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Tag: Olusola

  • Olusola, Adeyeye, Olujimi: Who gets PDP ticket?

    The stage is set for the May 8 governorship primary of the Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Three aspirants are expected to compete for the ticket. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA examines the contenders and their chances at the shadow poll.

    The state is set for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary in Ekiti State. The exercisae will hold on May 8. The governorship poll will hold on July 14.

    The number of contenders has been narrowed down to three, following the defection of some aspirants from the party. They defected to protest t Governor Ayo Fayose’s adoption of his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as his preferred candidate.

    Before the September 6, 2017 adoption of Olusola by Fayose and his caucus in the Ekiti PDP, the party had seven aspirants.

    They were three former deputy governors, Chief Adebisi Omoyeni, Chief Abiodun Aluko and Dr. Sikiru Lawal; former Minister of State for Works Prince Dayo Adeyeye; former High Commissioner to Canada Ambassador Dare Bejide; Senate Deputy Minority Whip Abiodun Olujimi and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi.

    The ‘adoption crisis’ forced Aluko, Omoyeni, Bejide and Lawal out of the party. Aluko defected to the Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN). Omoyeni and Bejide moved to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) while Lawal joined the Labour Party (LP).

    Adeyeye, Olujimi and Ajayi stayed in the party.  But, Ajayi did not obtain the Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms.

    The implication is that the battle for the PDP ticket is now a straight fight between Adeyeye, Olujimi and Olusola, who had been screened to contest in the primary.

    The three gladiators are people of impeccable pedigrees. But, as they have their strengths, they also have some weaknesses.

    Adeyeye:

    Prince Clement Adedayo Adeyeye, the scion of the late Arinjale of Ise-Ekiti, Oba Adeyeye Agunsoye, has a rich political background, which dated back to the era of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the Second Republic. He started politics as a student in the University of Ibadan where he acquired bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Political Science before going to the University of Lagos to study Law. He was later called to the Bar.

    After many years of practice as a journalist and lawyer, Adeyeye, a disciple of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, became National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group. Adeyeye was a governorship aspirant in the Action Congress (AC) in  the 2007 governorship poll before he moved to the PDP, citing irregularities in the primary.

    He was appointed by former Governor Segun Oni as the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) where he won the best SUBEB boss in the Southwest. Other  positions held by Adeyeye included Minister of State for Works under former President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP Caretaker Committee National Publicity Secretary.

    Adeyeye is a grassroots politician whose structure, the  Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM), is formidable. He sought for the PDP governorship ticket in the 2014 election.  Adeyeye is popular among PDP members and the crowd that attended his declaration attested to his status.

    But, Adeyeye has a mountain to climb to clinch the PDP ticket because he does not enjoy the support of Fayose, which is key in the contest.

    Olujimi:

    Senator Christine Abiodun Olujimi has a media background. He was a broadcaster with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) for many years before he entered politics.

    After leaving her media job, she has invested in some key sectors, including merchandise, property and hospitality.

    Olujimi’s political journey started with the defunct All Peoples Party (APP), where she served as the National Publicity Secretary between 2000 and 2003 before she defected to the PDP. She was elected into the House of Representatives in a by-election in 2003, following the assassination of his predecessor, Mr. Abiodun Talabi, along Abuja-Lokoja Road.

    Olujimi did not complete her tenure in the House of Representatives. She was appointed by Fayose as  deputy governor following  Omoyeni’s resignation. Omoyeni left the position  to resume as  Group Managing Director of Wema Bank Plc.

    Olujimi was impeached along Fayose by the House of Assembly on October 16, 2006 over alleged gross misconduct. She was locked in power struggle with the former Speaker, the late Chief Friday Aderemi, and Fayose, who was in hiding. Later, former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency and appointed Brig.-Gen. Adetunji Idowu Olurin (rtd) as Sole Administrator to end the confusion.

    Olujimi served as Commissioner for Works during the Segun Oni administration. She was appointed Member, Governing Council, University of Ilorin and Member of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC). She was elected senator on March 28, 2015 during the National Assembly elections to represent Ekiti South District. Olujimi is the Senate Deputy Minority Whip.

    The senator has experience as a party officer, commissioner, deputy governor and federal legislator.  She has a deep pocket to prosecute her governorship campaign. She has executed many projects and empowered people in her constituency, which is a plus for her ambition.

