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  • Bank robberies: OOU suffers one year after

    Bank robberies: OOU suffers one year after

    Tougher days are already here for the students and workers of the 29 years old state-owned university named after the first civilian Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo.

    As the university resumes for the first semester of the 2012/2013 academic session this week, workers and students will once again contend with challenges of making financial transactions because eight commercial banks operating in the Ago-Iwoye campuses of the institution and in Ijebu-Igbo have remained closed more than one year after they were attacked by robbers.

    When The Nation visited the OOU campuses last week, the facilities of the eight banks – Equitorial Trust Bank (now Sterling Bank), GTBank, Eco Bank, Skye Bank, Wema Bank, Intercontinental Bank (now Access Bank), Zenith Bank and First Bank were abandoned, weeds overtaking their premises. Bullet holes could be seen on their walls and buildings, a reminder of the horrifying raid that left about four students dead.

    The spate of attacks on the banks began between May and June 2011 and peaked on Thursday November 10 when armed bandits numbering about two dozens, raided six of them.

    Many people including the then Deputy Senate President of the Students Union Government, SUG, Mr Femi Olugbodi, sustained gunshot wounds. One person was feared killed by stray bullets while three other students in a bid to escape the flying bullets, ran into a swampy and bee-infested bush, got stung severely by the wild insects and died a few days later. It was only Wema Bank that stayed behind; but by October last year it caved in to threat and shut its OOU branch operations

    Since the incident, students and members of staff have suffered untold hardship traveling long distances to either Ijebu -Ode or Ibadan in Oyo State to either withdraw or make deposits.

    Some have fallen victim of attacks in vehicles and in their off-campus residents and robbed of their money and other valuables, while others have been involved in accidents.

    A 400-Level Accounting student, who gave her name as Joke said their plight is made worse by some thieving neighbours and colleagues who sneak into rooms to steal if they learn of bulk withdrawals to avoid the stress of frequent travel outside Ago-Iwoye.

    A 500-Level student from the Faculty of Education, Owolabi Abiodun lamented being forced to travel as far as Ibadan to withdraw.

    He said: “‘I’m tired of the situation. The banks that have managed to open in Ijebu Ode are not effective enough because they operate in fear. I have to travel down to Ibadan, Abeokuta or Lagos for banking activities and it is very stressful. The Ogun State government should please find a solution to this problem.

    To avoid the tortuous journey to Ijebu-Ode, The Nation gathered that students have also resorted to giving their money to Alajo for safe keeping. The Alajo is a person who pools specific amounts from a group of people on a regular basis and redistributes the bulk sum to members for profit. The advantage is that students can always run to them in the event of emergency.

    Though students at the Permanent Site (PS) now make transactions at the OOU Microfinance Bank located at the university’s mini campus, the experiences is still horrendous as they have to trek long distances and queue for hours.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Saburi Adesanya was not available for comments, but a staff who craved anonymity said the university, has devised a cashless policy as a temporary measure to cushion the stress students go through.

    Under the policy, the students pay their fees and levies using ATM cards inserted into Point of Sale (POS) machines. Before this was introduced, the students had to make transactions at the OOU Microfinance Bank located at the university’s mini campus, trekking long distances and queuing for hours.

    Urging the government to intervene, President of the Students Union Government (SUG), Comrade Ayokunle Omojola said: “We are passing through hard times over the closure of banks here. For any withdrawal or payment, students go to Ijebu – Ode at much risk. Some had been involved in an accident in the process. It is not the fault of OOU that the banks left. The university can only provide security for staff and students but not for the banks.

    “The state government should provide adequate and maximum security to the students’ town and our campuses to enable banks feel secured to transact business so as to reduce the stress, danger and risk students undergo in order to make payment or withdrawal.”

    Commenting on the issue, Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Mr Segun Odubela said the Ogun State government is aware of students’ plight and working out measures to ensure adequate security.

    He added that Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) would be stationed at strategic locations in Ago-Iwoye town and near the OOU campuses to ward off criminal-minded fellows.

