The Nation Newspaper

Category: Society

  • An evening of royal celebration

    It was an evening to celebrate the third anniversary of His Royal Majesty Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, hosted by Lagos Country Club. The ceremony held penultimate Friday, at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI was there.

     

    THE Jubilee hall of the Lagos Country Club in Ikeja, Lagos State was decorated in black and gold fabrics with lights. Tables had gold overlays with flowers in vases; chairs were covered in black.

    Most of the guests were dressed in complete traditional attire.

    It was the celebration of the third anniversary of His Royal Majesty Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, hosted by Lagos Country Club.

    Shotobi was the cynosure of eyes; he wore cream buba, sokoto, agbada and cap. He held a horse tail and a staff in his hands. His pair of black shoes and royal beads complemented his dressing. His wife, Alhaja Kuditat, beamed in blue wrapper and blouse with a matching blue ipele and gele.

    The celebration began with cocktail. Virtually all guests made their way to Shotobi to greet and take pictures with him. It was also a time for guests to network and exchange pleasantries. There were lots of small chops and drinks.

    Diverse traditional rulers, baale, chiefs, and olori stood to be counted at the event. Lagos Country Club members were also there in their numbers.

    After the cocktail which lasted about 30 minutes, Shotobi led the guests to the party section after cutting the tape.

    Beautiful ladies dressed in white T-shirt on cream ankara wrapper and head gear, led guests to comfortable seats.

    A saxophonist, Oluwole Alabi, aka, Olujazz and his band thrilled guests to different kinds of music, including, salsa, cultural and highlife,  which they dished out at intervals.

    The master of the ceremonies, Alhaja Abiola Atanda, aka Madam Kofo, ensured there was no dull moment throughout the evening. She showered Shotobi with eulogies after regonising some distinguished guests.

    Guests later stood up to sing the national and Club’s anthems, led by Olujazz.

    After that, a traditional dance group, Ajidewe Evergreen Band, led by Funmi Obe, entertained guests with traditional musical dance performances which showcased the rich African culture. Their performances included singing and showing encomiums on Shotobi, and also chanting to talk about Nigeria and its rich natural resources, as well as preaching unity and togetherness. They also danced the Yoruba, Igbo, Huasa, Niger Delta and Owo dances.

    Oba Shotobi, (2nd right) and his wife Alhaji Kudirat. Others from left: Akande; Trustees, Lagos Country Club, Chief Allan Olu-Williams and Dr. Kola Oyefeso
    Oba Shotobi, (2nd right) and his wife Alhaji Kudirat. Others from left: Akande; Trustees, Lagos Country Club, Chief Allan Olu-Williams and Dr. Kola Oyefeso

    Guests watched in awe, giving them standing ovation after each performance.

    In his opening remarks, the President of Lagos Country Club, Tajudeen Akande, said the event was in honour of Shotobi who was marking his third anniversary of ascending the throne of his forefathers.

    “This event is also to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people of Africa, to serve as a reminder that Africans have something to be proud of and we should not for any reason relegate our culture.”

    According to him, culture is an identity: any man without identity is a lost man.

    “We are a people of rich culture, diversity and we derive our strength from our diversity. In Nigeria, we have languages, fashion and ethnic nationalities and we must begin to patronise what is ours.”

    He said the event was designed to serve as a platform for social interaction and networking, irrespective of ethnic background, colour or race.

    Shotobi thanked the Club President, its board of trustees, past presidents and members.

    He said he had no regret being the king, thanking the people of Ikorodu for choosing him to be their monarch. He promised that he would do his best, adding that he would continue to promote and support the heritage of the land and he would not disappoint them.

    According to him, his third year in office was just like yesterday.

    “My third anniversary is just like yesterday. I never knew I was going to become a king, let alone dreaming of counting my third year on the throne. All members of this club are happy with me and they are standing by me; I feel loved, I feel a sense of belonging and I will continue to associate myself with them.  I also thank all my people in Ikorodu.

    “Marking my third year in Ikorodu is not just marking for marking sake; when I got to the Palace, I found that there was a need,  I told my people of Ikorodu about the need and millions of naira was realised. The hall will be declared opened by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the Baba Oba of Ikorodu,” he said.

    Shotobi, whose ‘God-sent-father’, the Chief Executive Officer, B and C Associates Inc, a management consulting, marketing research and public relations firm, headquartered in High Point, North Carolina, Robert Brown, was the special guest of honour on the occasion, thanked him for all he has done in his life over the years.

    He said: “My God-sent-father found me many years ago, he took good care of me, sponsored my education and did everything humanly possible to take me out of this country to the United States of America to further my education. He was excited when I became the king and he is here today with his wife, Joy, to celebrate my third anniversary. I thank him for all he has done in my life, he has done wonderfully well,” he said.

    The ceremony continued with the reading of the citation of Brown. His 15 page citation was said to have been compressed to one page.

    Brown and his wife, Joy, who came for the ceremony all the way from the United States of America (USA), were dressed in complete Yoruba traditional attire.

    Brown, who is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, B and C International Inc and President International Book Smart Foundation, also serves as an honorary Chief of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana and a honorary Chief of the Ikorodu Kingdom in Lagos State.

    Brown in his remarks described the evening as wonderful, adding that Nigeria is great and filled with great people.

    His wife, Joy, who expressed her pleasure for the African culture and love shown to her by Nigerians, said it was important to embrace and love one’s cultural heritage.

  • Recognised for their CSR

    A public relations, event management and advertising firm, AS+A Communications has given awards to some distinguished personalities and organisations for their contribution in Corporate Social Responsibility in the Country. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports the event which held on Wednesday at Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagps State.

     

    The awardees stood tall among the crowd. They mounted the podium with all smiles to receive the awards amid applause. Both individuals and organisations were recognised at this year’s Public Relations Forum/ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards and Exhibition, organised by AS+A Communications at Sheraton Hotels in Ikeja, Lagos State on Wednesday.

    It was a beautiful gathering with beautiful people. There was no particular outfit chosen for the occasion; guests clad in both formal and traditional attires; they all looked gorgeous and classy. As they arrived the hall where the event held, beautiful ushers in pitch dresses with high heels, led guests to comfortable seats. The hall was nicely designed; tables and chairs were covered in white; the waiters and waitresses served all guests.

    The Managing Director of AS+A Communications, Yeye Adenike Shobajo hardly sat down all through the even; clad in a black trouser, camisole and suit with accessories, she welcomed the distinguished ones and took them to reserved seats.

    Both individuals and corporate organisations were awarded for their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the society.

    Among them was the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Sinat Ojikutu; former Chief Judge of Lagos State/ Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Hon Justice Ayotunde Phillips; Chairman, Omolayole and Associates, Dr Michael Omolayole;  President Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Lagos State, Sam Olumekun and Dr Fassy Yusuf of Chief F.A.O. Yusuf and Co Legal Practitioners and Motary Public (Balrol Chambers). They were in the ‘high net-worth individual merit award category’.

    Others are; Nigerian Martime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Toyota Nigeria Limited and Sterling Bank Plc, in the ‘corporate merit award category’. The Consulates, Embassy of Benin Republic, Ghana High Commission and South African High Commission, were in the ‘diplomatic corps merit award category’, among others.

    The theme of the event was, “The Nexus Between Public and Private Sector Involvement in Corporate Social Responsibility.”

    The ceremony began with prayers and recognition of distinguished ones.

    In her welcome address, Shobajo, said the awards were to showcase good honourable people and organisations of moral integrity and high societal standing to the generality of Nigerians.

    According to her, the awardees came from all sectors including, government and non-government organisations, private and business sectors, youths, media and airline industry, professionals and institutions. “They are awarded for positively impacting the society in areas of education, health, tourism poverty alleviation and economic empowerment, sports promotion and human disaster relief, among others.”

    Peter Obi, said both citizens and not just organisations are expected to contribute to make the world a better place.

    He noted that the more we contribute, the better the country will be. “Both public and private partnership is required to make the nation work. The issue of bad leadership is a problem In Nigeria. The quality of our political leaders is low and is responsible for the problem we have as a nation.  We can contribute by beginning from ourselves as individuals in doing and promoting what is right. Citizens should be able to confront the leaders on what they are doing wrong. Ensure that we elect the right people in office because we have no other country; we have to contribute our quota to make Nigeria work,” he said.

    Commenting on the award given to her, Ojikutu said the award came as a surprise, saying it makes her happy.

    “For an organisation like this, who is promoting CSR to recognise the little I have done in life to make the world a better place, gives me encouragement to continue doing what I am doing.”

    She commended Shobajo on her effort to recognising CSR, noting that every organisation must know what to do to make the environment where it is operating a better place.

    Also commending the award given, the representative of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Public Relations and Advert Manager, Bukola Ogunnusi, who represented, the Managing Director, Kunle Ade-Ojo, said the firm is happy with the award, noting that it shows they are recognised for what they do for the society at large.

    “As much as possible, we will continue to assist those worthy of assistance because we cannot leave everything to the government. We will continue to shoot higher and increase our tempo in terms of support for the society “she said.

    Receiving the award, NIMASA Director General, Dakuku Peterside, said NIMASA is encouraged to do more.

    “This award is not just an appreciation; it is a charge to do more. This award is also symbolic in that it tells that we should be

  • My near-death experience with a DIABOLICAL LOVER- Lagos monarch who doubles as church leader

    My near-death experience with a DIABOLICAL LOVER- Lagos monarch who doubles as church leader

    INSIDE the imposing palace of the traditional ruler of Ikosi community in Lagos State, Oba Samuel Alamu Oyedele, a visitor cannot but notice a bell placed on a desk. Our curious reporter could not help asking the royal father what an item usually identified with churches was doing in the haven of tradition and culture. ‘’I used to be a Muslim,” the traditional ruler explained.

