The Nation Newspaper

Category: Saturday Magazine

  • TEMILOLU OKEOWO: I have so many daughters, I may not meet in my lifetime

    TEMILOLU OKEOWO: I have so many daughters, I may not meet in my lifetime

    Temilolu Okeowo is founder of the Girls Club of Nigeria, writer, lawyer and mentor to many young ladies. She recently published three books which would be presented to the public this week. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about her inspiration, challenges, lessons learnt over the years and more.

    TELL us about the inspiration for your new books, Letters to my daughters, Becoming an Alpha Female and Wisdom for Girls?

    I decided to put some of my articles in a book form and get them across to girls who don’t have access to newspapers or the social media. The titles are borne out of my experience with the girls so far! And reading just one of these 3 books would go a long way in re-orientating any girl who reads and also open her eyes and spirit to the wonderful wonder she is!

    What has been some of the lessons learnt working with young girls?

    An average girl/lady isn’t aware of what she carries spiritually and would have enjoyed life better if only she knew! Many of them are lost and almost becoming mindless through no fault of theirs. There’s too much pressure on them starting from their impressionable years ranging from child sexual abuse to heartbreaks to lack of self-worth, economic hardship etc. and basically no proper guidance! They are very confused too and if they are not appropriately groomed on time, what was meant to be an institution could end up mere rubbles!

    What are the challenges?

    Most of them are not in an enabling environment. After ministering to them or if they come across any of my articles and even have a conviction to follow the godly principles on the spot, if they don’t have parents intentionally raising them to prioritize their lives and be godly, they derail. The societal influence is overwhelming and too much for them to handle! You can also be sure their role model who they see the media glamourizing is likely to be one who brazenly engages in immorality and vices! Also, too many girls who live under poverty level don’t have access to the newspaper or smart phones and they really need these messages. Hence a reason I decided to publish these 3 books to be distributed to as many girls as possible for free!

    How would you compare the experience when you started and now?

    Awesome! I started on the pages of newspaper and was advised by readers to go on social media where the girls/youth are more likely to see my articles and it’s been so thrilling! I have too many daughters I may not even meet in my lifetime and the feedback and testimonies I get from them from time to time after reading and following the godly principles is wonderful and most encouraging! On Facebook as of today, I have over 53,000 followers asides 5,000 friends and this is sure to increase by God’s grace! Also, I organize at least 6 events in a year asides my ministrations in churches and institutions. It’s a whole lot of work- sometimes I actually work round the clock and can’t get enough sleep but I’m happy doing it!

    How would describe the trends of bullying, violence and drug abuse that is prevalent amongst youths today?

    I would say it’s a consequence of the moral decay in our society today arising from peer pressure, social media and poor involvement of family! I also strongly believe it could be because some of our leaders act with impunity so the average youth believes he can get away with almost anything!

    What were the challenges you encountered during the lockdown last year and with the COVID-19 pandemic?

    Too many ladies especially single mothers crying out for help to feed. This is one of the things I know girls can avoid as much as possible (becoming a single mother) although certain things are fated to happen to us in life! It was very disheartening hearing some of them say their kids hadn’t eaten for a day- even family men reached out for help and I did what I could! On the other hand, even though church wasn’t holding so there were no invitations to minister- my ministry went on online especially on Facebook.

    What are some of the other things that occupy your time?

    90% of my time and brain is centered on my ministry/teachings and there’s still so much to do and of course I have to deal with endless sessions of counseling with the girls! I rarely have time to do anything else!

    Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?

    The Holy Spirit, my late dad- Chief Taiwo Okeowo who raised me in godliness and excellence and always told me I was a special child and not a run-off-the-mill and the G.O. of Mountain of Fire & Miracles ministries- Dr. D.K. Olukoya whose ministrations rubbed off on me tremendously and made me discover my core mission on earth!

    What advice do you have for young people for the New Year?

    They shouldn’t give up! They should discover their innate gifts and potentials if they haven’t and then sit tight with God and get Him 100% on their side so He can make a way for those gifts to bring them the type of life and fulfilment they desire! We are told in the scriptures that a man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men!

    If they leave their gifts and skills to time and chance without ensuring they have the power of God to fight for them, they may end up very frustrated as the world has become highly-competitive and a survival of the fittest! Their gifts might just be what would put food on their table and see them through life since employment isn’t sure!

    How would you assess Nigerian youths today?

    I empathize with the average Nigerian youth especially the less-privileged! These appear to be the hardest time for anyone to be a struggling youth. Too many factors frustrate their well being, stifles their progress and beautiful dreams! They tend to find solace in unproductive things which makes one think they’re mindless while they may not even be. Also you find a whole lot of them doing drugs and engaging in other vices. Unemployment and insecurity have driven a lot into the state of despair.  However, when given the right opportunities, wherewithal and resources, they could outshine their counterparts in other countries. We are naturally gifted and after so much pressure and with our creativity and sanity intact, there arises an uncommon giant in us and we can become anything and everything we want to be. I pray it shall be well with the Nigerian youth!

    Tell us about the people you admire?

    I fiercely admire pastors who emphasize more on holiness and the narrow way in their teachings than prosperity teachings after all, we are told to seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all other things would follow!

  • How my friend and I celebrated Christmas in kidnappers’ den — Victim

    How my friend and I celebrated Christmas in kidnappers’ den — Victim

    Austin Abide Odion left his residence in Benin, Edo State capital as early as December 23, 2021 for his hometown, Unemeh-Uzanu in Etsako East Local Government Area, in order to beat the traffic snarl associated with the Yuletide period. To quicken his journey, he chose to join his bosom friend, Lawrence Egumamhe, who was also travelling home for Christmas with his family in his Mercedes Benz car. Neither Odion nor his friend had an inkling that they would be celebrating Christmas in the den of kidnappers.

    Odion, a telecoms engineer in his 40s and cousin to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, and his friend Egumamhe were abducted by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen and kept in captivity for four days before he was released upon payment of ransom by his family members.

    Narrating his ordeal, Odion said for four days, his captors denied him and other victims food and water in their den tucked inside a forest. He said the kidnappers later abducted a soldier, following which the gang was busted.

    Odion, whose family is based in Benin but works in Anambra State, disclosed that the criminals, who collected his bag containing a huge sum of money amid sporadic gunshots, later obtained a ransom in millions of naira from his relatives before he and Egumamhe regained their freedom around Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. Having been brutalised and dehumanised in the forest, they also had to trek a long distance towards Okene in Kogi State.

    He said: “On December 23, 2021, I left Benin City with the intention of celebrating Christmas in my hometown, Unemeh-Uzanu, in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State in Edo North Senatorial District, where the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, also hails from. I am a cousin to Prince Clem Agba.

    “I decided to travel on December 23, 2021, in order to beat the usually heavy traffic on Christmas Eve and to be able to attend to some important matters in my hometown.

    “I joined from Benin City at 2 pm the Mercedes Benz 320 car of my bosom friend, Lawrence Egumamhe, an indigene of Agenebode, the headquarters of Etsako East LGA. I sat in the passenger’s seat while Egumamhe’s three boys, aged 12, 10, and 8, sat at the back of the car.

    “As we were ascending the hill between Fugar and Agenebode, just by vigilance members’ checkpoint, around 7 p.m., we saw some men who pointed the torch at us, and we thought that they were vigilance members since the spot was their (vigilance members’) usual checkpoint. But they suddenly started to shoot directly at us and our car, using AK-47 assault rifles. The sporadic gunshots were deafening, with the nine unmasked herdsmen firing bullets at us from left, right, front and back.

    “When it became obvious that the gunmen were kidnappers, Egumamhe attempted to make a U-turn in order to quickly return to Fugar, but I pleaded with him not to try the suicide mission in order not to endanger the lives of his three children, who could be killed by the kidnappers in anger.

    “When the sporadic gunshots subsided and the kidnappers were coming towards our car, Egumamhe and I quickly hid our mobile phones in the car, with the three kids watching us. But I could not hide the bag containing a huge sum of money that I travelled with in order to avoid the stress of withdrawing money in my hometown, especially through Point of Sale (POS) machine.

    “The kidnappers first removed the bag containing my money and marched Egumamhe and I into the forest, leaving my friend’s three children in his car.

