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Tag: Obasanjo

  • I resisted pressure to influence choice of VC, says Obasanjo

    I resisted pressure to influence choice of VC, says Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has given insight into “behind-the-scenes intrigues and politics” that led to the choice of Prof. Felix Kolawole Salako as vice chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

    Salako, a professor of Soil Physics, assumed office yesterday as the sixth vice chancellor of the 29-year-old university.

    Dignitaries at the event include Obasanjo, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council Dr. Aboki Zhawa; FUNAAB’s past vice chancellors, including Prof. Julius Okogie, and Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Ololade Eniokuomehin.

    Salako succeeded Prof Olusola Oyewole, whose five-year tenure was full of controversy.

    Obasanjo said there was pressure on him to influence the Governing Council in choosing the vice chancellor, adding that he refused to bow to such pressure.

    He said many things were said about the new vice chancellor, which would have affected his victory.

    The former President said he stood his ground not to interfere in the process, except to encourage the Governing Council to do its job thoroughly.

    Obasanjo lauded the council for picking the vice chancellor, and Salako, for his brilliance during his screening.

    He urged the VC to strive for excellence and remain vigilant.

    Obasanjo said: “I know there must have been pressure on you (Governing Council). Even me, an outsider, there was pressure on me. But I did not succumb to pressure. I did not even succumb to pressure to tell you what people were telling me.

    “When chairman of the Governing Council came to tell me of people being shortlisted for screening for the position of the VC, I told him to go and do his job. He also told me who was selected, based on his best performance.

    “Salako also came to me after his selection and I told him: ‘Let’s discuss all that people were saying about you.’ I asked him: ‘You were part of the last administration that did not perform at the end.’ His answer sweet my bele (His answers gladden my heart). He didn’t deny. He said yes, but he was also part of Prof Balogun’s administration, which performed well at the end of his tenure.

    “You see, in the military, we say there is no bad soldier but a bad officer. That was why Salako did well during Balogun’s administration but not in another administration.

  • Obasanjo bags AFRIMMA’s Leadership Award

    Obasanjo bags AFRIMMA’s Leadership Award

    Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo has been honoured with the Leadership in Africa Award by organisers of the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA).

    The retired Army General was given the diadem on the occasion of the 4th AFRIMMA Awards and Festival which held on October 8, at the House of Blues, Dallas, Texas, United States.

    Tauted as the biggest African music awards in Diaspora, this year’s AFRIMMA was attended by Nigerian celebrities such as Tiwa Savage, Falz, Basketmouth, Emma Nyra, and Kaffy  among others, who joined in the colourful celebration of African music on the world stage.

    Founder of the show and CEO of Big A Entertainment, Anderson Obiagwu, said AFRIMMA Leadership in Africa Award is dedicated to African who have served with distinction in various leadership capacities in Africa and internationally.

    He said: “Obasanjo, it would be recalled, is the first Nigerian to serve as Military Head of State as well as Civillian President.

    “Some of his major achievements and accomplishments include being the first Military Head of State to successfully hand over power to an elected civillian President and also played a crucial role in wrestling back power from the Military in 1999, culminating in him being elected President.

    “Obasanjo is also a designated UN envoy who has overseen various democratic elections across the continent. He is particularly renowned for his activities in the peace process of West African countries; Liberia and Sierra Leone. He famously resolved along with President Biya of Cameroon the protracted Bakassi Peninsula issue by signing the ‘Greentree Agreement’.

    “The amiable leader established the Presidential Library which is one of the biggest educational tourism institutions in Africa . It would be recalled also that it was during his tenure as President that GSM mobile technology was introduced to Nigeria while counterparts Benin, Togo and Ghana were all already on the GSM technology.

    “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way and Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Mathew Obasanjo has been a tenacious leader who has left an imprint on African leadership history,” he said.

    Nigeria’s Davido won the AFRIMMA Artiste of the Year, and Song of the Year with ‘IF’.

     

  • Obasanjo: I’m done with PDP

    Obasanjo: I’m done with PDP

    PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Chairman Senator Ahmed Makarfi yesterday held a private meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ostensibly to seek his help in rebuilding and rejuvenating the crisis-ridden party.

    But according to sources, the outcome of the hour-long meeting at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta did not fit into Makarfi’s expectations.

