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Celebrating two generations of art, artists

Their contributions to the development of art and talents of diverse ages earned them a prestigious place as celebrators.They were honoured at the Artists Social Forum held at Tafas As the president of SNA, Grillo would sell his works to fund activities of the association, even when he was no longer president. I am happy that the three of us are still alive today House in Lagos. One of Brazilian descent and the other a Benin princess behold the art maestros – Yusuf Grillo and Peju Layiwola. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

Their ingenuity and contributions would be remembered for generations to come. Beyond being exceptional artists, they are both teachers and mentors of artists. Welcome two art maestros belonging to different generations to the Artists Social Forum held at the famed Tafas House, Lagos. The celebration of the former Head of the Department of Art and Printing at Yaba College of Technology, Yusuf Grillo, and professor of Art history at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Peju Layiwola, brought together artists, curators, patrons and other art stakeholders.

But it was no ordinary feast. Beyond feting the art maestros, the event raised some concerns over the dire need of selfless mentors/leaders as the two celebrators and proper legislation in the creative sector as scholars examined the art and times of the celebrator. On the panel were Chief Fasuyi, Mike Omoighe, Dr Kunle Filani, Elder Jerome, Elaiho, Bruce Onobrakpeya, who was represented by his son, Mudiare, and Bunmi Davies. The discourse also focused on past, present and future Nigeria’s art direction.

The forum, which was sponsored by Chief Banjo Fasuyi and Elder Jerome Elaiho, was moderated by Mufu Onifade.

According to the Dean School of Art, Design and Printing, YABATECH, and one of the events’ conveners, Dr Kunle Adeyemi, besides celebrating achievers in the art sector, the event was meant to bring together like-minds in the sector with a view to generating meaningful discourse around and promoting the arts.

While calling for selfless service from among the artists and its leadership, the convener, he urged all to draw from the examples of Grillo and Layiwola who are always eager to support the work of art and mentor artists. .

“Grillo is generous with time, discourse regarding the art and with his money. He often urged that we should enjoy our lives while it last. Artist should be proactive on local, national and international issues. Layiwola is no different. She has gone beyond the art practice and academia to impacting knowledge to the community around her,” Adeyemi said.

Eighty-four year old Grillo, whose family settled at Campos Area of Lagos, is considered one of Nigeria’s outstanding and academically trained painters. He came to prominence and international recognition in the 1960s and 1970s, while exhibiting a large collection of his early works. He makes use of his western art training in many of his paintings, combining western art techniques with traditional Yoruba sculpture characteristics.

Recounting his days with Grillo, the veteran artist and colleague of the celebrator, Fasuyi, described Grillo as “a very modest and honest man” who supported and funded the young artists and art projects for the good of other artists. Fasuyi, who was Secretary-General when Grillo was president of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), stated that, he, Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya, Grillo and three others formed association.”As the president of SNA, Grillo would sell his works to fund activities of the association, even when he was no longer president. I am happy that the three of us are still alive today to see arts appreciated and artists celebrated. In our days it was not so; we braced the odds and set a trail that paved a way for others after. We thank God.”

He urged older artists to mentor and immortalise themselves in the younger one, while advising artists to go beyond selling their works to archiving them for posterity. “We chose to celebrate Grillo like we did Onobrakpeya earlier and Layiwola because of their contributions to the development and teaching/training of young talents to encourage others to do same.”

“Pa Onabolu taught him art in school, but he wanted to study Mathematics,” began Grillo’s protégé, Mike Omoighe while speaking on the art and times of the celebrator, “Grillo art teaches us to make conscious efforts to search into our roots and make efforts to recreate new ideas that propagate our culture. And that we should guide our space as artists.

“After school, he worked as a draughtsman. In Ahamadu Bello University (ABU), he was teaching engineering and architectural studies. He explored African forms: he used semi-abstract and his environment chacterises his art. Some of his works reflect Lagos robust social life (Kusimi Laya) and highlife (Seefe). He is one artist that uses his wife as model. He created the 3-dimensional mask effect that shows his mathematical inclination, such as Igi Nla,” Omoighe, who lectures at YABATECH, added.

Like Grillo, Layiwola’s role in the promotion of art and training of artist is noteworthy, it was said. Layiwola (50), who is also the Head of Department of Creative Arts at UNILAG, is an established artist with over two decades of experience and practice. Since 1994, she has been teaching and nurturing talents within and outside the academia and run an art charity WYArt focusing on training women and youths. She also recorded DVDs on diverse vocations that train and sell crafts/arts.

A friend and colleague, Stella Awoh, called Layiwola a “multitalented artist” and a “Jack of all trade and master of all”. “She is a Progress-31 woman and a highly talented and hardworking artist who sometimes sleeps in the office. She is tough: her ‘no’ is ‘no’ and ‘yes’, ‘yes’. To be on her good books as a young artist, you better get it right’,” Awoh, who is also the Vice President of Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN), said.

Art connoisseur Mudiare, who represented his father, Onobrakpeya, said Grillo helped nurture the art in him. “Although I studied economics, my confidence in myself and my art was built from my early days in Corona School because at age eight or nine because Grillo decided to sponsor a prize which I won in 1975. He is an epitome of the finest of society of artists.

Filani praised the quality of works by Grillo and Fasuyi’s generation of artists, urging younger ones to borrow a leaf from their examples and commitment to the arts. He encouraged his fellow artists to seek to contextualise history through their art, observing that the study of the life of an artist is contextualised in their works.

While describing Grillo, who is her uncle,as being “very generous with time and money”, Layiwola described him as a “giver, a teacher who is ready to spread knowledge”. “These are virtues lots of us should take away.”

January 17, 2018
Adesanya: Celebrating a giant

Eleven years before his departure, Abraham Adesanya survived a gun attack that defined his importance as a progressive combatant. He was nearly 75 at the time. Here, a picture of what happened: “On 14 January 1997, his uncompromising stance to the military misrule led to an attempt on his life at the behest of the then head of state, General Sanni Abacha. Adesanya had just left his law chambers on the fateful day sitting at the back of his car when an unknown team of assailants (later unveiled to be General Sanni Abacha’s killer squad) struck. The front and back screens of his Mercedes Benz car were shattered and the car seats perforated by bullets from the assailants’ guns but he escaped unhurt with his driver. The car was later transferred to a Lagos museum.”

It was a dangerous time to be a pro-democracy fighter. Many of those who resisted the incumbent military dictator fled overseas and fought from there. Adesanya stayed in the country and weathered the storm. It was testimony to his courage and conviction. When democratic rule was restored in 1999 after a 16-year period of military domination, there was no doubt that Adesanya was qualified to be named among the heroes of democracy.

It is good news that this year, a decade after his death in April 2008 at the age of 85, Adesanya will be celebrated as a giant who made a gigantic contribution to the efforts that won the battle for democracy. The Publicity Committee promoting the Abraham Adesanya 10th Anniversary has announced that there will be “a series of events to mark the 10th anniversary of the translation to higher glory of the great Nigerian nationalist, exemplary Yoruba patriot and leader, statesman, philosopher, moral avatar and illustrious chairman of the Afenifere and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Senator Abraham Adesanya.” The chairman of the committee, Prof Adebayo Williams, was quoted as saying that the celebration in May will feature a lecture on the state of the nation, the launching of a book of tributes and a memorial service.

A statement said:”The publicity committee wishes to seize this opportunity to invite contributions to the book of tributes from the public as well as friends, associates, acquaintances, admirers, well-wishers and fellow travellers of Senator Abraham Adesanya. The contributions are to include but are not limited to the following: scholarly expositions, reminiscences, tributes, eulogies, poetry, memorabilia and rare pictures and other exotica. The contributions, which should not be less than 500 words but not more than 1,000 words, are expected to reach the committee not later than February 15.”

