The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • Don’t commercialise prophecies, cleric charges

    The chief chaplain of Grace Institute of Pastoral Counseling (GIPEC), Rev. (Dr) Bartholomew Dimanozie, has admonished ministers of God to desist from giving false prophecies to enrich themselves.

    He spoke during the body’s annual programme for the less privileged in the society.

    The event, which also featured awards to deserving members of the public and commissioning of new chaplains from different parts of the country, held at the Golden Gate Paradise, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    He said: “My fellow men of God, it is better for us to go back to our first love. If we do, He that called us will reignite his love in us and we would begin to preach, ‘it is written’.

    “When you meet people in government, don’t begin to prophesy what you are not told to. When you meet with people in power, tell them thus says the Lord and that it is not worthy to do this or do that. Ministers of God should not go about telling lies to get envelopes.”

    He advised Nigerians to vote only for personalities that fear God and not for political parties.

    According to him:”When the righteous is on the throne, the people will be happy. If we vote for the right people, they will be able to do things aright and we will be able to move forward.

    “You don’t judge people by what they say during campaign. You vote for people based on what they did yesterday and not what they are doing now.

    “What they are doing now is to cajole people to vote for them. Politicians should learn to wait for their time and not make our politics a do- or- die.”

    Chaplain Samson Adamolekun, a top member of the body, explained that chaplaincy is a caregiver saddled with the responsibility of doing the work of God.

  • Trinity House seeks greater Nigeria

    • Honours individuals

    The Trinity House Church Victoria Island Lagos has honoured some distinguished individuals in various fields of endeavours.

    The fourth in the series, the event was tagged Honour Nigeria awards.

    It was in commemoration of the nation’s 54th Independence anniversary.

    Those honoured include: former Ambassador to the United Kindgom, Dr Christopher Kolade for Leadership; the late Dr Ameyo Adadevoh and Mr. Akaniyene Edet for National and Community Service; founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Otunba Subomi Balogun for professionalism and Dame Priscilla Kuye bagged the award for female role model and leadership.

    The Senior Pastor of Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, in his sermon titled: ‘What makes a nation great’ stressed the need for churches to partner with government in the provision of community services.

    He said any nation that wants to be great must get rid of idolatry, produce transformed leaders and citizens with the right thinking.

    Ighodalo thanked the honourees for their services and urged Nigerians to emulate them.

    “I salute them that even in the face of adversities, they stood strong. Nothing should be too difficult for you to do for others,” he stated.

    Son of the late Dr Adadevoh, Bankole Cardoso, said Nigerians supported  the family’s during their trying period.

    Akanieyene has served in the Police Force for 32 years.

    He controls traffic daily in the sun and rain and was spotted on his duty post that same morning of the award.

     

  • Still on ‘tear gas’

    THIS truth no doubt was expressed in recognition of the role of the press in any society, especially one striving towards (for/after) the attainment of democracy.”

    “And as the UN was packing its bags and baggage out of Somalia….”  Standard expression: bag and baggage.

    “…the whole nation hailed and applauded both parties in the protracted ASUU crisis for reaching an agreeable truce.”  Gentlemen of the Press, what is the meaning of ‘agreeable truce’? Students used to make newspapers reference materials for English language studies. I doubt if that happens these days, with oddities like ‘agreeable truce’.

    “Cake is fattening thereby loosing its attraction to….” Correct spelling can’t lose attraction.

    “I and the other Nigerians who had come to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia…” (Daily Newswatch, October 17) Grammatical discipline demands that you put self last: The other Nigerians and I….

    “Kogi workers asked to sign attendant register” ‘Attendance register’, please.

    “…and the partitioning of the country by the clan chiefs and warlords continue.” (Daily Newswatch, October 17) …the partitioning (not the chiefs and warlords) continues.’

    “Another recipient of the award was one of the directors of RayPower, a private electronic media….” If a non-journalist does not know the differences between ‘media’ and ‘medium’, I could excuse the fellow, but a (supposed) colleague of mine writing ‘a media’ amounts to crass illiteracy.