    Obasanjo, it was learnt, told the former Kaduna State Governor that he was done with PDP and would not want to reverse himself on a decision long taken about the party.

    Obasanjo, who was elected President twice on the ticket of PDP and later became the party’s Board of Trustees Chairman, in the build-up to the 2015 general elections, publicly tore his PDP membership card and quit partisan politics to become an elder statesman.

    At the conclusion of the private discussion yesterday, the ex-president, who barred Makarfi from speaking to reporters, said it was a meeting of two former colleagues.

    READ ALSO: PDP Chairmanship: I can’t move without Obasanjo’s advice – Daniel

    Obasanjo added that he told his guest that he was “no longer of the PDP,  having quit partisan politics.

    He said jokingly: “This is two colleagues’ meeting, two colleagues before before. When I was the President, chairman was a governor; two colleagues before before.

    “I have told the chairman that I was in PDP before but not now. God forbid, say when a dog vomits, it will go back to eat its vomit, no.  I have said no partisan politics for me again and not partisan politics. But Nigeria is my passion until death do us part and anything that concerns Nigeria; the good of Nigeria, you will see my involvement.

    “So, the chairman has come to greet me and ‘I greet am’, and now that we’ve greeted ourselves, chairman will be going. You gentlemen and ladies of the press, you can now go, leave the chairman alone.”

    Obasanjo added: “I have said publicly before and I will say it again. For our democracy to thrive and continue to be strong, we need strong party in government and strong party in the opposition.

    “It has to be that way, otherwise party in government will get away with impunity and that is not good for democracy.”

    But Makarfi, after leaving Obasanjo, shunned the party’s state secretariat on Ibrahim Babangida Boulevard, Abeokuta – about 250 metres away from OOPL, where he met the ex-president.

    Factional PDP state chairman Adebayo Dayo and hundreds of others that had massed up at the secretariat to welcome him to Ogun State were disappointed.

    Adebayo told reporters that they had mobilised PDP members from across the state’s 20 local government areas to receive Makarfi and regretted that they could not see the caretaker chairman throughout his stay in Abeokuta.

    He vowed never to recognise Makarfi as PDP leader for treating him and hordes of other party members with contempt.

  • I’m done with PDP, can’t help you or party – Obasanjo tells Makarfi

    I’m done with PDP, can’t help you or party – Obasanjo tells Makarfi

    The National Caretaker Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, on Tuesday held a private meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo ostensibly to seek Obasanjo’s help in rebuilding and rejuvenating crisis – ridden PDP.

    But indications emerged later that the outcome of the hour – long meeting at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, did not fit into Makarfi’s initial expectations.

    Rather than get help,  it was learnt, that Obasanjo reminded the former Governor of Kaduna State in clear term that he was long done with PDP and would not want to reverse himself on a decision long taken about the party.

    Obasanjo who was elected President of Nigeria twice on the ticket of PDP and later became the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the party, had in the build up to the 2015 general elections, publicly tore his PDP membership card before Television Camera and announced his quitting of partisan politics to become an elder statesman and father of all of Nigerians.

    Read: Ogun 2019: Neither APC nor PDP will win – Guber aspirant

     And at the conclusion of the private discussion, this afternoon, the ex – President who barred Makarfi from speaking to journalists, saying he would speak on his behalf, said it was a meeting of two former colleagues, and did tell his guest that he was “no longer of the PDP” having “quitted partisan politics.”

    “This is two colleagues meeting, two colleagues before before, when I was the President, Chairman was a Governor, two colleagues before before.

    “I have told the Chairman that I was in PDP before but not now, ‘God forbid, say when a dog vomits, it will go back to eat its vomit, no. I have said no partisan politics for me again and not partisan politics, but Nigeria is my passion until death do us part and anything that concerns Nigeria; the good of Nigeria, you will see my involvement.

    “So, the Chairman has come to greet me and ‘I greet am’, and now that we’ve greeted ourselves, Chairman will be going, you gentlemen and ladies of the press, you can now go, leave the Chairman alone.

    “I have said that publicly before and I will say it again, for our democracy to thrive and continue to be strong, we need strong party in government and strong party in the opposition.

    “It has to be that way, otherwise party in government will get away with impunity and that is not good for democracy,” Obasanjo said.