It is thought-provoking that this celebration of Adesanya, his ideas and ideals, is coming at a time when the meaning of progressivism has been corrupted and the definition of a progressive has been degraded. What would Adesanya have thought of today’s self-defined progressives who pay lip service to the noble pursuit of progress?

Williams recalled: “During his lifetime, the late Abraham Adesanya bestrode the Nigerian political scene like a colossus. He was a giant among giants…He was as principled as he was fanatically devoted to the fundamental tenets of progressive politics, often putting his life on the line in defence of these sacred ideals. For him, the unprincipled and amoral political life is not a life worth living, no matter the wealth and fame accruing…Fearless and unrelenting as a leader, forthright and uncompromising as a follower, you always knew where you stood with the late titan. Adesanya was a man totally without cant or seedy equivocations.”

Adesanya played exemplary leadership roles in Afenifere and NADECO that should inspire the leaders of today. But the times have changed and things have changed. Afenifere, the Yoruba organisation that was known for its progressive essence, is essentially now a shadow of its former self. NADECO, the patriotic pro-democracy movement that was known for its punching power, was ironically a casualty of democracy and has failed to rise from the ashes.

Adesanya studied Law in the UK at Holborn College of Law. On his return to Nigeria in 1959, he joined the Action Group led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the progressive star who continues to shine decades after his death in 1987. Adesanya’s choice of a progressive political circle showed where he stood on the question of political progress. It is a reflection of his capacity that “The same year, he was nominated and eventually elected to the defunct Western House of Assembly to represent Ijebu Igbo constituency in the 12 December 1959 House of Representatives Election.” He later became a senator in the Second Republic as a member of the Unity Party of Nigeria, which was an evolutionary extension of the Action Group.

It is noteworthy that he showed a commendable consistency in his political trajectory, which is sadly missing in many political careers today with fair-weather politicians switching parties without a sense of consistency and a sense of what is honourable.

When he achieved recognition as “Asiwaju of Yorubaland,” following the exits of Awolowo and Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Adesanya’ s political voice became louder, more influential and deserving of greater attention. This information gives an insight into Adesanya’s performance on the big stage: “Later, Adesanya under the auspices of Afenifere and the Yoruba Council of Elders, alongside others led a congress of Yoruba elder statesmen through a congress that rose to pronounce that the convocation of a constitutional conference, where new confederating terms would be determined for the country, was inevitable for the good of Nigerians.”

Ten years after his death, Nigeria is still grappling with the national question and structural issues. The celebration of his life and times at this period should further promote the need to reimagine the country. It is expected that important political players will use the occasion of this anniversary to say positive things about Adesanya because he was indeed a positive factor in the country’s political progression. He has been immortalised in various ways, particularly in the Southwest, but the lessons of his life are of national significance.

It is a tribute to the giant from Ijebu-Igbo that he is still remembered and respected for the progressive path he trod.

January 8, 2018
ACAOSA 77/78 Set: Celebrating a milestone

IT IS ALWAYS fun whenever we gather. And so it was when we converged on R & A City Hotel in Ikeja last Saturday to round off the celebration of our 40th anniversary of leaving Anwar-ul Islam College, Agege (ACA).

Our journey which started 44 years ago when we entered school has seen us through thick and thin. For five years, we lived together, played together, ate together, slept and woke up together, worked together and read our books together.

We were either in the same class or in the same dormitory. Even where we were not in the same class and dormitory that did not make us enemies. We bonded together not on the basis of religion and ethnicity but on the basis of our humanity. We treated ourselves like brothers and it is still like that up till today. Though we have our quarrels now and then, but before you know it, we would have put such fights behind us and moved on. Long after we left school in 1977/78, the paths of many of us did not cross again. As we headed into the world to make out something for ourselves, we went in different directions.

From ACA, that is the shortened form of Ahmadiyya College, Agege, the name by which our school was popularly known before it was changed to Anwar-ul Islam College in 1976, we dispersed into the world in pursuit of different interests. But our training at Ahmadiyya – aah, many of us love that name – stood us in good stead wherever we went. It could not have been otherwise since we had Alhaji Jimoh Adisa Gbadamosi aka Oga as our principal. The principal emeritus, who groomed us and the generations before us remains our beacon of light till today. Oga was 90 in March and we pray that he will remain with us for more years to come. Abubakar Adenle of the 1979/80 Set represented Oga at Saturday’s event.

Today, under the aegis of Anwar-ul Islam College Agege Old Students’ Association, ACAOSA 77/78 Set, we are reliving our school years. Even though we cannot turn back the hand of the clock to 1973 – 1977/78, our reunion at our meetings often evokes memories of the past. Last Friday as part of the celebrations of our 40th anniversary, which was ably packaged by Wasiu Bawalah and Rahman Alarape and their team, some members of our set gave career talk to pupils of the school. Yomi Ojo spoke on engineering; Mufutau Ottun, taxation and Alarape, human resources. Then followed the novelty match between ACAOSA and Ansar-udeen High School Surulere Old Students Association (AHOSA), where the Diyya Giants led by Alarape , with Dr Tajudeen Afolabi in goal, ran rings around their opponents.

It was a full house at Saturday’s show-stopping event. Many of us were there, with our President-General Lawal Pedro (SAN) taking the lead. Pedro noted that ‘’these past 40 years have been full of mixed memories for us…however, our supportive friendship and enduring relationships over the years have kept us together…over the past four decades, we the then young boys have established ourselves and grown to become great men…I still remember those days with nostalgia…and 40 years later we are still together with different stories to tell’’.

In appreciation of their support to the association and the school, some members were honoured. Among those honoured were Senator Musiliu Obanikoro (the most popular ex-Diyya Giant ever – we are privileged to have him in our set), Hakeem Ogunniran, Managing Director, UAC Property Development Company (UPDC), Afolabi and two of our seniors, Maj-Gen Tajudeen Olanrewaju and former national team Coach Tunde Disu. How can I end this without mentioning our man at the secretariat, the indefatigable Kamoru Tijani and his soulmate Ganiyu Eleha. Kudos to Prof Gbenga Ojo, Moshood Bakare, Abass Obatolu, Dr Nurudeen Bello, Lateef Adams, Dipo Oyetayo, Hafeez Kareem, the judge in the house, Bankole Kaffo, who is now based in Canada, Prince Ademola Akitoye, Ahmed Rasaq aka Konjo, Mukadas Akinwande, Tajudeen Smith, Tunji Sogbesan, Muyideen Pereira, Azeez Sanni, Clerk of Lagos State House of Assembly, Ibukunoluwa Olaide Peter aka Jugnu, ace musician Kunle Dizzy K Falola, Bola Anifowoshe, Omotunde Pinheiro and a host of others for your steadfastness. It is impossible to mention everybody because of space constraint, but surely you all know that I hold you in high esteem.

It was a night to remember and as we look forward to the school’s 70th anniversay next year and our own golden anniversay in 2027, we pray that ACA will continue to wax stronger. As our school motto reads: Aut Optimum Aut Nihil (either the best or nothing), our school deserves nothing but the best. Thank you Oga for making us who we are today. We are eternally grateful to you sir.

December 21, 2017
Celebrating distinguished jurist Oyebode at 70
There couldn’t have been a better time to celebrate Prof Akindele Babatunde Oyebode than now that he has met the mandatory retirement age as a professor at University of Lagos. Naturally in all human endeavours, whatever has a beginning must have an end; however what makes this one a unique happy ending is how eventful the academic career has been, coupled with the special grace of finishing well by celebrating 70th natal day anniversary, which has made it a double celebration for the Oyebode family. No doubt, family members and friends of the erudite legal luminary have every reason to appreciate God for the marvelous thing He has done in the life of Professor Akin Oyebode. His students, professional colleagues, wide range of multifaceted associates, kinsmen and old school mates do have so many beautiful things to say about the brilliant professor of jurisprudence. That the academic and jurist of repute stands out in reputation may not be a surprise to those who have known him over the years.

