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Tag: quintessential

  • A quintessential gentleman at 60

    A quintessential gentleman at 60

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development  Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in this piece, highlights the virtues of former Ekiti State Governor Adeniyi Adebayo, who clocks 60

    It is often said that the most difficult phase in the life of a Nigerian politician is when he or she has to retire from public office. Such are the outsized privileges and perks of high office that the transition from VIP status to ordinary citizen is jarring and traumatic for many. Many strive to desperately retain these privileges by floating from one government position to another. They become essentially professional hustlers prostituting themselves to various political barons in order to secure office. In some cases, an exit from public office seems almost to coincide with a diminution of the erstwhile public servant’s faculties as though holding a government position was all that kept him from terminal decline.

    In an ideal situation, politics is a field for people who are already personally and professionally accomplished and are thus not inclined to derive their sense of purpose, worth and self-esteem from transient positions. As a result, such individuals can leave office as gracefully and as unobtrusively as they entered it. In reality, such unaffected personalities, while they actually do exist in our space, are rarities and outliers. One such rarity is Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo, my Egbon, leader and predecessor in office and a man that I have been privileged to know as a friend, ally, mentor and confidante, and whose 60th birthday  today necessitates this tribute from me.

    Otunba Adebayo was elected the first governor of Ekiti State in 1999 and was the third youngest governor elected that year. A lawyer by training, he had over fifteen years’ post-call experience before he sought and won office. It is a testament to his character that he left office with an unsullied record of achievements. His pristine legacy in cash strapped Ekiti remains indelible – including the imposing Ekiti House in Abuja and the well built road that leads to my country home in Isan-Ekiti, two of the projects carried out with funds raised from the very first Ekiti State Bond. His enduring legacy of a peaceful and tranquil state has made him such a moral force with an undeniable weight of authority in the affairs of Ekiti State politics, and indeed progressive politics at the national level.

    When he left Government House, Ado-Ekiti, in 2003 he was only 45 – still young enough to have been afflicted by the existential challenge that drives people into post-office despair and desperation for political relevance. Instead, he did what does not come naturally to many of us in the political class – he moved on. His trajectory after office has since revealed a man of many parts. He is as comfortable in the precincts of politics as he is in the boardrooms of big business. The term “detribalized Nigerian” is such a cliché in Nigeria but it may be justly applied to Otunba Adebayo who has friends and associates from across the length and breadth of the country. He is as ecumenical in his personal dealings as he is in his professional, business and political adventures.

    Like some others in his position, after his exit from office, Otunba Adebayo could have sought to play the role of a “spoiler” in local politics, he could have used his contacts to secure a niche as a baron dispensing patronage to underlings and wielding influence as a “godfather” over his successors in office. Having served as governor of Ekiti myself, I can testify that Otunba Adebayo did nothing of the sort. Even though a prime beneficiary of his generosity of spirit, at no time was he overbearing with his presence nor boastful about his central role in my emergence as party candidate and eventually Governor. He was instead a source of unflagging support and guidance and was always on hand to offer wise counsel when it was required. He never tried to undermine me or treat me in any way other than as a fellow progressive and brother governor. Given the well documented dramas of ego-driven bickering between governors and their successors in some states, Otunba Adebayo’s disposition was one that I appreciate greatly and it reflects his enormous reserves of self-awareness, security and self-possession.

    Our relationship is an interesting one too.  Although I knew of him long before we met, it was my job as a consultant involved in a team designing the UK Country Programme for Nigeria in 1999 that first brought us in contact. Part of the task of the team was the selection of focal states for the UK development programme in Nigeria. I made a strong case for Ekiti to be the focal state in the South West and it was chosen.  Ekiti benefited tremendously from UK government support during his tenure and our relationship blossomed from there. Indeed, towards the end of his tenure, he had hinted in passing on one of my visits to Governors, Lodge in Ado Ekiti that he would want me to join his executive council after the election.

    When things went the way they did in 2003, I strongly made a case that he had a lot to  still offer our state and we must start preparation early for his return. Unknown to me, he had other plans for the State. That plan began to unfold when he asked me to run for Governor of our state with his backing in 2004. This was at a time that I had only fully relocated to Nigeria barely two years. I was not even a member of the Alliance for Democracy, although my sympathy for the party was not hidden, not to mention my personal relationship with many of the leaders. I balked at the idea of getting into the murky waters of Nigerian politics but he was unrelenting. He even enlisted the support of some of our leaders, particularly Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande. When I prudently gave an excuse that my wife would not want me to do this, he asked for her number and called her in Ghana and eventually convinced Bisi. And from that moment, I stood on the shoulders of a giant and he stood by me through thick and thin. When weighed against the background that he didn’t even know me that closely and there were many of his close political associates desirous of becoming Governor, his selflessness went beyond the call of duty.

    I was especially humbled when he unexpectedly graced my father’s 80th birthday and spent quality time with him and the rest of the guests. I was touched not only by the fact that as a sitting governor he had deemed it important to make time to honour an elder but also to honour our friendship in that way. It made quite an impression on me and set Otunba Adebayo apart as one who truly espouses the Omoluabi ethos – that blend of good breeding, nobility, decency and compassion that we hold in high esteem in these parts. For me, these little acts were very much the measure of the man.

