The Nation Newspaper

Tag: extol

  • Senators extol Wakili at valedictory session

    Senators yesterday took turns to praise what they described as the exemplary qualities of the late Senator Ali Wakili.

    The upper chamber held a day of tributes for Wakili who slumped and died in his Gwarinpa Abuja home last weekend.

    Senator Wakili who represented Bauchi South, left behind two wives, 10 children and five grandchildren.

    The lawmakers said the death of their colleague should serve as a lesson to the living that death could come at any time without notice.

    The lamented that Wakili who was in Kano State on Friday for a wedding event showed no sign the inevitable was lurking behind.

    He was said to have gone round to exchange pleasantry with dignitaries at the wedding and even posed for photograph with some of them.

    The late Wakili’s seat in the Senate chamber was decorated with the national flag and wreath.

    Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan opened the flood gate of tribute for the late Bauchi South lawmakers who served as Chairman, Senate Committee on poverty Alleviation.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said, “It is important that we ask ourselves, what is the lesson in all these. The simple lesson is that everything will come to an end one day. Power, privileges and all other will come to an end. “

    Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn N’Allah in his contribution described Wakili as a firm minded man whose position on issues cannot be mistaken.

    Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje said that he has decided to carry on the project he planned to executive with Wakili even at Wakili’s death.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki said: “ Here was a man that came as a first timer but won the respect of all of us. He had integrity. We must all learn from this. We must give our best, forgive ourselves and work for our people.”

    The lawmaker resolved to name one of the committee hearing rooms after Wakili and set up a scheme to support families of Senators who died in active service.

    They also resolved to set up endowment for senators

  • Ajimobi, Tinubu, others extol Okunnu’s virtues at book launch

    Eminent Nigerians yesterday extolled the virtues of a legal luminary and former Federal Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Lateef Okunnu.

    They described him as a rare breed, who is passionate about service to humanity.

    The personalities spoke at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos at the launch of two books written by Okunnu.

    They include the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; former International Court Judge Prince Bola Ajibola; former Governor of the old Western State Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd.); former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Oorelope-Adefulire.

    The books, Actors and Institutions in the Development of Islam in Lagos and Torch Bearers of Islam in Lagos State, were edited by Prof. Siyan Oyeweso and Musibahudeen Raheemson.

    The book launch is part of activities marking Okunnu’s 80th birthday.

    Tinubu, who chaired the occasion, described Okunnu as a devoted Muslim.

    The former governor, who was represented by Ajimobi, said: “Okunnu is a devout Muslim, who is committed to religious harmony and peaceful co-existence.

    “These books should be embraced by all because it dwells on factors that unite the country. The religious crises in the country are not necessary. We should read the books to understand that we must love one another and co-exist in peace.”

    Ajimobi described Okunnu as one of the first generation of public servants, who exhibited a high level of integrity, incorruptibility and dedication to service.

    He said: “In a Nigeria where many of the actors of yesterday have had their ranks depleted, Chief Okunnu serves as one of the greatest surviving links between the Nigeria of old, which, regrettably, because of the slide of affairs today, we still hold dear as the barometer with which to measure a great period of our nation’s existence.

    “I have always followed his unassuming, yet immeasurable, personality with admiration. I have read his life history and picked major elements there to structure my life.

    “The message of the books is that we should mould our country and society positively, so that children of today would become a source of pride in a greater tomorrow.

    “Okunnu’s tenacity of mind and determination to impact on the society, led to the great historical accounts of his growing up and the influence of Islam on his life.

    “By writing these books, Okunnu has entered the pantheon of people who will live forever. One of the ways of achieving immortality is to codify one’s thoughts for posterity.

    “Decades from now, generations yet unborn would read his books like a bible, a compass for the way forward.”

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by Mrs. Orelope-Adefulire, described Okunnu as a “true nationalist, who has succeeded in producing good leaders”.

    Fashola said: “We must thank Okunnu for the worthy life and good example he has shown over the years. He has produced great leaders for this country. He has built bridges across socio-cultural and religious divides. This stands him out as a true nationalist.

    “By producing leaders like Tinubu and Fashola, whose impact are felt all over the country, Okunnu has shown that his leadership qualities cannot be rivalled. Leaders who have not produced predecessors cannot call themselves true leaders. Okunnu has to his credit notable men, whose role in the society cannot be relegated. We pray that he lives among us much longer.”

    Ajibola, Adebayo and Anyaoku said Okunnu’s life is worthy of emulation.

  • More Nigerians extol late Ositelu’s virtues

    More Nigerians extol late Ositelu’s virtues

    More Nigerians have continued to extol the virtues of the late sports analyst, Deacon Ayo Ositelu, describing him as a man who contributed immensely to the growth of sports.

    They paid their tributes at a service of songs organised for him by the Lagos State Government at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many of them who were his contemporaries said he was a man of “great visionary leadership’’.

    Ewa Henshaw, former Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Development Manager, said his friendship with the deceased spanned over 30 years without blemish.