    Read Also: Makarfi gives terms for peace in PDP

  • Obasanjo, Yar’ Adua, Jonathan, Buhari are accidental leaders, says Na’Abba

    Former Speaker of House of Representatives Ghali Umar Na’Abba has described the leaders that ruled Nigeria in the last 18 years as accidental leaders going by the process of their emergence.

    Na’Abba spoke in Abuja at the 2016/2017 Matriculation and Fellowship Endowment Ceremony of the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS).

    He blamed the country’s leadership recruitment process for the accidental leadership problem.

    The ex-Speaker said: “Circumstances at hand or situations on ground have to a large extent over the years determined, who and who was elected into office in Nigeria as President since 1999 as against level of preparedness on the part of the leaders in terms of clear vision and programmes obtainable in most democracies of the world, culminating in accidental leadership for the country.”

    According him, accidental leadership brings about trial and error in governance, which, he said, has been the lot of Nigeria since 1999 till date.

    Na’Abba said this has led to poor governance and frustrations on the part of Nigerians.

    He expressed regret that leadership recruitment process in Nigeria has been hijacked by a few politicians.

    He urged for what he called regular ‘tutorials’ for political leaders at all levels and called on more Nigerians to participate in politics with a view to opening up the political space.

    The former speaker said: “I believe that not just the Legislature, every arm of government that is serving the purpose of governance must invest in exposing democracy to the people. It is a sad commentary on our political life that today recruitment into leadership has been subverted by a few politicians because they deny Nigerians opportunity to contest elections and achieve their aspirations through the systematic appropriation of political parties to themselves

    “These politicians have stopped the growth of democracy. And it is true that unless democracy is allowed to grow, we cannot achieve the desired political growth, we cannot achieve the desired economic growth and we can also not achieve the desired social growth in our country. And that is why we are still in political, economic and social doldrums. We have been having successive accidental leaders since 1999.

    “It is time for us to begin to understand that the more participation Nigerians enjoy in politics, the more political development we attain; and consequently, economic and social development.

    “We have been advocating that tutorials must be taking place on a continuous basis for stakeholders in democracy from the local governments to the states. Every stakeholder, particularly party executives, because what is sad today is that most of those who hold positions at the executive level on our political parties cannot distinguish the duties, functions and distinction between and among our political institutions. So, with this lack of knowledge it is almost impossible for them to understand the kind of people that should serve at various levels”.

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara said the National Assembly had made appreciable efforts in fulfilling its democratic obligations to Nigerians by paying particular attention to capacity-building.

    Dogara explained that parliamentary capacity development was important to ensure balance of power among the branches of a democratic system.

    He hailed NILS/UNIBEN for the programmes designed to build capacity of legislative staff.

    The speaker said the knowledge imparted to participants would build a pool of competent staff and members to enhance international best practices in the discharge of their duties.

    Director General NILS Prof. Ladi Hamalai congratulated the students and urged them to take their studies seriously.

    Over 85 students matriculated in Masters in Legislative Drafting, Masters in Parliamentary Administration as well as Masters in Legislative Studies.

    Besides Na’Abba, four former presiding officers of the National Assembly received NILS Award of Fellowship.

    They include: former Senate President from 1979 to 1983, Senator Joseph Wayas; Dr. Ken Nnamani (2005 to 2007); Aminu Bello Masari (2003 to 2007), who is Katsina State Governor and former Deputy Senate President Senator Ibrahim Mantu (2001 to 2007).

  • Mbeki: Obasanjo Library to help Africa recover its history

    Mbeki: Obasanjo Library to help Africa recover its history

    Former South Africa President Thabo Mbeki yesterday hailed the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, for its potential to help Africans recover their dignity and history.

    Mbeki said the OOPL is home to important records about Obasanjo, Nigeria and Africa, adding that Nigerians should assist the former Nigerian president to maintain and preserve the facility.

    According to him, he was visiting the library to see things for himself because Obasanjo had previously spoken about it.

    Mbeki, who toured the facility, noted that the OOPL initiative is worth replicating by other African leaders.

    He added: “Hopefully, some other African leaders can come and have a look because I think the example that you have set here is an example that will be worth repeating in other African countries. This is because of the collective history told in the way that you have told it here.

