The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Making

  • The making of a governorship poll

    The making of a governorship poll

    Seun Akioye, who covered the election, writes on the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the poll.

    On the surface, Segun Agbaje, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), is a quiet and gentle fellow. As a rule, he does not carry with him the aura of an important man, holding a very important position in the country. He speaks softly and seems eager to make everyone happy.

    But behind his soft mien and gentle disposition, Agbaje is a tough old cracker who as the REC in Kogi State has made his marks and scored  highpoints with politicians in that state. He is known for issuing tough orders to politicians and expecting them to follow them. Agbaje has proved that he is a thoroughbred professional, who can do more than giving tough orders to politicians.

    On the eve of the Osun governorship election, on Friday, August 8, 2014, at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo, Agbaje told The Nation that his best smile would come after the successful conduct of the governorship election. This drew laughter from those around; such joviality.

    Such was the man who enjoys the trust and confidence of INEC Chairman Prof. Atahiru Jega to the extent that he entrusted the conduct of Osun governorship election to him. Osun election was not just like any other election; it has been marked as a yardstick for the 2015 general election. Also, the election pitched the federal might against the will of the opposition. Prior to the election, there were accusations and counter-accusations between the two major political parties in the contest; the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It was a bitter campaign and INEC was in the middle of it.

    But INEC in Osun State, headed by Agbaje, did not mince words in convincing skeptical Nigerians that it was up to the task of conducting a credible, free and fair election, despite the rancour which preceded the contest.

     INEC’s formula for a free election

     Many national and international observers have commended INEC for conducting a credible election. The arrangements and logistics were excellent and every problem that could arise was envisaged and solved before the election.

    One of such was the issue of delivery of sensitive and insensitive electoral materials. By Thursday, electoral materials were already being moved from INEC headquarters to the various wards and local governments, especially the difficult terrains.

    By Friday afternoon, all electoral materials have been moved to the various polling units and all monitors and staff were already deployed alongside their security details. This method ensured that as early as 7:am on the election day, INEC was already set for accreditation of voters, in all the 30  local governments of the state.

    Another thing that worked for INEC was public awareness.  Before the election, the Commission had engaged the public in voters’ education and enlightenment.  Posters and fliers were printed and effectively distributed throughout the state. By the time of the election, Agbaje told The Nation that Osun voters are enlightened and knowledgeable.

    “We have seen voters patiently waiting to do their accreditation and cast their votes. They are very enlightened and they know the process. It shows democracy in Nigeria has come to stay,” he said.

    INEC also scored a high point with the media. Agbaje appeared to be a very friendly media personality, he never shied away from granting interviews and he would explain an issue over again if his audience appeared lost. Also, accreditation of journalists was smooth and fast. By Thursday night, media tags were already distributed to journalists; this made it easy for journalists covering locations outside Osogbo to move to location on Friday.

    But the most important factor that helped in the conduct of the election was the determination of INEC to succeed. Agbaje, who was moved to Osun primarily for the election, after the former REC, Oluwatoyin Akeju, was removed in controversial circumstances, was a major factor in the success story of INEC in Osun.

    Early on the election day, Agbaje had moved to monitor the election all over the state.  He also brought his personality to bear on INEC officials boosting their morale. In one polling booth, he would greet the officials and ask after their well being.  He would then turn to the voters asking if they had any problems and if they were fine.

    But there were isolated events which had threatened to put a dent on the integrity of the commission. On Thursday night, two INEC officials were arrested by security operatives for allegedly being in possession of electoral materials without authorisation.  But Agbaje was able to secure the release of his officials after proving that they were on a legal mission.

     The long wait for result

     By 6:pm, counting had been concluded in many polling booths while the collating of votes was to commence at 10:pm. But while journalists, observers and party agents besieged the Commission’s headquarters, announcement of the results did not commence until 1:45 am. The long wait without explanation from INEC raised not a few eyebrows that INEC has been compromised.

    By 10pm on Saturday, the expansive hall within the premises of INEC was filled to capacity. There were about 200 journalists sitting inside the hall, idling away the night. Others were compelled to wait outside.

    Security agencies had taken over INEC office prior to the announcement of the result of the election. About a kilometre to the office, vehicular movements had been diverted into a lane, while the front of the office was filled with stern looking and heavily armed security operatives. Several guard dogs barking intermittently added to the tension. Inside the premises, it seemed like the whole contingent of police in Osun State was deployed to keep the peace that night.