    “In fact, my Muslim name was Muyideen until I met Jesus Christ in the most dramatic way many years ago. Since then, I have been ringing the bell for prayers in my palace, and it has become a subroutine for me to use it in calling everyone in the palace for daily devotion.’’ Indeed, the story of the life of the first class traditional ruler is that of hard work, dedication and fate. Born in Ikosi to the family of High Chief Rufai Oloyede and Olori Abegunri Oloyede on January 3, 1939, the Oba had it rough starting his elementary education. He had to move from Ikosi to some other places in order to squat with relations while acquiring Islamic and western education.

    He said: ‘’My parents did not allow me to live in Ikosi until I had grown up because of what my mother went through after marriage. She had lost about eight children before I was born. As a matter of fact, each of the eight children died when their wedding dates were picked. I was her ninth child and the only one that survived at the time, hence she feared that she might lose me if I was raised or allowed to live in the same environment where she had lost all her previous children. ‘’At six, I was sent to live with my father’s sister, Mama Esther Kofoworola in Igbobi area of Lagos.

    From there, I was taken to Ijako near Sango-Ota, Ogun State, when my guardian married another man who founded a church there. I lived in the church premises and started school and Koranic lessons there too. I later left there when my guardian lost her husband and returned to Ikosi. But my mother insisted I should not stay in Ikosi. So she sent me to Ebute area of Ikorodu to live with her brother called Pa Sunmola, a fishing net maker.’’

    The saying that a man must sway when life ebbs no doubt holds true for the lad destined for greatness in years to come as circumstances bordering on the death of his new guardian, Pa Sunmola, forced him to live with another man called Mashi in Ikorodu area of Lagos State where he continued his elementary education as a Primary 2 pupil at Baptist Primary School, when he was about 15 years old. Going down memory lane, he said: ‘’Immediately I finished primary education, I joined Ajayi Farm Enterprises as a farm assistant. There I learnt to plant notable cash crops and cross-pollinate various fruits. Although I joined as a planter, but I used the opportunity of my fraternity with the firm’s tractor operator named Mathew to ask him to teach me how to operate the tractor.

    He demanded for a fee of one pound and I paid him the money out of my monthly one and a half pounds salary. “I was living on bread and akara (bean cake) while working at sites, and I used to share the local snack with my boss who indulged in palm wine at spare time leaving me to practise tractor driving. In no time, I mastered the operation of a tractor. ‘’When the farm owner spotted me operating the tractor, he was amazed to see that I was operating the heavy equipment unaided. A few months later, the man who taught me how to operate a tractor left for a company called Oke Afa Farm Settlement at Isolo and took me along as a tractor operator, which came with a bigger pay.

    “At a point, the management of the farm felt that a lot of money was being spent on the maintenance of tractors. So they decided to enroll me for a training programme on the maintenance of tractors and heavy duty equipment at AG Leventis Ltd in Oyingbo area of Lagos. ‘’By 1964 when the Western Nigeria crisis otherwise known as ‘Wetie’ broke out, I was using a tractor to clear the bush on the farm when a girl named Olateju, who was my classmate in primary school and was living with her parents at Ikosi, suddenly called my name.

    I was shocked, because I did not expect that I could see anyone who knew me there. She pleaded that I should spare their kolanut trees, which, according to her, was their ‘cash cow’. I told her that I would spare the trees only if she would marry me, and she agreed.’’ A few months later, he was plunged into fatherhood by his new girl in the most dramatic way. He said: ‘’Unlike what obtains now, at 18, I had not had any knowledge of a woman because of the kind of discipline that prevailed in those days. But my chance reunion with the girl was to herald me into unprepared fatherhood in a way I never envisaged. I had formed a band of local singers called Ajiwere.

    We used to wake our Muslim neighbours up at dawn to break their fast during the Ramadan period. “On a particular day, I led my band boys to the girl’s house. As soon as she saw me, she dragged me into her room with her scarf and gave me food to eat. Immediately I finished eating, she shut the door and the small windows to her room and started caressing me.

    I was fretting. Meanwhile, my band boys were outside, singing and beating the drums to prevent the girl’s parents from knowing what was going on in her room. She was all over me, and before I knew it, I had made love to her. It was my first time of making love to a woman, and the experience was unbelievable. She mocked my naivety, but I told her that I was only pretending not to know how to make love to a woman.’’

    The consequences of flirting with the girl in his boyhood was a controversial pregnancy that resulted in the birth of a baby boy. He said: ‘’A few weeks later, the girl’s parents led her to our house and sought audience with my parents. They accused me of impregnating their daughter whom they said was preparing to enroll in a nursing school. I initially denied the pregnancy, but when I was pressured by my mother to say the truth, I confessed making love to her just on one occasion. My parents admitted that I was responsible for the pregnancy.

    But her parents vowed not to allow their daughter to marry me. “A few months later, the girl was delivered of a baby boy on March 25, 1963. I named the boy Mutairu. Sadly, the boy died a few years after, while his mother never had another child till she died. She also did not fulfil her dream of attending a nursing school long after our forced separation caused by her parents.’’

    In spite of his humble academic background, the 78-year-old monarch, through diligent acquisition of knowledge in the operation and repair of heavy duty equipment, was able to land employment with notable companies, including the defunct Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) Nigeria Wood Ltd and KYUBC Ltd. He also worked with International Packaging Ltd, B. Lawanson Ltd, Chellarams Ltd, Bhojsons Brothers Ltd and UAC Nig Ltd where he retired as Transport Manager more than two decades ago. He launched into private business upon retirement and was fairly successful in business, which included construction and sale of landed property.

    Peace, however, took a flight from his life shortly after he married a certain woman who he said pushed him into a problem that eventually led him to Christ. He said: ‘’A few years before my retirement from my job at UAC warehouse in Ojodu as Transport Manager, I married a woman whose identity I will not like to disclose for reasons best known to me. I never knew she was such a wicked woman. “We had quarrel at a party organised by one of her relatives and I left her at the party because I was very upset. When I got home, I discovered that she had kept some charms she used to hypnotise me in our kitchen and bedroom. I also uncovered other charms in a mirror which she confessed she was using to monitor me wherever I was.

    “I left the house and relocated to Agege. She visited me again, pleading for forgiveness. In the course of the conversation, I fell into a sleep and woke up the next day to find that the entire hair on one side of my head had been shaved. It turned out that she was the one who shaved my hair for diabolical motives. ‘’I then contacted a C&S church founder in Alagbole area of Ojodu. In the course of praying, the cleric fell into a nearby fire.

    Fortunately, he did not die. A seer at the church then told me that somebody I had left at home would be convulsing by the time I returned home. To my amazement, it was my wife who was convulsing when I got home. “When she was revived, she started asking me where I had gone to. I decided to tell her a lie even though I knew she had already seen where I went for spiritual solution to free myself from her bondage. Later, I returned home one day to find that she had prepared a delicious meal for me.

    The aroma was so irresistible that I quickly settled down to eat. Strangely, I heard a voice in Yoruba warning me repeatedly not to eat the food. Although I did not taste the soup, because of its inviting aroma and the fact that I was hungry, I decided to take one of the pieces of meat in it. Unknown to me, my evil wife had poisoned the food. The meat blew up in flames, my lips got burnt and I became dumb for more than nine months. The woman fled.’’

    Determined to find a solution to his deteriorating health, he relocated to Ikosi. Help eventualy came his way when he was led by one of his friends to the leader of a Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Church in his neighbourhood. He said: ‘’I lost all my life savings because I had spent a lot of money in a bid to find a cure to the strange affliction caused by the poisonous meal prepared by my diabolical wife. I patronised a lot of traditional healers but there was no solution to my problem until I was taken by a woman to a C&S Church founder in Magodo area.

    “The man simply asked me to kneel down for prayers and I reluctantly obliged him. He then asked one of his aides to get some water from a tap within the premises. I watched as the aide collected the water into a plastic container. He prayed into the water and asked me to bathe with it. I refused at first, but I complied after a strange voice reminded me of how the biblical Naman was healed after bathing in a river as instructed by Prophet Elisha. “After the bath, I was given anointing oil to rub on my lips. I returned home, and by the time I woke up the next day, I started talking again. I was awed by the miracle, so I ran back to the church, saying, ’Baba, moti soro, moti soro (I can talk again, I can talk again). That was what made me to become a Christian.

    That was how I got baptised and rechristened as Samuel and ended up living in the church for many years. I have not looked back to date. “I subsequently attended Victory Bible College in Egbe, a Lagos suburb, and Colombia Bible University, Ikorodu, and I was ordained a pastor. In 1999, during my evangelism trip to Ikare Akoko, the birthplace of the late founder of C&S, St Moses Orimolade, the church leaders there anointed and ordained me as Baba Aladura.

    ‘’God blessed me with Holy Spirit and I became a senior evangelist, prophet and later Special Apostle. I later realised the importance of being obedient to God when I was told to conduct a week-long vigil cum revival in the church and I complied. On the day the revival ended, some people who were owing me the sum of N500,000 from the transaction on a landed property before I took ill came to look for me at the church and paid the money. From then, God restored my losses in multiple fold to the extent that I built the church which was by then uncompleted.

    “I have since built my own church called Ibudo Iyanu (Camp of Wonders) at Orile Maidan on the way to Ikorodu. The church has increased into four parishes now and people have been blessed through my ministry. If you don’t find me in the palace, you’ll surely find me ministering to people in the church. My life revolves around God’s work and people and Ikosi community.’’

    Oba Oloyede, who recently marked his tenth year on the throne with fanfare, revealed how he was chosen as king, saying: ‘’I did not go through any ritual at all because my selection was dramatic and because the kingmakers who knew that I was a staunch Christian, respected my religious principles. “To make it clear to you, I was very close to the immediate past monarch of Ikosi, Oba Adegboyega Taiwo, whom I supported with my resources so much so that he declared that I would succeed him. But I dismissed his prediction.