Most of the distinguished people in the contemporary world often have something outstanding usually peculiar to them and what a remarkable gem is often noted for is a reflection of the inner self and values that drive the person’s convictions. One thing that cannot be taken away from Professor Akin Oyebode is the fact that he stands for honour, integrity and honorable ways generally. His word is his bond. A discerning person can figure out his position and views on national or world issues and you can know where he stands with you at every point in time without pretenses. Relatively, most upright people are comfortable with him while he keeps the company of respectable citizens. His inimitable personality earned him a consistent respect in the academic community and various constituencies he is associated with.

On December 9 1947, the prominent Oyebode family of Ikole-Ekiti was blessed with the birth of an exceptional child, christened Akindele Babatunde. The notable child was born in Ado-Ekiti to Chief Zacheaus Oladipo Oyebode and Madam Janet Olarewaju Oyebode. His father was a product of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti with the school number 38/012 and at various times the patriarch served in the army, worked as a school teacher, party apparatchik and social worker in the civil service. His parents wanted the best for their children as reflected in the schools Oyebode and other members of the clan attended.

The academic brilliance of Oyebode started in Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti where he had his secondary education from 1960 to 1966 with the school number 60/057 and his excellent character earned him a place among the school prefects in his senior class. He passed out with grade one in his West African School Certificate Examination. A product of Harvard Law School in 1974 to 1975, holds LL.M. with Highest Distinction (Otlichnik) from Kiev State University, Kiev, Ukraine in 1973 and Doctor of Jurisprudence from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Canada in 1988. His scholarship, prizes and fellowship include JFK Essay Competition School Level Winner in 1966, Soviet Institute of World Economy and International Relations Scholarship in 1967, Harvard University Tuition Fellowship in 1974, Ford Foundation/International Legal Center Fellowship in 1974 and York University Graduate Assistantship 1981.

The professor started his academic career at University of Lagos in 1973 as an Assistant Lecturer. He became Lecturer Grade II in 1976, Lecturer Grade I in 1978 and Senior Lecturer in 1981. In 1992, he became professor and dean, faculty of law, Ondo State University now Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. Some of his administrative activities included being a member of the university governing council in 1994 to 1997, member of finance and general purposes committee in 1994 to 1997, member of development committee in 1992 to 1997, member of committee of deans in 1992 to 1997, member of Senate in 1992 to 1997, member of appointments and promotions committee in 1992 to 1997, member of senior staff disciplinary committee in 1994 to 1997, member of housing loans committee in 1992 to 1994, member of joint committee for the appointment of Vice-Chancellor in 1993, chairman, security committee in 1994 to 1997, chairman of committee of inquiry into the missing dumpy level in 1994, chairman of committee on financing a functional university health centre in 1994 to 1995, chairman of committee on merger of the physical planning unit with the department of works and services in 1995, member of sub-committee on planning unit structure in 1993 and chairman of committee on excess workload in 1995 to 1996. He held appointment as the Head of Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, University of Lagos and the Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti-State University in 2002-2004.

At the University of Lagos, his exposure to administrative duties included being a member of appointments and promotions committee in 1999 to 2000 & 2006, member of Senate Honours Committee 2006, member of selection committee for the appointment of University Registrar in 2005, Head of Department in 2004, member of the board of school of postgraduate studies in 2004 to 2006, member of academic programmes committee, school of postgraduate studies in 2004 to 2006, chairman of postgraduate students’ disciplinary committee in 2005, chairman of International School Management Board in 2000, member of central research committee in 1999 to 2000, chairman of faculty research committee in 1999 to 2000, co-ordinator of the faculty LL.M. programme in1989 to 1990, member of 5-year LL.B. curriculum committee in 1990, the faculty/departmental representative at post-graduate board of studies in 1986 to 1990, member of post-graduate school admissions committee in 1989/90, member of university publications committee in 1988 to1990, member of committee on sexual harassment in 1990, member of selection committee for the appointment of university registrar in 1988/89, member of advisory committee on students’ feeding in 1988/89, member of Senate of the University of Lagos in 1988 to 1990 and 1998 to 2017, chairman of ad-hoc panel of investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Master S. A. Ogundubore at the University of Lagos swimming pool in 1998, member of ad-hoc panel of investigation into the constitutional controversy within the university students’ union in 1989, chairman of the faculty committee on admission requirements in 1989, member of committee of inquiry to investigate alleged activities of proscribed students’ societies on campus in 1984, member of university library committee in 1981 to 1983, Assistant Warden, New Hall, Phase III in 1980 to 1982, member of the faculty admissions committee in 1979 to 1981, member of faculty departmentalization committee in 1978, member of LL.B. (evening) regulations committee in 1977 and faculty examination officer in 1978/1979

Some of his travel grants and awards were:
- First Foreign Graduate to be inducted into the Permanent Roll of Honour of Kiev State University in 1973
- UN Travel Grant for the International Law Commission Seminar, Geneva in 1976
- UN Travel Grant for the Seminar on the New International Economic Order, Geneva in 1977
- French Government Travel Grant for the Colloquium on the Life of the Law in Africa, Centre d’Etudes Jurisdiques Comparative, University of Paris 1, Sorbonne 1977
- Travel Grant to attend the Joint Annual Convention of the British International Studies Association and the International Studies Association, London in 1980
- Juche Academy of Science Study Tour of North Korea in1989
- National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADL) Distinguished Jurist Award, 2002
- Nigerian Association of Law Teachers Long Service Award in 2004
- Outstanding Law Teacher Award, Justice Chambers, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 2005
- Best Lecturer Award, Final-Year Students, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos in 2005, 2006
He is a member of front-line learned societies and leading professional associations, such as Nigerian Society of International Law, American Society of International Law, International Law Association, Nigerian Association of Law Teachers, Nigerian Bar Association and Nigerian Institute of Management. He has over 31 books and monographs, over 82 journal articles as well as many research works and numerous unpublished major conference and seminar papers to his credit

The other activities of Oyebode include being a guest lecturer in public international law, law of the sea and outer space at Foreign Service Academy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lagos; member of board of directors of African and African-American Foundation on Science, Education and Economic Development Inc., New York; chairman and editor-in-chief, Nigerian Journal of Contemporary Law; member of editorial board, Lagos State University Law Journal; member of editorial board, University of Jos Law Journal; member of editorial board, Journal of Human Rights Law and Practice; member of editorial advisory council, The News; contributing editor, Environment Network; expert consultant, National Boundary Commission; consultant, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO); member, advisory board, Centre for Human Rights and Development; consultant, UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, Vienna; Chair, International Advisory Board, Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law; chair, board of governors, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre; member of board of Trustees, National Association of Democratic Lawyers; member of board of directors, Centre for Advanced Social Science; editorial consultant, The Guardian; chairman, Catholic secretariat of Nigeria think-tank; member of advisory board of Leadership Watch; and member of the Board of Trustees, Ekitipanupo Community Development Association.

The international jurist and an academic of note is an exemplary family man. God in His faithfulness blessed his marriage to Chief Morenike Abosede Oyebode, who retired as a senior official of West African Examinations Council; with successful children: Akintunde, Akindeji and Olajumoke. To the glory of God, he is a grandfather.

