The Nation Newspaper

Category: Saturday Magazine

  • How victim’s ATM cards, driver’s licence exposed robbery gang

    How victim’s ATM cards, driver’s licence exposed robbery gang

    A five-man robbery gang, which had been terrorising residents of Oworonshoki, Bariga, Shomolu, Gbagada and Ikorodu parts of Lagos, has been crushed following some ATM cards and driver’s licences recovered by police from two innocent boys. Suspected members of the gang ignorantly gave the two items to the two boys to throw away. Trouble began for the suspects when the innocent children decided to use the items as toys.

    As they moved about with the items, a patrol team of policemen from the Oworonshoki Police Station saw them at an odd hour and place and decided to interrogate them. In the course of the interrogation, they found the ATM cards and driver’s licence, among other items, which the children could not really account for. Hence, they were taken to the police station.

    At the police station the investigating police officer (IPO) discovered that the case he was handling had something to do with the ATM cards and driver’s licence the police found in possession of the two boys. The IPO alerted the Divisional Police Officer who quickly directed the transfer of the two boys to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of Lagos State Police Command.

    The transfer of the case occurred at a time the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, had drawn the battle line with armed robbers in the state. Manko immediately ordered that the hoodlums be fished out. He directed the officer in charge of SARS, Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police, to swing into action. Before long, four of the suspected armed robbers were arrested and presented to the CP.

    Confessing his involvement in the robbery operation for which he was arrested, one of the suspects, Rasheed Semino (28), a native of Abule-Oloni, Ogun State, who claimed to be an apprentice armed robber, said: “I fix tiles, but I don’t have office. I go anywhere they call me to do work. I live at No. 34, Oshogbamu Street. It is a family house. Even my father is still living there.

    “I was doing well in my job before I met these criminals (pointing at the other suspects). In fact, I was the pride of my father before I met these criminals. Even the one called Lateef was sponsoring the gang I joined. I bought my gun from him for N50,000. It was later that I knew why he was sponsoring our gang. I found that he was both the sponsor and the receiver/buyer. This his position made the work very easy. Just go and collect a vehicle of his choice and take it to him and you get your money instantly.

    “I am a car snatcher. I bought my locally made pistol from Lateef, like I told you. I don’t know his residence because this work is such that if your members know your permanent place, if they are arrested it will quicken your own arrest and nobody wants to be arrested whenever a member is arrested.

    “Lateef is a bad buyer. I gave him two cars and the money he gave me for each was N100,000. By the time four of us shared the money, it was N25,000 each. Hence we tried to give him more cars and jeeps and he continued to dribble us. I want SARS operatives to go after him, arrest him and get all our money he has seized. They can take the money to our various families.”

    Semino said the operation he participated in took place in Bariga. He said the victim wanted to park in front of his house and they rushed towards him and ordered him to hand over his car keys at gun point. They then drove away with the man and later dropped him at Bariga junction on the expressway that leads to the Third Mainland Bridge.

    He also said he participated in more than six car snatching operations, 11 robbery operations and five kidnapping operations. But he said it was the last car snatching operation that resulted in their arrest.

    He said: “We saw a man trying to park in front of his house. We rushed towards him and one of our members called Sunday Olaniyan pointed a gun at him and ordered him to go to the back seat. We drove to Bariga/Oworonshoki side. At a point, we dropped the owner of the vehicle and drove to Lateef’s discharge point. We handed the vehicle over to him and collected N100,000.

    “When we shared the N100,000, Hassan collected N30,000, Rasheed collected N30,000, Sunday N20,000 while Femi collected N20,000.

    “The laptop, handset, driver’s license and other petty items and cash were collected by Hassan. He later gave two small boys who are our friends some money and begged them, especially the one called Small, to go and throw the ATM card and driver’s licence into the river or burn them, but Small decided to keep those things as toys.

    “Unfortunately, Small was arrested by the police on patrol and he could not give them a reasonable explanation. He was taken to Oworonsoki Police Station to meet the IPO handling the case of the snatched vehicle of the owner of the ATM and driver’s licence, which prompted the transfer of the case to SARS.

    “Hassan was the first to be tracked down by SARS operatives and his arrest led to the arrest of Sunday and then Rasheed and to Femi. We started our criminal activities in 2011 when we met at an Indian hemp joint at Oworonsoki. We started by collecting cell phones and laptops before we got a sponsor who gave us access to guns at cheap rates. He was the one who gave us instructions as to the type of cars we should snatch because he is both the sponsor and the buyer of snatched vehicles.

    “We hold gun in turns. If one person holds the gun in one operation, another person holds the same gun in another operation. Lateef wanted to provide money for guns but it costs so much as N50,000 per gun and nobody was ready to buy it because any gun one buys becomes the gang’s property.”

    The second suspect, Hassan Jimoh (27), a native of Ogunmakin community in Ogun State, said: “I am an armed robber. I don’t go to my village every time because the villagers are bad people. They are fond of killing people who are progressive in my village. If they notice the slightest sign of progress, they will target you with charm or poison to eliminate you. Before you know it, you become sick and die.

    “I trained as an auto mechanic. My first experience when I tried to open a workshop in my place was burying a charm where I wanted to build a workshop. That was why I relocated to Lagos.

    “I have a mechanic workshop at Ifako side of Bariga. At present, my wife is six-month pregnant, yet I have not seen her since I was arrested.

    “I reside at 24, Olorunfemi Street, Oworonshoki with my parents. I don’t know why I should not be allowed to see my wife. When I asked why I should not see my wife, they told me that it was unfortunate that I was arrested following the order of the CP, Umar Manko, to clamp down on all the armed robbers in Lagos because of a recent bloody robbery operation in which the gang killed policemen and innocent civilians.”

    The third suspect, Sunday Olaiya aka Baba Dara Sobo (26), from Ikare, Ondo State, claimed to be an electronics dealer and resides at No. 27, Akinwumi Street, Ifako-Bariga. He has two children.

    He said it was one of the gang members called Olu, who is now late, that forced him to become a member of the gang. He said he was doing well in stealing and burglary before he was forced to become a member of the gang.

    He said Olu, who was their first gang leader, was killed at Pedro when the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) was chasing dangerous criminals out of Lagos. He said they pursued Olu to the canal at Pedrol and stabbed him to death in 2009.

    The fourth suspect, Yomi Olorunfemi (26), who claimed to be a vulcanizer, said he started his journey into crime at Ikorodu after training as a vulcanizer under a relation in Shomolu Bariga. He said he was newly married and was looking for money to maintain his beautiful wife before he was arrested.

    He said: “I am an armed robber. I snatch vehicles. I knew the consequence of what I was doing, but I beg of one thing: let me see my wife and advise her on how to live life after I am gone to prison. I want to tell her that I still love her and I pray for her in spite of my condition and that she should take care of my baby in her womb. She should not tell the baby that I am an armed robber.

    Meanwhile the batteline drawn by Manko has continued to yield result with the arrest of three suspected members of the gang that rattled Lagos recently and the recovery of two rocket launchers, two machine guns, 25 AK 47 rifles loaded with 30 rounds of GPMG live ammunitions, one rocket-propelled grenade and five dynamites with its detonator, all neatly concealed in two vehicles.

    Addressing crime reporters, Umar said he was not yet done because it should be a total clamp down and all the corners of Lagos would be touched. He also vowed to liaise with the Ogun State Command to see that none of the criminals escaped.

