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Tag: goes home

  • Makinde: A philosopher goes home

    It has taken me some weeks to digest the passing away of my beloved friend and contemporary, Professor Moses Akin Makinde, an academic staff at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. I first met Moses when I arrived in Toronto in September 1969 to begin graduate studies. He had just graduated from the University College of the University of Toronto with distinction and was proceeding to London Ontario to pursue the Masters degree with an open fellowship of the University of Western Ontario. Among his contemporaries at the University of Toronto when I arrived were Dr. Walter Ofonagoro, former Minister of Information, professors WoleFalayajo, Moses Awogbade, Tim Obiaga, Gabriel SegunFalade, as well as Professor Olusola Avoshe, Dr. Ben Nkemdirim, and Dr. Michael Oluyomi who have all passed on. We bounded as soon as I met him, spent very memorable weekends along with other mutual friends at his apartment in London Ontario and also when we both won the junior fellowship to reside in Massey College in the University of Toronto.

    Moses returned to the University of Toronto to pursue his doctorate degree programme with a special focus on the philosophy of science upon the completion of the Masters degree of the University of Western Ontario. He had the singular distinction of producing a PhD thesis which was well beyond the number of words permitted by the Graduate School at the University of Toronto. And so he was advised to submit the main thesis within the limit of words prescribed by the graduate school and a portion of the thesis, as an addendum.

    Moses was a great admirer of the ideas and contributions of Karl Popper the late eminent Oxford professor and Thomas Kuhn. Both Popper and Kuhn were then and are still leading lights in the philosophy of science. They are credited with standard texts which were and/or are still widely read by those who desire to build the foundation of their knowledge in philosophy of science.

    Moses took up a lectureship appointment at the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife in the department of philosophy in 1974, meeting on arrival two distinguished scholars, Professor OlubiSodipo who later became the pioneer vice chancellor of the Ogun State University now OlabisiOnabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State as well as Professor Robin Horton, anEnglish man. The latter who was my teacher in the department of sociology at Ibadan had begun to publish a series of articles on magic, religion and science, comparing African beliefs to some sort of “rudimentary” science. Hortons’ profound seminal contributions to the understanding of magico-religious belief-system of Nigerians/Africans vis-à-vis science methodology quickly caught the attention of Moses Makinde. Both of them were to engage in lively debates and conversation on this theme for much of Horton’s’ time at Ife before Horton relocated to Port Harcourt. I had in the course of my academic career also referenced the works/ideas of Horton in my studies on the etiology of mental illness among Nigerians including their pathways to health care delivery system.

    It is undeniable that Makinde was one of the leading lights in the discipline of philosophy in Nigeria during his life time. He served as external examiner to quite a number of universities within Africa; published several scholarly papers in learned journals of international repute; and also served as assessor of candidates for professorial posts. He was a Fulbright scholar in the US and also as the editor of the Nigerian Academy of Humanities.

    Moses Makinde was not only a scholar of repute, he was also an activist who actively participated in the round of life of university, ever so actively involved in debates and conversations on politics, philosophy and economy. Not surprising, he was appointed as pioneer Director General of Obafemi Awolowo Centre, Osogbo, Osun State at the time he retired from the OAU, Ile-Ife. He also engaged Chief Obafemi Awolowo in a lively conversation before his demise on a variety of philosophical issues in the broader context of fundamental concepts in philosophy. The conversation was published in a widely circulated monograph. Moses was an admirer of Chief Awolowo and his ideas.

    Moses’s activism did not start when he arrived at Ife. Indeed, Moses and I ran respectively for the offices of president and secretary of the Association of Nigerians in Toronto in 1972 shortly after our civil war while Biafra was still coming to terms with the outcomes of the Civil War. It was a heavily charged election which involved serious campaign among Nigerians in Toronto. The voters wanted to know from us if we were running on a slate prior to voting or if they could vote for either of us. The end result was that I was elected while the voter did not honour Moses with their votes and so he lost. I resigned as a result of the outcome inspite of the pressure of Moses on me to serve as secretary in the administration of late ProfessorOlusola Avoshe who was elected as president instead of Moses. My resignation came as a shocker to Moses who urged me to stay on inspite of his loss and also to Nigerians who expected me to ignore my friend’s (Moses) and hang on. This singular action on my part was to cement our interpersonal relationship and we remained friends throughout our time in Toronto.