    Inside the hall, the noise was deafening. Journalists, party agents, local and foreign election observers, INEC officials and election monitors were all speaking at the top of their voices. On the high table, about 12 seats were neatly arranged with the names of the occupiers written on them. In the middle and occupying the prime position was the seat of the Returning Officer (RO). The success of the election would depend on this very important officer.

    Directly in front of the high table were about 22 television cameras. The whole place looked like a scene from an important briefing of President Barack Obama or a United Nations Secretary General. At 11:30, there was still no sign of INEC officials or the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Agbaje.

    Rumour, anxiety and fear

    Throughout the evening, journalists had been unofficially compiling the results received from different quarters. By late evening, everyone had a fair idea that the winner of the election is none other than the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola. But there were rumours that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore had filed a petition challenging certain aspects of the election.

    The fear was palpable. Several theories were been bandied around. Some journalists swore that the REC had been ordered from Abuja to overturn the results of the election in favour of the party at the centre. They reasoned that was the only reason for the delay in the collation of the results.

    After several hours, journalists on election duty were tired. Many of them just wanted the RO to announce the winner and anyone who is not satisfied with the outcome should head to the tribunal.  They would not tolerate any action that would further prolong their agony. It had been a long day and many of them were fast asleep.

    At 1:45am on Sunday, the REC and other INEC officials finally made their appearance in the hall. The master of ceremony (MC) took his time introducing the “distinguished personalities” on the high table. The RO, Professor Bamitale Omole, the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University began by reintroducing himself and saying the collation was late because INEC was waiting for some of its officials who were in remote areas. He showed the sealed and unbroken forms marked “EC8D” and “EC8E.” He then asked party agents to introduce themselves before calling for the announcements of the results from the local government’s Collation Officers and the Electoral Officers.

    Nothing is as boring and tiresome as officers reeling out the scores of 20 candidates in all 30 local governments. Many of the journalists drifted in and out of sleep as the results were announced. It was a painful and torturing exercise which took the whole of four hours.

    By 4:56am, the result of Ejigbo Local Government was announced and Omole asked for a break to calculate the individual results. It was a welcomed interval which was appreciated by the gathering. Many used the time to add up all the scores from the local government and arrived at a total score for each contestant.

    Whatever good feeling that were felt by everyone soon turned awry when Omole refused to reconvene the meeting. He sat there on the high table writing furiously by long hand. After one hour, journalists were getting fed up again. Some left others determined to wait it out. By 6:38am, some journalists began to shout “Time up”, Time up”, but Omole was still preoccupied with his calculations. He seemed to have a problem with his sight. Someone lit up his papers using a touch light from his cell phone.

    At 6:50am, Omole tried to make an announcement and he was shouted down. He smiled. He seemed to enjoy the attention he was getting and as if to punish the ‘rude’ journalists, he dropped the microphone and began to write furiously.

    Frustration was beginning to set in. Though the journalists had the results, but they cannot go to press with until the RO authenticated, by officially declaring the winner. That was the dilemma and especially for the print journalists it was a torture.

    There were talks that the RO had instructions to reverse the numbers and declare a loser as the winner. Others wondered why he did not invite a Prof. of Mathematics in the crowd to help him help him with the additions.

    Then the compeer took the floor, asking all party agents to endorse the summary sheets, to indicate their acceptance of the results. The PDP agent was reluctant to sign. This further enraged the audience, with many of them shouting at the top of their voices that the results announced whether he signed or not.

    Suddenly some journalists began to sing. It was a protest song. “All we are saying give us the results.” Soon, the whole room joined in and Omole was forced to listen. An official took the microphone and said: “I suppose you are all called gentlemen of the Press,” he said.

    “All we are saying give us result.”

    Omole attempted to speak and his voice was drowned in the song. Another song was raised. “Solidarity forever,” it was from an observer who preceded the song by shouting “Ei Soweto, Ei Africa.” Then reason prevailed and the song stopped.  Omole took the floor and explained he had to write the results in long hand. He appealed for understanding and the crowd took pity on him.

    Few minutes later the results were read. Governor Aregbesola polled a total of 394,684 to defeat Iyiola Omisore who polled 292,747. The Labour Party candidate came a distant third with 8, 898 votes.