  • My cousin and I had sex once and since then she has been insisting we do it again

    Good morning madam, my name is D from Benue state. I am 21 years old. My cousin sister has been kissing and romancing me and we both had sex and since then she has been insisting we do it again. And I don’t want to. Please help me. Thank you.

    I know that in some parts of the North, it is allowed for cousins to marry each other. I wouldn’t know about the legality of it in your part of Benue State. Even if it is allowed in your culture, I’m sure that your culture frowns at sex before marriage. If you’re sure your parents would oppose to a relationship with your cousin and if you know that it is considered a taboo, then stop it. Let your cousin know in strong terms that you do not wish to go on with it. If it’s the sex that is holding her to you, then let her know you’re not her sex toy.

  • Keys to a lasting marriage (2)

    Dear Reader,

    Welcome once again to this column. Last week, we began by looking at the concept of marriage. This week, we shall examine the keys to a lasting marriage. Let us examine some of these keys.

    •Communication

    This key is very vital in marriage. You may not enjoy your marriage, if you and your spouse don’t know how to communicate effectively. It is like having gold in a garden, but not knowing how to dig it out. The gold is there, but as long as it is not dug out, you cannot be enriched by it.

    The basis of any fruitful and lasting relationship is effective communication. God our Father and our Ultimate, proved this to us by communicating His plans and intentions to those whom He trusted. He spoke clearly to Moses, Samuel, and David, right through to Jesus, and beyond Him, to those of us who love and serve Him.

    Marriage without effective communication never works. A wise man once said,” If you talk together, you stay together.” How true!

    In times past, particularly in the African societies, women were regarded as mere objects and a part of a man’s possessions, and were not consulted on major issues, neither were their views regarded as important. In those days, women stayed married because they had no choice. But that has never been God’s arrangement. He made marriage as an avenue for both husband and wife to find fulfilment, which comes when there is effective communication.

    Family Finance

    It is important to understand the place of money in marriage to avoid tension. Ecclesiastes 7:12 says: For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

    Money is simply a medium of exchange. It is required to live comfortably on the earth. It is a defence, because with it, you are not embarrassed.

    However, handling finances is a very sensitive area for couples. It is, therefore, crucial to say a few things about family finances here.

    Husbands: Right from the onset, when God blessed Adam with his wife Eve, he was made the head of the family. This charged him with the duty of providing for the house hold (1 Timothy 5:8). So, by God’s order, the husband is to provide for his family. He is the one who must ensure there is food for members of his family, that they are well taken care of, especially his immediate family members.

    Wives: Everything the wife has belongs to her husband, even her income. If she is employed outside the home, she must submit all to him. This does not mean that she may not have her own separate account, if they both agree to this. But by divine order, this account also belongs to him.

    The term “his” and “hers” is not allowed in the family finance. They both should have access to each other’s money. Where there‘s a joint account, no one should spend money without informing the other. As agreed by them, at an appointed time, they can both sit together to plan the family budget, mapping out how much should be spent on food, children and each other, as well as paying electricity bills, etc. It is refusing to work together as a team that places families under tension. Trust is the underlying factor in family finance.

    •Commitment

    This is the backbone of any successful relationship, marriage and family inclusive. It is the adhesive of every marriage. When commitment is lacking in the relationship between husband and wife, the chances of that home surviving is very slim.

    Therefore, to enjoy family success, you must be committed both to the institution of marriage and to your spouse. God has joined you together, but you must be so committed, both to the institution and your spouse that nothing is allowed to put you asunder (Mark 10:9).

    Commitment makes you choose the expedient above the lawful. It makes you forgo some things that you like or take pleasure in at times. Rights and privileges that are lawfully yours, may have to be forfeited in the interest of the family.

    God’s Word says: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). Commitment, therefore, demands that you promote whatever it will take, for you to ensure that peace reigns perpetually in your marriage. Whatever shortcomings your spouse or other members of your household may have, commitment demands that you find a way to cope with them.

    Your commitment to God is the gateway to your commitment to your spouse; you must therefore, first be committed to God. This entails surrendering your life to Christ by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. If you are set for this change, please say this prayer of faith: Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins.  Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Now I know I am born again!

    Congratulations! Till I come your way again next week, please call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com Tel. No: 234-1-7747546-8; 07026385437, 07094254102

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches, and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, and Building A Successful Family.

  • ‘The secrets of my success’

    ‘The secrets of my success’

    On Sunday September 16, Lagos top socialite and fabric merchant, Alhaja Chief Mrs. Basirat Olayinka Ojugbele, had a fabulous party by the swimming pool at her swanky home at Zion Estate, Lekki-Ikate Elegushi. It was a grand birthday bash to mark her 60th year on earth.
    In attendance were the crème de la crème of society folks. A roll call of guests indeed included the high and mighty. These influential friends flocked around her and poured encomiums on her, as she celebrated this day of joy. Alhaja Basirat Olayinka Ojugbele is the Chief Executive Officer of ‘Bayinkus International’, a foremost fabric outfit on Lagos Island. A prominent Action Congress of Nigeria Woman Leader in the Ijaiye-Ojokoro area of Lagos, Mrs. Ojugbele is the Borokini Adinni of Alakuko Central Mosque Lagos, the Yeye Gbegba-Aje of Owode town and the wife of famous city estate developer Chief Lamina Ojugbele. She spoke to Paul Ukpabio.

    Congratulations on your 60th birthday celebration. It was indeed an assembly of politicians, business tycoons and lots more. How would you define that particular moment in your life?

    I was so excited with the guests who came around. I had wanted a few number of people at my birthday; maybe 60 guests but the number turned out big and I think that is a sign of compassion on the part of my friends. But above all, I thank God Almighty for giving me the grace to see the day. All praises and honour goes to Him. Without God, I wouldn’t be 60. I also thank my children for being there for me. Again, what can I say, but to keep thanking Almighty Allah? I will always thank Him because He is the all merciful and benevolent, I will always thank Him.

    Can you tell us a bit about your journey of life through business, marriage and raising a family?

    My life is one endowed with the grace of God. I started facing challenges of life at a very tender age. I remember that my mother was the only person we had. We lost our dad at a very early age and we had to cope with a very industrious and enterprising mother who struggled to raise us all. At that particular time, the highest we could get was a G-4 certificate. So, I had one. When my mother said she couldn’t send us to university, I had to face the challenges of life with a rare vigour.

    The first place I worked was a company called Bugat International Ltd as secretary to the CEO. I was at Bugat for two years before leaving to start my own business with a very little amount of money. I thank God that I was able to increase and record success in the business I embarked upon. Nobody helped me except God. And the same God was the one who helped me to train all my children. I lost my husband at a very tender age. That is my first husband; he was a very, very responsible man: kind, caring and a loving husband. I lost him when I was 37 and that means I was still very young at the time. I couldn’t just sit down and watch my beautiful children suffer.

