The Nation Newspaper

Tag: honours

  • Honours 2014

     LET’S get it right from the outset. This is no attempt to undo what the National Awards have done. Nor is it a bid to denigrate the yearly show at which some of the nation’s best get decked with medals by no less a personality than the President himself. No.

    But then, even the best of systems has its errors. Here then, dear reader, is a tribute to those men and women who may have been erroneously left out of the national honours list even as their various actions –and inactions – affected the polity one way or the other this year.

    We begin with – what else if not – politics. Who is the Politician of the Year? You want to guess? Not House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal who gave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a kick in the groin, causing so much commotion after dumping the ruling party for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Not Tom Ikimi, the chief who was left huffing and puffing after building a castle in the air about becoming chairman of APC. He whined to no end until he returned to the PDP. He was last night supervising the coronation– sorry, convention– of President Goodluck Jonathan. Nor is he (the winner) Peter Obi, who shockingly dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the PDP – an action many swore would make the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Eze Igbo Gburugburu, turn in his grave, but which the former governor justified, apparently to the satisfaction of his fans.

    He was relatively unknown, until the battle to displace Otunba Gbenga Daniel  from the leadership of the PDP in Ogun State began. At the mention of his name, many would have sneered: “who is so called?” Not so now. Prince – sorry, a slip there – Alhaji – I got it wrong again – Dr  Buruji Kashamu, the Lagos car dealer and hotelier, is the PDP Southwest Contact and Mobilisation Committee Chairman – an amorphous group to which the party owes its ability to prosecute the war it waged in the name of elections in Ekiti and Osun.

    When PDP chiefs begged former President Olusegun Obasanjo to start participating in  activities, he told them: “A drug baron indicted in the U.S. can’t be my leader.” He mentioned no name, but Kashamu, a man whose capacity for taking on daunting tasks amazes his associates, picked up the gauntlet. “I wasn’t indicted,” he said, adding: “Even if I’m to be repatriated, there are processes, which are not subjected to the whims and caprices of any individual, including Obasanjo.”

    Shortly after, The Cambridge Graduate University came all the way from the United States to honour Kashamu with a PhD, Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities. A source told me that the politician accepted the honour not because he covets such laurels but just to send a message to those who say he is a fugitive wanted in the United States.

    But his critics seem not convinced. “Get on the plane and fly to the United States, if you actually want to clear your name,” they said.

    The other day in Abuja, Kashamu got a court to stop the public presentation of Obasanjo’s book in Lagos. The former president went on with the ceremony, saying the judge erred in law to have granted the order. Now, Kashamu is threatening to sue him, in a bid to reclaim his reputation, which is said to have been shattered by the book.

    For his resilience in the face of rock-solid opposition, Kashamu is Politician of the Year.

    Exuberant police chief Suleiman Abba would have easily snatched away the Policeman of the Year prize, considering his remarkable excesses. Within the short while he has taken office, he has not just shown that he is the law enforcer-in-chief, but he has also taken on the duties of the courts, interpreting the law in a manner that has left judicial officers gasping for breath. He withdrew Speaker Aminu Tambuwal’s guards and ordered the National Assembly shut – an action that forced many lawmakers into a rare show of agility, scaling the gate.

    We seem not to have seen Abba’s best yet. Before he grabbed the headlines, there was Mbu Joseph Mbu, who brought so much drama into the job. He, at the least provocation, confronted Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi. Even after leaving Rivers, the Police Commissioner would allude to his tour of duty in that state, describing himself as the leopard who tamed the lion. As he did in Rivers, he has been troubling Abuja needlessly.

    He warned the BringBackOurGirls campaigners to stop their protests or face arrest. He was actually going to pounce on them, but a court held him back. A reporter who described Mbu as controversial was detained and bundled before a court. For his strange zealotry, Mbu is Policeman of the Year.

    No argument about this; President Jonathan gets the Gaffe of the Year prize. The other day in Abuja, he said the Chibok girls had been kidnapped for three months when indeed they had been snatched away for five months. Many were asking: “Is the matter not on his mind?”

    Before the mammoth crowd that gathered to watch the Super Eagles play their Ghanaian counterparts at the new Akwa Ibom Stadium, twice Dr Jonathan referred to the national team as the Green Eagles. Some of his aides swear that he is an ardent fan of the team.