    On June 21, 2014, when we lost to the PDP in Ekiti, Otunba Adebayo was one of the people at my side into the early hours of the following morning. With tempers frayed by what many saw as a blatant electoral heist perpetrated by the then ruling party, he was one of the calmest people in the room. Long before then, I had made it clear that I did not wish to see Ekiti plunged into turmoil because of a disputed election. I was convinced then as I remain convinced now, that political leaders have a moral responsibility to ensure that their contest for power is not conducted in ways that threaten public peace and safety or potentially result in a negative impact on the people. I was aware that deepening democracy requires politicians to be willing to rise above self-aggrandizing political considerations and guarantee peaceful transitions of power.

    It was with these thoughts in mind, and the unanimous concurrence of the good company I had that historic night that I decided to concede – regardless of our misgivings at the violation of the will of the people. Otunba Adebayo was unreservedly supportive of this – a stance that reflects his principled belief in politics without bitterness. He had been there and done exactly that in 2003.

    I’m sure I’m not the only beneficiary of his generous spirit who has a story to tell. But I owe it a duty to bear witness to the great attributes of this quintessential gentleman – mentor, teacher, leader, friend to many, high and low and an amazing husband and father – Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo, Commander of the Order of the Niger, as he celebrates this landmark Diamond Anniversary

    I feel especially honoured by the friendship and the kinship of this remarkable son of Ekiti – Oni Uyi, Oni Eye, and I wish him many more years of fruitful service to humanity in this realm. Happy Birthday sir.

  • Fajuyi, The Quintessential Omoluwabi: Lest we forget

    Fajuyi, The Quintessential Omoluwabi: Lest we forget

    Now praise we great and famous men,
    The fathers named in story;
    And praise the Lord, Who now as then
    Reveals in man His glory.
    Praise we the glorious names we know,
    And they whose names have perished,
    Lost, in the haze of long ago,
    In silent love be cherished.
    In peace their sacred ashes rest,
    Fulfilled their day’s endeavor;
    They blessed the earth, and they are blessed
    Of God and man forever.
    Author: W. G. Tarrant

    Since 1987, I had promised myself that I was going to write two tributes, one  for Colonel Francis Adekunle Fajuyi, the first Military Governor of Western Nigeria and the other for Captain Thomas Sankara on the anniversaries of their assassinations and for forty-nine years in the case of Colonel Fajuyi, and twenty-nine years in the case of Captain Sankara, the Military Head of State of Bourkina Faso (1983-1987) the anniversaries came and went without fulfilling the promise I made to myself. To be explicit, Colonel Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, on the murderous and treacherous night that refused to give birth to a bright new day, while Captain Sankara was killed on October 15,1987.

    This tribute is for Colonel Fajuyi. God willing, I will pen the tribute for Captain Sankara on the anniversary of his death.

    You may be wondering why I have finally be aroused to fulfil my vow on this anniversary of his death. Early this year, specifically on January 15, on the fiftieth anniversary of the January coup, the Nigerian press was awash with reminiscences and tributes from family members, political associates and friends of the victims of the coup. The reminiscences, in themselves, were very educative. But what was spectacularly startling were the contradictions in the narratives. It was obvious that facts, interpretation and falsehoods were muddling this aspect of Nigerian history.  So this tribute is my own contribution to contain the violence being done to the truth in Nigerian history.

    I met Colonel Fajuyi only once in 1961. I was then an upper six student at Christ School, Ado-Ekiti and he came to address our class. He was on leave from the army. He was dressed simply in the Yoruba buba and sokoto attire. His presentation was jovial and simple to understand. We were very interested in how soldiers could understand commands on parade grounds. He made life in the army sound so much fun that, if he had made the military equivalent of an altar call, I would have enthusiastically led the others in signing up. Whether  my enthusiasm would have survived my first encounter with the drill Sergeant is another matter entirely. On a lighter note, I once made reference in the presence of Generals Babangida and Abacha to the fact that if I had joined the army in 1960 after my secondary education at Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos, I would be their senior and therefore a Field Marshall since they were both full Generals by then. General Babangida turned to General Abacha and said “Did you hear that?” General Abacha simply said “we would have shot him.” Presumably, it was all in jest. I hope. But many a true word is spoken in jest.

    Back to Colonel Fajuyi. On that occasion of his lecture to us students in Ado-Ekiti, he never for once made any allusion to the fact that he had been honoured twice by the British for acts of courage. In 1954, as a Sergeant, he was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for supressing a mutiny in his unit over food rations. He never made mention of the fact that he had been awarded the Military Cross (MC) by the British Government for showing exceptional bravery during the Congo operations.  The MC is usually granted for “an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land.” The MC is not awarded lightly. One of the recipients during World War II was a Captain Sam Manekshaw, Indian Army (who eventually rose to the rank of Field Marshal). Given the fact that I have not been able to come across anything recording that another Black African had won the Military Cross, I might not be completely off the mark if I assert that Fajuyi is the only Black African officer to have won the British Military Cross. (If I am wrong, I hope this article will give someone somewhere the opportunity to set the record straight and complete the record). Given the well known racism exhibited towards colonial troops, I have no doubt if Fajuyi’s heroism that led to the Military Cross had been done by a British officer, it would have been a Victoria Cross, the highest British military honour.

