The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adieu

  • Adieu, ‘Motor Park Economist’

    Ashikiwe Adione-Egom was a brilliant public intellectual worthy of national accolade

    On March 22, another bright star who exited Nigeria’s literary and academic firmament on March 3 was buried. Even if his departure did not elicit the kind of attention devoted in this country to the death of political heavy weights, wealthy moguls or social celebrities, the late Mr Peter Alexander AshikiweAdione-Egom, was a truly great and remarkable Nigerian. Born in 1943, Mr. Peter Adione-Egom had a solid education at various institutions, including King’s College, Lagos and later Cambridge College in the United Kingdom, where he studied Social Anthropology and Economics.

    Not only did he distinguish himself in academics, this indigene of UkalaOkpumor in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State was also an outstanding athlete in his youth. A restless and uncommon spirit as well as widely travelled man, Adione-Egom lived for some time in Denmark before moving to Tanzania in the early 1970s. In Tanzania, he not only taught economics at the University of Dar-es-Salam, his intellect was recognised at the highest level when he was appointed Financial Adviser to the government of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

    It was no doubt in the fields of journalism, book publishing and public intellectual advocacy that Peter Adione-Egom made his most memorable and enduring contributions to the country’s development. He forcefully registered his presence in the public consciousness of Nigerians when he became one of the leading columnists of The Guardian newspaper in the early 1980s as a member of the publication’s Editorial Board.

    Writing under the rubric of the ‘Motor Park Economist’, Adione-Egom had a unique and unconventional approach to economic analysis that sought to break down complex issues for the illumination and enlightenment of the ordinary reader. Despite his attempts to demystify economic issues in line with his ‘Motor Park’ sobriquet, Adione–Egom’s writings could sometimes be obscure and impenetrable, even to the most erudite experts in the field. In 1985, he was moved to The African Guardian as Economic Editor.

    In 1987, Adione-Egom joined the founder of Business in ECOWAS magazine, the late Fred Brume, as a partner, with responsibility for the editorial aspects of the business. He continued his adventures in journalism when he founded and ran his own publications – the Financial Post and Commodity Post – between 1988 and 1992. Between 2003 and 2005, he was a member of the Editorial Board of the Daily Trust newspaper.

    Ever restless to explore new frontiers, Adione-Egom began to investigate a new area of specialisation known as Economic Theology. He carried out, in this regard, extensive research at the Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Delta State, between 1999 and 2000, and at the Pope John Paul 1 Catholic Social Centre, Abuja, from 2001 to 2003. Adione-Egom served as Consultant/Publisher at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, between 2004 and 2011.

    It was obvious with time that Adione-Egom’s mind had begun to acquire a more religious orientation when he established the Foundation for Christian Economic Evangelism (FORCEE). His intellectual fecundity and ingenuity was underscored by his adoption of a unique economic model, which he called the Joseph Economics for Social Reconciliation (JESOR). This foundation articulated the view that all can genuinely become citizens and non-subjects in any nation that adopts interest-free and debt-free equity money.

    In a bid to familiarise the public with these rather abstract and abstruse ideas, he authored about 10 books in his life time. Adione-Egom’s brilliance, humanity, originality, sense of humour, innocent capacity for mischief and large- heartedness made a deep impression on all those who came across him. He was highly regarded by his peers, even if he did not get the kind of recognition he deserved from the Nigerian state and wider society. We commiserate with his loved ones and pray that his soul rest in eternal peace.

  • Adieu Victor Oduah

    SIR The 29th edition of the African Nations Cup has come and gone with the soccer loving Nigerians still basking in the euphoria of sweet victory of the national team, the Super Eagles in far away South Africa. But the exploits of the national team in the continental championship cannot be complete without the mention of the name of Victor Oduah who skippered the then Green Eagles to lift the first ever Nigeria’s major trophy at our National Stadium in a gruelling and pulsating final against the Desert Warriors of Algeria in 1980.

    Victor Oduah gained admission to Saint Peters College Aro (now Olomore) Abeokuta in 1962. Initially, he was the goalkeeper of the junior school team, but the talent in Oduah was soon discovered by the vice principal, the late Revd. Father James Morrison who converted him to central defender, the position he retained until he retired from active football a couple of years ago.

    Oduah, together with the likes of James Alaba Akintonde of the 1965/1966 West academicals and later Barclays Bank Football Club of Lagos (now Union bank), Yemi Akinwowo also of 1965/1966 West academicals fame and later N.P.A Football club of Lagos (now a big time professor in the US), and of course the one and only George Joseph Hassan who gallivanted from Shooting stars Ibadan to Stationery stores of Lagos and finally ended his career with the Mighty jets of Jos while Victor Oduah relocated to his home state the Old Bendel State where he featured prominently for the Bendel Insurance of Benin City bagging the captaincy badge.

    The four were products of St. Peters College Abeokuta who tormented and taunted other secondary schools in Abeokuta and left no one in doubt of the schools soccer prowess.