    Henshaw, now the Secretary, Adopt-A-Talent of the Lagos State Grassroots Sports Development Programme, said, “We were close friends during our secondary school days. Ositelu was a student of Igbobi College and I was at Kings College Lagos. We spent a lot of time together almost 20 hours together, especially when he came back from the U.S.

    “He was actively involved in football, table tennis, lawn tennis and cricket and his versatility in sports writing was felt across the nation. Ositelu was a writer of sound intellectual credibility and the impact of his demise is felt immediately in the coverage of the just-concluded Australian Grand Slam. No one covered that area like he did; I am going to truly miss him, he was a dear friend,’’ Henshaw said.

    Austin Akoga, former National Secretary, Nigeria Lawn Tennis Association and an old school mate of Ositelu at Igbobi College, said his death was a great loss and thanked God for his good legacies.

    “Ayo Ositelu was a friendly man, very unassuming, a gentleman and a pleasant man. His impact was felt when he covered and reported tennis during the early 1970s when I was the National Secretary of the Tennis Association, he projected the sport very well. He gave tennis a good image and up till date, his reputation never dwindled. It’s unfortunate that he is dead; may his gentle soul rest in peace with the Lord,’’ Akoga said.

    Former U-20 national football team coach, Tunde Disu, also said that Ositelu was a leader who gave sports in Nigeria a credible image.

    “We will miss his clear-cut leadership; he was a very good man that dedicated his lifetime towards projecting sports in Nigeria. His touch of class in his “Arena’’ column paved the way for many upcoming writers. He had so much to contribute and he did just that,’’ Disu said.

    Segun Adenuga, a veteran sports journalist, remembered one of Ositelu’s works titled “You Gotta Believe’’ which dates back 40 years as a great write-up that really inspired him.

    “This was my motive for scouting for budding young football talents that abound in Nigeria and beyond.

    “I will surely miss him because as a great friend, he paved the way for us all,’’ Adenuga said.

    Ex-international, Segun Odegbami, described Ositelu as a man who wrote so much about him during his playing days and also inspired him to become a sports writer.

    “Nigeria will continue to benefit from the incredible legacy Ositelu has left behind, he may have physically passed on but his works would live for ever. We will continue to remember him and extol his virtues for as long as we live,’’ Odegbami said.

    Ositelu, 69, died in his Lagos home while watching the friendly match between Nigeria and Cape Verde Islands on Jan. 9.

  • Calabar festival: Masakela, others extol cross river

    The 2012 Calabar Festival got off to an impressive start in the early hours of Saturday with a colourful lighting of the Christmas tree at the Millennium Park, Calabar.

    Led by the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Efiok Cobham, the crowd at the venue, which included legendry South African composer and trumpeter, Hugh Masekela, was treated to a full bouquet of fun.

    Masekela, who has performed in the festival four times now, described Cross River State as one of the safest places with peace loving people.

    The musician said he was proud to be part of the celebration which grows talents and allows every community to enjoy life in a free environment.

    The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Mrs. Sarah Jibril, described the occasion as a sense of joy and beauty.

    Jibril described the occasion as a wonderful experience which other states should emulate, adding that the cleanliness and orderliness of the state should be sustained because it makes it unique.

    While lighting the Christmas tree, Cobham, who was assisted by his wife, Glory, Speaker of the state house of assembly, Hon. Larry Odey, Makesela, Jibril and representatives of sponsors and development agencies, said the 12- year- old event has grown bigger in scope and volume.

    Cobham maintained that the state government will continue with the festival because it is a celebration of love, hospitality, courage and resilience of the people in the face of challenges.

    The Deputy Governor commended the sponsors for identifying with the festival in different ways and described the lighting ceremony as a tip of the iceberg as the best would come during the other days of the festival.

    Special Adviser Governor’s Office, Mr. Nzan Ogbe described the festival as a great gift which the state has for the nation as one the best ways in its rebranding process.

    Ogbe appealed to the Federal Government to partner the state in the 32- day event which is delightful to the soul.

    The Group Managing Director/ CEO First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Bisi Onasanya in his address, said as a partner, the mutually beneficial partnership has enabled the bank to return value to a key stakeholder community by improving the social and cultural calendar of the state of the state.

    According to Onasanya, who was represented by Mrs. Nkiru Harry Eze, the bank prides itself on its corporate social responsibility and sponsorship initiative which reflect its commitment to being a major contributor to the socio-economic and cultural development of the country.

    Later in the morning, the Deputy Governor, Mr. Efiok Cobham also led a four kilometer Paradise City Walk against HIV/AIDS as the state marks the 2012 World AIDS DAY as well as the opening of the Calabar festival village at the Cultural Centre ground.

    Cobham disclosed that over the years the state has made tremendous efforts to combat HIV/AIDS scourge and the reduction which has been noticed is due to the effort in partnership with State Action Against AIDS (SACA) and the development partners.