    I once watched a film “LION OF THE DESSERT” on the Libyan resistance movement against Italian occupation in Libya during the Second World War. The head of the resistance Sheik  Omar Mukhtar was captured, sentenced to death and executed, on 16 September 1931. On the eve of his execution, he was visited by General Rodolfo Graziani who asked him if he had any last requests. He first said no. but as the General got to the door, the Sheik said “Don’t lie that I begged for my life because I did not”. The General was later to say of Omar “he was the bravest and most honourable man that I ever met.”

    Of all the conflicting accounts of the events of that murderous and treacherous night, which gave birth to a dawn when the sun refused to shine, and there were and I suppose there will continue to be conflicting narratives, all the narratives agreed on one thing: Colonel Francis Fajuyi never begged for his life, never tried to escape, never hid under a bed or hid in a cupboard. “Faith of our father, holy faith, I will be true to thee till death”.

    The narrative about Colonel Fajuyi’s behaviour that dawn soon became mired in the propaganda war between the Federal side and the Biafran side. The Federal side maintained that Fajuyi did not volunteer to die with Ironsi and that he was marked down for execution by the July coupists for being complicit in the January coup. The Biafran side insisted that Fajuyi volunteered to die with his guest and Supreme Commander. He was portrayed as a gallant officer, full of valour and honour. The Federal side dismissed the Biafran narrative as a ploy to secure Yoruba support during the war, while the Biafran side dismissed the Federal narrative as a disingenuous attempt to justify the brutal and unwarranted murder of an honourable officer.

    Where is the truth? Fifty years after the event, and forty-seven years after the end of the civil war, Mrs Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, the widow of General Ironsi, confirmed what her son, who was with the father in Ibadan that day, told her on July 30, 1966 that Fajuyi volunteered to go with his father—an act of bravery. The war had been long over and Mrs Ironsi had nothing to gain from parroting civil war propaganda. Secondly, the Police Special Branch (the predecessor of what is now the Department of State Security) wrote a report on the January 1966 coup (published in Kirk-Greene, CRISIS AND CONFLICT IN NIGERIA, pp. 115-124) and nowhere was Fajuyi’s name mentioned. The name also did not crop up in either Ruth First, or John de St. Jorre or any book for that matter that dealt with the January 1966 coup.

    The other sore thumb on this narrative is the comment by Professor Isawa Elaigwu, in his biography of General Yakubu Gowon that “Fajuyi… was reported to have been very scared” . Colonel Fajuyi, an officer who won two British military medals for bravery all within eighteen years of being in the military, the only officer in Nigerian military history to have been so honoured, to have been “very scared” is most unlikely.

    This would be equivalent to declaring that General George Patton, the bravest General of the Second World War was scared in a battle. It would fly in the face of facts and would not be regarded as credible.

    I am not implying that Colonel Francis Fajuyi was the only brave officer that the Nigerian Army has produced. On the contrary, Colonel Alabi-Isama’s civil war memoirs shows General Benjamin Adekunle (the Black Scorpion) as an exceptionally brave officer.

    Another exceptionally brave officer is General Ibrahim Babangida who as Colonel Babangida confronted Lt, Colonel Dimka during the 1976 attempted coup.

    In a highly educative and illuminating article by Ben Lawrence, who was an eye witness to the encounter between Colonel Babangida and Colonel Dimka in the NBC headquarters, he wrote:

    “A sprucely dressed officer was being brought into the presence of the coup-leader. I had no knowledge of who he was, but he was cool, man, —really cool. He stood about 30 yards away from Dimka, who had come out into the corridor, and spoke to him in Hausa. “I am coming directly to you,” he said with all sincerity. “I bear no arms but only wish to talk with you. May I come on?”  Dimka was standing between two of his soldiers, one of whom was armed. He was the one who refused. However, Dimka was for the visitor to draw nearer, but the soldier got into an argument with him and Dimka had to disarm him forcibly. Then he asked his visitor to draw nearer. The newcomer, who was a full colonel by the insignia of his uniform, kept asking for permission at each step as he drew nearer, and Dimka replied favourably. We, Ishola Folorunso and I, were the only ones in sight of the corridor, the only witnesses to the historic meeting. And then, the colonel began to plead with Dimka. “Leave this thing alone, you hear? What has got into you?” “My life is totally involved now, and I can’t give it up,” Dimka replied. Then he looked down the corridor and remembered that Hausa was a language we often communicated in on our drinking sprees, so he asked us to leave the corridor. I quickly made to leave, but not so, my Director of Programmes. He said no one was going to order him around in his office.  In vain I pleaded with him. I had known Isola, man and boy, then for over 30 years. Never had I seen him grow so obstinate over a point. And so, Dimka had both of us locked in Ishola’s office while they continued their conversation. After a while, we were let out. Dimka was accompanying the other officer down the corridor to one of the corporation’s car. As the door was held open for him to enter, the Colonel took a step back and gave a very smart salute before departing. We all then tried to settle down, but really could not. We were asking who that brave officer was that dared to engage assassins still wet with the blood of their victim on their hands? And Dimka let him go just like that? … we learnt that the gallant colonel who came to save us was Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. He went on to make more history later, but that is the story for another day. (Bisi Lawrence, Vanguard Feb 13, 2016)”

    Fifty years after Fajuyi paid for his gallantry and honour with his life, we run the risk of the significance of that dawn being forgotten. Even the younger generation has probably never even heard of this episode, not to talk about drawing the right inferences from it.