    Omole: “Ogbeni Rauf A. Aregbesola, of the APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby declared the winner of the governorship election and returned elected.” The hall erupted into jubilation. Songs were raised and thumbs pumped. Many journalists rushed to their computers and blackberries. Now they can send the story.

  • Making a case for regional growth

    Making a case for regional growth

    Whoever thought about forming economic blocs must have known that combining two ‘good’ heads to form one is better than ploughing ahead solo at achieving success. Hence, it does not come as a surprise when various professional bodies, community, and nationalities gather together to gain from the powers of synergy.

    Such liaisons have galvanised into the formidable associations like the United Nations (UN), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Closer home to Nigeria, the Africa Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been established. The gains of such unions can never underestimated, hence, some jostling to belong have occurred. It was these gains that brought about the formation of the European Union (EU) by 12 countries in 1993.

    And in the country, the call for regional economic bloc has also been screamed. In the early years before Nigeria’s independence and shortly after, regions such as the southwest pioneered integration. The region championed development causes such as farming and industry and it quickly became an economic force to reckon with. Well, that was before the discovery of oil in the Niger Delta and the country’s dependence on the black gold.

    But in recent times, the southwest comprising Yorubas, have come up with Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), a regional success road map. And complementary to that, two companies – Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation newspaper, and CEEDEE Resources, – organised in 2012 and 2013, a Legislative Summit in Ibadan and a southwest Expo in Osogbo respectively. It was a product of that synergy that resulted in the book, Regional Integration; Strategy for National Development.

    The 162-page book is a compendium of papers from politicians, technocrats, academics, as well as traditional leaders, all pursuing the goal of regional integration.

    The Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, posited that the time for the idea of regional integration has come. He also advocated that the policy thrust should focus on some critical areas such as employment, education, transportation, healthcare and agriculture.

    And looking at the future to expand the tentacles of DAWN beyond the current states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States, Dipo Famakinwa, the director-general of the DAWN Commission stated: ‘DAWN is a challenge of leadership. The whole world is leaving us behind and we cannot continue to put the lives and well-being of about 40 million in jeopardy.’

    To this end, the region would synergise efforts, especially concerning trade and industry, and setting up target landmark projects in road and rail construction, healthcare and provision of a ‘Regional Technology City).

    He also canvassed extending DAWN’s gains to include people in Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta States.

    A former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba considers the drive for regional integration as a return to the region’s early success.

    ‘The regions enjoyed measurable autonomy from the centre,’ he stated. ‘They enjoyed fiscal federalism, retaining at least 50% of revenues derived within their territories. They had their own separate constitution as well as regional police to ensure security.’

    According to him, had the arrangement progressed, Nigeria could have currently been at par with the Asian Tigers.

    And while most presenters spoke glowingly of regional integration, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, observed that ‘regional integration is very imperative in Nigeria today because the federalism practiced today is not only lopsided, but it is also counter-productive.’

    She also skimmed on some demerits of regional integration to include rivalry for donor funds, contradictory obligations and loyalty for member states, fragmented economic spaces and inconsistent objectives and conflicting operational mandates.

    The contributors also include Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Hon. Olawale Oshun, the chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group, and Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi, chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aids, Loan, and Debt Management. Others were Professor Akin Oyebode, Professor Adebayo Williams, and High Chief Omowale Kuye, Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    Overall, the book comes across as a distillation of a peoples’ idea and their efforts toward achieving socio-political and economic strength, the ‘bringing back’ if you may, of something they had enjoyed in the past.

  • Iheanacho, a super star in the making

    Iheanacho, a super star in the making

    Kelechi Iheanacho was always going to be a star. Most Nigerians never doubted his precocious and prodigious talent as soon as they watched him play for the Golden Eaglets.

    Along with Prince Izu Omego, Yahaya Umar, Ifeanyi Matthew and Success Isaac, Iheanacho was among the brightest sparks as Nigeria finished second at the 2013 African U-17 Championship in Morocco.

    However, powerful striker, Isaac was widely regarded at the time as Nigeria’s best player but fate was to play a role in Iheanacho’s rise to prominence.

    Four goals in Nigeria’s opening game at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup against Mexico coupled with an unfortunate injury to Isaac in the next group game against Sweden meant the burden of expectations was now heavily laid on the shoulders of Iheanacho.

    He did not disappoint. He led from the front with several inspirational displays and also weighed in with his fair share of crucial goals as Nigeria won the U17 title for a record fourth time.

