Category: Entertainment

On May 18, ministers and members of the Archbishop Timothy Olufosoye Memorial Anglican Church (ATOMAC), Ogba, Lagos opened their new church auditorium. JOSEPH ESHANOKPE reports

They were gaily dressed and full of joy. They were members of the Archbishop Timothy Memorial Anglican Church (ATOMAC), Ogba, Lagos and their guests who thronged the church last Saturday for the dedication of its new auditorium.

Besides a few vehicles parked on the road close to the church and the big banner hung on the wall of the edifice welcoming visitors to the place, there was nothing to indicate that a big ceremony was taking place there. Yet, inside the auditorium were gathered the crème de la crème of the church.

The opening of the service was as memorable as any other aspect of the event. As the processional hymns were being rendered, the bishops marched in; they were followed by their junior colleagues. It was a beautiful sight to behold, especially as the priests were decked in their pastoral apparel.

Welcoming the guests and the church members, Bishop of the Diocese of the Lagos West of the Anglican Communion Revd James Odedeji thanked them for coming. Specifically, he thanked and prayed for his predecessor Bishop Peter Adebiyi, who he said, “has contributed to the growth of our diocese and the church.”

He also thanked the family of Mrs Teju Akindolire, whose family hosted the church for six years before it moved to its permanent site. He praised the Olufosoyes, whose father, the church was named after, saying the senior cleric worked for the growth of the church.

“The Lord will take care of the Olufosoye’s family,” he prayed.

Speaking on the theme Why God move people to build for Him, Bishop Odedeji listed six reasons for this. They are, he said, need for unity among Christians; to get them a place for prayer and worship; need for a place where His name will be hallowed and the need for the brethren to exalt Him, among others.

Warning that the church is not a place for quarrelling and bickering, he said: “The church is the hope of this generation. People must leave here and go to heaven. It is not my property and yours. We must look for the good of the house of God. At ATOMAC, you must cherish your unity, shun nepotism and disunity.”

He urged them to imbibe what he called the three Fs: Firmness, fairness and friendliness.

The choir led by Brother Omoniyi Odunsi gave a good account of themselves as they displayed their dexterity both in songs and use of the organ.

The high point of the ceremony was when the keys of the new House of God were handed to Rev. Adeniji. Performing the ceremony, Bishop Odedeji said: “You will not be tired, sick, or bedridden. It shall be well with your soul, your family. You will grow from strength. Each time you preach, the word of God will fill your mouth. May the Lord bless you,” the congregation chorused a loud Amen.

In his response Rev. Adeniji, who was overjoyed by the event, said the foundation of the church was laid in July 2011. The land, he said, cost N25million while the total cost of construction was between N85 million and N90million.

Against the background of the small population of the church, its lean purse and the fact that the multi-million naira edifice was built within two years, he called it the wonderful work of God based on faith.

Going memory lane, Rev Adeniji, a former staff member of Chevron, said at the beginning of the construction, some members of the church left and had not returned. He thanked the members who stood by him and the project, especially the Band of Faith, noting that their assistance was tremendous.

Guests at the event included Mrs Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu; Bishop of Idoani Rt. Rev Ezekiel Dahunsi; the Archdeacon of Ikeja Archdeaconry, Venerable Israel Tunde Owoyele.

He will be 75 tomorrow but Pa Ekundayo Alabi Wright, former Editor of The Punch decided not to speak on his life times,but rather on the increasing degrading environment. He spoke with TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO at his residence in popular but filthy Campus Square, Lagos Island.

 

He lives in a building not up to half a plot of land but his popularity overshadows those living in mansions and big houses in the vicinity. A mention of ‘Big Daddy’ is all a visitor needs and in no time he is at his abode.

“Hello, are you guys from The Nation? ” He spoke with a loud voice. “Yes Sir,” this reporter replied.

“Come over here,” he said with hand gesture.

“Sir, are you…” “Yes,” he interjected. “Journalists are not difficult to identify,” he said.