    I have spoken to every Oyo state governor since 1999 with the exception of the present governor about the need to acquire compulsorily the stretch of land along Iwo road where both Colonel Fajuyi and General Ironsi were killed. On that parcel of land should be constructed a National Memorial Park dedicated to courage, loyalty and unity and adorned by the twin bronze statues of General Thomas “Ironside” Aguiyi-Ironsi and Colonel Francis Adekunle “OMOLUABI” Fajuyi. And let the story of what happened that dawn be told over and over again to present and future generations. I even tried to sell the idea to Afenifere/AD when that contraption controlled the Western states. I received no listen ears then.

    Maybe now, on the Fiftieth anniversary of perhaps the most noble deed in Nigerian history, the powers that be in all the Western states will listen and reflect. Nigeria needs this memorial. But much more important, we, the Yoruba nation need this memorial. If truth be told, we are held in great contempt in Nigeria, being regarded as lazy, cowardly and enamoured of owanbe world view. Of course, this perception is very far from the truth. Lazy people did not build cocoa plantations which made the old Western Region the most developed state in Africa under Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Cowards did not man and lead the Third Marine Commando Division which carried out the first successful sea to land military operations in Africa. This division led by first Benjamin Adekunle and later by Olusegun Obasanjo included Akinrinade, Alabi-Isama and other Yoruba officers. How can a race that produced Colonel Francis Adekunle, the only African to win the British Military Cross, for valour be called cowards? But then who needs facts when demonization will do.

    So, let us build this national memorial park. Let us build the bronze statutes of Fajuyi and Ironsi; Let us tell the story of honour, valour and courage in a year and in a country more noted for treachery, betrayal, mayhem, murder and bestial behaviour.

    Nothing I have written here nor the monuments if built can consecrate or sanctify the heroism of that night. The act and the penalty he paid have already consecrated and sanctify it (to borrow from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address). Our job as the living is to ensure that LT-COLONEL FRANCIS ADEKUNLE FAJUYI is not forgotten. Not for his sake but for our sake.

    • Professor A. Bolaji Akinyemi Cfr

    Nigerian Foreign Minister, 1985-1987

  • A quintessential jurist at 82

    A quintessential jurist at 82

    The founder and Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), pays tribute to former Supreme Court Justice Emmanuel Ayoola at 82

    The invisible and unmistaken hand of God, the Creator, moulds the universe delibe-rately to different vessels of honour. However, it seems some are more generously endowed by God than others. But the most endowed are those who make of their talents and position enabling the less privileged.

    Such is the Hon. Justice Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola, CON, JSC (retd), the multi-talented Legal Practitioner and internationally acclaimed Jurist, an epitome of decency and a towering model of a quintessential gentleman who has succeeded in all his and endeavours; a loving father, an uncommon mentor and successful manager of men and resources who has touched the lives of many as a lawyer, judge, public servant since he was called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in London in November 1957.

    An Alumnus of the revered University of London, where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree and also of Oxford University where he obtained another Bachelor’s Degree in Jurisprudence in 1959, the stuff the erudite Hon. Justice Ayoola, a former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) is made of became manifest early in his very brilliant and luxuriant career.

    For 17 years, he, together with his elder brother, OluAyoola of blessed memory, had a flourishing private legal practice in Ibadan, Oyo State until February 1976 when he was most deservedly appointed to the High Court of Western Nigeria as a Judge and soon after, a Judge of the High Court of Oyo State. That was the time brilliant lawyers were invited to the bench and not appointed from application.

    Our paths crossed each other in 1963 when I approached the popular Chambers of Ayoola Brothers for my tutelage after arriving from England with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. It was not difficult for me to know that with his uncommon brilliance, calmness, diligence and determination as well as his willingness to apply himself to work, he would make it to the top very rapidly. I saw in him a man sold to industry, commitment with an unbending will for people around him to succeed.

    A man internationally sought-after, the incorruptible judge served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal of The Gambia from and later as Chief Justice of The Gambia. He was Vice President of the World Judges Association in 1991.

    A man of commendable candour, Justice Ayoola was President of the Court of Appeal of Seychelles and Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria (1992-1998), Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (1998–2003) before he bowed out of service in October 2003 at the mandatory age of 70.

    He was in 2004 made Chairman of the ad-hoc Presidential Action Committee on the Control of Violent Crimes and Illegal Firearms. He served as Chairman, Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission in 2005 until he was appointed Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission later the same year. Currently, he is a member of the National Judicial Council and Chairman of the Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee of that Council.

    In 2002, the Secretary-General of the United Nations appointed Justice Ayoola  a Judge of the Appeals Chamber of the Special Court for Sierra Leone,  a court  set up to try those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Sierra Leone Civil War. He was President of the Court from 2004 to 2005. It was in that capacity that he addressed the Security Council of the United Nations in 2005.

    In his quest for deeper meaning in life and his desire to live beyond the mundane material things which many mortals settle for, at some point, Justice Ayoola was Chairman of the Governing Council of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, an International NGO based in Banjul, The Gambia.

    A prolific writer and an advocate of an egalitarian society, he has edited the Seychelles Law Digest, the Law Reports of the Gambia, and the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports. Justice Ayoola is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies; Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria); Doctor of Civil Law [DCL] honoris causa) Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and Dr. of Laws, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).

    In appreciation of his sterling contributions to Jurisprudence, he was honoured with the award of the Gambian National Honour of Commander of the National Order of the Republic of the Gambia [CRG] in 1990; and the Award of the Nigerian National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger [CON] in 2003.