    “We are working out something on the situation. APCs will be stationed at the university. Adequate security measures would be put in place to ensure that banking activity returns there,” Odubela said.

     

  • Dickson: 365 days after

    Dickson: 365 days after

    It is now almost a year since Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson took the oath of office as the fourth elected Governor of Bayelsa State. Yet, it gladdens the heart that within this short period, substantial achievements have been recorded in actively reforming and transforming the apparatus of government and institutions to an acceptable standard and in fulfillment of the Restoration Agenda.Admittedly, the last one year has been mixed within the context of unforeseen natural disaster but it is assuring that the government has also been quite pro-active in managing the situation and delivering on its promises to the people. Of course, it has helped that the Dickson administration had a clear agenda and understanding of what needed to be done to get the state out of the messy past. The myriad of problems confronting the state are being tackled headlong and the people can now see visible results.  Government has been forthcoming in promoting basic human rights while also creating and enforcing basic laws and implementing policies and programmes needed to deliver on its campaign promises. Quality services are now the rights of the people because government believes it is the people’s entitlements in a democracy.  Today in Bayelsa State, many people can attest to the fact that a new and rising paradigm has taken root. Indeed, if there is anything this administration is known and appreciated for, it is that it is dreaming big dreams, sometimes far beyond what its resources can accommodate in the short run. For this noble objective, some critics have accused the administration of taking on too many projects but the good thing here is that we are breaking new grounds with lasting footprints. The huge strides undertaken by the administration in the last one year effectively strikes a chord with the essentials of Governor Dickson’s leadership vision: an ambitious template which would ensure an impressive stewardship that satisfies the basic, broad interests of the people of Bayelsa State, creating great economic opportunities as well as making a beautiful statement in infrastructural development. The various policies and programmes now being implemented across the state come with great benefits to the people who are equally thumping applauses in appreciation. Of note is this administration’s feat in the area of security. The dizzying pace with which it was able to turn around Bayelsa State from a haven of cultism and violence and criminality to a situation now where the state is clearly adjudged as one of the most peaceful and secured states in Nigeria is amazing to behold. Even more salutary is this administration’s ability to ensure that the ingredients of good governance are firmly in place – formidable institutions, transparency, accountability, popular participation and consensus-building. It is worth recalling that Governor Dickson spent the better part of his first 100 days in office laying the foundation for good governance. Now, we have in place some sets of policies which are products of courageous and progressive decisions that have further institutionalized the concept of good governance necessary to run an integrated agenda which truly works for the common good. A critical offshoot of this concept of good governance is transparency, accountability and prudence. Without fail in the last one year, every month, Governor Dickson has kept faith with his promise to engage the people of Bayelsa State to brief them on the income and expenditure of government in line with the law which makes it obligatory for all tiers of government to publicly declare all revenues that accrue to them as well as a summary of expenditures. It is on record that major construction firms such as Julius Berger, Setraco and Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCEC) have all been mobilized and are currently on site working round the clock to deliver the roads and bridges that will open up the state for improved investments.   As at now, the Dickson-led administration, given its commitment to delivery and action in all matters, has contracted out the construction of over 275 km of roads across the state, in addition to 18 bridges and two flyovers – all under construction in its first year in office. More road contracts were also recently awarded and the contractors duly mobilized to begin work in earnest.  Recently awarded to CCEC with due mobilization is the road from Yenagoa to Oporoma that was abandoned several years ago. The contract has also been awarded for the construction of Sagbama-Ekeremor road and clearing of that road is in progress. This administration within the last one year also took the decision to review the road from Nembe to Brass. As a result of the flood disaster, government decided, with the advice of very competent technical team, to raise the height of roads in the state to seven metres. With a difficult terrain, the cost of construction is about four times of what one will ordinarily get in most states outside of the Niger Delta, yet this government is wholly committed to keeping to its promise and the mandate of restoration. Conceivably, the airport project clearly stands out as a notable developmental stride undertaken by this administration within the last one year.  The Dickson-led administration is seriously partnering with the Federal Government to construct an airport of international standard in Yenagoa within the next two to three years. Meanwhile, the Dickson administration took the initiative to award Dantata and Sawoe, the contract to construct an airstrip that would be ready for use within a year pending when the bigger airport will be ready.  Governor Dickson surely in the last one year has left no one in doubt that he is fully in charge.  His approach has been to adopt a stern and unremitting administrative policy of living within the state’s means and income. This was one of the reasons which informed his decision to launch a stringent regime of fiscal policy as well as the need to institutionalize a savings culture. This ultimately led to the opening of two separate strategic bank accounts. The first is the Bayelsa State Strategic Development Account, which today has a balance of N24.5billion. This account has since been put to use to fund strategic investments in infrastructural development, agriculture, tourism, education, health and security.The built up reserves of the Strategic Development Account placed the state in a vantage position to award various road contracts as stated earlier and it is in compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which requires that contractual commitments by government should have adequate funding provided. Even with the payments issued to contractors for the all the roads, schools, hotels, airport, hospitals and other public infrastructure currently under construction, the credit balance left in this account stands at N17.5 billion to date. The second account is the Bayelsa State Strategic Reserve and Savings Account – an interest yielding account dedicated to providing savings for the rainy day. This account readily became handy during the flood disaster, as the sum of N1.5billion was immediately approved by the State House of Assembly which was released to the State Emergency Flood Relief Committee to address the immediate challenges posed by the flood.  It is to the credit of the Dickson-led administration, for its ingenuity in creating this account to serve as a form of stabilization for the state’s economy in the event of unforeseen shock as was the case with the flood.

