A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Hon. Dipo Okeyomi, has enjoined Lagos residents to support the incoming administration of the governor-elect, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, adding that the society would be better off if individuals support government efforts.
He urged privileged members of the society not to abandon the task of nation-building to the government alone.
The President and founder of Change Agent International, made the remark during while presenting empowerment items for residents of Ojokoro community in Ijaiye Local Government Area.
He gave a boost to tourism in the community when he provided visas to some of the residents to travel to Dubai. The beneficiaries were to understudy how the oil-rich area became a global tourist centre after which they would return to the country to open up the tourism potential in the community. The beneficiaries cut across tribal groups in the country.
“It is imperative for every resident of Lagos State to support the incoming administration of Mr. Ambode because the task of taking the state to the next level should not be left to the government alone. It is important that privileged members of the society should support the efforts of government by coming up with creative ideas that will bring development to their various communities. This is what we are doing in Ojokoro to improve the living standard of the residents.
“The beneficiaries are expected to serve as change agents when they return. They will retrain and broaden the minds of the people of the communities and fashion out ways of replicating some of the ideas they garnered in Dubai in the communities.
“The aim is to open up the community towards opportunities that are capable of enhancing the living standard of the residents. We have outlined different programmes that we would be carrying out from time to time to improve the lives of the people. The aspect of tourism is just one of these plans,” he said.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to Hon. Okeyomi for the gesture, even as they promised not to abuse the opportunity.
“I am delighted to be among the beneficiaries. I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to travel outside the country to acquire knowledge that would improve my life and the community.
“The future of Ojokoro is certainly bright with somebody such as Hon. Okeyomi, Dora Ifeyinwa said.
Prof. Ademola Ariyo is of the Department of Economics at the University of Ibadan (UI). In collaboration with the United States Information Agency, he founded the Ibadan-based Centre for Public Private Co-operation (CPPC), which aims at sustaining development in Nigeria and other African countries. He spoke to OSEHEYE OKWUOFU on a variety of issues, including prospects of good governance and fight against corruption. Excerpts:
What informed the founding of the Centre for Public Private Co-operation (CPPC)?
I think there is a link between my person, my vision and the coming on board of the Centre for Public Private Co-operation (CPPC) in 1995. After my experience in government at both state and federal levels, I noticed a gap between the government, the people and the quest for sustainable development.
We perceived that a lot of effective partnership among the major players was and still is a necessary condition for achieving the goals of sustainable development in African countries in general and Nigeria in particular. It is also a basis for evolving and building strong institutions because, in partnerships, there should be openness and consensus.
However, government should coordinate the apportioning of responsibilities to individuals and groups and not to act as master of the process. So, having gotten some ideas, we spoke with some people within and outside Nigeria and we got a proposal funded by the United States Information Agency on issues of good governance and that led to the formation of CPPC.
The advocacy for good governance is what I have been doing since 1996. Although we have been able to get good support since we started, luckily, when civilian regime came on board in 1999, we had more disciples and other advocacy groups. We played very important roles in empowerment, exposing them to principles of transparency, accountability and good governance. That is what I have been doing over the years.
Based on your experience, what can you say about good governance in Nigeria, is the country on the right track?
There is a minor misconception about the difference between governance and government. Government is essentially two inter-related aspects that is the existence of the necessary high quantum of institutions and the degree of independence that each institution enjoys in performing its assigned roles. There should be no issues of dominance, suppression of roles or over-riding of institutions. I think by and large we have been extremely deficient in this aspect in Nigerian environment.
I am not sure since the commencement of civilian regime that we can say categorically that we have seen the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of good governance. We discovered that in most cases we are governed by the rule of the boss rather than the rule of the law.
Incidentally, the National Assembly that is the parliament is a notable landmark of the existence of democratic rule. But we all saw what has been happening over the years. I also had an insight to some of these things when I served as Budget Adviser to the National Assembly. I think we still have a long way to go, we are not yet there in the concept of moving towards good governance.
Some are due to primordial issues, some due to low literacy about the essence and benefits of procedures, processes and the benefits of good governance. Some people say that if we had galvanised support for good governance, they will lose their privileged positions. It’s not necessarily true but it’s a way of ensuring that everybody is well off without any genuine person being worse off. That is the essence of good governance.
Would you say that Nigeria has the necessary institutions that would enhance good governance?
There are two major players in this regard, the executive and the legislature. For example, the head of the executive has to be elected. That is a typical representative political system. The two of them come on board on a platform of electoral process but that is a sort of opportunity to manage the system. The way the legislative system has been handled is nothing near what we can say represents good governance. What I am saying in essence is that representative political system is a necessary but not sufficient condition for good governance. When you look at what I call the gadgets, the police or other institutions, they are not as independent as they need to be, especially the police. Even if we have the best police in the world that is willing to perform, they are within the control of the head of the executive.
There have been documented researches that we are yet to have the 21st Century police that will be able and willing to ensure the emergence of good governance. The police have a lot of work to do. The military essentially is to protect the territorial integrity of the country and help ward off any insurgency.
Also, we knew what was happening in the judiciary. Recently, we witnessed manipulation in the judiciary which shows that they are not playing their roles the way they should be.
The principle of separation of power is a necessary factor in a democratic setting. Do you think politicians have regard for this principle?
To a certain degree, I say yes. But there is over-bearing influence of the party structure, especially between the executive and the legislature. It is only in Nigeria that you will hear about political solution to serious economic and criminal issues. Most people believe that even if you committed the most heinous crime such as switching from one political party to the other, such politician is in safe haven.
Consider some of the cases between the executive and the legislature, although we don’t expect them to be enemies, there should be a limit to their co-operation; so that it will not amount to conspiracy against the people.
The legislature is supposed to be a check on the executive, but in most cases, according to information, once they have the party caucus, they want to protect the interest of the party.
So, with that we are not yet in ideal level, although I want to acknowledge that when I was in the National Assembly as adviser, the legislators stood their ground on some key national issues.
For example, it was my strong argument that led to the establishment of excess crude account. I also remember that around 2008 or 2009 when the National Assembly recovered above 450 million dollars at the end of the year balances that were not sent to the treasury. Those were landmark cases but to me, this does not create a sort of a winner or loser scenario.
I expect the legislators to be able to stand their ground on some issues. Look at what they are doing now with regard to constitution amendment bill. The executive challenged the authority of the National Assembly and going up to the Supreme Court. These are scenarios that will strengthen each party to know their right and limitations in a democratic set up. And that is an ideal scenario in an emerging democratic Nigeria.
Corruption has been an endemic issue that has undermined the country’s growth and development, even as it has hampered good governance. What prospects lay ahead, especially with an incoming administration?
I will look at it from two angles; the incoming government should and must do something about corruption because that was the flagship promise that swayed the people into voting for them massively. The second is, can it curb corruption? Yes it can curb corruption because the leadership plays a very dominant role in the life of any organisation.
•Gen. Buhari
If you go by the antecedent, the President-elect has a very good track record. People are talking about what he did while he was in power between 1984 and 1985 which is correct. But the most important issue of hope is his lifestyle that is not a fluke.