    But, Olujimi is believed to have declared her ambition very late. Many party members had committed themselves to other aspirants. Fayose is  working against Olujimi’s ambition with money, men, resources and connection. The list of delegates to vote at the primary is believed to have been skewed in favour of Olusola.

    Olusola

    Prof. Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola got into politics by accident. His father, Pa Olusola Eleka, was penciled down as the running mate to Fayose in the run-up to the 2014 governorship poll. But, fate decided otherwise.

    Fayose was on a visit to Pa Eleka when the octogenarian’s phone rang and the old man said: “how are you doctor?” At the end of the conversation, Fayose asked: “Who is that doctor?” The man replied that he was discussing with his son, who is a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. He pleaded with Fayose to make him the deputy governorship candidate instead of him, a request that was graciously granted.

    Olusola was sworn in as deputy governor on October 16, 2014. The governor declared publicly that he (Olusola) should stay away from politics as the two of them would leave the Government House together at the end of their tenure on October 15, 2014.

    The order of his principal made Olusola to stay away from politicking as he faced governance, policy formulation and execution. Olusola worked tirelessly in the education sector and he was credited with the success recorded in the National Examinations Council (NECO) School Certificate examination. In the examinations, Ekiti State came top in 2016 and 2017. Fayose who had been looking for a successor for about two years stunned the people of the state when he anointed Olusola as the man to take over from him in September 2017, barely a month after he became a Professor of Building Technology. Following his adoption, Olusola is in a vantage position to succed his boss. Fayose is ready to deploy his financial, material and political powers to his advantage. Except an upset happens, majority of the delegates are expected to vote for him at the primary because they are nominees of Fayose. The majority delegates are local government councilors, chairmen, House of Assembly members, commissioners, special advisers, National Assembly members, and party executives at ward, local government and state levels.

    But, Olusola is still regarded as a neophyte in politics, who is yet to learn the ropes. His cause is not also helped by many aggrieved party men who did not defect, but are are ready to subvert him during the poll. Even, if he wins, the prospect of managing a divided house looks daunting for him.

  • I’m a loyal deputy, says Olusola

    I’m a loyal deputy, says Olusola

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola has described himself as an epitome of loyalty. He said Governor Ayo Fayose made him a running mate in 2014 on merit.

    Olusola, who has been anointed by Fayose as his preferred successor, said he was chosen as the deputy governorship candidate on the strength of his intellectual competence and honesty.

    He spoke at the  ‘Ekiti ‘State Students’ Summit 2017 ’ organised by the Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU) in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The deputy governor said the country may witness a dire consequence of allowing youths to be relegated without  recognition in terms of employments and policy-making processes, if proper steps are not taken.

    Olusola who spoke on the theme of the Summit: ‘Youthfulness and Usefulness’,urged the youths to refrain from cultism, robbery, prostitution and other social vices, saying this remains the only way they can achieve greatness in life.

    Olusola is a Professor of Building Technology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.

    At the event, FESSU, through its President, Peter Idowu Adewumi, gave awards to a member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Omotoso, Commissioner for Agriculture in Ekiti, Hon. Kehinde Odebunmi, the Provost of the College of Science and Technology, Ijero Ekiti and  a young medical doctor,  Miss  Aarinola Olaiya.

    Those who delivered  lectures  included: Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Prof Samuel Oye Bandele, a lecturer at  the Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ayodeji Ige and the Commissioner for Education in Ekiti, Mr Jide Egunjobi.

    Olusola, who has been picked by Fayose as his preferred successor  in 2018 said: “Governor Fayose and the PDP had earlier been considering someone, but they said he was not intellectually capable.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • I’m a loyal deputy, says Olusola

    I’m a loyal deputy, says Olusola

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola has described himself as an epitome of loyalty. He said Governor Ayo Fayose made him a running mate in 2014 on merit.

    Olusola, who has been anointed by Fayose as his preferred successor, said he was chosen as the deputy governorship candidate on the strength of his intellectual competence and honesty.

    He spoke at the  ‘Ekiti ‘State Students’ Summit 2017 ’ organised by the Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU) in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The deputy governor said the country may witness a dire consequence of allowing youths to be relegated without  recognition in terms of employments and policy-making processes, if proper steps are not taken.