    ‘’At his demise, a meeting was summoned by the kingmakers for the next ruling house to nominate a candidate for the stool. One of my uncles, who was the then head of the family, asked everyone who was present to signify their interest in the stool but he got no tangible response. I was there too but I did not show any interest either. “Then my uncle heaved a deep sigh and called my name as the next king of Ikosi. I protested but he asked me to shut up.

    He said I had no choice but to take the offer. Unfortunately, he died three months to my official coronation, and his death devastated me greatly. “My ascension has been a blessing to this kingdom because some of my traditional chiefs have since embraced Christianity. They are no longer sold to the fetish way of life anymore because I preach the gospel whenever we congregate for meetings. “I thank God for bringing me this far, because He has turned my life around and given me the grace to serve Him and the people of my community as a monarch.’’

  • ‘A chemistry of last borns’

    ‘A chemistry of last borns’

    Former Managing Director and CEO of Union Merchant Bank Limited, Alhaji Salihu Ehimeakhe, of Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, gave out his daughter, Zulei to Siraj, son of late Alhaji M.M. Momodu. The Nikkai ceremony and reception was held at The Eventistry, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. It was a grand occasion with dignitaries and guests from across the country and oversees in attendance. Nneka Nwaneri was there.

    The families of the Momodus and Ehimeakhes have become one following the union of  their children Siraj and Zulei, in holy matrimony.

    The bride, who is the baby of the large Salihu Ehimeakhe family, is a lawyer with Aelex, a Law firm in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The lovebirds met in 2012 through a mutual friend.

    But Siraj gave Zulei a surprise proposal after he unexpectedly showed up at Zulei’s   sister’s house in the United States, kneeling and asking her to marry him.

    Penultimate Saturday in Lagos, their four-year-old friendship culminated into a lasting relationship, with their tying the nuptial knot before their family members and friends at a Nikkai ceremony officiated by the Chief Imam of Magodo, Abdusemiu Ajani-Alkilany.

    In a brief sermon, the cleric admonished the couple to have patience, perseverance and be pious, urging them to stand by each other at all times. After seeking the consent of both families, he joined the couple and urged the families to support them. The reception followed immediately in the same venue.

    Chairman of the occasion, a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Emmanuel Obaze, praised the couple for looking alike and smiling alike.

    Bride’s father, Alhaji Ehimeakhe, stood tall and was beside himself with joy. He made an impressive speech when he was called out for the father-daughter dance, describing Zulei as the baby of the house and the last born of their seven children and the third female child in the family.

    Ehimeakhe, who also holds the title of Aloaye of Auchi Kingdom and Fowoshaiye of Remoland, said: “Zulei is an embodiment of sound intellect, wisdom and discipline just like my late mother and paternal grandmother, who I named her after. She is very considerate, caring and compassionate and conducts herself with such poise and grace that aptly arouse admiration for her.

    “My daugher has a charming disposition and is pretty in and out. Little wonder she won the heart of Siraj, whom she  met about two years ago.

    ” I came to know why Siraj fitted into her parameters after engaging him in discussions, ranging from football, politics and banking. He impressed me and the entire family endorsed him. He is also a last born, so we have a chemistry of last borns.”

    He was sad the last of their birds will fly away but also expressed satisfaction that the bird has found a more compelling nest.

    Some of the dignitaries in attendance at the event were: former governor of Cross River, Donald Duke; the Otaru of Auchi Kingdom, Alhaji Aliru Momoh; the Elepe of Epe in Sagamu, Oba Adewale Osiberu; former Minister of Information Tony Momoh; a former minister and Medical Director of Kelu Specialist Hospital in Victoria Island, Dr Abimbola Ogunkelu; Senator Kola Bajomo; chairman Board of governors of Ecobank transnational incorporated, Emmanuel Ikazoboh; former GMDS/CEOs of Union Bank: Dr G.A.T Oboh and Dr Barth Ebong; former MD/CEO Nigerian American Merchant Bank, Rev Segun Agbetuyi and his successor Osaro Isokpan.

    Others included Justice Fatima Akinbami of the Appeal Court; Medical Director of Britannia Hospital, Lekki, Dr Aminu Yesufu; Chairman of Gemini Pharmaceuticals, Dr Michael Unuane; Medical Director of Gold Cross Hospital, Ikoyi Dr Osho; Dr Ademola Denloye; foremost Oncology specialist, Dr Abayomi Durosinmi-Etti; the first Orthodontist in Sub Saharan Africa, Prof Mike Isiekwe; Prof Emeritus Steve Okecha; Professor of Aero Dynamics and Astro Physics, Chris Odetunde.

    In attendance were media gurus such as Publisher of Vanguard newspapers, Sam Amuka-Pemu;  Guardian publisher Maiden Ibru; Managing Director, Tell Magazine Nosa Igiebor; former Chairman of Punch Prince Ajibola Ogunsola; former Editor-in-Chief of Guardian newspaper Emeka Izeze and the legendary advertising expert Mr Biodun Shobanjo.

    Others were retired Millitary chiefs as Maj Gen Afiz Momoh and  Maj Gen Sebastian Onwuama.

    There were also members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) such as Mrs Funke Adekoya (SAN); immediate past president of the NBA, Austin Alege (SAN);  Bambo Adesanya (SAN)Tunji Ayanlaja (SAN); Mr Ebun Sofunde (SAN); former Lagos Commissioner, Disun Holloway; former Daily Times newspaper Managing Director, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi; a professor at Harvard University, Biodun Jeyifo; Dr Layi Ogunbiyi and Chief Gabriel Osakwe, among others.

  • Fear alert!

    Several years ago while I was in junior secondary school, I would join my mum in her office after school so that I could ride with her home. Her office was on the fourth floor of the building and I usually enjoyed the view from up there. One day, when we were already at the car park, she remembered that she had left something behind in her office and I offered to go and get it. That was not entirely because of my “niceness” but because of the fun I believed I would have riding in the elevator. The trip up was great and I was expecting the journey to the ground floor to be greater. The doors of the elevator opened and I saw a middle-aged man standing inside. While I had hoped to have the elevator all to myself, I consoled myself that “the more the merrier”. “After all, the man was entitled to some fun after a hard day’s work”, I thought.

    I braced myself for the thrill of the “dropping” elevator and enjoyed watching the light on the display buttons as they signaled the floor we were passing through. As we arrived on the ground floor, something curious happened- the power went out! In fewer seconds than my young mind could comprehend, several thoughts rushed at me, “The elevator is airtight. Is anyone around? I don’t want to die!” Suddenly, I started pounding on the elevator doors in desperation.

    Suddenly, I heard the middle-aged man shout at me to stop screaming. Ah, I had completely forgotten about him! “Maybe there is hope after all, since adults have answers to everything”, I thought. So I step back with confidence to let him do the trick. First, he punched at some emergency buttons in the elevator, and then he tried speaking into the intercom supposedly calling the operators for help. By the time he started trying to pull the elevator doors apart with his bare hands, I began getting worried. However, I knew we were definitely in trouble when he suddenly started pounding on the door and screaming! “Adults can be really amazing”, I thought. How quickly he lost his “dignity” and started screaming when he discovered what I had known all along- we were trapped! Just at that moment, something miraculous happened. Power was restored momentarily, just enough for the doors to open partially. We both scrambled for the door! The man got out first but I was right behind him!

    I cannot help but reflect on why I was so scared in that elevator. I was afraid of something that didn’t even happen. But what if it had? Fear is mostly based on “what ifs”. What if I lose my job? What if I can’t get cured? What if they hate me? What if I’m not good enough? What if he’s not the right man for me? What if I fail my exams? What if I’m too late? And the list goes on and on. Fear is always about what we expect. We fear in anticipation of a negative outcome we consider inevitable, which a lot of time doesn’t happen.

    I entered the word “fear” into the Google search engine and was amazed to return 521million entries on the subject. That tells me that someone is really scared out there. Actually, almost everyone is afraid of one thing or the other. Does this make us weak? No! It makes us natural. Here are a few facts we need to know about fear:

    • Fear aids preservation: fear is an emotion that is triggered when we perceive threats around us. When the threat is legitimate, the emotion helps us to take precaution. Imagine seeing a rattle snake or a king cobra and trying to give it a pat on the head! Fear tells you not to dare, and for a good reason too. Fear tells us that something harmful is nearby so we take cover. What would our lives be like without such survival instinct?
    • Fear aids preparation: fear makes us conscious of how ill prepared we are for tasks ahead. The truth is that we are hardly ever prepared enough for anything until we successfully complete it. Hence, it is helpful to feel inadequate so we can try harder to achieve our goals. If we get overconfident, we may underperform. We need some degree of fear to keep us from taking things for granted.
    • Uncontrolled fear can lead to a breakdown: if you’ve ever been frightened, then you will be familiar with the feeling of your heart pounding like it received a blow. For that instant, you cannot think or act. Extreme fear creates a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. One loses the will or strength to fight. This is the kind of fear to avoid.
    • Fear is a choice: every emotion can be managed. For as long as we are humans, we cannot escape having emotions but we can determine our response to them. We all get angry but we don’t all hit the other person or kill. We all feel sad sometimes but we don’t all express our grief publicly. We all love but we don’t all express it the same way. Likewise, we all have fears but not all of us give up hope and wait for the perceived danger to come. William Shakespeare puts it aptly when he said, “A coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste of death but once”. Abraham Lincoln also said, “If I am killed, I can die but once; but to live in constant dread of it is to die over and over again”. Don’t resign to fear; fight and conquer it. It is possible.

  • Gun men held me hostage with my three children , shot my husband outside and came in to tell us they had killed him’

    The rate at which assassinations are being carried out in Plateau State in recent times has become a source of concern to residents as well as security agencies. The most recent one that took place in Jos, the state capital, where a mobile policeman was murdered at his residence in Kwanga near Rayfield, has added to the long list of unresolved cases of assassination in the state.

