The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Arisekola

  • Arisekola hits 59

    Arisekola hits 59

    Businessman, socialite, show promoter, and publisher, Mogaji Bowale Oluwole Arisekola, is a man of many parts.

    Known to have devoted years to advocacy and demanding accountability from past governments, one day Arisekola does not joke with April 4. The day is a special one to the helmsman of the Street Journal Magazine because it’s his birthday.

    Hence, he has always set aside the day to touch the lives of his people in Ibadan, other areas of Oyo State, and the nation at large.

    Read Also: Tinubu on right track to success – Wole Arisekola

    For over a decade, Arisekola’s foundation under the aegis of Wole Street Journal Platform has continued to lessen the daily challenges people face, helping in the areas of scholarship, health provision, and job creation. Those who should know claimed that the platform has touched thousands of lives through youth empowerment, community development, and employment.

    This year, the Mogaji Ajenigi-Eye of Yemetu-Oje, decided to celebrate with family, friends, and associates aside from the philanthropic gestures.

    In the same vein, the gangling Arisekola launched another foundation in honour of his late mother in 2022 to cater to the welfare of the aged, women, and children in Ibadan and Oyo State in general. This foundation also reached out to the demographics it was set out to cater to during his last birthday.

  • Nigerians should be happy when government makes progress – Arisekola

    Nigerians should be happy when government makes progress – Arisekola

    The Chairman of Association of Online Media Practitioners in Nigeria, Mogaji Wole Arisekola, has criticised those who are always unhappy at the progress made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

    He said some people are deliberately hoping for the government to fail so they can score cheap political points.

    Speaking to newsmen on Saturday  at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, the Ibadan High Chief argued that some people are always happy to amplify bad news about Nigeria but when there is something good to celebrate, like a milestone achievement from the government, they are the first to ignore it because it does not suit their evil agenda.

    According to Arisekola, those who post negative comments when the government makes positive progress in getting the country out of its current economic woes are unpatriotic and evil. 

    He added that if they really love Nigeria like they claim, when the government achieves a positive result, they should amplify it and acknowledge the fact that the government is trying its best to ensure life is easy for everyone. He also urged Nigerians to desist from such acts.

    Arisekola cited when Dr Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite announced that the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, under her leadership, attracted into Nigeria a cumulative investment worth over $30bn, stating instead of some Nigerians showing excitement the investment would create more jobs and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), some people went on social media to call the working Minister all sorts of names.

    Read Also: Arisekola decries activities of saboteurs in oil and gas industry

    “As youths, they should do better and pray the country bounces back and all economic indices favor us. They should not wish for the country to collapse under the present administration just because they have a preference for a certain candidate during the election.

    “They should be partners in progress and also work hand in hand to ensure the projection of Nigeria in a positive light so other people can believe and invest in the country. If negative news is getting huge publicity, the youths will be at the receiving end because no matter how hard we try to deny our country, there is no place like home,” Arisekola said.

    He also stated that Nigerians need to be patient with the current administration as it means well for everyone.

    “This is the first time we are taking our challenges and proffering a lasting solution to them. We are currently in our trying phase at the end of the tunnel; there is light for Nigeria. We should have faith and believe that Nigeria will be greater,” he concluded.

  • Arisekola decries activities of saboteurs in oil and gas industry

    Arisekola decries activities of saboteurs in oil and gas industry

    The National Chairman of the Association of Online Media Practitioners in Nigeria, (AMPCON), Mogaji Wole Arisekola has decried the activities of all economic saboteurs planning to hinder progress in the new reform being made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) in the country’s oil and gas industry.

    The business mogul and media personality made the remarks on Thursday, at a policy dialogue he personally organized in a popular hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos to appraise the good deeds of All Progressives Congress government under President Tinubu.

    According to him: “Wherever any meaningful reforms take place in the world even in the West, there will surely be people showing resistance, people with negative vibes will exhibit their resolve to stand as rusty clog that makes the wheel of progress grind slowly or come to a complete halt, my appeal to the government is that such people should be completely ignored and even exposed, so that Nigerians can breathe.