    Iheanacho’s eye-catching displays did not go unnoticed as he was named winner of the golden ball-accolade reserved for best player of the tournament.

    It was only a matter of time before he joined a big European side and Manchester proved to be his destination.

    The City manager, Manuel Pellegrini is a wily, shrewd individual with a sharp eye for unheralded talent and he wasted no time in throwing Iheanacho into the deep and against Kansas City in City’s opening pre-season game.

    Iheanacho did not let the Chilean down as he completely ran the show with a display that typified class, ease of movement, quick thinking and impeccable passing.

    The teenager shone against Kansas, dictating play for City, testing the opposition goalkeeper with several blistering drives.

    He struck the final nail in the coffin of the MLS leaders with a well-taken fourth goal as City ran out 4-1 winners.

    Pellegrini was effusive in his praise of the 17-year-old after the game as he described him as “the future’ of the club.

    “Kelechi is just 17 years old and he’s a very important player for us in the future.

    “He demonstrated today what he can do in the future. It depends on the way he takes this profession, but I think he’s a good talent,” the former Real Madrid Boss said. Iheanacho excels as deep-lying number 10, and is seemingly most effective playing behind the striker. As he proved against Kansas City, he has a very keen eye for a pass and is blessed with wonderful creativity for a player so young. He however declared that many felt he did not have a future as a professional footballer.

    “A lot of the boys thought maybe I was too small, too skinny to be a good player. But I realised now with that God is preparing something special for me,” he said.

  • National conference: making Nigeria work

    National conference: making Nigeria work

    Text of a speech by National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the eighth anniversary of the late human rights activist Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti on Monday.

    The man we celebrate today, Dr. Bekolari Ransome-Kuti remains an icon undiminished in death and unrivalled in courage and tenacity. He is the sad reminder though of how Nigeria wastes some of her best and brightest. He died fighting for us all. For a Nigeria that works. For a democracy that guarantees freedom. justice and fairness and for a government that is responsible and accountable.

    That he died in the midst of the battle to liberate our country was a big loss. We however, have a lot to learn from his life and times. We have a lot to work with in the principles he espoused. He was a decent man. A core professional who sacrificed his professional career in the struggle to liberate his people.

    The things he fought for, the kind of country he wanted and the cause to which he dedicated his life gives us an idea of what needs to be fixed for this country to excel. Nigeria is assailed on many sides by an inept leadership, corruption and funds miss-management and collapse of public infrastructure. The climbing unemployment level speaks to the disarticulated economy we operate as a country. Lack of economic freedom has made Nigerians vulnerable to all sorts of government pranks. Nigeria can no longer continue on this sorry and uncertain path. There must be a change in governance and general orientation.

    Let me however, return to the issue of the national conference and the attempt to hoodwink Nigerians that the “Jonathan Conference” is what will be the panacea to our problems.

    On the issue of National Conference. I have been consistent. I have always maintained that the call for the convocation of a national conference to give to Nigeria and Nigerians a people’s constitution is justified. It is not only the process of the enactment of the 1999 Constitution that is faulty and undemocratic, the contents of the constitution are also inimical to the operation of democratic governance and the realization of the aspirations of the federating units and the peoples of Nigeria

    A Sovereign Conference is an idea Beko during his lifetime championed. Several others and myself through PRONACO and similar platforms have actively promoted, supported and advocated the same idea of a Sovereign Conference. To insinuate that I will of all people be opposed to the convocation of a national conference that meets the prescription we have advocated is mischievous and totally untrue. The Jonathan Conference is not what we have continuously agitated for.

    My opposition to the Jonathan Conference is anchored on principle. In October 2013, after a deep review of the Jonathan Conference proposal, I told Nigerians that the conference is not what Nigerians had advocated for. I warned that booby traps lay ahead. Though I remain an unrepentant supporter of a genuinely Sovereign National Conference, I am suspicious of this present concoction because it is half- baked and fully deceptive. Government’s sincerity is questionable, the timing is also suspect. Now that this government is sinking in a pool of political and economic hot water of its own making, it seizes hold of the national conference idea as if it were a life jacket.

    Today, there are enough contradictions and confusion to sink the conference even before it starts. Yet the government forges on. In that same October 2013 write up which I made public, I articulated my position on the national conference being organized by the Jonathan government. The issues I raised remain. The fears I mentioned abide and the demands I made on the Jonathan government to treat some long standing issues before rushing us into another jamboree are fundamental to moving this country forward. For the benefit of this important occasion and audience here today, let me repeat some of what I said.