    “The eldest of the children later smartly and courageously picked his father’s mobile phone and called his mother in Benin City to inform her of the kidnap and their location. My friend’s wife contacted some of their relatives in Agenebode, who quickly rushed to the scene with some vigilance members. They rescued the children and moved them and the car to the Divisional Police Headquarters at Agenebode, where the children explained to the police what happened and they were moved to the house of their paternal grandmother at Agenebode and later returned to Benin City.”

    At the gang’s den inside the forest, Odion and other victims were subjected to torture by the unfeeling kidnappers, who made them trek for hours.

    “Egumamhe and I were with the kidnappers in the forest for four days without food or water, while we continued to trek a long distance as we moved towards Okene in Kogi State. We begged the kidnappers to allow us to drink even dirty water in the forest but they refused, as they were only interested in collecting ransom from our people. We celebrated Christmas and Boxing Day with the criminals in the forest.

    “When the nine herdsmen wanted to make calls to negotiate a ransom, my friend and I would be forced to join them to climb high mountains for network. “The kidnappers initially demanded N15 million from my people, but it was negotiated. My people in Benin City and Agenebode eventually paid a ransom to the kidnappers in millions of naira, but I will not disclose the exact amount for security reasons.

    “While Egumamhe and I were with the kidnappers in the forest at night, they caught a hunter and collected his gun. The kidnappers asked my friend and I if we understood Hausa or Fulfude but we said no. So, they continued to freely speak in Fulfude while we were dehumanised, thoroughly beaten, humiliated, tortured, embarrassed, harassed, and threatened to be killed if the ransom was not quickly paid.

    “Egumamhe and I were released at 6 pm on December 26, 2021, around Okpella in Etsako East LGA of Edo State. We must always be security conscious and avoid travelling at night. Edo State is not safe, contrary to the claim by Governor Godwin Obaseki and his allies.

    “But we still have good and God-fearing persons as police officers and men. We should always assist the security agencies with useful and timely information as well as logistics, in order for their personnel to perform optimally and ensure adequate protection of lives and property. You are aware that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Fugar in Etsako Central LGA of Edo State, Ibrahim Aliyu lshaq, was abducted on November 27, 2021, with the kidnappers demanding N50 million ransom before he could regain his freedom. He was seized around Ise River, along the old Auchi-Ekperi-Agenebode Road.

    “The DPO was driving his private car when the marauding kidnappers suddenly blocked his vehicle and started shooting sporadically into the air, picked the victim and hurriedly moved him into the forest.

    “Although Edo Commissioner of Police, Phillip Ogbadu, directed men of the state command’s Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit, Tactical and Strike teams to move into Fugar and its environs in Edo North Senatorial District to rescue the DPO unhurt and unconditionally, ransom in millions of naira was unofficially paid before the senior police officer regained his freedom.

    “The kidnappers are freely operating in Edo North Senatorial District in spite of the presence of army barracks at Agenebode, while the representative of Edo North Senatorial District, Senator Francis Asekhame Alimikhena, a retired Major who also hails from Igiode in Etsako East LGA ought to have used his influence to strengthen/beef up security in Edo North Senatorial District since he regularly passes through the same road.

    “I was later informed that the same nine herdsmen, who kidnapped Egumamhe and I also attempted to kidnap a soldier near Auchi, the headquarters of Etsako West LGA of Edo State, shortly after we were released, but the criminals met their waterloo, as the source disclosed that soldiers arrested one of them while the others were fatally wounded. I saw the video showing the faces of the herdsmen who kidnapped my friend and me.”

    A Benin-based legal luminary, Douglas Ogbankwa, who facilitated the interview with Odion, said the governors of the 36 states of Nigeria should judiciously be applying their security votes to ensure the security of lives and property, rather than giving peanuts to the security agencies without providing them with patrol vehicles, arms, ammunition, the needed equipment and other essential items.

    Ogbankwa, a prominent member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, also suggested that the vigilance system in Nigeria, particularly in Edo State, should be strengthened, while vigilance members should be adequately remunerated in order to have a sense of belonging and to be more dedicated to their duties.

    Contacted for comment, the spokesman of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin, Captain Olayemi Samson Sokoya, only said: “Good afternoon sir. He (Odion) called me. I will call you soon sir.” He, however, had not done so at press time.

    Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bello Kontongs, a Superintendent of Police (SP), was also contacted but he had not responded at press time.

  • Widows of slain farmers relive ordeal after bloody Yuletide attacks on Nasarawa communities

    Widows of slain farmers relive ordeal after bloody Yuletide attacks on Nasarawa communities

    The three days between December 17 and 19, 2021 will remain indelible in the minds of the inhabitants of many Tiv communities in Nasarawa State. Suspected killer herdsmen invaded Chabo, Daar, Tse-Udugh, Ayaakeke, Kyor Chiha, Hagher, Joor, Tyungu, Ugba, Angwan, Ayaba and several other villages in Obi, Awe and Lafia local government areas, dispatching scores of farmers to their early graves.

    The herdsmen, who had allegedly declared an ‘operation one man one bullet’ on Tiv farmers in the area, also forced many survivors in the affected communities to take refuge elsewhere after their homes were left in ruins.

    Lifeless bodies scattered around the affected communities as our correspondent accompanied the President of Tiv Development Association (TIDA) in Nasarawa State, Comrade Peter Ahemba with some security agencies to assess the level of damage done in the communities and trace some missing corpses penultimate Sunday.

    Although the police confirmed 13 bodies from some villages in Awe, Obi and Lafia local government areas, about 18 more bodies in various stages of decomposition were later found. Residents of the affected villages had deserted their homes and their houses had become desolate as only domestic animals were seeing moving round the deserted homes.

    It was gathered that the December attacks was a reprisal meant to avenge the killing of a herdsman, Idris Umaru, whose body was found along Assakyo/Obi Road, with the attackers concluding that the Tiv villagers were responsible for it.

    Our correspondent further gathered that the attackers who had a field day from 17th to 19th December had declared operation one man, one bullet on any Tiv villager found, culminating in the dispatching of more than 30 Tiv villagers to their early graves.

    Besides those that were killed, many of the villagers escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatments in various hospitals across the state.

    Recounting their ordeal at the hands of the people they described as Fulani militia, more than 1,000 displaced Tiv farmers who are currently taking refuge at the Central Primary School, Imon, Obi Local Government Area, describe the situation as “terrible” and “shocking”.

    Speaking to our correspondent, the two widows of Nyantya Soja, one of the prominent farmers who were killed in the attacks, said their lives would never be the same again since their husband was the only breadwinner for the family.

    Laurencia and Christiana recalled how their husband was killed by about seven well armed herdsmen who stormed their residence in Imon community, Obi LGA on December 18 and killed the late Soja in cold blood.

    Laurencia said: “Since our husband married both of us, we have been living peacefully. He was not a troublemaker. He was always happy with the people in our villages. We don’t know why the herdsmen came and killed him.

    “I have nine children for our late husband while my co-wife has four. He was into buying and selling of fish in addition to farming which is our only source of livelihood. Now that our husband is dead, I don’t know how we would be able to survive. The two of us have 13 children for him, and since his death, life has not been easy for us. We ran with the children away from the area to avoid being killed too.”

    TIDA President, Mr Peter Ahemba, corroborating the conditions of the two widows, said: “It has been difficult for the family to feed since the death of their father as they ran away from their clan in the community to the IDP camp for fear of being killed by the herders.

    Ahemba told our correspondent: “I never knew a day like this will come again in our communities when over 30 innocent villagers in Nasarawa south will be sent to their early grave for just no reason

    “As you can see, our people were massacred by herdsmen. We have corpses littering the fields like a war fought in the Roman Empire by Emperor Nero. When the attackers came, some people who tried to run across the river banks in Awe LGA were killed and their corpses were thrown into the river. Together with the police, we picked their decomposing corpses by the river banks

    “In most villages that we cannot access now, there are dead bodies decomposing and survivors deserted such areas for fear of been killed too.

    “It is a worrisome situation. All the people you see in this Imon IDP camp ran away from their houses because they don’t want to die.”

    TIDA president, who expressed disappointment over the actions of the Fulani herdsmen, called on government to provide relief materials to the IDPs and ensure the early return of the displaced persons back to their homes.

    The TIDA president said more than 20 Tiv People were injured and were receiving treatment in various hospitals while about 36 people were still missing.

    Ahemba wondered why the herdsmen felt that Tiv People were behind the death of their man and opened fire on over 25 Tiv settlements.