Not that we did not get the place as directed by a filling station attendant but we could not believe a man of such calibre could live in such a place. Trust Lagosians, especially the elderly ones; they are contented with such environment.

Welcome to 101 Bamgbose Street, the house of Pa Ekundayo Alabi Wright, former Editor of The Punch.

He did not allow us entry before pointing towards the side of the popular Campus Square. He told the photographer to take some shots there.

“That is where your work here begins; look, after that car, there are some things dumped there. Afterwards, take pictures of the drainage and the surroundings,” he said.

When the photographer returned, he asked rhetorically: “Do you like what you have just seen? Is this place habitable for human beings? These and many ugly things are parts of nonsense people subject themselves to around this area. Let’s go inside.”

The small sittingroom room is full of books and newspapers. Various art crafts of his youth age pictures and a top-less woman adorn the wall.

“My name is Ekundayo. I will be 75 years old next Saturday. I am a journalist, partially retired because I still do consultancy and editing for some people. Life goes on,” he introduced himself before the interview started.

Fondly called Dayo Wright, he lamented the sorry state of the environment.

He recalled the Lagos of yesteryears with nostalgia.

“The Lagos I used to know is not the Lagos that exists now, he said, everything is upside down, inside out, which is a shame. In the Lagos that we had then, sanitation was one of the major priorities. Then, we had people who were called Fokota Fokota – they were those who cleared the drainage.

“Aside that, when you woke up in the morning, my house then was at Igbosere Road, we used to sweep the front of our house. Officials from the state and local governments will come to clear the rubbish and take them away. Today, when you clear the drains and put it by the roadside, it will be there in the next one to three weeks. Things have changed, nobody cares.

“We are spending millions of naira on campaigns to kick out malaria while there has been stagnant water in the front of houses for a long time. All the drainages are not cleared. Now the gutter that leads to the canal, not too far from PHCN Road is blocked. All the drainages in the neighbourhood are stagnant already. In the course of sand filling Lagos, all the exit to the Lagoons, where we used to play with a small boat carved out of matchbox, they are all blocked. If you put one of such small boat outside there, in the next one year, it will still be there because the water is not flowing. Is this the way to go on? No, we can’t go on like this. It’s wrong.”

“Today, everyone is talking about environment. Children are falling sick with diarrhea, typhoid, malaria. How can we eradicate all these diseases without clearing the drainage. I have just shown you a pile of rubbish thrown down the road by a neighbour after his party. The debris is still there, one week after. If I were around, I would have told them to pack it in front of his house.”

He recommended China’s method of dealing with people who debase the environment.

“Our government makes the law but they do not enforce it. In China, if you spit on the street, you will probably go to jail. If you ease yourself on the street, you will probably be shot. It is when people stopped caring fors their environment that it degenerates to what it is today. We got into this mess from the moment we stopped caring for our environment. So, we need to do something. Not next week, rather, we have to start now. We need to have an environment monitoring unit, just like the CBD, KAI people, among others, and get them working. Not just towing vehicles unnecessarily, especially in a residential area like this. I cannot park my car outside. So, where do I park? I once said if the government does not want people to dump cars on the streets, let them introduce stickers/tags that will show who is a resident and who is not. But that is not in place. So, what do we do? Absolutely nothing. If you park your car outside for a while, you are going to be called that your car will be towed.”

The wife of a Lagos lawyer, Hannibal Uwaifo, Osas, has celebrated her 40th birthday in Lagos. NNEKA NWANERI was at the Church of Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Lekki, Lagos venue of the event.

For Mrs. Osas Uwaifo, wife of Lagos- based lawyer, Hannibal, attaining 40 is a blessing.

She was full of smiles last Tuesday during the birthday bash organised for her.

At the thanksgiving mass that began at midday, many thanked God for all He has done in her life.

The birthday ‘girl’ was surrounded by family and friends. Though a week day, the church was almost filled to capacity.