I was shocked on what he said during his party’s primaries; that he has no penny to bribe any delegates and even if he has money, he was not ready to bribe anybody because he didn’t want to buy the presidency but to serve; I was shocked because that wasn’t what we are used to.
I read somewhere that as a former Minister of Petroleum, he didn’t have a single petrol station and that at a personal level, I have a friend that has been to his house at Daura for about two or three times. As a former Head of State, it is unbelievable the way he lives.
So, for him to come back, I think there is a lot of prospect for this country. My fear is that even if he performs miracle while in office, can we sustain the gains of hat informed the founding of the Centre for Public Private Co-operation (CPPC)?
I think there is a link between my person, my vision and the coming on board of the Centre for Public Private Co-operation (CPPC) in 1995. After my experience in government at both state and federal levels, I noticed a gap between the government, the people and the quest for sustainable development.
We perceived that a lot of effective partnership among the major players was and still is a necessary condition for achieving the goals of sustainable development in African countries in general and Nigeria in particular. It is also a basis for evolving and building strong institutions because, in partnerships, there should be openness and consensus.
However, government should coordinate the apportioning of responsibilities to individuals and groups and not to act as master of the process. So, having gotten some ideas, we spoke with some people within and outside Nigeria and we got a proposal funded by the United States Information Agency on issues of good governance and that led to the formation of CPPC.
The advocacy for good governance is what I have been doing since 1996. Although we have been able to get good support since we started, luckily, when civilian regime came on board in 1999, we had more disciples and other advocacy groups. We played very important roles in empowerment, exposing them to principles of transparency, accountability and good governance. That is what I have been doing over the years.
Based on your experience, what can you say about good governance in Nigeria, is the country on the right track?
There is a minor misconception about the difference between governance and government. Government is essentially two inter-related aspects that is the existence of the necessary high quantum of institutions and the degree of independence that each institution enjoys in performing its assigned roles. There should be no issues of dominance, suppression of roles or over-riding of institutions. I think by and large we have been extremely deficient in this aspect in Nigerian environment.
I am not sure since the commencement of civilian regime that we can say categorically that we have seen the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of good governance. We discovered that in most cases we are governed by the rule of the boss rather than the rule of the law.
Incidentally, the National Assembly that is the parliament is a notable landmark of the existence of democratic rule. But we all saw what has been happening over the years. I also had an insight to some of these things when I served as Budget Adviser to the National Assembly. I think we still have a long way to go, we are not yet there in the concept of moving towards good governance.
Some are due to primordial issues, some due to low literacy about the essence and benefits of procedures, processes and the benefits of good governance. Some people say that if we had galvanised support for good governance, they will lose their privileged positions. It’s not necessarily true but it’s a way of ensuring that everybody is well off without any genuine person being worse off. That is the essence of good governance.
Would you say that Nigeria has the necessary institutions that would enhance good governance?
There are two major players in this regard, the executive and the legislature. For example, the head of the executive has to be elected. That is a typical representative political system. The two of them come on board on a platform of electoral process but that is a sort of opportunity to manage the system. The way the legislative system has been handled is nothing near what we can say represents good governance. What I am saying in essence is that representative political system is a necessary but not sufficient condition for good governance. When you look at what I call the gadgets, the police or other institutions, they are not as independent as they need to be, especially the police. Even if we have the best police in the world that is willing to perform, they are within the control of the head of the executive.
There have been documented researches that we are yet to have the 21st Century police that will be able and willing to ensure the emergence of good governance. The police have a lot of work to do. The military essentially is to protect the territorial integrity of the country and help ward off any insurgency.
Also, we knew what was happening in the judiciary. Recently, we witnessed manipulation in the judiciary which shows that they are not playing their roles the way they should be.
The principle of separation of power is a necessary factor in a democratic setting. Do you think politicians have regard for this principle?
To a certain degree, I say yes. But there is over-bearing influence of the party structure, especially between the executive and the legislature. It is only in Nigeria that you will hear about political solution to serious economic and criminal issues. Most people believe that even if you committed the most heinous crime such as switching from one political party to the other, such politician is in safe haven.
Consider some of the cases between the executive and the legislature, although we don’t expect them to be enemies, there should be a limit to their co-operation; so that it will not amount to conspiracy against the people.
The legislature is supposed to be a check on the executive, but in most cases, according to information, once they have the party caucus, they want to protect the interest of the party.
So, with that we are not yet in ideal level, although I want to acknowledge that when I was in the National Assembly as adviser, the legislators stood their ground on some key national issues.
For example, it was my strong argument that led to the establishment of excess crude account. I also remember that around 2008 or 2009 when the National Assembly recovered above 450 million dollars at the end of the year balances that were not sent to the treasury. Those were landmark cases but to me, this does not create a sort of a winner or loser scenario.
I expect the legislators to be able to stand their ground on some issues. Look at what they are doing now with regard to constitution amendment bill. The executive challenged the authority of the National Assembly and going up to the Supreme Court. These are scenarios that will strengthen each party to know their right and limitations in a democratic set up. And that is an ideal scenario in an emerging democratic Nigeria.
Corruption has been an endemic issue that has undermined the country’s growth and development, even as it has hampered good governance. What prospects lay ahead, especially with an incoming administration?
I will look at it from two angles; the incoming government should and must do something about corruption because that was the flagship promise that swayed the people into voting for them massively. The second is, can it curb corruption? Yes it can curb corruption because the leadership plays a very dominant role in the life of any organisation.
If you go by the antecedent, the President-elect has a very good track record. People are talking about what he did while he was in power between 1984 and 1985 which is correct. But the most important issue of hope is his lifestyle that is not a fluke.
I was shocked on what he said during his party’s primaries; that he has no penny to bribe any delegates and even if he has money, he was not ready to bribe anybody because he didn’t want to buy the presidency but to serve; I was shocked because that wasn’t what we are used to.
I read somewhere that as a former Minister of Petroleum, he didn’t have a single petrol station and that at a personal level, I have a friend that has been to his house at Daura for about two or three times. As a former Head of State, it is unbelievable the way he lives.
So, for him to come back, I think there is a lot of prospect for this country. My fear is that even if he performs miracle while in office, can we sustain the gains of that miracle after his exit from government? People are still queuing after the Buhari/Idiagbon administration. This is part of the legacies.
I was in government immediately after he left office; even a devil will not take bribe because you will not be sure if you are talking to SSS or police. The country had value for money, even after he left office.
But the whole thing has collapsed. We remembered Generals Muritala’s/Obasanjo’s regime was the first military to probe military officers. They reduced their ranks, freeze their accounts, but another regime came on board and threw everything away.
If someone prosecutes me for corruption and another person comes in to throw the allegation away, then what is the crime in engaging in corruption? We are encouraging corruption now and it has become the norm in the public arena.
The incoming administration has to be careful not to get confused. It must know how to start very well and their anti-corruption crusade must be focused on mopping up leaking waters and ensure that where the pipe from which water is coming out from is blocked. That means that he must block the source of corruption. But how to sustain the blocking of the leaking pipe is the problem. There is no developed country that did not address the issue of corruption. Such countries included Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and others.
What is your assessment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Allied Matters Commission (ICPC) and other agencies in fighting corruption?