    “I think it will make a very important contribution, even in the recovering of our own dignity, our own identification of ourselves. Who are we? Where do we come from? Where do we think we are going?

    “I really want to say congratulations to the (former) President (Obasanjo) and hopefully, the people of Nigeria will help you in terms of maintaining this because it is really an important part of our heritage.”

    Mbeki said he was impressed that the library has many units touching on youth development, wildlife and parks, ideas and intellectual development among others.

    He said: “I didn’t know we have such a major and complex project. I had the picture in my head of a building, which is the library and that was all. But the complex is a very, very important contribution in terms of communicating what our leadership in the continent (Africa) can do.

    “The library itself, of course, tells a very important story about Obasanjo: from his early life experiences to post-government and all that.

    “It is a very important story. In fact, it is not just a story about Obasanjo. But a good part of the story is about Nigeria and Africa.

    “It is very important that record is available, not only to the people of Nigerian but also to everybody, particularly the people of the continent.

    “I was particularly pleased with the focus that is being paid to youths. Indeed, I think our youths need to be exposed to our past because it teaches them something about the responsibilities that they have to themselves, to their country and to the continent.

    “The idea of the complex is important because it is named after a very important leader of the continent. There is also a number of initiatives, the matter about reprocessing of plastic bottles and so on.

    “It is a very important part of the process of contributing to improving our environment, considering that all of these plastics litter the place. But they are collected and reprocessed to become useful again.

    “I’m also pleased about the fact that you have here an animal farm (the wild life park), which also makes an important statement to ourselves as Africans – about the necessary need for us to protect the African heritage.

    “That heritage is also in the animals. It is very much a part of the African environment. I think the message is part of what we need to attain to become important as well as the other things that are in the complex about youths, about intellectual ideas, the association with the United Nations Education Fund (UNESCO).”

  • Oyo special education college honours Obasanjo, Alaafin, others

    Oyo special education college honours Obasanjo, Alaafin, others

    Year-long activities to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, climaxed in the launching of a N5billion Endowment Fund and conferment of the college’s Distinguished Awards on eminent Nigerians for their contributions to the growth of the school and uplift of the special class of disabled and underprivileged it serves.

    SPED, as it is otherwise known, was established by the then military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo in May 1997 to train manpower to meet the special education needs of physically and mentally disabled people, among others.

    The programme of activities to celebrate the milestone had begun in January with sensitization and awareness campaign through community rallies, documentaries, media jingles and social media.

    The college management led by the Provost, Prof. Kamoru Olayiwola Usman, had unveiled the 40th Anniversary logo in March and followed up with visitation to prisons, hospitals and media programmes on disability matters between March and May.

    The academic community also embarked on the planting of 5,000 tree seedlings to populate and enhance the greenery and aesthetics of the campus, while there were football and paralympic games competitions among students with disabilities, as well as colleges of education in South West, Nigeria.

    On September 25, the college hosted a colloquium with the theme: “FCES, Oyo – 40 years of providing answers to the challenges of Special Education in Nigeria.  How far?  How fair?”  The event drew dignitaries including past registrars, provosts and other academic and non-academic staff of the institutions who had contributed to its evolution.

    There was also exhibition of publications and products, while students of the Performing Arts Departments organized to stage an anniversary drama to further give the celebration colour.

    A minor student disturbance on campus in September, however, disrupted some of the activities.

    But on September 28, dignitaries from across all walks of life converged on the Jobele, Oyo campus of the institution for the award ceremony.  Among the honorees were the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who bagged the award for Service to Humanity, two former provosts and registrars of the college – Dr. E. A Aromolaran; Prof. Taoheed Adedoja (former Sports Minister); pioneer registrar, Mr. Israel Oluwafemi Ogunsola, Registrar, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Mr. Hezekiah Fehintola; and Acting registrar, FCES, Oyo, Mr. Gbade Adesola.

    Others are the renowned blind lawyer, Ayo Adekanbi, the presenter of Beyond The Limits, a television programme for handicaps on NTA Ibadan and a host of other care special service givers.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and All Progressives Congress Deputy National Chairman/ governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Engr. ‘Segun Oni, both represented by Chief Layi Olakojo, a former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State and Prof. Soji Adejumo, a former Chairman of SUBEB in the same state, had a School of  Languages Complex and a Virtual Library respectively named in their honour, among a series of buildings and road projects commissioned on the campus on October 3.