Assistant priest of the parish Revd. Damian Alozie took the Bible reading from Luke 17:12-19, on the parable of the 10 lepers who were cured of their ailments but only one came back to thank Jesus.

During the homily, the Parish Priest of Divine Mercy, Lekki, Rev. Fr Anthony Fadairo, admonished the celebrator to look back at her past; check how well she has fared and see how she can do better. The cleric urged her to devote her life to God and not to let her love for God wane.

Soon after the service, guests moved to the hall beside the church for the reception, where the Police Band played.

MC Whiskero, who compeered the event, dished out rib-cracking jokes to the delight of guests, many of who were the celebrator’s friends from the Sterlings School Lekki, where Mrs Uwaifo serves as the chairman of the Parents Council; her schoolmates at the Federal Government Girls College, Bakori, Katsina State and the University of Benin. Also present were members of the Christian Men Organisation (CMO) of the parish headed by her husband.

Mr Uwaifo praised his wife for her doggedness and devotion. He described her as honest and diligent.

The lawyer urged those preparing for marriage not to see the institution as an easy journey, but a long one.

Many described the birthday ‘girl’ in superlative terms, saying she is a detribalised woman from Ondo State, but born in Lagos and married to an Edo man.

Dr Adeniyi Ajiboye of Lagos Island General Hospital and Dr Aderonke Idowu of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) have tied the nuptial knot at the New Covenant Baptist Church, Agege, a Lagos suburb, reports KUNLE AKINRINADE

IT was grand and the couple looked regal in their attires. The groom, Dr Adeniyi Ajiboye, a surgeon, was decked in a well-tailored black suit. The bride, Aderonke, a dentist, wore a sparkling white gown. It was a day the couple abandoned their stethoscopes to consummate their relationship.

The groom works at the Lagos Island General Hospital; his wife is with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

The couple exchanged marital vows at the New Covenant Baptist Church, Ijaiye Housing Estate, Agege, a Lagos suburb. The service began at 11am and ended at 2.30pm, thus setting the stage for the reception.

Everything at the 10 Degrees Events Centre, Oregun, Ikeja the reception venue, spoke of the high-octane ceremony. Exotic cars brought guests, who turned out in splendid native attires.

The reception, chaired by former Director of the State Security Service, Major-General Kunle Togun, started at 3.28pm. The couple was ushered into the expansive auditorium at 3.47pm, by friends and family members. The elated couple hit the floor with beautiful dance steps that lasted 20 minutes.

Gen. Togun urged the couple to eschew bickering and employ understanding, to strengthen their marriage.”

He spoke further: “Marriage is all about understanding and this is the time that you will begin to see your real selves. Aderonke (the bride), you are the one that will have to adjust your husband, albeit, subtly, and with maturity. Being a military man, I was tough and a firebrand when I got married but my wife adjusted me with a deep sense of maturity and we have been enjoying peace in our marriage ever since.

“Whenever things go wrong between you, both of you must learn to settle your differences amicably without a recourse to third party. You must also learn to trust each other because it was my own wife who encouraged me to open a joint bank account, so that we could save money together and pull resources together for the management of our home. Above all other things, you must not deny yourselves of sex, so you won’t give room for the devil or doubts. Lest I forget, you also need fasting and prayer to overcome spiritual challenges and you can only do this in an atmosphere of peace, tranquility and unity of purpose.”

The bride’s younger sister, Miss Olaide Idowu, an accountant, who proposed the toast, recalled how the couple met.

“I want to say that Providence played a great role in what we are witnessing today. Dr Adeniyi met my sister through me when I was writing my accounting professional examination and the rest has become history today. Patience had stood them out and then, commitment, because they have gone through a lot for each other, but with a lot of personal sacrifice, they weathered the storm and I thank God for them today.”

The couple cut their wedding cake at 4.24 pm and fed each other amid applause by guests. They later took to the dance floor, accompanied by family members and guests who showered them with naira notes.