    Professor Makinde met his wife Taiwo, now a professor of public administration towards the end of his graduate studies in Toronto and they both got married at the registry located in Railway Compound in Ibadan on their return to Nigeria. I was privileged to be at their wedding in Ibadan.

    Moses was very devoted to Taiwo, supporting her to realize her full potentials as borne out by her progression from lowly post of graduate assistant to the rank of professor of public administration at Ife. I hasten to add that both of them are blessed with three boys who are already carving their niche in the world of scholarship and law. The credit for this goes to both of them with Taiwo taking credit for her remarkable drive to attain great height in the academia despite huge familial responsibility of taking care of their children and the home front.

    I did not know that Moses was under the weather when I forwarded two of my recent publications since retirement to him because I had mentioned him in one of them. I was to be told by Taiwo his dear wife who picked my call that Moses had been under the weather for some time, lying in a hospital bed for months. I quickly rushed down to see him at home because he had been discharged from hospital. I could not believe my eyes when I saw my long-time friend and contemporary, frail and lying helpless on his bed. Alas, the end finally came a few weeks after my visit.

    It is unfortunate that Nigeria has once again lost an “old school” distinguished scholar. Professor Moses Makinde was man of unassailable integrity and above all a uniquely personable human being. As his body is being buried in his home town, Ado-Ekiti today, may his gentle soul rest in peace and may our infinitely good Creator continue to support his loving wife, Professor TaiwoMakinde, and their lovely and amiable children.

     

    • Professor Erinosho was formerly executive secretary, Social Science Academy of Nigeria.

  • Ex-Sunday Punch editor Wright goes home

    Former Sunday Punch Editor, Ekundayo Wright has been buried at Ikoyi cemetery, after a funeral service at The Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos. A reception was held at the former Methodist Boys High School, Broad Street, Lagos, OLATUNDE ODEBIYI writes.

    It was a celebration of a life well spent last Friday at The Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, at the funeral service of a former editor of Sunday Punch, Ekundayo Wright, whose remains were buried by 1:30 pm at Ikoyi Cemetery.He was 79.

    Rev. Sunday Ogundipe, who officiated at the service, said death is certain in life, noting that most people do not prepare for it; neither does anyone want to die.

    “Between the time of your birth and death, you have responsibilities to carry out. Baba Wright came to the world to fulfill God’s assignment; he has completed his work and has gone back to God,” he said.

    The cleric admonished the gathering to do everything to make Heaven, adding that everything is temporal but only eternity is permanent. He urged them to live a life of holiness and be genuine children of God, because by so doing, eternity would be guaranteed.

    “Baba has ended his race; how are you running yours?  A time will come when you will face your creator to give account of your life. Are you still associating with the wrong things or people? Repent of your sins now and God will take you. Examine yourself and make amends now that you are still alive,” he said.

    The first son of the deceased, Abayomi Wright, thanked God for the life his father lived and for how he brought up his children.He said he would miss his father for everything.  “I talked to him as if I were talking to my friend. He was a confidant. I didn’t usually call him daddy. I called him Bigi.  He was a father to fathers and friend to friends. He left a lot of legacies behind. He was humble. He taught us to be respectful and he always corrected me,” he said of his late father.

    Vanguard publisher, “Uncle” Sam Amuka said he brought the late Wright from London to work with him. “I brought Dayo from London to come and work with me. I am Dayo’s grand pa,” he said.

    The then Editor of Punch (while the deceased was working in Punch), Sola Odunfa, described him as gentle, reliable and generous.

    “These qualities enabled him to help everyone he met. I knew his office and private life. I could not have desired a better friend. Many people have said a lot of good things about him; I don’t know how this void can be filled.

    “He was generous and in every circumstance he would never quarrel. Even when it was a serious issue, he would find a way to calm everyone down and turn everything almost to a joke. We call ourselves the Punch family because we devoted our lives to the work. Even in his ill state, he was not bothered. He would make fun and he would cheer us up. We didn’t know he was going to die. He knew the life he wanted to live. He lived well and I thank God for the life he lived,” he said.