    Olusola who spoke on the theme of the Summit: ‘Youthfulness and Usefulness’,urged the youths to refrain from cultism, robbery, prostitution and other social vices, saying this remains the only way they can achieve greatness in life.

    Olusola is a Professor of Building Technology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.

    At the event, FESSU, through its President, Peter Idowu Adewumi, gave awards to a member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Omotoso, Commissioner for Agriculture in Ekiti, Hon. Kehinde Odebunmi, the Provost of the College of Science and Technology, Ijero Ekiti and  a young medical doctor,  Miss  Aarinola Olaiya.

    Those who delivered  lectures  included: Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Prof Samuel Oye Bandele, a lecturer at  the Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ayodeji Ige and the Commissioner for Education in Ekiti, Mr Jide Egunjobi.

    Olusola, who has been picked by Fayose as his preferred successor  in 2018 said: “Governor Fayose and the PDP had earlier been considering someone, but they said he was not intellectually capable.

  • ‘Olusola will succeed Fayose’

    ‘Olusola will succeed Fayose’

    The Publicity Ssecretary of the Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jackson Adebayo, spoke with Correspondent ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Governor Ayodele Fayose’s presidential election and the endorsement of Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola for governor.

    Governor Fayose has just declared his intention to run for Presidency. How do you see this ?

    It is a thing of joy and we, I mean the PDP family, in Ekiti State support it 100 percent. First, Fayose is a leader and loyal member of our party and he has the right under the constitution of our party and that of Nigeria to do so. We are also happy that somebody from Ekiti State is taking a shot at the Presidency at this time and I think, we must all, irrespective of our party or religion differences support this project, because it is going to be to the benefit of all.

    And we are going to work for him. So, to us in PDP in Ekiti State. It is a welcome development.

    Recently, some stakeholders of your party endorsed Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola as “sole candidate” of the PDP for the 2018 governorship Election. Can you tell us what prompted such an action?

    As you know that the election that brought in this present PDP-led administration was conducted in 2014 and in less that ten months now another election would hold in Ekiti. Ordinarily, a year in being set aside by any politician to begin the process of prosecuting another election. So this is what informed the action of our party’s stakeholders. In their own wisdom, they decided to do,that now before the party begins to go into a lot of divisions. Leaders of like mind in PDP came together and said among all those jostling for governorship position, who would be sellable? And we discovered that the deputy governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola would fit in.To us as a party, we don’t see it as a crisis because the stakeholders that came together are all members of the PDP, we still have other members with different interests with other aspirants, they can also support their candidates of choice.The party is not angry with them, because we are still going for primary. It is at the primary that anyone who has the majority of votes of delegates would emerge the party’s flag bearer.

    But, you know that once the governor throws his weight behind an aspirant, he or she is likely to win the primary…

    Actually, in some cases, it doesn’t work like that whoever the governor supports would win the primary. It happened in recent elections and most of them did not win. To answer your question, the stakeholders talked to themselves. It is not the party that invited them and they inform the party about their plan and you know that we are also, part of them. I am aware that all the governorship aspirants have been called to a meeting by the governor and the matter was discussed there. At the meeting it was agreed that, if the governor is pursuing his case to complete his remaining seven months in office before his illegal impeachment, they are prepared to drop their ambition. Even the stakeholders meeting that we are talking about, everybody was invited, the governor was on air for two days inviting all members of our party. And that is why you saw some governorship aspirants at the meeting. For those who were not at the meeting, it is not that they were not invited but they refused to come.

    Are saying your party can manage this situation?

    Well, we still have a lot of time and space for reconciliation, understanding and education. The primary cannot be held earlier than next year January. So, we still have more time to appeal to the aggrieved members.

    But, one of the aggrieved contenders alleged that Governor Fayose was actually plotting to sell the PDP, with the adoption of his deputy. Do you agree with that ?

    That is his own opinion and it is just unfortunate that such is coming from a staunch member of our party. Because, I don’t  think anybody has the capacity to sell any party. Nobody can sell PDP in Ekiti. And Fayose is not planning to sell PDP anyway. Governor Fayose, as a member of PDP has the right to support any candidate of his choice, just like any other.