    “Gone are the days when Trade Unions, like PENGASSAN or NUPENG, civil societies will be protesting, calling for strike and other industrial actions, or a situation whereby lawyers will come up with frivolous litigations as vehicles and tools to distort progress, that will never happen. We are also aware that many have been paid to do hatchet jobs and to stir up the hornets nest, by raising false accusations against Ministry, Departments, Parastatal, Agencies of government and political appointees in the oil and gas sector, their vicious, treacherous and manipulative intents will never stand. No economic saboteurs will survive under Tinubu’s regime, Nigeria is bigger than any of us. Enough is enough. We must all be committed to giving life to the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu so that we can grow and develop at the speed of light socio-economically.”

    Mogaji also used the occasion to express satisfaction in the feats recorded by the President, particularly for raising the bar in the petroleum sector, adding that the improvements in the country’s main source of revenue generation is now expanding the frontiers of good governance, blocking leakages and deepening democratic practice in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Everyone will benefit from Tinubu’s democratic dividends, says Arisekola

    He equally thanked the President for his timely intervention to the oil and gas sector in terms securing greater benefits for Nigeria and her citizens.

    “As I said in my opening remarks, this dialogue seeks to consider the economic, financial and social implications of not embracing reforms in the petroleum sector and thankfully, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown capacity, direction, purpose and willingness to add value to our petroleum industry. This is a great feat that goes beyond politics, and it must be deservedly applauded.

    “Tinubu won the hearts of many Nigerians as a patriotic and visionary leader by bringing in the much-needed impetus to scale-up the performance index in the oil and gas sector to new heights of effectiveness and efficiency, with his diligent and cerebral analytical approach on how issues are being addressed; he is now bringing in his huge wealth of international exposure and experience to bear.

    “Mr. President has equally changed the narrative of the sector to an upward spiral. Together with the board and management of NNPC and other relevant subsidiaries of the ministry, they have been able to proactively eliminate the perennial fuel queues across the country, to a large extent stabilize the price regime of petroleum products, scale-up our oil export output from an abysmal low level to above the projected targets per day, brought peace and stabilize the often volatile Niger Delta because of the enormous goodwill he commands among the people, especially the youths, irrespective of party affiliation; they see him as a thorough-bred technocrat who is sincere and caring about the development of the region, not as the elemental everyday politicians bestriding the corridors of power tainted with morbid cupidity and avarice at the expense of the developmental needs of their people. He is also resolving issues of crude theft, lack of oil investments, and further development of the country’s oil assets to increase revenues from the petroleum sector.

    “Most recently, President Tinubu also made a seismic shift with the aim to engender transparency and accountability, by ordering the Central Bank of Nigeria to take over the responsibility for crude oil sales from Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). Under this new arrangement, NNPC will submit receipts for crude oil sales to CBN for vetting and documentation with immediate effect. This is a total departure from how things used to be done to how things ought to be done.

    “I must also emphasize that policies passed by President Tinubu’s administration are geared towards making the country utilise its gas potential for power generation and distribution, clean cooking, auto-use, and industrialization. Since assuming office, the President has eliminated the nation’s costly fuel subsidies, a move he promised during his campaign. Folks, it is unthinkable that the government was spending almost a trillion naira on a monthly basis. The subsidy removal also led to increased government revenue with total distributable revenue increasing from about N786.161 billion in May to about N1.9 trillion in June as the government earned money that would in the past be used to subsidize petrol.” Arisekola stated.

  • Aare Arisekola: The birds have flown away

    Aare Arisekola: The birds have flown away

    Tomorrow, Saturday, 18th June, 2016, is the second anniversary of the death of Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao, CON, the first Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, second Aare of Ibadanland and late Vice-President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). He died on Wednesday, 18th June, 2014 in his London (UK) home, aged 69 years, and was buried on Friday, 20th June, 2014 in his home at Oluwo Kekere, Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State. May Allah (SWT) forgive him his sins and keep him in Aljannah Fridauous. Amen.

    Aare was known in Nigeria and abroad as a cheerful giver to the rich, poor, famous, strangers, old and young. His attributes have been documented in a book of tributes titled, “Arisekola In Our Minds”, edited by Professor Rasheed Aderinoye, which was presented to the public on Thursday, 18th June, last year by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, at the first remembrance (Fidau) of Aare at his Oluwo Kekere, Orita Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State home. I wrote the foreword to the book and also contributed to the contents.