    Gori Ogunyemi, a former Sub-Editor at the Punch (while the deceased was in Punch), described him as fantastic. “There is nothing negative about his life. I met him at Punch and we became friends, I will miss him. He was a good man. I will miss him as a fantastic person,”Ogunyemi said.

    Another son of the deceased, Michael Wright, described his father as a just, humble, intelligent and truthful man. He said of him: “He was a real journalist and I will miss a lot from him, including his knowledge, experience and sense of humour. His grandchildren will miss him more. He has given me enough to keep me going and I can pass it on.”

    A daughter, Mrs Omotola Odusoga, described her father as amazing and loving.  She said she would miss him dearly because he was full of wisdom which was always inspiring.”I will always hold on to his words of wisdom. I thank God for his life. I celebrate him. He taught us to be good and honest and I will miss everything about him,” she said.

    A son in-law, Olawale Odusoga, described the late Wright was a good father-in-law.

    “He was good to everyone. He is like a father to me and he was always there to give good advice and I will miss him for his advice among other things,”Odusoga said.

    Another son, Seun Wright described his father as jovial, straightforward, down to earth, and peaceful. He said he was more of a friend than a father to him, adding that he taught his children to cut their coat according to their size. “I will miss him for our conversations and fight,” he said.

    The late Wright started his working career at the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 1961 as an administrative clerk.  He studied Journalism at the Regent Street Polytechnic (now University of Westminster). He worked in the administrative department of Pembertys and was the editor of Sunday Punch.

    He had his first child, Abayomi Wright in 1965. He was married to the late Miss Kehinde Anibaba and they were blessed with two children,  Mr Michael Wright and Mrs Omotola Odunsoga. He was also married to late Mrs Damilola Wright and they were blessed with threechildren, Oluwaseun Wright, Mrs Mojisola Somolu and Mrs Tolulope Bello.

  • Asake goes home June 8

    The remains of the General Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Dr Musa Asake, will be laid to rest on June 8.

    This was disclosed by a member of the funeral committee, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel yesterday.

    According to a schedule for the funeral services released by the committee after due consultations with the deceased’s family, the interdenominational service of songs will hold on June 5 at National Christian Centre Abuja by 4pm.

    There will be another service of songs on Thursday, June 7 at Kafanchan Stadium for the local community where Asake hailed from.

    The funeral service holds on Friday, June 8 at Kafanchan Stadium in Kaduna State.

    It would be followed with the internment at Angwa Rigim, the ancestral home of the former Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) preacher.

     

  • Pa Akinniranye goes home

    Pa Akinniranye goes home

    Pa Akinniranye for burial Friday

    The remains of Pa Ebenezer Olatidoye Akinniranye will be interred on Friday, February 24, 2017 at St. Peters Cathedral Church Cemetery, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State after a funeral service at the church.

    Pa Akinniranye died on October 27, 2016 at the age of 85 years. He was born on April 23, 1931.

    Burial arrangement released by the family stated that there will be a service of songs on Wednesday February 22 at RCCG Provisional Head Quarters, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos and wake keeping on Thursday February 23 at the Akinniranye Residence, Ajiferere, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State.

    He was a former director of several government-owned companies including Federal Palace Hotel, Nigeria National Supply Company, Federal Tender Board, National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NICON), Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Minting, Printing and Security Corporation.

    Pa Akinniranye’s life-long career in the Federal Civil Service saw him representing Nigeria as the lead diplomat to several international fora and bilateral and multilateral agreements. He was the Head of the Commercial and Economic Department of the Nigeria Mission to the Kingdom of Belgium, Dutchy of Luxemburg and nine other European Economic Community members.

    He was at various times the leader or alternate leader of the Nigerian delegations to the series of African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the nine European Economic Community Members (EEC) meetings. Akinniranye was the Nigerian representative in the six-member body that handled the recruitment, establishing and administrative matters of the ACP Secretariat, Brussels, Belgium.

    He was the chairman of the African oil Seeds Producer Organization Meeting and Conferences on Coffee, Cocoa and Cotton and the Statistical Committee of the International Cocoa Organization, London. He also served on the governing council of the Nigeria Institute of Science and Economic Research (NISER).

    A former director of the Federal Ministry of Information, Social Development Youth and Sports, Akinniranye was a devout Christian and he was the chairman of the RCCG Council of Elders Province 53, Lagos.