  • Drogba: I’ve been after this for ten years

    Drogba: I’ve been after this for ten years

    Côte d’Ivoire captain Didier Drogba will attempt to win the trophy that he has dreamt about for ten years, in South Africa.

    The former Chelsea striker made his international debut in September 2002 against South Africa. He contributed towards qualifying the Elephants for the first World Cup of their history in 2006, the same year as his first Africa Cup of Nations which saw Côte d’Ivoire fail in a penalty shootout in the final against Egypt, with Didier Drogba in particular seeing his effort saved by the Pharaohs’ ‘keeper.

    And it would be against these same Egyptians that la Séléfanto were outclassed in the semi-final of the 2008 edition of the continental competition, before falling in the quarter-finals two years later against les Fennecs of Algeria.

    The Shanghai Shenhua forward and his teammates came so close to lifting the highly coveted trophy in 2012, in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, but slipped up again in the final in a penalty shootout against Zambia, after Drogba had missed a penalty in regulation time.

    Before embarking on his fifth Africa Cup campaign and launching a new conquest for the continental crown, the Ivoirian captain chooses to remain calm, even given the fact that this South African AFCON could well be his last.

    “I have no pressure. I have been after this title for ten years, but above all I think of the team before thinking of myself,” stated Drogba upon his arrival in Johannesburg.

    The Ivoirian striker has scored 59 goals to his 91 caps in the orange and green jersey.

  • Christmas, the morning after

    Christmas, the morning after

    The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the progenitor of the Christian faith, was held worldwide yesterday. Christian faithful, in their millions, trooped to various worship centres to commemorate the day, which is obviously the biggest festival in Christendom.

    But there was a build-up to the day. All over the place, the streets were jam-packed with people – old and young – all engaged in one thing or another in preparation for the day. In Britain, not even the ravaging flood that has changed the landscape for several weeks could dissuade people from going out for the usual Christmas shopping. Elsewhere in Europe, the chilling winter was no obstacle to people who braved the odds and moved round in their winter jackets. With some of the temperature falling below 4 degree Celsius, this year’s Christmas will surely go down as one of the coldest ever.

