Zlatan Ibrahimovic has kickstarted a fundraiser for Humanitas hospitals buckling under the strain of coronavirus in Italy.
The veteran striker took to Instagram to speak about how he planned to take action with the death toll now rising above 2,500 in the country.
Ibrahimovic has spent a combined eight seasons with Serie A clubs and currently plays for AC Milan.
He said: ‘Italy has always given me so much and, in this dramatic moment, I want to give back even more to this country that I love.
‘I decided, together with the people who are working with me, to create a fundraiser for Humanitas hospitals and to use my communication power to spread the message wider.
‘It’s a serious issue and we need a concrete help that’s not just about a video.
‘I count on the generosity of my colleagues, of all professional athletes and of those who want to make a small or large donation according to their possibilities, to kick this virus away.
‘Together we can really help hospitals and doctors and nurses who selflessly work every day to save our lives. Because today we are the ones cheering for them!
‘Let’s together kick the CoronaVirus away and win this match!
‘And remember: if the virus don’t go to Zlatan, Zlatan goes to the virus!’
Italy is the worst affected country in Europe by coronavirus and there are more than 30,000 cases in the country that have been recorded, though the true figure is likely to be far greater.
Humanitas hospitals are specialised teaching and research facilities so vitally important to fighting the illness.
Ibrahimovic has joined the growing list of footballers looking to help out. Paul Pogba, Sadio Mane and Son Heung-min have all made large donations to help the relief effort as the battle to combat the illness rages on.
Yinka Davies, an ace singer and actress, came to the industry as a teenager. She started out as a fine artist but embraced showbiz along the line and became the rave of the moment, hobnobbing with the big names in the industry. But a low point came at a time in her life, which she, paradoxically, saw as a divine arrangement to slow her down to preserve her life! In this interview with PAUL UKPABIO and BIODUN ADEYEWA, Yinka Davies, who is still at the crest of life, shares her big memories with us. Excerpts:
WE haven’t heard from you in a long while, what has been happening?
For a while, I took time off to go back to acting. I have been in some productions in and out of the country. The whole of 2019 was more or less dedicated to the theatre.
I was either in one play or another. And that meant moving up and down. I think I participated in four plays at the Muson Centre in Lagos, sometimes three or four shows in a day.
Why theatre?
About 2018, I just found myself being drafted back to stage willingly or unwillingly. It was incredible. I was being pulled here and there and it was quite interesting and a great fun.
yinka davis
How did it really start? I need to think back because I was so overwhelmed as I was in different plays at the time, which meant shuttling from one place to another, rehearsals and so on. I remember that 2017 was television for me. I did ‘Battleground’ for the whole of that year into 2018.
How are you now combining theatre with music?
I think I am a theatrical person by nature. A lot of art, a lot of facial expressions come natural with me and you can see all that when I am on stage.
Some people say you started out with music?
No, I started out as a fine artist. I was more of a fine artist. It was from there that I moved to contemporary dances, stage acting, then into music. Afterwards, I returned to stage acting, then back to music. I kept shuttling in between them from time to time.
You said you started out with fine art, you mean drawing images, sketching?
Yeah; that was in 86 and 87. I was studying under the late Daddy Bisi Fakeye and Mr Biodun Olaputu who was doing drawing too.
I learnt from them. And somehow, I was good at it, to the extent that I was one day called by a cousin to come and paint a stage, at the National Arts Theatre.
I did it and I saw that it moved the people. I looked at my drawings and it was like it was moving. And that was how I drifted into acting.
You mean you went there to paint and suddenly, acting came for you?
Exactly.
Tell us a little about your early days?
In the 70s and the 80s, my daddy had all sorts of records which he gladly played as much as he could at home. So when we saw this, it was screams at home, ‘Look at these African artistes.’
You know, the music album covers of those days were so uniquely African. You recall Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s album covers, for instance, with its designs.
And on one of such music album covers, I saw the Arts Theatre and we went on excursion there from Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School where I was.
During that excursion, I was at the National Arts Theatre, which I used to see before then, only on television. That made my day. And I told everyone, ‘I am not going anywhere anymore.’
Is that where you got the bug for your artistic talent?
Oh no, there at Our Lady of Apostle School, I had already started drawing and sketching and I had already started hearing a lot of ‘wow, this girl has a lot of potentials for the arts.’
So, how did the big break come?
I think it was Mr. Archibong that invited me to follow him to the theatre to paint the stage for the play titled, ‘The Marriage of Anansewa.’
That was in 87. I think one of the cast members did not turn up and that was how I got a role. You won’t believe it; I didn’t bother going home again.
I just got lost. After then, whenever anyone was looking for me, they knew where to find me (laughs). Then if you asked people where I was, they will tell you, ‘Just look for where people are shouting or screaming on stage at the theatre.’
I was perpetually living at the National Theatre because I was always there every day. I partially left home. I told my parents I wasn’t coming home; that I was at the National Arts Theatre for good. So, I didn’t care. I was just too in love with what I was getting at the theatre.
And that was how you started getting roles?
Even before I started getting roles, I was already a dancer. I saw Elizabeth Hammond practising her dance steps and routines and I joined her in her famous contemporary dances.
But most people know you more for your singing talent and music.
As at 1989, I was to be part of ‘Checkmate’ but because the director, Amaka Igwe, delayed, I didn’t make it. I was called by the music industry. I was into many things at once. And at that point, I also wanted to do everything that I had got to know and become. But the truth again is that music, the way I saw it then, was too shallow for me.
What eventually led you into music?
The week I agreed to be part of a music show was the week that the producers of ‘Checkmate’ became ready to start the series on television.
You were just bound to go to music. Was that the Lagbaja years?
No, the Lagbaja era started two years later. I started with Alex O! (Starts singing some of the lines in Alex O’s songs). I was doing a lot of back up singing. It was an experience for me. Incredibly, it was in music that I actually started to make the real money.
How much were you making?
N300 as at 1990 was a lot of money. I didn’t need it. I was just giving it out. Few years ago, I saw a friend who told me that I gave her N50 about that time to take care of herself. She said that the N50 lasted her for one week. I was shocked, dazed and I asked her what did she say? She said N50 then was good money, which she spent happily and it stretched for a week.
When you made a crossover to the studio and music, what difference did you see?
That was it. I had learnt to do background vocals, so I was in the studio for quite a number of artistes. Studio helped me to contain the power, the over-energy that I was exhibiting on stage acting.