    Ebenezer Akinniranye was born to Jacob Rufus Bamgbola Akinniranye the High Chief Sesere of Ile Oluji and nee Princess Julianah Adereju Adeniyi of Gbegbaje Ruling House of Ile-Oluji Kingdom. Ebenezer Akinniranye’s ancestors founded Oke Odunwo, the site of the ancestral home of Akinsuroju Bamgbola Akinniranye. They were also the founders of Agba Village. Their ancestral father had six handsome sons of dignified and strong personalities and each of them at one time or the other, became Ewerafa Chief, the Supreme Council of king makers of Ile-Oluji Kingdom.

    A prodigious author, he wrote several books including Transfer of Technology, The Nigeria Experience; Diversification of Export Earnings in the EEC (STABEX), Nigeria Hand book for Entrepreneurs, ABC of ACP/EEC Convention, Counseling and Marriage and Echoes on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho

    Akinniranye was a member of the Institute of Public Administration of Ireland and a Honorary Member and a Merit Award winner of the Belgian – Nigerian Chamber of commerce. He was also closely associated with Belgium – African Chamber of commerce and industries and the Centre for –Industrial Development (CDI), an organ of EEC and ACP countries based in Brussels, Belgium.

  • A virtuous woman goes home

    A virtuous woman goes home

    The Book of Proverbs is especially important for the wealth of knowledge and universal principles of life that it contains. Many, if not all, of the proverbs present readers with core knowledge about life and what it takes to survive and succeed. With the majority of the proverbs written by the king whose only request from God was the wisdom to deal with the subjects he was tasked to govern, it is not a surprise that the proverbs are veritable sources of divine wisdom.

    As I thought about the most appropriate tribute to the Yeyeoba of Ife, Chief (Mrs.) H. I. D. Awolowo, the sage’s “jewel of inestimable value”, it occurred to me to turn to the good old source of eternal wisdom. One cannot do better than revisit the sagacious reasoning of the author of the Book of Proverbs.

    The writer of Proverbs 31: 10-31 starts the passage with an intriguing question that borders on skepticism: who can find a virtuous woman? There is a suggestion in the manner of the statement that it is going to be a difficult venture. He also provides a reason for the apparent doubt: her price is far above rubies. In other words, assume that one is able to find one; it would take a fortune to have her and keep her.

    The reasoning has a connotation of the economic law of supply and demand. The writer has an understanding of human nature that makes virtue a very rare commodity among men and women. Human nature is generally based and depraved. Recall that God, the omniscient being, once regretted the making of human beings; hence His decision to clean the slate with the deluge. Philosopher Hobbes, from a secular perspective, understood human nature as egoistic, acquisitive and covetous.

    Virtue is rare; but it is in great demand. Even the most depraved human being would like to have a virtuous associate, not for the best of intentions to be sure, but in a logical pursuit of his or her base motive to exploit the innocent. Many a woman or man has fallen into such hands.

    The law of supply and demand makes sure that the virtuous woman, in short supply, must be very expensive to have and keep. This is the meaning of the passage in question. But how is it so? What makes a virtuous woman? What are her character make-up, qualities and credentials?

    First, we are told that the heart of her husband does safely trust in her so that he shall have no need of spoil. The testimony here is to the moral rectitude, excellent understanding and ability to serve as a confidant and companion for her husband. In essence, she is the best counsellor to her husband. This is where we can make sense of Chief Awolowo’s description of H.I.D. as “my jewel of inestimable value.” The metaphor is as telling as the ruby analogy in the Proverbs.

    This was the woman who chose to stay behind when her husband had to travel abroad to pursue higher education. She did so because she wanted to take care of her children. She took good care of the home front so that her husband had the peace of mind to pursue his goal. In the tumultuous days of political persecution, she was her husband’s lieutenant through thick and thin. Even a Mr. Lynn could not intimidate her!

    Of course, she was able to stand her ground because she had no skeleton to hide. She was the ideal of decorum. As she remarked in her memoir, “a wife of the Chief Executive must be level-headed and must understand the feelings of people around and outside her. She can be of good help to her husband if she opens her eyes and ears to what people are saying or doing, especially when her husband is not there. She has to be a good detective and be brilliantly-imaginative. She must be able to warn her husband of impending dangers.”  It wasn’t a surprise that her husband found her a dependable and indispensable ally.

