Category: Entertainment

His activism first came to the fore in 1983 when he bailed some undergraduates who were unlawfully remanded in prison custody. The incident cost him dearly – he was denied the discharge certificate by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) after the mandatory national service.

Years later, the certificate was released at a programme telecast live on television courtesy of the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa-led human rights panel in 2001.

Since then, Mr Obafemi Patrick Falana fondly called ‘Femi Falana or FF’ has been in the forefront alongside the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi and other activists fighting for the emancipation of the oppressed.

As a result of this, the Ilawe-Ekiti-born former chairman of the West African Bar Association (WABA) has been a guest of various prisons.

The height of his persecution was the denial of the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for years.

At a point, he was persuaded to exchange his activism for the SAN title – an offer Falana did not think twice before saying ‘NO’.

The following year, he was honoured by the International Bar Association (IBA). Afterwards, like the late Fawehinmi, he was given the title, Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM).

When his name was listed among the lawyers to be conferred with SAN this year, many dubbed it as a belated honour; to some, however, it is better late than never.

It was in respect of this that the Justice Research Institute Limited held a dinner in honour of the human rights lawyer.

Except for sleek cars parked along the road, passersby and residents of Ademola Street, Ikoyi, would not have known something big is ongoing at The Elias Centre.

The centre hosted eminent personalities in the legal profession. Most of them clad in black suits.

The celebrator was equally in the same outfit, seated beside his beautiful wife, Funmi who looked stunning in a dinner attire with a red bolero, a necklace and eyeglasses.

The dinner began with a cocktail before the celebrator was introduced amidst cheers.

There was light music from the live band while the guests relished mouth watering cuisine.

The reading of the citation of the celebrator paved way for the commencement of the event.

After his citation was read, guests took turns to pour encomiums on the legal icon.

Firing the first salvo, Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General Ade Ipaye, congratulated Falana and his wife.

Confused on how to address him, Ipaye jokingly said:“I ve got the permission of our dear celebrator to add both SAN and SAM to his name whenever he is being mentioned.” This elicited laughter from the audience.

According to him, this means the less privileged would still continue to enjoy his service.

He wished him many fruitful years at the bar.

Managing Director of The News magazine Mr Bayo Onanuga, took the microphone after Ipaye’s speech.

Onanuga, who met Falana in 1984 at Ketu, wondered what to say within three minutes about the celebrator.

“I can write a book on him,” he said.

He described Falana as the biggest defender of journalists as well as Fawehinmi.

“He always offers free service; I admire his constituency comments on national issues with bias for the poor masses. The honour is a deserving one. I hope to see his wife also becoming a SAN,” he said.

He wished him the best.

The likes of former President of Committee for Development Human Rights (CDHR) Mr Olasupo Ojo; Action Congress of Nigeria National Legal Adviser Dr Muiz Banire; Mr Bamidele Aturu; Emeka Nigige (SAN) and Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) also praised the celebrator.

Dr Banire said the title could have come a decade ago.

“You remain with us the oppressed (laughter); we believe in you and we pray you take up the gauntlet at the bar level to the inner circle of the bar,” he said.

Chief Akintola aligned with the position of Dr Banire and Aturu on the need to sanitise the judiciary.

He described Falana as a dogged fighter who cannot be compromised.

Falana, the legal giant said, along others fought for the democracy many who do not know the geography of cells are enjoying today.

“If you have not been in detention before, you will not appreciate being an activist,” he said.

The celebrator thanked all for honouring him with their presence.

He vowed to take his activism into the inner bar.

“I want to assure you all that the masses would continue to enjoy my support. We will continue to fight the rot in the system. For me, it is too late to compromise,” he said.

He got a standing ovation and rousing cheers.

The dinner featured a toast, cutting of cake and photograph session.

THE women looked resplendent in white and blue attires, which attracted commuters on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The women are members of Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), who were at the Society’s International Prayer Centre for their 13th yearly Women’s Week.

Roads leading to the venue were filled with security operatives, directing people.

It was the grand finale of the week-long event.

It began with the rendition of the National Anthem, followed by opening prayer from the Deputy National Missioner of NASFAT, Imam Moruf Abdul-Azeez.

Recitation from the Quran followed.

Ace broadcaster Alhaja Fadhilat Adebisi-Sanni and Alhaji Mustapha Bello were Masters of Ceremony (MCs).

NASFAT National Women Affairs Secretary Alhaja Nofisat Abiola Arogundade moved round cheerfully, exchanging pleasantries with guests.