    “They have in most cases remained willing collaborators in the de-politicization of the political system by acquiescing to virtually all the issues….” I cannot acquiesce in the ruination of modern English by some traditionalists.

    “It was a most unhurried journey accomplished well over six hours, from 9 a.m. in the morning till about 2.00 p.m. in the afternoon.” One of these days, somebody will scribble ‘I saw the picture with my naked eyes’! Dear reader, you do not need ‘in the morning or afternoon’ after the abbreviation ‘a.m.’ or ‘p.m.’ ‘A.m.’ means ante meridiem (before noon). Similarly, p.m. refers to post meridiem (afternoon).

    “The effectiveness of these provisions are hampered by ignorance and poverty.” This smacks of language poverty. Ignorance should not be extended to grammatical concord: “The effectiveness…. Is’.

    “Available statistics has revealed that the magnitude of housing problem…” Singular: statistic; plural: statistics. This however does not apply to Statistics as a course of study.

    “Disbursement under the loan scheme are subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions…” All sentences must obey subject-verb stipulation: ‘Disbursement… is’.

    “Students warn” without any ‘kicker’ or ‘rider’—this is a very unscholarly, dull and meaningless headline. I was taught in my first year in the university that headlines must make sense.

    “A reflection into our attitude toward claim settlement would expose….” I give the insurance and assurance that ‘reflection’ takes ‘on’ or ‘upon’, not ‘into’

    “Earlier this year, FEPA officials had argued that they need an interval of raising public consciousness with regards to the environment…” As regards to the environment….”  As regards…or with regard to…. You can also use ‘concerning’ in place of any of the two.

    “We have heard of people running for office, a running mate, running neck to neck or the race between X and Y being too close to call”. Politicians run neck and neck; not “neck to neck”.

    “Problems of one nation have a remarkable way of spilling into other nations as in refugees fleeing from one troubled spot to safe havens”. Good command of language: trouble spot.

    “That same day, Robinson, his supporters and other Nigerians demonstrated in front of the Nigerian embassy on 16th Street, just a stone throw from Trans-Africa’s office. “Democratic English: A stone’s throw.

    “Criminal investigations into the controversial death of … has run into a hitch. “For a hitch-free sentence, change ‘has’ to ‘have.’

    “The Akabogu family took the hospital to court last year claiming N50 million damage for the death of….”The family claimed damages!

    ELUCIDATION & FEEDBACK

    A fortnight ago, in this column, I magisterially declared that ‘tear-gas’ which I corrected by way of hyphenation, functions equally as a verb—not just a noun. A language pundit faulted the verb application, insisting on its noun exclusivity. The controversial excerpt: “Police tear gas (tear-gas) Hong Kong ‘Occupy Central’ pro-democracy demonstrators” This week, as follows immediately below, two avid readers have thrown their weight behind my assertion. Please, no further contradiction on this obvious incontrovertibility. Take this linguistic notice: no victor no vanquished in dynamic language debates! Now the interventions….

    CONSIDERING the sheer mass of material involved in producing your column, it is a non-issue if one or two errors escape your eyes. Macmillan English Dictionary (International Student’s Edition, 2nd Edition 2007) on Page 1535 says: TEARGAS (verb) (T) to use tear gas to control violent crowds. The Chambers Dictionary (10th Edition, 2006) on 1569 says: TEAR-GAS (VT): To use tear gas on…. (Bola, Ogori, Kogi State, 08058810301)

    ‘TEAR GAS’ is an uncountable noun while ‘tear-gas’ (hyphenated), an intransitive, is its corresponding verb. ‘Tear-gas’ inflects ‘tear-gasses/tear-gassing—gassed/has tear-gassed. Look it up in The Merriam Webstar Dictionary, P. 53 and World Book Dictionary, P. 2153). (Bayo Oguntunase, 08056180046, adoro62@yahoo.co.uk)

    LAST week, a phrase read: “Among items destroyed were textile materials….” ‘Material’ is unnecessary because ‘textile’ is a fabric or woven material’. (Kola Danisa, 07068074257) Wrong: counsels; right: counsel. (RayPower, October 13, 6 p.m. Bulletin)

    THE last contribution is from Dontexas Ekarika, Warri, Delta State, 08076252169: “Okorocha congratulates Obi for (on/upon) dumping APGA” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, October 10)

  • Encounter with Destiny from His Book! (3)

    In our discourse of Encounter with Destiny from His Book last week, we described every true child of God as a redeemed Spiritual Eagle. We identified the general features of the Eagle and attempted to relate the bird to the redeemed Christian, who is a Spiritual Eagle.