    He is an unrepentant lover of our University, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti. The place and import of the Hon. Justice Ayoola’s love for ABUAD and my humble self will forever remain green and indelible.

    At the time the University was still struggling to find his feet, Justice Ayoola, as the Chairman of ICPC, led a 14-man team of ICPC staff to ABUAD on July 28, 2010 and left the following words in our history book: “This is an institution which can stand side by side with any educational institution in the world. This is a pace setter. It raises the benchmark for quality education in Nigeria. There is no doubt that the shaping of the direction of education in Nigeria has started. ABUAD is and will remain the leader in this direction.”

    The incorruptibility and moralist inclination of the Hon. Justice Ayoola is not a later day development as that has been part of his persona as far back as his days in Legal Practice. No wonder then that our common mentor and his own elder brother, the mercurial Hon. Justice Olu Ayoola of blessed memory, had this to say about the two us (Hon. Ayoola and my humble self) on page 23 of his Book titled: Olu Ayoola: Fifty Years in Law: “With the use of appropriate technique, even though I started practice as a single Lawyer establishment, the chamber rapidly grew in fame and became a multi-lawyer chambers. We thereby, as it were, took a big leap from “the cold waters uncertainties of fluctuating fees” of a young private practice to the security of a prosperous chamber.

    “From the performances of our weekly conference of lawyers, I was able to assess the progress, ability and aptitude of each lawyer. I must mention two who were among the best; namely: my brother, Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola, who is presently a Judge of the Court of Appeal, Nigeria. He was a brilliant lawyer with a moralist bent. Sometimes, he would come to me and say after going through a brief allotted to him “the defence of our client is good in law, but why shouldn’t he pay the debt which he appears, law apart, to owe?” and I would retort “we, as lawyers, are concerned with his defence as a matter of law: we are not concerned with his liability on moral grounds”. Where he felt not too bright about the brief, I will take it and allocate it to some other under-study.

    “Another brilliant lawyer was Afe Babalola (he is now a Senior Advocate of Nigeria). He was and still very hard working. A lover of legal analysis, he usually saw through fine points which others did not see. I believe in taking fine legal points”.

    The God-given gifts of incorrup-tibility and moral uprightness as well as forthrightness must have accounted to a very large extent in his being noticed, acknowledged and appointed the arrow-head of the ICPC after his retirement from the Supreme Court Bench. After all, it is only the deep that can call to the deep just like it is only iron that can sharpen iron!

    He is an example per excellence, a cerebral, good natured, committed and an excellent team player who is always willing to help the needy.

    My Learned Mentor and Leader should see and acknowledge the attainment of the matured age of 82 as a special grace from the Almighty God and a veritable opportunity for him to do more in his service to a nation which he loves so much and indeed to humanity, the fulcrum of his dream.

    While congratulating him most heartily on this momentous occasion, I wish him good health and peace of heart as well as divine wisdom to continue the good works and to continually be relevant in the scheme of things in Nigeria, and beyond.

    Hearty congratulations, My Lord.

     

     

  • Asiwaju, a quintessential democrat, says Obioha

    Asiwaju, a quintessential democrat, says Obioha

    In this toast to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who turned 63 on March 29, a former chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ralph Obioha, recounts his association with the former Lagos State Governor. 

    Senator Bola Tinubu, the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a quintessential democrat who displayed a remarkable commitment to the ideals of democracy. I make this toast admittedly with envy but I must quickly add that my envy is green since it is so laden with deep admiration and respect for what he has accomplished for Nigeria.

    My encounter with the Senator started over 21 years ago when he was with Exxon as a treasurer and the Managing Director of my bank – First African Trust Bank, Mr. Yomi Tokosi, disclosed that Asiwaju was one of the backers of the bank. It was not long after that, he was elected to the Senate and we found ourselves together in the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Our paths were to cross much closer when the June 12 struggle started.

    Asiwaju singled himself out as the major financer of this struggle in the United States of America (USA) and stood as the main pillar of support when the body was displaying fatigue and weariness but Asiwaju, at each turn of the struggle, roused the spirit to sustain the struggle to success. As the case in all human interaction, there were moments of disagreement but now with hindsight, it is a rare gift of vision that he galvanised the sustenance of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO’s) commitment to democracy.

    The Asiwaju’s legacy can be summed-up as a great fighter of democracy and by extension of consensus builder injustice visited to their son, Bashrun M.K.O. Abiola. They massively elected him the governor of Lagos State. When he assumed office as the governor of Lagos State, no one gave that state any chance of survival but painstakingly, Asiwaju, like a magic, transformed Lagos into a livable modern megapolis. Even hard-core critics gave him kudos for what he was able to accomplish for his dear state and many were quick to add that Asiwaju’s selection of his successor in the person of Governor Babatunde Fashola confirmed his selfless plans to ensure that Lagos is indeed “The Center of excellence”. Asiwaju was to experiment with various formations of political parties in his unquenchable thirst to move Nigeria forward.

    In a masterstroke of political wizardry, he escaped the treachery of 2003 general elections and survived the near political annihilation of the Southwest in that election. True to his character, he rebuilt the zone and in 2007, won back nearly all the lost states except Ondo.