    Among the most recent cases of assassination in the state was the killing of a traditional ruler, Da Lazarus Agai, the Saf Ron Kulere and paramount ruler of Bokkos Local Government Area of the state. Since the assassination of the traditional ruler in July, his killers are yet to be found by the police or any security agency.

    There is a similarity between the manner the traditional was killed and how the mobile policeman aforementioned was killed. Both of them were murdered in the presence of their family members. While the traditional ruler was ambushed on his way from his village with some members of his family, including his two grandchildren and their mother, his two bodyguards and police orderly as well as his driver. But the traditional ruler was the target. He was singled out and killed in a cruel and gruesome manner while his family members watched in broad daylight. The family members watched the 70-year-old man dying until he breathed his last.

    Similarly, the mobile policeman, Sgt. Cletus SuweGompil, was callously killed while his wife and children watched the horror scene right at their own residence. The scene left the wife and children with the feeling of how painful death can be and how cruel a human being could be to a fellow human.

    Gompil’s widow, Martina, recalled her husband’s last moments, saying: “The last word I heard from my husband while he was being killed by gunmen was ‘Jesus’! I heard a gunshot and I heard my husband shout ‘Jesus’! That was the first gunshot at him. Then I heard a second shot and my husband remained silent. In that moment, I knew he had been killed. My children and I were held down in our sitting room by four strong men at gunpoint. We could not cry or shout while they were carrying out the killing.”

    From all the narration by neighbours and family members, it was a well-planned assassination by the gunmen. Some neighbours, including the policeman himself, had seen some people earlier who came to survey the house to confirm the availability of their target. The victim even exchanged pleasantries with them while they were perfecting the plot to terminate his life. It never occurred to the policeman that the same group of people he was greeting would return in a short while to take his life.

    Recalling how the policeman was killed, Martina said: “There was no indication whatsoever that something dangerous was going to befall us. On that very day, my husband returned from work around 5 pm. I welcomed him, served hi lunch.

    “Later at about 7 pm, we had dinner together with our children. Immediately after the dinner, he asked the children to bring out their books to do their homework. He was guiding them to do their homework in the sitting room when all of a sudden our dogs started barking as gunmen came towards our house. We were wondering what the dogs were barking at.

    “The children wanted to rush to open the door as they normally do, but I warned them not to go near the door. I had an unusual feeling with the vigorous way the dogs were barking and also told my husband not to open the door, because our dogs would not bark so vigorously at a normal visitor that way. I sensed that this must be a visitor with sinister motive.

    “My husband reasoned with me initially. But when the dogs were becoming more violent to the visitors, my husband felt the dogs might attack an innocent neighbour coming on a visit and felt he should intervene and rescue the visitor. He felt that after all, the time was just 8 pm and it was too early for anyone with criminal intentions to come.

    “Instead of going out through the front door, my husband went through the back door. Unknown to him, the gunmen came in their numbers and had positioned themselves at both the front and the back doors.

    “As soon as my husband opened the door, he saw some strange people. He asked them who they were, they told him they were his neighbours and needed to speak with him outside. He felt free and stepped out; then they surrounded him, held him and dragged him to a corner. They were heavily armed and they warned him to cooperate in his own interest.

    “Four of the gunmen came to meet me and my children in the room. They rounded us up and asked me to show them where my husband kept his rifle. I told them I didn’t know. They asked my children and they said the same thing. Before they came to us, they had asked my husband to tell them where he kept his gun, but my husband told them he did not often come home with his rifle. He told them he kept it at the station. But they never believed him, so they came to the room to search for the rifle.

    “They threatened to kill me and my children if we refused to show them my husband’s rifle, but we maintained that we didn’t know where he kept it. So they searched for some time and found the rifle under my husband’s bed. Then one of them informed their leader that they had found my husband’s rifle.

    “While they were searching, I was praying silently to God for help, but no help came. As soon as they said they had found my husband’s gun, I thought that would be all, but the gun was not their only target. They held my husband outside the house and held us inside while they were conducting the search.

    “All of a sudden, I heard a gunshot and my husband’s voice shouting ‘Jesus!’ He shouted in an agonising manner; so I knew it was him they shot. My husband did not die from the first shot. But when they shot him the second time and he was silent, I knew that they had killed him.My husband’s killers waited and watched him until he breathed his last. Then they came into the room where they had held me and my children hostage to inform us that they had killed him. One of them came to me and said, ‘Madam, we have killed your husband,’ and I said ‘thank you’.

    As they were leaving, one of them told me, if you try to come out as we are going, you will be killed, because we are very many outside. So if you love yourself and your children, don’t come out or shout as we are going,” I also responded, “Thank you”. So they went outside and shot sporadically to scare anyone as they made their way out of the place.

    “After their departure, I was still hoping that my husband would run inside to tell me that he was not dead, but there was nothing like that. It was neighbours who had noticed that we were under attack that came out to take his body to the hospital. I still expected the hospital to revive my husband, but they only confirmed to us that he was dead.”

    The Kwanga village is a new settlement, an extension of Rayfield, and could be said to be on the outskirts of Jos city. The family house of Sgt. Gompil where the attack was carried out was isolated. Neighbours live apart in a disperse settlement to reflect the new nature of the village. The distance between the house and their closest neighbour is about 200 metres.

    The gunmen obviously took advantage of this obvious security lapse to carry out their act in a comfortable manner. The gunmen came to the house on foot and also left on foot after hitting their target. They experienced no opposition from anyone while perpetrating the act. It was like a done deal.

    The late Gompil got married to Martina about 16 years ago, after which the young Gompil was helped by an uncle to join the police during a recruitment exercise in Maiduguri. The couple were happy that the man had got a Federal Government job and hoped to build a blissful home. Little did they know that they would only live together for 16 years. The gunmen came and in the twinkle of an eye, put asunder what God had joined together 16 years ago. Although the couple knew that death would do them part one day, but they never expected that such a day would come so soon. The husband struggled to erect his own personal apartment and they moved into their own house barely a year before the incident.

    Due to his frequent postings as a security agent, Sgt. Gompil made his wife to settle in Jos while he followed the dictates of official postings from one comer of the country to another. He had served in Maiduguri where he was recruited, then Bauchi, Nasarawa, Plateau, Yobe and Rivers, among other states. Gompil was returned to MOPOL 8 Jos in the month of August 2016 and was expected to rest for just three months before the next posting. SgtGompil already knew from the schedule in his office that he would be returning to Yobe at the end of this month.

    According to his widow, the late SgtGompil was someone who loved his job as a policeman the same way he loved his family.She said: “My husband was very caring. In spite of his continued absence from home, I never for one day regretted marrying him. He loved me and his children as much as he loved his job. I know I will never find a replacement. My life can never remain the same.”

    The police said they were already investigating his death, while family members are praying that his case would not go unresolved like several others before him.

  • How my husband and I survived eight-year forced separation -Lagos socialite turned preacher

    Dr (Mrs) Funmilayo Iroh is one woman who has enjoyed life in full measure as wife of former top Lagos socialite and philanthropist-turned-pastor, Oluwafemi Iroh. In his heyday, her husband bestrode the social scene like a colossus, riding to parties in convoys of many cars while musicians took turns to sing his praises. Funmilayo was there when Oluwafemi was bestowed the chieftaincy title of Borokini of Lagos and she the Yeye Borokini of Lagos. Together with her husband, they acquired landed properties in choice parts of Lagos and were involved in real estate business. And when, according to her husband, God needed them for His work, the whole family moved to America. But there, in God’s own country, they fell on hard times and the husband returned home to heed the call, to be joined later by Funmilayo and his children. She relives her experience, in this interview with PAUL UKPABIO

    You were once a socialite but now a pastor at Christ Unity Ministry. How did the ministry work begin?

    I joined the ministry 10 years ago. Before then, I was in America with my children. My husband was here in Nigeria doing the work of the Lord in His vineyard, so I returned to join him in the ministry in 2006. We had gone to America together in 1995, but he returned to Nigeria in 1998. So I was alone with the children from 1998 to 2006 until I came back to Nigeria to join him.

    What took you to America?

    Actually, I was supposed to go there on vacation. I went with three of my children at that time, and with my husband. But when we got there, the children liked the place and they didn’t want to come back. So they started going to school. In America, you cannot keep your children at home when schools are in session. So we decided to put them in schools in order to avoid going to jail. At the end of the day, they liked it and enjoyed it, so I had no choice but to stay back there with them.

    Which part of America was that?

    That was in Houston, Texas.

    What did they like about America that forced them to stay?

    Among other things, they loved the fact that they had light 24/7. They also loved the fact that the roads are tarred, the school system works, and there is structure even for further daily development. No strikes in schools. But more importantly, people showed them love, so they decided to stay. But my husband did not stay back with us. He returned to Nigeria. But initially, we were there together. He couldn’t stay back because God called him to the ministry.

    How was life in America?

    It was very tough. I went to America with three of my children, but when we got there, we had another one, our last baby, making four. It was quite challenging, but God saw us through.

    So, your husband left you in America and returned to Nigeria?

    He got a call to return to serve the Lord. Upon his return, life was not easy for him out in Nigeria, even despite the call by God to return home to serve Him. So he tried to come back to the US, but God did not support that. God wanted him to remain here to serve Him. Much as he tried to come back to the US, there was no opportunity for him to do so. He had been ‘arrested’ by God in Nigeria. He couldn’t leave. He was forced to stay put in Nigeria and heed God’s call. Not because he wanted to do so, but because he had to do so.

    But how was life in the US without your husband?

    (Shakes her head) It was tough. I have three boys and a girl. I always said it that from my experience, it takes a man to train a boy into a man. That was always on my mind. So I had to depend on God to help me train them daily. But I had to fall back on my father’s advice of those days. He used to say that one should not cry of cold when one is in water. So I knew then that I had to either face the situation or die. I summoned courage and with the help of God, the church in which we fellowshipped in Texas, and with the help of my sister that was living with me around that time, I was able to forge ahead.