In theatre where I was coming from, you had a great audience in front of you, sometimes a huge crowd and you had to scream. But in the studio, you didn’t need to stress or do much. There was no need for exaggerated moves like in the theatre.
And then the lights went out?
Yes. It was then I had that accident; that made me go quiet. Bisade called me in 1992 to come and help him close down ‘Bread and Butter’.’ So I went and I did that.
And that is why I say I have the licence to sing that particular song never far away because we were there. They called us the girls, Maria was before; Ebony Bankole was before; I was there, and ego was after.
What does that mean? We all have the licence to sing it because we sang it before she came.
Anyway, back to the dark period when the lights went out, like you said, I had a baby before the accident. That accident seemed to have been necessary so that I could calm down because the rate, the way I was going, it was obvious that I was living so fast so that I could die young.
It was like I was living fast, so that I could die at 30! I was living damn too fast. I was living high up there. As crazy as it may sound, it happens to some people. But somehow, God didn’t allow it for me. I thank God for that; I thank you Jesus.
What kind of accident was it?
Oh, I crossed the street and hit a car (Laughs). I was the one that hit the car. I was actually going to where we used to call ‘Ghana High,’ a place where people eat at Onikan; then to JP Clark Hall when I crossed the road to hit the car.
How bad was the accident?
I had bones that were broken. Skin grafting had to be done. And it took nine to 10 months for me to get to understand the situation.
At that particular point, did you see it as the end of your career?
Well, I just saw it as a call to slow down. If I didn’t slow down, I was going to die. So, I had to learn to slow down by force. It was a message to me, a divine message, a wakeup call, which I remain grateful for. It was actually my fault. It was a taxi driver; it wasn’t his fault.
I was the one who crossed the road without looking where I was going. I was down for a year and half. Then I realised so much. There are actually people who are given gifts that they are not even aware of. I have been that person.
The Lord wanted me to grow up by force. So, I had to learn to grow up. I became more conscious of stuff, of how to do stuff and I became more aware of life and what it is. There are certain things that happen in life and it makes us more aware.
You were the rave, then suddenly you had an accident, were people there for you?
Oh yes, people were there for me. Though it didn’t even matter to me, I was on crutches and still having my bath by myself and going to sing.
You remember this song that we did then, ‘Baby show colour re, ka jo ma rock, baby show colour re, ka jo ma rock, ajo ma lo gba yi pe o, lo gba logba;’ that was the time that KWAM 1 actually became a star.
And that was because he crossed over from core Fuji to sing what blended with the younger generation. That was September 1994.
Every friend of mine, every associate was with me one way or another. So, I must say that I am grateful to everybody then in showbiz and in the media. Some of them I didn’t even know. I can’t begin to mention names because there will be too many names to mention.
So with broken, healing legs, I was still singing. That particular year, there were two Lagbajas; so I was going up the stage to sing. Bisade was the producer. Then there was another taller Lagbaja. So we had three Lagbajas and now, this I believe is the fourth Lagbaja.
You know, Lagbaja is a faceless person, whoever comes is Lagbaja. So whenever I was called, I would be there to sing. That was the beauty of that period. I had great fun.
But didn’t you complain that you were being saddled with so much work, even when you had not fully recovered?
(Laughs) who was I to complain to when I was having great fun with everyone at my disposal? Except of course, the governor of Lagos (laughs). It was a great time.
Were you making as much money in relation to your fame?
That is the point. That was why I said earlier that I was blessed with so many gifts that I was not aware of. I was not aware of the impact the talent I had was making.
Hon. Abike Dabiri was one such close friends; then she was working at NTA; she would come sit with me, watch me do a lot of singing, recorded me and I was featured on this popular show on television anchored by Frank Olise, but that was even the beginning. I wasn’t worried about the money or what I was earning.
You worked with the big names in music: King Sunny Ade, Sikiru Ayomide Barrister, Kwam 1, and so many others. Which of them did you enjoy working with most?
I enjoyed working with all of them. They were all different from one another.
You have been a fine artist, an actor, a musician, a dancer, but which do you like most?
I love being a fine artist most. And that was my first calling.
Is that why you are going back to drawing and painting these days?
I just want to draw. I just want to paint. It is now constantly in my mind and constantly a part of me. But I sing too. I am always in one concert or another. And there must be one reason or another that the Lord still lets me sing.
yinka davis
But you haven’t released the album you promised years ago? It is still coming; relax you will soon get a full loaded album.
How about your children?
My children are there, coping with me and my lifestyle. I have children. The Lord gave me children. The Lord has many breasts and anyone who comes, He gives His breast. He is a kind God. And He gives us children, so we can take care of them.
Is any of them taking after you in the arts?
Yes, in a way.
You did sing the song ‘owo’ with late Barrister, what was the experience like?
For me, it was to honour the sound that escorted me to school. In the 70s when we were going to school, on the street, you hear speakers blasting Barrister’s music, pop, soul, and others (suddenly goes philosophical).
Nigeria was great then; Nigeria will be great again because then when you waved, people waved back at you. I miss Nigeria.
Can you recall when you worked with King Sunny Ade?
Yes, that was when we did ‘Nigeria yi ti gbogbo wa ni, ko ma gbo do baje, to ri ajo ko le da bi ile’ and so on.
How do you keep the youthfulness, any special beauty secrets?
It’s the Lord that keeps me and He alone knows the reason.
How do you cope with your schedules? You are in stage shows, you are acting on stage, you are in concerts, you are back to painting all at the same time?
I take each day as it comes. I don’t allow myself to get overwhelmed. I just call God, ‘Papa o ya, come sit here, let’s discuss, which one should I do today (laughs)? When He answers me, I stand up, off I go.
FORMER Green Eagles top striker, Segun Odegbami, is in great joy. The ex- international footballer and former Chairman of Worldwide Sports Ltd.,has at last secured a Federal Government’s licence to own a radio station. And this, according to him, is coming after 17 years of waiting.
An elated Odegbami, who earned the nickname ‘Mathematical Odegbami,’ in his heydays of playing football for Nigeria, quickly started calling friends to share his joy with them.
Odegbami recalls that the licence is coming after 17 years of waiting. “I was determined not to force it by doing anything illegal or corrupt or immoral in order to get it, because I believed it is a dream whose fulfillment should come only because the authorities agree it is merited.