I am amazed by this question because I think it was the EFCC or ICPC bill which was appraised and one thing we noticed was that the government has over-bearing authority on who should be prosecuted.
Corruption is a public disease in Nigeria. So, when you set up a government-led institution to catch a government-led disease, there is a problem. It will not work. Overtime, even though there were pockets of arrests, some people don’t believe it’s an objective organisation or that it was being used by the government just to punish the opposition. I think that what we need is an independent anti-corruption agency, and the incoming government will have a lot to do here. How they would do that, I do not know.
But given the nature of corruption in Nigeria, a government apparatus cannot effectively curb corruption in the country. It is supposed to be an interventionist arrangement and overtime the nature and severity of corruption are supposed to be going down. But we are having the opposite effect; which shows that there is something amiss. That is the challenge. There must be an arrangement to make it independent before it can succeed. Kenya tried it and it worked, so we can learn from their experience. Anything short of independent anti-corruption agencies will not work.
In what ways has the CPPC contributed to good governance in Nigeria?
The CPPC has not been too far from the government and we have been liaising with both the executive and the legislative arms of government. At a certain point in time, we had working partnership in terms of advice from a judge of Supreme Court. This is because he was very much impressed.
For instance, we did a research on economic growth and regulations when the government came on board and we sent it to the National Assembly. We discovered some outdated laws that are totally incompatible with democratic dispensation which we sent to every member of the National Assembly then. As I said, through our research, we facilitated the excess crude account because the argument was that under a democratic dispensation, a government cannot spend beyond what was appropriated. If they add one Naira more than that, they have to go back to National Assembly. That is how we convinced the National Assembly. We are not saying government should not spend money but they must not spend beyond what was appropriated.
We have assisted in the recovery of N450 billion at the end of the year balances. So, we are having the desired effects one way or the other. But as I said, it is not sustainable due to the inherent weaknesses of the advocacy groups. Some of them believe they know everything and the government do use them for their own interest sometimes. These are the issues that we need to address. The advocacy groups have to get it right with the incoming administration.
Nigeria is one of the top oil-producing countries, yet the citizens experience acute fuel scarcity. Do we truly need fuel subsidy since the argument is that it is an avenue through which public fund is siphoned?
Yes, there can be subsidy. But there are two issues we have to look at. How does subsidy arise? Subsidy arises when the government wants the end users of a product to pay less than the cost of producing that product. It’s just like a life support to make life better for the people, may be because of the level of their income.
It happens in some other countries. I think maybe in Cot’devoire there is this public transport the government provided facility to privatise the management for efficient service delivery. The management will now prepare its own budget and tell the government how much it costs them to run that organisation.
After going through the whole thing, the government will now then make that as the most efficient cost of producing the product. The government will now said if the cost of producing that product is N100, it will instruct the organisation to charge the public N30 as it will pay the organisation the difference of N70.
So, it’s not uncommon, but in Nigeria, it seems o be a novel thing.
First of all what element went into calculation of the subsidy, including government tax? Secondly, you are talking of what we called transfer cost. We should be producing locally but look at how much it costs to buy from international market. We are talking of value in exchange. They call it export parity.
But there is value in use because we have that resource. It’s like planting yam and you want to consume part of the yam and sell the balance but when you want to prepare your account, you will say no, you have to charge at the cost it obtains in the market even though it’s mine.
So, there is element of fraud in that type of transaction. The more important thing is that who is benefiting from the subsidy. Let’s say we are talking of kerosene to be sold at N50. That is the basis for the subsidy. Who is buying kerosene at N50? There is a lot to look at in that area.
I am not saying that the government should cancel subsidy, but there are some necessary and sufficient conditions to make sure it actually delivers on the premise on which it was based. I don’t think we are doing the right thing and if we are doing the right thing, it is in the very wrong way. It is not desirable, but the government should take a very close look at it and see where the citizens need support. But I am not sure there is anything beneficial from the current arrangement.
Determined to ensure that the vision for the 2015 Ondo agenda for development is realised, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Adesimbo Kiladejo has reiterated the commitment of his people to the vision.
Oba Kiladejo, who is also the Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas spoke to reporters in his palace on current national and community issues.
The monarch said the Ondo Vision 2015 is one of the development agenda which he initiated during the celebration of 500 years of Osemawe dynasty in 2010.
According to Oba Kiladejo, the move aimed at transforming the ancient community into a modern city.
He noted that when the dream became a reality, Ondo town would turn into a model city and reference point which other communities would emulate.
The monarch reeled off some of the committees that had been set up in order to achieve his objective. The committees include the Ondo Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OCCIMA), Cultural Renaissance, Technology, Education and Infrastructural Development as well as Proclamation Committee.
While appreciating his subjects both at home and in the Diaspora for their loyalty and support to the dream, the royal father urged them not to relent in their efforts to ensure the actualisation of the Vision 2015.
On the recently-concluded general elections, the monarch expressed his happiness over the peaceful conduct of the exercise and reactions of the political class to its outcome.
According to him, the development engendered peace across the country.
The Osemawe urged the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to pay greater attention to the development of key sectors of the economy such as security, power and unemployment.
The monarch also advised that the Buhari administration should accord recognition to traditional institution by ensuring that crucial constitutional roles are given to traditional rulers, as against the present situation where no specific role is given to them in the 1999 Constitution
Oba Kiladejo described his period on the throne as very rewarding, even as he assured Ondo indigenes of his readiness to continue to serve them with determination.
The event held at the reception hall located within the Osemawe’s palace was attended by senior chiefs in Ondo Kingdom, including High Chiefs Lisa, Simeon Oguntimehin; Jomu, Ambrose Akinsade; Adaja, Solafuboye Ayodeji; Sasere and Johnson Adeduro, among others.
OYO State Police Command has paraded five suspected robbers who tranquillize their victims with chemicals before robbing them.
Parading the suspects, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Katsina said the suspects operate in a unique manner, saying it is erroneous to regard them as house breakers and burglars.
“They do not go with guns but they use something more lethal than weapon which can be called chemical weapon. It is in form of a sleep-induced liquid. When you retire to bed at night and you leave your windows open, they sneak to your window and put a little quantity of the substance in your room and you will sleep away for 30 minutes. This will put their victims in a state of unconsciousness and after the effect; they will enter the house and take away all valuables. When you wake up in the morning, you discover an empty house.
“We have been on their trail through the intelligence report we received from our ambush squad and we thank God that we were able to track them down,” he said.
•From left: Mr. Katsina returning one of the stolen items recovered from the robbers to its owner
Katsina also said the suspects had led them to all the houses they had robbed and they were able to identify the owners of the properties, adding that they are there to hand over the exhibits to the owners because he does not believe in keeping them.
One of the suspects, Oladele Olaitan, 22, said: “We are robbers and we do this to survive. We were arrested when we were robbing a house around Bodija axis. We go to our victim’s houses around 11:00 p.m. and pour the chemical into their houses and after they have slept, we break into their house and pack away all properties that are valuable to us.
Another member of the gang, Azeez Muideen said: “We went to break into a shop at Bodija and this is the first time I had joined them in this act because I am jobless.”