    I had to sow my oats in order to guarantee their future (She had her first son, Kayode-Olajide-Ojugbele, a property expert in VI; second son, Hon. Tunde-Olajide-Ojugbele, an ACN leader in Amuwo Odofin; Miss Oladunni-Olajide-Ojugbele, a top banker with Stanbic IBTC; Miss Morayo-Olajide-Ojugbele, a senior banker with WEMA Bank and Demola Ojugbele, her last child who is now in an Ivy-league school). I can say I started my journey with the special grace of God because there was nowhere to go then. It was in the course of my life activities that I met my second husband, Chief Ojugbele whom I had a son for. He is equally a great man. I thank God that today, not that I have a lot but I am contented with what God has given me. I have my own house, I have four successful graduates who are doing well in their chosen fields and my business is not wavering. I brought all my children up successfully; I was the one who sent them all to their various universities in London. I was working and all the money I had was used in raising them. So, that is why I said, I am very happy to see that day. To see all my children sit beside me to say something about me. I really felt like shedding tears. It is a rare honour and privilege because nobody helped me except God.

    What were the good things you missed with the death of your first husband?

    Ah! I miss his love o. I haven’t seen anyone that I can compare to him. Alhaji Oladejo-Olajide, my late husband, was a very caring husband and father and business man. He was a man of good conduct, a disciplinarian and a focused business man. For every situation we find ourselves in life, we can only thank God. I miss his caring attitude but to God be the glory, I found an achiever in my present husband, Chief Ojugbele.

    Was his death an accident or natural?

    God knows everything. I can’t say this was what led to his death, but I will only say I thank God for his life. I know wherever he is now; he is okay with his God and would not be ashamed of what God has done for his children. I hope I did a good job on his behalf. After his demise, some years later, I married Chief Ojugbele.

    What lessons did life teach you after you lost your first husband?

    The first lesson is this; it is not easy for one person to raise children. If it was to be so, God would have created Adam without Eve. It is not easy for a woman to raise five children and all of them become successful. It can only be done with prayer and hard work. The holy books describe children as gifts from God. If God refuses to give you His gifts, what can you do to Him? But if you are blessed with lovely children, then you must pray to God to help you spare and shape them.

    You have to be prayerful, you must be a prayer machine because nobody wants you to succeed in the first place unless you face your God and say “God, this is what I want my children to be”. If you leave them alone, they will go astray. You need to commit them to God’s hands and keep rededicating them to the glory of God. For me, my tool is prayer, discipline and faith in God. I have been used to prayer since my youth. I can fast and pray for seven days non-stop. And if I pray for seven days, with fasting, God grants me my request. If it is going to come to pass, I will see it. So, I am used to it. Prayer is my way of life.

    But you are a Muslim, why are you so fascinated with prayer and fasting? You even quote the Bible well?

    Of course, we are serving only one God now. Our God is not different; it is our translation that is different. The way we call God in my own religion might not be the way you call God in your own religion. But, we serve the same God. A common God, God hears all the languages. He is a universal God. The only thing that I cannot do is to worship idol. I cannot worship idol, but if you invite me to the church, I will follow you down there. If I am called to a mosque, I will be there. Why? We serve the same God but our translation is quite different.

    Many of your friends call you ‘Margaret Thatcher’, why do they call you this special name?

    (Laughs), they call me that name because I don’t tolerate rubbish. My life is very simple. Number one, I detest people telling lies. I don’t like to dribble people. I am a straight-forward person; so, if you do anything I don’t like, I tell you straight to your face. I tell you I don’t like it and I will not take it from you. I don’t pretend. If I don’t like you, immediately you will know that I don’t like you, there is no room for pretence. All my friends know me for that, you know we have a lot of people who pretend and act as a chameleon. They are angry with you yet they pretend. For me, that is not it. They will say ‘one is too harsh’. No, I am not too harsh o. I am a very straight-forward person. If you commit a breach of attitude towards me, I will tell you immediately that I don’t like what you did. And once I move out of that environment, it ends there. I don’t backbite and I don’t pretend. I am glad I am like that and I am not praying to change my attitude.

    I don’t like destroyers. At the party, Mama Oloto (Buhari Oloto’s wife) noted that I will never support any act of viciousness against my fellow human beings. We have been friends for over three decades and we have not quarrelled for a day because she understands me. I really cherish Alhaja Sadiat Oloto, she is a friend indeed and my darling sister, Alhaja Biodun Ninalowo. More than 30 years now that I have been with Biodun Ninalowo, nobody has ever settled any quarrel for us. These are people who understand me and they know I don’t tolerate nonsense and I don’t tell lies. And I will not go anywhere to be backbiting against you or say rubbish about you. I will rather say it in your presence, that this thing you are doing is not good. So, people accept me for that. I am a disciplinarian and people like us are not to be liked by mundane people but I don’t care. Once my God likes me, what more do I need?

    You are also reputed to be one of the closest leaders to the Vice Chairman of the party in Lagos West Senatorial District, Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku, who is fondly known as Baba Eto. How would you describe him?

    Baba Eto is my father. Baba Eto is a great person. He couldn’t be at the party so he sent a delegation led by Alhaji Dotun Adegbola and Hon. Adefolabi. Yes. I appreciate him so much; he is a loving and caring leader. I don’t know how I can describe him. If you have any problem and you go to him, he will solve everything. What I cherish about Baba Eto is his disarming act of humility. He is a man of service, and I can tell you his middle name is humility. I will tell you a story about him: one day we were on a journey to Osogbo and we ran into a heavy traffic that lasted till midnight. That was the day I started appreciating that man. We were about 40 vehicles in a convoy, and I don’t know the exact place Baba Eto stopped us that day. I don’t know that destination. I just saw that he stopped us and he came down with two of his aides. They went into the suburbs of the area to buy bread and water because they knew we were hungry and thirsty. He bought it for us with the soft drinks and water and he started sharing the bread and water to all of us from vehicle-to-vehicle. I have never seen that kind of display of humility by a big man in my life, and that is why some of us politicians in Lagos, appreciate him a lot. Some think he is taking money but I think he is actually the one spending his money.

    Baba Eto is a mobilizer. He is a peace ambassador and I congratulate our party for having such a very fantastic man in our midst. I think political students will need to carry out a thesis on him to understand the kind of intelligence he uses to dispel quarrels.

    What can you say about the relationship between Baba Eto and his political mentor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu?

    Baba Eto can never joke with Asiwaju. Okay let me tell you another story that will shock you. One day, I was with Baba Eto and he was preparing for an outing. But something happened that day that baffled everybody about this man. His phone rang and when he picked it, do you know Baba Eto knelt down without seeing the person physically? Just a phone call, eh! He nearly prostrated for the person. I was asking who the caller was, and they said it was Asiwaju that Baba Eto was talking to.

    What kind of loyalty is this? What kind of dedication is this? I asked myself. Baba Eto is a loyal man to the core. And I know that Asiwaju appreciates him in return. And Baba Eto is a mobiliser, I am saying it and I can say it anywhere. He always sends us to mobilise; he is a real good leader. He openly says it,  that what Asiwaju did for him is awesome and that he really appreciates Asiwaju. That Asiwaju did a lot for him and that he can never forget. He said further that even though he is still active in politics, if by chance he leaves politics today, he will never practise politics in any other party again. That he will retire to his church for his ecumenical activities.

    Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his part, hates to see poverty. He is a great man. No one goes to him in want and comes back frowning. If you meet him with tears, you will surely come back with a big laugh. You will come back with happiness. One of my sons is a classical example and he is the reason I went deeper into politics than this. I used to do it before but not as deep as this. So, that is what makes me to appreciate him and to start  spending  my fortunes on ACN legacy in Lagos because I don’t know what I can give Asiwaju and I feel that is the only way I can pay him back by building upon his philosophy of developing people. He is a great man, a rare breed who never sees anything too big to give out.