She hugged some and waved to others she could not reach.

Former Lagos State Commissioner for Education Alhaja Sekina Yussuf chaired the event.

Wife of the Vice President Hajia Amina Muhammad Sambo was represented by Hajia Maryam Tahan, whose introduction elicited a standing ovation.

The representative of Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, Mrs Oluranti Adebule, also received a rousing welcome.

Mrs Adebule, the Secretary to the State Government, was dressed in white; she wore a broad smile all throughout. Wife of the governors of Osun and Ogun states Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola and Mrs Olufunso Amosun were also present. Alhaja Aregbesola was dressed in blue; Mrs Amosun was in a light green attire.

There was no dull moment at all. A group of Islamic singers, delivered Dhikr (praise songs) to make the occasion lively. The atmosphere was charged as the Dhikr was rendered. All present sang along.

The two co-ordinators of the society at the national level, Alhaja Kudirat Oyeyemi and Alhaja Kuburat Agoro, joined Alhaja Arogundade in welcoming guests.

Alhaja Arogundade thanked God and everyone for the success of the occasion.

Giving the reason for the choice of the theme, Women as Catalyst for Nation Building, the NASFAT women leader said it was informed by the growing insecurity, corruption and other social vices in the country.

The building of a virile nation, she said, begins with a woman, hence, the need to re-orientate women for the challenge.

“The choice of the theme is informed by our assessment of the situation in our society where women appear to be under utilising their God endowed abilities to stimulate and nurture creative energies in the general populace for productive enterprise and general goodness which are requisite conditions for national development,” she said.

Two erudite scholars, Dr Jummai Umar-Ajijola and Chief Imam of University of Ibadan, Prof Abdul Rahman Oloyede, delivered soul-inspiring lectures

Prof Oloyede stressed that all humans are equal before Allah and that no one should look down on women.

Dr Umar-Ajijola said women can be the catalyst for nation building if they form a strong group.

She called for the creation of a community radio in Nigeria, saying it will help in many ways to prevent the spread of evils.

The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of a ‘Thank you’ plaque to Hajia Sambo’s representative, Hajia Tahan.

This was done by Alhaja Arogundade. She was assisted by the President of NASFAT, Alhaji Sheriff Yussuf.

The event featured foundation laying of NASFAT Women Development Centre by Hajia Tahan and Alhaja Aregbesola watched by Mrs Amosun and others.

A special prayer for the nation was anchored by NASFAT Missioner Alhaji Abdullahi Akinbode.

They prayed for continued peace and harmony in Nigeria.

There was nothing to show that the pioneer National Missioner of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS), the late Alhaji Mustapha Kasumu Ekemode, was not in the hall.

People talked about him as if he was there. His pictures were hanged at various strategic points within and outside the hall.

Obviously, his great works were still being remembered by all, 40 years after his death.

The Adeyemi Bero Auditorium at Alausa Secretariat, Lagos, was filled. The young Ansar-ud-Deen members who never knew the late Imam were seen taking pictures with their phones.

Some old members who knew him during his lifetime exuded joy, recalling fond memories of the great man.

The post-humous honour for him was organised by the Mustapha Kasumu Ekemode Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), established by the family to immortalise the late Missioner.

Various colourful attires of the guests complemented the decoration of the auditorium. While some wore purple and blue, many wore green materials, cap and headscarf — the colour of ADS.

It was a re-union of sort for the members of the group in various parts of the country. They came in their hundreds. The youth wing of the society including their Nawair-ud-Deen counterparts shone in beautiful attires. The Alasalatu group of Gbagada Muslim community appeared in uniform Islamic outfit likewise other groups.

The children of the late Missioner, both biological and adopted, were all present.

All eyes were on the surviving wife, Alhaja Sidikat Ekemode.

The event, according to the first child of the deceased, Dr Naheemdeen Ekemode, was to bring to the fore the great contributions of his late father to the development of Islam and Nigeria as a nation.

He said an Islamic centre would be built to immortalise him.

Osun State Governor Rauf Arebgesola, who chaired the occasion, saluted the family for organising the event to honour the great leader.

He urged the gathering to emulate the late Missioner.

Aregbesola, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government Service Commission, Dr Waliu Adeleke, enjoined clerics to pray for the safe return of the missing television presenter, Alhaji Rasak Aremu Gawat.

Afterwards, the last daughter of the deceased, Alhaja Hamdalat Sulaimon, presented her father’s biography.

She said her father was worthy of emulation.