    Oduah’s mien and equanimity in and outside the field of play were clear manifestation of some of the characteristics that stood him out as a gentleman to the core. Victor and others were a delight to watch who brought fame and cheap publicity to their alma-mater, St. Peters College Abeokuta.

    Today, the body of Victor Oduah lies smouldering in his white painted sepulchre in his home state Edo, but one thing is clear, his soul goes marching on and Nigerians may not forget him so quickly.

    Within a space of nine months, Nigeria has lost two prominent footballers who have paid their dues to their father land and left their footprints on the sands of time. While one belonged to the new generation Super Eagles, the other belonged to the old generation Green Eagles – talking about the late Rashidi Yekini and Victor Oduah respectively.

    As we continue to celebrate the resounding victory of the Stephen Okechukwu Keshi-led Super Eagles let us for a moment, remember these fallen heroes who also affected us with their scintillating performances in the Nations Cup competitions at various editions.

    It is sad that neither the country nor the football federation reckons with the geese that once laid the golden eggs. If indeed the wordings of our national anthems are anything to go by and quote “Arise, o compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey” having harkened to the national call in their prime, should they now be discarded like a pack of cards? Those who make Nigeria proud in football today may tomorrow die unloved and unheralded. The buck stops at the doorstep of the duo of Bolaji Abdullahi, the sports minister and Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the president of the football federation.

    Wherever Victor Oduah may be today in the spirit world, we at the St. Peters College pray that may the light perpetual continue to shine on him. Adieu Victor.

     

     

    •Muyiwa Idowu

    Ipaja, Lagos

  • Adieu, ‘people’s teacher’

    The remains of Pa Michael Aderibigbe, father of Mr Yinka Aderibigbe of The Nation, were interred penultimate Friday at the Cathedral of St. Stephen’s Church, Itaasin, Modakeke, Osun State. AMIDU ARIJE was there. 

    IT was a solemn moment for the family of Pa Michael Aderibigbe whose remains were buried in Modakeke, Osun State, last Friday.

    For the children of the late Pa Aderibigbe, it was a time to thank God for a life well spent.

    The late Aderibigbe was a teacher in many schools in Ife, Modakeke and the environs for many years.

    He taught and served as headmaster in many schools. Some of his pupils are teachers today.

    The late Aderibigbe was also known for his philanthropy – he assisted many pupils in his community to get quality -education. To this end, he set up a group called the Quality Group which he headed for over 30years.

    The former treasurer of the St Stephen’s Church died last December at 84.

    A huge crowd came to honour him last Friday.

    The body, in a white casket, was received at the church entrance by the clergy men.

    In his sermon, Rev. Canon Olanipekun urged the children and family members to emulate the virtues of their father for he was ‘a true servant of God,’ who sincerely served the church.

    After the service, the closing hymn was taken with processions of church warders and priests. The corpse was taken for interment.

    The children, wives and family members watched helplessly as their father’s body was lowered into the grave about 1pm.

    After the interment, they moved to the Modakeke High School, for the reception.

    Before their arrival, guests had filled the giant tent mounted on the Modakeke High School playing ground.

    Songs from popular musicians kept the guests nodding their heads; those who could not resist the melodious tunes took to the dance floor.

    When the family members joined them, the merriment continued. They exchanged pleasantries and banters with the guests.

    D’Omega Band led by Dotun Ale entertained guests.

    Guests were treated to choice foods and drinks. It was fun all day.

    One of the sons, Asiwaju Funso Aderibigbe, said he was happy for the life well spent by his father and the legacies he left behind.

    “I feel great, it is the prayer of every child to bury their parents and not the other way round, so I feel great; that is why you see people merry and happy. My father was an enigma; he was a disciplinarian; one thing that I really cherished in him is his Godliness; he taught us how to embrace God,” he said.

    The deceased’s brother, Prof Dele Afolabi, a lecturer at the General Studies Department of the Ladoke Akintola University, described the deceased as a “teacher of teachers.”

    “He was a good man, good father, highly disciplined, very honest, sincere and forthright. He was an incorruptible person; a committed teacher, he was the one that taught us how to burn midnight oil, he also taught us how to live a good life, he loved and he wanted the best for all of us,” he said.

    Mr Yinka Aderibigbe of The Nation said the death of his father was the end of s phase in his life.

    ‘It is an end of a phase in my life, I was used to seeing and interacting with him each time I had opportunity of coming home. We talk through the night because he always had so much to tell me, but that face is gone now,” he said.

    To Yinka, his only regret is that he would have no confidant again.

    “I will miss his love and prayer,” he said.

    The widow, Mrs Elizabeth Olusola, was happy with what she described as the good life her husband lived.

    She was grateful for having the deceased as a husband and would remember his cleanliness and love for his children.

    “I will, forever, be grateful for your deeds and positive impact on all your children. Your cleanliness is part of what sticks in my mind. Having a man like you as my husband is part of the greatest things that will ever happen to me in life,” she wrote in her tribute.