    In Nigeria, it was celebration galore. Street carnivals were held everywhere. The popular Calabar Street Carnival midwifed by Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River State, has assumed a life of its own. So also is the Port Harcourt Carnival introduced by Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

    In many homes, churches, corporate organisations and some government houses, Christmas carols were held in anticipation of the Christmas Day celebration. In Akwa Ibom State, a 9,999-man orchestra was put together to celebrate the state’s Christmas Carol. In attendance were dignitaries, including religious leaders, foreign envoys and a host of other very important personalities.

    The period also witnessed a regime of bonanzas unleashed on the populace by various corporate bodies and other manufacturing companies who enticed their customers with mouth-watering promos. Market men and women were not left out. They all made brisk business and smiled to the banks as Christmas presented an opportunity for them to do good business and make huge profit. And the governors were not left out in all of these. Though there were no salary increases, many palliatives were approved for state government workers to celebrate the Christmas.

    In Imo State, a two-week holiday was declared for the state government workers in addition to some stipends approved for them to enable them celebrate Christmas with their families. The governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, known widely for his unconventional style of leadership and, sometimes, erratic decisions, also approved money running into millions of naira for the security agencies in the state. His calculation was that the least paid security agent in the state would go home with at least N10,000 for Christmas. This gesture was replicated in other states of the federation in one form or another. It all borders on merriment during the Christmas as if all Christmas stands for is eating and drinking.

    Notwithstanding the avalanche of mouth-watering offers and merriment associated with the festival, various religious leaders across the country, political leaders and public office holders were quick to remind the populace of the need to embrace peace in the country. The appeals come on the heels of threat of violence which have characterised the season in the past. Last year, on Christmas Day, worshippers at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, on the outskirts of Suleja, Niger State, were callously mowed down by a suicide bomber who had targeted the worshippers as they closed from church. It was a horrible sight as many of the worshippers died in the blast while others lost their limbs and sustained varying degree of injuries. The church building and other adjoining buildings were not spared in the orgy of destruction. The attack drew wide condemnation from people all over the world. But such condemnations were not enough to deter the bombers who still exploded their lethal wares in other parts of the country, especially in the crisis-ridden northern part of Nigeria.

    As Christmas drew near this year, residents of Madalla were gripped with fear and trepidation. Last year’s incident was obviously still fresh in their memories. This resulted in many people moving out of the area to avoid any unpleasant situation. This is the extent of the psychological torture and trauma terrorism has inflicted on the people.

    The thought of a re-enactment of the Madalla episode elsewhere in the country had stretched the security agencies in Nigeria to the limit this year. To avoid a repeat occurrence, security, therefore, took centre-stage in the affairs of the nation during the Christmas festivities. While the focus of the agencies in the North was to avert any strike by misguided extremists masquerading under the veil of religion, those in other parts of the country were battling kidnappers and armed robbers who have been on the prowl for some time now. The roads, too, were heavily monitored by officers and men of the Federal Road Safety Commission. But because of the generally deplorable situation of the roads, many people either stayed back or risked travelling on the roads. I am quite sure that the increase in traffic during this period must have also recorded its own fatalities. This is because of the nightmare travelling on Nigerian roads has become. It is no longer a pleasure but a horrendous experience moving from one part of the country to another.

    On Friday, December 21, Chukwuemeka Ekweremadu, the elder brother to Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy President of the Senate, lost his life in a road crash on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway. Until his death, Chukwuemeka, 52, was a Director in the Enugu State Civil Service and a member, Board of Trustees, Tertiary Education Trust Fund. His sudden death on one of the nation’s appalling roads has put an abrupt end to an otherwise glorious career.

    Not even the alternative – air transportation – is safe in the country anymore. With far too many air crashes in the recent past, there is virtually no place to hide. The latest involved a naval helicopter that crashed in the mangrove forest of Bayelsa State on December 15. The crash claimed the lives of six Nigerians – former Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and his friend, Dauda Tsoho; immediate past National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoye Azazi (retd.) and his orderly, Warrant Officer Karmal; and the two pilots of the ill-fated aircraft, Commander Daba and Lieutenant Sowole. Daba’s wfe is said to have newly put to bed, while Sowole’s wife is pregnant. The Sowoles were married for less than two years before tragedy struck. This disaster took the shine off the Christmas celebration in the affected families.