    How are you going to ensure that the governorship primary is free, fair and transparent?

    The primary is going be conducted by the National Secretariat, the state would only provide the delegates. There is no problem about that because the delegates would emerge from ward level and each ward knows who should be it delegates.

    Are you assuring us that your can manage this crisis?

    It is already being managed. Like I said earlier, it is not a crisis  per se, because nobody has left our party and nobody has said that he or she would leave the party. So,if there is anybody complaining now,it is normal.

    Don’t you think the PDP will suffer same fate as in Ondo State during the last Governorship Election, if aspirants take legal action against it?

    No: There is no legal action that can be taken now. Because, the primary has not been held. So what is going to be the basis of the action?

  • ‘Olusola will succeed Fayose’

    ‘Olusola will succeed Fayose’

    The Publicity Ssecretary of the Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jackson Adebayo, spoke with Correspondent ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Governor Ayodele Fayose’s presidential election and the endorsement of Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola for governor.

    Governor Fayose has just declared his intention to run for Presidency. How do you see this ?

    It is a thing of joy and we, I mean the PDP family, in Ekiti State support it 100 percent. First, Fayose is a leader and loyal member of our party and he has the right under the constitution of our party and that of Nigeria to do so. We are also happy that somebody from Ekiti State is taking a shot at the Presidency at this time and I think, we must all, irrespective of our party or religion differences support this project, because it is going to be to the benefit of all.

    And we are going to work for him. So, to us in PDP in Ekiti State. It is a welcome development.

    Recently, some stakeholders of your party endorsed Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola as “sole candidate” of the PDP for the 2018 governorship Election. Can you tell us what prompted such an action?

    As you know that the election that brought in this present PDP-led administration was conducted in 2014 and in less that ten months now another election would hold in Ekiti. Ordinarily, a year in being set aside by any politician to begin the process of prosecuting another election. So this is what informed the action of our party’s stakeholders. In their own wisdom, they decided to do,that now before the party begins to go into a lot of divisions. Leaders of like mind in PDP came together and said among all those jostling for governorship position, who would be sellable? And we discovered that the deputy governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola would fit in.To us as a party, we don’t see it as a crisis because the stakeholders that came together are all members of the PDP, we still have other members with different interests with other aspirants, they can also support their candidates of choice.The party is not angry with them, because we are still going for primary. It is at the primary that anyone who has the majority of votes of delegates would emerge the party’s flag bearer.

    But, you know that once the governor throws his weight behind an aspirant, he or she is likely to win the primary…

    Actually, in some cases, it doesn’t work like that whoever the governor supports would win the primary. It happened in recent elections and most of them did not win. To answer your question, the stakeholders talked to themselves. It is not the party that invited them and they inform the party about their plan and you know that we are also, part of them. I am aware that all the governorship aspirants have been called to a meeting by the governor and the matter was discussed there. At the meeting it was agreed that, if the governor is pursuing his case to complete his remaining seven months in office before his illegal impeachment, they are prepared to drop their ambition. Even the stakeholders meeting that we are talking about, everybody was invited, the governor was on air for two days inviting all members of our party. And that is why you saw some governorship aspirants at the meeting. For those who were not at the meeting, it is not that they were not invited but they refused to come.

    Are saying your party can manage this situation?

    Well, we still have a lot of time and space for reconciliation, understanding and education. The primary cannot be held earlier than next year January. So, we still have more time to appeal to the aggrieved members.

    But, one of the aggrieved contenders alleged that Governor Fayose was actually plotting to sell the PDP, with the adoption of his deputy. Do you agree with that ?

    That is his own opinion and it is just unfortunate that such is coming from a staunch member of our party. Because, I don’t  think anybody has the capacity to sell any party. Nobody can sell PDP in Ekiti. And Fayose is not planning to sell PDP anyway. Governor Fayose, as a member of PDP has the right to support any candidate of his choice, just like any other.

    How are you going to ensure that the governorship primary is free, fair and transparent?

    The primary is going be conducted by the National Secretariat, the state would only provide the delegates. There is no problem about that because the delegates would emerge from ward level and each ward knows who should be it delegates.

    Are you assuring us that your can manage this crisis?