One of their victims’s who spoke on condition of anonymity because he didn’t want to be identified ýsaid his house was robbed at Bodija and it was just like a dream when he woke up and saw that all his electronics and other gadgets were gone.
“It was just like a magic or a dream because none of members of my family was at home that night. I turned off the television and locked the door properly before I went to bed. But on waking up around 6:10 a.m., all my electronics were gone. I reported the incident to police. After some weeks, the police called to tell me that the robbers have been arrested and some of my properties recovered. I am grateful to the police for a good job done,” he said.
The controversy surrounding the demolition of an old building belonging to the Omotoso family in Afao-Ekiti, the hometown of Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, has refused to die. While the family is accusing the governor of being responsible for the demolition, the community has absolved him of any wrongdoing. Odunayo Ogunmola reports.
The building was a cynosure of all eyes when it was built. Apart from standing at a strategic location in the community, it was a beauty to behold because it was a built at a time when one-storey or two-storey buildings were not common.
The house apart from serving as a place of abode was also a place of refuge, a place of pride and a monument of identity.
Decades after, modernity set in and children sired in the home grew up and left for other cities within and outside the country for the proverbial greener pasture while the aged died one after the other.
Sooner than later, the once beautiful one-storey building became old, derelict and decrepit but still housed some artifacts and some personal effects.
The community felt that the house had to be demolished in public interest expressing fear that the house could collapse anytime endangering the lives of pupils of two primary schools nearby.Apart from this, the community said the house has become a hideout for criminals who hide there to perpetrate their nefarious activities.
May 2, 2015 was the day of decision. Bulldozers roared to the site of the building and pulled down the house in a matter of minutes reducing it to rubbles.
•Omotoso
The Omotoso family cried foul claiming that it was not carried along before the house was demolished.
The community maintained that the family was carried along and that the demolition was an agreement reached by sons and daughters of Afao Ekiti, a community located in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
A web of politics has been woven around the Afao demolition saga as the spokesman of the Omotoso family alleged that the pulling down of the house was politically-motivated.
Afao is the hometown of the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose.
The Afao demolition saga has created two warring camps and both camps are baring their fangs ready to throw everything in their arsenal to win what promises to be a big battle ahead.
On one side is the governor, the traditional institution of the community and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and sympathisers and the Omotoso family and All Progressives Congress (APC) members and sympathisers on the other hand.
Pastor David Oluwafemi Omotoso, the eldest son of the family who owned the building is the APC Secretary in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State and he said the family is suffering for their membership of the opposition party.
Contrary to the claim of the town union, Omotoso said no member of the family was contacted before the building was demolished.
He explained that since the demolished building had become old, a new building was undergoing construction at the back which he was constructing to serve as new abode for family members anytime they come to their hometown.
Omotoso is enraged that the new house under construction was not spearedby the rampaging bulldozers as it was also pulled down.
This, according to him, is part of the conspiracy to victimize the family because of their membership of the APC.
He explained that the operation which he claimed was carried out in the night further raised suspicion as to the intention of those who pulled it down.
Omotoso said the battle would be fought to a logical conclusion because some of the family’s ancestors were buried within the precincts of the demolished building.
The excavation of the tombs of the forbears, Omotoso went further, was a clear evidence that the government of the state in collaboration with the community has a hidden agenda to take over the land and erase the family from Afao history.
•Fayose
But the Afao Community has risen in stout defence of its illustrious son, Governor Fayose exonerating him of complicity in the demolition of the structure.
Acting under the aegis of Afao Development Council (ADC), the community said the demolition of the building became necessary as it has constituted a threat to pupils of a nearby primary school and has become a hideout for criminal elements.
Led by the traditional ruler, the Alafao, Oba Joseph Ademilua, they advised Omotoso not to politicise the demolition maintaining that Fayose has no hand in it as official application was made to appropriate government agencies before the action was carried out.
Apparently disturbed by the tension generated by the demolition saga, the ADC led by its President, Chief Alex Akintunde and Secretary, Elder Bisi Agunbiade, condemned Omotoso for dragging the governor into the matter and politicising a community development effort.
Addressing a news conference at the Alafao’s Palace, ADC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tope Anjorin, stressed that the community has no intention to take away the land from the Omotoso family as the family is free to erect any structure it desires on the land.
Anjorin said it was uncharitable for Omotoso to claim that the one-storey building was demolished because he holds political beliefs that run contrary to that of the governor.
The town union spokesman claimed that the patriarch of the family had other children who are members of the PDP.
While explaining that the building was demolished in public interest and agreement of natives of the town, Anjorin disclosed that representations were made to Omotoso and other siblings.
Anjorin said: “The late owner of the building first daughter, Mrs Florence Aduloju was the Women Leader of the PDP for two consecutive terms in Afao Ekiti while his son, Pastor Sunday Olowoyo is the present Caretaker Chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government under Fayose.
“Can these people allowed their family to be victimized by the same party they belong to?”, he asked.
“We had tried to reach out to the family on the need to demolish the building, but Mr Omotoso, being one of the sons made the arrangement difficult.
“We want to make it abundantly clear that Fayose has nothing to do with this demolition. They are all out to tarnish his good image.”
According to Anjorin, the demolition was done based on the request of the town in a letter addressed to the Governor and dated February 16, 2015.
Anjorin explained that the community stated the status of the building and the danger it posed to the pupils of St. David’s Nursery and Primary School and SUBEB Model Nursery and Primary School located within the vicinity of the palace.
The letter signed by ADC President, Chief Alex Akintunde and Secretary, Elder Bisi Agunbiade , requested the government to pull down the structure because efforts to reach out to the children of the late owner to repair the house had proved abortive, since a rainstorm blew off a part of the house in 2005.
He also clarified that what the town had done was mere demolition to avert danger and not outright seizure of the land as being claimed by Omotoso in his publication.
However, more intrigues were added to the saga when Mrs. Aduloju denied Anjorin’s claim that she is the Women Leader of the PDP in Afao Ward.
In a statement refuting the ADC image maker’s claim, Mrs Aduloju revealed that she had ceased being a member of the PDP since 2004.
She said: “My attention has been drawn to the allegation by one Mr. Tope Anjorin, P.R.O. of Afao Development Council (ADC) on Premium Times that I am the Women Leader of the PDP in Afao Ward.
“To set the record straight, I had left the Afao PDP since 2003/2004 hence the insinuation that I am a PDP member is not true.
“Further more, the Interim Chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Mr. Sunday Olowoyo, is not a member of the Omotoso family and hence cannot take any decision on behalf of the family.
“This is for the information of the general public”.
But Fayose himself did not keep quiet in the demolition saga saying it was wrong for anybody to insinuate that he ordered the demolition of the building.
According to the governor, the demolition of the building was an “internal affair” of the Afao Community and has nothing to do with him.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Fayose said the decision to pull down the building was that of the community’s traditional cabinet, the Alafao-in-Council and the town union, Afao Development Council (ADC).
Fayose said: “The attention of Ekiti State Governor, Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose has been drawn to allegations made by one, David Oluwafemi Omotoso that the governor was responsible for the demolition of his family house at Afao Ekiti.
“Except for some people who will tend to believe the story, we decided to put the record straight.
“It is true that Governor Fayose built the Alafao Palace some years ago on the land provided by the Afao Development Council.