    By and large, this year’s Christmas festival has come and gone but what remains is the lessons to be learnt from it. One of these is that Christmas is not about merriment alone. It is about humility, which Jesus epitomised in his lifetime. It is about service. It is about love and care for the less privileged in the society. It should not be misconstrued to mean extravagance or ostentatious display of ill-gotten wealth.

    And now that the carnivals and merriment are over, shall we have good governance and accountability in all facets of our national life? That is the only way this country can move forward. That is the only way we can make progress as a people. So, as we move ahead into another year, let us have a rethink. Let us devote our energy to those things that will make life meaningful to all of us. This should not be a one-sided sacrifice. It is for both the leaders and the led. Together, we must make the world worth living through our actions and utterances. Already, the Presidency is promising Nigerians an El Dorado come 2013. But that refrain is familiar. We have heard such promises over and over again, such that it has almost become meaningless to the average Nigerian. But who knows if God will hear Nigerians’ prayers for a better life in 2013? We are all waiting for that miracle.

     

  • Akin-Olugbade: 25 years after

    Akin-Olugbade: 25 years after

    Relations, friends and political associates of a leading politician and businessman Chief Ohu Babatunde Akin-Olugbade have unfolded plans for his centenary celebration. Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the life and times of the Egba chief and First Republic federal legislator.

     

    Twenty five years have passed like a flash of lightening since Babatunde Akin-Olugbade, a prominent politician from Ogun State, bade the world farewell. But his legacies as an Owu and Egba patriot, political star, philanthropist and community leader have not faded away.

    He was a member of the House of Representatives between 1959 and 1966. Prior to that national assignment, the chieftain of the Action Group (AG) led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the chairman of Western Nigeria Finance Corporation. He was the Balogun of Owu, a major Egba sub-group, and simultaneously the Ekerin-Egba and member of Alake of Egba-In Council.

    In 1987, he passed on as an elder statesman, leaving behind a vast business empire, a thriving law chamber, devoted political fans and a bereaved Egba community. His demise marked the end of an era in Owu, where he played a leading role in co munity development.

    Akin-Olugbade was born on January 15, 1913. At the age of nine, he lost his father. The task to bring him up fell solely on his mother, Ajibola Asunle, who gave him good care and education. He attended Owu Baptist Day School, Abeokuta for his elementary education. On completion of his standard three, he moved to Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta in 1926 and left in 1931. In his biography; ‘A Great statesman’, written by Prince Ade Ladigbolu, it was revealed that he was good in sports and debating activities. In 1931, Akin-Olugbade proceeded to Baptist College, Ogbomoso, completing his secondary education in 1937, the year his mother died.

    His leadership qualities have unfolded as a school boy. In his final year in the secondary school, he was made a prefect. After teaching briefly at Ejigbo, Osun State, he secured employment as a Third Class clerk at the Treasury Department in Lagos, through the assistance of his uncle, Pa Meredith of Oke-Popo, Lagos. Later, he was transferred to the Treasury Department, Zaria, where he worked under a prominent Nigerian, Dr. R.A.B. Dikko. On January 1946, he married his wife, Ibijoke Bode.

    His thirst for higher education made him to sail to the United Kingdom in 1950 to study Law at the age of 38. He completed his course completely and was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1955. In that year, he returned to Nigeria. He started his professional practice with the late Magistrate Lapite at Tinubu Street, Lagos, before setting up his chambers at Balogun Street, Lagos in 1954. Eminent lawyers who passed through his chambers include former Attorney-General and Justice Minister Prince Bola Ajibola, Chief Bayo Kehinde (SAN), and late Chief Adeniran Adepegba.

