The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Counting

  • Counting the gains of Buhari’s U.S. trip

    In this analysis entitled: “Highlighting the benefits of Buhari’s meeting with Trump”, Prudence Arobani of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) captures the gains of President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to the United States (U.S.).

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s recent meeting with his United States (U.S.) counterpart Donald Trump gave the two leaders the opportunity to discuss significant issues bordering on fight against terrorism and how to grow Nigeria’s economy through partnership.
    The meeting at the White House in Washington DC., U.S., was important even as Buhari became the first sub-Saharan African leader to be hosted by President Trump for such a fundamental bilateral talks on more issues such as trade, investment and governance.
    It drew the attention of Nigerians and global players in terms of expectations and opportunities, which discerning observers describe as significant as strategic.
    After the bilateral meetings and subsequent meetings with investors, some analysts however observe that the visit has brought some gains and opportunities for Nigeria.
    Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said that the meeting discussed how to increase the level of trade between both countries.
    He said: “On security, the U.S. has been helping Nigeria, supplying military equipment in the fight against terrorism and there is agreement to continue the cooperation between the two countries.
    “In the area of governance, the meeting discussed the return to Nigeria of the money that has been siphoned out of Nigeria and lodged in various banks around the world.
    “There is cooperation with U.S. helping to repatriate these funds to Nigeria, so they are good wins on the security side, continued cooperation and, of course, repatriations of these funds and increase in trade.’’
    The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, said that the U.S. government was committed to repatriating more than $500 million dollars to Nigeria.
    Malami said: “There have been clear directives for both attorneys-general to meet and have a road map for the repatriation of the assets and we have succeeded in having a very positive progress.
    “The truth is that we are looking at the shortest practicable time for the repatriation but the fact is that there is political commitment by the two presidents.
    “This is a clear demonstration of the fact that the possibility of having the money repatriated within the shortest possible time cannot be ruled out.”
    Sharing similar sentiments Industry, Trade & Investment , Minister Okechukwu Enelamah said that Trump acknowledged the importance of the Nigerian economy in Africa and the role Nigeria could play in its relations with U.S.
    Enelamah said: “There is an acknowledgment that the U.S. is clearly the number one economy in the world and there is a lot of room for cooperation which both presidents view as a priority.
    “There are a lot of cooperation such as the commercial and investment dialogue which we have signed with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.
    “It is really focused on how to deepen the commercial relationship in support of businesses from the two countries as well as the growing trade in a win-win partnership.’’
    Enelamah said that U.S. businesses operating in Nigeria were looking for a way to increase their investments to improve production and create employment.
    He said: “There is the big one — the $2 billion investment — to revamp our existing rail and making sure it is used for cargo and transport.
    “That is the narrow gauge and the exiting rails we have in addition to all the new ones we have and that is just one investment from one company.
    “Some of the companies which authorities Buhari had met with included John Deere for assembling and supplying tractors in Nigeria.”
    He said that the company would train, employ people and help the agriculture value chain in terms of mechanisation and automation, among others.
    The minister said that other multi-million dollar companies such as Cotava and Continental Grains, among others, were committed to making serious investments in Nigeria that would run into billions of dollars.
    He went further: “Boeing is very interested in supporting the aviation sector; it plans to roll out something that will increase the availability of flights from Nigeria while Procter & Gamble is looking to expand its investment in Nigeria.
    “So, in terms of investment and commitment, there is every reason to be positive, it is certainly in billions of dollars, we need to sharpen our pencils and take it on.
    “I was encouraged by the level of engagement, commitment and frankly, the way people perceive and assess the opportunities; I think it’s good we had the blessings and the endorsement of the two presidents.
    “We have had meetings that backed that up; going forward, we are looking to see good things come out of this visit.’’
    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun also described the meeting as “very fruitful, insightful and successful.’’
    According to Amosun, the Trump administration showed commitment and the general impression that it would support what the Nigerian government was doing.
    He said: “We are gaining a lot; in the area of security, they’ve actually said they’re not only selling those Tucano helicopters to us, they’re going to follow it up with training and other assistance.
    “In fact, as we speak, they are already in Nigeria assisting and they promised to do more.’
    The governor said that he was impressed by Trump’s commitment that the U.S. would now focus on the agriculture sector in its assistance to Nigeria.
    Amosun’s colleague in Plateau State Simon Lalong said Buhari’s meeting with Trump “is not only fantastic but successful for the progress of Nigeria.”
    He added: “If you look at the totality of why we are here, I think we have even achieved more than what we bargained for.
    “So, in all the areas, they promised to help us, particularly in fighting terrorism and the security challenges that we have.’’
    Also, retired Justice Sylvanus Nsofor, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., expressed joy that Buhari’s visit was successful.
    Irrespective of the success and expectations from the meeting, concerned Nigerians have cautioned the Federal Government against being carried away by the euphoria of the visit.
    They advise that the authorities should rather make concerted efforts to leverage on the goodwill of the U.S. government and ensure that Nigerians reap the benefits of the visit.