    The college registry held a seminar the following day with a public lecture at which past registrars and other retirees in the department were honoured for their contributions and services to the college.

    The star event was the launching of the endowment fund, which had the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote as Chief Launcher and eminent industrialist and Chairman of Bond Chemicals, Chief Debo Omotoso, as chairman.

    Although Dangote’s donation was not announced, renowned industrialist and First Bank Director, Ajibola Afonja gave N10million, while Omotoso dropped N2 million, among other big donors.

    Provost of the college, Prof. Usman, said the fund was to improve the state of facilities and drive learning, in the face of the dearth of financial resources accruing to the college.

    He expressed delight at the progress recorded by the school and the success of the anniversary.

    While paying glowing tributes to his predecessors, who, he stated, brought the college to its current status through dint of hard work, sacrifice and commitment, he described himself as lucky, being at the helm of affairs when the college was celebrating the success story.

    The chairman, Anniversary Ceremonial Committee, Dr. Theophilus Ajobiewe, expressed gratitude to God for making the celebration a resounding success.

  • I can’t vie for PDP chairmanship without Obasanjo’s advice – Daniel

    I can’t vie for PDP chairmanship without Obasanjo’s advice – Daniel

    Former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, on Friday visited ex – President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Presidential Hilltop Estate, Abeokuta, to solicit  the ex-President’s support for his bid to emerge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman at the party’s national convention slated for December.

    Daniel is expected to declare his intention for the PDP chairmanship position in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Other candidates for the position include the former Deputy National Chairman of PDP ( South West), Chief Bode George and the Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

    Daniel  and his entourage comprising members of the Ogun State Caretaker Committee of the party, former state Chairman of PDP, Elder Joju Fadairo, Hon. Kayode Amusan,  Alhaji Sarafa Ishola and several others, arrived the ex-President’s  home at about 10: 00 a.m. and entered into a close door meeting after waiting for about one hour.

    Daniel later told journalists that he came to consult with Obasanjo and seeks his advice on his PDP ambition.

    He said: “I’m contesting for the PDP chairmanship position. I’m consulting and Baba is one of the foundation members of the party and we can’t move without him.”

    The ex-governor said the PDP is now united and being rejuvenated for better performance in future elections.

    “We have been united. You can see all of us are here. We have realised that united we stand, divided we fall,” he added.

     

  • NITAD awards for Obasanjo, Amosun, Dangote, others

    NITAD awards for Obasanjo, Amosun, Dangote, others

    The Trainers’ Conference of the Nigerian Institute  of Training and Development (NITAD), Ogun State Branch, which is scheduled to hold between October 11 and 13 at Quarry Imperial Hotel, Quarry Road, Abeokuta, will give awards of recognition to a number of Nigerians in various fields of human endeavour.

    According to the Chairman, Planning Committee, Yussuf, M.A., at a press conference held at Lisabi Elite Club, Abeokuta, recently, the Leadership Award will be conferred on former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the incumbent Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; the Entrepreneur Award will go to the President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; and the business tycoon, Chief Adebutu Kessington while at the professional level, Honorary Fellowship of the institute will be given to the Chief Executive Officer, Regency Alliance Insurance PLC, Barrister Biyi Otegbeye; Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro (FPI); Arc. O.O. Aluko; and Rector, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Professor O.A Itiola.

    In the Corporate Category are Dangote Group, Obasanjo Holdings, Regency Alliance Insurance PLC and IBD Limited.

    The main theme of this year conference is “Learning: A veritable Tool for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development.” Speakers at the three – day event are drawn from learning, training and development industry. The keynote speaker is Director-General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph N. A. Ari (KSM).

    The sub-themes are: Leadership Issues; Bane of Institutional Management and Governance in Nigeria, which will be handled by Key Account Director, Dangote Group, Chux Mogholu; Learning Models and Dilemma of Unapplied, Misapplied and Misplaced Knowledge and Experience in Corporate Management by the Managing Consultant, Sustainabiliti Limited/Immediate Past President, NITAD, Dr Kayode Oluwagbuyi, FITD. Other sub-themes include: A Potent Entrepreneurial Development Weapon which will be delivered by the Executive Secretary, Institute of Entrepreneurship, Dr. Rotimi Oladele; Strategies for Identification and Development of Leadership and Entrepreneurial Potential In Early Life, will be facilitated by a former Director General, Lagos State Staff Development Centre (LSSDC), Mrs. Bunmi Fabanwo.