So, for all of 17 years, I have watched with some shock and amazement as licences were being flung around the country like confetti at a marriage to every Tom, Dick and Harry.
Even those that did not apply for it were given. Several Nigerians got multiple licences, products of connections and man knows man. In all this swarm, only one licence was approved in 17 years in a country of some 180 million people, passionate and ‘crazy’ about sports.
“The few persons that I invited to join me in setting up a second sports radio station in Nigeria, a year or so after the first was granted, were also influential but for some reason they also allowed things to run their course because they assumed a licence was a sure deal and would be approved for me by government with ease and pleasure. So, they did nothing to facilitate or accelerate the process.”
Segun Odegbami went on to give kudos to the Buhari administration that eventually saw the need to grant him a sports radio licence.
“In the dispensation of President Muhammadu Buhari, the elements are unfolding their divine conspiracy. In a grand drama of life, many things have started to come together (needless to list them here), and the most unexpected interventions are taking place, most of which I definitely know nothing about. That’s why my greatest gratitude goes to my Father, the Creator of the universe.
“I thank President Muhammadu Buhari (I doubt that he is even aware of what he did); the DG of the NBC, Kaawu Modibo; the Hon. Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare; the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former DG of the NBC, Mallam Dankadi Bako; Ambassador Mamman Yusuf; Senator Babafemi Ojudu; SA to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina; and many others that may have had a hand or a prayer in making my 17-year dream (to join my friend, Dr. Larry Izamoje of Brila Sports FM) to operate the second, the biggest, boldest and best Sports Radio Station in Africa, become reality,” he added.
Living in a border town between two countries could be an advantage in the sense that it guarantees easier access to the international community. But it could also be a burden as has been the case with residents of some communities in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State who share direct boundaries with the neighbouring Benin Republic. Only recently, the chairman of the local government council, Hon. Olusegun Onilude raised the alarm over the maltreatment the residents were experiencing at the hands of security agents since the nation’s land borders were shut. Now he is concerned that the residents are exposed to greater danger of the deadly coronavirus infection because of their exposure to the international community. He also spoke to OLUYOMBO TOKODE how he managed to overcome the evil of cultism in the local government and the challenges he is facing as the chief executive of the local government.
HOW did you receive the news of the index case of coronavirus in Nigeria?
Immediately I heard about it, the first thing that came to my mind is that the world has become a global village. The movement of a human being is something that one cannot really predict.
Within a space of a day or two, some people can traverse the entire world. I was scared initially because of the experience we heard with Ebola.
I asked why Nigeria again? But then, I must give kudos to the present administration and my governor, Mr. Babjide Sanwo-Olu.
The way the Fashola administration handled the outbreak of Ebola, I think so far, he (Sanwo-Olu) has displayed the same skill.
Fortunately for us in Lagos State, we always have the manpower to stand up to sudden challenges like this.
That we were able to curtail it and to get information about the people to quarantine has really helped us. My fear is fast disappearing with the way we are handling it, and I’m happy we are doing it well.
Some people believe that your local government area, which shares international border with Benin Republic, is critical in the battle to keep coronavirus away from Nigeria? Do you also believe so?
I agree 100 per cent. We are a gateway and a lot of people come into the country through our local government area. That is why we are not relenting.
That is why we are not handling the issue with kid gloves and tThat is why we are sensitising our people. Sensitization is the best thing we could do.
They told us that the virus could be on our hands for about 10 hours. That is why we need to wash our hands constantly and put sanitizer on them.
We were told it kills the virus, and that is what we have been telling them. We don’t have the facility to cure or prevent, but we should let that practice of hygiene become a part of our culture.
It is only that we are a very forgetful people. During the time of Ebola, that was what we did. All schools were give sanitizers to wash hands.
But after a while, we forgot about it. Until we imbibe the culture of cleanliness all the time, until it become s part of us. Maybe with this, everyone will come to accept that cleanliness is next to godliness.
So I agree we should do more sensitization in my local government so that more people could be aware. Ignorance too could help in spreading the disease.
But once they are enlightened and they know what to do, they avoid crowd and hand greetings and so on, it will save us.
Since the index case of coronavirus, have you noticed the presence of any federal government agency in your local government, particularly the National Centre for Disease Control?
I heard that they are in the border communities doing their work. But in the cities, we have not felt their presence. But I am sure they are at the border.
Badagry LG chair
Besides, whether they are there or not, what is important is awareness on the part of the people. The Lagos State Government, with the 57 local government areas in the state, has done a lot of fliers and done a lot of sensitization. They have sent vehicles to all our communities educating our people about the presence of this virus.
But in doing these, we are very careful. We don’t want to scare people. We have told them that there is nothing to be scared of.
They should just maintain regula hygiene. We have also alerted all our health facility centres—the primary health centres, the general hospitals, all the institutions within Badagry—the awareness is high. So I think we are secured in Badagry, Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
Cultism and banditry used to be major issues before you became the chairman of this local government. What is the situation now?
Badagry is one of the most peaceful local governments in Lagos State, if not in Nigeria. But the peace does not necessarily mean there are no incidents of insecurity here and there.
As you rightly put it, the challenge we had was that of cultism when rival cult groups were attacking themselves and were actually gunning down their members.
We didn’t use the force approach. We engaged them in dialogue. I identified their leadership and I was inviting them one by one, talking to them and letting them see reason.
I articulated my points before inviting them. We argued and debated on the pros and cons of cultism. I made them to realize that they were the ones losing.
Most of them were graduates but they could not work. Some of them had secured jobs but whenever there was an attack, they would not be able to stay at their duty posts.
They would run away. By so doing, some of them lost their jobs and were roaming about the streets. Some of them could not even walk freely in the town.
Even if they had something doing in their families, some of them could not attend for fear that policemen were around and they could be picked up.
By the time I let them see all these faults in their activities, individually they agreed with me. We started bringing in some of their members. They said they don’t meet eye to eye with the other group.
I first of all started by inviting the leaders of the cult groups in twos. We would meet and talk. Later we were inviting them in threes and so on.
I was surprised when the turnout reached about 300 cult members, and they came out with their weapons and surrendered them. The then Commissioner of Police, Edgar, was involved. He personally came down to do the programme of renunciation.
Since then, everybody has been going about in the town peacefully. Those who did not come out then, we are now using those who have renounced to police them. So, most of the atrocities they practice are outside Badagry.
