholo

    Sir: Last week, Friday, July 18, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) organised a political rally to receive the only serving federal lawmaker of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State who dumped the party.

    Speaking at the rally, Governor Monday Okpebholo spared no jabs that are often part of such high-tempo political events. Notably, he issued a very important security advisory to the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and ex-governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, on his regular visits to Edo State for socio-political activities, the most recent of which left a tragic trail.

    Obi, the leader of the socio-political pressure group, Obidients, had visited Edo State on July 7, in continuation of his socio-political activities. He neither informed, acknowledged, nor paid any courtesy to the governor of the state before, during, and after the visit. He donated the sum of N15 million to the St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences for the completion of school projects. The donation spiked tragic violence after his departure.

    Instead of appreciation, Okpebholo’s advisory to Obi has become the subject of attacks from supporters of the unsettled Anambra politician, remnants of the self-exiled Obaseki faction, and secret political party wings masquerading as civil society organisations (CSOs). From Obi’s fellow coalition leaders to his Obidient followers to the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) to his fanatical Catholic priests followers, the reactions have been sheer sensational, misunderstood and controversial; stoking needless furore and hullabaloo.

    Different interpretations have been wrongly ascribed to the advisory. Some critics said Okpebholo warned Obi while others said Okpebholo threatened him. These are very wild, wrong and uncharitable interpretations of a simple advisory for an important personality meant to protect him whenever he visits.

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    While the Edo State governor understandably spoke with a heavy heart from the death of residents, an analysis of the advisory shows that it is in order. Obi might have visited Edo State for a philanthropic cause as he claimed; it is disrespectful to disregard Governor Okpebholo. Protocol demands that the visitor notifies the governor, makes a courtesy call, and acknowledges his effort after the visitation. This would enable the governor as Chief Security Officer and host to protect his guest.

    Just like the norm in the Southeast where many high-profile citizens on sneaky visitations have been killed by terrorising separatists, would Obi’s supporters not have blamed Governor Okpebholo if he had been attacked anywhere in Edo State?

    As a second-term governor of Anambra State, Obi had reportedly ordered the arrest and detention of his fellow traveller and new coalition promoter, former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai for 48 hours in 2013. Recounting his experience at an Arewa Joint Committee interactive session in Kaduna State for 2019 presidential election candidates in the Daily Trust report of Monday, October 17, 2022, El-Rufai said he went to Anambra State to monitor the bye-election on behalf of his party’s candidate, Chris Ngige, whose APC contested against Obi’s All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), whose candidate, Willie Obiano, won only to be restricted to his hotel.

    Also in 2020, Governor Obaseki summarily banned his predecessor and National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole from visiting Edo State.

     “As someone who has served the country, courtesy demands that you inform the governor of the state that you are coming and if you have time during the visit, you can pay him a courtesy call. It is really sad and unfortunate that people who have served the state and who should know better behave the way they do, with impunity and lawlessness,” Obaseki had declared on the occasion.

    Ironically, many who hailed Obaseki’s declaration at that time are now the ones criticising Okpebholo.

    Obi and his sympathisers must take the advisory for what it is. They should rather focus their energies on fixing LP crisis and his ADC misadventure.

    •Sebastine Ebhuomhan,Benin City