    “This government has not the honesty, foresight, tolerance and objectivity to hold a National Conference of any type. This government is so partisan and parochial it can’t even hold its own party together how dare it even think it can organize a national conference that lives up to its name by being truly representative of all the nation’s constituent parts. At most, all they can conduct is a conference comprised of one section of their party and those shell, artificial civil society groups that purport to reflect the public’s mind yet do nothing but spew government propaganda and get paid good naira for their service. This government cannot hold a National Conference anymore than a comatose man can stand and hold up a candle that the rest of us might see our way to a better Nigeria.

    Before embarking on new public relations ploys to whitewash its tarnished record, the government should treat some long outstanding issues and matters. This government cannot give what it does not have.

    If the conference must be held now, we must return to the spade work already done by the Obasanjo government in the aspect of constitutional review. Let the Jonathan government bring it out, remove the third term toxic component and set up a technical review committee to examine the 118 recommendations therein. We must continue from where we disagreed. Nation building is a progressive work and to totally jettison the considerable spade work already done is to set back the hands of the clock. Time is not on our side.

    Secondly, this government should implement the Uwais recommendations on electoral reforms. That report was the work of imminent Nigerians and it was done after widespread consultations to constituencies far and wide. We all know that our electoral system is broken and unfair. If the President has done nothing to fully implement this corrective report that would fix a system so blatantly broken, why would he implement recommendations of national conference if those recommendations do not suit his narrow purposes? The government should first implement this important work in order to demonstrate to Nigerians that it can hold and honor the outcome of a National dialogue.

    This government should do so to show that it has nothing to hide and is willing to engage in the upcoming electoral contest on a level playing field.

    This government must first show good faith for Nigerians to believe them. President Jonathan is not the man to give Nigerians a true National Conference. He can only give us a “Jonathan conference” as bitter icing on the sour cake his government has become. This government lacks the presence of mind and the decency to implement a national conference.

    This administration has not achieved any tangible transformation because it has no concrete goals. Now it tilts and staggers under the weight of insecurity. Claims of transformation and of building an economy that is robust and institutions of democracy, by the President shows someone who believes fiction is more important than fact and imagination is more genuine than reality.

    Both in timing and in style, previous administrations adopted the same tricks of National Conference as a framework to structure their agenda to which people presented memoranda and attended plenaries before realising it was a trick.

    This government’s offer of a National Conference is a wingless bird. It will not fly. The report and recommendations of the Senator Okunronmu advisory committee is now the subject of raging controversy because it failed to the aspirations of Nigerians. Rather than bring clarity, it has brought confusion. The structure and mechanism of the process in that report confirms my assertion that we are on a journey with no destination save the wall of futility.

    Yes, we need to talk. However, we need a national conference that is truly sovereign and not one dictated by the reactionary and regressive elements of the ruling party. This is not the way to clear Nigeria from danger. This is a selfish ploy that will place the nation deeper in darkness and indirection.

    Nigeria is adrift and unless we start a discourse aimed at updating and improving our political economy and its structures, we might wake up one day from a night devoid of dreams because we have turned into a nation devoid of hope.

    However, an imposed national conference by individuals who have shown total disdain for anything nationalistic that does not unduly benefit them and who have demonstrated lack of respect for the opinions of others because they are in “Power” will have little success. It will be an empty and expensive futility with no true dividends for a people wanting their leaders to show them a way out of the pit and not a way deeper into it.

    So, how can we make Nigeria work? First, government must devise a system by which it can deal with the issues that readily confront the Nigerian State and also the constituting ethnic nationalities. This is fundamental. Equally, there can be no short cuts if Nigeria is to be liberated from its present quagmire. Here is a prescription:

    • Overhaul Government-get competent and knowledgeable in key positions to conceive and execute dynamic policies

    • Diversify the economy, revitalize agriculture to create jobs and create wealth

    • Combat corruption by plugging loop holes and government wastages

    • Provide adequate energy to power homes, industries and businesses

    • Subcribe to the rule of law and ensure there is justice for all and not just a few

    • Fiscal/true federalism must be practiced in all ramifications.

    These suggestions are by no means exhaustive, but Nigeria most first confront the known demons that have held it back.

    Today as we pay glowing tributes to an extra –ordinary activist, a patriot of great repute and de-trabalized Nigerian, I call upon us all to honor him by fighting for the ideas he promoted and defending the principles he sought to promote: a truly democratic society.