    Talking about soccer. Eagles coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi is the Coach of the Year. He took the team to its peak, winning the Nations Cup. As Nigerians were rejoicing over the feat, he resigned during a radio programme in South Africa. Government officials were on their knees, begging Keshi not to go. A magnanimous fellow, he had mercy on this soccer crazy nation and returned to his job. Then dozens of other countries began to woo him with indescribable emoluments, the type that would have sent Jose “the Special One” Mourinho rushing out of Chelsea, I learnt. But Keshi, a patriot, rejected them all.

    Ever since, the Eagles have been struggling to regain their form. Then they got shoved off the Cup of Nations train, losing miserably. Keshi got the boot. The Presidency, knowing how to reward patriots, reversed the sack. Keshi is back in the saddle. Who else can pull off such a feat?

    We have been told that South Africa has returned the $9.3m and $8.7m its authorities seized from two Nigerians who flew in to buy arms. We may never know who these duo are. We may never know the details of these strange transactions, which almost won the Deal of the Year but for another extraordinary signed, sealed and almost delivered contract. I speak of the N9.2b stoves coming in from South Africa, the ones that will teach our rural women the beauty of modern cooking.

    After a successful first degree, Obasanjo, the most popular National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) student, has signed up for a doctoral degree. He was in Ibadan a few days ago to see the co-supervisor of his thesis. Jonathan and all those PDP governors seeking his attention should show some understanding; Obasanjo doesn’t need those distractions now. A scholar is at work. Studying for a PhD is serious business for a septuagenarian, more serious than 2015. Take a bow, Baba, Student of the Year.

    Many will not forget in a hurry the meeting summoned by First Lady Patience Jonathan to confirm whether the Chibok girls were indeed missing. Disturbed that some people deliberately shunned the meeting and that the whole thing was to undermine the President, she launched into an elegiac expression : “Chai! Der is God o o…All this blood you’re sharing.” The statement became the fulcrum of many jokes on the Internet and elsewhere. Thank you Mama Peace for some laughter amid so much pain. Thank you for the Joke of the Year.

    For Speech of the Year, there is no doubt that Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose’s inauguration  speech stands out. He told the excited crowd: “I am the governor that eats bole with you. I am the governor who drinks jedi with you. I will not leave you.”  Can you beat that?

    There are many contenders for Minister of the Year, but two stand out. Rise up for recognition former Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike and Police Affairs Minister Jelili ‘King Kong’ Adesiyan. For months, university teachers were on strike. All attempts to get the campuses reopened failed. Panicky parents cried out as many students turned wayward. A weakling of a minister would have been distraught. Not so Wike. He saw in it all a big chance to oil his political ambition.

    But the prize goes to Adesiyan, under whose watch the police have become all that the ruling PDP wished they could be – an election fighting force. Remember Ekiti and Osun. And recall that Adesiyan once told reporters that he never beat former Osun Governor Isiaka Adeleke, the one called Serubawon (hit them with fear) – as alleged. “If I give him one upper cut, he will die,” he said, adding: “Ta lonje ode aperin loju apaniyan.” (Who the hell is the hunter of elephants in the presence of the hunter of human beings).

    The list is, by no means, exhaustive. More awards are on the way as the nominations stream in.

    JUDE UCHE ISIGUZO (1971 -2014)

    AM yet to recover from the devastating death on November 29 of Jude Uche Isiguzo, this newspaper’s amiable Crime Correspondent. Jude was an editor’s delight. He knew his beat like the back of his hand. He never missed stories and he never grumbled whenever he had to move at short notice.

    The death of a young man is always like a Tysonian blow to the nose. It is so hard to agree with spiritualists who believe that it is all a call to higher responsibility. All we should do, they insist, is wish the dead a safe journey.

    Farewell Olopa, chairman, my friend. Greet Baba Mac ‘the journalist’ Alabi, vivacious Mrs Oluremi Oyo, resourceful Ben Akparanta, who got embedded with policemen chasing robbers and Edo Ugbagwu (the police are yet to find his killers). Godwin Agbroko. Dimgba Igwe. Opeyemi ‘Akewi Oodua’ Fajemilehin. Ngozi Agbo. Find out how they are all faring.