    Predictably, Akin-Olugbade, like many young patriots of his time, joined the Nigeria Youth Movement in 1946. Thus, he became a nationalist fighter protesting the evils of colonialism. In London, he joined the Labour Party and became close to the famous legal luminary, Sir Alexander Dinglefoot. On returning to Nigeria, he joined the AG in 1953 and was appointed as the Chairman, Western Nigeria Finance Corporation on November 4, 1957. That appointment followed the resignation of Chief Ladoke Akintola from the chairmanship after his appointment as Federal Minister of Communication and Aviation. He served on the board along with Chief M.A. Okupe of the Agbonmagbe fame, Mr. Joseph Olaleye, Dr. S.A. Agbaje, Mr. P.N. Harris, Chief. A. Adekeye, Oba J.T.A. Olayisade, Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Mr. Mak Shonowo, and Chief J.E. ogodazi. Under Akin-Olugbade’s leadership, the company, and its subsidiary, the Loans Board, waxed stronger. The finance corporation swam in the pool of profit, prompting the regional government to re-appoint him for 1958/59. Then, Chief Sunday Olawoyin, Mr. E.A Molajo and Mr. J.O Olakeye had also joined the board.

    In 1959, the AG chieftain, who was nicknamed “Atotileto”, because of his business business acumen and prowess, contested the House of Representatives seat in Egba South Federal Constituency. Akin-Olugbade, who scored 16,818, won the poll, defeating his opponents; Chief O. Moore (Independent candidate), R.A.B. Opaleye (NCNC), Y.P.O Shodeinde (NEL) and H.A. Shodipo (Independent candidate).

    In the federal parliament, the Owu politician became the AG Chief Whip, shadow minister of foreign affairs, and later Leader of Opposition after Awolowo was jailed for treasonable felony, and parliamentary leader of his party. His colleagues in the House included the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Okunnowo, Chief Sikiru Shita-Bey, Canon Akinyemi, Chief Akerele and Ayo Fasanmi. in 1964, despite the massive malpractices that marred the federal elections, Akin-Olugbade retained his federal seat.

    The federal legislator was not a bench warmer. “He contributed in no small way to the development, peace, stability and progress of the country. He brought up reasonable points on the welfare of the masses, problems of the people in the areas of drugss in hospitals, discipline of members in the house, peace and stability in the Western Nigeria, rehabilitation and construction of roads, education and foreign affairs”, recalled Ladigbolu, who added: “It was because of his brilliancy in international relations that made the Government of Nigeria to include him in the Nigeria’s delegation to the United nations in 1962. The delegation was led by Chief Dennis Osadebey”.

    In 1962, Akin-Olugbade ran into political storm. He and Chief Elijah Babalola were summoned by the Coker Commission of Inquiry to answer charges of alleged financial malpractices. They were indicted. His predecessor, Akintola, was not summoned. It was the fallout of the split in the AG. Akin-Olugbade had refused to join forces with Akintola to rubbish Awo. “Since the intention of those who set up Coker Commission of inquiry and those called upon to probe the activities of the corporation were to victimise, ridicule and humiliate the supporters of Chief Awolowo, they threw justice, fair play and truth overboard”, Ladigbolu recalled.

    When Awo was behind bars, akin-Olugbade did not betray him. Although he participated in peace moves mooted by eminent Yoruba and Nigerians, he did not compromise the position of the AG, despite pressures and inducements. He was loyal to his leader throughout the First Republic. It was therefore worrisome to Awo and his supporters who had endured persecution with Akin-Olugbade to discover that he opted for the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), instead of Awo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in 1978/79. His ambition to become the party’s national chairman was crushed by the late Chief Adisa Akinloye. Other contestants were Chief Gabriel Akin-Deko, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) and Chief Moshood Abiola. Despite being an NPN chieftain, he never poured venom on Awolowo, unlike his old associates who had defected to the conservative camp like him. In fact, he once took a full page advert to reply Awo’s critics who were twisting historical facts to embarrass the late sage.