“However, the demolition of the said building is purely an internal affair of Afao Community having nothing to do with Governor Fayose.
“It is totally wrong for Mr David Omotoso to assume that Gov Fayose had ordered for demolition of their family house.
“It is the Alafao in Council and the Afao Development Council which felt that the 100 year old dilapidated roofless structure of Omotoso family was posing danger to the pupils of nearby primary schools who hibernated under the building.
“The community also claimed that the building has become a haven to criminals who often hide there to perpetrate crime.
“What has that got to do with Fayose? Is it because Fayose is from Afao or because he built the palace?
“Nobody in this country can claim not to know the antecedents of All Progressive? Congress (APC) as a party which specialises in fabricating lies and to malign people using their propaganda machinery.
“When the party has failed in all directions to bring the government down through their much advertised impeachment project, it is now intensifying campaign of calumny against the person of Governor Fayose.
“Incidentally, as explained by the Afao Development Council, the step taken to pull down the building is about safety and security which has no political coloration. Three PDP leaders are members of that family.”
However, the battle may be heading for the court of law according to information from the Omotoso family.
The family has concluded arrangement to drag the community’s traditional ruler, the Alafao to court for demolishing the house without the family’s consent and for going ahead to pull down a house under construction at the back of the old building.
The family said the destruction of the building under construction alongside the ancient family building smacked of malice adding that the claim of pulling down the building in public interest no longer holds any water.
Briefing reporters last Thursday in Ado Ekiti on the demolition saga, the family’s eldest son, Pastor Omotoso, reiterated his accusation that Fayose masterminded the demolition to victimize family members for their membership of the APC.
Omotoso insisted that the demolition of an uncompleted building he was constructing at the back of the old building was an evidence that the action was politically-motivated.
He further explained that not less than six corpses were excavated by the demolition squad saying the initial intention was to take over the land from them but was dropped following the outcry and media hype the matter generated.
Omotoso argued that the claim of the Alafao, his chiefs and town union that Fayose was not involved was an aftert thought recalling that the governor had during the Afao Day Celebration held on December 13, 2014 declared his intention to demolish the house on grounds that it was blocking the palace.
The Lagos APC stalwart maintained that the family was not consulted before the house was pulled down wondering why the new building being constructed at the back of the demolished house was also reduced to rubble.
He added that the suspicion was further heightened by the fact that the evacuation of the tombs of the family’s forbears was done at night after the demolition saying the action was an attempt to wipe out the Omotosos from the memory of the Afao people.
The cleric-turned politician said the aggrieved family is heading for the court of law to sue the Oba and seek compensation for the damage done to their artifacts and other valuables which wouldn’t have been destroyed if they had been carried along.
He said: “This house was built in 1953 but it was blown off by wind about two years ago. The administration of ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi intervened and assisted the family with a sum of N10,000 to reroof the building, which we did.
“ It was when we realized that the house was weak that we decided to build a new one behind it. The land belonged to our forebears and about six tombs and other artifacts were inside which they destroyed in the cause of demolishing it.
“ But it was disheartening that we were not given any notice before carrying out the act . There were more dilapidated houses in Afao which they did not demolish.
“It was during the first term of Governor Fayose that they encroached on our land and built the new palace. Even the fencing encroached on it, but we took that for peace to reign.
“The Governor had earlier made pronouncement during the 2014 Afao Day that Omotoso family should not do anything on that land and he said we should come and see him. He even said that our family house must give way for the palace .
“I came on December 27, 2014 to see him and I was told he travelled out of the country. I then wrote a letter and sent to him by one Tope Anjorin, but there was no reply . And I did not receive any correspondence from the governor acknowledging my letter .
“Only to be called on the 2nd May, 2015 that my father’s house had
been demolished and that nothing is standing again on that land, including even the new one that we are erecting. This is totally mischievous and unacceptable.
“We are warning them not to build anything on that land because it belongs to us. The claim that the place posed danger to the pupils is to cover up their mischief.
“All they wanted to do was to erase our family’s name in Afao Ekiti. We are going to challenge this injustice in Court.”
Another member of the Omotoso family, Mrs. Yemi Oluwayose, expressed anger that their father’s belongings were demolished with the building.
She said: “My father’s properties were still in that house, we wanted to construct a new house with the intention of moving the properties.
“Lost in the demolition are artifacts, academic gowns and other personal effects. Definitely, we would seek legal redress.
As the controversy rages, there are many questions demanding answers. If the litigation starts when will it end? Won’t this battle turn brothers against brothers and sisters against sisters? Can out-of-court settlement be struck before legal fireworks begin?
Was it right to have pulled down a new building under construction if the dilapidated one was pulled down in public interest? On whose interest was the new building pulled down. Will the community settle with an estranged family as the matter is being taken to court.
Will Governor Fayose use his exalted office to facilitate reconciliation of the community leaders and the Omotoso family? Will Afao’s image remain the same if court battle starts and it continues to drag? Interesting days await both parties.
Catholic ArchBishop of Ibadan , Rev Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin has said media practitioners must be professional and ethical in issuing information to the public.
Abegunrin who spoke at the 2015 World Communications Day Reception at St. Mary’s Cathedral Hall, Oke Padi, Ibadan said in real reportage, the standard expected of journalists does not allow for the slightest degree of sloppiness or carelessness.
He appealed to journalists to adhere strictly to the ethics of news reporting in the reportage of any event.
The ArchBishop said it is necessary that information passed to the public must go through the most thorough search in order to ensure factuality, saying information must be presented in a manner that would not cause undue anxiety in the society.
Abegunrin said journalists are expected to undertake self-regulation, adding that the commission, as a media consumer and source of information for public consumption, is concerned about what is taken into account in what is published or broadcasted.
“A piece of information has to be analysed critically in terms of source and veracity, among others. Journalist need training and retraining, you will see some journalists that speak bad English and even broadcasters that pronounce words poorly on television” he said.
The Archshop also called on political gladiators to use the sacredness of the season to bring sanity to the on-going democratic activities in the country.
He, however, charged Nigerians irrespective of their religions, to engage in fervent prayers,especially at this period, to salvage the country from social evils for the success of the proposed general election.
Mr. Michael Ale is the National President of the Association of Water-well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP). He spoke with Tayo Johnson on the danger of illegal drilling by Asians in Nigeria and the need for the government to formulate a favourable policy for drilling activity.
How old is the association, why did you establish it and how have you been safeguarding the interest of your members?
The association started less than two years ago; by June 4, it will be two years. Within the last two years, we have moved very far. This was made possible by the concerted efforts of every member and the fact they are all tired with the current water policy, which is not of good importance economically to their growth.
The industry has been bastardised and it has affected our business, such that there is no regulation, no laws, no policy. Things are just been done anyhow and people are not happy. Guarding the interests of our members requires the effort of the government; we cannot make laws ourselves. We cannot enforce laws ourselves. But we have tried all we could locally and that is why our campaign now is international.
And that is why I had to travel to make sure that lessons are learnt and we understood what it takes to form an association, safeguard the interest of the members, what it takes to make government work, even if it will not be the same thing like other countries that are developed. And we have learnt our lessons, we have understood how it worked and we are going to apply it.