    We find our shattered peace in the words of the famous journalism teacher, Prof Ralph Akinfeleye: “In heaven, there will be no need for doctors as nobody will fall ill. Estate agents won’t be needed because there will be free mansions. Pilots will have no job because nobody will be travelling. There will be no need for soldiers; all will be peaceful. The only profession that will be needed is journalism because the man in the east will like to know what is going on in the west. So with the man in the south and the one in the north.” Farewell, my worthy colleague.

  • Still on the 2014 National Honours

    As President Goodluck Jonathan handed out about 306 awards at the 2014 National Honours Award Ceremony in Abuja last week, critical newspaper editorials and other comments trailed the process of selection of recipients.

    Yet, this year’s national honours award was significant in many respects. Unlike in the past when the list of awardees was dominated by politicians and cronies of the powers that be, the President appears to have reacted to criticisms by elevating merit and honest service to fatherland as the main criteria for receiving the national honours.

    Although politicians appear to still have good numbers on the award list, this year’s national honours award is very remarkable because many of those whose names ought to be on the list were actually honoured. From pro-democracy and civil rights activists to opposition politicians; from wealthy and successful businessmen and women to an honest taxi driver and steadfast steward; from our gallant ambassadors in sports to trailblazing entertainers, an appreciative country said “thank you” to deserving citizens who had first brought honour and pride to our nation.

    Joe Okei-Odumakin who led the nationwide protest against the withdrawal of petroleum subsidy that nearly brought down Jonathan’s government, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, chairman of the All Progressives Congress, the main opposition working to upstage the PDP government, Kenneth Nnebue, the acclaimed founder of the money spinning entertainment industry, Nollywood, Blessing Okagbare, the sprint queen who has caused our national anthem to be heard on different podiums across the world, are among many other deserving awardees.

    The high point was the honouring of three very distinguished citizens – in their own right.  First is the 77-year-old Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi who designed the national flag who was honoured with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, OFR. That past administrations had continually overlooked the man who gave us a national symbol for over five decades after independence is a strong comment on our reward system and the low premium we had placed on national service.

    As if to add an icing on the cake, President Jonathan showed his compassionate side by placing the flag designer on the salary of Special Assistant to the President, for life.  Now, who can fathom any reason why Pa Akinkunmi even in his old age would not be ready to die for his country?

    As with Pa Akinkunmi, President Jonathan also honoured a longstanding steward in the presidential villa, Onuh Isaac Michael. Michael, we are told, has served nine presidents and perhaps more than nine first ladies, right from former President Shehu Shagari. The story of the diligence and sacrifice of this steward who it was said does not catch more than four hours of sleep everyday just to commute from Nasarawa State where he could afford an accommodation to his duty post in Aso Villa, in the heart of the city, is moving.

    It is also good advertisement for the national honours award this year that a mere but dutiful traffic warden, Solomon Dauda, who does his job with animated passion and admirable spirit was spotted and honoured with the Member of the Order of the Niger, and a house for good measure as well. The recognition of this enigmatic officer will continually be a source of inspiration and encouragement to other citizens who might think that the services they provide and the effort they put in are unnoticed and inconsequential to national growth.

    But by far the most deserving of all the recipients of the national honours on the day was Citizen Imeh Usuah, a taxi driver who took pains to trace and return to his passenger N18 Million that he forgot in his cab.  In a country badly labelled as corrupt, this taxi driver’s conduct is not only exemplary and edifying but also a refreshing reminder of the pristine values on which our country was erected by the founding fathers.

    •Francis Ehigiator,

    Benin City.

  • National honours for Dedevbo, Oshoala

    National honours for Dedevbo, Oshoala

    • Falconets’ captain, Eaglets’ coaches too
    • The Nation man Morakinyo Abodunrin on the list

    Nigeria’s Under-20 Women’s National Team Coach, Peter Dedevbo, who led the Falconets to second place at last month’s 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, has been listed for national honour by the federal government.

    The list obtained by NationSport on Thursday was signed by Dr. Tunde Adeyemo, a director at the Special Duties Office on behalf of the Secretary to the Federal Government, Anyim Pius Anyim and has been approved by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The awardees cut across every sector of the national economy with the sporting fraternity accounting for 39 recipients who include FIFA golden girl, Asisat Oshoala, Falconets’ captain, Patience Okaeme and Commonwealth gold medalists, Blessing Okagbare and Ese Brume. They will be joined by other Commonwealth gold medalists that brought honour to the country at the Glasgow Games in July.