Oyebode is indeed a blessing to Nigeria having produced many qualified lawyers in the country that have occupied and still occupying strategic positions in government at states and federal level. Naturally, he is a pride of Ekiti people which unequivocally earned him the position of pioneer leadership of Ekitipanupo Forum, the preeminent indigenous intellectual roundtable for Ekiti people at home and in Diaspora. He represented Ekiti State in the last national conference during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

What else can one say to this towering profile of an intellectual giant? It would amount to understating it that I admire Oyebode a lot. It is a rare privilege for me to be associated with him. It gives me great joy that he has confidence in me and trust me as his stockbroker. When I needed him, he stood by me with his substance as one of my encouragers and inspirers in my professional career path. Thanks for believing and for the integrated support over the years each time I approached him for one thing or the other including Ekitipanupo initiative. I wish oga more years in good health with peace of mind in retirement. Happy 70th birthday and fruitful retired life, sir.
December 20, 2017
Celebrating art scholar Filani @60

Celebrated artist and art scholar Dr. Emmanuel Olakunle Filani is 60. His birthday was marked last Thursday with a lecture delivered by a distinguished political and culture scholar, Prof. Tunde Babawale, at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos. The event highlighted the multifaceted nature and texture of the “birthday boy” Filani, reports EVELYN OSAGIE.

It was a reunion of sort. One that could pass for an assemblage of the cream of the art community and the academia. It also brought together family, colleagues, and friends, who had not seen one another for a long while.

They laughed, exchanged banters, compared notes and reflected on the contributions of one of theirs, an accomplished artist, Dr. Kunle Filani, whose 60th birthday brought them together. It was, indeed, an intellectual feast, tagged: “Kunle Filani @ 60th Birthday Lecture”, which spotlighted Filani’s achievements and impacts on the development of art in Nigeria.

The event, which was held at the School of Art, Design and Printing, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), was organised by a committee of friends, including the Dean of the School, Dr Kunle Adeyemi, with two others: Dr Ademola Azeez and Dr Akinwale Onipede. It was supported by YABATECH and chaired by Kolade Oshinowo, a former Deputy Rector of the College.

Describing Filani as an unpretentious intellectual, who relates well with the academia and artists, Oshinowo said: “He endears himself to quite a number of people because of his approach. Here is a very humane and genuine human being. Here is a man, who is very visible and available. And he is so blessed with a wife, who continues to give him the desired support. If you have war at home, you can’t achieve much.

“I am so happy YABATECH has chosen to celebrate him with this lecture, which will be delivered by another asset to the country. Filani deserves the entire nice compliments given to him today. I rejoice with him. Our prayer is that he would continue to grow from strength to strength. And, hopefully, I will be here to celebrate you when you are 80.”

The lecture, which was delivered by Prof Tunde Babawale, formerly of the Centre for Black Africa Art and Civilisation (CBAAC), who is also an Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner for Lagos State, traced the diverse sides of the artistic and scholarly trajectory of the celebrator. “I have known him for well over 30 years and his creative trajectory I have followed closely,” began Prof Babawale. “Although I am not a trained artist, I was trained by reputable artists, including Filani, the late Don Akatakpo, Gboyega Ajayi and Tola Wewe. Every discussion starts and ends with art. He is like a market: many roads lead to him.”

Born Emmanuel Olakunle Filani, on September 8, 1957 in Ikole Ekiti, the celebrator is popularly known as Baba Kool. He lost his father in 1975 at 17, but remained undaunted, and went on to obtain his first degree in Fine Art at the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, graduating in 1980. He bagged his Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) in 1984 at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), and a Ph.D in Visual Arts in 2002 at the University of Ibadan (UI).

In the course of his academic career, Filani held various positions, including head of departments of tertiary institutions, such as Provost, Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, where he served two terms of eight years.

Filani’s story of determination, Babawale said, is an inspiration to all. He said: “Filani has been a teacher all through his career, from his National Youth Service at Kano Teacher’s College, in 1980/81, to Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka, Lagos, Filani has produced thousands of art teachers, scholars and artists, who are helping to build the Nigerian dream of a better society for all.”

On the theme: “Kunle Filani: The Multi-Sidedness of Creative Activism”, the former CBAAC Director-General described him as an “accomplished artist”, “consummate teacher”, “art historian”, “art critic/writer”, “administrator”, “activist”, and “gentleman”. His words: “Every remarkable epoch in human history is marked with outstanding actors/individuals, who help to define the successes and heights of such periods. There is no doubt that Filani is one of the creative individuals whose composite talents, vision and drive have helped to define the contemporary visual arts scene in Nigeria.”

As an artist, Babawale said, Filani’s role in the establishment of the Onaism art movement was worthy of mention, adding that “Filani’s work has tried to change the historical narrative by promoting the African and in particular the Yoruba perspective”.

Although Filani, according to Babawale, may not be an activist of the firebrand, fire eating mould, he, however, observed that the art scholar, nevertheless, qualified as an activist, noting that he “takes on various issues of national importance in his artworks and interrogates them in a bid to draw attention to them on one hand, and to seek solution to them on the other”.

“To me personally, Emmanuel Olakunle Filani is a good man, consummate artist, scholar, writer, visionary and above all, my friend. It is on this joyful note that I fervently pray that the tribe of the Filanis in our clime will increase as I wish him many more creative and fruitful years of service to his country Nigeria in particular and humanity at large,”he said.

Others, who spoke, eulogised Filani in no small measure. To his wife, Madam Tina: “My husband is truly a good man, a good husband, and a good father. He deserves to be celebrated and I am glad to see old and new friends celebrating him. I am proud of him.”

Among the guests were members of the staff of the Federal College of Education, Osiele, Ogun State, Mufu Onifade and Bolaji Ogunwo, who came decked in grey-coloured T-shirts with the inscription: “Behold My Benefactor @ 60”.

The team, which was led by former president of Student Union Government (SUG) Alhaji Musoliudeen Abdul-Majeed, said each member was one-time part of the school’s SUG executives (between 2005 and 2007) who were employed by the celebrator. “We came all the way from Osoiele to celebrate our benefactor, Filani. He is not only our mentor, but he nurtured the activism in us, encouraged us and gave us jobs in the school where we are today.”

The Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) led by its President, Oliver Enwonwu, praised Filani, saying that his achievements are outstanding. “It is my great pleasure to be here. His many achievements easily stand him out as one of the most accomplished art teachers and painters in Nigeria in the country. SNA is proud to identify with and celebrate one of its own. Dr Filani, here is wishing you another 60 years of intellectual and artistic achievements. Congratulations.”

A performance, entitled: Eheyenyenyen, by two notable artists Jelili Atiku and Odun Orimolade added colour to the event. The act called attention to the struggle for survival in the intellectual world and all spheres of life.

The event, which two prolific artists – Onifade and Ogunwo had as hosts – was attended former Dean of YABATECH School of Art, Design and Printing, Mr Mike Omoighe; Deputy Registrar FCT, Mr Rasheed Dada; former Deputy Provost, Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, Alhaji Nurudeen Sodipe; Head of Department Fine Arts, Federal College of Education (Technical), Olusola Obayan; Tobena Okwuosa; Head of Department Fine Arts, Federal College of Education, Dr Ndubueze; Dr; Sam Ovraiti; CORA representatives – Toyin Akinosho and Jahman Anikulapo; members of Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN) led by its Southwest Coordinator, Mrs Ayoola Omovo.

Others included FCE (Osiele) team members – Joy Erikitola; Michela Akinjina; Olayemi Altise; Fasiu Amodu and Rasheed Lamidi; members of staff and students of other federal colleges of education where Filani had lectured and headed.

Also in attendance were the celebrator’s family members – Pastor Segun Filani (elder brother); Mrs. Tumi Faminuyo (younger sister); Mrs. Moji George (younger sister); Mr. Femi Filani (younger brother) and Mr. Aladewolu (in-law).