They are now friends with the police. Before any ugly situation rears its head, the police would have invited them. They always give useful information and it has been helping us security wise.
What would you say have been your high and low moments as Badagry Local Government chairman?
Let me begin with the low moments. Our people need a lot of education. At times, they don’t know the difference between the responsibilities of the state, the federal and the local governments.
Any challenge they have, as far as they are concerned, government must resolve it and government is government.
So, even things that are not ours to do, our attention is drawn to them and they expect us to fix them. If a federal road has an issue, they expect the local government to fix it.
Another thing is that they don’t really care about the resources of the local government. They see the local government as a government that can never be in want of funds. So everything from fixing the infrastructure to meeting up with their social needs, they want the local government to do.
That puts a lot of pressure on the local government, especially the indigenous local governments. If they have personal financial needs, they must rush to the chairman.
And the chairman must look into it. If they want to build a house, do a festival and so on, the local government must come. I attribute those who do these to lack of education, because they don’t draw the lines. That pushes us to explain that where they are taking us to is not within our jurisdiction.
Unfortunately, even those who should know, probably because of their involvement in politics or because of their level of education, they deliberately distort information.
And when such comes from a particular angle, it sort of misleads the masses. So that puts additional pressure on those of us who are saddled with the administration of the local government. Another low point is that we would have loved to run faster than we are doing but for funds.
The economy is dwindling. Oil price globally is coming down and requests or demands are going higher and higher. Nothing concerns my people with dwindling funds.
As far as they are concerned, the local government can do everything. Those are some of the things that constitute the low point.
The high point is that one is contributing his own quota to the development of one’s community. Each day you remember that, you are very happy. I know that Badagry has infrastructural deficits.
That they are fixing some of them is a plus for us. That we are contributing to upgrading the face of Badagry is a happy thing for us.
That we are happy in solving human problems or putting food on the table for some people, they are high points.
A lot of people want to attain this position so that they can add value to the lives of our people. That we are opportune to occupy the position is a very high point.
Positions like this also come with knocks and commendations. How much of them have you received?
Thank you very much. When you attain a position like this, you must expect both. Both of them are vital to progress and development.
Those who give knocks may be doing it for different reasons. Some want to knock you so that you will be alive to your responsibility.
You can never rule out the euphoria of being in a position too. Praise singers too can make one to have erroneous opinion about one’s administration.
So, those who do constructive criticism should be praised that they want us to be alive to our responsibilities. They keep us on our toes.
But there are others whose criticisms are in bad faith. They know what is obtainable. They know that you are doing your best, yet they don’t see anything good in what you are doing.
Some have become professionals in this regard and there is nothing one can do about it. You look at the message and not the messenger, and you take the good things you can take from it and leave the rest. So strictly speaking, knock is an essential thing that pushes one to do more.
But everyone who has done something good needs to be commended. If you are commended, it is an indication that your people love what you are doing and an additional motivation to do more.
But even those you have given so much would still give you knocks. A good leader should neither be too bothered by the knocks nor too carried away by the commendations.
Accountability is the hallmark of good governance. How accountable is your leadership?
In fact, one of the recent knocks my administration got was a publication about transparency, credibility, integrity. But I have always said that criticism is cheap.
Every person can criticise. But to get the job done, that is where you see the difference between the good and the bad.
We have a responsibility to our people and part of it is to give them the dividends of democracy. Giving them the dividends of democracy involves fixing the infrastructural deficits and doing so means giving some projects out to people to do in form of contracts.
Even the law has set aside how things should be done. We have the procurement law. We have bidding process. We could do direct labour bur we have a bench mark for doing it.
There are even categories of contracts. The one you can give to particular contractors depending on what they registered for.
There are even contracts that are above the local government authority. If you want to award a contract that is higher than that, you must seek and get the approval of the governor.
Some people believe the best way to do local government work is to involve the general masses. If, for example, I want to do drainage, a school of thought would say look for the people in the community.
Give Mr. A one metre to do and give Mr. B another metre. They forget that it is one contract that has money attached. If it is N35 million and above, you cannot be giving it to individuals. Number one, it will affect the quality of the job done. Give it to the professionals in that field.
Then there are things that have to do with technicalities which you cannot give to individuals to do. You don’t do drainage half way and another person comes to join in.
It will not flow well. So I think what we should do is give such jobs to a competent contractor and then impress it on the contractor that for little supplies and artisans work, he should involve our local people, and that is what we have been doing.
We have done about 16 or 17 projects that involve contracts. And most of our contractors are our indigenous people. We also always ensure that they use our people to do little supplies.
Don’t go and bring a bricklayer from Lagos or any other place; use our indigenous bricklayers. You don’t need to go to Abeokuta for sand; let our people supply. That is what we have been doing.
Besides that, we have assets management committee. It is our own creation and not that of the state. What the committee does is that first of all, it assesses the needs of the local government.
The committee is headed by the Secretary to the Local Government (SLG). When they meet, they bring their recommendations to the EXCO. The EXCO will discuss and give the Assets Committee the mandate to assess those who have shown interest in that particular project.
The Assets Management Committee is also given the mandate to examine that contractor. Is he competent? Does he have the financial muscle and technical know-how to do it? When they are satisfied, about three or four contractors will now be pushed to the Tenders Board and to the procurement agency that are already in-built in the system.
The procurement thing does not stop in the local government. They have to take that issue to the state and we get approval from the state.
When we get the approval to go ahead, they face the Tenders board. It when the Tenders Board has approved it that the contract is given out. So that is a transparent system on its own.
Even the Tenders Board, the chairman is not the chairman. It is the Vice Chairman that presides over it and about six or seven other officials of the local government are members.
If the executive chairman does not want to be transparent, he would assume all these responsibilities and we would not even create that assets management committee.
Again, the chairman has never interfered in the work that should be done by any department. Once the EXCO approves it, it becomes your business and you must do it and do it well.
So the system has its checks and balances. Insinuations that somebody close to the chairman, family or relations only exists in the imagination of those that are peddling it.
If somebody who happens to know me passes through all the aforementioned hurdles and is given one of the contracts, I don’t know the law that says a qualified person should not be given.
Besides, we have an Internal Audit Department. We have the office of the auditor-general for local governments. They come once every three months to assess the capital projects we do.
Outside that, we have a committee in the House of Assembly (Local Government and Administration Committee) who perform their oversight function on local governments.
There is also the Public accounts Committee that works on the report of the Office of the Auditor-General.