    Second, the writer of Proverbs tells us that the virtuous woman works willingly with her hands; and like the merchant’s ship, she brings her food from afar. Mama Awolowo recalls how her husband insisted that she must not work after they were married. The sage wanted his wife to enjoy her life and just take care of their children, a most noble and selfless interest in the welfare of the family. But after her husband left for the United Kingdom, she launched her business career.

    The decision to engage herself in some business to support the family paid off tremendously as it also helped her husband. But more importantly, when he returned home and got into active politics, Mama demonstrated in action the kind of support a political spouse ought to give to her husband (or wife). Many have ruined the political ambition of their spouses by the kind of ostentatious life that they live while preying on the public wealth.

    Even after her husband had returned from England and suggested that she didn’t have to work because he would make good money as a lawyer, she had her business at Gbagi, Ibadan, selling textile materials. Her husband was the Minister of Local Government and Leader of the Regional Government. That was a great lesson in self-discipline. As the author of our passage remarks, “with the fruit of her hands”, the virtuous woman “plants a vineyard.”

    Thirdly, the virtuous woman stretches her hands to the poor and the needy. We are told that she rises early, a tribute to hard work and industry. But she also cares for others as she does for her children and husband. Beside the non-public philanthropic activities of the sage and his jewel, which must have been many in a society that is so blessed but so poor, they also initiated the idea of Dideolu Specialist Hospital, an idea which has finally come to fruition. It is a befitting tribute to the caring disposition of the virtuous woman.

    Fourthly, with peace at home, the husband of the virtuous woman shines in the city “when he sits among the elders of the land.” This is literally true of the peace that H.I.D. created for Awo in the house. He was able to shine not just in the city but in the country, on the continent and in the world. Among his peers, he was unrivalled. Sure, he had the intellectual endowment and the discipline, but as the elders suggest, if the household was chaotic, the city would just appear like a jungle.

    Fifthly, the virtuous woman is clothed with “strength and honour”, wisdom is “housed in her mouth”, and the law of kindness “resides in her tongue.”  Receiving many honours and awards, including the traditional titles of Mojibade of Ikenne, Iyalode of Remoland, and Yeyeoba of Ife, as well as the academic award of Doctor of Civil Laws, Honoris Causa (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) is evidence of the wisdom and strength of character that a virtuous woman is endowed with. It is no less significant that she combined all with uncommon humility and fear of God.

    Finally, her children call her blessed. The virtuous woman brings up her children in the fear of God; she guides them in the path of modesty and moderation; she provides for their needs and counsels them against ostentation. She teaches them the virtue of hard work and self-discipline. Therefore they grow up toeing the path of rectitude and they never depart from it because on that path, they succeed and excel. They know how they get there and the mother who led them there is recognised and acknowledged with grateful hearts. They call her blessed.

    In celebrating the life of Mama H. I. D. we must rededicate ourselves to the lessons that her life taught us: trustworthiness, dependability, industry, kindness, honour and integrity, and above all, the fear of the Almighty God to whom we will all return. As she returns home on the centenary of her coming, her good work follows her.

     

     

  • A man of the people goes home

    A man of the people goes home

    The remains of Nze Aaron Chukwukezili Onyebuchi of Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State have been buried. JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU was there.

    The people of Akpo in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State will not forget soon the funeral of Nze Aaron Chukwukezili Onyebuchi.

    His country home in Ogbor Village, Akpo town, was filled with relations, friends and well wishers who came to pay their last respects to him.

    The event featured dance groups from different parts of the country.

    The following day was the burial day; a funeral mass was conducted for the deceased at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Akpo before he was interred in his compound. Thereafter, guests were entertained beside the compound at a big Makuen tent, which was mounted at Combined School field Akpo.

    Son of the deceased, Chief Jude Onyebuchi, with the nickname Akuenwebe, told The Nation: “The numerous things I learnt from him have made me understand that nothing triumphs over the truth and truth has been my foundation while growing up as a young man. Notwithstanding the fact that he passed through a lot of challenges in life as a man, he made God his strength, pillar and foundation. He was a man of peace for which everyone testifies, he said.