    It is already being managed. Like I said earlier, it is not a crisis  per se, because nobody has left our party and nobody has said that he or she would leave the party. So,if there is anybody complaining now,it is normal.

    Don’t you think the PDP will suffer same fate as in Ondo State during the last Governorship Election, if aspirants take legal action against it?

    No: There is no legal action that can be taken now. Because, the primary has not been held. So what is going to be the basis of the action?

  • Aluko slams Olusola for ‘disloyalty’ claim

    A former Ekiti State Deputy Governor Abiodun Aluko has faulted the claim of Deputy Governor Prof. Kolapo Olusola that he (Aluko) was not loyal to Governor Ayo Fayose during his tenure between 2003 and 2005.

    In a statement yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Aluko said his insistence that Ekiti residents must not be defrauded through the N1.4 billion poultry project during Fayose’s first tenure led to his exit from the government.

    The former deputy governor was reacting to Olusola’s claim in an interview with Punch on Sunday (of September 17) that “all former deputy governors of Fayose during his first term, except the one that resigned, were unfaithful and disloyal to him”.

    The three deputy governors, who served Fayose during his first term are: Aluko, Mr. Adebisi Omoyeni and Mrs. Biodun Olujimi.

    Aluko was impeached, while Omoyeni resigned to take up an appointment as Wema Bank group managing director after about three months in office.

    Mrs. Olujimi was impeached with Fayose on October 16, 2006.

    Faulting Olusola’s allegation, Aluko said he was loyal and faithful to Fayose but maintained that he was “never a stooge or bootlicker”.

    Putting the records straight, Aluko said his problems with Fayose began when the governor directed him, through a one-page memo, to release N1.4 billion to his friend, Gbenga James, for a poultry project, which had not been approved by the State Executive Council (Exco) or budgeted for.

  • Olusola’s undying love for art

    Olusola’s undying love for art

    What are the precious items in the late Ambassador Segun Olusola’s home? A flat screen television, luxury car, air conditioner and gold wrist watch? Sorry, you guessed wrong. Take a trip to the newly inaugurated resource library at the centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation’s Headquarters on Broad Street in Lagos and see what caught the late art connoiseur’s fancy.  Assitant Editor(Arts) Ozolua Uhakheme reports

    Except for the absence of furniture such as bed, table and chairs, the medium-size room could have passed for one of the rooms in the late Chief Segun Olusola’s home. Among personal effects in the room are plaques, ward robe consisting of several traditional dresses (aso-oke), book shelf, ayo game, miniature talking drums, paintings and a 1990 large-size portraiture of Chief Olusola done by Ethiopian artist, Lemma Guya.

    At the centre of the room is a scary leopard statue, which poses in readiness to pounce on its prey. These are some of the personal effects left behind by the late Olusola for keeps as legacies. Welcome to Ambassador Segun Olusola Resource Library, on the ground floor of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) in Lagos. Last Thursday, CBAAC held a twin event- a memorial lecture and the inauguration of a library to immortalise the former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and founder African Refugees Foundation (AREF). Venue was the conference room, Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos.

    A short drama sketch led by Hafiz Oyetoro aka Saka (a prominent actor in the MTN portability advert) spiced the occasion that was chaired by former Minster for National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi. Before the guest lecturer, Dr. Kunle Filani spoke on Leveraging on indigenous African culture and artistic creativity for development: legacies of Ambassador Segun Olusola, it was rain of tributes from guests.

    Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Minister, Chief Edem Duke described the late Olusoal as a man of many parts, saying that a dissection of his legacies shows that he meant different things to many people. “This is because the positive impacts he made while he was alive. Most Nigerians know him as the brain behind one of the most enduring television drama prograamme in Nigeria’s history: The Village Headmaster. Within the culture sector which I oversee, late Ambassador Olusola would be remembered as a diplomat that promoted the use of culture to facilitate and strengthen interactions among countries in Africa,” he said.

    The director-general of CBAAC, Prof Tunde Babawale said that the decision to immortalise the great African is to encourage both young and old to bequeath worthy legacies to posterity. He described the late ace broadcaster as a true hero of our land who deserves to be celebrated.