  • Laundry soap making

    Laundry soap is one of the most essential house-hold items that humans

    use daily. It commands regular or constant demand in the market place.

    It is in the group of useful commodities like food items, water, clothes, and shelter that we can not do without. Little wonder that the soap making business has not suffered any set back in spite of the global economic melt-down.

    Soap making business is lucrative and offers reliable and constant revenue for business men and women who are producing and those marketing soap wholesale or retail. If you are in doubt, please ask the nearest soap seller on your street how often he or she visits the market to replenish his or her stock.

    Different types of soap are produced daily and they include laundry soap, bathing soap, antiseptic soap, detergent and a host of others. The modes of producing them the chemicals used are slightly different.

    Our focus here is on how to produce laundry soap on a small scale. There are various methods of production, but two are outstanding. The hot and cold method. The hot method involves boiling the chemicals in a mixture. The cold method, which is easier and does not involve boiling, is being exposed here.

  • Making a difference in today’s world

    Making a difference in today’s world

    Dr. Isokari Francis Ololo’s The Quest for Distinction – The Odd Discovery is an inspirational and spiritual book heavily laced with timeless wisdom, life philosophies, illustrated with personal experiences and management concepts; all tailored towards encouraging readers to deal with mediocrity and stand out in every sphere of their life pursuits.

    Specifically, the 125-page book discusses eleven principles that could assist individuals and businesses discover their uniqueness and use it to achieve enduring success.

    The subject-matters are exhaustively discussed in eleven chapters, highlighting the mind of the true and steadfast believers, which the author calls ‘Odd Mind’, in relation to service, talent, insight, niceness, Godliness, temptation, honesty, exceptionality, righteousness, unity and thinking.

    As stated in the first chapter, the book was inspired by “the need to encourage sincere Believers to identify who they are (Odd people), what their goal is (the heavenly kingdom), and therefore be able, against all odds, to stand, if necessary, until they are rewarded by the Father of all sanctified peoples”.

    Discussing the nature of man within the context of service, the author observed in several sections of the book that by their nature some people, who he described as the ‘Even Mind’ do not like work and consequently do not like to serve, stressing that “this is in contrast to God’s purpose for man”.

    On the other hand, there people, according to the author, who love to serve, (the Odd) “who deliberately allow a shift in their former thinking pattern and attitude”. While the Odd are few in number, the Even, who persist in their former thinking pattern and attitude, are greater in number.

    The author took quite a number of pages to identify and categorize the people with the ‘Even’ and ‘Odd’ tendencies, and then used a greater part of the book to admonish mankind on the best way to succeed in life here on earth and in the hereafter. In Chapter One he says: “Every true Believer must love to serve, taking a cue from Christ Himself.”

    In another section, the author stresses, “You do not need to advertise yourself as a Believer. The level of service you give will tell that about you. It is easy for those you serve to judge you to be a true Believer or as someone who is not a true Believer.

    “Those who are not true Believers behave and do whatever the larger group of society does. They do not have defined standards to guide their behavior. They are like water that settles on the bottom of a canoe that is tossed to and fro by the force of the waves of the sea. They serve just for the sake of serving God.”

    This warning and admonition run through all the chapters, with particular stress on the theme of each of the chapters. For instance, in Chapter Two, which deals with human tendency to succeed or fail while using his talent, he discusses the need to put natural endowment to positive use. He observed that talent, which is a natural ability in man that aids him to do something outstanding such as motivating others with unique works of art, should be used to please God and serve mankind rather than towards exploiting others to nurture oneself.

    To this end, the author says in Chapter Two: “Talent is intrinsic and, to be of value to mankind, it has to evolve in a form from which society will benefit. Talent on its own will mean nothing unless it possesses some value.”

    Talent and insight complement each other in a way that yields positive results. Hence, the author uses the third chapter to discuss the symbiotic relationship and how it should be utilized in the service of God and mankind. “Insight helps the Odd to make sense of chance happenings around them and seize the available opportunities. The quest for synchronicity makes the Odd unique and opens unimaginable doors of opportunities and possibilities for them to showcase their distinctiveness.”

    Other characteristics discussed in subsequent chapters include kindness, honesty and how the positive attributes could aid man in his quest for distinction.