    In an average day in his lifetime, Aare Arisekola took great delight in entertaining visitors, solving religious, social, financial, political or any other problem for that matter of people of different religions, class, tribe and status. It was a great passion of his.

    In my tribute to Aare last year, I stated that, “his Oluwo Kekere home at Basorun area of Ibadan is expansive and comparable in size, structures, amenities, population and traffic to some towns/counties in Nigeria and abroad. In there is a zoo which boasted of a family of lions (until he donated them to the UI zoo), camels, crocodiles, ostriches, tortoise, and many species of birds, fishes and animals. I once touched one of the lions! Hawks, doves, egrets, pigeons etc knew when to fly down, without fail, at their breakfast and lunch hours in the open courtyard in Aare’s home. You needed to see the massive flights of birds that descended from the sky to feed at Oluwo while Aare was alive. After each pick they would ‘sing’, as it were, and spread their wings as if saying “see you soon, thank you”

    The title of this piece was inspired by the birds and their “disappearance”, or “flight”, as it were, after Aare died! The birds no longer fly over his expansive home to perch, get fed, yes, fed, by designated staff. After their (birds) fill, they would depart flapping their wings and ‘humming’ gleefully. They would later return for their prepared meals of beancakes, corns etc. Oh, Aare Arisekola, the birds have flown away! What about human beings? The once usually-heavy human traffic to Oluwo Kekere has…… Hhmmnn, as the great Afrobeat icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, sang in one of his evergreen  records, “Oro di hun, oro pesi je”  (The matter is beyond comments). “Iku bola je” (death has wreaked havoc). Aare, I pray that your kind soul continues to rest in Aljannah Fridauous. Amen.

    Born on February 14, 1945 to the late Pa Abdul Raheem Olaniyan Alao and the late Alhaja Olatutu Alao at Adigun Village of Ibadan, in Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, young AbdulAzeez attended St. Luke’s Primary School, Adigun and ICC Primary School, Igosun, Ibadan where he persistently topped his class until he obtained the Primary School Leaving Certificate (Grade A) in 1960, the year he came to the city from his village. Till he died, he kept referring to himself as an “Omooko” i.e villageboy. He, thereafter, successfully passed the entrance examinations into the prestigious Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State and Lagelu Grammar School Ibadan, but could not take up his admission in either school due to the poor financial position of his parents. A scholarship opportunity was not allowed by fate to be utilized by him either.

    Nonetheless, the determined AbdulAzeez studied Western, Arabic and Quranic education privately, and comfortably transacted business with the brightest and best in the corporate world.

    Young AbdulAzeez first joined his uncle, the late Alhaji Karimu Olasupo Jenrola at the popular old Gbagi Market in Ibadan as an apprentice trader. After successfully understudying his uncle, he started the sale of Gammalin 20 products vide the incorporation of his Azeez Arisekola Trading Company in 1961 with a loan of 310 pounds given to him by Mr. Olaniyi Owodunni. The Western Regional Manager of Imperial Chemical Industry (ICI) of England, Mr. P.K. Hampel, a Briton, discovered in the young AbdulAzeez, great business acumen, a fantastic impetus for hard work, integrity and creativity and therefore appointed him a dealer of their products in the now-defunct Western Region of Nigeria. From there, the future business magnate took off, combining charity as a hobby.

    Within a year, he received a commission of 1,000pounds from ICI and an all-expenses paid trip to the company’s headquarters in the United Kingdom. An astute young man, he purchased a Peugeot pick-up van at the cost of 400 pounds and by 1970, he built his first house at the age of 25 years. In 1972, he registered his motor company, Lister Motors, becoming the star dealer for the Japanese brand, Datsun. It was during that era that Aare’s fame as a philanthropist soared as he donated cars to institutions and individuals like one donates loaves of bread. He also had a fair share of social life and became the toast of parties and juju bands. But all the social circuit stuff stopped in 1980, when he became the first Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland.

    His business interests included automobile, oil and gas, banking and insurance, food and beverage, farming and animal husbandry, real estate, publishing, transportation and food processing.

    From his league of friends, staff and admirers, Aare was a detribalized man as his love for Nigeria was great. His avowed love was based on a popular saying of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) that,  “The love of one’s nation is part of faith”.