    The icing on the cake is Asiwaju’s remarkable construction of the coalition that metamorphosed into the giant APC. Still more remarkable is his ability to discover the potency of Gen Muhammadu Buhari’s appeal in today’s Nigeria as the leader that could rescue us from the implosion Nigeria was heading into. You may not like the person of Senator Bola Tinubu that is your entitlement but Nigeria, over 25 years ago, lost most of her heroes but a nation must strive to find new heroes, not necessarily to worship them but to set role models for the emerging generations to look up to. For those who are envious of Senator Bola Tinubu, turn such envy into green as I did and join me to toast this remarkable son of Nigeria whose commitment to enthrone an enduring democracy in Nigeria is without question.

    Ralph Obioha, is a former chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and former National Chairman of the Justice Party (JP).

  • Gambari: Quintessential diplomat at 70

    It is significant that few days before Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari’s 70th birthday on November 24, he was appointed as co-chair with Mrs Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State and Ambassador to the United Nations, to lead the High-Level Commission on Global Security Justice and Governance. That appointment came on November 20.  The commission is to find better mechanisms to prevent and resolve armed conflicts, address the human security impacts of climate change, and prevent future cross-border economic shocks. The commission is expexted to release their recommendations in advance of U.N’s 70th anniversary in September 2015. With membership drawn from far and wide, the array and calibre of membership of this commission is a confirmation of Gambari’s resourcefulness and acceptance in the international community.

    Nearly a month ago, Gambari, a distinguished Nigerian and world citizen turned 70. His life in the past 31 years has been devoted to public service and indeed service to mankind. He needs no introduction, having held office as Foreign Affairs Minister after the collapse of the Second Republic. He holds the record of being the longest serving Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (January 1990 to October 1999), and altogether served under five Heads of State and President.  He was born in Ilorin, Kwara State, in 1944, and his aristocratic background must have played a role in his devotion to service. He left indelible imprints in the world politics and international system.

    I met Gambari during my undergraduate years. I was in need of a copy of his book, Theory and Reality in Foreign Policy Decision Making. Knowing that he lived outside the country, I was faced with an uphill task. With his email address, I was able to start what is now a lifelong friendship. In spite of his stature as an international civil servant, he attended to my request with dispatch and sent the book from his US base through his son (who has since then become our reliable courier). You are bound to be touched by Gambari’s humility.

    Gambari’s appointment as Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) was the beginning of his involvement in Nigeria’s foreign policy in its entirety. To assert that he was prepared for this challenge will be an understatement, for having received M.A. and Ph.D. both in Political Science/International Relations from Columbia University, he came fully prepared. He was in this position till his appointment as the Minister of External Affairs following the December 1983 change of government by the military. His tenure in office witnessed the high point of Nigeria’s engagement in international politics, and chiefly the Dikko affair (a foiled attempt to return the erstwhile Minister of Transport, the late Alhaji Umaru Dikko to the country from London in a crate), which was handled with utmost professionalism. Based on principle, he rejected the position of Minister of Education at the end of his tenure in August 1985 because his former bosses were still in detention.

    Writing extensively on Nigeria’s foreign policy, regional economic integration and International politics, he has captured his rich hands-on experience in numerous books. As an academic, and in spite of his diplomatic calling, he has published and continues to publish articles in national and international scholarly journals.

    As Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Gambari was a senior member of the Nigerian Delegation to 10 consecutive sessions of the General Assembly (44th to 54th); he also served as President of the Security Council on two occasions (May 1994 and October 1995).  He has chaired the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid, which successfully saw the fall of that long-standing social injustice and the establishment of democratic rule in South Africa.

    He led several United Nations Missions, including the Special Committee Against Apartheid to South Africa and the Security Council Missions to South Africa, Burundi, Rwanda and Mozambique. Gambari also chaired the UN Special Committee on Peace-Keeping Operations.  He served as member, Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR) and also President, Executive Board of UNICEF. He later served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission to Angola (UNMA), and in that capacity helped to bring the peace process under the Lusaka Protocol to a successful conclusion.

    Upon completion of his mission assignment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative in 1999, the UN, in recognition of his expertise offered him yet another appointment as Under-Secretary/Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on African Affairs. He later became the Under-Secretary/Head, Political Affairs Department of the UN- the most important office after that of the Secretary General. Gambari served the UN as Under-Secretary/Special envoy of the UN Secretary-General to the troubled Myanmar where his mediatory efforts yielded fruits, and led to multi-party democracy and the release of Aang Sun kyi from house arrest after close to two decades,  and her election into the parliament.

    The career of this seasoned diplomat in the UN cuts across important committees, commissions and special assignments including the chair of UN Security Council, UN committee on Apartheid, the head and special representative of UN Secretary –General to Cyprus, International compact with Iraq, UN special envoy to Myanmar (formerly Burma) and until recently joint UN-AU special representative to Darfur. Among the highpoints of his illustrious career was his role as the last chairperson of the UN Committee against Apartheid, under which aegis he presented UN’s congratulatory letter to the legendary Nelson Mandela during his inauguration as President of South Africa in 1994. In connection with this role, Gambari was in October 2012 honoured by the government and people of South-Africa with the highest decoration reserved for foreign recipients.