    Dedevbo is to be conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) at a ceremony billed for September 29 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

    The Falconets coach owes his breakthrough in the round leather game to Moncton, a city in Canada where the girls qualified for the final of the tournament which they lost to Germany.

    Assistant coaches of the U-17 national team, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emeka Amadi and Nduka Ugbade who won the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Dubai, will join Dedevbo on the podium. Both players and backroom staff of the U-17 national team which includes the team’s media officer, Morakinyo Abodunrin, who is also an Assistant Editor in The Nation Newspaper, are also recipients.

    Surprisingly, the name of embattled President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, who has been credited with the successes of the national teams in recent years, was conspicuously missing.

  • Ambode ‘s foundation honours 11 young achievers in Lagos

    Ambode ‘s foundation honours 11 young achievers in Lagos

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, at the weekend, joined the La Roche Leadership Foundation to recognise and celebrate some exceptional youths in Lagos.

    The event, “The Chosen Youth”, held at the Astroturf 2000 in Ikoyi, recognised the efforts of 11 youths who have contributed to the development of their communities in the areas of youth & sports, tourism, social media, entertainment and fashion.

    In a statement, the aspirant said the selected young people had shown leadership qualities and innovation in their endeavours.

    He added that their innovations are the product of vibrant young minds who challenge the status quo and chart a course for themselves.

    Speaking at the event, Ambode, the founder of La Roche, said: “Today we recognise young people who have challenged the status quo and charted a course for themselves.

    “Today, we appreciate young men and women who have not let the circumstances in the country put them down but rather used it to motivate themselves.

    “La Roche salutes your courage. La Roche salutes your passion. La Roche salutes your success. La Roche extends a hand of partnership to you and together we can inspire others to leadership and innovation and improve lives in Nigeria.”

    Most of the chosen youths are social entrepreneurs, who are pursuing innovative solutions to social problems and making tremendous contributions to their communities.

    The selected youths were presented with plaques by La Roche foundation in recognition of their exceptional work.

  • Group honours Tunde Kelani

    Group honours Tunde Kelani

    For ace filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, last Friday will go down as most memorable, as he was honoured with the ‘The Custodian of Yoruba Culture’ award, amidst fanfare, in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    The colourful ceremony was organised by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, in conjunction with the Yoruba Redemption Foundation, at the palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade.

    Since the event held, there have been a deluge of congratulatory messages from his far-flung fans, a development that has further confirmed that it was a well-deserved honour for the respected culture activist famously called TK.  In a Facebook post, actor and TV presenter, Yemi Sodimu said: “Congrats, TK. Well deserved.”

    In an interview with The Nation, TK, who was full of joy over the honour, said: “I’m excited about the award.  It also suggests that people have taken note of my works and interest in the Yoruba culture and tradition. So, I see it as an extension of what I have always done. It is, no doubt, encouraging.”

    When asked to state his responsibilities as the “Custodian of Yoruba culture”, the 66-year-old filmmaker further said:  “Like the mission statement of Mainframe Productions, we will not only produce meaningful films, but we will continue to document the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba language and culture.”

    Meanwhile, the acclaimed cinematographer is putting finishing touches to his forthcoming work, Dazzling Mirage, an adaptation of Olayinka Abimbola Egbohare’s novel. The movie centres on a talented young sickle cell sufferer who overcomes social stigma and prejudice to achieve her dreams.

    It stars Kemi (Lala) Akindoju, Kunle Afolayan, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and Bimbo Manuel, among others.

  • Jakande: NUJ honours Nigeria’s media icon at 85

    Jakande: NUJ honours Nigeria’s media icon at 85

    The Nigerian Union of Journalists last week celebrated Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, a man whose contributions to the profession arguably transcends that of any other Nigerian, with a book presentation and a bash. Gboyega Alaka, who was at the event, reports.

    It was a day to honour and revel in governmental nostalgia last Wednesday as the Nigerian Union of Journalists honoured the man Lateef Kayode Jakande at 85. The event, which doubled as a book launch, witnessed the presentation of the book, Jakande: Fountain of Excellence (Celebrating Journalism Icon @ 85).