    The key players in learning, training and development industry are expected to be present to offer useful suggestions at the end of the programme.

  • Excursion into the past: What Adesanya told Obasanjo

    I owe the story I’m about to recall entirely to Senator Abraham Aderibigbe Adesanya, the NADECO leader now of blessed memory.

    I think it was sometime in 2006 or 2007 during my years in London that I went to visit my townsman and uncle, Senator Adesanya in one of the most secured luxury apartments I had ever seen in the United Kingdom, where he was convalescing.

    So tight was the security in that place that getting in was like the scenario painted by Apala musician, Haruna Ishola in one of his songs, of an ant trying to enter into a rock without an opening to explore. I think the song goes thus: “Erin pa mi titi, ikan lo oun wo’nu apata, lai s’ilekun to mi a ba t’ategun wole, iru ogbon wo lo mi a lo, iru ete wo lo ma da si; eniti o l’owo teru, to loun mi a da damaski, gbese ti o ni tan, lo ra’wo le.”

    But I was armed with all the details that would unlock the door for me into that apartment said to have been provided for the lawyer-politician by one of his ardent supporters in the pro-democracy struggle of those heady years.

    The aging man was elated to see me once I was ushered into his presence. I prostrated full length to greet him and he responded by saying, “thank you, Aguntasolo (the sobriquet given me by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in my first-ever one on one meeting with him in his Park Lane, Apapa home in 1977 and by which his associates like Chiefs Ayo Adebanjo and Olanihun Ajayi as well as Mama H.I.D Awolowo used to call me by, till today).”

    I sank into a sofa in the modest sitting room and after thanking me for making the time to come and pay him a get-well visit, my host went into throwing the usual banter of which he was famous.

    We discussed first his health and every other subject under the sun before he narrated his most intimate encounter with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as president of Nigeria.

    He spoke of his desire to meet with the retired army general to discuss issues of national interest but on the condition that he would rather the meeting with the president hold anywhere but Abuja. They eventually settled for Ota where he said he bared his mind in an unflattering manner.

    According to Senator Adesanya, he told his host his worry about his style, that he (Obasanjo) was too stubborn and heady. “I told him in plain Yoruba: Segun, ewure ni e,” Adesanya recalled that encounter with the then President, explaining that, like the proverbial goat that keeps returning to where he was always getting whipped, Obasanjo was always unrelenting in the pursuit of any issue he applied his mind to.

    Senator Adesanya told me that after he had finished telling his host his mind, the man sought his permission to respond; and the response came in the form of a song: “omo o le jo Baba, ka ma binu omo, e o roju aiye, omo o le jo Baba, ka ma binu omo, Olusegun yi jo Baba e ju, omo o le jo Baba, ka ma binu omo”

    This song, according to Senator Adesanya, prompted him to ask Obasanjo which father he was referring to in his song, to which the unputdownable General replied: “enyin ni, sir”. They both roared in laughter.

    Truth is the witty Egba high chief may not be too wrong, if one recalls Senator Adesanya’s antecedents when he newly returned to the country as a young lawyer in the 60s, from the UK from where he qualified.

    He was bubbling with political ideas and was keen in entering the arena of politics as a contestant into the Western House of Assembly for an Ijebu Igbo state constituency, in which his party leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo had a preferred candidate in an established educationist, Mr E.O.J Bamiro. But Adesanya would have none of that; he instead chose to run on an independent platform; and boy, it was a swirling electioneering campaign he had. The sing-song then, which had a rebellious tinge to it, laid emphasis on going with the youth: “E je ka dibo f’omode, e je ‘a dibo f’omode; Bamiro o gbodo nibo, Sanni (the NPC candidate) o gbodo nibo, e je ka dibo f’omode”. Though he lost that election but it was the episode through which he warmed his way into Awo’s heart and for which he earned the Ijebu East Senatorial seat in Ogun State, a decade later in 1979.