    Come 2015, what do you see happening in Lagos?

    Aaah, awa naa la’ama mu (We are the one to get it). Yes, we are taking the leadership again. Other parties are on permanent holidays. The PDP people are just making jest of themselves, they can’t do anything. They are fast asleep.

    At 60, how do you make yourself still radiant and beautiful?

    (Laughs heartily)! You know, as a woman you have to comport yourself, you don’t need to flirt about and likewise, you don’t need to put anything on your mind that will wear you down. If you have any problem, think about it just for a short while, then forget it so that it won’t wear you down. Thinking doesn’t stop anything. If you think from now till tomorrow, it can’t stop the problem; the only thing you can do is to pray to God to solve the problem for you. So, I don’t think much. And I am not that kind of person who abuses my body. You know, as a woman you have to keep this body (hits her shoulder with a sense of pride). I can see some of my mates who are wayward. The second thing is that, some people will have problem and they wear it on their faces. I think it is problems of such magnitude that wear the heart down and dry the beauty of the skin. We call it the burden of the heart, and that alone is something that can wane the beauty of your skin. I take life as it comes, I count my blessings rather than blaming God and human error for circumstances that shape my destiny.

    Can you recall the most challenging period of your life?

    Hmm! What I can call the most challenging moment of my life was the day I lost my mother. She was such a caring mother and a very enterprising person. She struggled hard for us to succeed. She died about 13 years ago. She took the pain to cater for us after our dad passed away. My mum has a Hausa blood; she is from Kaduna while my dad is from Ikorodu. But I have actually never been to Kaduna, even though I knew my mum came from there. But I am proud of her lineage all the same.

    Do you visit the Gym?

    No, I am not cut for it. But I watch what I eat. You know I fast a lot, so that alone keeps me fit and trim.

    Your best meal?

    I like rice and vegetable soup. I take vegetables a lot.

    What about wine?

    At this age, why are we taking wine again? Before, I took red wine but not for now. Even yesterday, when I popped my birthday wine, I had to dilute it with lots of water before I could drink it. You know most women are rejecting wine now, they don’t take it any longer. That was why I bought enough of those foreign drinks you saw at my party yesterday.

    So, why are they rejecting wine?

    It affects the body now, even from the production base, it is measured and they drink it in moderation. Unlike our culture here where we take everything in excess. We can even drink one bottle and that is what is killing us.

    What is your fashion sense?

    I have been a fashion freak since my youth. I like both traditional and English dressses. I have done a lot of travelling during my business days and I am familiar with many fashion cultures around the world. Not one that I cannot wear, I buy anything that fits me but I love traditional kaftan a lot.

    You have a role model and mentor?

    Talking of mentorship, I think I like Princess Rose Osipitan, MD/CEO Rain Oil Ltd. Aside the fact that she is my friend, I like her attitude to life. She is a person like me. She is not perturbed and can’t be moved by any act of viciousness. She is strong, bold and beautiful. She is an epitome of intelligence: brawn and beauty. I also appreciate America’s Hillary Clinton for her diplomatic courage.

    What is your tourist destination like?

    The United States of America and the United Kingdom, those are the countries where I raised my children educationally. They are like my second homes.

     Lastly, an advice to women generally

    For those going into marriage, I will advise them to pray to God to give them their own husband. That is the most important prayer and they should endeavour to take good care of their

  • I can’t allow any bitch to steal him from me

    Hello ma, I love my boyfriend so much that I can’t allow any bitch to steal him from me, but the problem is that I don’t really know if this guy truly loves me as I do. Please ma tell me how to know if he loves me? Miss Olivian.

    Miss Olivian, your language alone shows you must be a bit aggressive. Nobody has even tried to take this guy (at least you didn’t say that), yet, you’re already using the word bitch. Anyway, for your information, love alone does not guarantee your boyfriend’s safety from other ladies. A whole lot of works go into a relationship – respect, being considerate, intelligent and enterprising are just some of the qualities men look out for in a woman. It wouldn’t matter if it is a bitch that offers him all these things and you are a saint, men are looking beyond only the profession of love now.

    See you; you’re not even sure of the guy’s love, yet you’re ready to fight. Below are tips to help you know if he truly loves you:

    He shares your favorite pastimes – While not a deal breaker, any man who continues to be active in your favorite pastimes, even though you understand he does not like them, loves you. One of the most important things for a man in a relationship is connection. The context and content does not matter. He just wants to be with you.

    He calls you frequently – Does it really matter why he is calling? Are you not glad that he is? A man who is involved with his relationship and in love with you will always call. When there is a thought on his mind and he wants your opinion, when he just wants to see if you are ok, and sometimes it will be just because he misses you. If you’ve argued with him and you ignore those calls, be aware that the action does not escape your mans attention. Consider the alternative, he could never call and wait for you to do it. Next time, pick up that phone when it rings, otherwise you will not know how he has thought to express his love and apologies.

    He brags about you to his family & friends – Sometimes you may feel he talks ad nauseum about you. However, put yourself in his shoes and see how proud your man is of you and how lucky he feels to be a part of your life. He shows this in the greatest way possible, he tells his family and friends. For a man, including family and friends on the details of his relationship is a very big step for him in that relationship. If he is talking about you, he loves you – guaranteed.

    He tries to be nice to your family & friends – Some women may not like the idea of their significant other being friends with their friends. Such issues as friends being caught in the middle during problems may arise. However, just the notion that your man cares to be nice to family and friends and have positive interactions with them shows that he cares about the people that you care for. He wants to please you and make you happy.

    He never stops romancing you – No matter how busy your man is, does he set time aside for you? Forget setting time aside, does he actually make time for you? If so, you are looking at a man who loves you. He will stop caring about his own stresses to relieve you of yours. He will send you an email, leave you a sticky note, write you a letter or leave a message on your machine when he knows you are not around to pick up the phone. He spends your time together relaxing you and occasionally giving you a present or a card. That kind of attentiveness cannot be faked. He is in love.

    He says so, in so many ways – Every action may show his feelings for you, but no action is more certain than a verbal expression. The tone of his voice and the look in his eyes, the wrap of his arms around your shoulders as he whispers he loves you should leave you with no reservation about how he feels. Some people feel that saying ‘I love you’ too often makes it less special. For a man, saying I love you is the height of his expression of his feelings for you. The more you hear it, let it be known, the more he feels it.

    Now, you ask if anything else that will tell you if he loves you. Your answer is—What else do you need? These simple signs are tried and true. His willingness to perform these actions will show you that your man loves you.

  • It’s prayers that have saved Nigeria from break-up—Anambra PFN chair Bishop Eberechukwu

    It’s prayers that have saved Nigeria from break-up—Anambra PFN chair Bishop Eberechukwu

    Bishop David Eberechukwu is the Anambra State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the General Overseer (GO) of Overcomers Bible Ministries, Nigeria, with branches in other countries of the world. For the first time in years, he bared his mind on a lot of issues concerning PFN, Christians and his life as a Christian. In this encounter with Odogwu Emeka Odogwu in Nnewi, Bishop Eberechukwu spoke on the insecurity in the country, his philanthropy  and calling, among others. He also disclosed why he has never bought a car since 1991. Excerpts:

    Who is Bishop David Eberechukwu?