    Today, we shall continue that discussion by situating the subject in the significance of the Bible, which is God’s special dream Book for our encounter with destiny. Let us understand however, that the Bible is a Book of instructions and our life cannot be worth any more than we are addicted to those instructions.

    In fact, our ultimate proofs are engendered by instructions and that’s why those who hate instructions cannot go far with God. Therefore, sensitivity and commitment to His leadings is vital to our making (2 Timothy 3:16, Proverbs 4:13, Isaiah 48:21).

    From the story of the eagle, the mother eagle goes outside her nest, bears the eaglet on her back, and soars to the skies. In the midst of the flight, the mother eagle suddenly removes her back, while the eaglet struggles for survival. When the eaglet is about crashing into the sea or on the rock, the mother eagle comes and bears him.

    There are too many believers who have remained eaglets all their lives, because they won’t get out of the ‘nest’ and take responsibility. Though there is an eagle in us, it takes discipline, focused spiritual exercises, being led by the Spirit among others, for the eagle in us to come alive.

    Our second picture from scriptures is that every child of God is redeemed a ‘Sun’ of Righteousness: We understand from scriptures that Jesus is the Sun of righteousness and as the Father has sent Him, so Has He sent us. It therefore means that we are redeemed as ‘suns’ of righteousness. However, we must understand that though redemption has made us a sun, it is revelation that helps us to see and actualise it (Malachi 4:1-2, Psalm 84:11, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 60).

    But, what is the Sun worth?

    •Scientifically, the sun is an entity of global phenomenon: The sun is worth all that engenders life on the earth. For instance, plants are absolutely dependent on sunlight; otherwise they will die. We also know that animals are absolutely dependent on plants, because they, including humans, survive by the oxygen that plants supply. Therefore, the sun is the fountain of life!

    Likewise, every child of God is redeemed a global phenomenon and a fountain of life (Matthew 5:13-16)

    •There is enormous heat in the sun: Naturally, no chaff can survive the heat of the sun and we understand that whatever is not planted by God in our lives is chaff. Thus, when the sun in us comes fully alive, nothing can survive except what is planted by God (Matthew 3:11-12).

    In scriptures, Jesus, the Sun of righteousness, is described as the burning and shining light. When He appeared, the demons couldn’t stand His presence and they cried out, “Have You come to destroy us before the time?” (John 5:35, Matthew 8:29). Likewise, redemption has made us ‘suns’ of righteousness and the overriding Sun (Jesus) dwells in us.

    How is this heat generated?

    The Holy Ghost is the fire from heaven, the Word is the wood and inside that wood is also fire. When the fire within the wood and the fire of the Holy Ghost come together, then we generate the heat of the sun. Also, we understand from scriptures that where there is no wood, the fire goes out. We generate and maintain the heat of the sun by our encounters with the heated Word of God(Jeremiah 20:9, Proverbs 26:20).

    We must understand that every one of God’s agenda requires a price to be paid. It is not enough to access God’s plan, we must know what it takes to actualize it and commit to press our way into it. The truth remains that the Bible is the custodian of every great destiny in the Kingdom. I pray today that no one will take your place in God’s agenda for your life! Remain ever Blessed!

    Friend, the grace to encounter destiny through His Book is free for those who are born again. You become a child of God, by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Say this prayer in faith: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You, for saving me! Now, I know I am born again!”

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. respectively.

     I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • A twenty-first century guide

    Counsel for the young

    Greater awareness often separates adults from children. And the average adult should be politically aware. The growth process includes, but is not limited to, regularly reading newspapers and magazines, and watching the news. You may follow by discussing topical issues with others, but always while respecting their opinions.