Describing his wife, Adeniyi said: “She is my treasure and I thank God for having someone like her who not only cherishes me but understands me a lot. By providence, we both are medical professionals and this is a plus to our union.”

Beaming with an infectious smile, Aderonke said of her husband: “He possesses everything that a woman would want in a man – cool, committed, honest and above all, very caring. I see him as my friend and dependable partner and he has lived up to that on a number of occasions.”

The bride’s mother, Chief Sade Idowu, Director of Pharmacy at the Orile–Agege General Hospital, expressed joy at witnessing the marriage.

“I cannot thank God enough for giving me the grace to witness today’s ceremony and for the peace that reigned in the couple’s lives while their courtship lasted. I wish them a blissful and enduring marriage with all the good things of life,” she said.

The groom’s father, Elder Gabriel Ajiboye, said: “My joy knows no bounds for witnessing today’s occasion and for the turnout of family members, friends, associates and well- wishers who are here to share in our joy. I pray that God will grant them long life and bless their marriage with good children.”

The Atoye of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Samuel Bamdele Falegan, has turned 80. He marked the birthday with a thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel and the launch of an autobiography entitled, My Yester Years, at the Christ’s School Alumni Centre. SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN reports.

THE elderly man arrived in the church 10 am and took his seat beside an equally elderly woman, at the front row opposite the altar.

They are the Atoye of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Dele Falegan, and his wife, Madam Olufunke. Baba as many call him, was in Agbada, Sokoto and Buba made of brown Ofi fabric with a cap to match. Mama wore Iro and Buba with a headtie of same brown material.

The duo, responding to the music supplied at intervals by the choir, swayed sideways on their feet. They were joined in the dance by the wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, who was in Iro and Buba made of brown colour Ofi (not of the same fabric).

All the seats in the church were filled by dignitaries from within and outside the state. They came to celebrate Chief Falegan at 80.

The service was officiated by Bishop C.T. Omotunde, who said Falegan’s success was attested to by his completion of “80 solid years on earth at a time many did not have that privilege.”

Bishop Omotunde enjoined the celebrator to rededicate himself to the service of humanity and the continuing progress of the state. He encouraged the children to take a cue from Papa “who had successfully fathered you all to attainments.”

He urged them to continue to contribute to the progress and development of the state “just as your father has been doing for a considerable length of time.”

Bishop Omotunde said the dedication and commitment of parents to their children’s progress often manifest in the church as, according to him, “parents often keep praying for their children against the instruction of pastors that they should pray for the country or state.”

He said: “For someone to know how much parents love their children, after being told to pray for country and state, listen and you will hear them praying for their own children. This is real love that the children themselves should appreciate and replicate.”

Guests later converged on the Alumni Hall of Chirst’s School, for reception. There, the celebrator’s autobiography, My Yester Years was launched.

The hall, large enough to take 500 people, was filled with guests. On display were about eight different cakes in admirable shapes, such as the piano, textbooks, Bible and white polo shirt. Also on display were various gift items given to Papa.

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the Ekiti State University, Prof. Jide Osuntokun, received a standing ovation after reviewing Papa Falegan’s new book.

In his address, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi said Falegan remained one of the few leaders whose character, life style, honesty and hard work were worth emulating and celebrating in their life times.

Fayemi cautioned against the vulgar penchant for bestowing iconic status on people with “dubious reputation”, noting: “such gesture is sending a terribly unedifying message to the upcoming young generations.”

His words: “The society’s apparent confusion as to the character of people upon whom the nation should collectively bestow iconic status speaks volumes about the debasement of the nation’s value system.

“This shortcoming is further complicated by our society’s apparent confusion as to the character of people we should collectively bestow iconic status upon. Sadly the sort of people we celebrate as heroes in our society today says a lot about the debasement of our value system.”

He recalled how the young were moulded during his students days at the famous Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti, such that there was no life path that a pupil chose that did not have the complement of a mentor figure among the alumni body, among whom was Falegan.