As a development practitioner, I do not expect what is practised in the United Kingdom and the United States to be applied directly in Nigeria. I am going to study the Nigerian situation and apply it. Safeguarding the interest of our members is not a day job. We are not violent, we are professionals, at least 80 per cent of us are professionals. Though quite a number of us are not supposed to be in business, we are all working together, we are human beings. You are not necessarily supposed to be a professional before delving into any business, but you must employ professionals.
Safeguarding the industry and safeguarding the profession are two things. First, the professionals manage the industry. It is in two ways, it is either we safeguard the industry and every Tom, Dick and Harry to enjoy the business or look at the professionals and see how they are supposed to be in the business. But, it may spell a doom to the government if appropriate measures are not taken to support the industry.
I take a cue from one aspect; that is the education aspect. For instance, many of our students apply for courses such as geology, geo-physics, hydrology, hydrogeology, mechanical engineering and even civil engineering and all of these people are practitioners in the field of water well drillings. Now, if you have invaders, the masons, bricklayers, non-professionals, carpenters that have had their line of professions affected by the invaders, few turn into our business just for casuals and the rest because the Asians, Koreans, Europeans and so on are bringing in their equipment. They are not only bringing in their equipment, they are still bringing in their people and you keep sending your children to the university to go and learn that same business, where do they end up when they are done with the learning.
How long have the purported invaders been wreaking the havoc in the country and what do you expect the government to do towards checking the incursion?
I am a geologist and I decided to go into water well activities. I have been in this business for about 15 years and for like two years, some invaders moved into the business. So, it is going to spell doom for our children unborn on the long run. Before, people were looking into oil and gas; if you study geology you will want to go into oil and gas. It happened to me. Before, I wanted to go to Port Harcourt and work with Shell. I tried it and nothing happened. Later, I was able to find my feet in water. The same can happen to anybody.
Geology is a wide field-mineral exploration, water extraction, oil and gas, hydrology and so on. The problem is if that environment is already disturbed, where will our students come and practice. We only have few admissions in other areas in which they can practice. We have more institutions offering that course, and they bring everyone together, offering the best.
During my time in school, I think Shell came and conducted examinations for about 2,000 students at the final year and only admitted three of them. And the three were the best, comprising two Mechanical Engineering students and one geologist, who happened to be my colleague. In my class, we were about 50. So, what will be the fate of the others?
We were trained to be in this special field and now the Asians have invaded the same. Before, we were saying that the politicians have invaded the borehole drilling industry. Of course, they will get a juicy price and give it to us at a price you cannot be proud to say. Now, it is the case of the Asians now constructing boreholes at a worst price because there are no standard for anything.
If care is not taken, by the time a standard will be set, these people constructing boreholes indiscriminately will not be there. They would have dug half of the underground water, and done havoc to the environment, and the last high grade havoc to the consumers. How many of us treat our water? They believe borehole is a clean water, not knowing that the over-burden has been affected.
You see them go with screen and lie down, then they screen from top to bottom, align weak water or water that has been polluted to run off to the clean water, to the aquifer. By the time people drink it, it is white, and clear. You think it is white and safe. If it is white water and add a drop of acid, is it safe for drinking? No, but it is white. If I add bacteria into clean water, or I dip my hand, which is bacteria infected, how will you know it is unclean water?
This is why many people do not know the cause of their health problems. Apart from the economy aspect, a lot of people will go for the cheap things, and mind you the cheap at the long run are expensive. People do not mind, as long as it is cheap, they settle for cheap things, but it does affect the future. The combined effect the economic, social and environmental, must be looked into.
That means they are not meeting the sustainable development aspect. Without these three points, bore hole is an havoc for sustainable development in Nigeria. And everyone is moving towards sustainable development goals. MDGs are rounding off. We are moving to SDGs in 2016. And discussions are ongoing. Now, if all these things are not put to check, our policy are not strengthened, our laws are not implemented, laws binding people from doing these are not done, then we are doomed.
As an association, we are doing our best. We have gone to the US, to have a look at what is happening. Most of our colleague will be going to Germany soon to really study how they have been able to do their things and we are collaborating with the Ministry of Water Resources to see how we can strengthen ourselves. Apart from that, the Indians have really taken over our deals; we ask the government to strengthen us by buying one or more things for us.
Do you have any plan in form of advocacy for those that desire to come into water drilling business in the nearest future?
First, institutions train students, where do you expect them to work? Second, under water resources, we have National Training Institute where we can train drillers. If you successfully have them trained, where will they practice, when the Chinese are bringing their set of technicians to come into Nigeria and start operating? Nobody has equipment for them.
So, what is the essence of having training institutes? You can see the multiplying effect of not having a set policy. As an association, there is little we can do except we want to go violent. If we go violent, they will hear our voice; that is not the best thing to do. I think the media can support and make it known to the public, the impending danger ahead.
Is important, if you are hungry, need to cook, use the toilet, you need water. If God should make it scarce like oil, we will take it important. There is connectivity between air and water. God gave us air for a reason, and water for a reason.
But you can bastardise the air and use some harmful chemicals. You remember what happened in Syria, the air was polluted, and a lot of people died. The same thing can happen if you bastardise water, people can die. It is high time the media reported things like this. That was why we gave a journalist an award, it was a water documentary. If the journalist speaks, the government will listen. Look at what happen in the pharmaceutical sector; the pharmacists and the journalists worked together. The pharmacists stood their ground.
So whatever we want to do, or whatever decision we want to take, we need the media to help publicise it so that the government can take notice and act on it. Now you cannot have a chemist without a pharmacist. Now, they have created jobs for those young boys and girls. What are the Nigeria Mining and Geology Society (NMGS) doing? What is their responsibility when you have so many people graduating and they are not having jobs? What about the Council of Registered Geologists (COREG)?
They have the power to regulate the activities of professionals. Now, just anybody is drilling. The ideal things is that before you can drill, you must have a geologist who has the stamp of COREG, the geologist must have the documents before you can drill. It is government institutions that are supposed to strengthen it. So, if you do not make noise about it, they will not even come to life to know their responsibility and what they are supposed to do.
Do you think the legislation you are pushing for in the national assembly will regulate the water well drilling profession and correct the alleged bastardisation from foreign drillers?
Yes, at the moment there is a water bill with the National Assembly. It is under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources. It is at the National Assembly, but it has not gone further.
Within this water bill, there is still another bill, the Integrated Water Resources Bill towards setting up a commission like NAFDAC, that oversees the practitioners and even the people affecting water, both the buyer and the seller.
We want a body that regulates like NAFDAC, you must obtain licence. The license gives you the opportunity to manage resources and put some checks on the activities of quacks. These are the two bills.
Whatever might be the power of Minister for Water Resources to operate, I do not know; but it is clearly stated that the minister still has certain power to do things. The minister can still override that for a while and work. All the commissions that have been set up cannot work because they have an issue; their bill is still waiting for the consent of Mr. President.
The zeal to travel to Europe or America in search of greener pasture sometimes ends up as a misadventure for some Nigerian youths. Two young ladies were recently rescued by the Oyo State Police Command from slavery in Kuwait after they were deceived into the Asian country. They recounted their ordeal to BISI OLADELE.