  • ACA : 70 and counting

    TODAY, Anwar-ul Islam College (formerly Ahmadiyya College) Agege (ACA)  turns 70. Its story is not different from that of other mission schools. It was founded by men who believed in education and in the development of the mind  through  qualitative learning. The road to the founding of ACA in 1948 was rough. It was a period when Christian secondary schools dotted the landscape. There were no Muslim secondary schools then. It was a big challenge for the fathers of the Islamic faith who witnessed what was going on.

    They watched as their children were either denied places in the Christian schools or forced to change their names and embrace Christianity in order to enter those schools. To them, it was the height of humiliation for a man to be made to denounce his faith just because he wanted to go to school. The belief back then was that Muslims were not at home with Western education. The thinking was once they have gone to primary school and spiced it with Arabic education, that was the end of the matter.

    This profiling of Muslims as no-good when it comes to Western education did not go down well with leading members of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam , the forerunner of the Anwar-ul Islam Movement in Nigeria. They believed that Muslim kids would hold their own against their Christian counterparts if provided a level playing field. These men started thinking about establishing the first Muslim secondary school not only in the country but in West Africa. It was a daunting task, but they gave it their all. Although these men are no more with us today, the seed they sowed 70 years ago have continued to grow.

    These great men were Alhaji Saka Tinubu, Alhaji Jubril Martins, Alhaji Issa Akangbe Williams, Alhaji Nurudeen Bakre Kenku, Alhaji Bakare Disu Oshodi, Alhaji K. D. Oshodi, Alhaji Y. P. O. Shodeinde, Justice Lateef Dosunmu,  Alhaji Fanimokun and Alhaji Allison, among others. They built ACA with their sweat and blood. They turned virtually everything they had over to the school. ACA owes whatever it is today to these eminent men. If not for them, the idea would have remained a dream. They made the dream come true by pooling resources to establish the school.

    Seventy years on, their dream of a great school remains undying because of the steadfastness of many who came after them. My own set was particularly lucky as we entered the school in January, 1973, three months to the celebration of its 25th anniversary on April 5 of the same year. The silver anniversary was celebrated with pomp and ceremony. As bright-eyed kids we had fun like we never did before.

    To ensure that the school took off on a sound footing, Alhaji Martins and Alhaji Bakare Oshodi went on an educational tour of the Middle East and some Muslim countries in 1946. It was a fruitful tour as they got some scholarships for the training of teachers. The Principal of principals, Alhaji Jimoh Adisa Gbadamosi under whose wings many generations of students were groomed, was one of the  beneficiaries of the scholarships. In a piece titled: My stewardship with the college, Alhaji Gbadamosi recalled: “In September, 1949, I proceeded to the British Isles to pursue, on full scholarship of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, a degree course in Arts and Diploma in Education. With gratitude to God, I returned home in October, 1954 as a qualified graduate teacher with my colleagues, Alhaji R. A. Folami and Alhaji R. A. Balogun, who also completed their academic and professional courses successfully’’.