    He described the killings as unfortunate, barbaric and uncalled for.

    Speaking during a security council meeting of all the stakeholders in the affected communities in Obi LG where herdsmen were also represented, Governor Abdullahi Sule warned the herdsmen in the state to either embrace peace or leave Nasarawa communities.

    Sule told the herdsmen that his administration would not fold its arms and watch them destroy the peace he has worked hard to bring to Nasarawa State.

    He told them that they had no single reason to attack Tiv farmers on the excuse that a dead body was found on the road and the Tiv People were responsible for it.

    Governor Sule, who ordered security agencies to take over the affected areas and promised to give relief materials to the displaced Tiv farmers, warned troublemakers to stay clear of the state.

    He promised to take prompt and decisive action in apprehending and prosecuting anyone caught breaching the peace being enjoyed in the state.

    Governor Sule said: “What is more troubling is that in spite of our untiring effort that has kept us on our toes before and through the weekend, there was needless loss of lives of our citizens.

    “Such act of violence is most unfortunate, condemnable, unacceptable and will not be condoned by this administration.”

    The governor admonished the people to live in peace with one another and to shun mischief makers looking for opportunities to cause mayhem.

    He warned that leaders and the people must exercise restraint at all times and not take the laws into their own hands.

    “Let me at this point condole with the families who lost their members and properties. As an administration, we will do everything possible to get to the bottom of this and forestall any future security breach,” he said.

    He reiterated that Nigerians have a right to live wherever they choose without let or hindrance, adding that Nasarawa is home to all.

    Also condemning the killings, the immediate past governor of the state and senator representing Nasarawa South, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, condemned the recent killings in some parts of his constituency.

    Senator Al-Makura, described the attack and killings as another sad incident which is clearly the handiwork of criminals that are bent on destabilising the state.

    Senator Al-Makura, who appealed for calm, totally condemns the attack, saying there is no explanation that can justify it.

    He commended his predecessor, Governor Abdullahi Sule, for the prompt steps taken in reaching out to the victims and also curtailing the spread of the crisis to other parts of the state.

    He urged the citizens of the state to be at peace with one another irrespective of their beliefs, saying without peace, no meaningful development can take place.

    The police public relations officer of the Nasarawa State command, ASP Ramhan Nansel, who confirmed about 13 dead bodies gave their names as Sani Dauda, Danjuma Liambee, Uloho Jerry, Shedrack Kente, Boniface John, Tersoo Clement, Gwanje Soja and Ayuba Ali.

    He urged the people to suspend further hostilities and live in peace. He assured that a comprehensive investigation was ongoing and the perpetrators of the act would not go unpunished.

    Furthermore, a joint team of the Nigeria Police Force and the Military has been mobilised to the affected areas with a view to restoring peace and possibly arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

  • OBA ADEKUNLE MAKAMA: How big navel aborted my dream of joining the army

    OBA ADEKUNLE MAKAMA: How big navel aborted my dream of joining the army

    Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama, the traditional ruler of Owu  Okuta, Osun State, is reputed for having one of the most magnificent palaces in the state. Before he became a monarch, he had functioned as the chief driver of the presidential ambition of former head of state, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd). A former chairman of the United Nigeria People’s Party (UNPP) in Osun State, Oba Makama is also a close pal of a former Chief of Army Staff and current Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai. In this interview with GBENGA ADERANTI, the royal father speaks about his relationship with Babangida, polygamy, the traditional institution in Nigeria and how Buratai broke a jinx the community had contended with for more than 100 years.

     

    Before this interview, we were discussing politics and I was impressed with your knowledge of Nigerian politics. Would you have preferred to be a politician?

    Before my ascension to the throne, I played a little bit of politics. We are all political animals. But if I had an option, I would still choose to be a traditional ruler rather than a politician.

    Why?

    One, the raditional setting is an aristocratic one. In a monarchical setting, there is no by-election or inconclusive election. If the oracle choses you, the government appends its signature. We also don’t have a specified tenure. Once you are selected as a monarch, you have a direct blood connection with your subjects, unlike a political office holder.

    You don’t see a politician campaigning after winning an election. Politicians would touch every nook and cranny searching for votes, but after the election they don’t go there again. That is the difference between traditional institutions and politicians.

    If you are made a traditional ruler, you will be domiciled in your place. A traditional ruler has to sleep, mingle and live with his people every day.

    How much of politics did you play?

    At that time, I was the national chairman of the IBB Vision 2003. I was also the national chairman of the IBB Vision 2007. Later, I became the chairman of United Nigeria People’s Party (UNPP) in Osun State. Most of my followers then are now holding one political office or the other. It was a little bit deep then.

    What was your relationship with IBB and how did you become fascinated with the former military president?

    Without an apology to anyone, he is the only living Nigerian that has impacted positively in both human development and political reengineering. This is because all the present crop of leaders emerged when he introduced the idea of new breed politicians. When he banned the old politicians, the new ones were able to rise up. The likes of Shehu Yar’Adua and Tinubu who we are all celebrating today are the products of the new breed politicians. He has developed more human beings than any other leader. That really attracted him to me.

    The picture of a former Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Yusuf Bichi, is also displayed on the wall of your palace…

    Yes, he is my friend.

    So also is that of a former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai. What exactly do you do for men in uniform and other security chiefs?

    Number one, I don’t do anything for them. I grew up in the North. Two, I am a traditional ruler who is abreast of the situation around me and my country.

    If you have been following my trend, I will be 10 years on the throne in a couple of months and I have not minced words. I refused to be controversial. I refused to be an Emir in Yorubaland. I refused to disgrace the culture and tradition I was called upon to guide. I have friends in the security sector that cut across, right from the time of General Babangida.

    No traditional ruler in the length and breadth of the country has been an advocate of the Nigerian armed forces and security as I do. Buratai is a lifetime personal friend. Our relationship has been of more benefit to this kingdom.

    What the kingdom has been looking for over 100 years, Buratai did it. No politician was able to do it and none of them could even attempt to do it. I am a stakeholder among the progressives; a strong one for that matter. We have a link road from the palace here to Ede, which is only about 25 minutes drive, but there is the Osun River as a barrier. Even before the colonial era, my forefathers had been looking for getting the bridge done, if not the road.

    During the military era, Obasanjo, a prominent Owu chief, flew down here as head of state. He promised to do it but he was unable to. As a civilian president, he was also here. The project was in the federal budget but there was no cash backing. Aregbesola, my good friend, put it in the budget for eight years, but no cash backing till date. I told Buratai about it in the evening on a Thursday and there was an approval before I left Abuja the following day for the bridge to be constructed by army engineers, and they did it.

    If it was a politician that did it for us, our people would have continued to worship that politician till eternity. I know neither APC nor PDP but we know him in this community and kingdom forever.

    They did the bridge for us free of charge after more than 100 years of clamouring for it. We have records to back it up. But from the day the army resumed there, they did not depart until the day it was commissioned by Buratai and Governor Oyetola on September 14 last year.

    We are now asking for the road to be done, but I believe that bridge elements are the most expensive in road construction. Now that God has used Buratai as a jinx breaker for this community, we will continue to celebrate him till death. God created him because of Owu Kuta and we will remain eternally grateful to him. We don’t have any army barracks here for someone to say that the military are doing their corporate social responsibility. You can see that my relationship with them has been beneficial to the unborn generations of this kingdom. I will see him in such light.

    What about Bichi?

    Bichi is someone I see that has turned around the fortune of the State Security Services for better. The State Security Services are better during this period. He is a good friend. If someone is doing well, what we as traditional rulers can do is to showcase them, encourage them and pray for them.

    And for you to see the portrait in my palace, good that you asked me, that person is important and he has a significant role that he is playing for the country. I don’t need to do something for the person, but he is doing something for the country.

    I’m sure that many of your friends joined the army and other security agencies before you became a traditional ruler. Would you have joined the military too?

    I attempted to. My father was a soldier. He died as a prince; he was never a king. I attempted to join, but I was disqualified because I had a big navel.

    In some parts of Nigeria, the clashes between farmers and herdsmen have been a cause for concern. But it looks peaceful here while you have many herders. How have you been able to manage this?

    A lot of the crises you hear about in Yoruba land are blown out of proportion or made up. We don’t have any Fulani crisis in this part of the world. This is because one,  we have the traditional Fulani who have been living with us over the years. If the Bororo who want to rustle their cows come around and they notify us, we alert the security operatives immediately. If a cow strays into anybody’s farm, we call a meeting immediately and ask the owner to pay the farmer the compensation due to him.