September 13, 2017
Celebrating culture sponsors

What will happen if they don’t do the festival?” It was a striking question. On August 19, the day after the grand finale of the 2017 Osun-Osogbo Festival in the Osun-Osogbo Grove in Osun State, a small group of visitors who looked like foreigners stood at the riverside in the sacred grove with a local female guide who enthusiastically told the story of Osun, the water goddess represented by an attention-grabbing statue at the edge of the mystical river. One of the fascinated visitors asked the guide the fascinating question I overheard.

As I walked out of the sacred space, that question would not leave me alone. Indeed, the question followed me to my base in Lagos. The Osun-Osogbo Grove is the site of Nigeria’s star tourist attraction and the country’s pre-eminent traditional religious festival, which draws a high number of domestic and foreign tourists. The sacred grove was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2005.

I became a pilgrim to the mystical grove right from my first visit as a journalist over two decades ago to see the spectacular festival. I had eagerly looked out for Susanne Wenger in the grove but didn’t see her. It was, therefore, a magical moment for me when I eventually came face to face with her in her Osogbo home on a different occasion while trying to get her to grant me an interview. I found out, during my research for the interview, that there was no book on her written by a Nigerian, although she was a cultural celebrity and had at the time lived in Nigeria for nearly 50 years. It was unbelievable! This was when the idea struck me to do a book on her.

At the time I informed Wenger of my plan to write a book on her, she responded positively, saying, “I bless your work and your good intentions.” She was an engaging personality well known for her remarkable devotion to Yoruba traditional gods (which earned her the Yoruba name Adunni Olorisa as a mark of her acceptance in the traditional society). She was also famous for her innovative New Sacred Art group and for her selfless dedication to the preservation of the sacred Osun-Osogbo Grove, listed as a World Heritage Site shortly after her 90th birthday in 2005- this was an interesting coincidence and the icing on the cake for Wenger.

Long before it became correct to be environment-friendly, Wenger had championed a crusade for the conservation of nature in the Osun-Osogbo Grove, albeit based on a religious premise and her conviction that deities dwelled there. It is to her credit that after her long battle with various interest groups that failed to see the need to guard the grove, the political authorities in Nigeria eventually saw her point and stepped in to protect it; and then, UNESCO followed.

Wenger’s passing on January 12, 2009, at the age of 93, after nearly 60 years in the country, was as newsy as her life. Despite her exit, indeed, because of the sad occurrence, the book project remained on course. This unique well- researched Wenger portrait offers a fresh experience of her; it consists of an extensive up-to-date close-up profile of her, and exclusive interviews that I had with her, which not only explored her extraordinary life but also yielded further insights into her thoughts and ideas on Yoruba culture and tradition at the advanced stage of her life.

It is enriched with expressive pictures of Wenger and some of her eye-catching sculptures in the grove; and other important images related to her gripping story. It is a modest way of paying a well- deserved tribute to a loyal vessel of Yoruba divinities (Olorisa); her legacy is undeniable. The book also beams the spotlight on the Osun-Osogbo Grove and the Osun-Osogbo Festival.

For the first time, the captivating story of the phenomenal Austrian artist who became an unapologetic populariser of Yoruba traditional religion and attracted global attention to Osogbo, Osun State, South-West Nigeria, is presented from a Nigerian perspective and with a Nigerian flavour.

The beauty of this book lies particularly in its liberal use of narratives by Nigerian journalists to paint a picture of this enigmatic celebrity known for her self-effacing modesty. It represents, therefore, a very Nigerian treatment of the subject. Furthermore, this is the most up-to-date book on the life and times of Susanne Wenger; it includes material on the celebration of her 100th birth anniversary in 2015 as well as the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Osun-Osogbo Grove as a World Heritage Site in the same year.

Every year, in August the Osun-Osogbo Festival is celebrated “to appease the goddess of the river.” The Chief Festival Administrator, Osun-Osogbo Festival, Otunba Ayo Olumoko, said in a statement: “We recognise and appreciate the support of all our sponsors, even though the recession and the parlous economy have forced many of them to withdraw their sponsorship of the Festival from 2015 to date. However, some of these sponsors are still loyal and faithful to accommodate the sponsorship of the Osun-Osogbo Festival. They still find it important to perform their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards Osogbo’s heritage by supporting the 2017 edition of the Osun-Osogbo Festival.”

He continued: “These sponsors, who have enjoyed the exclusivity spot in their various industries as sponsors of the Festival, have been supporting us consistently over the years; hence on this note we want to express our profound appreciation to the following: 1) Nigerian Breweries PLC and the Goldberg Larger Beverage, 28 consistent years of sponsorship; 2) Mobile Network Telecommunications (MTN) Limited, GSM exclusive sponsor since 2005; 3) Grand Oak’s Seaman’s Schnapps White Spirit, supplication drink over 25 years consecutively; 4) Government of the State of Osun, precisely 13 years running; 5) The Osogbo Cultural Heritage (OCHC) and the Osogbo Kingmakers, from cradle; 6) The Olokun Foundation, superintended by Otunba Gani Adams, since 2001 till date.”

These sponsors deserve to be celebrated for making the festival happen. They are culturally conscious and deserve to be commended for their services to culture. Hopefully, these sponsors will support me as I prepare to launch my book.

It is a reflection of the Osun State government’s cultural consciousness that it declared August 21 work free to commemorate ‘Isese Day’, which is also known as Traditional Worshipers Day. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Adelani Baderinwa, in a statement said that the holiday was to make it possible for adherents of traditional religion to celebrate. It is noteworthy that Yoruba religion is recognised by UNESCO which in 2005 added the Ifa Divination system to its list of “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”

August 21, 2017
Celebrating poetry in a special way

It was two days of the celebration of the best of poetry. Two days when the young and the old met at the Theatre Arts department of the University of Ibadan to honour and celebrate Professor Niyi Osundare, one of the greatest poets of the moment. Titled Niyi Osundare at 70: Pathway of the Muse, the third edition of the annual International Poetry Festival instituted by Dele Morakinyo and Tunde Laniyan, was an apt moment during which students, lecturers, well-wishers, lovers of poetry, native people from Osundare’s Ikere-Ekiti and more, converged to pour encomiums on this great man of letters.

Osundare is a professor of English at the University of New Orleans, United States of America. Every year, in the last three years, the literary community usually gathers to celebrate him and his numerous contributions to the development and advancement of Literature. Even though he turned 70 year in March this year, the celebration was still centred around his birthday.

This was why performances were done, recitations were made, speeches were delivered in his honour. As guests milled around the Theatre Arts auditorium, attention was focused on the numerous books written by Osundare. Those who sat inside to listen to the rich repertoire of accolades being heaped on him were filled with nostalgic smiles – for Osundare himself is a man naturally imbued with deep sense of appreciation. A thorough-bred humanist and humourist, he sat quietly on the high table, with his head bent to one side while seeping into the avalanche of things being said about him. He was profoundly moved.

Chairman of the occasion, Professor Dan Izevbaye who also was the celebrator’s teacher at the University of Ibadan during his undergraduate days opened people’s eyes to the numerous other literary ingenuities of Osundare. He said, “We tend to celebrate 70 years for it is a great achievement to be 70. Even the Bible recognized that fact. In the traditional realm, it is equally important, for now Niyi can be welcomed into the elders forum. You are now an elder and when the elders are gathered or seated, you’ll be there as one of them. So you have crossed over to the clan of elders. 70 has indeed been etched into the cultural memory of a society like ours. This therefore calls for celebration”, Izevbaye said.

He did not also forget to hint on the immeasurable contributions of Osundare to the literary firmament. “You are a great language scholar”, he said, looking him straight in the face. “You’re a great writer, a deep creative scholar. Most people who do not come close to scholars feel creative people are not normal. Even myself before I came to the university that was what I felt. Now seeing people like you and Soyinka in flesh, I said to myself oh you are real. You are normal and human.”