You would agree with me that the system will work in such a way that it will checkmate anyone who wants to short-change it. With all this, one cannot do but be accountable and transparent.
Tolulope Oke, a prominent Nollywood actress, is a graduate of Sociology from the University of Lagos. She also read Dramatic Arts at the Obafemi Awolowo University,(OAU), Ile-Ife. She has starred in several film productions that featured some notable Nollywood faces. She has just produced a new film titled ‘Cookie Spot’. In this interview with YETUNDE OLADEINDE, she speaks about her new movie, its focus and importance to the audience. She also has words of encouragement for women. She enjoins them to remain steadfast amidst the challenges of life.
My growing up
I was born in Lagos and attended Mercy Day Primary School and St.Mary Primary School, both in Okota, Lagos. I later attended Remo Divisional High School in Sagamu, Ogun State, and Ibadan Grammar School, Oyo State.
I grew up in a large family and we had extended relations living with our family. I have been independent-minded as a young person. Acting has been in me since my primary school days. My parents didn’t see the skills in me; so, they wanted me to study Law. All they wanted to see their only girl become was a lawyer. I am the only girl and I had formed my opinion early in life about who I should be and what I should do to put my potentials into good use.
I joined the industry in 2005/2006 but started fully in 2011/2012 when I featured in ‘Awure eni’, produced by Muhideen Oladapo. Ibrahim Chatta and Moji Olaiya were also part of the movie. I featured in over 20 movies, including ‘Dazling Mirage’ by Tunde Kelani, ‘Jennifer diary’, owned by Funke Akindele.
My first personal production work was ‘Bi ala'(Like a dream), which featured Peju Ogunmola, Akin Lewis, Dele Odule and others in 2012.I also did ‘Alebu mi’ (My weakeness) in 2015. I produced ‘Omiran’ in 2016(Giant ), which featured Femi Adebayo, Rose Odita, Funso Adeolu,Dupe Jiayesinmi and others. I later produced ‘Homesick’ in London in 2016.The movie focused on Nigerians living in Dispora and coming back home for them remained the best option.
Views about the industry
I believe the industry is improving as it is on the world map. That is very encouraging. Nigerians in diaspora can watch movies without getting the CDs across to them. I’m delighted that now, there are several platforms where people can showcase their talents.
I want tradition and culture to be showcased more in a positive way in the movies. There are some perspectives that should be changed in the storylines. The voodoo aspects give people some wrong impression that anything can happen. In the real sense of it, selling our culture makes us unique but it should be done appropriately. Our culture should be projected positively not only about diaspora can watch movies without getting the CDs across to them. I’m delighted that now, there are several platforms where people can showcase their talents.
I want tradition and culture to be showcased more in a positive way in the movies. There are some perspectives that should be changed in the storylines. The voodoo aspects give people some wrong impression that anything can happen. In the real sense of it, selling our culture makes us unique but it should be done appropriately. Our culture should be projected positively not only about voodoo.
The industry should always seek societal upliftment and project positive values. There are several innovative values that can impact the society.
The new movie
‘Cookie Spot’ is a story and it is a reflection about life. I believe in hope and I tried to project life and its possibilities. ‘Cookie Spot’ is a story of survival wherever you find yourself. There is always a means of survival. The inspiration of ‘Cookie Spot’ is from a carwash that can turn to a big business. The lady got help from a woman where she was working to establish her own business. She wanted a good life for her mother and herself, which the mother rejected due to the untold story she didn’t reveal to her daughter about her father. Some notable Nollywood starts, who featured in ‘Cookie Spot’ are Adejumo Lewis, Funso Adeolu, Sola Sobowale, Ayo Adesanya, Bolanle Ninalowo, Omowunmi Dada and a host of others.
The message, among others, is that women should not be overwhelmed with challenges. They should believe they can make it despite all odds. I believe every woman has a staying power that should confront every challenge and overcome. I want every woman out there to have a positive spirit, which will definitely make them overcome in life.
There is the need for women to support one another. The young women should see the bigger picture of whatever they are doing. Possibilities are endless in life. Whatever you are doing, you should not give up. You can always be a better person wherever you are. You should learn to survive in a way that will add value to others.
I believe ‘Cookie Spot’ will challenge every young lady out there to have the women and women generally should have the strong will to succeed against all the odds in life.
Dr. Jide Akeredolu, a consultant surgeon, as the District Governor of Rotary Club 9110, has a huge task on his desk to meet humanitarian. It’s a busy year with little or no time for parties. But Dr. Akeredolu, a member of Island Club, has a way out. In this interview with PAUL UKPABIO and BIODUN ADEYEWA, he shares with us many interesting things about his life and career, including how he found himself in Rwanda immediately after the war, among other issues.
Would you say that your early life influenced the person you are today?
I had a father who was an Anglican Bishop. So, more or less, we garew up inside the church. He was a strict disciplinarian. We were taught early the value of giving service to the community and society. We were taught the value of giving, which has helped me a lot to key into the service that Rotary offers and gives a much larger platform. What took your parents to the North?
At that time, Christianity was not well established in the North. So, the church needed someone who could go there to spread the gospel as it were. That was in the 50s; that was how my dad was chosen. My dad was the priest at St. John’s Church in Araloya, Lagos Island. He was transferred to Kaduna where we were for seven years. He built the Anglican Church in the North before he returned to the South. So, we were there mainly because of his pastoral duties.
Briefly, you were in Lagos?
Yes, but we were small then; so it will be difficult to remember in totality all that took place then. It’s a different experience after I had gone round the world and returned to settle down here again. Lagos of those days was a completely different thing. The compounds were decorated with flowers, not walls. The water in the gutters flowed. I remember that we used to make paper boats and put them in the gutter, and watched them float from where we lived on the Island down to the Lagoon. It was as easy as that. But now the gutters don’t flow to anywhere; they are just there clogged. They are static. Walls are now built around houses with more blocks increasing the heights of the walls. After that, they add barb wires, slowly building prisons for ourselves and locking ourselves inside. Well, some people call it progress.
Who would you say influenced your personality most?