    “We believe that organising events of this nature would make many of our compatriots know that those who lead by worthy examples will always be celebrated even in death. Today’s event is also informed by the need for those of us left behind to decide how our epitaph will look like before the inevitability of death and what we wish to be remembered for,” Babawale said. He noted that unequivocally, late Olusola would be remembered for his impactful touch on many areas of African arts and culture.

    Among those present on the occasion were Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Minister, Chief Edem Duke, represented by Seyi Womiloju, Chairman, CBAAC, Senator Brimmo Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of AREF, Mr. Jimi Olusola, Chief Tunde Oloyede, Mr. Dejumo Lewis, Cultural Affairs Officer, US Consulate, Lagos, Mrs. Bene Uche, Executive Director, The News/PM News, Mr Kunle Ajibade, Mrs Jimi Olusola, Chairman, Equity Assurance, Chief Tutu Buraimoh, Vice-Chairman, Mutual Benefit Assurance, Mr Akin Opeodu,Chairman NANTAP Lagos, Mrs Eki Eboigbe, Dr. Ademola Azeez, and chairman of Society of Nigerian Artists (Lagos State chapter), Mr Alabi Dotun.

    Guest speaker, Dr. Kunle Filani described the late Olusola as a man of measured taste and disposition, adding that temperance was a virtue he deployed in diplomatic missions and his oratorical eloquence stood him out in public debates.

    “He became a soothing patriarch to the dispossessed when he founded the African Refugees Foundation (AREF) in Nigeria. He also founded the Ajibulu Moniya Gallery to serve as support for the growing artistic activity in Nigeria,” he added.

    Continuing, he said: “Ambassador Segun Olusola was a polished and decent elder statesman; he was intelligent and talked with compelling convictions. His style of enunciation in speaking and his gestural emphasis evinced rhetoric. He was indeed a hero of African culture because he possessed and elicited characteristics that are highly prized in indigenous tradition. There is no better way to celebrate this true elder statesman than using his exemplary creativity and leadership to interrogate indigenous African arts and culture thereby suggesting strategies for national development.”

    In his paper, Leveraging on indigenous African culture and artistic creativity for development: legacies of Ambassador Segun Olusola, Filani said African countries must initiate mutual bonds of integration through culture and the 21st century should launch Africa as a continent into unique civilisation through proper culturalisation concepts.

    He said that African leaders cannot afford to underestimate the relevance of culture for national development, stressing that Africa must look inwards to tap her rich cultural resources by harnessing the potentials of indigenous science and technology. He noted that Western science and technology are not the only means of accessing civilisation and quality living. He said alternative indigenous methods must be further explored and made suitable for contemporary consumption.

    “African leaders must inculcate culture into development initiatives fashioned by interactive organisations such as African Union and NEPAD. Government must begin to implement UNESCO recommendations on culture and education. Government must implement cultural policies by effectively funding and empowering relevant ministries and parastatals.

    “Concerted efforts must be made by top government organisations to sensitise and encourage non-governmental and individual participation in culture development,” he added.

    Filani lamented that it is unfortunate that Nigeria does not have befitting national museums and galleries. This, he said, must be urgently attended to not only to preserve and conserve our cultural heritage, but also to serve as revenue generating organs through dynamic tourism policy. He charged economically viable states to bring mega-tourist monuments to accommodate cultural and modern creative structures.

    “Lagos State especially with her huge population and diverse economic potentials must lead the tourist initiative. Many African countries not endowed than Nigeria have huge cultural monuments to celebrate their origins, visions and heroes. For example, the Dakar bronze sculpture African Renaissance monument is a 49 metres tall bronze statue with expanded environment that accommodates varieties of cultural activities. It is sad that in spite of Nigeria’s strategic position in Africa, there are no befitting and well developed monuments and parks in our cities,” he lamented.

    He noted that African leaders must create dynamic economic and communication linkages in the regions and sub-regions, as Africa can explore cultural affinities for social, political and economic development.

    “It is certain that the deficits in political, educational, economic and social leadership can be addressed by embracing the dynamics of African culture concepts. Nigeria as the most populous country in Africa with the largest Black inhabitants in the world must take the lead in championing socio-economic and political liberation from the shackles of imperialism and neo-colonialism. This can only be done through cultural awareness of independent African countries and cultural integration of seemingly disparate states. For Africa to have a future, our present must creatively interrogate and engage the past,” he said.