Describing him as a mediator through his excursion into life, Izevbaye opined, “His poetry plays this role in a splendid manner. Osundare is a mediator. He has brought back performance to poetry. The way he has formed and shaped younger followers in this new method performance has added value to poetry. Indeed, Osundare’s ability to maintain metaphor shows an extension of deep creativity. Also, his political consciousness marks him out as an outstanding literary genius. If it were in the time of the military, oh, he would be in exile because he has said so much about our leaders. His works have rattled them from all angles and in all spheres,” he concluded.

Some of Osundare’s works were also performed by some young poets. This was done as a mark of respect for him. It was equally to show how relevant and irreversible his works have come to be in the society, not only here but elsewhere. People were really in the mood for love, a line that showed the other side of the poet. A lover of nature, Osundare’s poems transcend all aspects of nature, all areas of life and he has come to demonstrate the real epitome and nuances of what an ideal society ought to represent.

When it was his time to perform, Soji Gbelekale who titled his performance as others and Niyi, said, when others are asleep, Niyi chooses to be alert, wondering and working. When others stand, Niyi chooses to sit and write. He is outstanding when others are not. This is why he is ahead and leading. Then he chooses to take things easy for he has worked, he has achieved”, he sang to the general acclaim of guests.

Gbelekale who appeared in a specially made costume, for once proved that live poetry is one of the best ways to win new converts. He first rendered his lines on Yoruba to bring out the centrality of Ikere as a beacon of poetry. As he aligned poetry of the rural areas to modernity, he drew attention to the importance of every poet’s cradle in what he or she does.

Gbelekale’s stance was corroborated by some Ikere indigenes who witnessed the occasion. The general reframe was that Ikere prepared Niyi Osundare for what he is today. Yes, Ikere is a town of poetry. The people know how to sing. Every celebration has its own songs rendered to appeal to the people. Yes, the people know how to dance, how to drum, how to compose new songs around the exploits of their ancestors. People have been doing this since time immemorial that Osundare grew up in this enviable tradition and culture.

As a border town between Ekiti and Ondo, Ikere is symbolic in different ways. Never conquered or defiled by the British or other external forces, the people have consistently cherished, preserved and prospered their numerous heritages.

In his own speech, Professor Nelson Fasina of the department of English, the University of Ibadan went down memory lane to unearth the Osundare of the 1980s. “This is one man that upheld the high standards of academics. But Nigeria today looks like a failed state. Yes, indeed, it is a failed state by all standards. The governance is an aberration. Indeed, these form the centerpiece of Osundare’s works. Why, for instance, shouldn’t we know where our President is? This is an aberration. Even the university has lost its values. This also, is an aberration. And all these constitute what the poet deals with every now and then,” he said.

The chairman of Ikere Local government area, Sola Alonge, who came in from Ekiti State thanked Osundare rather humorously for using his criticisms of the stomach infrastructure parlance in the state to open their eyes more to what needed to be done to help the poor. “Today,” he said, bowing before Osundare, “we have a department of stomach infrastructure in the local government to assist indigent people in the state. Part of those things you said about it in form of criticism gave us this idea and we are grateful”, he said.

June 18, 2017
Celebrating the melting pot of cultures

Lagosians gathered for a review of the history of the Centre of Excellence during the celebration of its 50th anniversary. The papers presented explored the uniqueness of the state, its development and the role played by some personalities over the years, writes MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE.

THE golden jubilee celebration in Lagos has generated a lot of interest since it started in April. Residents did not fail to notice that something unique was taking place in the metropolis. The Lagos at 50 celebrations has been on in the form of exhibition of rare historical artifacts, decoration of streets and commissioning of projects.

For instance, when Lagos State reviewed its history at the Eko Hotel and Suits, members of the diplomatic corps, politicians, traditional rulers and students from secondary and tertiary institutions thronged the venue to find out what makes Lagos unique. The lecture, which took place under the theme, Lagos: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, was delivered by a notable historian, Prof. Hameed Danmole, the Dean, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Al-Hiknah University, Ilorin.

Danmole said Lagos confronted its challenges headlong and emerged successful. He said the megacity has existed long before the arrival of Portuguese explorers and other foreign agents, who came for the purpose of commerce. He said the explorers came purposely to exploit Lagosians; they set the traditional institution asunder by instigating warfare among local communities and initiated the struggle for power between King Kosoko and King Akintoye. Danmole added that the resilient spirit of Lagosians worked against the colonial domination. He noted that overtime leaders with vision and revolutionary character came on board to put Lagos on international map as the bastion of nation’s economy.

The historian said the emergence of Alhaji Lateef Jakande advanced the developmental process of Lagos, stressing that his housing and education policies have remained one of the best in the country.

He said: “The emergence of Jakande in Lagos did lot of magic for the state. He built schools that gave Lagos the lead among other states. His housing policy gave low income earners the opportunity to own their houses in Lagos. Even the Lagos Metro line project conceived by him would have eased the burden of commuters, if it had not been truncated by the government at the centre.”

Danmole maintained that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was a revolutionary leader who set in motion the Lagos Developmental Plan, stressing that he hit the ground running for the monumental progressed made by Lagos.

He said: “Tinubu is a man of ideas, he revolutionised governance in Lagos. Lagos witnessed massive development in view of the plan he laid. He did not only provide the template, but produced successor who have maintained the plan to keep Lagos as the dream city. He urged the state to fully utilize its God’s given environment especially in area of water transportation, to achieve what other countries have achieved in term of technological advancement.”

Similarly, the keynote speaker Governor Akinwunmi Ambode attributed the greatness of the state to its position as the melting pot of cultures. He said Lagos was a place where people, irrespective of their background, feel at home, because the people were very accommodative.

Ambode explained that in view of the success story of Lagos in the last 50 years, the government felt it the imperative of marking the occasion with pump and pageantry. He said Lagos had effectively transited from an administrative entity to global phenomenon. He noted that as the fifth largest economy in Africa, it has provided opportunities for people across the globe to explore its economy.

The governor said the lecture was equally important because it was an opportunity to reflect on the past, engage in an objective appraisal of the present and take a realistic prognosis of the future of another fifty years.

He said: “It was in view of the task that necessitated the assemblage of knowledgeable royal fathers, elder statesmen, jurists of distinction and Lagos indigenes of repute to trace the history of the state and proffer insights to the future. It is important for us at this epochal gathering to refresh our memory about the beginning; the journey of how the Awori played an important role in the evolution of what we call Lagos today.

“The same applies to the evolution of the Eko royalty with the coming of the Bini from present day Edo State and even the momentous role played by the Tappa in the making of our dear state.

“Our greatness is in our ability to be the melting pot for all cultures and as at today, there is no tribe in Nigeria that is not represented in Lagos. From the Hausa/Fulani to the Igbo to the Kanuri to the Ibibio, the Nupe, the Berom, the Igala and so on and so forth, all have spaces to live and live well in our dear state.

“Lagos is not just national in outlook. It is international. The Americans are here; the British are here; South Africans are in their thousands; the Chinese are not in short supply; and the Indians even have a community in Lagos.

“With all sense of modesty, there is no other state like Lagos in Nigeria. Some may say we owe this to the fact that Lagos used to be a Federal Capital Territory. But, I really do not think so. While that may have contributed to our greatness, we are also a unique people ready to make fellow human-beings from other lands feel home away from home.”

Another contributor, the first Town Clerk of the Lagos City Council, Senator Habib Fashinro, said Lagos need not relent on its oars, calling on government to borrow the examples of Singapore and Malaysia that came from crawling economies to become world beaters.