     

    The problem we have in the Southwest is ritual killings, and we have been quiet about it. It is like we see a stick in our own eyes and we do not remove it. Advance fee fraud, Southwest is the headquarters. Ritual killing, it is most prevailing. A month hardly passes without one hearing a case of ritual killing. Are they being done by herdsmen? No, it is our people out of their quest to get rich quick.

    As peaceful as we are, if half of what is happening in the north happens in one state in Yorubaland, half of the people will be in Abidjan or England. We love peace. Half of what the North is enduring, we cannot withstand it. It is better for us to be one Nigeria than profile crime on ethnic basis.

    You were into construction before now. At what point did the idea of becoming a traditional ruler come to your mind and what were the challenges you faced on the road to becoming an Oba?

    I can’t decide to be a traditional ruler. Nature called on me as a prince. Last week made it 10 years my immediate predecessor passed on. It was the day he passed on that the struggle began. My ruling house was next and about 14 of us contested the throne. The rest is history.

    God has been so wonderful to me. The only challenge I face is that my people are not moving at the pace I want. Look at the ambience of the palace; that is part of the pace. Maybe they were not expecting it at this time. Maybe they are looking at the pace here as the one they should attain in 20 or 30 years to come.  Things are moving on a faster scale for them. Kuta has been put on the world map.  We have made a lot of social investments. No day passes that you will not read one good thing or the other about Kuta.

    Visitors come from all walks of life into this palace. This palace is one of the best in my state. It is a tourist attraction. My people are not moving at the pace I want because I do many things on my own with my contacts. But they are trying to catch up now. Choppers land here within the palace. God has been wonderful to us.

    With the kind of friends you have everywhere, how have you been able to cope in your rather remote domain?

    Well, my kind of person can easily cope and adapt with any situation I find myself in. I made my environment attractive and suitable. Every comfort I’m used to, I made it possible here. And by staying around, I contribute to the economic growth of this community. If I’m in the country, there is no day I don’t receive visitors from all walks of life. People come from as far as Maiduguri and Abuja. If you are a monarch and you have your friends around you and your environment is conducive, you miss nothing.

    On Christmas Day, Ambassador Buratai dispatched all his kids here to come and celebrate Christmas with me. Here is my second London; I enjoy it. Traditionally, I’m a complete king in and out. I eat it and I swallow it. I spent complete three months and nine days in seclusion; that is 99 days. Both the spiritual and tutorial aspect of it, I completed everything. I never asked anybody to fast track anything or to reduce any day. Some of our colleagues are still having it rough because they circumvented tradition.

    Talking about tradition, some of your colleagues are doing away with some aspects of it as well as religion and culture, saying that some parts of their culture are barbaric…

    No reasonable and sensible traditional ruler will do away with tradition. In Yoruba land, it is so clear. No monarch is enthroned in the church or mosque. In every part of Yoruba land, every traditional ruler is enthroned based on the culture and tradition. And if you look at the instrument of office, the letter of appointment, right from Baba Alaafin to Baba Ooni and the rest of us, what is written there is that ‘you are hereby appointed to maintain culture and tradition.’

    If you find any traditional ruler in Yorubaland who tells you that he is doing away with culture and tradition, he is a misfit, without apologies. You can’t deceive God. You know you are not being crowned in church or mosque, so why deceiving yourself? Your letter says ‘to maintain culture and tradition’. Any other thing a traditional ruler is doing in the Southwest is an addendum. Why would I deceive my ancestors when I said I would be Olowu of Kuta? I have covenant with the land and the people living therein. Then I get there and go to church or mosque for thanksgiving. I was not turbaned in the mosque or appointed in the church. Any traditional ruler who is doing that is a rabble rouser. He is misleading his subjects and he is misleading his generation, and the consequences will be asking him. You may not know, but he is facing a challenge beyond him.

    You were making efforts to make Alugbuwa a UNESCO world heritage site. How far have you gone with this?

    Alugbuwa is where our progenitors entered the ground. We got a consultant and they are working on it.

    I understand that it is a taboo to sell pounded yam or hawk groundnuts in this community. Does that still suffice?

    Yes. Some people tried to go against this taboo in the past, the consequences were grave as they died mysteriously. If they say something is a taboo, preserve and respect it. God in his wisdom did not create us in Mecca or Jerusalem. We are Africans. Even in the Church of England, there is a dark room for would be queen; the officiating ministers are not allowed access. The sword they kneel down before when they appoint a knight, what is that sword for? Also, it is not everybody that is allowed to enter Kaaba.

    For Yoruba monarchs, polygamy is part of the culture. But these days, you see many of them having just one wife…

    Check my records. I’m an advocate of polygamy. Any serious traditional ruler must be a polygamist. If Oduduwa were to be a monogamist, all of us would not be existing. Every traditional ruler in Yoruba land must be a polygamist. That was the way our forefathers did it. Secondly, it is part of the expansion of the throne. Thirdly, palace activities are too overwhelming for a single woman. I can see that many traditional rulers are being enraptured by foreign religion.

    The proponents of foreign religion that preached one man one wife, today, they are gay. So why do we now mince words?

    I chose to be a polygamist. It is easy for me. One, I have what it takes. Two, before becoming a monarch, I had what it takes, and when God wanted to make it easy for me, He made me a monarch. I can have as many wives as I want. If you say you want to be a polygamist, the society will suffer for it.

    As a traditional ruler, I believe in polygamy, I always preach it and I support it. Please do that and save the planet. We are having more of female children and I don’t know what is happening.

    Would you allow your children to join the army?

    Yes. Definitely, one of them would be in the military. They know and they love it. There is no question about that, and I’m praying to God to protect them to reach that level.

    Where do you see your kingdom in the next 10 years and what are your plans for the community?

    I’m a traditional ruler. All that I have been doing is just adding extra value. Traditional rulers have no budget other than the stipends General Abacha carved out for us. He was the only one. No democratically elected government added a pinch; it was only Abacha. That is why up till today, no palace in all the 774 local governments does not pray for Abacha. He was the one that said give them five per cent of gross allocation. Of course, it is grossly inadequate because it is not for the kings alone; it includes the chiefs.

    I see my community in the next 10 years becoming more peaceful and economically advanced in growth. Besides, I have played my part too by putting my people in different positions in the military or the police. We have done a lot as tiny as this community is. I have leveraged on my relationships.  In 10 years’ time they would have attained enviable positions too and the community would be benefitting for it. I see this community competing favourably with the urban communities. I’m developing my people in different strata of life.

    I still believe and I have been canvassing that the place of chiefs and traditional rulers in nation building cannot be overemphasised. If traditional rulers are given constitutional role, the political situation would not have overwhelmed us as it has done now.

    I understand that you don’t confer traditional titles on people who do not have buildings in this town. How true is this?

    It is a natural thing to do. I made it a law and decreed it that if you are from my community and a son of the soil, you can’t take a chieftaincy title without building a house in this community or renovating or raising your father’s ancestral place. I still maintain it. You have to merit it; you have to justify it before I give you traditional title.

    But I can give honorary titles to non- indigenes who have been contributing directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly towards the development of this community. .

  • A day in America’s Sin City

    A day in America’s Sin City

    After a visit to Las Vegas, the fun-filled American domain its citizens call the Sin City, TAIWO ABIODUN writes about his experience.

    VISITORS, tourists, fun-seekers and natives milled around. Lover birds of different ages held their hands, with some cuddling themselves in open places. Ladies openly asked for fun while many others kissed away desperately as if kissing was about  to run out of fashion. A half nude man waved a placard with some rude words while others engaged in public smoking of Marijuana.

    Welcome to Las Vegas Boulevard, the city reputed widely for its Casino and entertainment; the city of vice and indulgence where one is free to commit sin but not crime!

    All manner of music was blaring from high -powered speakers mounted at the entrances of high rising buildings, causing a cacophony of sounds that kept everywhere bubbling. Armed with fliers were Marketers from    various companies advertising their products and services and calling passers-by to patronise them and enjoy their mouth-watering incentives of attractive gifts and rewards.