    He had amongst the staff of his business conglomerate, all ethnic tribes of the federation as well as foreigners. Knowing the importance of education, Aare gave scholarships to indigent students both at primary and tertiary levels within and outside Nigeria. He established a scholarship scheme for that purpose in honour of his father, Pa AbdulRaheem Alao. In appreciation of his love for his place of birth, Ibadan, he was honoured with the chieftaincy title of Aare of Ibadanland in 2006 by a late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Yinusa Bankole Oladoja Ogundipe, Arapasowu I. The first Aare of Ibadanland was the late clergy, educationist and statesman, Pa Emmanuel Alayande.

    He performed his first holy pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia in 1971, and was turbaned the first Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland by the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland on July 14, 1980. Being a celebrated Muslim leader, he established the AbdulAzeez Arisekola Mosque on Iwo Road, Ibadan, Oyo State. He founded the Grand Council for Islamic Affairs (GCIA) in Nigeria in 1996 to complement Islamic propagation efforts just as he set up the Alasalatu Ibaadu-Rahman Society for the spiritual advancement of the womenfolk. He was patron and foremost financier of more than 100 muslim organizations in Nigeria and abroad. From 1980 when he became the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, he extended annual Hajj scholarships to hundreds of Muslim faithful just as he sponsored Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem annually too.

    Aare was one of the privileged few honoured by the Chief Imam of Makkah to send delegates for the annual ceremonial washing of the Holy Ka’bah. He was also invited to the annual Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs International Convention in Cairo, Egypt. He was on record as the one who mobilized support for the settlement of the internal rift amongst the members of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Oke-Seeni, Ibadan and ensured the settlement of their rift out of court. The said church eventually conferred on him the title ‘The Defender of Faith’ in recognition of his love for religious peace and harmony.

    Aare Arisekola was married and blessed with children who are successful professionals at home and abroad or currently in higher institutions of learning. The training he gave them has contributed to making  them excel intellectually and morally. A blessing which he always ascribed to God. May his kind and noble soul continue to rest in Aljannah Fridaous. Amen.

  • Aare Arisekola: Death, the lion and the dog

    Aare Arisekola: Death, the lion and the dog

    tribute

    Tomorrow, Thursday, June 18, is the first anniversary of the death of Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao, CON, the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Aare of Ibadanland and Vice-President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). He died  on Wednesday, 18th June, 2014 in his London (UK) home, aged 69 years, and was buried on Friday, 20th June, last year in his home at Oluwo Kekere, Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State. May Allah (SWT) forgive him his sins and keep him in Aljannah Fridauous. Amen.

    To say that Aare’s death has created a big vacuum in religious, economic, traditional, social and political realms in Nigeria and abroad is an understatement. A man of huge means and influence, whose open palms and gates are legendary, but yet very humble and jovial, Aare had friends, admirers and protégés across class, religions, tribes and nations. Well, all these are terrestrial and Aare had equals, juniors and seniors – as God creates geniuses for seasons and climes in His unfathomable wisdom and time.

    In the celestial realm, however, we, ordinary human beings become aware of people with mystical touches from the Creator when we read, hear or see extraordinary deeds or inventions of our fellow beings. Or what do we say of the discoverers of light, radio, aeroplane, television, telephone, penicillin, train, motor-car, boat, ship, rocket etc. In the same league are great orators, thinkers authors, artists, scientists, musicians, composers, athletes, dancers etc.

    But, because talented people described above and others outside my stated scope were/are by nature humble, self-effacing and without airs, we take them for granted. And as the Yoruba say, “Ojo iku la d’ere, eniyan ko wuyi laaye” (Geniuses/mystics are not revered while alive). In my tribute to Aare last year as published in major newspapers (for ease of reference, The Nation newspaper issue of Saturday, 14th February, 2014), I stated that I was and still is, a student of the philosophies/lifestyles of great men and women in and outside Nigeria. I gave a long list which of course, included Aare Arisekola Alao. Those who know will testify that the cells of my strong bond to Aare included history, culture, music (especially Yusuf Olatunji’s genre of Sakara music) dresses, among others. I am improving in my pace in the tracks of piety and charity though! You will soon read how a dirge by Yusuf Olatunji a.k.a “Baba l’Egba” in one of his LPs influenced the title of this piece and the connections thereof. May God help me, a common prayer of Aare to people.