    In Abeokuta, Akin-Olugbade left his footprints as an industrialist and employer of labour. He left behind a chain of companies, including ARC Limited, a construction company, O.B.A Transport Ltd, O.B. A Property Ltd, O.B.A Travels Ltd, O.B.A Jewellers/Ag Tabet Ltd, and Niger oil Resources Ltd. He built a hospital and social centre for the people of Egbaland. He spearheaded efforts to build a befitting palace for Olowu, united the warring Owu chiefs, gave scholarships to indigent students and gave employment to many Egba youths. Reward for community service poured for him in torrents. In 1958, he was honoured with the title of Aare Ona Kankanfo of Owu. In 1976, he was conferred with the traditional title of Balogun of Owu. A year after, he was installed as the Ekerin of Egbaland. He was also the Jagunmolu of Itoku and Lisa of Iwo.

    However, he was also perceived as a controversial figure in the community. His involvement in the Obaship tussle, which polarised the community, made him to attract some enemies. But he fought the matter in court, based on his commitment to justice. A renowned lawyer, he also relied on the law and courts to fight personal battles which he always won.

    Paying tribute to him, his son, Omooba Olusunmade Akin-Olugbade, described him as a father in a million. “He was a true nationalist; he went into politics not to make money. he contributed to the development of Owu, Egbaland and Nigeria. we are planning his centenary celebration for January next year”, he added.

     

  • Oyo politics after Lam Adesina

    Oyo politics after Lam Adesina

    Progressives in Oyo State were bereaved yesterday. A big elephant departed from the forest and the wild forest became void. Mourners assembled in Felele, in the heart of Ibadan, the political capital of the Southwest, to bid farewell to a political megastar whose exit has created a vacuum. Who succeeds Lam Onaolapo Adesina as the arrowhead of the dedicated progressive bloc in the Pacesetter State?

    The former Oyo State governor became the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader by merit, experience and seniority. Since 2001, he had played the role to the best of his ability as a dependable leader of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He was a strong fighter for justice, a versatile mobiliser, organiser and inspirational leader. His leadership style was endearing to the men of the old order an d new converts. Lam believed in the political labour for the masses and his incorruptible nature jollied well with his perspective on service to the people without expecting reward.

    This must be challenging to his survivors in the fold. Lam’s lieutenants in the crusade for a better Oyo State include Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the Oke-Ogun leader, Chief Michael Koleoso, who served as Secretary to Government under his administration between 1999 and 2003, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, former Deputy Governor Iyiola Oladokun, and Dr. Bayo Adewusi. The onus is now on these leaders to keep the political family intact and prevent strife and rancour capable of destabilising the fold.

    Lam’s life and times were instructive. From the first day he placed his hand on the progressive plough, he did not look back. The consummate politician and associate of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was consistent to the end. Yesterday, the foremost educationist, administrator and political colossus, died a hero and fulfilled leader.

    He was an oak tree offering shades to the devoted progressive bloc in Oyo State in post-Ige era. In Ibadan, his cradle, he was a household name as far back as the seventies. For an average Ibadan man, the first step towards active political life was Ibadan irredentism. Having established himself as a patriot in the metropolis, Lam, as he was fondly by his radical compatriots, gained more popularity as a radical activist in the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). Throughout his career as a teacher, principal and unionist, he was always advancing the cause of teachers in the old Western State and later, Oyo State.

    Lam had his tutelage in politics under Awo. He was among the Ibadan youths who fell in love with ‘Awoism’ as a political creed at the prime when key leaders of the city opposed the former Premier of the defunct Western Region. It was a paradox. While Awo ruled the Southwest from Ibadan, the political headquarter, majority of the Ibadan indigenes were follower of the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) led by the late strongman, Adegoke Adelabu. Few youths, including Lamidi Adedibu, Yinusa Ogundeji, and Lam defiled the populist ‘Penkelemeesi’ and served as Action Group (AG) field workers under the guardianship of Chiefs Durosaro, Moyosore Aboderin, Adisa Akinloye, Chief S. O. Lanlehin and Canon Emmanuel Alayande, who facilitated an alliance between Ibadan Peoples Party and AG.