    The three played great roles in the life of Ahmadiyya College, which name was changed to Anwar-ul Islam College in 1976 shortly before Alhaji Gbadamosi was redeployed to Jubril Martins Memorial Secondary School at Iponri as principal. He swapped places with Alhaji Balogun, who was brought to Agege. Alhaji Gbadamosi had succeeded Alhaji Folami at Agege in 1960. Of the trio, only Alhaji Gbadamosi aka Oga is still alive today. He was 91 on March 18. The story of ACA is one of struggle and determination. It started off at 4, 6 and 8, Olushi Street, Lagos Island, on April 5, 1948. Houses 4 and 6 were donated to the school by Alhaji Martins and Alhaji Kenku; House 8 belonged to the Movement.

    The school came to be because of the commitment of these men and other like minds who came after them like Alhaji Babatunde Jose, who also led the Movement in the late 60s and early 70s. Olushi was too small for the kind of school the founding fathers had in mind. So, in 1942, the Movement acquired 87 acres of land in Oniwaya,  Agege, where the school stands till today. Its take-off at Olushi was almost marred because it could not get a graduate to head it as principal as required by law. Eventually, the Movement’s ‘’tortuous search’’ for a graduate ended when it got a Ghanaian, Mr J. I. Thompson Hagan, for the job.

    To mark the 70th anniversary,  a public lecture titled : ‘’Child education : A lasting legacy’’ will be delivered today at the school hall by Dr Abaniwonda of the Lagos State University (LASU). The lecture will be preceded by a press conference. There is cause for the college to celebrate because it holds a pride of place among secondary schools in the country. Though 70, it has achieved what many colleges which are older than it have not achieved. In academics and extra-curricula activities, the school is not a push over.

    Where will the school be in the next 30 years? By then, it will be 100, an age, which many of the schools it rubs shoulders with, have since attained. At 100, ACA will not be less the school it is today. The school remains standing because of the solid foundation laid by its founders. It has had its ups and downs, especially following the acquisition of mission schools by the government in 1978. Things have since turned around for it for good following the return of the schools to their owners. The school can only go higher and higher in order to keep the dream of its founding fathers alive. And that is the only way it can continue to live up to its motto, which is  Aut Optimum Aut Nihil (Either the best or nothing).

  • Journalism: 30 years and still counting

    Journalism: 30 years and still counting

    Until I saw the facebook announcement of a live chat by the Chairman of the Editorial Board, The Nation, Sam Omatseye,  to mark the 30th anniversary of his journalism career, it didn’t occur to me that I had missed marking my own anniversary.

    As I responded in my comment on the post, Omatseye is undoubtedly an accomplished journalist who has made and continues to make his mark in the profession. From being a reporter, journalism teacher and now a foremost columnist, Omatseye’s 30 years’ odyssey is worthy of celebration and I join in congratulating him for his accomplishments.

    His weekly Monday column in The Nation,’In touch’, is usually a well-articulated discourse of major national issues laced with historical facts and literary allusions. His views may be usually controversial, but he sure comes across as having the strength of conviction on what he writes about.

    He is very passionate about good journalism practice and doesn’t miss any opportunity to advocate for it or spot talented journalists who he goes out of his way to support in every way he can.

    Great journalists are made of the stuff Omatseye is made of based on his reports and writings in and outside the newsroom in the past 30 years. I wish him many more years of meritorious practice.

    How times fly. Like Omatseye, it’s over thirty years since I got my letter of appointment as Ogun State Correspondent of The Punch newspaper in May 1987. I still recall how I reluctantly accepted the appointment because what I wanted was a job in the Lagos headquarters and not anywhere else where I had not lived.

    The Managing Director of the paper, Mr Ademola Osinubi, who was then Deputy Editor convinced me that based on copies of my stories he had read, I would be able to do the job despite being a fresh graduate. He also ‘cajoled’ me that I would have an office to myself and a telephone as a state correspondent.