    The celestial realm that I mentioned earlier influenced the title of the piece. Aare’s Oluwo Kekere home at Basorun area of Ibadan is expansive and comparable in size, structures, amenities population and traffic to some towns/countries in Nigeria and abroad. In there is a zoo which boasted of a family of lions (until he donated them to the UI zoo), camels, crocodiles, ostriches, tortoise, and many species of birds, fishes and animals. I once touched one of the lions! The hawks, doves, egrets etc knew when to fly down without fail at their breakfast and lunch hours in the open courtyard in Aare’s home. You needed to see the massive flights or birds that descended from the sky to feed while Aare was alive. After each pick they would, ‘sing’, as it were and spread their wings as if saying “see you soon” thank you.

    Now, to the “Baba l’Egba” nexus I mentioned earlier. In the Sakara music genre among the Yoruba people of Western Nigeria, Yusuf Olatunji, alias “Baba l’Egba”, was no doubt a philosopher-king, going by his numerous highly melodious and philosophical songs. Until he died on December 15, 1978, the Abeokuta, Ogun State – born musician waxed the largest number of LPs (40) in Nigeria, apart from small records and EPs.

    In his volume no 2 LP titled, “O wo’le Olongo k’eyin”, “Baba l’Egba” sings a dirge for one of this many fans, the late Mr. Ramon Alao, from Ijaye-Quarters in Abeokuta, Ogun State (track 2 on the flip side of the said LP) in Yoruba, which translated goes thus –

    Among those who are noble.

    (i)         A gentleman has passed on in Ijaye (Abeokuta)

    Wailings filled the air

    Death has wrecked havoc by taking Ramoni Alao away

    Lati’s father has gone on a journey of no return.

    Alao, when you get to heaven continue your good deeds.

    The rest is a journey in our dreams.

     

    (ii)        Please don’t forget AbdulRamoni, our people

    Wherever you may be –

    Don’t forget Mulikat’s father, Alao

    Death has taken him away.

     

    (iii)      “A noble soul has gone and has become part of history

    He who knows the value of the egret please mourn the great with me.

    Egba nobles, I condole with you

    Alao the famous has died, we shall all die.

    Babalawo (native doctor) will die.

     

    (iv)       “Death snatched the lion, the king of the jingle

    Alao, the dog swaggers past its den with impunity

    Alao has journeyed to the home of giants

    If they create wonders in heaven with wealth Alao, ensure that you make a good mark.

    If they recreate in heaven Alao, do wonders

    Alao, you have been so generous while alive

    God, please consider Alao’s charity and good deeds

    Prevent Ramoni from going to hell

    A notable fan of “Baba l’Egba” was the late Aare Arisekola Alao, who possessed ALL the recorded works (singles, EPs & LPs) of his music idol, Yusuf Olatunji and other great musicians.

    Authors, musicians, poets and other creative minds who reach philosopher – king levels, appear to ‘see’ tomorrow, as the Baba l’Egba’s dirge for Mr. Ramoni Alao quoted above aptly demonstrates when placed in context with the passage of Aare Arisekola.

    “Baba l’Egba” sings about the impunity and the audacity of a dog as it swaggers past the dead lion’s den! A suicide bid on the part of the dog were the lion to be alive. But death has taken the lion, the king of the jungle!

    Born on February 14, 1945 to the late Pa Abdul Raheem Olaniyan Alao and the late Alhaja Olatutu Alao at Adigun village of Ibadan, in Ona – Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, young Abdul Azeez attended St. Luke’s Primary School, Adigun and ICC Primary School, Igosun, Ibadan where he persistently topped his class until he obtained the Grade ‘A’ Primary School Leaving Certificate in 1960, the year he came to the city from his village. Till he died, he kept referring to himself as an “Omooko” i.e. Villageboy. He, thereafter, successfully passed the entrance examinations into the prestigious Christ School, Ado – Ekiti and Lagelu Grammar School, Ibadan, but could not take up his admission in either school due to the poor financial position of his parents. A scholarship opportunity was not allowed by fate to be utilized by him either.

    Nonetheless, the determined AbdulAzeez studied Western, Arabic and Quranic education privately, and comfortably transacted business with the brightest and the best in the corporate world.