     I prefer answering ‘Brother’ because I cannot forget how Jesus met me and how I gave my life to Jesus Christ. So, I like answering Brother Eberechukwu. But I know that by ordination, I am Bishop David Eberechukwu.

    Our ministry is Overcomes Bible Ministries. It has three arms, namely Overcomers Bible Institute and Seminary. It is an arm which we use by God’s mandate to train ministers, pastors for the work of the ministries.

    We do that free of charge and we have operated since August 1991. We started it out of an encounter I had with Jesus Christ when He visited me and told me that I should not sell His word. I complied, and God has been faithful to His word.

    We have graduated 787 pastors/ministers of the gospel from there in various levels as the case may be. Free tuition, free accommodation. I thank God for what He is doing with that arm of the ministry. The other one is Overcomers Bible Church.

    How come everything in the institution is free?

    That is the mandate of God. He has used people that love the kingdom to support whatever we are doing. People that obey the word of God, that if you can give a cup of water to God’s servant, that you will by every means get your reward. By the grace of God we have branches in Anambra, Port Harcourt and Abuja and other places outside Nigeria. God has been helping us.

    Overcomers Bible Church is another arm of the Overcomers Bible Ministries. It is a growing church as well, with headquarters in Anambra. Then we have an outreach for crusades and missions. My wife has her ministry focused on children. It is called Children Gospel Commission. She organises bible quiz exclusively for children during the August long vacation. It is always a month-long activity in August; dedicated for studying the bible.

    Did you jump into the ministry or you started as Bishop?

    I started in a little way after my graduation from Cornerstone University, Nigeria campus. I read Special Education Management and Missions. Most of the things I see myself achieve in life and the ministry is nothing but miracles, and I give God all thanks and praises.

    My education is also a miracle because without God’s mercy, I wouldn’t have been anybody. My struggles in life wouldn’t have also achieved much for me, but for God’s mercies.

    I have an award of PhD from Cambridge University and I was consecrated Bishop five years ago by the Wesley Synod Kent England, comprising a college of bishops, numbering over 5,000 from all over the world; they operate a university called Saint Thomas Abaket University, Kent England.

      Why are you not preaching prosperity like other overseers in your ranking?

     Well, I don’t believe in any preaching of prosperity in my ministry. What I received is the gospel. The gospel is all about the kingdom. The kingdom is all about a king and the king is all about Jesus Christ. He died and resurrected. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and He liveth forever more.

    If we preach about the resurrected Christ, everything would be added – prosperity is there, health is there and everything that one would need in this life is there. But above all, you’ll have eternal life. So, if I am preaching the whole gospel, then I won’t lack. There is no sense in taking a part of a whole as your anchor point when you have the whole.

      I see prosperity preaching as mailing the gospel through envelops. Prosperity is one envelope; healing another envelop and so on. It makes no sense. The whole gospel carries all the potentials that would make one dwell in the supernatural. And once you are in that realm, everything is made possible for you by God.

    But you are wealthy, with cars, magnificent church edifice among others?

    No! It is not like that. Appearance is deceptive they say. I have told you that when you preach the full gospel, everything will follow. When you don’t preach to merchandise, you preach the word as the word is. God will cause the blessings to come. If you preach to mercandise, people will know because it is a matter of time, and you wil be exposed. I have seen people that came up with prosperity preaching or merchandising the gospel, but today they are no where. But if you are preaching the right gospel without diversion, the Lord will bless you.

    But it would be at God’s own time not yours. I started preaching sleeping on the ground. When I answered the call, I didn’t go out with anything, but my bible. The first place I pastured I slept on the ground from early 80’s to 89. It was somewhere around 1991 that I started putting foam on the ground.

    Let me tell you, if you preach this gospel the way it is supposed to be, the Lord will visit that person at the appointed time. So, at the appointed time, God started to embarrass me with blessings. Every preacher of the gospel of God must be tested, and after God must have tested the person, He would start to bless the person if the person remains faithful. I don’t believe that God would allow His messenger to be static when people in the secular world are promoted daily from one level to the other.

     So God promotes His workers accordingly. No evil servant is promoted with queries everywhere in his or her file. That is the way it is with the gospel. If somebody is preaching the gospel faithfully, one day God will remember that person more than expected. Modecai was remembered at a time. He did something right, but went unrecognised until the appointed time and the king became restless until he blessed the life of Modecai. Since my life of ministry, I have never bought a car.

      All the cars I have gotten in my ministry have always been given to me by people. They would always say take this or that when they must have seen your faithfulness. It’s not a matter of preaching prosperity for crying out loud. When you preach the gospel you preach holiness, you preach sanctification, you preach obedience.

    Did you request for the cars or they were simply given to you as gifts?

    How can we request? They just do it. We don’t have time to request. You do the right thing and God who knows how to reward the right thing would reward you. I have never gone to anybody to ask for cars. I have never. But I have seen people walk in and say ‘Bishop, have this. The Lord is saying we should give you this. I should give you this.’ I have been receiving cars since 1991 till today and that is the way I am giving them out. They would give me, and I will give out. Ministry is about giving and taking. We grow by giving and taking. As we receive, we give. We are giving and keep receiving.

    Do you have any particular regret since you started this ministry?

    There are some of the things I’m supposed to do that I did not do. But I believe that the grace of God is becoming sufficient for me. I know that by the grace of God, we should have started preaching the gospel through the printed word, but we have not been able to do that. I pray and believe that God will help us actualise that by giving us a printing press. I had an opportunity, I but did not make use of it. Somebody walked in here and wanted to give us a printing press, but I said no, that wasn’t what I was called for. Another person wanted to give us a machine for packaging water, which we turned down. If I had accepted those offers then, it would have created employment for our youths now and enhanced our income generation too. But God’s desires will come to pass.

    If I had started a school aside the Bible School, by now we would have gone far. They promised to help me then, but I turned it down thinking it would distract the gospel, but I have realised it is no distraction. Those are part of the regrets I have. So if I have my life to live again, I would put those things in place. But I have not really missed any of them because I am still young.

    What are the challenges you encounter in your ministry?

    My highest point is that I depopulate hell and populate heaven heavily. That’s my zenith, because I don’t believe hell should contain more people than heaven. But I don’t have challenges that should persuade me to rely on fellow men. The person I call is God, and I rely on Him.

    PFN has a specialist hospital that has gulped millions of naira, how far?

    We have this vision to run a hospital to serve humanity because healthcare cannot be neglected in our society. We are building three hospitals in the three senatorial zones in Anambra State. We started building the one for the central senatorial zone at Awka, and then somehow, some unidentified people came and demolished where we have invested over N70 million, both in the purchase of land and other expenses in building the structure. We are looking and we are trusting God that the Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, would one day do something about it. We wrote the governor explaining our predicament.

    But, we have another one storey building for our PFN Specialist Hospital, which was commissioned on 15th September, 2012, at Amawbia. It costs us over N100 million and it has 32 private wards and six-bedroom duplex for the medical personnel, as well as an administrative building.  The medical director is Dr. Samuel Ihejioffor. The hospital will be committed to saving humanity as a specialist hospital.

    What are the things that you can point to as your achievements As PFN Chairman in Anambra State?

    We have achieved a lot. Immediately I took over, we conducted election into the PFN in 21 local governments of the state. We had a football competition for the youths in the 21 local government areas and gave awards to the best three teams and other awards.