    Alhaji Lateef Jakande, a former civilian governor of Lagos State between 1979 and 1983, is reputed to be one of the founding fathers of Nigerian journalism, and the union, under the leadership of Comrade ‘Deji Elumoye, deemed it befitting to honour him with the book, which captures his life and times, both as a selfless journalist, and as a politician of unrivalled quality and achievements.

    Speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the occasion, former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, who himself is a journalism icon, described Alhaji Jakande as the ‘Grandfather of Nigerian Journalism,’ tracing his days at the Daily Service, Daily Express through to The Nigerian Tribune, where he rose to become Managing Editor, and by implication, a close associate of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    He also spoke of his instrumental role in co-founding the Nigerian Union of Journalists; his role in founding the Nigerian Guild of Editors; how he founded the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and how as a member of the International Press Institute, IPI, he became the first black African president of the association, comprising publishers and editors of reputable publications around the world.

    Osoba also recalled how Jakande brought the IPI to Nigeria, in cooperation with the University of Lagos, to train budding journalists.

    TheSpeaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who presented the book, described Alhaji Jakande as a pathfinder, without whose efforts the developments currently being witnessed across Lagos would not have been possible. He spoke of how the former governor opened up the Lekki-Epe axis, which is now rated the most expensive corridor in West Africa. He also spoke of how as a young man, he and other folks from his home-town in Epe used to travel roughly three hours to get to Lagos on a free-traffic day.

    In appreciating Jakande’s contribution to education, Ikuforiji spoke of how he miraculously condensed the previous three-session a day school system to a single session and instituted a successful free education at all levels; something the previous military regime had said was not possible. He also lauded him for taking the initiative to establish public schools across the nooks and crannies of the state, even in high-brow areas of Victoria Island and Ikoyi, asking almost rhetorically that: “Which governor will go and get a piece of land to build a public school in Ikoyi these days?”

    Alhaji Jakande was co-founder, treasurer and patron of the Nigerian Union of Journalists. Aside co-founding and being the first president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, he was also co-founder and served as a two term president of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria. Jakande was also co-founder and first chairman of the Nigerian Press Organisation; founder of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and first Chairman of its Board of Governors (1970-1979) and chairman of its Board of Trustees till date.

    Jakande is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM, member of the International Federation of Journalists; first and only African president of the IPI; member of the International Federation of Publishers; member, International Broadcast Institute; member International Association for Mass Communications Research; Founder, and National Secretary of the National Press Club of Nigeria between 1970 and 1979; member, Commonwealth Press Union;  First Chairman, World Press Freedom Committee (1974) and member, Committee on the Future of the Nigerian Press (1968).

    Jakande was also Managing Director of Allied Newspapers Limited, publishers of a chain of eight provincial newspapers spread across the country.

  • Amosun honours Ogun 20 best students

    Amosun honours Ogun 20 best students

    Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has decorated the 20 best students in the 2012/13 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) with the state brooch and gave them the opportunity to be part of the state Executive Council (SEC) meeting.

    The governor counselled the students to make hard work their watchword in their quest for academic excellence, saying it’s the highway to be the best in life.

    Amosun stated this while receiving the 20 best students in the 2012/2013 WASSCE from the public schools in the 20 local government areas of the state who were sponsored on Leadership Training abroad by the First Lady of the state, Mrs. Olufunso at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta.

    Welcoming the beneficiaries after their 10-day sojourn in the United Kingdom (UK), the governor said the programme has offered them a great opportunity to acquire new knowledge, which is better than any financial reward.

    “If we had given you money, it would have been exhausted but a gesture of this kind will remain with you forever. It is now your turn to leverage on all you have learnt during your training abroad. This is a very encouraging way to begin your academic career. You have the responsibility now to excel the more in your academic endeavour to demonstrate to the world that you’re not a push-over. Your best is yet to come,” he said.

    The governor, who added that Ogun State is noted for its various trailblazers in different areas of human life, urged the students to make sure they give back to the state in the nearest future without compromising the tenets of sacrifice and challenges which come with service to humanity.

    Earlier, Mrs. Amosun revealed that the students emerged from the 2012/13 WASSCE based on the analysis from the West African Examination Council (WAEC), adding that the programme was designed mainly to motivate them to work harder in their studies.

    She noted that the gesture has gone a long way in improving the standard of education in the state, assuring that best students from each of the 20 local government still stand the chance to accompany her for a leadership training programme in the UK.

    Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Olayinka Rosenje of Ijebu Northeast; Israel Animashaun of Abeokuta North; and Funmilayo Adebayo of Imeko-Afon Local Governments thanked Mrs. Amosun for her kindness, saying that they dreamt of travelling abroad.

    They recounted that their training abroad and visits to famous places in the UK including the Houses of Parliament; Travalgar Square; Chartwell – the home of Winston Churchill, among others have helped in boosting their confidence and widening their horizon. They promised not to let the state down in whatever they do.

  • Delta state FA honours Ade Ojeikere, others

    Delta state FA honours Ade Ojeikere, others

    The Group Sports Editor of NationSport and Sporting Life, Ade Ojeikere was yesterday honoured with the football media excellence Award by the Delta State Federation Association .

    Presenting the award to Ojeikere on behalf of Delta State FA, the state Deputy Governor , Professor Amos Utuama (SAN) said the award was well deserved by the editor having distinguished himself as a professional.

    Ojeikere was honoured along other personalities including  Solomon Ogba , Larry Izamoje , Jibril Aku , John Oganwu, Pius Origho and the state Deputy Governor, Professor Amos Utuama .

    Meanwhile , Warri Wolves Football Club managed to beat Bobbies Football Club also of Warri 1-0 to lift the state FA Cup yesterday in Warri .

    The center referee from Bayelsa State nearly messed up the game when he issued two yellow cards to Mike Egbeta which resulted to a serious response from the crowd.

    Commenting on the successful hosting of this year’s FA Cup Final, chairman of Delta State Sports Commission,   Amaju Pinnick attributed the success to proper planning. .

  • Mudi honours Keshi

    Mudi honours Keshi

    It was, indeed, a memorable evening last Wednesday when Mudiaga Enajemom, the CEO of Mudi Couture, honoured Nigeria’s football ambassador and Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, amidst pomp and circumstance.

    The event, which held at the magnificent corporate headquarters of Mudi Couture in Lagos, was put together to honour the living legend whose immense contributions to the development of football in Nigeria have placed the country on the world map.

    Anchored by popular comedian and master of ceremonies, Bovi, the event kicked off on a happy note. Mudi gave reasons for hosting the football legend, whom he described as a patriotic Nigerian.

    He said: In a country where people are mostly recognised and respected when they are dead, we at Mudi Africa decided to change that trend. Coach Stephen Keshi has done a lot for this country and we felt that we don’t have to wait for a statue to be erected after he is gone or a street named after him before we honour him. This man has brought smiles to the faces of Nigerians; made the Super Eagles a force to be reckoned with in African football and made Nigeria an envy of others in the global world of football. He sure deserves much more than we are doing for him right now.”

    In his speech, Keshi said:”I never knew it was going to be like this. Mudi has been on this matter for a long time; but for time, we could not really make the arrangement possible. But if there is anything I want you to know today, it is the fact that I am nothing without my fellow coaches and that is the reason I kept begging that we hold on until these fine gentlemen can attend this event. Daniel Amokachi, Ike Shorunmu and Coach Valerie have been and will continue to be my backbone. They are the boss here. They take the decisions, but mine is just to review and then we implement. My aim is to bring smiles to Nigerians’ faces, and that is what we work tirelessly for every day to achieve. I am most grateful to you all for all you have said and most especially to Mudi for making today possible. Thank you for your support for the team. But one thing I ask of you is your prayers. Pray for the boys and pray for us also. This is because with your prayers and support, we believe nothing is impossible.”

    It was attended by a number of celebrities, including Deji Omotoyinbo, Deji Tinubu, Dede Mabiaku, Jimi Disu, Daniel Amokachi, Ike Shorunmu, Valere Houandinu, Hon. Festus Eweribo, Chairman of Ika East Local Government in Delta State, Moziz Praiz, Azuh Arinze, Tushotz, Bunmi Davies and Buchi, among others.

  • Bayelsa honours Gulder Ultimate Search ambassador

    Bayelsa honours Gulder Ultimate Search ambassador

    Her physique belies her ability. Outwardly, she looks slim and fragile. She does not have all the muscles. But inwardly, Miss Ebikake Comfort, an indigene of Bayelsa State, is full of strength and vigour.

    Out of the 35,000 Nigerians that hustled and struggled to participate in the just concluded Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS), a talent hunt reality show organised annually by the Nigerian Breweries, Ebikake made the list of the 12 contestants that finally partook in the adventurous event.