    From Owerri, Mr. Jude Ogamba, a lawyer said: “The father of Jude Onyebuchi was accorded with the highest honour a son can bestow his father at death. The burial and funeral ceremonies were the most exciting I ever witnessed in recent times.

    “The event lasted for over seven days, all almost all the traditional and cultural masquerades performed at the event, including the one I sponsored. You see, Jude is a dear friend of mine, he is my friend and age mate and I attended his father’s funeral in a special way because the gentleman is humble to the core despite his stupendous wealth.

    He continued:”The who is who identified themselves one way or the other with the young man. It is beyond argument that all the notable traditional rulers and members of their cabinet, politicians of very high repute, big business men in Ibo land all attended the funeral. You se e as a notable person, your presence should be noticed at such events, you must attend with at least a cow, a dance troupe and masquerade to herald your presence. That was what happened at the funeral. Every notable person, and there were so many of them, attended the ceremony.

    “The event was memorable. For seven days, my small town of Akpo, witnessed and joyfully hosted an unprecedented mammoth crowd in honour of Chief Jude Onyebuchi, Akuenwebe, as he buried his dear father”.

    A indigene, who was close to Mr. Onyebuchi, Mr. Ethelbert Okpalanwa, said: “He was, indeed, a man of the people; he was very caring and compassionate. I remember when I visited the family; saw over 50 people looking for Chief Jude Onyebuchi, Papa was busy arranging seats and accommodation for them. The most interesting thing is that his wife was always by him and she is equally kind and good hearted. He insisted that while he was alive, his children would not cook in different pots. Therefore, the whole family ate from the same pot. This helped to unite them. Indeed, I learnt a lot from him and will miss him greatly.

  • A good man goes home

    The remains of Chief Michael Olagunju, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and the Asiwaju of Aagba, Osun State, have been laid to rest amid pomp. The ceremony drew dignitaries from far and near to the rustic town. ADESOJI ADENIYI reports.

    TheRE was a big sense of loss— to the small town and its people. But the family seemed to have quit mourning to focus on  his examplary life.

    The funeral of the Asiwaju (leader) of Aagba, Michael Adebayo Ololade Olagunju, brought the sleepy Aagba community in Boripe Local Government alive. The final rites for the man, popularly called Asiwaju, in the community, drew dignitaries in politics, religion and the corporate world to the town.

    A few minutes after 10am, friends and associates of the Olagunjus started coming into St. Anthony Catholic Church, for the  Requiem Mass.

    Majority of the congregation wore a uniform Ankara to identify with the family.

    Seated on the first three front rows were the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Claudius-Maria Modupe Motunrayo Olagunju, her three children – Oloruntomiloba, Ifeoluwa and Oluwayemisi –  grand children and the extended Olagunju family members. They were dressed in uniform lace material with matching accessories.

    The Parish Priest of St. John Catholic Church, Ilode-Ife, Rev. Fr John Popoola, who delivered the sermon, described the late  Olagunju as a man who lived by God’s principles. The cleric said Olagunju used his resources – time, money and energy – to serve God and humanity. He challenged the widow, children, friends and associates of the deceased to promote his ideals.

    The congregation listened with rapt attention as the cleric urged them to celebrate the life of the deceased than seeing his demise as a loss.

    Rev Popoola said: “By now, Asiwaju must be resting in the bosom of the Lord because of his good works here on earth. We must not let his good works perish but go on in the town, in politics and in the church. Asiwaju is known for  his love for God. He was a good Christian and a good Catholic. He was generous. He loved to pray. Though he died at the age of 68, which we can say is relatively short, but his life had meaning because he allowed it to touch lives positively.”

    The cleric admonished all to take cues from the late Olagunju’s spartan and Godly lifestyle.

    “Olagunju knew God and lived by his principles to the end. He used his resources for God – energy, time and money. He prepared for his death. He played his politics with decency and the fear of God. Let everyone learn from this,” the cleric concluded.

    After the church service and interment, guests were entertained at the playing ground of the St. Anthony Primary School where the dancing and feasting erased the sense of loss and the soberness that greeted the news of the late Olagunju’s death. There were enough varieties of African dishes to feast on.  There was music as the merriment lasted.