Fashinro reflected on the huge sacrifice made by Lagos to have a decent city state, pointing out that Lagosians resisted the obnoxious water rate tax imposed on them. He said Lagosians were united against the colonial masters when the people discovered that they never had their progress in mind. He called for the transformation of the present local government areas and local council development areas as agencies of development. He said the council’s duties to the grassroots were beyond its present task.

The former Town Clerk said present crops of politicians were mostly after whatever they could gain and not to render service that would even up development. He said: “With regards to my experience at the Town Council, I will like to see the present Lagos councils transformed into agencies of development. Lagos has attracted more people to itself than any other state in Nigeria and I think many other countries in the world.

“He said Lagos has attracted more people than expected, the council chairmen should balance this up by providing service. They must maintain all the infrastructures build by their predecessors in order to live up to the expectation of the electorate.”

Former Federal Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, urged those describing Lagos as a no-man’s land to study the history of Lagos. He said it was unfair and misguided for some people to think that Lagos lacks its history and people. He said there are indigenous people in Lagos, noting that the early sojourners in Lagos and founders of Lagos had never been in contention.

Okunnu said: “So, who are Lagosians? They are Aworis, the original indigenes of Eko, the Nupe, Oshodi-Tappa, those from Bini from Present Edo State, returnees from Brazil, Saros from Sierra leone, Ijebu-Ikorodu and the Egba and Ijesha; their descendant constitute the history of who Lagos are.

“It was again the sophistication of Lagos as the political hub of the country that motivated notable politicians to live in Lagos in pursuit of their aspirations. I must say the late Oba of Lagos, Adeniji Adele, was one of those who advocated for the creation of Lagos. And we must give thanks to General Yakubu Gowon, who thought it expedient to, in 1967, to create Lagos, because he was also under pressure not to create Lagos.

“Some of those who also made the Lagos dream possible are Philip Asiodu and Alison Ayida played prominent roles in the creation of Lagos. They are not from Lagos State, but fought for the creation of the state.

“So, we must learn to bury the ethnicity toga, if we must make progress as a people. We the older generation has damaged the image of the country, you the younger generation should try and rebuild it. All the Ohaneze, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), the Egbesu Boys, the Arewa etc should be confined to cultural area and not be used to cause division among us, if we must make progress.”

Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Bashorun also commended the administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for bringing the number of councils in the state to 57. He said the only way development could get to the grassroots was to further split the council. He said Lagos deserves more councils with the rate it is being populated and that it would not be out of place if additional 10 councils were added to the present ones in no distant time.

The chairman of the occasion, the traditional ruler of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, called on Lagosians to change their attitude to work, adding that the era where they encamp in the houses of politicians for free food and money was over.

“As I speak with you, these politicians and lots of their followers thrive from begging for money. Let me tell you that era is gone; government does not have free money to give to politicians. We must be honest with ourselves and put the records straight when we are addressing historical matters that affect Lagos.

“I always refer King Kosoko as one of greatest Oba of Lagos because he gave British the toughest time. And the problem of Lagos is seemingly environmental and unemployment. We should bring suggestion to assist the government on how to solve the problems. Those who are clamouring for land should let us have his developmental plan, the way some of our Baale and Obas are handling land matter is not proper. We need to reflect on all the matter.”

Former Governor Ogun State Segun Osoba commended Lagos for the love it has who shown non indigenes over the years. Osoba said: “Those of us who are non-indigenes have tapped from the great environment Lagos provided for its people to develop. Ogun and Lagos have always enjoyed the cooperation of one another. I will urge the Lagos and Ogun governments to look further in harnessing the areas that would bring development to both sides.”

June 15, 2017
Celebrating ‘Spirit of Lagos’ At 50
Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode once affirmed the metropolitan nature as well as the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural composition of Lagos when he said: “Let me assure Lagosians that the state is home to every tribe and ethnic group. We are all brothers in Lagos and it shall continue to be like that”.

Ambode’s position is, of course, a true reflection of the nature of Lagos. Lagos is home to all. Subsequent administrations in the state, especially since the dawn of current political dispensation, have gone to limitless length to preserve the multi-ethnic status of Lagos. Indeed, the peace the state has enjoyed over the years is a manifestation of unrelenting efforts of the state government in accommodating various interest groups in the state.

On a regular basis, the state government organizes stakeholders’ forums with leaders of ethnic/tribal communities in the state to rub mind together on how to make Lagos a better place for all. Specifically, the state government has a healthy relationship with the various ethnic and tribal groups in the state. The result of this robust relationship is the atmosphere of peace and harmony that reign in the state.

Without a doubt, Lagos has continued to show the way forward in its commitment to an indivisible Nigeria where no one is denied opportunities for self-actualization on mundane considerations. The state’s primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities and, indeed, other such infrastructure remain accessible to all Nigerians without any discrimination. Through the instrumentality of the state Security Trust Fund, the state government has continued to ensure the safety and security of every Lagos resident.

The public primary and secondary schools in the state have continued to open their doors to all Nigerians irrespective of tribal and ethnic affiliations. Since the inception of the now popular Spelling Bee competition among public secondary schools in the state, past winners that have emerged as ‘One Day Governors’ amply demonstrate the cosmopolitan nature of the state’s public schools.

Traditionally, the hospitable disposition of Lagosians is legendary. It is a global legend that Lagosians are hospitable people who go the extra mile to accommodate visitors. In Nigeria, Lagos remains a major melting pot where all Nigerians could feel at home, irrespective of ethnic and religious differences. There is no other state that has opened its doors to accommodate Nigerians of various shades as Lagos does. Everyone who resides in Lagos is traditionally referred to as a Lagosian.

In Lagos State, excellence and competence remain major factors in the recruitment of its workforce. Apart from the Federal Civil Service, the Lagos State Public Service remains, perhaps, the only one in the country that employs its personnel without regards to ethnic and tribal factors. Today, the state public service has in its fold Nigerians that cut across the major ethnic/ tribal divides in the country. While some states in the country employ or even retrench based on ethnic considerations, Lagos State has simply continued its policy of absorbing qualified Nigerians into its public service.

In Nigeria, Lagos remains a bastion of hope for thousands of people, especially youths, who aspire to fulfil their dreams in life. Lagos is a place where a ‘nobody’ could rise to become a noticeable figure in the society. Many have arrived the city-state without a clear-cut picture of what the future holds. But somehow, they eventually become a reference point in their chosen career.

Many have linked this trend to the ‘Spirit of Lagos’ which is a metaphor for the never say die instinct of a typical Lagosian who is rugged, determined and relentless. Even in the face of adversity, he stands strong and refuses to give in to defeat or failure. The ‘Spirit of Lagos’ is the heart of Lagos and it is infectious. In Lagos, everyone is a hustler. Don’t ‘dull’ yourself, a euphemism for ‘the necessity for smartness’, is a popular cliché in Lagos. So, everyone that gets to Lagos naturally inhales the bursting Lagos air and suddenly becomes unusually inclined towards attaining success.

And providentially, Lagos never disappoints! There is something for almost everyone in the city. No focused man stays in Lagos and wallows in hopelessness. Another popular cliché in the city goes: “it is only a lazy man that stays in Lagos and has nothing doing’. True! Lagos offers everyone something. From the art to entertainment and from sports to tourism and across every sector, Lagos gives something refreshing to everyone.

In Lagos, Ajegunle represents the undying spirit of Lagos. Ajegunle typifies the craggy Lagos neighbourhood where one might be tempted to ask as in biblical parlance – Can anything good come out of Nazareth? But just as the much vilified Nazareth paradoxically produced the Saviour, Ajegunle, has produced some of the nation’s most famous and iconic sporting and entertainment stars. From Ras Kimono to Majek Fashek, from Daddy Showkey to Father U-Turn, from Samson Siasia to Taribo West, Ajegunle has become a breeding ground for sporting and entertainment entrepreneurs in the country.