ADS National Missioner Nigeria and Overseas Sheikh Abdur Rahman Ahmad said the deceased’s achievements were still visible 40 years after his demise.

“While celebrating the life of Papa, how many people are ready to step into his shoes,” he asked, rhetorically.

Sheikh Ahmad noted that though the best role model for Muslims is Prophet Muhammad, yet, the late Imam Ekemode had a lot of qualities that the young and the old can copy.

He prayed Allah to bring forth from his family, a standard bearer of Islam.

Among the guests were former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; former Inspector General of Police Alhaji Musiliu Smith; former Minister of Works now ADS National President Alhaji Femi Okunu; Action Congress of Nigeria chieftain Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Justice Habeeb Abiru and the Baba Adinni of Lagos State, Sheikh AbdulAfeez Abou.

He was happy at the turn of event.

He was short of words to describe his feelings because he caught what some described as “a big fish.”

“She is the woman of my dream,” he enthused after pausing for a while.

Muhammad Jamiu Olanshile Adebola, a native of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, looked striking in a black suit, a blue shirt, yellow bow tie and matching black pair of shoes.

Adebola’s jewel, former Miss Medinat Olajumoke Jimoh appeared in flowing butter-coloured wedding gown.

Medinat, who hails from Kwara State works with The Nation.

The duo took many by surprise as they were introduced to the anxious guests.

The Nation staff were led by the Editor, Gbenga Omotoso; Group Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere and News Editor Adeniyi Adesina.

The three-in-one wedding featured Aqdun Nikkah, engagement and reception.

The presiding Imam, Alhaji Abdul Hafiz Yusuf, urged the couple to tolerate each other and live in accordance to the teachings of Islam. He told the husband to see his wife as a gift because the first woman on earth, Hauwa, was created as a gift to Adam due to his loneliness.

Alhaji Yusuf equally urged the wife to be humble and respect her husband.

He told her that she is the representative of her family in the new home, so, she should uphold her family values.

After complete the marriage rites, he later declared the lovebird husband and wife.

After the solemnisation, the couple changed into traditional attires for the engagement.

The superlative displays by the representative of the groom’s family (Alaga Iduro) and the representative of the bride’s family (Alaga Ijoko) was an icing on cake for the glamorous ceremony.

The duo was at their best and danced to the various beats of the traditional drums. In accordance with Yoruba tradition, the Alaga Iduro led the groom’s family from their tent to the tent occupied by the bride’s family amidst singing, drumming and dancing.

The praises (oriki) of both families lineage were done in unique way.

The groom reappeared with his friends in a sky blue Buba, navy blue Agbada and a matching navy blue Abeti-aja cap sewn with Aso Ofi.

While Medinat shone in a sky blue blouse and wrapper with matching navy blue head gear.

She knelt before her parents to receive blessings. After which she was given her husband’s cap to find who the cap fits.

She danced round before meeting her husband and placed the cap on his head.

He welcomed her with joy and excitement. An emotional kiss ensued.

Afterward, the cutting of the cake and toast followed.

The couple opened the dance floor and were later joined by friends and well wishers.

There was a lot to eat and drink. Guests were served with choice food and drinks.

The elated groom thanked Allah for the successful outing.

“I feel good because I have been expecting it for a long time and Alhamdulillahi it came. So, let me just say Alhamdulillah Rabbil Alamin,” he replied The Nation.

Jamiu, a Corporate Marketer with Vitafoam, described his wife as a sister.

“We have been together as good friends for six years and today, God has ordained us together and for Him to have brought us together today, we will be together forever Insha Allah,” he said.

Pretty Medinat said the relationship began as friends for six years.

“We did not really prepare for relationship before he finally summoned up the courage to propose about a year and half ago,” she said.

She described him as a gentle man, down to earth, and religious.

“He usually thrilled me with his dance steps. Now, I look forward to a happy home with all good things of life,” she said.

The groom’s mother, Mrs Olawunmi Adebola urged them to live with the love of God.

“They should let the love God be in their hearts because God owns everything I feel very happy. I thank God.”

The groom’s father, Mr Babatunde Adebola prayed for success in their marriage. I am very happy today. I pray God bless their marriage. God will provide and assist them in everything they do. My advice for them is to live peacefully together,” Mrs Adebola said.

The bride’s mother, Alhaja Risqat Jimoh was full of joy.

“My advice to them is to live peacefully and put God first because He comes first in everything. I thank God that they are both devoted to their faith. I pray to God to continue to assist them in everything they do,” Alhaja Jumah said.