    Young AbdulAzeez first joined his uncle, the late Alhaji Karimu Olasupo Jenrola at the popular old Gbagi Market in Ibadan as an apprentice trader. After successfully understudying his uncle, he started the sale of Gammalin 20 products vide the incorporation of his Azeez Arisekola Trading Company in 1961 with a loan of 310 pounds given to him by Mr. Olaniyi Owodunni. The Western Regional Manager of Imperial Chemical Industry (ICI) of England, Mr. P.K. Hampel, discovered in the young AbdulAzeez, great business acumen, a fantastic impetus for hard work, integrity and creativity and therefore appointed him a dealer of their products in the now – defunct Western Region of Nigeria. From there, the future business magnate took off, combining charity as a hobby.

    Within a year, he received a commission of 1,000 pounds from ICI and an all – expenses paid trip to the company’s headquarters in the United Kingdom. An astute young man, he purchased a Peugeot pick up van at the cost of 400 pounds and by 1970, he built his first house at the age of 25 years. In 1972, he registered his motor company, Lister Motors, becoming the star dealer for the Japanese brand, Datsun. It was during that era that Aare’s fame as a philanthropist soared as he donated cars to institutions and individuals like one donated loaves of bread. He also had a fair share of social life and became the toast of parties and juju bands. But all the social circuit stuff stopped in 1980, when he became the first Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland.

    His business interests included, oil and gas, banking and insurance, food and beverage, farming and animal husbandry, real estate, publishing, transportation and food processing.

    From his league of friends, staff and admirers, Aare was a detribalized man as his love for Nigeria was great. His avowed love was based on a popular saying of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) that: “The love of one’s nation is part of faith”.

    He had amongst the staff of his business conglomerate, all ethnic tribes of the federation as well as foreigners. Knowing the importance of education, Aare gave scholarships to indigent students both as primary and tertiary levels within and outside Nigeria. He established a scheme for that purpose in honour of his father, Pa AbdulRaheem Alao. In appreciation of his love for his place of birth, Ibadan, he was honoured with the chieftaincy title of Aare of Ibadanland in 2006 by the immediate past Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Yinusa Bankole Oladoja Ogundipe, Arapasowu I.

    He performed his first holy pilgrimage to Mekkah, Saudi Arabia in 1971, and was turbaned the first Aare Musilumi of Yorubaland by the League of Imans and Alfas in Yorubaland on July 14, 1980. Being a celebrated Muslim leader, he established the Abdul Azeez Arisekola Mosque on Iwo Road, Ibadan, Oyo State. He founded the Grand Council for Islamic Affairs (GCIA) in Nigeria in 1996 to complement Islamic propagation efforts just as he set up the Asalatu Ibaadu-Rahman Society for the spiritual advancement of the womenfolk. He was patron and foremost financier of more than 100 Muslim organizations in Nigeria and abroad. From 1980 when he became the Aare Musulumi of Ibadanland, he extended annual Hajj scholarships to hundreds of Muslim faithful just as he sponsored Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem annually too.

    Aare was one of the privileged few honoured by the Chief Iman of Mekkah to send delegates for the annual ceremonial washing of the Holy Ka’bah. He was also invited to the annual Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs International Convention in Cairo, Egypt.

    Aare was on record as the one who mobilized support for the settlement of the internal rift amongst the members of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Oke-Seni, Ibadan and ensured the settlement of their rift out of court. The said church eventually conferred on him the title ‘The Defender of Faith’ in recognition of his love for religious peace and harmony.

    He was married ad blessed with children who are successful professionals at home and abroad or currently in higher institutions of leaning. The training he gave them makes them excel intellectually and morally. A blessing which he always ascribed to God. Can one complete a piece such as this on Aare without a mention of his passion for Oka (amala) and ooyo (ewedu)! He once had his favourite menu packed from home while on a transatlantic business trip to China.

    May his kind and noble soul continue to rest in Aljannah Fridaous. Amen.

  • Emulate Arisekola’s philanthrophic spirit, Obasanjo urges

    Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged Nigerians to emulate the philanthropist gesture of the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao for the development of mankind.

    The former Nigerian leader made this plea during his condolence visit to the family of the late Islamic leader at his residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Obasanjo, who arrived  the residence at about 10:28 am in company of a Commissioner in the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Lateef Gbadamosi and former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Chief Lasisi Olakojo, were received by Alhaji Abu Arisekola-Alao on behalf of the family.