    He was in 2013 appointed the pioneer Chancellor of Kwara State University, (KWASU) Malete, by Governor Abdul Fatah Ahmed, and he was a member of the just concluded National Conference. He was the first African in 1985 to be conferred with the title, Honorary Professor by Chugsan University (founded by and named after Dr. Sun Yat Sen, leader of the 1911 Peasant Revolution and first President of Nationalist China); the University of Bridgeport (USA)  awarded him the Doctor of Humane Letters degree (honoris causa); the prestigious in 2002 Johns Hopkins University elected him in 2002 to membership of the University’s Society of Scholars; and the Government of Nigeria in 2003 awarded him the national honour, Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

    His commitment to peace and security of the world inspired him to establish the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, a non-governmental think-tank based in Abuja, Nigeria. The centre is devoted to critical analyses of and solutions to the problems of conflict prevention, management and resolution; democratization and sustainable development in Africa.

    Gambari’s greatest attributes are listening, patience, writing, reading voraciously and power of retention, humility and promotion of friendship. He has touched the lives of so many people and has made a significant difference in many of those lives, be it through mediating in conflicts or by helping to maintain the thin social fabric that conflicts so often tear apart. Gambari’s compassion and deep respect for the human person regardless of their background is widely acclaimed. Even after my graduation from the university, I have continued to enjoy what might be considered the paternal support of this uncommon Nigerian. Ours has grown into a father and son relationship. He shared with me moments of joy and despair, especially after a recent auto accident. He not only stood by me, he rendered every support to aid my full recovery.

    I must salute the humility and kindness of this great son of Africa and a distinguished Nigerian. May Allah continue to protect him and his household.

    • Badejo writes from Surulere, Lagos State.

  • ‘We’ve lost a quintessential journalist’

    ‘We’ve lost a quintessential journalist’

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu expressed shock yesterday on the death of Pastor Dimgba Igwe.

    A statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu, quoted Ekweremadu to have described the deceased as a “quintessential journalist.”

    He said his death was a “typical thunderbolt from a blue, serene, sky”.

    Ekweremadu said: “I am short of words to describe this sad event. Sometimes, life can be cruel beyond measure, and this is one of such instances. It is a grievous loss not only to the Sun Publishing Ltd, but also the media industry and the nation.”

  • Adieu, quintessential Femi Segun

    Femi Segun was a man that kept his star shining per second, his exotic and likeable character kept the moon rotating at the speed of an aircraft, he laid awake at sunset, trusting his dream, working hard at it, he remained on top of that glorious dream until his death in March. Segun was a miracle of beauty with grey hairs on his head and chin. It was in July 1997, while away in Cape Coast, Ghana, attending the Pan African festival (PANAFEST) for the first time that we saw a familiar Nigerian, exchanging glances, then we remembered it was Segun, holding his magistrate wife. We introduced ourselves to him; he was so happy meeting us, he brought out his Kodak camera, took some shots with us, photographs that will forever be cherished by us.

    We gave him the account of our experiences since we arrived the festival, especially how the world had fallen in love with our National Troupe led by the energetic music curator and director, Dr Laz Ekwueme. The Panafest that year was able to achieve one thing; it became a melting pot for blacks in Africa and in the Diaspora. The Nigerian delegates comprised of notable arts journalists and promoters like Jahman Anikulapo, formerly of The Guardian, Professor Nduka Otiono, Prof. Newton Edebiri, and so on. After the historic festival in Cape Coast, we became good friends, visiting his office at Victoria Island and later at YWCA, Obalende, where he ran a mini African museum, discussing extensively on international politics, arts, culture, diplomacy and festivals around the world. His was one of the romantic tales of a diplomat who conveniently got married to the arts world, a man in love with good music which reinforced the richness of his background and character as the son of a renowned writer and publisher, Mrs. Mabel Segun. His influence in the diplomatic community was remarkable, as an interpreter to a former President and to other international visitors to Nigeria. No doubt, Segun was a living witness in his lifetime of a future revolution in the political landscape of the country yet unborn. Not long, I and Taiwo, my twin brother were appointed country Representatives for Panafest in Nigeria. Uncle Segun on hearing the news, encouraged us to use the opportunity to make Nigeria benefit immensely from Panafest as an arm of the African Union (AU). A perfect model for youths who want to excel in so many areas, yet remaining stabilized in pursuing such lofty dreams; he made it a point of duty to attend all Panafest outings in Nigeria. We remember vividly Panafest 2012 Colloquium at the Muson Centre, Lagos, where the energetic and dynamic governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was our keynote speaker, Dr Segun stood up at a point in the crowd to applaud the inspiring paper given. He was not given to pride and arrogance at all. A man of inner beauty, he had an ignited spark always dancing round his face, his physique capable of withstanding an Olympic medalist, swift on his footsteps attending conferences, movies premieres and exhibitions. He consumed the passion of great men across the land, among whom was Prof. Wole Soyinka, in whose house we had our last encounter with him. We had gone to keep an early morning appointment with the Nobel Laureate, when a powerful power bike roared into the compound. Alighting was a man fully kitted, like an astronaut ready for a voyage into the moon. Alas it was Segun! We envied him that he must have had a smooth ride through the nasty traffic we encountered on the Island that very morning. At that point, we wished and prayed to have power bikes as twins someday in the future, but on hearing about his crashed power bike that claimed his life, we made a U-Turn in our decision and offered a silent prayer: God never give us power bikes in our lives!