    Lam was among the party youths who endured the tribulation, following the onslaught on the power that be against Awo’s disciples, after the split in the AG. But he refused to jump the boat. He was among the dependable allies who welcomed the sage from prison. Immediately, he also became a member of the Committee of Friends, which later transformed into the Unity of Nigeria (UPN) led by Awo. Lam had declared interest in the chairmanship of the Ibadan Municipal Council. But Ibadan leaders decided otherwise. He was advised to pick the House of Representatives form. On the UPN platform, he was elected as a member of the Lower Chamber. Some of his UPN colleagues in the House were Prince Oluyole Olusi, the late Chief Debo Akande (SAN), the late Sir Dele Ige, the late Akanni Suarau, Alhaji Rasheed Shitta-Bey and Prof. Opeyemi Ola.

    In parliament, Lam was not a bench warmer. He was very vocal and spoke from the UPN perspective on the floor. As a regular columnist in ‘The Nigerian Tribune’, he was also a respected national commentator and critic of the inept Second Republic Federal Government. In later years, he reflected on his parliamentary years while contributing to the debate on Senate/Representatives superiority. Lam declared that both chambers had equal status. The 1983 coup aborted his career as a federal legislator. But throughout the military regimes, he fired salvos at the interlopers from his Felele, Ibadan hope, drawing attention to the negative effects of illegitimate rule. Lam later became a chieftain of the Afenifere and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). He was at the forefront of the massive protest against Abacha Administration in Ibadan in 1998. On that fateful date, he was ‘captured’ by soldiers struggling to quell the protest and hounded in detention. When rights activists pressed for his release, Former Military Governor Ahmed Usman declared that Lam was ‘a ;prisoner of war’.

    Ironically, the prisoner of war later emerged as Usman’s distant successor. Lam was a founding leader of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He was nominated by the party leaders to run for governorship. He won the governorship along with his compatriots; Bola Tinubu (Lagos), Bisi Akande (Osun), Segun Osoba (Ogun), Adebayo Adefarati (Ondo) and Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti). But when Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) emerged as President, Lam cried out, saying ‘eemo wolu o’ (strange spirit had invaded governance). Asked to substantiate his claim, he warned that Obasanjo’s Presidency would not profit the nation.

    Lam’s AD was a child of circumstances. At infancy, it was certain that the party would face perilous times. Unable to resolve the crisis that broke out over the feud between its two presidential aspirants; Ige and Olu Falae, the party, and Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group that gave birth to it, was eventually polarised. The party also somersaulted by allowing its key leaders, including Lam and Osoba to become campaign agents for Obasanjo’s second term. When the 2003 electoral earthquake swept across the poll-confident Southwest, only Tinubu’s Lagos survived the onslaught. The defeat further escalated the crisis in Afenifere, with Lam pitching his tent with Ayo Fasanmi’s faction.

    It took another eight years for Lam’s followers to recover from the heat. By the time his group, which had become the dominant force in Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State, won the liberation war, it was evident that Lam could not fully bounce back as a strongman. His son even lost his bid for a seat in the House of Representatives. ACN could only escape the Peoples democratic Party (PDP) hammer because a faction of the conservative party had gone to encamp in the Accord Party (AP) led by Lam’s successor as governor, Chief Rashidi Ladoja.

    Before he was assailed by illness, Lam was a gerontocratic monitor of Ajimobi Administration. He was acclaimed leader of the progressive fold in the state, working in concert with ACN Governor Abiola Ajimobi to erect lasting legacies. He was an advocate of true federalism, restructuring of the polity, state police and parliamentary system. But he left behind a crisis-ridden Afenifere, a trembling Yoruba nation agitating for regional integration and autonomy, a country in perpetual drift, and a big progressive camp in disarray and scattered across many ;parties.

    Lam’s exit has created a vacuum. The void can only be filled by men of experience. They are not in short supply in Oyo State. The only tribute his survivors, including Ajimobi, Chief Michael Koleoso, Babalaje of Oke-Ogun, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Iyiola Oladokun, can pay to him is to ensure that there is unity, understanding, cohesion and harmony among the members of the political family left behind by the indefatigable ideologue and father figure.