    “When the news about his death broke in Ibadan, I was around but I could not believe it because I spoke with him four days before he travelled. He was a humble man of many parts. He was a community leader, a state leader and a national leader. He appreciated what God has given him both in material terms and used it to benefit mankind. He was a philanthropist of note,” Obasanjo said.

    He added, “He lived a fulfilled life and he was humble to the core. He lived his life to serve the masses and the downtrodden.”

    Describing the void left behind by the late businessman as one that will be difficult to fill, Obasanjo urged the deceased’s children and family members to unite themselves and avoid any act of rancour.

    Responding, one of the late Arisekola’s sons, Isa, thanked the former President for his visit. Shortly after, Obasanjo visited Aare’s graveside to pay his last respect.

  • Alaafin, Arisekola endorse Ajimobi for second term

    Alaafin, Arisekola endorse Ajimobi for second term

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola-Alao, endorsed yesterday Governor Abiola Ajimobi for a second term.

    They gave their support for Ajimobi’s re-election at an empowerment programme organised by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, at the stadium in Ibadan, the state capital.

    The Speaker distributed items worth N26 million to over 700 members of her constituency. The items included freezers, electricity generating sets, tricycles, vulcanising machines, wheel chairs and a brand new Nissan bus. In attendance were Ajimobi; Interim Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Alhaji Lai Mohammed; APC State Chairman Chief Akin Oke and other party chieftains.

    Oba Adeyemi urged the people to re-elect Ajimobi, saying he (Ajimobi) listens to people, takes advice, honours elders, reveres the Yoruba tradition and has delivered on his campaign promises.

    The monarch listed some of the governor’s achievements as the construction of the Mokola flyover; beautification of the environment; restoration of peace and the construction of many roads.

    Arisekola-Alao said the governor has transformed Oyo within a short period, adding that it would be in the state’s interest to give Ajimobi another four-year mandate.

    He urged Mrs. Sunmonu to continue reaching out to the masses.

    Mohammed described Mrs. Sunmonu’s gesture as appropriate.

    Oke said political office holders from the APC would continue to make life easier for the masses.

    Defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord were received into the APC.

  • Alaafin’s daughter, Olubadan’s, Lam Adesina’s, Arisekola’s sons on Oyo commissioners’ list

    Alaafin’s daughter, Olubadan’s, Lam Adesina’s, Arisekola’s sons on Oyo commissioners’ list

    •Assembly screens nominees today

    The Oyo State House of Assembly will today screen 12 commissioner-nominees, whose names were sent to the Assembly on Monday by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    The nominees are expected to appear before the House with 40 copies of their credentials.

    One of the sons of the Olubadan, Prince Gbade Lana, is among the nominees.

    Prince Lana is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the chairman of the Oyo State Library Board.

    Five former commissioners – Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, Mr. Dapo Lam Adesina, Princess Adetutu Adeyemi-Akhigbe and Mr. Zaccheus Adelabu –also made the list.

    Others are Prof. S.O. Olaniyan; Princess Olufunke Oworu; Mr. Faruk Arisekola-Alao, son of frontline businessman Alhaji Azeez Arisekola- Alao; Mr. Adewale Lawrence Olujide, Mr. Abiodun Fatai Atanda and Mr. Deji Akande.

    The Speaker, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu, said the lawmakers would peruse the nominees’ credentials.

    A second list containing the names of six nominees is still expected from the governor.

    Ajimobi dissolved the State Executive Council on September 23.

    The Assembly yesterday extended the tenure of 32 local government transition committee chairmen by six months. Their tenure would have expired tomorrow.

    The Chairman for Ogo Oluwa Local Government (the 33rd council), Wasiu Olatunbosun, was appointed last month.

  • Arisekola, Oba Otudeko, others to honour Aluko

    Arisekola, Oba Otudeko, others to honour Aluko

    The Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola-Alao, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and Chief Oba Otudeko are among personalities expected to honour the publisher of the defunct Third Eye newspapers, Chief Akani Aluko, as he celebrates this year’s annual harvest next weekend at Ilesa, Osun State.