    On the negative attributes such as temptation, the author has this to say in Chapter Six:

    “Here, the lust for women and men is greatly pronounced. Generally, temptation first of all appeals to the human senses. Where the heart is guarded, the force of the temptation fizzles out, but where the heart is not guarded, the desires giving rise to the temptation become actualized.” And in Chapter Eight he warns against dishonesty, emphasizing the need for sincerity. “We must not deceive ourselves; rather, we must discover our oddity through the trait of honesty and accept it as a way of life. That way, we will always be the models we are created to be.”

    The eleventh chapter, which is the last, but not the least, dwells on the power of thinking and the need to use it positively. In the author’s view, “Mental activity directs our reflection, imaginations, opinions, or notions. Humanity survives through the process of thinking and acting out. The quality of thinking separates the Odd from the Even as it brings the Odd to the limelight and finds a unique class for them. Thinking widens in-depth knowledge and insight. Thinking is not stagnant; it shifts. As it shifts, it expands and begets action, triggers another thought, and begets further action. When we stop thinking, we set limits to our knowledge and development, and there will no longer be any paradigm shifts.”

    This is no doubt very eloquent philosophical postulations that could be hardly found in other motivational works. In addition to Dr. Ololo’s gift of eloquence and intelligence, his writing ability is equally remarkable. The well-researched and scripturally sound book, written in American English spellings, is crafted in such a simple and flowing language that makes reading a great delight. The book is a must read for those who want to positively stand out of the crowd, and use the unique position to further the cause of humanity.

     

  • The making of geniuses

    The making of geniuses

    THEY were simply in a class of their own. They were the cynosure of all eyes at the event. In the eyes of their parents, colleagues, guests and the management of the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), they are geniuses in the making.

    Or how would you describe these 11 students who made the maximum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.0 after an academic session? Their parents were full of joy at their rare feat. The students stood tall at the third Founder’s Day of ABUAD last Thursday, where they were honoured.

    The university, established by legal icon Chief Afe Babalola gave out N28.5 million worth of scholarships to them and others. The 11 students are: Ogunbusola Oluwatosin (Economics), Orji Ernestina Chinwe (Medicine), Azom Esther Adaobi (Medicine), Otu Chichetaram Ruth (Medicine), Adefolaju Boluwatife Aderemi (Medicine), Ojelabi Modupe Victoria (Medicine), Igbokwe Chisom Elsie (Medicine), Apata Modupe Victoria (Medicine), Afolabi Oluwateniola Ajoke (Medicine), Ikegwuru Chioma (Medicine) and Akinseye Ayo Clinton (Petroleum Engineering). The students got N500,000 cheque each in scholarship.

    Mr Martin Akinseye told The Nation that his 18-year-old son, Ayo Clinton, was winning the award for the second time, adding that he would likely win it again at the end of the current session.

    “He is winning it for the second time now,” said Akinseye, an ICT expert. “They have just completed their 300-Level first semester and my son scored 5.0. So, I am hopeful that he is most likely to win it again in his third year.”

    He has every reason to be happy. To afford Ayo’s fees, Mr Akinseye said he has sold two cars. But he is not missing them because of Ayo’s performance which won him the scholarship.

    “I had to sell my RAV4 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) worth over a N1 million then for N600,000 to complete his school fees. Again, very recently, I sold my Honda Bulldog to make up his fees. But, with his scholarship award today, let me say categorically that I have no regret for my actions. If I’d sold the two vehicles for less than a million, and he has gotten scholarships worth more than that in value, where is the regret then?” Mr Akinseye asked.

    Ayo attribute his achievements to his parents enrolling him in a good university like ABUAD and he is doing all he can to make them happy.

    “When I considered the amount my parents paid as my school fees and other things every year, I decided I was going to pay them back to make them smile and that is exactly what I’m doing,” he said.

    The parents of Ernestina Chinwe Orji were not surprised at her performance. She is a chip off the old block. Her father is a professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State and her mother, Victoria, is a Chief Nurse at the OAU Teaching Hospital.

    “Ernestine is our first child . She is a hardworking, dutiful and God-fearing girl. On our part, we try as much as we can to provide all that she needs in school so that she doesn’t suffer,” she said.

    Her father, Prof Ernest Orji, added: “We are so happy today, we inculcated discipline into all our children, and this is to show that our efforts are not in vain.”

    For the recipient, the scholarship which she is clinching for the first time will spur her to greater heights.