That definitely is my dad. He was principled and non-compromising. As a priest in those days, you didn’t have a lot of money, but you were highly respected in the community. I remember that I was in primary school when I was queried: ‘Who did this?’ And all I did was to reply that ‘can you imagine me doing that? I am a son of a pastor!’ And that was it, because that was how I grew up. Being the son of a pastor in those days was an elitist thing. Looking back to those days, I recall that I was going to school without shoes but I was still proud and I usually recalled the saying: ‘Remember the son of whom you are’, which was commonly said to us in those days. Principles took me through life and completely made me self-reliant. Even though he was a pastor in the North, he was not a superstitious person.
Why do you say that?
I remember when I was in secondary school, I was very bright then; I am not as bright now as I used to be (laughs). People even used to think then that I was using ‘juju'(charm)to pass my exams because I was usually busy playing football, table tennis and other sports and when examinations came around, I was always the first in class. And there was a time I was sleeping on my bed and something was touching my body, I jumped up and saw a charm what Yorubas call ‘tira’ right there on my bed. Everybody was running and screaming. I took it home and when I showed it to my dad, he told me to throw it away, that I should not believe in such things. I was taken aback but he instilled that belief in me that nothing can touch or harm me as a son of God. That, it is the people that put it there on my bed that have the problem. Since then, I have never nurtured any fear whatsoever. I am always focused believing in whatever I am doing.
You just gave us a picture of Lagos back then; can you also give us a picture of Kaduna in those days?
Kaduna was a different ball game because we were in a place which could be likened to Ikoyi there. It was an elitist place; we didn’t mix that much because we were surrounded by Muslims and we were just a small Christian community. I don’t speak Hausa and that should go a long way to show you that we didn’t interact much, but I understand the language when it is spoken. The school was next to the church and we lived in the church environment. It was rough with us at that time; I was selling newspapers on the road as a school boy then because we didn’t have money. Priests in those days were very pious. When I look back at how humble my background was, I used to shake my head because we used to remove the table in our home and put it outside so that we could have space to sleep at night in the sitting room. But I thank God that I was able to make something out of my life with such a humble beginning.
But what decided it for to study medicine?
The sincere truth is that I had a senior brother who came in from England and had done medicine. I wanted to be an engineer but when he came in 1971, I found out that new graduates were earning 60 pounds and doctors were earning 120 pounds. That was when I changed my mind because I didn’t see any reason in going to study something that will make me earn less when I could as well study medicine that will make me earn higher. He was in the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and he bought a car. I said to myself that it was the way to go. That was what twisted my choice from engineering to medicine. But even then, when it was time for me to enter the university, I filled engineering for some of the universities and medicine for others. I was able to get admission for both courses but I settled for medicine.
In those days, there was no JAMB; you applied to each of the universities directly. I decided to opt for medicine in the University of Ibadan, which had a federal scholarship attached to it, unlike the others. I don’t know if I would have been able to go to school if I had not got that scholarship because, like I said, my parents were poor. My senior brother lost one year because he got admission into the university, but my father could not pay. So, he was told to stay at home for a year before my father could afford it. So, when I was coming behind him, I already knew what to expect. But when a federal scholarship was attached to my admission, it became a God-sent opportunity. The rest is history.
Was that when you stopped selling newspapers on the street?
Oh yes. In Kaduna, my mom was into distributing the newspapers. She was selling anything. She put the newspapers on our heads to sell in the morning before we went to school and when we were back from school in the afternoon, we would be selling fruits. It was a tough upbringing.
At what point did marriage come in?
That was after housemanship. I did the youth service in the eastern part of Nigeria; came back, worked in the military for two years, started my post-graduate training at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital(LUTH), finished as a surgeon, then travelled abroad, where I stayed for four years before returning to Nigeria. That was when I met my wife. She was a dentist, working at a dental centre. That was how we got hooked up. She is from Ondo too.
You were abroad, free and single; did it occur to you then that you could marry a white lady as it was the vogue then among young Nigerians who travelled abroad?
As a young man, yes, I thought of that. I remember when I was a registrar and earning a salary, I was quite buoyant and there was that temptation to marry a white lady. But I knew that my mother would put her feet down and say never, never! More so as we would have to come back home at some point. Presently I can say that I thank God that I didn’t do that because such marriages also have their own challenges. But then again, maybe I should have married a white lady, which also meant that I probably would have just stayed back there and not returned to Nigeria. This country is so rough now that sometimes that idea crosses the mind and you start wondering whether you should have done it all differently. But we also thank God for how it has turned out presently.
Were there opportunities for you out there? If there were, what made you return to Nigeria?
What happened was that I went there to specialise in plastic surgery, which is a sub-specialty of surgery. In the English society, you get to know once in a while that you don’t belong. And when that message gets across to you, no matter how good you are, you really don’t belong. And I can remember that I didn’t like that. They knew that I was good, but people were supposedly above me that I was teaching how to do some operations but yet they were my bosses! They let you know that you can’t go beyond a particular point. So, I thought I didn’t need to be a second class citizen. I felt I needed to be in control of my world. I saw the opportunity to join the University of Lagos as a lecturer. That was why I came back home. Unfortunately when I returned, because of the politics there, I couldn’t get the job. Instead, I got a job as a consultant surgeon in the Lagos State Health Service. I worked there for a few years. The system in Lagos state then allowed that I got transferred from the General Hospital on Lagos Island to the General Hospital at Gbagada after a year and half, where I stayed for a few months and got transferred to the General Hospital at Epe. I spent two years there before being moved to Gbagada again. It was when I was transferred again to Isolo that I said no, that it was time to start a private practice.
So, you went into full-time business as a plastic surgeon. Can you explain what plastic surgery is?
Plastic surgery is that aspect of surgery where you deal with visible abnormalities in people; either they are born with those abnormalities or people who along the line of their lives become disfigured. You probably would have seen people with cleft lips, various abnormalities with their skin, or people who are damaged due to involvement in a road accident, where they probably sustained terrible injuries that dis figured them. That’s our specialty as we make them return to looking fine. Also, there are people who just feel like improving what they look like: People who want face lift or ladies who want their tummies to be as flat as possible. But these areas are just a small part of plastic surgery itself. Again, there are people who are suffering from skin cancer and other kinds of cancer.
Which of your surgeries would you say was your best or your worse?
I have had all sorts of experiences. However, I have never found surgery difficult in any way, I just flow into it. And the best experience I have ever had was when I was selected as part of a Rotary Plastic Surgery mission to Rwanda in 2013 to go and perform surgery to those who have been deformed during the Rwandan genocide. A lot of people were maimed and disfigured and stuck in their house. They couldn’t come out because they looked terrible and scary. Some actually looked like monsters. They gathered all of them together and plastic surgeons all over the world were selected to attend to them. I was the only one from Africa that was selected on the team. We were there for a month, operating on them from morning till night. It was a rewarding experience to see people who were hiding and couldn’t face the world but suddenly were healed and they came out looking lovely with smiles to face the world.