    The best three players were offered scholarship to the university level. Our women wing has not been as strong as they were before this administration. The women wing now has its presence in the 21 local government areas of the state. PFN, with its teaming population, is not a block to be toyed with at all.

    The wife of Pastor Ayo Oritsajefor was here during the women’s convention last year. This hospital, we are determined to complete them one in each zone. We already have a 40-feet container load of medical equipment for the hospital. We believe God that the state government would help us resolve the demolition saga for work to continue.

    Your ministry is hosting an international summit. What is it about?

    We hosted a clergy/church workers summit from 12th to 14th September, 2012. This is the programme we have been hosting for the past three years now. Over 2,000 participants attended the summit.

      It is all that is connected with the Rhema that God gave to me in 2008. And  in 2009, the Lord spoke to me through the book of Psalm 114: 1-8, where the Bible says: ‘When the Israel went out of Egypt and the house of Jacob from the people of strange language, Judah was in the sanctuary and Israel his dominion. The sea saw them and fled. The presence of God was with them and the mountains were submitting. Every obstacle was submissive.’

    They were all submitting to the Israelites because the presence of God was with them. The Lord gave me a command that I should go and order His people back to His presence. That was what gave birth to the summit, which started since 2009.

    It is all about a movement that is unbursting the glory of God that has been caged inside the church. There has been revival in the church. It is geared towards training the ministers, packaging the ministers to bring them to the concept that will bring the church to her expectations in accepting the society until the church starts to take over the society. In all the civilised countries we know today, the church transformed them. So we are trying to make way for this presence of God we have been enjoying in the church to start radiating in the society. That is transformation. The church has the primary function of evangelisation, civilisation, and education.

    So we are actually looking for a national transformation, bringing a positive impact on our society by bringing experienced men who have been there to show us what is what. So the expectation has to do with spiritual, physical, mental, economy and political. Just like what we are experiencing today in Nigeria. So this year’s summit will bring a lot of changes, not only in the church world, but in the society at large.

     You run a scholarship scheme for pastors. How many are they?

    That is what I am telling you. As I am talking to you now, we have over 200 pastors on scholarship. They are being transformed to transform the society. The society cannot be transformed without the church. India was transformed by a man of God who was just a shoemaker.

     South Korea is transformed today because of Paul  Yongi, he was a gift given to them. America was transformed because of Christianity. So, if the church will be mobilising as we are doing to the society, this nation will be transformed in the nearest future. By 2020, Nigeria will never be the same Nigeria of today because the church is mobilising gifts that will transform this nation.

    And our target is to meet up with the standard of heaven and rapture. So it is not borne out of so much abundance, but out of the encounter I had with Jesus that has made like-minded people to flock around me to give me support in order to make those things happen. So it is not by power nor by might, but by the Spirit of the living God.

    Dont you think the church has failed the society?

    We cannot say that the church has failed in the transformation agenda. If the church fails, there will be nothing like Nigeria in the first place. In fact, it is the prayers of the church that has been holding this country from collapsing.

      The church is meant to take over nations and we start from Nigeria, from every domain we are – that is where we are going to. Jesus said in Matt. 28. ‘All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, go yee into the world and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the father, and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.’

     So, it is the right of the church to take from what they have been enjoying inside to affect the society the more, not that they have collapsed completely in the sense that they have not been doing anything. We have been doing something and the evidence is that we are alive today and we are enjoying Nigeria because without the church, this nation would have collapsed. But we want to motivate the church and bring it to the point where they will start taking dominion of their environment, territory and domain.

    How have you affected the lives of your host community people through your ministry?

    It has been wonderful. We have so much impacted on the lives of Umunze people. Overcomers Ministries have so much changed Umunze and added taste to this community. Through Overcomers, Umunze has been heard about throughout the world.

    My cable network programme where I minister to over 150 nations in the world, Umunze is heard and seen every week. African Broadcasting Network (ABN) has projected Umunze. By the grace of God, we are about going on NTA and other networks. We have been a year in ABN. By the grace of God and with the hands of God upon my life, we have so much beautified Umunze.

     We run international church workers summit here, and nations gather. We have done it since 2009. Ministers gather here in their thousands for a three-day training programme for them to go back to do better in their lives and ministries. Umunze as a whole has so much benefited. We have borehole here and we don’t charge money from people to fetch water. One of the most challenging things in Umunze in the 80’s and 90’s was water.

      I know what we suffered here before we got this borehole. I have trained both indigenes and non-indigenes of Umunze. It is difficult to come from another state to come here and hold anything meaningful, but I think integrity has to do that. The PFN chairman of Enugu State is from Anambra State. The PFN chairman in Abia State is from Anambra, the CAN chairman in Abia State is also from Anambra, while the CAN chairman Imo State is from Anambra. So it is not a big deal. There is this notion that if you are not from Anambra State, you become a suspect, whereas Anambra people are everywhere in positions of authority.

       What’s your opionion on the issue of security and unemployment in the country?

     Well, the issue of unemployment is the reason for the fuel subsidy. I am believing God that Nigerians will comprehend the concept of Mr. President’s intention for removing the oil subsidy, which is to create employment for the unemployed. When you talk of the security threat in the nation, it is not unconnected with unemployment.

     We should co-operate with Mr. President to ensure that what will come out of subsidy will be enough to employ our teaming unemployed youths.

     The terrorism issue has been there, and I believe Mr. President and his team are not sleeping. And I told people that what we need to do is to keep praying for our nation. If not the prayers of the church, this nation would have collapsed, and we keep praying, believing that our Lord God in His infinite mercy will direct our president to tackle the issue. The president is doing a nice work, but I think that it should be fine- tuned.

  • Bride of winter (1)

    “Ah! Abby! I’m so happy for you! So, you will soon be leaving us to join your husband abroad. You are so lucky! I really envy you!” enthused my friend, Tari.

    “Na so we see am o, my sister!” I replied in pidgin, a wide grin on my face.

    I had gone to her house that Saturday afternoon to break the news to her about my impending trip out of the country to join my husband, Henry. She had screamed with excitement and though, it was over an hour since I arrived at her place, she had not stopped talking about the matter. That was the problem with Tari; she loved to talk and she could go on and on about an issue until one got tired of listening to her. But that day, I didn’t mind her loquaciousness as I was in such a good mood.

    I felt pleased and happy that finally, my beloved husband and I would now be together. The journey to this point of our relationship had been long and tortuous most of the time. In fact, there were times, it looked as if there was no hope for us and I was fighting a losing battle. But through it all, I had persevered, not giving up hope until I realised my dream-of spending my days and nights for always with Henry.

    There had been all sorts of talk from my family, friends and even colleagues on my long wait for Henry, who had travelled out of the country five years earlier.

    “It’s not very wise to wait for all these guys who travel abroad. Are you sure he hasn’t married someone else, like an oyibo lady, for instance?”

    “What if after waiting all these years and at the end of the day, he doesn’t return for you? What will you do then? Time is going and you are not getting any younger! Do you want to end up an old maid and childless?”

    “I will advise you to forget about him and marry one of these guys who have been proposing to you. What’s so special about this Henry that you ca’’t forget him. Girl, wise up…” were some of the comments they made.

    All these remarks and pressures put a great strain on me and it was tough coping during the time of waiting for Henry. If it had not been for friends like Tari and a few others who kept encouraging me to persevere, I doubt if I would have been able to endure for so long. That was the reason she had been one of the first persons, outside my family that I had broken the news about my impending journey to.