    “For me I have come a long way; sleepless nights, burning night candles and all that. It’s a moment of joy for me and I hope to work harder to win it again,” she said.

    Some winners, in the previous editions, who got N500,000 for making a 5.0 CGPA were not that lucky this year. They went away with N85,000 for making between 4.5 and 4.9 CGPA.

    Two law students, Opasina Eniola and Ade-Ojo Olayombo, who are in their 100 and 200 levels, did not make up to the 5.0 CGPA benchmark.

    Eniola said she did her best but couldn’t hit the 5.0 mark, Ade-Ojo promised to improve on his performance in future.

    Many other brilliant students won scholarships. The trio of Adefolaju Boluwatife, Igbokwe Chisom Eisie and Ikegwuru Chioma, studying Medicine and Surgery, won between N85,000 and N100,000.

    But, in ABUAD, scholarships are not only for the brilliant. The pair of Oluwafunmilola Waleola, 20, and Adeola Crystal Adewuyi, 18, who won in the university’s inter-faculty sports competition were among several sportsmen and women rewarded with trophies. Oluwafunmilola from Electrical/Electronic Engineering won in football, Adeola shone in volleyball.

    Rev Chris Tamuola, a lawyer, who spoke on behalf of the parents, thanked the university, especially Aare Babalola, for establishing what he described as a healthy intellectual challenge” among their children.

    “Of all public and private universities, it is only ABUAD that has instituted this magnitude of scholarship. After each event, every parent wants to prompt his child to win because when they win the burden of tuition is reduced. Parents will continue to support the university on this initiative,” he said.

    A lecturer of Macro/Micro and Energy Economics, Mr Akomolafe John, emerged the best teacher of the year with N100,000 reward. The hall shook when Akomolafe’s name was called.

    “I want to dedicate this award to the students,” Akomolafe said.

    “The students made me. There is joy you cannot quantify when you are in the midst of students who accept, cherish and appreciate your work. There is no doubt you will be willing to do more. One thing I appreciate is that the students are always around me and they make me feel at home.”

    Earlier, Prof Akunyili who was the special guest of honour, described Are Babalola as a rare gem, philanthropist and a man who believes in justice.

    She praised the legal luminary for establishing the university and investing in education while others similarly endowed misuse their wealth.

    “The difference between Aare Afe and others is because he nurtures his dreams into reality and ABUAD is a shining example. Before, I used to hear about this university, but with the huge investment I have seen here, let me say that the media has not done justice to this university. This is a world-class university set up by a concerned individual in the face of decaying education in Nigeria when people who are even richer than him are spending their money on private jets,” she said.

    She said the awards would motivate students to achieve more, adding: “My respect for you has increased, today, with what I’ve seen. When people are rewarded, they tend to do more; but when the reverse is the case, it breeds corruption. These awards, I am sure, will have a ripple effect, because it will encourage others to do more.”

    Aare Babalola said he invited Prof Akunyili based on her exploits in the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) which the students could learn from. He said he established ABUAD to demonstrate to Nigeria how education should be run to achieve the best.

    Prof Osho said ABUAD, which is 38 months old, is adjudged the second best university in Nigeria and 16th among universities worldwide, according to Webometrics online ranking of universities. This, she said, followed an earlier endorsement of ABUAD by the NUC as “a model, benchmark and reference point for other universities.”

    She said the university has realised that motivating staff and students are vital to realising the founder’s vision.

    “In ABUAD, we have realised that recognition and motivation, are areas vital to encouraging and challenging students and staff not to rest on their oars but strive harder so that the vision of the founder can be achieved.

    “This cash reward is a trademark of our Founder, Aare Afe Babalola, a philanthropist par excellence. His life is to encourage others to build communities and be a main agent of education reform and change. ABUAD is a vision in motion,” she said.

    Prof Osho said 256 students, comprising 156 women and 96 men and 20 members of staff (three women and 17 men) received awards in various categories.

    She gave the breakdown of the awards to include: Academic Award for students having 5.0 CGPA (N500,000); Academic Award for students having 4.5-4.9 CGPA (N75,000-N100,000); students with satisfactory proof of being an indigent and inability to continue their university education in ABUAD (N400,000).

    Other awards included those for the most disciplined student, neatest student, best dressed student, most outstanding student leader, most outstanding student of integrity, most industrious student, most responsible student, most preserving indigent student and sportsman of the year, among others, with cash rewards ranging between N50,000 and N100, 000.