Were there other challenges?
We always have challenges like that when you do surgeries, especially when I was in Britain. There was that expectation that I needed to do better than my colleagues to even be recognised. I was under that pressure that you must not fail. I was under such pressure. There were times that I had to do 12 to 16 hours of surgery and one had to be as meticulous as possible. Those were challenging times. Nonetheless, I have never had any case that I had to regret. The circumstance for plastic surgery in Nigeria is a lot more different from that which obtains abroad. Over there, the facilities are there; the back-up systems are there; but here, you are almost literally working with nothing but you still need to produce good results.
With your task of being a District Governor of Rotary Club, do you have time to unwind?
For this year, I don’t think there is time to unwind like that because being a Rotary Club District Governor is a 24 -hour work. But I am also a member of Island Club, which allows me to unwind a bit from time to time. In addition, whenever I find time, I still play lawn tennis and I do a lot reading because many people do not know that we keep exercising the body but the brain is also an organ which needs exercise. And if you don’t exercise it, the brain can wither away.
Jamil Mohammed Abubakar known as Capt. Jamyl is an aircraft pilot with over a decade of experience to his name.
He is better known for his aviation mentorship program and an NGO that caters for the health, education, and alleviation of the less privileged in communities all around northern Nigeria.
An indigene of Gusau, Zamfara state; he was born and bred on 3 different continents at various phases of his life. He went on to acquire an elementary education from Nigeria Military School in ‘97, then a degree in Business Information Technology from Enfield College, London Class of ’04, a BSc degree in computing information systems, multimedia from Kingston University, London, Class of ’09, Epic Aviation, Smyrna, Florida Class of ’09 and Aero Star Training Services LLC.
Despite a demanding career, his passion for humanitarian and philanthropic works has led to the establishment of two organizations that mentor, alleviate, and cater for the less privileged.
He is the President of JMD FOUNDATION, a non-profit organization that was established in 2012, has about 35 active members and has since done projects spanning Community Development, Women Empowerment, Student Alleviation, Mentorship, Feeding, and Health.
Also the founder of an aviation mentorship program, through which he guides, coaches anyone with an interest in piloting as a career. He first announced this program in August 2019 via his social media platform and it has since received traction of over 42,000 engagements.
Asked about community challenges he seeks to reform he said; “Energy, without it progress and infrastructural developments are limited. Energy will shape a whole lot.”
Apart from being an aviation guru and a philanthropist he is also a fitness enthusiast who enjoys leisure activities like soccer, snooker, board games, and playing the piano. He has an interest in real estate and investment platforms.
A respected family man who has been described by friends and associates as resilient, supportive, and cheerful; as he is always creating new avenues to impact the people around him.
When asked about the speculations of a political ambition due to his humanitarian works which were noticeably impactful during the COVID pandemic, as palliatives were distributed in over 4 states within various grass-root communities.
“Giving back to the community doesn’t necessarily have to be political. Leadership should start from your private capacity and then grow into public service.”
The JMD FOUNDATION is working towards expanding its capacity into other parts of Nigeria and ultimately other African countries while the aviation mentorship program seeks to take in more mentees, home and aboard who will be groomed, mentored and given access to the right networks.
The Federal Capital Territory is the administrative capital of the country. True. But also, there is a pulsing, steamy underlay that feeds the passion and the fancies of its inhabitants at night. VICTOR OLUWASEGUN and GBENGA OMOKHUNU expose the habits of Abuja’s night crawlers.
For many in the city, it is difficult to draw a nexus between the peace and calmness in the day time and the hedonistic revelry that permeates the night atmosphere.
And for those who love the night and its nebulous allure, they roam its precinct unfettered. They own the city once it is dusk; they dictate the dynamics. They are the lords of the night.
They can be found at any of Abuja’s many gardens and parks or any of its numerous night clubs or pleasure houses. Places of highlife too many to highlight.
They are drawn to bright lights, extreme darkness and all the shades in between. They are difficult to profile.
Abuja seems to be trying its best to upstage Lagos and Port Harcourt as the city of choice when it comes to night life. It is not doing a bad job of it.
A nightlife of wine, fish and women; beer, Suya and drunken laughter; of carelessness and amorous engagements. Serene in the daytime, syncopating at dusk. Things are happening in Abuja at night.
And who are these people on the night shift? It is surprisingly a mixed multitude: Bankers, civil servants, factory workers and people in various private employment. Then, let’s not forget the scammers and the gigolos, the wannabes and ladies of easy virtue.
Let’s take a drive down Aminu Kano crescent. This road wears two caps; it sits atop the city commercially and hedonistically. It rules in the daytime and bubbles at night.
It is to Abuja what Broad Street, Marina Street and Ozumba Mbadiwe are to Lagos. Only one other road can contend with it, and this is Adetokunbo Ademola Road.
At flourish in Wuse, it is all full options, hence it enjoys a diverse set of customers.
Game lovers could be seen seating around the various big screens shouting themselves hoarse to the swing of the matches, legs kicking impulsively as if moved by Bluetooth attached to the ongoing matches.
Dome is elitist, but those who frequent the entertainment centre love it that way. It gives a kind of exclusivity that sets you apart and makes you happy with yourself that you have achieved.
Expectedly, it’s a place of many beautiful lights and exquisite music, dotted with glamorous ladies of quiet dignity and silent pomposity.
Orders are made in near whispers to barmen who are eager to please and wish to see you leave with a satisfied smile on your face and a determination to return at a later date. Much may be said about Dome, but nothing negative.
Similarly, for those who want some more of the elitist treatment, Salamander Cafe offers the treat for the topmost flying executives in the city, hidden in a plush corner off Aminu Kano Crescent.
It is immune to the frivolity of the city as it is sequestered in a world of it’s own, drawing its clientele from the cream de la cream of the city.
Those who want to sate their lust are frequent at Aminu Kano Crescent, which provides a panorama of potential bedmates. Here, ladies of diverse shapes, sizes and backgrounds abound, nestling among flowers and trees on dark poorly- lit streets till the wee hours of the morning.
