The Nation Newspaper

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  • ASUU’s position on LAUTECH misguided, says Osun govt

    Osun State Government on Thursday said that the threat by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) to disrupt academic activities in the institution if the state government ‘refuses to pay their outstanding two months’ salaries’ is not only misguided but presumptuous.

    In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Wole Oyebamiji, the government noted that ASUU’s position on the salary arrears did not truly reflect the position of things, especially with regard to Osun, which appeared to have been singled out for vilification by the union.

    According to the statement entitled: “ASUU’s position on LAUTECH: Setting the record straight,” the government said: “Previously, Osun and Oyo states, who are joint owners of the university, had agreed to a template that will see Oyo pay salaries of workers at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, for six months, while Osun carries the burden of paying salaries of workers at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, also for a period six months and vice versa.

    Read Also: Osun, Oyo trade blames over LAUTECH’s funding

    “But while Osun kept faith religiously with the above arrangement, Oyo at some point jettisoned it. This explains why from 2013 till date, only Osun has been shouldering the payment of salaries of workers at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo,  amounting to N16, 604, 510, 806.12.

    “It is also important to note here that, long before the current back and forth over payment of salaries, the rotational payment between the two states had collapsed. Therefore, the claim by ASUU that Oyo had paid from January to June 2019, and as such, Osun should pay from July to December this year, does not hold water. The argument will only make meaning if Oyo had been paying salaries of workers at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.”

    The statement also disclosed that Osun had paid the July and August salaries of workers at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, amounting to N465, 480, 475.31.

    It added: “Besides, within the same period that ASUU claimed Oyo paid salaries of workers at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Osun also paid salaries of workers at LAUTECH, Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

    “It will, therefore, be unfair for ASUU to single out Osun as being solely responsible for non-payment of salaries at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, especially because for every kobo Oyo State had contributed in running LAUTECH in the last two years till date, Osun had contributed twice the amount.

    “As a government, we are disposed to the amicable resolution of all issues concerning the running of LAUTECH.  But we will not allow any individual or group to blackmail us into taking such decision.

    “Whatever decision that needs to be taken on the future of the institution must be one that is mutually agreed upon by the two states. In effect, what this means is that while Osun had cumulatively spent over N2billion on the institution from January to date, Oyo had only spent a little over N1billion.”

    The SSG’s statement further said: “For emphasis, below is the analysis of what Oyo contributed: January- N73, 977, 759. 10, February- N73, 977, 759.10, March – N73, 977, 759.10,  April – N295, 969, 650.11,  May – N295, 969, 650.11 and June – N295, 969, 560.11, whereas Osun, within the same period, had contributed : January -N235, 967, 856.98, February – N239,783,757.04, March -N239, 642, 219.14, April- N239, 007,500.28, May- N235,382,043.73 and June – N235, 251,415.70, to LAUTECH  Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

    “The state, as earlier stated, had gone ahead to contribute another N230, 923,499.67 and N234, 556, 975.64 as July and August salaries, respectively, for LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.”

  • Akeredolu: we’ll include OPC in Ondo security outfit

    Following the resolve of the Southwest state governors to tackle criminal activities in the region through joint security operations, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has pledged the inclusion of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and other local security outfits in the formation of the state’s security vigilance group codenamed “Amotekun.”

    Akeredolu spoke through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Security, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, yesterday, while receiving the state executive members of the Aare Onakakanfo, Gani Adams-led Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), who paid him a courtesy visit in Akure, the state capital.

    He said the state government had resolved to partner with the group as a leading member of the state’s security outfit for the purpose of a home-grown community policing aimed at combating criminal activities in the state.

    According to him, governors of Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti and Lagos states specifically enlisted the services and cooperation of the Adams-led OPC to coordinate other local groups such as Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Agbekoya Group and local hunters to partner and assist the police in securing the Southwest region against kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other criminal activities.

    Read Also: Ore fly over to be completed December, says Akeredolu

    He said: “Governor Akeredolu, who is the chairman of Southwest Governors’ Forum, convened the Southwest Security Meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, a few weeks ago, where it was resolved by the forum to jointly finance a security outfit to tackle the incessant cases of kidnapping, banditry, herdsmen attacks and other crimes ravaging the region.

    “It was there that it was first agreed upon that the security outfit must enlist the support and participation of our brothers in OPC under the leadership of the Aare Onakakanfo, in order to assist the police in its quest to get rid of organised crimes in the grassroots, our forests, our villages, towns and cities. The community policing scheme will also include other local security outfits like the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and local hunters.

    “I am happy to also inform you that our governor has already blazed the trail by procuring hundreds of SUV utility vans and over 250 motorbikes for the take-off of the ‘Amotekun’ security outfit, which I’m sure, some of it will be allocated to your group, OPC, as operational vehicles, among other incentives, to assist you in doing the job which you have volunteered to undertake for our people with all loyalty, dedication and faithfulness. The gods of our land shall be with you and keep you safe throughout the tough task.”