Falegan of the Fatufede warrior family of Ado–Ekiti was born on May 10, 1933. He attended Emmanuel School, and Christ’s School also in Ado-Ekiti before proceeding to Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone for his first degree in Economics and a Master’s in the same discipline from the University of Oregon, United States.

Baba worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which he joined in July 1961 and was later seconded to the Nigerian Mortgage Bank as its pioneer Managing Director. He is the Chairman of the Ekiti State Sure-P Committee.

Among the dignitaries were: Ewi of Ado-Ekiti Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe; Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti Oba Ademola Ajakaye; Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Femi-Ajakaye; Chief Deji Fasuan; Chief Alex Olu-Ajayi; Dr. Femi Orebe; Prof. Femi Omosinni; Ekiti State University Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Gbenga Aribisala; its Dean of School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Edy Olanipekun; former National President of the Christ’s School Alumni Association, Dr.Ayo Obembe; Chief Bisi Egbeyemi; Mr Akin Oyedele; Otunba Tunde Apata; Mr.Wole Ogunleye; Mr Bola Elegbeleye and Mr.Ayo Oladele.

Penultimate Saturday, a crowd of admirers gathered at the Mushin Sports Centre (formerly ArchBishop Aggey Memorial School), Lagos, to celebrate with the Olu of Mushin, Oba Abdulfatai Aileru, who marked his 75th birthday and 35 years on the throne, NNEKA NWANERI was there.

 

It was a two-in-one event when the Olu of Mushin, Oba Abdulfatai Ayinla Aileru, celebrated his 75th birthday and 35th coronation anniversary.

Many of his subjects turned out in purple Ankara Aso Ebi for the occasion. They also showcased their fashion and style with the way they sew their dresses.

The women complemented their dressings with headgears, necklaces and earrings.

The expansive Mushin Sports Centre venue of the event brimmed with activities. Those who were not allowed in defied the scorching sun, the armed personnel, and other risks to climb the walls and watch through the fence.

A large white tent was erected in the middle of the field. A dozen more stood at other corners of the arena. Posh cars were orderly parked and there was decorum throughout the event.

The organisers left no stone unturned to ensure a hitchfree ceremony.

Present were some of the celebrator’s fellow traditional rulers, chiefs and members of his club, the Eko Suprimus Club.

Kaabiyesioooo the people kept chanting. The proud birthday ‘boy’ waved his horsetail and smiled at his loyal subjects.

On the band stand was King Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe (aka KWAM 1) who entertained guests.

Primate Jacob Akinsilo said the opening prayer.

Chairman of the occasion, Hon Michael Akindele, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), congratulated the monarch for his years of on the throne.

There were cultural displays and dances from the three major ethnic groups. The Igbo troupe was led by the Asiwaju Eze Ndigbo of Mushin, Eze John Nwosu. The Yoruba Ayelewu Theatre Group performed a dance drama and the Hausa did theirs with the flute.

Oba Aileru thanked his chiefs and subjects for their love over the years. He promised to ensure that peace continuous to prevail in his domain.

Oba Aileru’s son Prince Yahaya described his father as one of the few noble men he has ever known. He praised his father for his humility and selflessness.

“He is a rare personality and an embodiment of everything it means to be a father. I am really proud to be his son and I wish him many more years in life and on the throne in good health,” he said.

At the event were Justice Adedotun Onibokun; member of Local Government Chieftaincy, Chief Olaseeni Lamina; Onifako of Ifako Oba Taofeek Fatusi; Baale of Matori, High Chief Sesan Akintunde; Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni; Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Legal Adviser Dr Muiz Banire; Onilogbo of Ilogbo, Oba Olaleye Moses; Onijale of Ijale in Abeokuta, Oba Michael Ajibola; Onitire of Itire land, Oba Lateef Dauda; Ologudu of Ogudu, Oba Waheed Fashola and Oba Mudashiru Salawudeen.

The Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi, hosted eminent personalities when his younger sister, Princess Adetoun, a medical practitioner, and her heart-throb, Oluwaseun Adebule, tied the nuptial knot. Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN reports.

THE Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi (Kusenla III) was the cynosure of all eyes as he did his thing on the dance floor. His heavily embroidered Agbada was no hindrance as he moved his legs in perfect response to traditional drumbeats.

It was at the reception of the wedding of his medical doctor younger sister, Princess Adetoun and Oluwaseun Adebule, also a medical practitioner.

“I never knew Oba Elegushi was this good a dancer,” a woman wondered aloud. But she got an answer from another guest, who replied: “You should not be surprised; he so much loves ‘Toun (the bride).”

He was again, a spectacle when he rose to dance with the bride. His dance steps were simply graceful. His fellow monarchs joined on the dance floor and a naira rain followed.

Captains of industry, politicians and other eminent personalities exchanged banters at the Ruby Garden, Lekki, venue of the classy reception. They were resplendent in embroidered Aso Ebi and other traditional attires which were combined with yellow lace fabrics.

The reception kicked off with tunes from the Disc Jockey (DJ); then, guests waltzed in. All that was required to get into the venue, was for a guest to appear in the Aso Ebi for the occasion. The security arrangement also ensured that there were no gate-crashers.

The arrival of Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos caused a stir. Virtually everyone was on his feet to catch a glimpse of the stylish monarch, the Olowo Eko Baba Fuad, as he was ushered in by Oba Elegushi, alongside his delectable wife, Olori Sekinat.

The couple’s entry into the reception arena was grand. The bride wore a wedding gown; the groom was on suit.

From his mien, it was a moment long-awaited by the groom’s father, Dr Gbolahan Adebule, a former Chief Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos.

Tee A emceed the reception. When the venue became hot, no thanks to a power surge at the beginning of the reception, his rib-cracking jokes came to the rescue.

The cake-cutting and signing of the dotted lines over, another dance spree began. Members of a musical ensemble, Faith Band, gave good account of themselves. It was then the couple and their parents knew how much they were loved. Seats became empty as everyone took to the dance floor. Oba Elegushi’s chiefs were not left out.

The wedding was consummated at the Chapel of The Healing Cross, Idi-Araba, Mushin, in the presence of a huge crowd.

Personalities present at the holy solemnisation include: Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Ajoke Orelope-Adefulire; her predecessor, Mrs Sarah Sosan; Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora.

Others are: Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Olofa of Ofa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi; Olu of Itori, Oba Fatai Akamo and Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.

Clerics took turns to admonish the couple to make the fear of God the pillar of their marriage.

While Oluwaseun gleefully described the day as “a very special one for me,” an elated Adetoun said: “It is a moment I have for long, waited to see; I thank God for this day with my God-chosen man.”

National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and three others were conferred with doctorate (honorary) degrees in Science (Honoris Causa) at the third convocation of the Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST) in Wudil last Saturday, reports KOLADE ADEYEMI

 

Wudil, a sleepy and serene town between Kano and Jigawa states came alive last Saturday. The town holds the honour of hosting the Police Academy and the 21-year-old Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST). It was the third convocation of the University that made Wudil tick that day. The highlight of the convocation was the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees in Science (Honoris Causa) on the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and three others.

Tinubu’s political associates and friends came to share in the joy of the day with him.

By 10 am, KUST asthetically adorned with one million trees, which is providing shade from the sun, for people had lost its serenity to heavy human and vehicular traffic. Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the crowd.

The event had no political or ethnic colouration. Nigerians from different ethno-religious backgrounds and political leanings came to celebrate with the “Asiwaju of Nigeria” as Tinubu was addressed by one of the speakers at the event.

Clad in a brown caftan with a red cap to match and his trademark eye-glasses, Tinubu beamed with smile as he stepped onto the podium for the reading of his citation.