It is the same with Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, which hosts Cubana Lounge, other upscale restaurants and a high number of street food vendors who serve night crawlers till the early hours of the day.
Here, flint-hearted ladies, who have commercialised sex haggle and bargain for appropriate prices for satisfaction. Men come mesmerised by the array of beauties embedded amidst the greens, pointing to and picking whom to take home for the night, shortime, sleep-overs or pull-over.
Truly, it is virtually impossible to take in all that the city has to offer, but there are places you can find calm amidst the hustle and bustle.
You can enjoy inner peace and tranquility without fear of robbery or molestation. Either visiting or residing in the city, there’s something for everybody if you’re willing to look.
For those that want a different kind lot fun with no restriction, City Parks on Ademola Adetokunbo is the place to find them. You find that you’re not the first to get this idea because almost everyone is there before you, drawn like bees to honey, ants to sugar.
That’s the City Park, loved by everyone mainly for its expansive grounds, multiple games and the tasty cuisines of its many restaurants.
Our place
Only those acquinted with the geography of the FCT and seasoned nightstalkers are familiar with the hangout at the beginning of Lobito Crescent in Wuse. Nice, quiet and recommendable.
Luxury can be ambiguous but when it comes to Dreams relaxation spot, it means making your expectations come true. Situated around Wuse, Abuja residents, as observed, find the place habitable for all.
Dreams is a place where the high class always cool off. The place is always filled with activities of various sorts; even children find the place interesting to be.
Sky Bar Rooftop Lounge
Quiet, romantic and private, particularly if you desire a top view of the entire capital city. If yes, the Sky Bar Rooftop Lounge is the ideal spot.
You and your loved ones will be swept off your feet by the stunning view of the city with a very rich menu ranging from salads to foreign foods and an impressive selection of African dishes, good ambience and soothing music. It’s the perfect spot for couples to rekindle the fire of love.
Jazz and Blues spot
This is a place where working class people love to relax. It is situated around Wuse Zone 3. Hanging out here is nice, especially for those that love quiet, romantic and private places.
You and your loved ones will be swept off your feet when you visit. They have a very rich menu ranging from salads to foreign foods and an impressive selection of African dishes.
Their service might not be as fast as your normal eatery, but you won’t even notice because you’ll be carried away by the ambience. They play the kind of music that soothes the soul. In all, this is the perfect spot for couples to rekindle the fire of love.
Abacha Barracks Mammy Market
Whether cooked or barbecued fish, Abacha Fish Market is the place to be for fish lovers in and around Abuja. Drinks here are at very affordable rates.
It’s the perfect rendezvous when you just want a casual evening hangout with friends. Located at Mogadishu Cantonment in Abacha Barracks along Karu/Nyanya Expressway, this is the most popular place for all kinds of fish cuisine.
But for the faint-hearted who cannot stand the advent of dusk, parks close early and quite a number are available in the Capital City.
Millennium Park
Millennium Park offers one of the best spots for a picnic in Abuja. Evenings are especially nice to enjoy the beautiful lights at the park. Parking is plentiful and the park’s entrance is off the Three Arms Zone road.
Millennium Park offers visitors opportunity to savour the freedom and freshness that nature offers. At weekends, visitors can frequent the garden to relax.
Carry along a food basket, a blanket and a bottle of wine; then you are set to have a time of your life at Millenium Park.
Millenium Park
Jabi Lake/ Jabi Lake Mall
Encircled in a sea of water and gorgeous scenery, Jabi Lake offers the closest to beach experience within the city. It offers amenities like speed boat rides, canoe rides as well as other water sports to shake off your aqua phobia while you are on board.
Jabi Lake Mall is the most recent addition to the Jabi Lake environs, housing the Jabi Shoprite and others. It is situated on five hectares of land on the eastern shore of the Jabi Lake.
While visiting Jabi Lake, stroll into the magnificent mall and feed your eyes with a feast of products available in stores all located within the mall. No doubt, nothing beats a day at Jabi Lake; it has the full package when it comes to having fun.
It was the other side of top socialite-cum-politician, Chief (Dr.) Kenny Martins, Chairman/CEO of Greensprings Limited, that manifested some days back when he spent time in Mowe in Ogun State, and also commissioned the new branch of Divine Favour Prayer Assembly Ministries, located at Omu-Ajibode/Arigbabuowo,Mowe.
The headquarters of the church at Loburo Phase 2, Mowe, Ogun State, opened a new chapter with the dedication of the new branch and first anniversary thanksgiving service. The church invited some top society people to also witness the event.
Chief Martins commended Dr. Tayo Popoola, the head pastor of the church, for putting up a befitting house of God, and prayed for the expansion of the church.
He encouraged the ministers and the entire congregation of the church to cooperate with the head pastor in moving the church forward.
Also at the church dedication was the former Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Peter O. Adeniyi, who expressed joy at the opening of the new branch.
He described Dr. Popoola as a workaholic who has taken the family virtue of hardwork to a commendable level.
On the spot to cut the tape for the brand new church edifice yesterday was Chief Kenny Martins.
JANUARY is usually a special month for renowned industrialist, AareRasaq Okoya. But this January 2020 has surpassed others as it has turned out differently for the man of style and great affluence.
This year, Aare Okoya turned 80 and the celebration started with Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari’s special greetings to the billionaire on his birthday.
And from Abuja to Sokoto, down to Lagos, Port Harcourt and all around Nigeria, top politicians, billionaire businessmen, boardroom gurus, royal fathers, Nollywood stars, media moguls, all stormed Aare Okoya’s 80th birthday celebration at his sprawling, panache Oluwanishola Estate in Lekki, Ajah axis.
Those who witnessed the 80th birthday party will readily agree that it was a first-class party, which will remain an unforgettable memory.
The exclusive party brought together the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, among others, who joyfully cut the birthday cake with the glowing celebrant.
Vice President Osinbajo,while cutting the cake, prayed God to grant Okoya 100 years, preserve him and keep him in good health.
For a man, who started from a very humble beginning, eking out a living from petty trading, to rise to the topmost echelon as an industrial giant, it should not surprise anyone that his 80th has been so celebrated in pomp and ceremony.
It started with a thanksgiving prayer with him and close members of the illustrious Okoya family, led by prominent Islamic clerics.
The A-list guests at the history-making birthday celebrations of business mogul were thrilled by renditions from different musicians, as the vice president and former President Obasanjo stepped out with the birthday on the dance floor.