    Other dignitaries expected to grace the occasion are a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Alhaji Soro Atanda,a media guru, Mr Joe Abiola, Engr. Obi Daramola, Chief Olusola Gilbert , Chief Alabi Aluko, Chief Lekan Alabi, Chief Perry Aluko, and the juju maestro ,King Sunny Ade.

    The annual event , according to a statement by Chief Aluko will also witness an array of traditional rulers and chiefs, including the reverred royal fathers , Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, Elejigbo of Ejigboland, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin, and Yeyemeso of Iwara, Chief Bola Ojo.

    He said this year’s festival “will be unique because our special guests will celebrate with us in our new church building under construction at St Victoria Catholic Church, Ijebu-Jesa Road, Ireti-Ayo, Ilesa on October 13 at 9.00am.”

  • ‘Villains’ of June 12 struggle

    ‘Villains’ of June 12 struggle

    Nigerians on Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of the most credible election ever conducted in the history of the country.

    The June 12, 1993 presidential election that was controversially annulled by Ibrahim Babangida –led military junta pitched the billionaire business mogul -turned politician – the late Chief M.K.O Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party against Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, who contested the election on the platform of the proscribed National Republican Convention.

    Abiola, who died in prison on July 8, 1998, was coasting to a landslide victory in the poll until the Armed Forces Ruling Council announced its cancellation via a terse statement on June 21, 1993.

    The protests that followed the controversial decision pushed the country closer to another civil war until the former military president was forced to step aside on August 26, 2003. That development ushered in the Interim National Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan, who was also ousted in a palace coup by the late Gen. Sani Abacha in November 17, 2003.

    Gen. Abacha died on June 8, 1998 in a mysterious circumstance.

    While many Nigerians genuinely laid claims to the sobriquet of “heroes and heroines of June 12 struggle and albeit democracy.” There are others whose roles in the “extermination” of the June 12 dream would never be forgotten even by generations unborn.

    They played varying roles in extinguishing the collective hope and aspirations of millions of Nigeria who came out on that historical day to elect the candidate of their choice.

    To many Nigerians these people are “Judas Iscariot” of our time because they sold their conscience for “a piece of silver.” Ironically many of them are now major beneficiaries of the present democratic experiment, occupying public offices both at state and national level.

    HAMED SHOBIYE, Assistant Editor, Online looks at some of the “perceived villains” of the June 12 struggle.

     

    Ibrahim Babangida:

    Babangida was the head of the military government that controversially annulled Nigeria’s most credible election. He was forced to step aside after nationwide protests pushed Nigeria closer to another civil war.

    Sani Abacha:

    The late head of state was a frontline member of AFRC, the military council that annulled the election.

    He allegedly played pivotal roles in the annulment and also controversially incarcerated the presumed winner of the poll who later died in detention.

    His government pushed Nigeria closer to civil war. But he died mysteriously and paved way for Nigeria’s return to civil rule.

    Arthur Nzeribe:

    The controversial former senator also played huge roles in the annulment of that historic election.

    He founded the controversial Association for Better Nigeria alongside one Abimbola Davies. The ABN obtained an interim court injunction to stop the election, a development that paved ways for the poll eventual annulment.

    Nzeribe later became a senator when Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

    Uche Chukwumerije:

    A senator in the current National Assembly was a strong member of Abacha’s kitchen cabinet and campaign vigorously against the election within and outside the country.

    Walter Ofonagoro:

    Another very vocal opponent of the June 12 struggle. He was the unofficial spokesman of Abacha’s government.

    Lamidi Adedibu:

    The late strongman of Ibadan politics was a very visible opponent of the June 12 struggle. He wined and dined with the military authorities. He also provided useful information on the activities of the National Democratic Coalition, a pro-democracy group that was in the fore-front of the struggle, to the late Abacha and his hatchet men.

    Ironically, the late Ibadan high chief was one of the major beneficiaries of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule until his demise few years ago.

    Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao:

    The Ibadan-based businessman would never forget the treatment he received from students of University of Ibadan when he visited the institution for a convocation programme in November 1998. He came to the university campus with the then head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who had just taken over as Nigeria’s leader after the mysterious death of Abacha, ostensibly to placate the students for frolicking with the military during the June 12 struggle.

    But he was oblivious of the harsh treatment awaiting him in the hands of the angry students who pounced on him, seized his posh cars, set them ablaze and forced him to escape from the campus through one of the police pick up vans.