    I have him to thank for the confidence he and the then Editor, Alhaji Nojeem Jimoh, had in me to entrust me with the major responsibility of covering Ogun State which in no small way boosted my confidence and provided unmatchable learning opportunities that prepared me for the years ahead.

    Many things I still do today have their roots in The Punch, including my understanding of the new media and media career development.

    My career has seen me moving from The Punch after twelve years to brief stints in the defunct National Interest, Financial Standard, New Age and now The Nation where I have a few months to equal The Punch years.

    I set out to be a journalist from my secondary school days, thanks to my late father who gave me access to newspapers and many literature books.  Thirty years after, I have no regrets and will do it again if I have the opportunity to start all over again.

    Despite many negative impressions about journalism, the profession has been good to me in too many ways that I can’t deny as I declared in a recent facebook post.

     

  • Counting the gains of ports regulation

    For many years, doing business in Nigerian ports was roundly condemned as a harrowing experience. This stemmed from the high level of inefficiency that characterized the operations at the ports such as unnecessary delays in the turnaround time for ships and high cargo dwell time.

    The consequences of these were that sub-standard goods found their ways into the country, the national treasury was denied its due accruals, youth unemployment blossomed and the masses were short-changed as the image of the country dimmed in the comity of nations.

    The fear of an unfriendly ports climate therefore became the beginning of wisdom for a lot of foreign investors. Unfortunately, Nigeria, since independence and until recently, was conducting affairs at the seaports like a typical civil service set-up. A tinge of reforms introduced in 2006 when the ports terminals were concessioned to the private sector by the federal government yielded little results.

    Concessionaires re­portedly capitalised on the absence of a regulator to introduce scathing charges that have swelled the cost of doing business in Nigerian ports.

    Empirical evidences abound of the Federal Government’s port reform programme.

    A Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) report released by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption (TUGAR) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Nigerian ports established that an importer or agent will require a minimum of 79 signatures of government officials to clear his/her goods at the nation’s gateways.

    This was viewed by stakeholders as rather unfortunate because the concession of ports to the private sector was aimed to accelerate the pace at which the country’s ports will become the preferred cargo destination for, not only Nigerian importers but also, shippers from some West African and Central African countries.

    Several years into the implementation of the seaport concession scheme, the cost of doing business at the nation’s seaports kept going up with shippers and their agents alleging that terminal operators have continued to maintain a regime of arbitrary charges for port services.

    They were also complaints over similar cost regime by foreign shipping agents, the multiplicity of levies on imports and   inadequacies of other stakeholders in the seaport sector.

    No doubt the concessioning of the seaport led to the modernisation of the operations of the ports and a great level of efficiency. Yet, the gains did not translate to reduction in cost of doing business at the ports, a development blamed on the fact that the federal government did not immediately appoint a regulator for the ports sector.

    Then came the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC). Declared the economic regulator of the ports by the federal government in February 2014, eight years after concessionaires took over the management of the seaports, the gazetting  of the functions of NSC  under the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (Port Economic) Regulations, 2015,   has lent credence  to the endorsement for its activities and the excellent manner it has discharged its responsibilities and thus affirming the agency as an economic regulator and strengthening and protecting it against unwarranted disobedience to its directives from the stakeholders.

    The NSC has acquitted itself by ensuring that all the stakeholders comprising of representatives of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food & Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) and freight forwarders among others are regulated and work for common good.

    The executive secretary and chief executive officer of the NSC, Hassan Bello, has been lucky to act as a mobilisation and stabilising factor to all agencies at the port. But the NSC must do more. Beyond what is in the statute book, there is a need for the council to harness other potential areas of the port sector with a view to enthroning real competition and bringing down the cost of doing business at the Nigerian seaports.

    The uncompetitive nature in the nation’s seaports, cargoes and vessels  have, over time, been responsible for the diversion of goods to  ports located in Nigeria’s neighbouring countries such as Cotonou, Republic of Benin, Accra and Tema , Ghana; Lome, Republic of Togo  and  Dakar , Senegal.