There is, perhaps, no other episode, in contemporary time, that best depicts Lagos as a land of opportunity better than that of Olajumoke. Olajumoke’s story is almost similar to that of young David in the Bible who woke one morning as a shepherd boy only to end the day as the anointed king of Israel! In a narrative that could only find direct parallel in contemporary Nollywood scripts, Olajumoke, a mother of two, on a fateful day in February 2016 was going about her normal chore of a bread seller when she suddenly stumbled on famous photographer TY Bello’s set and before you could say Jack Robison, one thing led to the other and she is now a famous model.

In only a few months, she became a brand ambassador for Payporte, and scores of other modelling deals with fashion brands like Salma Guzel followed. She has also been interviewed on CNN, and has become the most googled person in Nigeria. Today, Olajumoke’s story has become an inspiration to people across the country. The gist is that if an illiterate bread seller could suddenly become a celebrity, Lagos offers hope to everyone. In order to really align with her new found celebrity status, Olajumoke reportedly started a programme with Poise Nigeria, a Nigerian etiquette and finishing school where she is said to be taking courses in English Grammar and Communication, and also in Total Personality Development. That is the Spirit of Lagos.

At 50, the future, no doubt, looks good for Lagos. With a re-engineered economy, improved infrastructure and political stability, Lagos remains a rising African city-state and a bastion of hope for the African continent.
- Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
May 25, 2017
Celebrating a memorable life

With his transition to the great beyond, General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo has assumed a new title. He became an ancestor, an enviable title that everyone looks forward to. It is the most that humans can become, short of deification.

Back in the days of ancient warriors, powerful kings and graceful queens, the likes of Oduduwa, Obatala, Ogun, Sango, Oya and Osun, when valour enjoyed recognition and uncommon attributes had an other-worldly character, deification was the loyalists’ answer to the physical loss of the icons of the tribe. It was also an expression of our implicit acceptance of the belief that humans are godlike creatures, participating in varying degrees in the pursuits of the spiritual and physical realms.

We have since jettisoned deification not because there are no longer worthy candidates. Rather, we no longer deify because, on the one hand, we have come to embrace our humanity and mortality as more germane to our essence than spirituality, and on the other hand because we have accepted the truth of two new religions both of which originated from the Middle East and effectively remind us of our human vanity. Of course, we know that while one of the two religions absolutely condemns deification and symbolic representations, the other rewards human goodness with sainthood, a shade above ancestorship, at death.

Significantly, our language expresses our outlook on life and the ironic upside of death which elevates us and relieves our human misery: Ni ojo ti a ku laa deere; eniyan ko sunwon laaye (death idolises us; alive, we are less than worthy). And to gain the reward of idolisation, we are counselled to be remain humane, gentle and generous, so that our offspring can proudly give us a befitting burial (Ka rin gbede, ka lee ku pele, komo eni lee fowo gbogboro gbe ni sin.)

The lesson is obvious. For traditional Yoruba, death is the final arbiter of a life well-lived. How we die is a testimony to how we live. And since we can predict the experience of the other world from the experience of the last days, a good death is a signal of a good life beyond. The logic of this belief is clear: Live well to die well. Die well and your life beyond is certain to be good.

We should be thankful to death then, especially when it comes after a life that is memorable and productive. For with such a life, there is an assurance of immortality, which is to live on in the legacy of one’s accomplishments and in the memory of those left behind.

Death has another role in the being of the living. In the Yoruba worldview, the reward or punishment is not necessarily deferred to the other world. It starts with ojo atisun— the last day on which wickedness, treachery, community betrayal are punished and goodness rewarded. Thus, we are reminded of the death of Gaa, the one-time wicked strongman of Oyo Empire, whose reign of terror ended in infamy as he suffered terribly at death: Boo laya koo sika, boo ranti iku Gaa ki o sooto.

When, therefore, we are fortunate to celebrate the passing of an icon, who traversed both the traditional and modern facets of our nation, and did so with uncommon bravery, elegance, devotion and grace, we have evidence of a good life. But second, we are witnesses to a good death, which is peaceful in the waiting hands of loving children and family. We must roll out the drums in gratitude to God and the ancestors whom he has joined.

The contributions of General Adebayo to modern Nigeria are well-known to my generation and those before me. But our younger patriots need to be reminded. First, on the modernity side. Professionally, General Adebayo served the country meritoriously and gallantly as a gentleman and an officer of the Nigerian Army. Commissioned as an officer in 1953, he was one of the first Africans to join the Royal West African Frontier Force. He was also one of the first Nigerian Commissioned Officers of the Nigerian Army, attaining the N7 identity as the seventh Nigerian officer at the end of his Cadet Training in the United Kingdom.

With the need for further training taking him to the Staff College in Surrey, England and the Imperial Defence College, London, he sometimes found himself the only African among his peers, earning a first in several positions to which he was appointed.

General Adebayo was the first Nigerian General Staff Officer at the United Nations Headquarters (1961); the first national General Staff Officer Grade 2 at the Nigerian Army Headquarters from 1961 to 1962; the first Nigerian General Staff Officer Grade 1, 1962-63; and the first Nigerian Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army from 1964 to 1965. It is safe to suggest, therefore, that with his pioneering efforts in his various posts, General Adebayo helped to lay the foundation of a Nigerian Army that was professional and patriotic before it got derailed from its mission.

It is also significant that when the Army was to derail, General Adebayo was not around because he was on a course in England. Perhaps, if he was around and his counsel was sought, the coup and its aftermath might have been prevented. Just maybe! However, he did offer his counsel against the civil war:

“I need not tell you what horror, what devastation and what extreme human suffering will attend the use of force. When it is all over and the smoke and dust have lifted, and the dead are buried, we shall find, as other people have found, that it has been futile, entirely futile, in solving the problems we set out to solve.” How prophetic! For speaking truth to power, even if ineffective for preventing the tragic outcome, he was vindicated. “It has all been futile, entirely futile.”

In view of his position on the war and his counsel against it, General Gowon used good judgment in appointing General Adebayo as the Chairman of the Committee on the Reconciliation and Integration of the Igbo Back into the Nigerian Polity, at the end of the war. With the resurgence of Biafran sentiment, however, it is doubtless that much still needs to be done and the nation has a long way to go. This is not the responsibility of any individual. Whether we end up as one indivisible nation or many separate entities, is a question for all to answer. General Adebayo did his best as a reconciler.

In the realm of public administration, General Yakubu Gowon assigned General Adebayo to serve as the second military governor of the Western Region after the assassination of Col. Adekunle Fajuyi in July 1966. He served in this position until 1971 when he was assigned to head the Nigerian Defence Academy. His governorship years were eventful. The West was still reeling from the political crisis of 1965. Division was deep and mutual suspicion was rife. On top of this was the Agbekoya Farmers’ crisis over taxation. It took exemplary act of political leadership and the support of Yoruba political leaders to solve the crisis and for there to be lasting peace.

General Adebayo retired from the military in 1975, after serving for 22 years. But he soldiered on in civilian outfit, serving his local, regional and national communities, and accumulating numerous accolades in the process. He was Chairman of the Yoruba Council of Elders, a non-partisan group that sought to bridge the divisions created by party politics in Yorubaland.

There is no doubt that General Adebayo lived a memorable life. He has also earned immortality, having been survived by children whose great achievements he witnessed. A former governor was survived by a former governor! How common is that? More importantly, his proud heirs, among who are the current six governors of the Southwest, are much more than his biological offspring. That he passed on at a time when the Southwest appears to achieve a rare unity of purpose is a divine reward of his pioneering efforts. This is what it means to rest in peace!

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May 19, 2017