    At the funeral were Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Osun Elder Adebiyi Adelowo, who represented Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chief of Staff to the Governor Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; MicCom Golf Hotel and Resort, Ada Chairman Prince Tunde Ponnle; Senator representing Osun Central district Prof. Sola Adeyeye; industrialist Chief Dele Ajayi; Osun State Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration Ajibola Basiru; his Information and Strategy counterpart Chief Sunday Akere and Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District Babajide Omoworare.

    Others were: the Secretary of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State; Prince Gboyega Famodun, chairman, Governing Board of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation; Mr. Kola Akanji; a retired Director in the Ministry of Works in Osun State; Mr. Albert Adeleke Adedapo, the Head of Ejigbo Local Government Alhaji Hassan Oladepo Adedapo; the Director-General of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation Prince Soji Fadehan and Director of Marketing, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation Mr Wale Idowu.

  • The ‘Black Scorpion’ goes home

    The ‘Black Scorpion’ goes home

    The remains of the late Civil War hero, Brigadier General Benjamin Adesanya Maja Adekunle, a.k.a ‘Black Scorpion’, were interred last Friday after a funeral service at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Onikan, Lagos. NNEKA NWANERI was there.

    He was a fearless soldier, bold and tough; a veteran wartime hero and a national icon who fought during the Nigerian Civil War (1967 to1970). He was the  General Officer Commanding 3 Marine Commando.

    General Benjamin Adekunle was all that and more to many. He died on September 13.

    He was 78.

    Last Friday, many gathered to pay their last respects to him and bid him farewell.

    The previous day, there was a wake and his remains were laid-in-state at the Ordinance Corps Hall of Abalti Barracks, Surulere.

    The ceremony, which was held at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Onikan, Lagos, was more or less a state burial.

    All roads leading to the venue were clear. Fully kitted men of the Nigerian Army were there to ensure there was no hitchesl.

    Dogs were deployed to sniff cars and guests as they made their way into the large arena. The event was open to all, after serious screening at the gates.

    Two large tents were erected and decorated in green, white and green national colours. The first tent was for the Major Generals, serving and retired military officers. Christian and Islamic clerics as well as  traditional rulers were there in numbers.

    The other was for the family members and well wishers of the deceased.

    At exactly 11:11am, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Kenneth Minimah, arrived with Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola. With their arrival, the ceremony began with the rendition of the National Anthem by the Army Band.

    Minimah almost went unnoticed. He wore a black Niger-Delta attire and cap to match. He led other sympathisers to the canopy where the casket bearing the remains of the late General was. Catholic clerics followed them. They were robbed in white and purple cassocks.

    Pall bearers, who were all Brigadier Generals, in a slow parade processional match, moved the casket to another canopy. As they moved, the hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers Marching as to War” was sung by all. While filing back to their seats, they took turns to salute the casket.

    The casket was covered with a Nigerian flag. On it were the cap, boots and sword of the late General.

    Officiating ministers were the Director of Chaplain Services (Protestant), Col. Rev Dawuk Danfulani, and Director of the Roman Catholic Services Col Fr Charles Iroegbu.

    A reading from John 14:1-6 was taken by Miss Jumoke Adekunle, the late General’s grand-daughter.

    As the ceremony went on, there was a heavy downpour.

    Col Danfulani read a portion of the Bible – Luke 2:4-7 – before his sermon. He drew a comparison between 78 years ago when the late  General was born, an event that  attracted many, and his burial which drew dignitaries to bid him farewell.

    The cleric admonished  the family to celebrate the life of their late father, because they did not lose him to the war and, therefore, had the opportunity to interact and gain from his wealth of experiece, more than 40 years after his retirement.

    The cleric said:“We are all born for a purpose.The late General Adekunle came, impacted and had done well.”

    He urged all to play their roles well, fear God and keep His commandments.

    Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon sent a tribute through Gen. Emmanuel Abisoye (rtd). He said, the late Gen Adekunle was dedicated to duty as an exemplary, fearless and loyal officer. All rose to applaud.

    Gowon described the late Gen Adekunle as a gallant soldier who ensured his fatherland remained strong and united.

    “He was one of my  commanders, a thorough bred soldier, my ‘brother in arms’ and we should thank him for fighting for a just cause,” Gen Gowon said.