    The world is constantly changing, for the better or the worse. Be informed so that you can take an active and responsible place in your society.

    Read obituaries if and when you can. They are somewhat short biographies. And they remind us that interesting, successful people rarely lead orderly, straightforward lives. If your entry into the world was not rated first, second or third, why should you care about your ‘class’ when you exit?

    Acquire empathy, good interpersonal skills, and confidence. Learn to read body language and non-verbal communication. Don’t just concentrate on your vocational or technical skills or you’ll soon be betrayed. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. It is an important skill to obtain. As they say, speak your piece, even if your voice shakes.

    Have fun. Life should be an interesting journey, not an excruciating race. Success should not mean outrunning everyone else in some set direction. You didn’t deserve the pressure of having to attend the ‘exclusive school’ and you are better off without the strain of landing the ‘plum job’ or achieving the ‘juicy promotion’ by all means.

    Emulate a role model or, better still, become one. There are so many worthwhile people to look up to and try to follow. The trick is picking the right people for the right reasons. Look far enough and you’ll probably find more inspiring figures in history and books than celebrities in sports, music and TV. The latter group may be rich and successful but that doesn’t necessarily make them wiser. Your task is to find real heroes that embody values other than fat bank accounts.

    Man or woman, in turn will you be a friend, employee, parent, and mentor. Guide the young people that come after you. Recognise that you have the potential to be the most powerful force in society. But only in your job will you be clearly rated and rewarded for your performance.

    You owe your boss loyalty, as you do other competing influences in your life. For instance, leaving a task undone at work so as to attend to family or friends may be interpreted as ‘dodging’ duty, just as cancelling a date with loved ones to finish work might mean avoiding the people that matter in your life. You will need to find a balance all the time.

    Remember that you live a limited life. Nothing, least of all tomorrow, should be taken for granted. Would you regret spending your life the way you do or are about to if you were to expire next week or next year? Better still, would you be happy with your lifestyle if you outlive the next decade or two?

    In the end, mind that you don’t overdo the greatness stuff; only follow your passion with strong commitment. Being another Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great requires a great deal of luck and other circumstances beyond your control. The less you think about it, the more likely greatness would ensue. If it doesn’t, there is nothing wrong with being stable and dependable.

  • Laughter 2014 kicks off today

    The annual Harvest of Miracles at Pentecostal Canaan land Mission Incorporated aka reaching the World For Christ begins today.

    Tagged Laughter 2014, it holds at 26/28, Adewunmi Abudu Street off Osolo Way, Ajao Lagos.

    A suya night holds on Friday from 10pm till dawn.

    The host, Pastor Nick & Pastor (Mrs.) Medo – Uwa stated that ministers expected include Pastor J.T. Kalejaiye (Lagos), Rev. Glory Idahosa and Rev. Felix Chikwendu.

  • Don’t commercialise prophecies, cleric charges

    THE chief chaplain of Grace Institute of Pastoral Counseling (GIPEC), Rev. (Dr) Bartholomew Dimanozie, has admonished ministers of God to desist from giving false prophecies to enrich themselves.

    He spoke during the body’s annual programme for the less privileged in the society.

    The event, which also featured awards to deserving members of the public and commissioning of new chaplains from different parts of the country, held at the Golden Gate Paradise, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    He said: “My fellow men of God, it is better for us to go back to our first love. If we do, He that called us will reignite his love in us and we would begin to preach, ‘it is written’.

    “When you meet people in government, don’t begin to prophesy what you are not told to. When you meet with people in power, tell them thus says the Lord and that it is not worthy to do this or do that. Ministers of God should not go about telling lies to get envelopes.”

    He advised Nigerians to vote only for personalities that fear God and not for political parties.

    According to him:”When the righteous is on the throne, the people will be happy. If we vote for the right people, they will be able to do things aright and we will be able to move forward.

    “You don’t judge people by what they say during campaign. You vote for people based on what they did yesterday and not what they are doing now.

    “What they are doing now is to cajole people to vote for them. Politicians should learn to wait for their time and not make our politics a do- or- die.”