    Despite diverting cargoes to these foreign ports, these cargoes later find their ways into Nigerian markets through smuggling. In the end, while Nigeria loses huge income in import duties, levies and other charges payments, these neighbouring countries gain.

    It is rather strange that as strategic as our ports are to commerce in the African continent, our ports operated only eight hours daily. Fair enough, a 24 -hour operations that NSC introduced, is a good development even though it ought to have come much earlier than now. Never again must our ports be allowed to operate the bureaucracy of the civil service. They must be seen and operated as businesses to make them the desired maritime destinations to service not only Nigerians, businesses and corporations in the sub-region.

    Available statistics from the Federal Ministry of Finance indicate that about 60 percent of goods shipped into West African countries are meant for the Nigerian market. However, the poor management of our ports has resulted in the bulk of the goods destined for Nigeria going through the ports in Ghana and Benin Republic. This has resulted in a backlog of uncleared goods at major ports, in particular, the Lagos, Onne, Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Sapele – and huge demurrage to importers. It also encourages the smuggling of goods from neighbouring countries into Nigeria.

    Interestingly, since the NSC took up the leadership role, port users have witnessed tremendous improvement in complaint and arbitration mecha­nisms; prompt issuance of Ship Sail­ing Certificate and the consequent avoidance of demurrage accumulation against shipping companies and other effects. This is in tandem with international best practices.

    Also, government now enjoys improved revenue generation; improved infrastructural development; creation of efficient market; reduction of cost of doing business; improve­ment of the nation’s Global Competi­tive Index and consequent attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

    The ports regulator has equally ensured the professionalization of freight forwarding practice. This on its own leads to touting , sanitisation of the ports environment, harmonisation of clearing processes and procedure and consequent reduction of clearing charges.

    Without doubt, Nigeria is the regional maritime hub. But the NSC must also be equipped and supported in its drive to help reduce the number of days spent in clearing goods at the ports and for it to achieve the much vaunted quest to make the ports more competitive.

    What this means is that government must not lose sight of other problems hindering the effective operations and management of our ports which the ports economic regulator has already started addressing.

     

    • Ogungbesan wrote in from Apapa, Lagos

     

  • 500 days and still counting

    500 days and still counting

    We shall never be free of the burden of  bringing back the Chibok girls

    Thursday, August 27th, marked another tragic milestone in the evolving barbaric narrative of the Boko Haram terrorist insurgency that has, over the last five years, claimed thousands of lives, particularly in the North-East of Nigeria, and rendered the region economically prostrate.

    It was exactly 500 days that day since the extremist sect invaded the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, on the night of April 14, last year, abducting 276 girls who were preparing for their end-of-year Senior Secondary School examinations and carried them away in several trucks into the evil bowels of their Sambisa Forest fortress. But for about 57 of the abducted girls who were lucky to escape from their captors, nothing has been heard till date of the remaining 219 girls.

    That horrific incident shocked the entire world and exposed not only the depth of evil symbolised by the Boko Haram sect, which claimed to be waging a war against western education, but also the utter irresponsibility, insensitivity and incompetence of the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration. For one, it was simply incomprehensible how the insurgents could operate with such abandon and audacity in an area that had been placed under a state of emergency by the Federal Government.

    Even more exasperating was the inexplicable initial lethargic and unserious reaction of the Jonathan administration to the girls’ abduction. The administration only bestirred itself to act almost two weeks after the incident, and then only because of the international outcry that ensued. That squandering of valuable time is certainly a key reason why the insurgents were able to successfully spirit the girls away and their fate remains uncertain and unknown over 500 days after.

    The girls and their families heroically insisted on their obtaining western education despite the murderous threats of the Boko Haram barbarians. Unfortunately, the Nigerian State failed in its prime responsibility of providing them with adequate security to safeguard their lives. The sheer agony that the relatives and loved ones of these girls have been put through since the commencement of this ordeal can best be imagined. For, they have no way of knowing what fate has befallen the helpless girls. The parents of at least 17 of them have reportedly died during the ordeal. It is improbable that even if they are eventually rescued, the girls’ lives can ever be the same again.