    Little wonder Las Vegas enjoys such nicknames as the Entertainment Capital of the World, the Gambling Capital of the World, the Marriage Capital of the World, the Neon Capital of the World, the City of Lights, the City that Never Sleeps, the City of Second Chances, Lost Wages

    Here, gambling is as much  a profession as it is fun. Virtually all the buildings on Strip Street, a major part of Las Vegas, are Casino houses, with Caesar Palace, Santa Fe   Station, Venetian/Palazzo, Dellagio and Trump Building numbered among the popular ones.

    Gamblers irrespective of sex or nature were seen walking into Casinos including those with oxygen pipes fastened to their noses while they gambled! Indeed, some gamblers were on wheelchairs!

    Some of the Casino machines are old while others are of the latest versions, computerised and illuminated with different kinds of lights as they dish out songs and beautiful coloured pictures from the machines.

    While at ‘work’, the gamblers look as serious as examination candidates as they glue to their seats. Assorted drinks are free!

    Here, it is different strokes for different folks. While some gamblers are smiling and limping for joy as they hit the jackpot, others wear long faces to reflect their ill luck.

    I counted himself among the lucky ones after playing the Keno machine with five cents and winning a few dollars in the game that thrives on high risk.

    I drank a choice of alcohol free of charge and danced to the exotic music that blared from the speakers. I watched the show girls wiggling their waists and exposing their erotic areas.

    Many of the ladies were half nude. In fact these ladies were competing with one another in open places. I saw them smoking medical marijuana in the public and I watched the smoke dancing into the sky.

    On the road were exotic cars, sport cars and racing motorcycles as well as double-decker buses driven past with the operational traffic lights controlling the drivers.

    While everything human or vehicular was moving, one thing that stood still were the skyscraper buildings that compete with one another in designs and heights as they battled for space on Strip Street in Las Vegas Boulevard, a major road in the Las Vegas Valley of Nevada, best known for the Las Vegas Strip portion of the road and its Casinos.

    Some of the visitors made their way through the corridors, behind pillars or up the winding staircases and escalators. While some walked hurriedly, others were did majestically enjoying the cool atmospheric condition.

    All manner of activities were going on, including smoking marijuana freely. In Las Vegas, it is called recreational Marijuana and it is very legal.

    At another end, some stripers were busy entertaining visitors with erotic dance. They  know Son of Man’s weaknesses so they expose the ”areas” and  ”angles” that would  make Son of Man to become restless, panting at the sight of their  erotic angles and sin like the Biblical Adam and Eve.

    Of course the atmosphere was rowdy, it was one with a lot of fun. Elsewhere, a minstrel was singing and playing a piano expecting money from passers by.

    Close to her, a homeless man clutched his dirty clothes, waving his long withered hand as he begged for alms. Another one looked askance with two hands stretched. Poor me, I never thought there were beggars or homeless people in America!.

     

    We danced and danced and danced…

    Some half nude ladies were calling passers-by for shots.

    On sighting the show girls with feathery hats, I remembered the four wise monkeys and also a carving of the three wise monkeys proudly placed above the door of the shrine since the 17th Century.

    Made by a sculptor, Hidari Jingoro, the carving is a pictorial maxim of the phrase, “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”. No wonder the saying ”Do not see evil, do not hear evil, do not touch evil and do not do evil”. No wonder one would see young and old couples holding themselves in order to avoid disobeying or falling foul of these four rules in Las Vegas!

    I asked my wife, Ronnie, whether I should obey the three rules of the monkey. She said “Yes, but also obey the fourth one: do no evil. I asked whether I could take pictures with them, she responded, “Of course, if you want.” Then she brought out my iPad and took some shots.

     

     

    The four wise monkeys

    When I sighted some of these damsels of different shapes, races and colours I screamed, “Ha, mo gbe! No wonder King Solomon had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines”.

    Solomon must have encountered the beauty, dressing and brains of these ladies. I now realised why Solomon should not be blamed. I also saw the why the powerful Samson fell on a woman’s lap. I saw the reason why great men who could not control themselves fall flat and have their lives cut short or made miserable.

    Las Vegas is not a place built for the lily- livered. Even if you were a pastor, you will beg not to be tempted, because if their beauty would not attract you, their dressing would. And if their dressing would not do, they will deploy their magic wand – a beckon with a smile that activates their glittering teeth and sexy eyes.

    Call them ‘Mother, sorry, Father Christmas as they are all dressed in Santa Claus suits, except that their own Santa Claus would not give out gifts. Rather, they demand for only one gift: money.

     

    Taiwo Abiodun dancing with the ladies

    ”Come and take a picture with us,” one of them told the reporter. One could see their artificial wings attached to their clothes complemented with sexy chain bra jewellery; some were made of silver, some of gold and some of body chains.

    Some wore their Father’s Christmas caps but without his customary beard. Their shoes were expensive and enticing. Their faces were bright, their teeth were glittering. They giggled and wriggled their waists. We took pictures and danced and danced.

    When they demanded money, Ronnie gave them 20 dollars. “They don’t do all this for free; you have to pay them. That is their business,” she said.

    Looking through the window at night from the 25th floor of the hotel I lodged in, I could see beautiful buildings with lightnings of different shapes and everywhere was as bright as a star. Different thoughts flooded my mind as I tried to convince myself that I was actually in Las Vegas the place widely regarded as the Entertainment Capital of the World, the Gambling Capital of the World, the Marriage Capital of the World and the City that Never Sleeps, among others.

    Here, it is fun every minute. No wonder they call it the Sin City where gambling, ladies of the night and liquor are all easily accessible.

  • 2022: A phenomenal year of shinning for the sexually-pure!

    2022: A phenomenal year of shinning for the sexually-pure!

    DEAR Evangelist & Mummy Temilolu, I just thought to tell you to keep up your good works and let you know in no distant time I will surprise you with good things. Your articles saved me from sex addiction and since I decided to wait till my wedding night, there’s been no going back. For now I’m still struggling for a living but I know I shall end up very well and return with my thanksgiving. Thanks so much ma.

    Mr. Sunday Agbo

     

    Dear Aunty Temilolu,

    I’m in tears after reading your article. Sometimes, I wonder if you’re talking to me directly! I wanted to send you a message last week because I was so depressed and needed someone to talk to! But I was shy. I have met a lot of people whom people confided in and they end up betraying them. I started following you the day you made a comment in a popular Facebook page! I saw your comment and decided to go through your timeline, ever since then, I have been following you!

    I bless God the day you made that comment and I never regret ever following you since then. Heaven knows that you’ve touched my life in a way I can’t even describe and I keep praying for God to continue blessing you with more wisdom! Indeed, you’re a God-sent to us girls. I believe a lot of people are observing- just like me. The problem I’m having now is that I hardly see your posts and sometimes it appears weeks after being posted. God bless you once more!

     

    Dear Mummy Temilolu,

    Thank you for all you do ma. Your words of encouragement keeps me going every day of my life. You once told me to forget all I’ve passed through and start a new life. Truly, I left all that has happened behind and I began anew and things really worked out with the help of God. Thank you ma. I’ll never for you! May God continue to bless you ma.

    Lydia A.

     

    Dear Mummy Temilolu,

    I thought to write and thank you for the impact you’ve made me in my life over the years especially in recent times and which also goes to show your ministry is fully-backed by God. A few weeks ago, I had no single penny while in school and had very urgent needs- it was one of the worst periods of my life. I remember sleeping off very weak on an empty stomach that night because I couldn’t get to buy food. Lo and behold, I saw you in my dreams, you pulled me up from where I laid and hugged me. You then said- “Don’t let the horrible phase you are passing through make you sleep with a man because of money. Endure, hold God by His word. Focus on your vision. Their master’s master will ask for your hand in marriage.” I woke up strong and happy and to my greatest, God sent me an unexpected help the following day! Since that experience I made up my mind to take a step further and start preaching chastity to my mates on campus. May you not lose your reward in Jesus name!

     

    Samson Lauretta

    My darling, precious, glorious, dignified, world-famous and heavenly celebrated Nigerian daughters,

    Happy new, amazing, life-transforming year to you all! May God in His infinite mercy breathe upon your life, give you a brand new start and make a way for you where there’s no way in the wilderness of life! For those of you who refused to engage in sex for favour and even when your clothes were almost turning to rags and you had no food to eat- in 2022, may God cloth you with unending, overwhelming, global honour in Jesus name!

    Did you wake up again this morning in exasperation and hopelessness wondering when help will come from a man who wouldn’t ask for sex?