  • Adieu, ‘Great Lam’

    Adieu, ‘Great Lam’

    Lam Adesina will be sorely missed beyond the south west

    Fondly known by his teeming supporters as ‘Great Lam’, the eventful life of Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina, former Governor of Oyo State and a national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), came to its terminus on November 11. He breathed his last at the St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, during a protracted illness. The flood of condolences and tributes that have poured in since the demise of the elder statesman shows that, though he was a regional political figure, he was admired and respected nationally. With his death, the curtain has been drawn on a memorable era in the politics of Oyo State. It is a testimony to his political astuteness and sagacity that Lam Adesina held his own in the often turbulent politics of Oyo State for over three decades.

    Born on January 20, 1939, Alhaji Lam Adesina acquired his secondary school education at Loyola College, Ibadan, after which he attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from 1961 to 1963. After a one year stint at the University of Ibadan in 1971, Lam Adesina worked as a teacher in private educational institutions before becoming fully engaged in politics. His keen interest in public affairs became evident in the ‘70s when he ran a popular column in the Nigerian Tribune that was often critical of the military administration then in power. In the run-up to the inauguration of the Second Republic in 1979, it was not surprising that Lam Adesina emerged as a member of the ‘Committee of Friends’ put together by Chief Obafemi Awolowo; a group that later metamorphosed into the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). He emerged as a member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the party and served his constituency with characteristic diligence and commitment.

    During the aborted Third Republic, Lam Adesina was a leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State. As a staunch supporter of Chief MKO Abiola, he played a significant role in Abiola’s victory in the June 12, 1993, presidential election, described as the freest and fairest in the country’s history. Alhaji Adesina was fiercely opposed to the annulment of the election by the military and in 1998 was at the vanguard of a massive protest in Ibadan against the government of General Sani Abacha. On that occasion, he was arrested by soldiers and the then Military Administrator of Oyo State, Ahmed Usman, famously described him as a ‘prisoner of war’, following public outcry. At the inception of this political dispensation in 1999, Lam Adesina was elected governor of Oyo State on the platform of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD). However, he was voted out of office in the controversial 2003 elections that saw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sweeping to power in the South West, with the exception of Lagos.

    True, Alhaji Lam Adesina had neither the managerial genius of an Awolowo nor the philosophical fecundity of a Bola Ige. But those who were critical of his administration soon began to look back with nostalgia when Oyo State degenerated into sheer anarchy, disruptive godfatherism and unprecedented underdevelopment under the PDP.

    Alhaji Adesina was a key contributor to the current progressive resurgence of the ACN in the South West. Loyalty, credibility and ideological consistency were the defining elements of his politics. It is instructive that not a whiff of corruption tainted his name in public life. Unlike most members of the Nigerian elite, he refused to be flown abroad for medical attention, either in or out of office. May his soul rest in peace.

  • Adieu! Lateef Adegbite

    Adieu! Lateef Adegbite

    SIR: I started reading about Dr. Lateef Adegbite in the late 1970s. I was so impressed by his intelligence and sincerity that I could not resist reading anything connected with his name, whether he granted an interview, or he presented a paper. He was the Secretary-General of Nigeria’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), and a Muslim leader to reckon with in Yorubaland. He was a legal luminary.

    I pulled Dr. Adegbite’s legs on two occasions. One day, he said he could not imagine himself, as a Muslim leader, giving his own daughter in marriage to a Christian. I waited till another occasion when I heard him talking about Nigeria’s unity. I quickly reminded him of what he said that he would never give his own daughter in marriage to a Christian. He ignored me. But, if I had a son old enough to marry his daughter, he would have learnt a lesson of his life.

    On another occasion, Dr. Adegbite rated Islam, as practiced in northern Nigeria, higher than what obtained in the south, where, according to him, Islam was syncretised with African traditional religious practices. I then asked whether syncretism was not better than mass impoverishment that pervaded northern Nigeria. I mentioned the case of a highly placed northern Muslim who was accused of being behind the disappearance of train (the railway system) in Nigeria, so that his own long trucks (popularly called trailers) would get business.

    In all of that, I did not lose respect and admiration for Dr. Adegbite, because I knew he was sincere, and would say things as he saw them, or what he actually felt, without hypocrisy. On another occasion, he said it was not possible to maintain the Ramadan discipline after the Ramadan, given human nature, and the fact that the Ramadan was a special month. You see he was not given to illusion!

    Just about two months ago, Dr. Adegbite impressed me again when he told America not to include Nigeria on the list of terrorist countries, nor brand Boko Haram as a terrorist group without qualifications. He spoke my mind, because I believe the real terrorists are those who truncated rotational presidency, and are creating mass poverty through embezzlement of public funds, and “fuel subsidy scam”.

    I mourn the demise of Dr. AbdulLateef Adegbite in empathy with Nigeria’s Muslim community. The country misses his wisdom and sincerity. May the Almighty Allah grant eternal rest to him, and grant his family members the fortitude to bear the loss.

    • Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D,

    University of Ilorin.