    He was in Nigeria and you in America. How were you both able to sustain the relationship?

    We were daily on the phone. We were also on the internet. We were daily in touch with one another. That kept the relationship going. As a matter of fact, it was like we were seeing each other during those years, because we kept very much in touch. However, there was a need to see him. So during those years, I came to Nigeria once. That was in 1999. I stayed briefly and then left. He had not started his ministry then.

    There was a time both of you were highly celebrated society folks…

    Yes, those were the days that we adorned our chieftaincy titles as Borokini of Lagos and I was the Yeye Borokini of Lagos. I can still recall that there was no big party in Lagos and its environs that our presence was not felt or missed, whichever case it was. That was because even then, it was not all the parties that we attended, it had to be of a particular class in the society.

    So I was pleased when I returned briefly to Nigeria then and I found that he had started aligning himself to the work of God, though he had not started his ministry fully. It is not that he was not going to church while we were making waves on society scene. He was attending church, but he was not concentrated on it. He used to say that pastors are a lazy lot!

    I was indeed excited for him when during that my brief stay, I found that he had finally embraced the calling unto the gospel. Then I used to ask him after church service, ‘Did you understand what the pastor was saying?’ And he would reply, ‘I didn’t understand what he was saying.’

    When you decided to join him in Nigeria, was your mind made up to be a pastor along with him?

    That was actually what I returned to do. I remember assuring myself with the bible passage: what does it profit a man to inherit the riches of the world but lose the kingdom of God? So as a child of God, I keyed into my husband’s calling. It was not a surprise for me, because I am passionate about God and the things of God. So for him to embrace the call was exciting for me, despite all the challenges he had then.

    How did your friends react when you abandoned the social scene for the gospel?

    (Laughs) It’s amazing the way things naturally work out for those who believe in God. What happened was that without me even doing anything about it, God started separating some people from me. These were friends who would have distracted me from following God. He suddenly started separating me from them. I didn’t notice that until after a while. I started noticing that I was not seeing them again. Most of them did not call me. They did not stop by to ask how I was doing. Also, upon my return, many of them did not even know I was back in the country. All these also helped in allowing me to balance my faith and focus on God.

    But of course, there were a few who saw the change in me, who knew that I was back in the country and wondered about the change in me. They asked if it was really true. They asked if it is true I am doing the work of God. But again, the change was visible like the change in my husband. We had stopped attending parties. We had cut off from the social scene. I was not seeing a large number of them. But in recent times, some of them have traced us to our present church, seeing that it is really true. We live for God now. These ones have keyed into our ministry and I can say that at least two of them are supporting our ministry now. They come for church programmes too.

    Does that mean that your transition was a sudden one?

    No, I don’t think so, because I have always had the fear of God in me. I knew it was going to happen eventually. That was because of the love and attachment that I have always had for the things of God.

    What do you do differently these days?

    What I do differently these days is that I spend more time with God, reading the word of God. I spend more time teaching and ministering the word of God to people. I spend more time creating church programmes.

    Your husband went to a bible school. Did he lecture you at home or did you attend a bible school too?

    I did not attend a bible school like he did, but God gave me His teachings by Himself. When I came back to Nigeria, I met many challenges. The challenges were so much that I wanted to run back to America immediately. A lot of it was financial. But God said no, I have to stay here. Then he began to comfort me and trained me in His scriptures. He taught me about things of the spirit. God told me that I was not just in Nigeria to assist my husband, but also to fulfil a purpose in my life, because there was a reason He asked me to return.

    When you stayed back in Nigeria, were the children able to take care of themselves abroad?

    My eldest son is married now. But when I returned to Nigeria then, he was in the university and there was a structure in place to sustain them while I was here. They were living like that until my first son graduated from the university and my daughter graduated too. They have their own houses and are taking care of their younger ones now.

    How often do you go there to see them?

    You won’t believe it, since I came back to Nigeria, I have not been able to go back to America. But two of them came to see us and stayed with us for a while. They returned to America last year December.

    While your husband was alone here, were you not scared that some other ladies could snatch him?

    (Laughs) That wasn’t much of a problem for me at that time. That was because I was more pressed with my challenges in America and the struggle to survive with four children. So it didn’t bother me that much. I wouldn’t say it was not at the back of my mind. You know we are all human. So I thought regularly about him because I love him.

    But one thing that encouraged me and I also loved about him then was that he called every day. The relationship was even better on the phone. I was busy thinking of how to survive in a land that I knew virtually nobody at all. Other thoughts were secondary or not even considered. My husband perhaps knew I would be worried about that, so he didn’t give me room to worry because he was talking to us as if he was with us over there. He was also sending money and taking care of us while he was alone here.

    Your husband somewhere else complained of financial difficulties when he returned to Nigeria. How was he able to send you money?

    Before he went into ministry, even before we travelled abroad, I told you we were influential society couple and God had already blessed us with land and properties. So when he returned, it was easier for him. The real estate aspect came in handy. He was already in that business. So it was easier for him. That is why even up till now, we do not collect salary from the church. He is not paid and I am not paid. God blessed us while we were in the world. And even the plaza we built is bringing us money. That is how the Lord has blessed us. We use our little earnings to grow and sustain the ministry and we found out that the more we do that, God blesses us in other ways.

    But even at that (she laughs) there were real challenges. Though we had properties, it wasn’t all the time that we could sell or see a ready buyer. There were also people who owed us; people who rented our properties and did not pay. That has happened at the plaza. For a year and months, some people did not pay. So, we experienced financial struggle to a large extent. At a point in the course of the journey, I believed that it was just God’s way of letting us know about life.

    Not everybody in the ministry has had the kind of grace that we have had. For instance, the house we live in, we built it ourselves. Nevertheless, we had our period of lack. It was tough for us despite our properties. For almost four years, we couldn’t pay our son’s school fees until he finally returned to America last year. So we experienced lack in between. That is because it is not every day that you get land to sell. You have to wait and also pray for your tenant to have money to pay your rent.

    Tell us the secret of your youthful looks…

    To the glory of God, I am over 50. My first born is 33 years old and my last born is 20. My looks could be deceptive because people say I look younger. But I do take care of myself and my looks. I love God and soak myself in His presence. I know that if God is with somebody, the person will have His aura of grace. There are also some things that one can do to facilitate the grace of God in somebody’s life. So it is the grace of God that gives me my beauty.

    What would you say about your fashion sense?

    Well for somebody who lived in America for years and was even top society over here before going to America, I know I have a good fashion sense. America is a place where there is great fashion on display. Nonetheless, I like to wear things that make me comfortable. I don’t follow ideas from friends when it comes to fashion. I decide on what appeals to me. I like combining colours that rhyme.

    What accessories do you not do without?

    There is nothing that I cannot do without except God. I love packing my hair in a particular way. But one day, I was ministering and what I used to hold my hair in place fell off. I ignored the hair and what fell off, and continued to minister to the people before me. So there is nothing that I cannot do without.

    As a female minister of the gospel, what advice would you give to women?

    What I teach women primarily is to understand God’s purpose in their lives. There is a saying that when the purpose of a thing is abused, destruction is inevitable. You must understand why you are who you are. God is not a purposeless God. Everything He created has a purpose. When you find that purpose, you fulfil destiny, then you are completely fulfilled.

    Dr. Myles Munroe said the greatest tragedy that can befall a man is not death but a man that dies without purpose. I always tell women that they should not be complaining about their husbands. I used to be a complainant too. When I returned from America, I was complaining too, because the structure in America is different from what we have here. So I used to ask why my husband had not done this or that. But later, I found out the secret. The bible describes women as destiny helpers. We are not to complain but to complement him. A woman should find her purpose, she should find her strength, then she will be fulfilled.

    There is a reason God puts a woman in every family. There is a reason she married a particular man. I also preach based on experience. As a minister, whatsoever I preach to the people, I do that myself. The bible says let people see those things in your life. We should practise what we preach. The women here see those things in my life. They see the practical aspect in my life. They see what I have been through and how I overcame it. When you speak to such people, they easily relate to what you are saying.

    Now that you are neck-deep in ministering the word of God, how much time do you have for your family?

    Hmm, little time I would say. For instance, I have not taken a vacation since I returned to Nigeria. Okay, I travelled once with my boy to London, we stayed there for about a month. Apart from that, no vacation. But God gives us the grace. Every week, we usually have a new programme. Then we have our regular weekly programmes on each day of the week except Fridays. But the hours in between the programmes and Fridays are our resting periods. These days, we have a special programme where we pray for Nigeria. Our national anthem is a prayer itself. This praying programme is to call on unity in our country. There is chaos and pockets of instability. We need to pray for our nation. We need to pray for peace and pray against political disunity and insurgency.

    Even the national anthem prays that God should guide our leaders right so that they can do what they need to do right for this country. We also have to know about our rights and responsibilities. Everybody has a part to play to make Nigeria okay for our children.

    Are you happier working with your husband?

    Yes, I am. Happier to be with him, unlike when I newly returned. Now I am at peace with myself because I now know better.

    As a former popular socialite, don’t you miss good music from musicians like Victor Olaiya, King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Orlando Owoh, KWAM 1 and others?

    (Laughs) I don’t miss them. I don’t miss the dance. Life itself is music and dance. There are some things that nobody will teach you but age and life will teach you. When I was young, I used to like certain things. When I got older, those things that I didn’t like, I realised that they are good for me, and my body system tilted towards those things. So as you grow in God, you tilt in that direction. It is not as if the things that you used to do were totally not good. They were good, but they do not appeal to you as much as you used to value them.

    Nevertheless, the good thing about our traditional music is that they are seasoned with knowledge and wisdom. Such still appeals to my ears. I still recall Chief Ebenezer Obey’s song, the one that he sang about how it is difficult to please the world and the one about friends. I listen to such to enjoy the words of wisdom.