    “I hope you won’t forget us when you leave. It’s like that with most people who travel abroad. They forget those they left behind,” stated Tari, frowning slightly.

    “Even if I forget everybody, I can’t forget you and the love and support you gave me all this while,” I reassured her.

    She smiled, then said:

    “In that case, I better give you the list of items I want you to buy for me when you get there. Remember that dress we saw at that boutique in Surulere that I liked so much but I couldn’t afford? I want you to get me something like that and some skirts and tops, shoes, some cds and dvds, handbags, make-up, cream, mobile phone, laptop, a microwave…” she enumerated.

    “Thief! Ole! Where do you expect me to get money to buy all those stuff? You want me to go and steal?” I said.

    She shook her head.

    “You won’t need to do that. Your husband has money-just a little amount of his wealth will take care of the shopping. Abi I lie?” she queried, a mischievous look in her eyes.

    I laughed and playfully pulled at her long, braided hair, making her scream with pain…

    The strange proposal

    That night as I lay in bed, unable to sleep from excitement, my mind kept drifting to the past, to when my story with Henry began. You see, Henry and I didn’t meet in the conventional way that most couples often meet. It was through his father that I met him. This was how it happened.

    His dad and I worked in the same office though in different departments. I didn’t know him that well and I only related to him on an official basis. But I noticed that he was always looking at me in a special way whenever we passed each other. If he was a younger man, I would have concluded that he was ‘interested’ in me but that was not the case as he was quite elderly.

    Then one day, the mystery was solved when he eventually spoke up.

    He had called me into his office and I had gone reluctantly, all the while wondering what he wanted.

    “I’m sorry for bothering you like this, my dear, but there’s something very important I will like to discuss with you,” he began after I had sat down.

    I stared at him, patiently waiting for what he had to say.

    His words took me by surprise.

    “The fact is, I like you. I like the way you behave and comport yourself,” he said, pausing briefly.

    He must have noticed the look of surprise on my face, for he quickly went on:

    “I have a good reason for saying this, so please hear me out. I’ve been watching you for some time and I like what I see. You are not only beautiful but you seem to be a girl of good character. I believe you will make a good wife. So, based on that, I want to marry you!”

    To say I was surprised was putting it mildly. For a while, I sat with my mouth open, just staring blankly at him. When I eventually found my voice, I blurted out in an angry tone:

    “Sir, I know today is not April 1 so this can’t be a joke. How can you be talking about marriage to someone you barely know, and one that is old enough to be…”

    “My daughter!” he concluded for me then burst into laughter.

    “My dear, take it easy. When I say, I want you as a wife, it’s not for me. It’s for my son, Henry. You will make a good wife for him and I know he will like you. As I do!” he stated, still smiling.

    I calmed down then and seeing the funny side of the situation, I even smiled.

    “Sir,” I began, “I appreciate the nice things you’ve said about me. But I’m sorry to say that I can’t accept your proposal. In the first place, I don’t know your son…”

    “That shouldn’t be a problem. When the time comes, you will meet him,” he said.

    “But what if I don’t like him?” I stated sceptically, trying to wriggle out of the situation as politely as possible.

    He looked at me fondly, then said:

    “I assure you, that won’t be a problem. Just meet him first, ok. I’ve told him about you and he’s keen on meeting you.”

    After I left him, I kept thinking about the man’s proposal. I had had many marriage proposals in the past but this was the first time I was getting one like that. Not that I was keen on getting married then. I was in my mid-20s back then and I was not in a hurry to settle down. I was more interested in my career and making money and having fun with my friends.

    But the manner of the proposal piqued my curiosity. So, I agreed to meet the son, Henry, though I had no intention of having a relationship much less marriage with him. But I was in for a pleasant surprise when we eventually met…

    To be continued

    Read the juicy details next Saturday about Abby and Henry’s first meeting!

  • I cheated on my boyfriend and now the other guy won’t go away

    Dear Aunty, am 21 years old, I have been dating a guy close to five years now and we both love each other but there was a time I thought he did not love me so I tried so many things including cheating on him, but right now i want to quit the second guy but he seems to love me too, so am confused. Please help me. Thanks. From V.

     Dear V, I don’t subscribe to cheating in relationships, so I do not pity you for the dilemma this other guy is putting you through by sticking to you. You have to make up your mind now and choose the one who makes you really happy between the two. Sentiments such as long duration of friendship and so on do not count when happiness is the major consideration. Do yourself right and stay with the one you’re most comfortable with.

  • No country for the old or the young

    In organized societies, certain age groups are deemed vulnerable and as such require the protection of the authorities against any form of abuse or maltreatment. Top on the list are OAPs (old age pensioners) and the very young (those 25 and below). For the latter, programmes such as good educational facilities both academic and vocational are provided to equip them for the challenges of adult life in a modern world.

    All this investment in the young is highly necessary as the youths are the main inheritors of the future. The law of nature with regards to Man’s mortality ensures that the older ones die out and the next generation takes their place. It’s an immutable law that man, no matter his advancements in science or medicine, can change. This is the reason, societies with a keen eye for the future invests heavily in its young people.

    As for the OAPs, these have spent the best parts of their lives-their youth and most productive years-serving their fatherland and communities. With retirement comes a time to put their feet up and take a well deserved rest from their labours. A situation made easier with the monthly pension often paid to them. But what happens in a situation where the pensions, as small as they are, are not paid regularly? Hunger, disease, suffering and even early death becomes common. That is the lot of most OAPs in our dear country.

    But let’s leave the retirees for now and talk about the young ones who are making news for all the wrong reasons right now. If you have been living in this country for the past decade or so, you will agree with me that this is not a good time to be young. It’s like everything has been done to not just emasculate but frustrate the nation’s youths. Successive administrations, lacking in vision and with no clear-cut plans for the country have failed woefully to invest in the young. The result is poor educational facilities with disenchanted and restive academic staff as well as students forced to study and live in environments that are sometimes unfit for animals.

    After finally graduating maybe 5-7 years after matriculation (for a 4 year course), what does the youth of today face? Massive unemployment, with a labour market that is virtually non-existent as new jobs are not created each year despite the fact that millions of job seekers, pour into this market from the numerous tertiary institutions in the country. Indeed, these days, it’s far easier for one to walk to the moon and back than get a job, months after graduation in Nigeria. The few exceptions are those with parents with top connections or long legs, who can pull a few strings from behind the scene to get good jobs for their kids.

    As if all these are not enough to give these young ones grey hairs before their grandparents, they have to contend with a gradual reduction in their numbers. The past few years have seen a systematic attack on this group. Youth corps members posted to certain parts of the country to serve their fatherland with the zeal and vigour associated with youth, have been mauled down like animals in a slaughterhouse. The Boko Haram menace has been particularly hard on the youths as many have been ferociously cut down in their homes, churches, schools and other places.

    The recent incidents in Mubi and Port-Harcourt involving students have only added to the frightening statistics of a nation losing the flower of its youth. Both incidents coming so close together have left most Nigerians, who have been completely desensitised and traumatised by years of bad governance, mass poverty and a general loss of hope in the system, shocked beyond words. The bestiality of the acts is beyond belief, like scenes from a horror film. That such barbarism can occur in a 21st century Nigeria have left many wondering whether this is a sign that we are gradually retrogressing, going back to the stone age or medieval times when the law of the jungle prevailed.