    Esther the slave girl managed her situation and God made her a queen! Joseph considered God and refused to yield to Mrs. Portipha’s advances and God made him a Prime Minister in a foreign land! My goodness! CAN YOU JOIN MY FAITH WITH YOURS? God is about to give you what your mother’s can’t boast of this year! What more?

    You will wake up one day and soon too, I mean this very year and exclaim “How could I have so much money?” in Jesus mighty name! This is your year of unbelievable shinning and an uncommon manifestation of God’s glory such that even those who mocked you would wish to be like you! I know what I’m talking about! Congratulations in advance!

     

    • To be continued.

    I invite you to follow me on Facebook –TEMILOLU OKEOWO Instagram @ Okeowo Temilolu.

  • MC Oluomo: From unionist to monarch?

    MC Oluomo: From unionist to monarch?

    Lagos States Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, trended on social media and even conventional news media all through the week on account of a raging controversy over his eligibility or otherwise for the kingship of his native Oshodi community in the West Senatorial District of the state.

    It all started when a picture of Oluomo in royal regalia went viral leading to mixed reactions.

    Expectedly, the mere thought that the transport union boss could even be considered, or that he could consider himself, as a potential monarch, sent tongues wagging. But the main subject of discussions was his eligibility to the throne.

    Even the royal family issued a statement, calling on the state government to step in and stop Oluomo from even coming near the throne. However, it is obvious that Akinsanya’s supporters are not about to be caught napping.

    They were quick to establish the fact that he is an Awori from Oshodi, adding that his grand-uncle, Seidu Akinsanya, was a Baale in Oshodi some decades back.

    Read Also: MC Oluomo builds Mosque in mother’s honour

    Speaking with The Nation on the controversy at the weekend, an associate of Akinsanya’s, said: “The funny thing is that Musiliu is not the one talking about wanting to be Oba in Oshodi. It is the people that are asking him to vie for the Obaship of Oshodi.”

    But the Olushi Onigbesa royal family of Oshodi has appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to stop Oluomo from becoming the Oba of Oshodi.

    The Head of the Olushi Onigbesa royal family, Kabiru Eyantan, said the ongoing controversy can “cause communal crisis, breakdown of law and order and bloodshed in Oshodi community.”

    He added that the Olushi Onigbesa royal family of Oshodi land is the only family eligible and entitled to the stool of the Oba of Oshodi. According to him, Akinsanya is not a member of the family and has no right to the Oba of Oshodi stool.

    Debunking Eyantan’s claims, a prominent politician in Oshodi said “people will always say different things to prove their point at a time like this. We are all from Oshodi and we know the stories. All this royal family talk will soon be cleared once the people insist on what they want. We are one family in Oshodi and we know ourselves. In fact, on Sunday, we will address the press on this matter so that you all will know the truth and why some people are opposing the people’s choice.”

    Hopefully, the union leader and not some surrogate would be the one doing the talking; a clear case of hearing from the horse’s mouth.

  • Disquiet in Ondo over assassination of Owo high chief

    Disquiet in Ondo over assassination of Owo high chief

    Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command are battling to unravel the biggest murder case in Owo kingdom: the brutal killing of one of its high chiefs, Ilori Tunde, the Elerewe of Owo Kingdom. Already, some suspects have been arrested and are being questioned.

    But members of the deceased’s family are not happy with the police handling of the matter and have written to the Department of State Services (DSS) to take over investigation of the case.

    The late Elerewe of Owo Kingdom was shot at close range by some gunmen over a disputed farmland on Owo-Ute Road. He was returning from a fact finding mission on the disputed parcel of land when he was ambushed by the masked gunmen.

    He was in company of the delegation sent by the Monarch of Owo, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye III, to seek a peaceful resolution of the dispute over the farmland. Witnesses said he was shot in the eye while others ran for safety even though they were hit by pellets.

    Protest broke out in the community and attempts were made to set ablaze the house and store of a prominent member of the community believed to have had a hand in the Elerewe’s death before the timely intervention of the community’s elders who promised to ensure that justice was done in the matter.

    However, the late Elerewe’s family members believe that the killing over the farmland was a smokescreen for the real reason the Elerewe was killed. They fingered a former Chairman of Owo local government, Oluwole Folahanmi, and other persons who were subsequently arrested and questioned.

    An eyewitness, Oseni Oronbato (53), who said he was in the same vehicle with the late Chief Ilori Tunde and four other occupants when the tragic incident occurred, said: ”On that fateful Wednesday, we went to the disputed farmland on the instruction of the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III.

    “On our way back, I saw two men who were part of the opposition party on a motorbike as they overtook our vehicle.

    “We were six in our vehicle with a village head, Atelegi Alamuren of Ogain. He is the head of a community and we wanted to drop him at his farm camp.

    “About 15 minutes after we took off, we heard the sound of a burst tyre, not knowing that it was the assailants who had fired gunshots into our tyres.

    “As we stopped to take a look at the tyres, one of the masked men came closer and shot into Elerewe’s eyes at close range. The bullets went into his brain and he died instantly.

    “They continued to fire gunshots from behind and some pellets entered my head. I thank God that they did not enter my brain. But the pellets removed my scalp while one went into my back and another into my hand.

    “It was God that rescued me from the place. I could not see the faces of the assailants because they were all masked. “The one of us who was sitting with Chief Elerewe in the front quickly opened the door and escaped but the assailants went after him. But one of us who had escaped ran back, opened the car door and seeing that I had not died, dragged me out and we started running in order to escape.

    “Although I was bleeding, the two of us ran for about three miles to Amurin Agayin Farm Camp. It was from here that one of us took his (Elerewe’s) phone and called his wife to tell her what had happened and they called the Amotekun, the state’s security outfit.

    “The Amotekun arrived to rescue us and also went to pick up Elerewe’s body. They removed 11 pellets from my body and seven from my head. They also removed two bullets from my back. One of them dug a hole in my chest as X-ray revealed.

    “I was taken to Akure that night where an X-ray was done on my hands, chest and other parts of my body. The hospital said they could not remove the bullets, but I was given drugs to relieve me of the pains.

    “I spent four days at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo. From there, I was taken to Iyere-Owo where the trado-medical removed the bullets. But I am still having pains.

    “It was cartridges that they shot at me. But I suspect that Elerewe was shot with an AK 47 and they aimed at his eye. His eye gouged out as the bullet penetrated his brain.

    “I spent four days in the hospital. I also spent up to N300,000. The money was raised by my family members in addition to what I had.”

    Elerewe’s widow, Doris, who wept intermittently in a chat with our correspondent, said her husband was killed over chieftaincy and land tussles.

    She said: ”Before and since my husband was conferred with his chieftaincy title in 2018, his opponent has been attacking him. At a time, he cooked up stories that the late Chief Elerewe was an armed robber and a killer.

    “He took my husband to Abuja where he was unlawfully detained for weeks. The said suspect sold the family’s property and emptied the family’s treasury but my late husband kept his cool.

    “He threatened my late husband several times that he should relinquish the title or else he would kill him. He had collected more than 10 years rent from the land, which the First Bank had their building on.

    “When my late husband approached the bank and gave them quit notice and the suspect was informed, he quickly ran to the bank.

    “The bank’s managers should be summoned to say what they know about these illegal transactions.

    “Now, who will take care of my children? Imagine, they have hacked into my late husband’s account and deleted his account from Facebook.’’

    The late Elerewe’s elder sister, Mrs. Adeola Olayinka (nee Elerewe), said her younger brother had not known peace since he was conferred with the family’s chieftaincy title, Elerewe. According to her, the late Elerewe’s problems stemmed from the chieftaincy title that was awarded him and the disputed farmland left behind by his grandfather and high chief, Olakunori Elerewe.

    Olayinka said that the Owo branch of First Bank which rented the family land was given a quit notice by the late Elerewe as their rent was almost due. But his rival who had collected 10 years rent and also took a loan from the bank became jittery and had to do whatever he could to stop the deceased chief from exposing him the more.

    She said: ”The managers of the bank should be summoned to give evidence of the transactions. The police should investigate this thoroughly.

    “I was called that evening that my brother had been shot, and when I got to Owo, I was hearing all manner of stories.

    “I was told that the first shot was on the tyres, making the late chief to think it was his tyre that burst. As he stopped and was about to come out to look at the tyre, the assassins opened fire on him at close range.