Any young Nigerians are fed up with the wobbling Nigerian economy. They are in despair in a country that is unable to offer them employment or help them earn a decent living. Some are bitter because of the lack of job security while others simply lost hope after several failed attempts of securing their future. They look for any opportunity to move to foreign lands at which side the field looks greener.
Desperate to escape, many of them become gullible in the hands of dubious travel agents who exploit, and sometimes, abandon them thereafter to harsh conditions in foreign lands.
•Miss Daramola (right) and her friend Miss Ajayi
Two young ladies – Abiola Daramola and Taiwo Ajayi – just had a taste of the bitter experience.
Seeking a better life in the United States of America (USA), they ended up in Kuwait where they were lumped with fellow victims from Nigeria and other West African countries and forced to work as house maids.
Confined to solitude and rendered incommunicado, the ladies were forced to work as house maids with some others eking it out through prostitution.
“The agent in Kuwait is an Ethiopian. He told me plainly that he signed a two-year contract on me to work as a house maid in Kuwait.” Miss Daramola said, with unbelievable surprise on her face.
Daramola, 26, is a holder of Diploma in Industrial Relations from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. She couldn’t finish her B. Sc. programme in a private university because of financial challenges. She sought greener pastures in the USA but she landed in Kuwait after she was persuaded by the agent to take the option for the countless job opportunities awaiting her in the Asian country.
She said: “I went with my friend, Deola, to an agent, Mr Victor Adelaja, for traveling. When we got there, we said we wanted to go to the USA. The man is the agent in Nigeria. His office is at Bodija, Ibadan. He charged N250,000 for US. We agreed to pay and he promised to facilitate the visa. But as we got to the open office where his secretary sat, she asked us about our country of choice and we told her it was US. She asked if we had sponsors and I told her we didn’t have.
“Then she suggested Kuwait to us. She said there are jobs in Kuwait. Mr Adelaja had earlier told us but we rejected the idea. But the secretary persuaded us to do it because she had also applied. She said we could go there, work for a few months and return to Nigeria before going to the U.S. She affirmed that white collar jobs are plenty in Kuwait. She convinced us that the idea was good because it would enable us raise enough money before traveling to the U.S. They charged me N150,000. I paid N80,000 with a promise to pay the balance at a later date. Then, they took me to Kuwait.”
According to Daramola, she was unaware that she was entering the trap of an international trade syndicate with agents across borders. When she got to Kuwait, she recalled that she was well received by the agent in the country. She disclosed that the man came to welcone her at the airport from where he took her to her office. After the office, the agent told her that she was in the country to work as a house maid.
Her words: “But on getting to Kuwait, the agent there, who is an Ethiopian, received me at the airport. He then took me to his office where I dropped my luggage.
Then he sat me down and asked if I remember that I signed a two-year contract with him to work as house maid. I was dazed. I said I didn’t sign such contract. I said I only came to work for a few months and return to Nigeria. He said that was not possible because he signed the contract over me, stressing that he paid N350,000. I was helpless. I didn’t know what to do again.
I didn’t have a choice because even another Nigerian agent there told me to play along. He said I could just work for about four months and obtain work permit that would enable me do the kind of job I desired.”
But the job was hard. It wasn’t what she thought as she had to daily clean a two-story building housing 14 families. Worse still, feeding was once a day, and, it was crumbs she packed from the tables of occupants of the building.
“I started doing the job. But it was so stressful. I had to clean a two-story building accommodating 14 families. There is this family with nine children. Two grown-ups among the children are also married and live with the larger family in the apartment. They are so many. The work was so tedious. Moreso, there was no provision for food. I ate left-over from the families; and that was only once daily.
“So, I became so uncomfortable. I then told the Nigerian agent that I wanted to come back to Nigeria but he said I must pay back the amount they spent bringing me to Kuwait. I then learnt that the Ethiopian man actually paid N350,000 on me covering visa, air ticket and agent fees. It was like someone sold me to someone, unknown to me. Then, I started crying everyday.”’she recalled.
Daramola said she continued to cry for days, even in the midst of other victims. After a few days, however, she managed to contact the travel agent in Nigeria, who also insisted that she would have to pay the huge sum if she was desirous of returning home.
It was at that stage her relations contacted the Oyo State Police Command which waved in, leveraged on its wide expanded network and rescued Daramola and the second victim, Miss Ajayi, from slavery.
Daramola: “Somehow, I managed to call Mr Adelaja, informing him that I wanted to come back home. He asked me to pay the Ethiopian agent. Then I asked him if he ever told me that he was selling me to someone else. He insisted I must refund the N350,000.
We managed to get across to Nigerian police who rescued us. The police went to arrest him in his office.”
“When one of the other victims saw how I cried daily she advised me to go into prostitution to raise the huge amount the cartel requested but I declined.
“But none of them is doing prostitution because they used to lock us up in a place. No one could go out. They came to pick whoever they had a job for. They also returned us there after work. They didn’t allow us to communicate to the outside world. I hid the phone I used to call. Otherwise, they would have seized it from me.
There were lots of young women there, so many. They were uncountable. There were so may Ghanaians, Sierra Leoneans, Camerounians who were trapped there. It’s hard life. They are forced to work as house maids. But there is a particular one who is into prostitution.”
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammed Katsina, described the suspects as “a syndicate whose stock-in-trade is unlawful, criminal indulgence in human slave trade of international dimension.”
He added that the syndicate has web of agents in many parts of Nigeria and overseas, particularly in Kuwait, specializing in luring young ladies seeking greener pasture abroad into slavery under the pretext of assisting in providing job opportunities.
Recalling how the command succeeded in rescuing the victims, Katsina said: “Through the cooperation of our expanded strategic partners, we were able to establish links with the victims in Kuwait and immediately commenced the process of their rescue and at exactly 10:30 pm of May 2, 2015, the rescued victims arrived Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. In company of our Special Force, the victims were safely brought to the Post-Trauma Unit of the Oyo State Police Command Hospital and Counselling.”
According to him, Rev. Victor Adelaja has since been arrested and sued to court.
On her current frame of mind, Daramola revealed that she was already adjusting to normal life again.
She praised the police for a job well done and warned young ladies against falling prey to fraudulent travel agents.
•The celebrant, Alhaji Allison (centre), his first wife, Alhaja Gbemisola (fourth right), second wife, Alhaja Sherifat (third right), his first daughter, Pastor (Mrs) Bunmi Osinuga (right), Alhaja Yetunde Alade-Adesina (third right), Mr Tunde Sonoki (left) and other guests while cutting the birthday cake.
It was another day of joy last week for the Islamic community of Ayegbami in Sagamu Area of Ogun State, as the Allison’s family promised to give a face lift to Araromi Mosque in the town. It was at the celebration of the 80th birthday and the turbaning of Alhaji Yekini Ebudola as BabaAdeen of Araromi Mosque. His family made the pledge.
Alhaji Yekini was turbaned the third Baba Adeen of the mosque.
Monarchs, religious leaders, captains of industry and other dignitaries from all walks of life within and outside Nigeria were all there to rejoice with the Papa ‘Ysure’, as he is fondly called.