    But having enjoyed the world, don’t you see your straight jacket lifestyle in church as boring?

    I don’t see it as boring. It takes an encounter with God to get to the level where I am. I had a true encounter with God which built up my faith, which is equally built on the power of God. His personality attracts me. God is kind, He is loving. He is merciful. Every promise God makes comes to pass. All this makes me to enjoy church. In His presence, there is fullness of joy. Just knowing that God can turn a zero to hero is enough for me. I have had so much goodness of God in my life. I used to be a sick child but without operation, God healed me. When I remember His goodness, it brings joy to me.

  • I keep fit swimming and dancing Salsa —Gemology spa boss Tokunbo Chiedu

    I keep fit swimming and dancing Salsa —Gemology spa boss Tokunbo Chiedu

    Lawyer-turned-beauty consultant, Mrs. Tokunbo Chiedu, speaks with JANE KOLADE about her foray into beauty business. She speaks about the secrets of her good looks, her passion for training and how she brings same to bear in the running of her business, particularly the day spa, among other issues:

    WHAT is your take on the craze of Nigerian women for bleaching their skins?

    I’m not sure I can pinpoint why people bleach, because people have different reasons for choosing to do that. It may have to do with what you are exposed to, whether as a child. It might also have something to do with how you feel about yourself and how they define beauty or who is defining beauty. So I’m sure there are a myriad of reasons why people do that. I can’t speak for them. But I think it is important that you have to know that you are beautiful the way God made you.

    Of course, you know that there are people who suffer from skin conditions like acne, who did not actually want to bleach their skins but some of the chemicals in the products used in treating their skins have side effects, and before they knew it, the entire skin colour has changed. Some people have a problem of having vey reactive skins. Many people struggle with that because it is a confidence thing that many people suffer from, which is why I don’t want to judge anyone.

    Having said that, there are people who choose to bleach their skins. They say that they don’t like their black colour, that it is not a beautiful sight. We really don’t have many experts who can advise, even going way back. Many people are seeking information on what to use, and end up using the wrong things on their bodies, which are downright dangerous and highly detrimental in the long term.

    I think the ultimate advice is to say “you only have one self, and you have the responsibility to get the right information to ensure that you are not endangering yourself, because there are all sorts of chemicals in these products.”

    Tell us a about your educational background

    I have a degree in Law and Social Sciences, and a master’s degree in International Development, both from institutions in the UK.

    So where are you from?

    I am a proudly Ijesha lady, married to a Deltan. Ijeshas are entrepreneurial by nature, intellectual, and we are trades people.

    How did you become a beauty entrepreneur?

    We organised international exhibitions and it became a platform for brands. The brands we represent found us because of the work we had done. It just became a natural progression for us to take interest in representing some of the brands that have approached us, especially because Nigeria is a big market, we like to have the best. We like to be on the same page as the rest of the world and to have access. The face of lifestyle here is changing, so we want to be at par with a lot of global business destinations. Nigeria is welcoming a lot of businesses and is involved in different sectors of the economy. These people who are coming into Nigeria with their business interests have needs, and some of them can be satisfied with what we have.

    Tell us the secret of your trim build and youthful looks in spite of being a mother and in your 40s.

    I think it is my genes. I have good genes, thanks to my mummy and daddy and thanks to God. And then I love to eat. I really don’t believe in diets. But I like to eat good food, and also like to eat well. I have a sweet tooth as well. So I like my cakes and all that. But my work is very demanding, and I do a lot of things. I am an active worker. I wish I could exercise more. But I love swimming and dancing, Salsa especially. It keeps you fit. But apart from that, I would say exercise.

    Do you have a beauty routine?

    Oh yes. I do.

    Would you share it with us?

    I have always had a problematic skin, which I think is more hormonal. My skin tends to be reactive even to touch. I discovered a brand of beauty product a year ago, I used it on myself and the result was amazing; transformative actually. I wear make-up most days. So at night, I remove my make-up with the brand’s make-up remover, then I use the foam cleanser and the toner. After that I apply a serum. During the day, I apply an anti-stress serum, and at night I use the calming serum. There are a bunch of serums, anti-stress serums, brightening serums, calming serums, those for sensitive skins and so on.

    I love the fact that there are options to tally with what you might be going through. Your skin might be dealing with stress, too much aircondition, dryness and so on. So it is a beauty product tailored to what your skin is going through, although we usually don’t think of what the skin is going through. So if you are feeling tired, your skin may be tired.

    At different times, I use a repairing serum when my skin is going through stuff and needs repair. At times, I use the Diamond cream because my skin is dull and diamond is known to be luminous, and it helps in oxygenating the skin, and makes you naturally radiant. It actually depends on what my skin tone is saying. So it is good to keep a regimen, but introduce certain products at different times to address relevant concerns.

    At the Gemology stand during the last Beauty Africa conference, I noticed they did something called face mapping. What is that all about?

    It really is facial skin analysis, using a magnifying glass to look at your skin in a way that the natural eyes can’t, to determine likely present and future concerns. For instance, whether you are likely to lose skin elasticity because of your skin type. It is more like a deeper skin study in order to recommend the appropriate product or what to do, like drinking more water. It can prompt your beautician to ask you the right questions so they can help you. Many people don’t know about this. They just ask what their friends are using and use same, simply taking recommendations from friends.

    So where can one get face mapping done?

    A good spa or beauty consultant should be able to help with that. We offer the service in our day spa. The Gemology day spa offers it as the first step in determining your beauty prescription.

    You have beautiful and natural hair. Have you had any challenges with weaves like traction alopecia to prompt going natural?

    I struggled with my hair because I have coarse hair. But I generally tended to reach for the more protective styles like weaves because I don’t have too much time on my hands to be sat in a place for too long. My hair kind of went natural because I was always in protective mode. But I love hair, whether relaxed or naturally textured. I think women should do whatever works for them.

    You wear many caps as CEO, director and so on, yet you are a wife and a mum. How do you combine business with being a home maker?

    I think I have always had great family support. And I’m not just talking about just today as a married woman, it goes way back to when I was a girl. My father was very supportive. He was a major influence on who I am now. My mum too. My mum was extremely enterprising and strong. But I’m saying that whatever you are able to do now is not just about today but where you are coming from, what you have put into yourself.

    So even from within my family, I had a lot of family support, like my siblings. People are always rooting for me. If I had to pin-point what helped me to do what whatever I have done, it is because people were rooting for me; that is my main driver after God who propels me. And there is nothing more humbling and inspiring than having people who believe in you. And my husband is my biggest fan. He supports me a lot and believes in me a lot. I also have a great team at work.

    Tell us some of your challenges starting out

    There were many. I’ve dropped many balls. I made many mistakes and have not picked my battles. I am very heady, and Nigeria doesn’t take kindly to that.

    In women or everyone?

    Everyone. I just think that you have an opinion, not that you are being rude. And you believe in something.

    Are you completely satisfied with your life and career right now?

    I’m happy with all the highs and lows of my career. I’m happy with every part of the journey. I embrace everything. I embrace all my achievements and learning curves. I won’t say mistakes because I think it is a part of learning. It is an opportunity to learn how to and not to do certain things. In business, you go through so much. Sometimes, there is no script. You have a business plan, but it doesn’t mean anything beyond that; it is just a plan. And how responsively you react to what comes determines your survival. There are things you will go through that you would want to do differently should the opportunity arise. Everyone has that. I do too. It is part of my journey.

    What prompted your giving back to society?

    I’m a people’s person. I love people. I think that God has given me a lot. And I am not talking about material things; I am talking about my intellect and gifts. Everyone has gifts. I like to share my ideas and be part of forward thinking and progress. Life is really not well lived until we have shared, until we have made a difference, until we have touched somebody. I think it was Maya Angelou that said it is not what you say that people will remember but how you made them feel. That is always going to make a lasting impression, because people won’t forget what they hear. It is authentic. It is real. We want to be able to do more.

    If a young lady walks up to you and says she would like to be like you, what would you advise?

    I would tell her to be herself. You don’t know the pain, you only see the glory. I learnt that you have to be comfortable with your pain to be truly successful. You have to overcome it. I say pain, but it could be difficulty or challenge. It is not going to go away until you master and conquer it. If they say ‘I want to be like you,’ I would say which you? If they say they aspire to, I can live with that, but not to be like you.

    In life, we assume that we are all writing the same test, but everyone has a different question paper. My journey is so different from yours. Some challenges I have faced, others won’t face. Life is so personal and experiential. We can’t duplicate our experiences. Our responses to the same experience will be so different. We can be in the same situation, yet our reactions will be very different because we are different. I would offer the young lady the few words of wisdom I could muster. The first would be find yourself, because when you know yourself, it is the beginning. Know what you know, what you want and what you don’t.

    What are the things you would tell her not to do or stay away from?

    I would say that you have to know yourself and how certain things impact you. Don’t throw yourself into situations. Don’t take anything for granted. Learn from anything going on around you. Be aware of predators. Not everyone around you wants the best for you. You have to ascertain who is for you and who is not. It is about being in touch with the world.

  • Fanfare, nostalgia as Ooni pays historic visit to Ekiti

    Fanfare, nostalgia as Ooni pays historic visit to Ekiti

    CULTURE and tradition were on the bounce penultimate Thursday and Friday when the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, paid his maiden visit to Ekiti State. The youthful and lively king received rousing welcome in all the three towns—Aramoko, Ijero and Ado—he visited in his continued bid to promote unity among Yoruba traditional rulers, which he believes is a prerequisite to the development, progress and prosperity of the race.

    The Ooni, who came along with some traditional rulers in Osun State, expressed joy and fulfillment at visiting his brother monarchs, the Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Olu Adeyemi; the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe with whom he shares historical ties.

    The first port of call for the Ooni, who had the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, on his entourage, was the Alara’s palace in Aramoko where Aramoko residents trooped out in large numbers to receive the foremost king in Yorubaland.