    “The sight of the corpse was too gory. I learnt they used AK 47 on him. We have gone spiritual. We have called his spirit and he told us who killed him. But we want all those who had hands in it to be arrested and investigated.

    “They must not go scot free

    “The late chief gave the First Bank branch located on the family’s ground a quit notice and some secrets leaked out. That was part of the reasons why he was killed.

    “The suspect had several times threatened the late chief who was murdered in cold blood over all this. The culprits should be brought to book.’’

    Mrs. Kehinde Daramola (nee Olateru-Olagbegi) said her late cousin was killed for no just reason. She implored the state and federal governments to make sure that justice is served.

    She said: ”All Owo people know who killed Chief Elerewe. We want justice. They should investigate thoroughly and leave no stone unturned. If a man of such caliber could be killed and nothing happens, then nobody is free.

    “The assassins were paid to kill the man for no just cause. It is bad. The Inspector General of Police should wade into the matter and treat it urgently because those indicted are trying to use their political power to sweep it under the carpet. This is one death too many.”

    The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, who confirmed the incident, said the police were investigating the story. He expressed hope that justice would be done.

    He, however, pleaded with the people of the community not to take the law into their own hands.

    ‘The late Chief Elerewe was a very good man. He was 100 per cent loyal to me. I am sad,” he said.

    When contacted for comments, Ondo Police Commissioner, Oyeyemi Oyediran, said some suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing and that investigations were still going on.

    Among the suspects questioned were Idowu Obadaye, Atiloye Jacob, Aboba, Tunde Olamona, Kehinde Ogunmolawa (Okupe) Aderobagun Adekola and a former Owo Council Chairman, Oluwole Folahanmi

    However, Oluwole Folahanmi, who was fingered as the main suspect in the killing, has been released by the police.

    Oluwole told our reporter in a phone chat that the allegations leveled against him were false as he had no reason to kill the late Elerewe. He recalled that he contested the Elerewe chieftaincy title with the late Elerewe and topped the list but the former was later installed.

    He said it was because he contested against the late Elerewe in 2010 that people are accusing him of being behind the killings.

    He said: “The late Elerewe is my junior (younger) brother. Myself and others contested the chieftaincy title together. That was in 2010. I won but the title was given to him.

    “I have no grudge against him. I am not concern about the land that he was killed for. The land is not my family land.

    “The land on which First Bank is built is our father’s property. Whoever is the Elerewe is in charge of the bank.

    “My father was a former Elerewe. He collected money for about 10 years. I do not know anything about that. They should go and meet the bank. The allegation against me is false.

    “We contested for chieftaincy title. He was killed over a land dispute. I have no involvement in the land dispute. It was because I contested against him that they are mentioning my name.

    “The police invited me but saw that it was false allegation. They saw that I contested against him, but if anything happens to him elsewhere, I will now be held responsible.

    “When he was imposed on our family, I didn’t shoot a gun. I accepted my fate. Is it not since 2010? And I will now want to harm him? That is not possible.”

    Lawyer to Folahanmi, Olatunbosun Aganun, said the police exercised its discretionary powers after preliminary investigation showed that he (Folahanmi) was not involved in any complicity in the murder case.

    He said his client could not be indicted over the murder of late Elerewe just because he ( Folahanmi) contested Elerewe Chieftaincy title 11 years ago.

    Aganun said: “The late Chief Elerewe had land dispute with a family from Iloro Quarter of Owo and it was the scene of the land dispute that the parties visited as directed by the Traditional Arbitration mediating over the land dispute between the late Chief Tunde Ilori Elerewe and the other family.

    “It was on their way back from the scene of the land dispute that the late chief was shot and killed by yet to be identified gunmen.

    “Hon. Oluwole Folahanmi has no interest in the land in dispute and he is not in any way connected with the land in dispute.

    “He has accepted fate upon the illegal installation of the late Tunde Ilori as the Elerewe of Owo Kingdom by the late Olowo of Owo (Oba) Dr. D.V.F. Olateru Olagbegi III over five years ago even when there was a pending litigation in court of competent jurisdiction over the Elerewe chieftaincy tussle.

    “There’s no nexus between Hon. Oluwole Folahanmi and the crime, hence the police has no reason detaining him any further upon preliminary investigation.”

    Not satisfied with the police investigation, wife of the late Elerewe, Olori Tolani Elerewe, in a petition to the Police Service Commission, called for a thorough investigation “on the involvement of all the investigating officers at homicide department, Akure in order to prevent a gross miscarriage of justice”.

    Olori Tolani who wrote through her lawyer, T.A Oyolola, said she had lost confidence in the manner in which the case was being handled by the investigating officers.

    In another petition to the DSS, Olori Tolani urged the State Director to call for the case file at state CID Akure, Ondo State for a thorough investigation in order to unravel the hideout of the killers as well as prosecute those who were involved in her husband’s killing in the interest of justice.

    “Our client is willing to honour invitation from your office for the purpose of further clarifications of the above alleged offences,” the statement said.

  • I want to be a professor – Faith Ihediwa, Miss Blind Nigeria

    I want to be a professor – Faith Ihediwa, Miss Blind Nigeria

    AS soon as you set your eyes on the slim, tall and beautiful lady, you are attracted by her elegance and charisma. Her sash announces her as Miss blind Nigeria and as she sashayed elegantly around the MUSON center Lagos, you are amazed at her confidence, soft spoken accent, guts, dreams, the infectious laughter, warmth and aura that radiates.

    Welcome to the world of Faith Ihediwa who is currently a final year English Language undergraduate of the University of Lagos.

    How easy was it getting into the University of Lagos?

    At first I never believed that a visually impaired person can enjoy something as good as going into the university. But I thank God for the great home Bethsaida that God used to make this happen. They took away that veil from my face and made me understand that in disability there is ability.

    Is it convenient climbing the stairs or getting to lectures on time?

    Yes, I have a helper in school. In addition, even though there is staircase in the University of Lagos, we have lifts that takes us to the lecture rooms with ease. My target is to get a first class and I know that God can do it

    How has it been?

    To an extent, it has not been easy especially when it comes to the phonetics part. Trying out sounds like p, t, k and b, d, g. For those of us that are visually impaired it is usually difficult for us to write the signs. So, what we do is to tell our friend that this is it and that is what it should be. Sometimes, during the examinations they have to skip that part for us. Instead they give us theories to write.

    What are some of the extra curriculum activities that you engage in on campus?

    Some of the extra curriculum activities are interesting and I participate in them. I go to parties just to have fun. I also attend seminars and things that give me a better view about life.

    What are the other plans that you have?

    I would like to be an advertiser in future because I am very good when it comes to voice over and so many other things related to creativity. I would show you some of my artworks after the interview so that you have an idea of what I am talking about. I do advertisement for people and I enjoy it.

    How did you get to win the Miss Blind Nigeria pageant? 

    I competed with all the visually impaired ladies in Nigeria from the different states in the country. It was a very interesting and memorable experience for me and the ladies. They all came to Lagos for the competition and the experience is something that I treasure so much. And by the grace of God, I emerged as a winner at the end of the day.

    When did the competition take place?

    The Miss blind Nigeria pageant took place in 2019 and I have been carrying out my duties as the queen. So, far, I would say that they journey has been awesome and quite memorable.

    When are they going to have the next competition for a new queen?

    If anybody can withstand my beauty and the level of my intelligence then the person is good to go.

    For most pageants, the beauty queen usually has a pet project. Do you have something that you are working on?

    Yes, I also have a pet project that I am handling. My own project is something that is also very interesting. My aim is to go to the rural areas to bring in the visually impaired one, motivate them and give them a sense of belonging. Most parents believe that the moment your child is blind, the child is useless. The child for them is worth nothing to them and the society. That is not the case and we need to change that mindset. So, I would be going around to educate them, champion the cause of visually impaired people especially the young ones and let them know that the child is a treasure; you can get something very unique and great from the child.

    Read Also: Ini Edo: I look forward to playing super villain

    As an example, I make them know that yes, I am blind but I am into different things, sometimes even doing things that people who can see are not doing. I am a student, I cook and I am involved in so many other activities on my own. This are the things that I make them understand and that had made me a source of inspiration and motivation. In doing this, I have been able to bring more than 20 students to Bethsaida home during this transformation process. Most of them are in the University of Nsukka presently and other universities.

    Tell us about your parents and the role they played in your life?