    Messages of solidarity from across the world on the 500th day of their abduction show that the plight of the girls continues to haunt the global conscience. The Bring Back Our Girls movement deserves commendation for its tenacity in keeping the issue at the forefront of international consciousness. Even though it did not create the problem, the challenge and responsibility of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is to mobilise all the resources at the disposal of the Nigerian state to locate and rescue the girls. Luckily, the administration enjoys tremendous international goodwill and support, which it should draw upon to achieve this objective.

    ‘Even though it did not create the problem, the challenge and responsibility of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is to mobilise all the resources at the disposal of the Nigerian state to locate and rescue the girls. Luckily, the administration enjoys tremendous international goodwill and support, which it should draw upon to achieve this objective’

    Understandably, President Buhari has been cautious not to create the impression that he has a magic wand to find and bring the girls back home. It would be cruel and dishonest to raise the hopes of their loved ones on unrealistic premises only to have them dashed eventually. But no matter how bleak the situation looks, we must never give up hope of rescuing and returning the girls home. We agree with the sentiments of the Pakistani human rights activist, Malala Yousafzai who in a letter to the girls said: “…Today and every day, we call on the Nigerian authorities and the international community to do more to bring you home. We will not rest until you have been reunited with your families”.

  • Counting the cost of poll shift

    SIR: Before now, many have been relishing the prospect of having the much anticipated presidential election on a Valentine Day. The possibility of mixing politics with love simply aroused the interest of not a few Nigerians. The recent announcement by INEC of the rescheduling of the general elections has, however, put paid to all that. The rumpus caused by the sudden decision of INEC to postpone has continued to echo across the land.

    To begin with, the abrupt postponement of the election has, without a doubt, done much havoc to the not too admirable global image of our country. Nigeria has now become an object of ridicule across the world. What is particularly puzzling to the world is why a nation of over 170 million people cannot successfully plan an election that has been on the card for over four years.

    The shift in poll also has deep implications for the image of the Nigerian military as well as other security agencies. In citing reasons for the shift in poll date, INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, clearly made it clear that the shift became necessary mainly for security factors. His words: “There are quite a number of issues in the conduct of elections, the most critical of which is security matter which is not under the control of INEC.”

    Professor Jega further confirmed that INEC was ready with all election matters under its control but was compelled to take the security advisory from the National Security Adviser and the service chiefs into consideration in adjusting the timetable for the polls. The issue being raised by pundits is how the military which has not been able to successfully dislodge Boko Haram for six years could do same under six weeks.

    Another vital concern is what happens if the military is unable to put the security situation in the country under check before the new date. Would that lead to another shift in poll? Whichever way one looks at things, the image of the military has been badly deflated by the poll shift imbroglio and it would take sometimes before it could really come clean.

    INEC itself has come out of the poll controversy more battered than before.  Despite Professor Jega’s clever maneuver to shift attention away from INEC’s near sloppy management of the distribution of Permanent Voters’ Card, PVC, it is difficult to completely shield the electoral umpire from culpability in respect of the poll shift. It will be recalled that the 2011 presidential poll was equally shifted by a week because of hiccups experienced across the country right on poll day. This shows that INEC has a rich history of ineptitude and this does not in any way do its image any good. It is left to be seen how the electoral body hopes to wriggle itself out of the negative  lame duck tag it has been dubbed in certain quarters.