Exotic cars were a common sight just as family members, children and grand children were in red lace with gold colour head tie. Other guests had red cap and gold or yellow coloured head ties .
Special prayers were said by many Imams and Alfas for long life and prosperity of the celebrator.
The Chief Imam of the Mosque, Alhaji Abdul Rasaki Solanke, who led the congregation in reciting selected chapters of the Holy Quran, urged the Alhaji Yekini not to relent in his effort to promote and finance the work of the Almighty Allah. He admonished him to further spread the message of peaceful co-existence and tolerance.
Alhaji Solanke, while extolling the virtues of the Baba Adeen, especially the giant strides recorded in the Mosque and the city at large, said: “Alhaji Yekini is a devoted Muslim, who loves to promote and finance Islamic religious proclamations.” He charged the children, grand children, family members, public office holders and politicals to emulate him by making the interest and welfare of the masses their priority.
The Giwa Adeen of Ogun State and Baba Adeen Remoland, Alhaji Aruna Olusola Onasanya, described Alhaji Allison as number one citizen who accommodates people with true love, and who derived joy in financing the work of Allah and uplifting the less-privileged.
Alhaji Onasanya urged the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of the Alhaji Yekini to emulate the good behaviour of their father. He urged them to continue to build on the legacies of their father.
Alhaji Yekini was described in superlatives by his children, wives and guests as a loving, caring and accommodating, who enjoyed preaching the peace and harmony among the people.
He was born on May 5, 1935 to the family of the ruling house of Erinjigbo Descendant in Itunla Quarters, Sagamu.
His father Pa Aliyu Sonoiki Okusagba (Baba Elesin), was one of the first people that rode horse in the history of Sagamu.
Alhaji Yekini, had his elementary education at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Makun –Sagamu. Thereafter, proceded to Saka Tinubu Memorial High School, now Ahmadiyya College, Agege. He has travelled and worked in many organisations across the country.
Alhaji Yekini, who was as result of his service to humanity and commitment to Islam appointed the President, United Muslim Council of Nigeria, Sagamu Zone,was turbaned as Alakoso Adeen of Remoland, and Sanmori Adeen of Ogun State and many more.
Alhaji Yekini, in his closing remarks, thanked Almighty Allah that made the occasion possible. He said he was overwhelmed to see himself celebrating 80 years, the journey, which he said was not an easy task but achieved through the special grace of the Almighty Allah.
He urged youths to be patient and shun inordinate wealth. Allah’s time is the best, he said.
He also advised Nigerian leaders to ensure the less-privileged are not left out.
Alhaji Yekini promised his service to humanity and commitment to Islam as long as he lives.
Dashing across the highway is outlawed in Lagos State to reduce deaths. Some jobless hoodlums have, however, cashed in on the lawlessness of some residents to make quick money. Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN reports
Many would readily conclude that a hungry tiger was on the man’s trail for lunch. With the last breath in him, he dashed across the highway, in suicidal defiance of vehicles that “brook no nonsense.” It was at the Palmgrove-Onipanu axis of the ever-busy Lagos-Ikorodu Road.
After sprinting through the generally acknowledged death zone, the 61-year old simply identified as Ezekiel, heaved a sigh of relief. Yes, he considered himself lucky not to be counted among the pedestrians being weekly knocked down on the route.
Unknown to Ezekiel, more tribulation awaited him when he thought he had survived the “valley of shadow of death.” Just by Palmgrove Bus Stop, some hoodlums – numbering about six – were anxiously waiting to do unlawful “business” with his indiscipline.
Before one could say Jack, they formed a ring round him as venoms poured out of their mouths. “We are officials of Somolu Council; you are under arrest Mr Man for illegal crossing of the road,” flashing something that looked like an identity card, one of them threatened gutturally.
The man in Ezekiel gave way as he suddenly developed cold feet. Then he stammered: “Plea…se, I … am, I am actually russs…shing to see a s…ick uncle at Ojjj..ota. Pleeeeea… se!
Roadside traders around the scene were already on their feet, witnessing for the umpteenth time, the ugly drama with one wish: That Ezekiel should pluck up the courage to withstand the hoodlums’ extortionate antics.
Realising that they were under watch, they dragged their prey (Ezekiel) behind a stationary bus where serious haggling began. “Listen, if we take you to Somolu Council, there is a court that will send you to jail and if we drive you to Alausa (state Secretariat) now, you will be sorry for yourself and nobody will be able to locate you. So, you have to bail yourself now,” one of them said.
Sensing he was in a mess, his eyeballs got instantly drenched with tears as he threw his scrawny frame on the service lane, sobbing. If he thought his actions would evoke sympathy in his captors, he was dead wrong.
One of them leaned on him, searching his danshiki-and-trousers attire. At last, he was able to bring out N260 from the man’s pocket. “So this is all you have; agbalagba oloriburuku (an unfortunate old man). You better run; don’t give us bad luck,” he said.
As if he just escapes from a lions’ den, Ezekiel ran as fast as his legs could help him through the Somolu streets. Some neighbouring youths caught fun while many, mostly old ones had words of sympathy for him.
“This is the way they extort money from people here. They also operate at Obanikoro and Onipanu bus stops. They are not from any council,” one of the traders said angrily.
Shortly afterwards, two young men suspected to be from the neighbourhood took a majestic walk towards the “council officials” from the Palmgrove area. With their stature, they rivalled the Floyd Mayweathers, Iron Mike Tysons and such other dreadfully sturdy pugilists.
None of the six could look them in the face twice. They all looked the other way as both had a peaceful cross and eventually boarded a Ketu-bound commuter bus. “Those are boys from the area. Who born these people to touch them; they wan die? They look at people’s faces before challenging or taking money from them,” a woman, Alhaja Taibat Lawal, told this reporter.
“Even if you are a female person, if you can face them like a man, nothing will happen but if you allow them to bully you into submission, they will collect your money; it could be N1,000 or N2,000. It could be as low as N100; they will take it and the next moment, they are elsewhere – Onipanu or Obanikoro. They have been operating here for long,” she further hinted.
Various other daily observers of the drama agreed that it could save the lives of pedestrians by discouraging them from taking the risk involved in non-use of the pedestrian bridges. However, they frowned at the repulsive way the hoodlums have cashed in on people’s lawlessness to give them inhuman treatments before ultimately extorting money from them. Amid pains, not a few recounted their ordeals.
At the council last Thursday, a source told The Nation: “Arresting those who dash across the highway did not just start yesterday; it began as far back as 2003 when an average of two persons was being knocked down by fast-moving vehicles between Obanikoro and Fadeyi. It is simply to save lives. It is the council that has been saddled with the rigours of evacuating the dead bodies. That was why a court was set up inside the secretariat to try offenders who are usually fined even as low as N500 till date.
“However, the council did not involve hoodlums as being alleged in some quarters. Basically, we involve officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) set up by the state. The council will never work outside the ambit of the law of the land.”
Last Friday, the men were on “duty” as usual. “When will this end?” The reporter wondered aloud. One of the worried observers around gave a strange clue: “It may never end as long as joblessness exists alongside indiscipline in the land. It happens all over the state.” There won’t be exploiters if there are no exploitable ones, he added.