One of the university’s orators told the gathering how Tinubu struggled to make it in life. Presidential candidate of Congress of Progress Change (CPC) Gen Muhammadu Buhari nodded in agreement when the orator addressed Tinubu as “the champion of the opposition merger.”

Then, came the moment the crowd had been waiting for—the decoration. Asiwaju Tinubu bowed as a team comprising members of the university Senate, led by the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta, decorated him in the regalia of a Doctor of Science (Honaris Causa).

Others honoured were Senator Hamisu Musa and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar. Alhaji Mudi Spikin, was honoured post-humoursly.

Tinubu’s associates, mostly who came from Lagos, gave him a standing ovation and also sang his praise. The crowd watched in awe as personalities posed for photographs with the Jagaban Borgu amid shouts of “Asiwaju of Nigeria”.

Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the founder and Visitor of the university, and the Chancellor, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, were the first to step out for a photograph with Speaker Aminu Tambuwal; Gen Buhari, governors of Ogun and Oyo states Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Senator Abiola Ajimobi; former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba; Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; ACN National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Emir of Dass Alhaji Biliaminu Usman, former Governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume; Hon. Bashir Adamu, Senator Kabiru Gaya; Hon. Kawu Ismaila; former Minister of Labour Musa Gwadabe; Deputy Governor of Kano State Abdullahi Ganduje; Chairman of Kano Elders’ Forum, Magaji Dambatta; former Deputy Governors of Kano State, Abdullahi Gwarzo and Magaji Abdullahi.

Tinubu described the award as a symbol of unity, saying Kwankwaso realises that, “we are one in Nigeria regardless of cultural, religious and political differences. I am touched to the heart by this expansive gesture. In doing this, you ignored the imaginary divide between North and South because of your nationalistic courage; you recognise no such divide exists except in the minds of those who would keep us down, divided and at each other’s throats.

“In your wisdom, you realised that we are one. Come what may, we shall remain one. I commend your courage and wisdom. You must maintain this standard because we need this type of courage and wisdom to see our nation through its current tumult.

“Although storms break all around us, we shall not faint. We shall not cower in fear for our purpose is right and our ways are democratic and just.”

In his acceptance speech entitled: To Develop a Nation, We Must Educate It, Tinubu said to lift Nigeria from its low state, there was the need to equip the people with the knowledge to face the challenges at hand.

Education, he said, is not an inanimate tool like a hammer that one can simply buy or borrow from elsewhere.

He said: “Education is a practical dynamic thing that must be adapted to our needs to reflect our circumstances. Education must give us the skills needed to become architects of the destinies we seek and not become idle bystanders in our own lives. An effective educational system must turn people into positive social and economic actors. We should not abide by a system whereby 1.7 million candidates seek admission to the universities and only 500,000 places exist in private and public universities.

“It is a costly waste to educate our children with knowledge irrelevant to our society. It makes little sense to give our people skills for jobs that do not exist while the real work at hand remains undone because of lack of able labour. Often, we mimic too closely the ways of other nations. Thus, we educate our children to fit into the processes of those nations but not into our own. Too few of our youths are taught how to start their own business and make it grow into something that can hire and provide jobs for countless other people, thus enabling many to fend for themselves and their families. Too many of our youths have Law degrees. Through the desperation of chronic unemployment, many a prospective lawyer will join the ranks of the lawless.”

Quoting Publilius Syrus, Tinubu reiterated that: “Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm,” pointing out that as leaders, “we can travel through the stormy sea and arrive gloriously at a safe shore. That is why I salute men like Governor Kwankwaso for his courage and vision.”

Kwankwaso described Tinubu as a renowned political figure, skilful administrator and champion of justice whose contributions to politics and business are innumerable.

“He deserves this honour; and the history of modern politics in Nigeria, particularly the emancipation of the masses, must reckon with his political personage,” he said.

Alhaji Dangote urged the honorees to be good ambassadors of the institution.