    The postponement also has far reaching implications for political parties in respect of electioneering campaigns, planning, logistics and financing. Previously, most of the candidates aspiring for various political offices have zeroed their budgeting and other associated matters on the initial election dates as earlier announced by INEC. The poll shift would, therefore, bring about additional strains on the aspirants and their political parties. With the reality of the current economic situation in the country, having to extend campaign programmes and plans for another six weeks would, undoubtedly, be a serious financial burden on the political parties and their aspirants.      It is, however, hoped that the poll shift would help to diffuse the already tense political atmosphere in the country; and that all stakeholders in the Nigerian project would see the need to embrace peace.  According to Martin Luther King, “peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”

     

    • Tayo Ogunbiyi,

    Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

  • Counting Allah’s Blessings

    A reception has been held for former FirstBank of Nigeria Plc Senior Manager Alhaja Fatimat Oyefeso, wife of former Commissioner, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Alhaji Musibau Oyefeso, following her voluntary retirement. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO reports

    The celebrator’s husband was the youngest among his Law course mates at the University of Lagos but the first to start enjoying the good things of life.

    While his peers were still searching for jobs after graduation, Alhaji Musibau Adewale Oyefeso, former Commissioner at the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and National Amir (President), The Companion (An association of Muslim Men in Business and Profession), had secured a job, lucrative enough to allow him embark on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.

    He also got married early to a career woman with a penchant for home keeping, and they started having children while many of his colleagues were still dreaming of marriage.

    By the time his colleagues could say Alhamdulilahi (Thank God) for securing a job, Alhaji Oyefeso had built his first house in Idimu, a Lagos suburb.

    These were parts of the highlights of an event held last Saturday.

    The former LASIEC chief invited friends and well-wishers to a reception for his wife, Alhaja Fatimat Yewande Oyefeso, who voluntarily retired from the FirstBank of Nigeria Plc as a Senior Manager after decades of service.

    The three-in-one ceremony featured a thanksgiving for his son, AbdulLateef on his called to Bar last Friday, and completion of a Masters programme of his daughter, Lateefah in the United Kingdom.

    Oyefeso’s new house at the GRA, Ikeja was the centre of attraction.

    His business associates, political friends and members of The Companion were there in large numbers.

    With the posh cars parked on Ladoke Akintola Street, one could be forgiven for thinking the gathering was another political assembly.

    The pavilion of the building was not specially decorated but conducive for the guests.

    It was simply a prayer event with clerics taking turns to seek Allah’s blessing on the Oyefesos and guests.

    In his short but laughter-filled admonition, Sheikh Najimdeen Jumah, the Naibul Imam of Lekki Muslim Community, took the gathering through etiquettes of thanksgiving.

    According to him, it must come with genuine intention, open mind and devoid of sinful actions.

    He said Prophet Muhammad encouraged Muslims to always give thanks.

    Sheikh Jumah, a classmate of Alhaji Oyefeso at UNILAG, said thanksgiving should not be a monthly or yearly ritual but a daily affair “because Allah’s mercies on us are uncountable.”

    He thanked Allah for the life of Oyefeso.

    “Oyefeso, he said, was the youngest among us in school and the first to achieve many things. Allah has really blessed him.”

    Praising the celebrator, Sheikh Jumah described her as the backbone of the family.

    “While many out there were searching for jobs, our own sister retired voluntarily. She is a woman many would pray to have in their family. Her affection for Gele (headgear) did not debar her daughter from embracing hijab (headscarf),” he said.

    He congratulated Lateef and Lateefah for making their parents proud.

    Secretary to the Lagos State Government Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who came with her husband, Alhaji Saheed Adebule, extolled the virtues of the Oyefesos.

    She thanked Allah that the Oyefeso matriarch left the banking profession without a scandal.

    She urged her children to continue to be good ambassadors of their family.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim National Legal Adviser Dr Muiz Adeyemi Banire congratulated the Oyefesos.

    He told the children that accomplishment of goals is different from success.

    “Whatever you acquire must be beneficial to the society; the knowledge both of you acquired must reflect positively in your relationship with the public,” he said.

    The Amir (President) of The Companion, Lagos District, Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike, described Alhaji Oyefeso as an unpredictable person in terms of rendering service to Allah.

    According to him, one’s discipline in higher institution does not make such a person successful, but rather the ability to discover oneself.

    “My friend (Oyefeso) studied law, but he is good in road construction,” he said amid laughter from the guests.

    Oyefeso thanked all for honouring his call.