    Segun was a man of fulfilled dreams; now angels and galaxies unknown to the human race are welcoming him to the bosom of the Almighty God, with the imperishable lions’ medal for victors draping round his immortal neck. Our heartfelt sympathies to the Segun and Kuti families, especially aunties Bisi, Yeni, Rolake and her sister. Adieu Femi Segun

    • Taiwo & Kehinde Oluwafunso, Panafest representatives in Nigeria wrote from Lagos.

  • Akande: A quintessential leader

    Akande: A quintessential leader

    In this piece, Aderemi Idowu pays tribute to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, who clocks 75 this week.

    There is no better time than now to assess the quality of leaders Nigeria has had in the last 50 years of its independence. The Zik of Africa, whose political razzmatazz and oratorical skills were second to none in the continent, was at his twilight addressed as the Owelle of Onitsha. Zik was reputed for one of his famous quotes that “it is only a fool that fails to change his mind when there is the need to do so” The question remains whether he must have changed his severally in matters of national importance. The Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, was the unapologetic founder of modern Northern Nigeria. His classical assertion that he would rather be the Sultan of Sokoto than be the president of Nigeria demonstrated his deep love for his people more than for his country. The last of these great nationalists, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was the best manager of men and resources and also crowned in death as the best president Nigeria never had, as testified to by the late Ikemba of Nnewi. Awo chose to pursue a national interest rather than solidifying his base. This tripod came, led and left their imprints on Nigeria political landscape. History will continue to judge them individually and collectively as to their roles in shaping or failure to mode Nigeria in readiness to a 21st century wonderland. After these remarkable leaders, the country had grappled with both military rulers and their civilian counterpart with little or nothing to show for their efforts, in terms of physical development, institutional growth and economic advancement that commensurate with the large amount of billions of dollars generated from our God given resources.

    Amongst the pack however, is one man who stands conspicuously taller than the rest in character, honesty, integrity, achievements and personal examples as a leader and as an unassuming team player in the quest for nation building. His is no other person than Chief Adebisi Akande, the current National Chairman (interim) of the fastest growing political party in Nigeria (I dare say in Africa)!

    His meticulous national and international rise became noticeable when he became the executive governor of Osun State in the Fourth republic between 1999 to 2003. Prior to that, he was the deputy governor to the late Chief Bola Ige in the Second Republic. What did he do differently? He was arguably the only executive governor that neither created room nor condoned corruption in his government. Contracts were awarded, using a master stroke policy of not given advance mobilisation to contractors in execution of same contacts bided for. Added to that was a no- room variation on contracts during and after execution. With that saintly management style and prudence in a country notorious for corruption, he was able to execute over 500 projects, from education to infrastructure, health, community housing, a new secretariat including over a 1000 kilometres of roads with meagre revenue at the state’s disposal and without borrowing a kobo. In fact Osun State was among the poorest states, in terms of revenue allocations and IGR. He left the state as the most best governed financially and in terms of developmental indices as attested to even by his political opponents.

    Whilst the Federal government under General Obasanjo was awarding a one- room classroom for an average of N1.5 million, Akande was doing the same standard of classroom for half a million naira under the Universal Basic Education Programme. That to Osun state was a bonus of “three for a price of one” benefit!

    Chief Bisi Akande’s integrity and averse to greed and corruption was also spotted when OBJ wanted him as a ministerial nominee in 2003; what did he do? In a country where most people would sell their mother and father, spilt innocent blood and sweat and worship at Okija shrine and other evil alters to get to power, this simple, God fearing leader just went on a long holiday, until all available posts were filled. That uncommon tactical rejection dazed OBJ and he was determined pay Akande back at all cost.

    At a time when it was fashionable to sell integrity and honour for a paltry some of naira, this adorable man with the help of some compatriots stood their grounds, paid their dues in ensuring that the AD (Alliance for Democracy) did not go under water after the political tsunami of 2003 election in the South West states, where five of the six governors (including Chief Bisi Akande) were un-intentionally sold out to OBJ through Afenifere elders. He fought hard to re-build the party from AD into AC, then into ACN, and finally into a national political merger as predicted by the Sage, Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo; All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Political historians would have some stories to tell in the nearest future on the emergence of the first successful political merger in Nigeria, the APC, under the able leadership of a man of steel, but sweet in spirit, who for all it takes worked day and night with his friends and political associates in given birth to what is slowly killing the biggest political fraud in Africa, the PDP. Little by little, step by step, the once indomitable monster is now a shadow of it old self.

    It was not an all sweet journey for Chief Akande, a political associate of the late sage. What he lacks in Nigerian standard of measuring wealth, he has in abundance in good nature, good health, amazing grace, respect, honour, competence, wisdom, peace including good friends, associates and political sons and daughters that would go to war with him without a request and without hesitation. He single-handedly repelled the prince from Okuku and his clique in an attempt to maliciously taint his reputation and integrity in a false allegation of corruption. He not only won because he was never guilty, but forced them to beat a retreat when all attempts to rope him and force him to admit guilt failed.

    A good leader is not made overnight while charity begins at home. Akande is a product of good marriage, family life and dependable allies, the reason he enjoys peace and supports both at home front and at national level.

    It is for these reasons and many more the space and time would not allow one to write that I doff my hat to an iconic leader of all leaders, a political generalissimo and ever smiling, ever loving and ever hard working leader at 75. Many happy returns of this day, Sir.

     

    • Idowu, former Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, Action Congress of Nigeria, United Kingdom Chapter, writes from London.