    As early as 8 am, residents of the town were in bubbling mood in anticipation of Ooni’s visit. Itinerant drummers, masquerades, men, women and youths danced round the town before converging on the Alara’s palace.

    The atmosphere was electrified at about 12.15 pm on Thursday when Ooni’s convoy entered the palace arena. It took Oba Ogunwusi about 10 minutes to waltz his way through the crowd to take his seat at the inner courtyard with other monarchs from the neighbouring towns.

    Other Ekiti monarchs who joined the Alara to receive the Ooni included the Olohan of Erijiyan Ekiti, Oba Adegoroye Omosebi; the Elerio of Erio Ekiti, Oba Johnson Bamigbade; the Olupole of Ipole-Iloro, Oba Babalola Oladele and the Onikogosi of Ikogosi Ekiti, Oba Elijah Olorunnisola.

    The eye-catching wonder-on-wheels, Rolls Royce 2016 model, which the Ooni rode to Ekiti all the way from his domain was the main attraction for many of the youths of the community, who took photographs of the vehicle with their phones.

    Alara, Ajero and Orangun feature prominently in Yoruba cosmology, drama and panegyrics, as actors always make reference to them. But a lot of people do not know their historical relevance to the Yoruba nation.

    Oba Ogunwusi explained that the three Obas were direct sons of Oduduwa and that they were born by the same mother before they settled in their various towns. He noted that the meeting of the three brothers meant a lot to the unity of Yoruba nation.

    The foremost Yoruba traditional ruler then called on all Yoruba sons and daughters to preach peace and unity anywhere they are, adding that the nation will witness tremendous growth in the years ahead if all leaders and their subjects see themselves as brothers and sisters.

    He expressed happiness to be in the company of the Alara, the Orangun and the Ajero on the same day, saying: “I thank God for the opportunity to come here today. We Obas are nothing before the Almighty God, because God is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

    “It is God who installs kings. He is the King today, tomorrow and forever. I am so happy to have the Orangun to my right and the Alara to my left, and we are all going to see the Ajero together. Unity has come to Yorubaland. There is nothing like unity.

    “It is my prayer that our youths will be gainfully employed, the barren will be fruitful and when there is unity, there will be development and things will go well.

    “The new era in Yorubaland will bring good things to us. We want our youths to be empowered, businessmen and businesswomen to be prosperous in their businesses. Peace will reign in Aramoko, peace will reign in Ekiti, peace will reign in Yoruba land.”

    In his welcome address, the Alara, Oba Adeyemi, congratulated the Ooni on his ascension to the throne of his forefathers, wishing him a long and fruitful reign.

    He said: “The entire people of South-West in particular and indeed Nigerians are deeply impressed by your (Ooni’s) campaign for love, unity and understanding among the Yoruba royal fathers rather than unhealthy competition for supremacy.

    “That was a notable step in the right direction; I must say without equivocation that Your Imperial Majesty have made a good start and an indelible mark.

    “Equally highly impressive is your Youth Empowerment Programme through a focused agricultural revolution, which is already making waves. Your Imperial Majesty, your widely acclaimed recent tour of the United States with a huge retinue of traditional rulers, among others, is a major boost for Yoruba culture and its sacred traditional institution.”

    Before the Ooni and the Alara exchanged gifts during the visit, guests were shocked when the Alara disclosed that his forefathers had a room inside the Ooni’s palace, which is still being maintained till date.

    Apparently overjoyed by the landmark occasion, the Ooni sang in Yoruba: Alara, Alara, Ajero, Ajero, Orangun Ile Ila, baye se n yeni ree o, meaning the coming together of Alara, Ajero and Orangun is a glorious spectacle.

    The Alara and other Obas led the Ooni to the palace of the Ajero in Ijero where another big crowd was waiting for them. Their arrival enlivened the community and the sight of the three brother kings, and the Ife monarch sparked nostalgic feelings among residents.

    An Ijero indigene, Segun Fatuase, said: “This occasion is great. What we are beholding today had not been witnessed in many decades. Today is historic because I used to hear the elders referring to Alara, Ajero and Orangun, but I didn’t know that their thrones are this great.”

    The people of Ado Ekiti showed class with the lavish reception organised in honour of the Ooni. A mammoth crowd thronged the palace of the Ewi to be part of history and catch a glimpse of the custodian of the Ile Oodua.

    The crowd had gathered at the palace amphitheater since 10 am awaiting the Ooni, but it grew until the arena was filled to the brim. The throng extended to the palace gate where a sea of heads had waited patiently for the august visitor.

    Traders at the Erekesan Market, otherwise known as the Oja Oba, which is directly opposite the palace, and other passers by strained their necks to catch a glimpse of the Ooni.

    Chants of Oonirisa, Adimula, Arole Oodua, Oluaye, among other appellations, rent the air as Ooni’s car screeched to a halt in front of the palace. Oba Ogunwusi was welcomed by Oba Adejugbe, who ushered his guest into the arena.

    Oba Ogunwusi and other monarchs on his entourage from Osun State were entertained by cultural dancers who showcased the cultural heritage of Ado Ekiti. Popular musician, Yinka Ayefele, who was on the bandstand, sang Ooni’s praise to high heavens, which the monarch acknowledged with intermittent nods of approval.

    Oba Adejugbe expressed joy at the visit and recalled that in 1937, Oba Adesoji Aderemi visited the Ewi; in 1980, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II visited the Ewi and thanked God that in 2016, Oba Ogunwusi Ojaja II was visiting.

    The Ewi said: “I am happy because the visits are not at close intervals, and I pray for long life, unity and cooperation among the people of Yorubaland.” He particularly commended the Ooni for the meeting of traditional rulers, which he said was a precursor for unity among Yoruba communities of the South West.

    The Ewi charged the Ooni to continue in that stead so as to sustain the growing unity among Yoruba people.

    Oba Ogunwusi declared that he would not rest in his ongoing peace initiative across the country until every ethnic group is at peace with one another. He therefore urged mutual cooperation and peace among all segments of the society, especially the Yoruba traditional rulers and their subjects so as to make the goal achievable.

    The Ooni, however, called for caution in the implementation of a new law in Ekiti State to regulate grazing because of the sensitive nature of the matter.

    Friday marked the peak of the visit as the Ooni was hosted by Governor Ayodele Fayose at the Ayoba Villa Government House before the monarch paid a visit to Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), where he was hosted by the Founder, Chief Afe Babalola, and other principal officers.

    On return from ABUAD, the Ooni performed some rites at some shrines in Ado Ekiti, which many indigenes believed was the “real reason” why the monarch came around.

    Some residents claim that every Ooni who is new on the throne must perform those rites once during his reign. One of them said: “Ado had its roots in Ile Ife and any Ooni who has not performed these rights cannot come here unless he has done so.

    “The last time we witnessed this was in 1980; that is 36 years ago, when Ooni Sijuwade came to perform these rites. That explains the historical importance of Ado and the bond it has with Ife.”

    The first shrine visited by the Ooni was the Ilegemo in Odo Ado at about 6 pm directly on his way from ABUAD. Residents of the area had waited for hours with women singing enthusiastically.

    The Ooni arrived amidst a staccato of gunshots by traditional hunters who hailed the king endlessly. The Ooni was followed to the shrine by traditional priests and was prayed for by the priest in charge of the shrine. The Efas (Ado Ekiti traditional policemen) were resplendent in their white attires, serving as escorts to the monarch.

    The next stopover for the Ooni was at Ori Ekiti located at Ojido where residents swarmed around the Ooni like bees. Women worshippers of the deity wore white loin clothes, beating traditional gongs and sang traditional songs as it was getting dark.

    The Ooni performed the rite at Ori Ekiti shrine by raising his scepter thrice, communing with the gods. Other shrines visited by the Ooni were Okiti Omolore at Inosunja, Ile Ajija at Idolofin and Ewi Otu at Odo Otu-Atikankan area.

    As the train moved round the town, the crowd following the Ooni grew and defied the darkness.

    The visit of the Ooni will certainly remain indelible in the memories of indigenes and residents of the Ekiti towns he visited.

  • ‘How IT can bail us out of recession’—Software expert Yele Okeremi

    ‘How IT can bail us out of recession’—Software expert Yele Okeremi

    WHERE did you grow up?

    I grew up in Ibadan. I am Ibadan born and bred boy (laughs). I came to Lagos in the 80s when I started my working career. I grew up in Agodi, GRA, Ibadan.

    What was life like for you as a child?

    In those days we didn’t build a wall around us. I remember in our house then when I was a child, we didn’t use to lock our doors at night. I still recall that my friends and I who were mostly in the same age bracket with me, used to meet during the holidays. We actually woke up, looked out for one another, and when we met, we moved from one house to another. All we knew then was that, we must be back home before dark. And our parents were usually sure that we were with one friend or another’s house. Also, each of our parents then knew one another. They kept each and everyone of us in check. And we used to walk long distances away from home. We were that free. I even recall that we used to have street football clubs then. We used to go out playing soccer with people who were not so privileged like we were. But none of us saw anything wrong about that class difference. We were not worried or cautious about threats from kidnappers or people with such dubious character, like it is today. It is sad that today, our children don’t even go out to play. Children who live in flat apartments today, are daily restricted to the inside of their homes. Children need to play outside.

    I still recall the day that my dad bought the first black and white television for the family. That was in 1972 or 73. And all of us used to sit in front of that television to watch. The funniest part is that, because we used to sit down together to watch, there were certain things that were said on television then that we all laughed at; even today, when we meet in the larger family, we use to recall some of those things and laugh over it all over again. They have turned to good old memories for us. At times when we recall such times, people around us don’t know what we are talking about. But that was the way it was. Families used to stick together, do things together. But today we are building five-star hotels and calling them homes. Today when you want to speak to your son or daughter in the house, you are calling them with cellular phones. These days all the children have television in their rooms, but they do not even watch them that much again; they are on their computer or mobile phones. So many things have changed. For God’s sake, we used to drink water from the tap. And we did not die!