    What I find so distressing about these incidents is the pointlessness of it all. What could these young boys have done to warrant such brutality, to be plucked down in their prime in such a brazen, heartless manner? It’s just too horrible to contemplate that in our society of today, we have people in our midst whose beastly behaviour would put wild animals in the jungle to shame.

    Many have condemned the acts and called for the culprits to be brought to book. It shouldn’t end there because we have heard such sentiments before and nothing comes out of it at the end of the day. The sad truth is that this is a country where crime is treated with great levity. Most criminals get away with their crimes and it’s the innocent who suffer. An official is caught stealing billions of naira from the national coffers and what happens? He’s often given a slap on the wrist and allowed to walk away free, to enjoy his ill-gotten loot in peace.

    That is the reality of our society today and why corruption has become the biggest industry in town. And the reason for an increase in such criminal activities like kidnapping, armed robbery, drug trafficking, rituals/voodooism, yahoo yahoo, etc among the youths who have been socialised to believe that it is only through crime that one can become successful in life. That crime pays in Nigeria. They are a product of their environment, you know (but that’s a topic for another day).

    Meanwhile, all those responsible for the deaths of those students must be prosecuted and jailed. That’s the only way such evil acts don’t occur again as we are tired of burying our young people. Most youths are very angry with this country because they have no sense of belonging. The feeling among them is that their collective patrimony have been stolen by their greedy elders and there’s nothing left for their present or even future.

    The OAPs too, who see their pensions looted by those who are supposed to look after them are equally frustrated and bitter against the country. Indeed, Nigeria has become like the movie of the same title, ‘No country for old men.’ Or young ones for that matter. A pity…

  • ‘At ease Major, at ease’

    ‘At ease Major, at ease’

    Many are yet to overcome the passage of Major Akinloye Akinyemi, an officer par excellence, who stood head and shoulders above his peers. Many believe that he was done in by the substance injected into his body while in prison during the late Gen Sani Abacha’s regime. Last Friday, family, friends and colleagues eulogised the late officer at his funeral in Lagos. ABIKE ADEGBULEHIN AND OMOLOLA OLAOLUWA were there.

     

    THE tears are yet to dry for the late major Akinloye Akinyemi despite the burial of his remains in Lagos last Friday. Those who knew him are still mourning the loss of this outstanding office, who stood out among his peers. He is being mourned more by his colleagues in the Army, some of who are generals today. Akinyemi’s remains were buried at the Victoria Court Cemetery, Lagos, after a funeral service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Lord Central Parish, Lekki.

    The body was conveyed in a brown casket; part of it was covered with the Nigerian flag, a symbol of last respect for the retired soldier. His pair of shoes; cap and sword were on the casket.

    A military ovation was done by the National Chairman, Association 13Reg/SS5 intake 1973, Major Gen Abdul Malik Halidu-Giwa. This was followed by another by the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Signals, Brig Gen Donald Oji.

    The body was lowered into the grave at 1:45pm.

    An achiever, the late Akinyemi was the Best Army Cadet at the Nigerian Defence Academy, leading to his nomination to complete his training at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, Surrey, United Kingdom (UK). There, he won the Cane of Honour as the Best Overseas Cadet. He proceeded to the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham in Swindon, UK, where he graduated with a First Class.

    At the church, decorated in brown and peach, the choir, dressed in black and blue suit, rendered solemn songs.

    A bevy of beautiful women ushered guests to their seats.

    Suddenly, military salutations drew the guests’ attention to the entrance.

    That signalled the arrival of Akinyemi’s remains borne by six uniformed men, who marched into the church and carefully placed the casket on the table.

    The late Akinyemi’s profile was read by Gen Halidu-Giwa. In his biography, the late Akinyemi, was described as an achiever.

    “He was a man of integrity, professionalism, thoroughness, selfless in service, a patriot who sacrificed his life, his marriage and all for a course he believed in. Indeed your name has been carved in the history of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army,” Gen Halidu Giwa read.

    The late Akinyemi was a product of the Government College, Ibadan. He later joined the cadet unit; he went to the Nigerian Military School Bush Camp before joining the Nigerian Army.

    The officiating minister, Pastor Olu Olusakin, sympathised with the bereaved family.

    The cleric spoke on Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled – John 14: 1.

    The late Akinyemi, Pastor Olusakin said, was a diligent man who worked for God.

    “He has definitely left a vacuum in our hearts and I pray that God shall help fill this vacuum, especially in the life of his family,” he said.

    He urged all to emulate the Akinyemi’s virtue.

    After the sermon, Pastor Kunle Ajayi sang Amazing Grace and It is well with my soul.

    The deceased’s elder brother, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, described his exit as painful.

    Prof Akinyemi, a former Minister of External Affairs, wrote: “It is natural in schools for seniors to write character profile on their juniors. In real life, it is only natural for a younger brother to write an obituary- tribute on an older brother and not the other way around. But, since your death, so much has happened from unexpected sources that as unnatural and painful as it is, I just have to write this. I have been visited by retired and some serving Generals who had just broke down for reasons which I cannot fathom. For some, it probably was atonement for what happened to you, for some, it was the agony of what might have been not necessarily for you but for the nation. For some, I just don’t know. What I know is that your death has been a very painful experience for many and for me. And now, it’s time for me to say goodbye. At ease major, at ease. I will miss you and your indomitable spirit. If you, with all you went through, did not give up, why should I?”

    The late Akinyemi’s first son described his father as a role model.

    “My father was a great man; I’m honoured and proud to be his son,” the younger Akinyemi, a retailer with Game Store, Ogun State, said.

    The immediate younger brother, deceased’s Mr Akin Akinyemi, a businessman, said: “It is difficult today to say anything about my brother because it was when he died and I listened to what people said about him that I knew how great he was. There lies a man of integrity, a man that loved his country; he fought for his nation and believed in his country. He was candid and outspoken and will be greatly missed.”

    A friend of the late Akinyemi, Mr Olusegun Olubowale, the manager of K&K Event Management, Sagamu, Ogun State, described him as a fine officer and gentleman.

    “He was my school grandfather at the Government College, Ibadan. Nigeria has lost a very competent soldier and what more can I say. He was a very gentle and amiable man,” he said.

    Lt Col G.F. Majekodumi of the 13 Regular Course met the late Akinyemi, whom he fondly called ‘Bobbylenge’ in 1972 when in Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

    “The then Commandant in NDA, Major Gen Adeyinka Adebayo, asked who was candidate Akinyemi? Hearing the commandant asking of a candidate, I thought he wanted to influence your selection. Whereas, I never knew you were a self-made cadet right from the time you started attending the Nigerian Military School (NMS). I could remember when you would collect machine gun weapon from any of our course mates who got tired, additional load to your own, during rigorous routine march and endurance training. I will miss your deep knowledge and lecture on the British conquest of Nigeria and various inter-tribal wars. Your relentless struggle for justice for the inhuman treatment meted out to you by agents of darkness in uniform made you to cry out for justice. This led to your appearance at the Oputa Panel with me.

    “Your ideas and desires to promote justice, fair play, equity, productivity and national development in Nigeria were far ahead this generation. You were a star that was located but was not utilised. The feat you could not make in the military was made and manifested in the Kingdom. Adieu, my four-star general,” Majekodunmi wrote.