    Chaplain Samson Adamolekun, a top member of the body, explained that chaplaincy is a caregiver saddled with the responsibility of doing the work of God.

  • ‘We should stop killing our wounded soldiers’

    ‘We should stop killing our wounded soldiers’

    The general overseer of Agape Christian Ministries, Akure, Bishop Felix Adejumo, is a leader of leaders. He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on life at 60 and sundry issues affecting the body of Christ. 

    You were 60 in August. How is life at 60?

    I think I am just trying to assimilate the reality of being 60. I have never been there before but now that I find myself there, it is a different ball game altogether. I’m beginning to redefine life and see it differently from how I used to before.

    The reality that one does not have too much time anymore is sinking in now. My approach is to think differently from what I used to. I think this age bracket is teaching me a lot of lessons…

    …Which are?

    One, you don’t have all the time anymore. You must value your time and take advantage of the opportunities of life. Two, you must value the people around you because people are assets and they could also be liabilities. Three, you must be patient with yourself and people around. Four, you cannot win the world or even own the whole world.

    Whatever God gives to you, be content with it and appreciate Him for it. You must leave a legacy, an imprint in the life of people because life is not just about yourself. So, I have learnt all of these and I have just living to impact people than I have done in the past. Those are the things I will be working on henceforth.

    But you must also be thinking about succession at your age. I know many don’t like to talk about it…?

    Well, you know it is a reality of life. I remember the first time I told my children that when we die we should be buried in a certain place. I said ‘bury me here and my wife close by’ but my last daughter said ‘daddy, don’t mention it’ but I insisted it is a reality of life. It’s like a 40 year-old refusing to write his will. He has to do that because it is mere deception to think you will always be around. God owns our breath.

    So, the issue of succession is something that I have been praying about. There is a succession plan in place. I have a programme for myself and I told myself I have maybe ten more years to work actively. From 70, I will relax and take easier responsibilities that will not put pressure on my health. I am sound and healthy but I must not put too much pressure on myself. I have a retirement plan that I’m sticking to.

    How much of mentoring are you into these days?

    That is my major project now. It is what will take the latter years of my life. In the next ten years, I will be at some locations where I can be more accessible and raise the next generation. I want to share with them life experiences, principles and revelations from the word. I’d want to impart them with practical experiences of my life so that they can see both sides of the divides.

    I am already thinking about that and it will cut across denominations. I have a lot of mentees and others are joining. I want to open up my life to them for impartation and learning.

    How does it make you feel when one of your mentees is derailing and seems not to be yielding?

    It is very painful sometimes especially if it is somebody you love so much.  You have invested and such a mentee is derailing but there is nothing you can do. There is nothing you can do but to pray. You can’t but have such issues and that is why you have to open such a person up to the pitfalls in life. But if he falls into them again, you don’t throw away the baby with the bath water. You don’t run away, abdicate your responsibility as a father but hang on there to rescue that person.

    Sometimes, don’t you feel that some of them would have dragged your name in the mud in the process since everyone knows you are associated with them?

    Honestly speaking, it is God that builds a name. If you  have a baby that pees, you clean him up and not run away. You won’t say you don’t want the child to stain you and then walk away. If anybody says you are stained, well that is their opinion. You have your life to live. I have had  a lot of such things. People will say ‘he is their father’, ‘like father, like son’. But I don’t mind. It is between me and God.

    That one of my mentees misbehaves does not mean I do or have to do. My shoulders are down for them to rise and I never walk out on them. I don’t want to abandon people when it’s tough times. I want to be there for them because it can happen to anybody. The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong. Nobody is above any mistake or error. If anybody falters, we have to rally round. That is what happens in the army. If a soldier is wounded, they carry, nurture and nurse the wounded soldiers to life.

    But it is never like that in the faith, is it?

    It is not but it should be like that. That is what the scripture wants us to do. We kill our wounded soldiers when we should have helped to rescue and nurse them back to life. Some people even gloat over such developments. They say they have had revelations the person will fall. I think it is demonic because it is not of God. God is forgiving and who are we not to forgive?