    My parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ihediwa are lovely people. They are the best parents anyone can ask for in the world. Despite my disability, they have supported me so much and it did not cease or reduce the love that they have for me. They still give me that respect and give me attention as well as treat me as I am meant to be treated.

    Were you born blind?

    Not at all! I got blind at the age of 15 years. It actually happened immediately after my senior WAEC examination. I did my WAEC Examinations at Flourish College, Love hall, Ketu Lagos. My performance in school then was awesome, I had B’s and A’s and did very well when the results came out.

    What was the first reaction of the family when it happened?

    At first it was not easy at all. But as time went on, they adjusted gradually and got to understand that a blind person can still be relevant to the society. It was at that point that my parents got to accept the condition and began to work on ways to channel me to places and things where my dreams can be fulfilled.

    What do they do for a living?

    They are into business and they are very dedicated and hardworking people. I admire their energy, courage and perseverance.

    What plans do you have for the future?

    I want to become a professor of English Language. By the grace of God, I also want to be an author, to write books. That is why I am into writing poems. I have numerous poems that I have written and also showed some lecturers in the university and they have been approved by them.

    Tell us about the people that you look up to, your role models and mentors?

    One of the people that I admire is the great writer, Chinua Achebe. The other is Professor Wole Soyinka; he is a great writer and a great activist, a super role model to many people. Those are the kind of people that I look up to. I love their level of writing, creativity and the fact that they stand out in many ways. They pass and communicate their message to their readers in a way that is mind blowing.

    You must be very stylish from a younger age, looking at how you are dressed and the way you catwalk?

    I rehearse every time, each time I walk is an opportunity to assess myself and tell the world the stuff that I am made of. I walk with style, I talk with style, and everything I do is done with a sense of style. So, at every time and every moment. I do my rehearsal and I am proud of who I have become. I know that I have a great future ahead. How have you been enjoying the festive season?

    I must say that it has been very interesting with a number of activities that are memorable.  As you can see we are here at the MUSON centre for the Musical show and it is something that we are all excited about.  This is Mr Blind Nigeria and we are all enthusiastic about what we are experiencing today, we look forward to  the coming year with a lot of expectations.  I strongly believe that it will come with new opportunities to excel.

    What advice do you have for Nigerians?

    We have to show love and care for one another. We are all brothers and sisters no matter where you come from. At this time, my message is that we must care for the next person. We must all work hard to achieve a better future for the next generation.  Our collective effort is needed to make the Nation  better and great. A lot of young people have great potentials and it is important for our leaders to include their views when planning.

  • ‘I don’t micromanage people’

    ‘I don’t micromanage people’

    DR. Emeka Chinaka is the President and CEO at Emfab Inc, a conglomerate with interest in major commanding heights of the economy including solar energy, winery, pharmaceuticals, to mention just a few. In this interview with YETUNDE OLADEINDE, the US-based Nigerian who bagged a doctorate degree in Pharmacy and has a thriving practice in his base with branch offices in America, France and other parts of Europe shares insights on doing business vis-à-vis challenges and prospects. Excerpts:

    A journey of self-discovery

    With his eyes set on the future, the young Emeka Chinaka earnestly sought for greener pastures abroad traversing different parts of Europe as a student. Fast forward to few years later, after crossing many hurdles he has made good in life. Welcome to the world of the graduate of Colorado Anschutz Medical campus, an executive who knows his onions and ready to mentor young people that come his ways.

    Starting a career in pharmacy

    Scrolling to his background, he readily takes you down memory lane talking about life as a pharmacist, creative entrepreneur and super administrator. Today, he has achieved his dream of being a successful entrepreneur and conquered all his initial fears.

    Life was not a bed of roses at the beginning. He left Nigeria in search of greener pastures as a student. Like most young people in his days, the urge to succeed and change the narrative was a great inspiration. First, he ported in Europe and survived against many odds. Not satisfied with the environment, he found his way to the United States. “I have a doctorate degree in Pharmacy. I am currently practicing Clinical Pharmacy in the United States.  I have a great passion for business and currently operate Chinaka Pharmaceuticals which is incorporated in the United States.”

    Life as CEO

    Happily, he takes you into life as an executive and the other things that occupy his time.” I am also in a partnership with a friend. We have a solar company under Emfab Inc. It is also located in the United States and we are doing very well.”

    Chinaka is also the CEO of Princi wines which he recently introduced to the Nigerian market. This time around, unlike the other businesses which he set up and runs in the United States he decided it was time to come home and invest in Nigeria, empower his people especially the youths who need to be inspired and engaged.

    “Pinal is rich, unique and has a rare quality taste that is unique to the brand. It comes in three different flavors and it is something I have been working on for some time before the unveiling.”

    Love for wine and winery

    Interestingly, Chinaka’s love for wine inspired and took him into the sector where his desire is to make a difference. “I am a wine lover and that is part of the reason why I ventured into it. I came around in 2011 and I wanted to get quality wine but I found out that what they had at that time were mostly substandard. Haven tested a few wines, I was not impressed as a wine lover, and I felt that the country deserves something much better.  It was based on the experience that I love for wines that I decided to search for the best wine makers in the world.  So, I was able to travel to Europe for this and my goal was to bring back to Nigeria, the best product that anyone can get: a product that can stand the test of time, anywhere in the world.  So that if somebody picks it up, they will like the feel, get that uniqueness of wine.”

    He continued: “So, I went to France and I was lucky to find a partner, who is the best wine maker in Bordeaux, France. We are all aware that Bordeaux, France is the wine capital of the world. There is no other place like Bordeaux when it comes to wines.”

    He adds that: “They have the best environment, best climate to grow the grapes for wines. Having established the relationship with Gineste, the company that produces for us, Princi Wines was born. Our products are crafted with the best grapes from very rich vineyards in Bordeaux and our partners known for producing the best wines in France.

    “Pinal is the signature flavour ant there are two others known as Princi Merlox and Princi Cabernet Sauvignon. If you are a wine lover, you will know that these are the three flavours that are best in the world.  Our product is different from all the products in the country and with reasonable pricing. The smooth taste is designed to feed into all kinds of occasions and distinguishes us from other products.”

    Chinaka takes you through the journey of determination, persistence and a strong desire to carve a niche for himself and the brand. “I have always believed in the fact that whatever you want to do, if you stay focus, you will definitely get there.”

    Read Also: Rape: Kaduna shuts Islamic schools

    One of the strategies he believes will help to make things easier includes his management style. “One of the things I love to do is to give the people around me the opportunity to operate independently. I don’t micromanage anybody.  I love to get ideas from everybody, have their inputs and that allows you to grow.”

    Are there any changes that he would love to see in the sector? He responded in the positive. “Yes! It is important for government to create an enabling business environment to help investors set up factories that would generate employment for our youths. Unfortunately, the tough business environment has discouraged some investors who wanted to set up factories in the country.

    “We import these wines but I think it would be better for us and the government if we set up similar factories here. We are in partnership with Gineset in France and in the nearest future; we will bring the technical know-how home. By so doing, we will be creating jobs and adding to the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but like I said, the government must create the atmosphere for businesses to thrive.”

    The pharmacist-cum-entrepreneur also goes on to talk about the research process as well as the sustainability of the brand. “Our expectations are for the product to do very well. Our goal is to make sure Nigerians have the best and there is no compromise in quality.”

    Happily, he goes down memory lane to recall how it all started. “Just like anything else, it has never been easy. I am currently based in the US practicing and I have my business there. Here, I believe in the establishment and resources that has been put in place.”

    Chinaka added that the motive behind his venture into wine production is his passion as well as the desire to put an end the frustrations of Nigerians who are wine lovers like himself. Those who seek quality wine but could not get it even after spending good money.”

    Chinaka also informed that before production, quality research was conducted around the world before he eventually settled for the potentials in France, a country that has the richest wines in terms of finest taste and quality.

    Greatest influence

    He also explained the role played by his wife who he described as a pillar and great source of joy. “My wife is Mrs. Ngozi Chrispinal and we have five wonderful children, four boys and a girl.  I am a very lucky man to be blessed with such a wonderful family.”

    Over the years, he has acquired skills and knowledge in pharmacy, financial management, employee training management as well as inventory management.

    He therefore plans to deploy his wealth of knowledge especially in the pharmaceutical sub sector to have a great impact on the health of Nigerians. “I run a pharmaceutical company in the United States and I plan to replicate same here. This is because the number of pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria is insufficient.”