    The state of President Goodluck Jonathan is, indeed, proud of her. In fact, the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson demonstrated its happiness recently. The Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodulor, invited Ebikake to the state for recognition.

    In a brief event that was held at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, and attended by the principal officers of the ministry, Tuodolor poured encomiums on Ebikake. He described her as small in stature but mighty in action.

    Tuodolor said the government has taken it upon itself to honour indigenes of the state especially youths who excel in national and international events. He said such persons who took part in such competitions and occupied enviable positions had been assisted tremendously in the past by the restoration government.

    “It is good that we recognise such persons so that they become ambassadors and set good examples for others to follow. Some of these things have been able to engage some youths, people should not look at all these events as wayward or childish.

    “So, we recognised such persons and did very well for them. We will continue to as a state and restoration government recognise all those that are making the state proud and taking our name positively beyond the shores of Bayelsa and Ijawland.

    “We will continue to recognise and encourage such persons so that other youths will also see them and know that instead of being idle or engaging in vices, they can also partake in such events and become recognise and also earn some money for it”, he said.

    Tuodolor who is the pioneer commissioner for the new ministry, said such persons recognised by the state in the past have been able to establish personal ventures to employ the youths.

    Reiterating that Ebikake who hails from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area had made the state proud, he observed that most people in the state did not know that an indigene of Bayelsa was one of the GUS participants.

    “According to my senior prefect, Governor Akpabio, (he was my senior prefect when l was in secondary school), when he saw the Bayelsa girl he said she looked so fragile and wondered whether she could participate among the 35,000 people.

    “She participated and became the last 12. In the finale, our sister didn’t carry last. She took fourth position possibly because many of us didn’t participate in the voting process. She took 4th and became the ambassador of the Nigerian Breweries.

    “We want to recognise people like her adequately and properly and then work with them to bring more development to the state. This is a programme to formally receive the GUS ambassador to the state”, he said.

    Making some promises to Ebikake, he said: “We will partner with you to ensure that your name as an ambassador brings us good things and your name as an ambassador drags positive development to Bayelsa State.

    “It is also to ensure that your name as an ambassador will also influence other youths; that it will impact on other youths that are engaged in social vices; that your office can be used to make some persons repentant.”

    Tuodolor, who is the first President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, urged the youths to shun vices and imitate the zeal, resilience and doggedness of Ebikake and other ambitious youngsters from the state.

    To the youths, he said: “Look up to our ambassadors and shun vices. There is a room for you out there to excel, become a better ljaw person and a better Nigerian.”

    The commissioner decorated Ebikake with the state emblems and gave her some symbols of the Ijaw nation. He also gave another GUS ambassador from Anambra State, Mr. Michael Ogbuefi, who accomanied Ebikake one of the symbols as a vestige.

    Ebikake thanked Dickson and Tuodolor for the recognition. She observed that Dickson’s government was performing adding, “we can hear, see and feel it”.

    According to her, the empowerment programme of the governor is designed to end promiscuity and violence among the youths. She urged the youths to believe in themselves saying: “No matter where you are coming from, you can do it”.

    Ebikake said she would bring innovative ideas to move the state forward. She insisted that development should not be viewed as the responsibility of the government alone.

    Reliving her experience at the GUS, she said: “ When l went there everybody was like ‘you look so fragile. What can you do?’ But l look at them and laugh and said ‘you don’t know where l am coming from, if you know where l am coming from, then the size doesn’t really matter’.

    “And l did it. Out of the 9000 youths that were gathered that day, three people were picked and l was among them. They called again and gathered other people and out of the 30 people they picked from all the region because for the Southsouth region, they had only one and l was the only one that made it from the region.

    “We went through so many challenges and only 12 of us were picked. They looked at me and said, ‘you look so fragile but what you are displaying is not your size’. But l told them that size doesn’t matter.

    “When we went to Akwa Ibom State, the governor was so surprised. He was so particular about me because l looked so small, but l know where l was coming from, the Ijaw are strong people. We went there and l entered the jungle. Everybody was a winner.

    “The youths should shun violence. It won’t lead them to any where. The ladies should shun promiscuity and live a good life. Be certain that there is a glory covering this land and which ever height you want to get to, that glory will follow you.”