    Did you see yourself as a privileged child?

    Well, at that time we didn’t see it as a big deal, because for most of us then, our parents were civil servants. Of course we knew that our parents were not fabulously rich, but of course, we also noticed that there were other children who were not as privileged as we were. But the difference was not pronounced. Most of my friends went to public schools. It was just that my father personally decided that he wanted his children to attend private nursery and primary schools not because of his affluence but out of personal preference. The parents in our neighbourhood then were top civil servants but notwithstanding that, their children attended public schools. And the public schools were just as good as the fee-paying primary schools. And the children in the public schools were doing very well in school. There were no differences and we used to go to the houses of those who one would consider as less-privileged to eat in their houses. Their houses might have been different or less beautiful than ours but we remained friends.

    What was your parents occupational background?

    At that time my dad was working in the Ministry of Agriculture. He later became the Director Fisheries and my mom was a school teacher. Some other parents in the neighbourhood were judges and heads of other ministries. Approximately the same background.

    Who influenced you most?

    Clearly my dad has had the greater influence on my life. I speak to my dad almost every day now. We usually have something to say. Somehow, God allowed him to understand how to train his children. Ever since I was 10, I have been speaking to my dad as if we are equals, and that is how it has always been. When I look at his life, his life tells a good story, and it makes me to know that, you do not need to read the bible too much to understand this life.

    What motivated you into banking?

    Serendipity actually. I came out of school and wanted to get a job where I could develop software packages. I studied Political Science and Economics but I wanted a job related to computers. So I got a job with Inlaks Computers; it was a fairly good job, challenging. We were happy, paid well, and being the young men that we were then, all we wanted was to look good, look tidy and look different among our peers. When I used to see those people working in the banks then, I used to feel sorry for them because they sat down in the banks and operated what other people had built. I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to build systems. I didn’t think I will work in a bank. I had gone to represent my company in a trade show and some bankers were there to see what we were presenting. One of them became my friend. After a few months, he asked me if I would like to work in the bank where he worked. I replied that I didn’t want to work in a bank. He told me that what I was doing was similar to what he was doing in the bank.

    So I asked a few questions, after which I went for the interview. But because I didn’t really want the job, I was a bit cocky at the interview since I was already comfortable where I was working. Somehow I was offered the job. It looked better than what I expected. So it was a bit difficult to take a decision. I asked a few of my friends who were also working with me at Inlaks Computers. I was advised to take the offer at Industrial Bank. It turned out to be a good decision as Industrial Bank allowed me to develop software. I didn’t want to work on packages that had been developed by somebody else. They said they wanted to build their own software. So I was employed as part of the team to develop that software. So, that is what I have been doing till today.

    Which of the software packages did you develop?

    At that time, the popular packages in the banking industry were bandmaster and clarity softwares. Those were the big ones. We were developing in house understudying how the bandmaster was addressing banking issues. From there we did something that was innovative. I may not say outright that I operated like a whizkid, but I do acknowledge the abundance grace of God upon my life. Yes, I went to school and graduated top of the class, but then so many people are that too. But maybe God just didn’t permit them. But in my case, God made things very easy for me to achieve. I know clearly however that it is not by human power.

    At what point did it occur to you while at the University of Ife that you should be developing softwares?

    It was when I was in my third year that it was glaring to me. In my second year, there was a programme course where group assignments were given but it was easy to copy and everybody got pass marks. It was an elective course for most people but it wasn’t for me. So I was determined not to copy even though it was a group thing. So the group programme worked but mine didn’t. However, during my internship, I picked up that failed programme, re-did it, and this time around, it worked. That was when I knew that I would stick on programming software. And it was a good decision because by the time I was finishing at University of Ife, I had three employment letters waiting for me even before I went for youth service corps programme. One of them was a company from Lagos. I had never lived in Lagos before. Fortunately, I was posted to Lagos for my youth corps service. Again there was no connection or human influence.

    Do we have software programmers in large numbers right now?

    We have but we are not developing them. It is very unfortunate.

    Why are we not developing them?

    That is a question that I will be treating in my doctoral research. If you want to encourage somebody to do some things well, there must be an incentive. Programming is not a job that you do part-time. As a programmer, you need to love your job, you need to marry it. That is the only way to get it. But what is the reward for that, in a situation where people are makings calls from their gardens and making billions of naira from the faulty financial system? I recall that to develop software, my friend and I used to sit on the floor every night; even after we graduated, we wanted to study more and succeed in developing programmes. We were not even thinking of buying houses in Nigeria and London and other such places, we were not looking at that, we just wanted to make a change. But today, nobody blames you if you don’t do the right thing. People want good things but don’t punish bad behaviour.

    So except people who are good or who have been brought up in good families, where good values have been ingrained in their DNA, those ones cannot succumb to do bad things. That is why today, we do not have many programmers around. I feel appalled when the government says that they will use agriculture to capitalise the economy of Nigeria. Which country can they point to that uses agriculture to do that? IT is one of the fields that can actually take Nigeria out of where we are right now. Take a look at what is happening in America, there are companies there that are richer than nations, probably the whole of Africa. Why can’t such companies be in Nigeria? What is their material? Is it not intellect? Head to head, Nigerians are probably better than Americans. The difference is that the Americans have a value system that makes their leaders help them to achieve the best. We don’t have that. We can develop 40 of Mark Zuckerback of Facebook in Nigeria, but we have chosen to do the wrong thing. Just as long as we keep doing the wrong things, we will continue to get the wrong results.

    Can you give us an insight to the kind of money that software developers make in developed countries?

    I have schooled in Harvard and I can tell you that if you are an IT professional in US and they are not after you from your village, you will make an impact in society. If you can then even think outside the box like an average Nigerian boy does, then you will make it big there. That is a country that respects knowledge. There are actually three categories of people who can live anywhere in the world. People who are producing something that the world needs. For instance, if Bill Gates decides to close down Microsoft today, the world will scream. The second category of people that can live anywhere in the world are those that have the purchasing power. The third category of people are those that have specialised knowledge.

    So, the top nations like US, China, Canada, Germany come up with a parameter that if you have a PhD or a degree in certain areas, you are welcomed in their country. But if you do not fall into those categories, then tough luck, you are just one of the surpluses. I had a scholarship to study in Massachusset Institute of Technology. That is a dream of every engineer, but I didn’t go because I knew even at that age that if I go, I will not return to Nigeria. I was loyal. I felt that Nigeria had invested money training me. I went to a Federal Government College and then University of Ife, when they were washing our bedsheets and cleaning our floors, giving us three square meals with chicken twice a week. That was the extent Nigeria spent money to train me and I felt Nigeria needed my services a lot more. It’s not about me, I am comfortable, it is about the country. We have to give back. That is why I will never go to live abroad away from my country. At least I belong to two of the three mentioned categories above (laughs).

    You studied in America, so why didn’t you choose a wife from there?

    Ha! No, remember that by the time I went to the USA, I was already married with children.

    What attracted you to your wife?

    (Becomes nostalgic) My wife and I have known each other for very long time. We used to think back then that what a man should look out for in a woman is the projection of what will she be like in 30 years time. Will the things that attract me to her still be there at that time? Again, I was privileged to have learnt a lot from my parents. I was seeing how my parents lived and it guided my pattern of life. By the time I was choosing my wife, I had no doubt that she was the one God had provided for me. My wife is very beautiful and intelligent, but those were not what attracted me like seeing where she came from and I saw her parents, I saw her siblings and knew she would fit into my family. I also saw her career and projected where she would be in many years to come and I was certain that together, we would do a lot of things. We have now been married for 23 years. I have no regrets. She is the managing director of an IT firm too.

    You are handsome, she is beautiful; you are comfortable, she is comfortable too and there are other attractive things as well between both of you. How have you been able to handle the attention of other women and she, the attention of other men, to ensure that you both still live together happily till now?

    You see (shakes his head and suddenly laughs), if I tell you that I have a panacea to this your question, I will be deceiving you. But I will say it’s God’s grace and the background has also helped because if I say I want to let myself be attracted to someone else, who will I say I want to look like? I know the position of my dad as a Bishop of the Anglican Communion of Nigeria. He has been a clergy man for about 40 years; even when he was in the civil service, he was a part-time priest, so when he retired he went intro priesthood full time. He became an archdeacon, a provost and then bishop of a diocese. When I see men of my age, they don’t want to be like their father, because their father probably made some mistakes. But that isn’t the same case with me. I am privileged. The biggest compliment you can pay me is to say that I am like my dad; that makes me extremely happy. And again, there are things that are difficult to pick up at old age.

    At what point did you decide on creating your style and being a man of your own fashion?

    Even as a child, I used to love looking good. At this age, it is not about me anymore, it is about what I want to be known for when I am no more alive. I want to be known as a man that has helped the black race look for another level. So for that, I need to live an inspirational life. I just don’t know how not to look good.

    How about socials?

    My work is my socials. It takes me around and by the grace of God, I have sat one on one with presidents of this nation and other nations by virtue of what I do.

    What do you value most?

    Character, you must never lose it. Reputation comes from character; that to my mind is what I am concerned about. It is important that we don’t change from who we are. I see some men who all of a sudden run into money or possession that they never thought they will attain and suddenly, they change! I do not think it should be so. For me, my childhood friends are still my friends. We still get together from time to time. The Deputy Managing Director of this company and I have been friends since 1989. It matters to me. I want to be very predictable.

    Do you miss Ibadan?

    I do miss Ibadan. My parents still live there. I speak to them often and I wish I could go to Ibadan more often. But the road is discouraging. This year, I almost bought the dream property in Ibadan, beautiful scenery, lawn and all that. When I saw it, I loved it. I really wanted to buy it. But then, I felt to myself, it will be a waste, because how many times will I go to Ibadan? My home in Lagos is comfortable for everything I want to do.