    So, we have to be there and protect our wounded soldiers. We have to help them back to fitness. In the parable of the Samaritans, the Levite and Priest saw the wounded man and left but the Samaritan rescued him. The Levite and Priest represent the church while the Samaritan represents those in the workplace. We are the ones killing ourselves not the people outside the church.

    It is lack of love. We only read the Bible many times but never demonstrate it. We should look through the attributes of love as defined in I Corinthians 13 and we would see how far we have derailed.

    How do you feel when a man of God is misbehaving and is not accessible for mentoring?  

    Well, we are just instruments in the hands of God. In a situation where a pastor is messing up and is not available, well it is a choice he has made. It is a privilege to bear one another’s burden. When we don’t have access to them, we only pray.

    How is the Lekki church coming up?

    It is coming up strong and we are in the process of getting a permanent centre.

    Why Lekki, which is already saturated with churches, of all places?

    There is no place that is not saturated but you see God will direct your flock to you. They will locate you anywhere you are. Your people will come and identify with you.

    Many people feel you are just hiding in Akure. A preacher like you should be in Lagos, Abuja or any of the other big cities. How do you react to that?

    There is nothing like be in God’s place for one’s life. I believe it is the will of God for our Headquarters to be in Ondo State. That is my place of primary assignment. Our branches are just extensions of what we did in Akure. I once tried coming to Lagos, somewhere in Surulere. I was in devotion one morning when God told me He didn’t say I should relocate to Lagos though I could have a work in Lagos.

    He said I should not leave my place of protection, my place of rewards and my place of prosperity. That was why I stayed put. So Akure will be my base except God says otherwise. Akure is my Jerusalem.

    Your marriage clocked 30 also. How has it been?

    It’s been fantastic and challenging in the sense that there is no marriage without challenges. But grace has helped us to manage those challenges. My wife and I are close friends. We are lovers. That has kept us all these years. God has helped us to raise our children well.

  • Cleric seeks changes in workplaces

    The immediate Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Lagos State, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, has urged Christians to embrace changes.

    He gave the advice at the monthly Conference for Leadership Change (CLC) organised by Voice of Change for Global Network (VCGN) in Lagos.

    He noted some Nigerians are not employed by foreigners because of the bad attitudes of others who were ill-trained, incompetent and dishonest, displayed in the past.

    He said Nigerians lack respect internationally and are treated shabbily because of the fear that some of them are tricksters and crooks.

    Christians, he counselled, should be in the vanguard of change, noting that hard work pays.

    The former president of First National Bank of Boston Massachussetts, United States decried corruption in banking.

    He wondered how a sincere banker could have billions while criticising materialism.

    He canvassed for integrity in the workplace, saying: “Even if you do change the nation, change yourself. Change your tomorrow.”

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Air Separation Limited, Sosan Akpieyi, who spoke on taking the lead in manufacturing said: “Step out. It is in your taking action that help will come. Don’t be afraid to fail.”

    He canvassed acquisition of skills, saying education is not alone.

    “The world,” he said, ”is titling towards the man who has skills. He has an edge. If you are a plumber, do it well. Believe me, everyone has a skill.”

  • Man who drinks animal blood

    Man who drinks animal blood

     In Ila Orangun , Osun State, is a living deity called Ijimagodo who some claim has lived up to 150 years. He is said to feed on animal blood. Taiwo Abiodun reports

    The mysterious Ijimagodo

    At the entrance of the big compound are these words announcing boldly in vernacular that, This is the house of Alapinni in Ila Orangun. In the compound is also a small mud house built centuries ago .The mud house is dreaded not because it is big but because it is where the deity, Ijimagodo, lives. In the town, the mere mention of Ijimagodo instills fear in people.

    No one sees Ijimagodo freely as he is said to have become untouchable, a myth, and a deity. The mud house he lives in is held sacred and no one dares enter it unless specially summoned or given permission, or during his own festival. In the ancient town of Ila Orangun everybody, including the monarch, fears, respects and honours him. He is said to be the spiritual head of the town.

    According to Pa Mohammed Aderemi Adedeji, a retired soldier who is the Alapinni (the custodian of the deity) and some indigenes, Ijimagodo is a man of small stature but this notwithstanding, he is highly revered.