    The first daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Bisola Olagunju, said her father had a lot of potential and dreams for the country. His regret was that ‘’we did not live up to our potential in his life time, the reason for the Civil War,” she said.

    After the service, only the immediate family members and senior officers were allowed at the Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens where his remains were interred.

    At the burial site, Mrs. Olagunju was presented with the items on the casket. It was then she broke down and wept.

    There was a gun salute as the remains were lowered into the grave.

    In attendance were Gen Alani Akinrinade (rtd); former Chief of Defence Staff Alex Ogomudia (rtd), among others.

    The Alake of Egbaland and Oba of Lagos sent representatives with their staff of office.

  • A loving father goes home

    A commendation service was held in Lagos for the late father-in-law of Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation Kayode Opeifa, Elder Joseph Olabode Oke, a.k.a Daddy Oke.  NNEKA NWANERI writes.

    They wore long faces, singing solemnly. They were friends, family members and sympathisers of the late Elder Joseph Olabode Oke, father-in-law of Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation. They filed into the African Church Cathedral Bethel, Lagos, penultimate Thursday, for the commendation service for the late man, who died on March 20.

    He was 76.

    It was a short service. The funeral held the Saturday after in Ijebu, Ogun State.

    There was no dress code, but a section of the church had people wearing white iro and buba with blue head gear (gele).

    The last of the six children of the deceased, Mrs. Abiodun Opeifa, the commissioner’s wife, wore a dress in the same shade of blue.

    The sound of pipe organ filled the church and resonated outside. As the congregation took each stanza of the hymns listed, the late Oke’s widow, Comfort, sobbed quietly and endlessly. She was not ready to be consoled; she has lost her soul mate. They were inseparable for 53 years. Her children came to her, gave her handkerchiefs to wipe her tears and reassured her that all would be well.

    The service was conducted in Yoruba with the Bible reading taken from 1 Corinthians 15:35-44. It was read by Rev Mobolaji Thompson. Another minister, Rev Tope Odunlami gave a brief sermon on what is expected of all to attain eternal life.

    He urged everyone to align with the ways of Christ to gain eternal life. Before the service could end, there was traffic gridlock at the section of Broad Street close to the church.

    Security operatives and men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) had a hectic time controlling vehicular movements. Street urchins, popularly called area boys, had a field day, making money and harassing guests.

    Mrs. Opeifa described her father as “principled, caring and simple.”

    “He called to check on me two days before he passed on. He called to say he wanted to see me because he missed me. I went to see him and stayed with him in his last minutes,” she said.

    Opeifa said his father-in-law was a gentleman. “He was a mentor and an adviser,” he said.

    The commissioner recounted how he went to the late Elder to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage.

    “When I was called upon to pay the bride price, he told me to take his daughter free of charge without condition. All my life, I have never seen such a godly and non-demanding man,” he said.

    The late Elder retired from Mobil Oil in 1963. He then worked at Reckitt and Colman as the sales manager for Nugget Shoe Polish, Robin Blue Starch and Harpic Cleanser. He also held other positions until he fell sick in 1988. He left paid employment 27 years ago. He was the pioneer president of Club 40, Odopotu in Ijebu Ode.

  • FATGBEMS oil’s boss goes home

    Death is the ultimate fate of every mortal. Yet, each time it occurs, the shock is almost too much to bear.

    A few days ago, Alhaji Fatai Olamilekan Akanmu Gbemisola, popularly known as FATGBEMS, gave up the ghost after a protracted battle with cancer. The oil and gas magnate had been full of life and was a true philanthropist.

    His conglomerate had steadily risen since its inception in 1986. It is made up of companies like Fatgbems Petroleums, Fatgbems Tyres, Fatgbems Gas and Sandop Oil. He also had interest in Dhastor International Limited where he was the chairman. He was until his death a high chief in Egbaland.

    The man of means gave up the ghost in the early hours of Friday October 12, 2012 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

    Happenstances gathered that the Egba high chief had undergone two successful surgeries in London before returning to Nigeria for his daughter’s wedding. He continued chemotherapy here in Nigeria and only relapsed after a trip to Texas, USA.

    He has since been buried according to Muslim rites but family and friends are still mourning his demise.