    The mere mention of Ijimagodo instills fear in many people – both natives and non natives. According to the indigenes of the town, Ijimagodo is a human being but he is no longer believed to be an ordinary one  as he has been transformed into a living deity.

    “Don’t just mention his name for God’s sake, he has transformed into another human being and please don’t go to where he lives,” a native warned this reporter, adding, “If you even go there you can never see him. Never, but his attendant or the man in charge would attend to you.”

    Ijimagodo’s exact age is not known as some said he could be about 150 years of age while others said he is about two centuries old .But according to Alapinni who is the custodian of the ‘Household of Ijimagodo , “the age of the man cannot be ascertained , he is very , very old. He is close to 180 years according to report. We met him here; our great grandfathers all met him here too. He is one of our ancestors. He has become a deity that we offer sacrifice to.”

    According to Alapinni, Ijimagodo was a king in his days but he revealed some secrets to his wife, which was not acceptable. And since then he had been living till now and has become a man we worship .He has refused to die and no one can kill him, that is the fact.”

    Asked about the children of Ijimagodo , Alapinni said all the people in the town are his children.

    How Ijimagodo looks like

    There are various descriptions on how Ijimagodo looks like but the consensus is that he is smallish. A native said: “He has become small, tiny and he is carried in a sack when going to the palace.” Another said: ” Ijimagodo looks like a lizard and his sight is frightening.” Describing Ijimagodo’s appearance, Alapinni said: “He was once a man of a huge stature, but he is now very, very small and tiny. In fact, his height is like that of placing a bottle of coca cola on top of another one. He has shrunk .You know he has become very, very old and his look is frightening. He does not come out anyhow. The story of Ijimagodo is real. Foreigners used to come here to ask about him and all efforts to take his photograph has been futile.”

    Asked what the mysterious man feeds on, Alapinni was at first reluctant to comment on this but after some persuasions, he said: “ Ijimagodo’s food is blood , that is his food. He does not eat any other food apart from blood”

    Asked to confirm the story that Ijimagodo was said to be feeding on human blood in the olden days, Alapinni said: ‘ I don’t know of the olden days but as at present we give him animal blood. I am his custodian.”

    Ijimagodo’s importance

    According to Alapinni , the strange man , Ijimagodo is brought out once in a year. When this reporter demanded to see him, Alapinni said he is not as cheap as the reporter thought. He stated: “You cannot just see him, and if you want to see him at all costs, then you have to go and buy some animals as he needs to be fed with their blood which serves as his food” When this reporter said he was not prepared for that, Alapinni advised him to come back next time with the animals, if he is serious.

    How Alapinni became the custodian

    Alapinni who is the custodian of the Deity said his family is inherits the custodian of the Deity and when it was his father’ s turn to be installed  as the Alapinni , he became afraid and ran away , he said ” My father was afraid and ran away to Oshogbo , then to Ibadan where he was traced to until he ran to Kano where I was living. As a soldier I was not supposed to be afraid but when I was called to ascend the throne I was also afraid. Later I came down home to occupy the position which is hereditary. It has not been easy as I thought.”

    Asked why he had to exercise fear in playing the role since it is hereditary and he is a soldier, the 72 – year old man said: This is not a military affair or a soldier. Tradition is powerful, soldier or bravery has nothing to do with tradition. When I started offering sacrifices to Ijimagodo and performing rituals, I then became his son and grandson.I was no longer afraid of Ijimagodo, since I had received my staff of office and I have been cooperating and he took me like a grandson”.

    Ijimagodo, source of peace and traffic

    According to Alapinni, Ijimagodo makes sure the town is peaceful and has become a Mecca of sort.

    He said: Many people do come here to seek for his assistance and favour and they would bring cake beans, kolanuts , moin moin and animals to offer to Ijimagodo. People come here and slaughter animals for him to drink its blood.” They also come to him to beg for children, or to appeal to him when their ways are blocked .Traditionally , many are told to come and sacrifice to him .They come from far and near and all their problems are solved.”