    Also speaking, the state’s Head of Service (HoS), Dare Aragbaye, who welcomed the delegation to the Governor’s Office, hailed the OPC for the feat achieved a few days ago in Imesi-Ile in Osun State, where the group swiftly moved to rescue 14 persons kidnapped by bandits in the forest of the town by launching heavy attacks on the fleeing criminals to set the victims free.

    Aragbaye urged members of the Yoruba defence group to put in more efforts in tackling the menace of kidnapping and other criminal activities within the region, stressing that government in the state, led by Akeredolu, was ready to partner and support the group to achieve success in making the state crime-free.

    The leader of the OPC delegation and Ondo State Coordinator, Pius Ogunsanya, who delivered Adams’ message, said he would use the group as a veritable platform to foster peace, love, understanding and unity among all the paramilitary and security stakeholders in the region.

  • Lagos I’ll prosecute officials over corrupt practices

    The Lagos State government on Thursday said it will prosecute any of its officials involved in corrupt practices or any unauthorised duties.

    The Corps Marshal, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), Akinpelu Gbemisola, said any of LAGESC operatives engaged in such acts would also be seriously dealt with in line with the Civil Service Rules and even paraded in public.

    This she said would stem unprofessional conduct and indiscipline amongst the operatives.

    She spoke in a meeting with divisional commanders and other operatives at the LAGESC Headquarters, Safety Arena, Bolade-Oshodi area of Lagos State.

    Read Also: Lagos shuts 20 health facilities

    She said: “Appropriate disciplinary action would be meted to any of LAGESC operatives, who engages in any act of misconduct while on official duties.

    “LAGESC officials are to maintain discipline as well as integrity while carrying out their assigned duties as they represent the good image of the Lagos State Government.”

    “There are risks associated with crossing the highways, where pedestrian bridges are erected. Offenders will be prosecuted accordingly,” she added.

    Akinpelu urged Lagosians with relevant information, complaints and suggestions on the activities of the Agency or its operatives to make use of the complaint number by reaching out to it on 09095311464, noting that all the operatives have their name tags on their uniforms.

  • Baale denies involvement in land grabbing

    The Baale of Cardoso area of Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, Chief Moroof Owonla, aka Kaka, on Thursday, denied any involvement in land grabbing activities within the Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area of the state.

    A statement by his Media Adviser, Chief Babajide Osokoya, described Owonla as a consummate businessman in various sectors of the country’s economy, who would not engage in such unlawful activities.

    According to the statement: “Apart from being a traditional ruler of repute, High Chief Owonla sits comfortably atop successful businesses spanning hospitality, education, property, oil and gas and automobiles. He is the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Owonla Hotels, Impressive Schools, Owonla Property Management Company, Rosebol Oil & Gas Limited and Kaka Auto Marts.

    ‘’It was, however, shocking that some residents in Ayobo and other communities in the area staged a demonstration to protest against the activities of land grabbers allegedly led by one Moroof Owonla, aka Kaka, who has been terrorising their communities.”

    Read Also: Family petitions Ogun cp over land grabbing

    Owonla said he had no personal or business relationship with the property agent, who issued a 14-day ultimatum dated September 10, 2019 to property owners in the community.

    He urged concerned authorities to feel free to carry out thorough investigations on the matter with a view to ascertaining those responsible for the controversial notice.

    Yhe statement added: “We imagine what could have been the link between High Chief Owonla and the agent known as Gabfod Properties that informed the reported protest against his personality on the streets.

    ‘’For purpose of clarity, Chief Owonla was the property agent of late Chief Arimiyau Bello Ekundayo, when he won the case over the landed property in suit No. ID/1722/92 in the judgment delivered by Justice O.A Williams (Mrs.) of Ikeja High Court 7 on October 24, 2004, and he successfully managed the property until this year (2019), when the children and family of late Arimiyau Bello Ekundayo decided to disengage Chief Owonla and appointed Gabfob Properties Investments as their new land agent.

    ‘’Chief Owonla, a graduate of Business Administration from the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, is equally a landlord on the said property, having bought 15 acres with genuine documents directly from the judgment creditor, late Chief Arimiyau Bello Ekundayo, long before his death,  and this his children and family can attest to.’

  • Makinde’ll surpass Ajimobi, others in achievements

    Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, has said that the spate of achievements by the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration will not decline as the government is working to surpass its predecessors’ achievements in infrastructure and human capital development.

    The commissioner stated this at the 10th year anniversary of Oke-Ogun FM, a state-owned radio station at Alaga in Itesiwaju Local Government Area on Wednesday.

    Olatunbosun said that the government was aware of its critics’ model of argument that the pace of achievements by the incumbent would soon reduce with time, adding that Governor Makinde’s innumerable feats recorded within his first 100 days in office were what he called the icing on the cake of developmental agenda, in accordance with the pact he signed with the people during his campaigns.

    Read Also: Why I can’t settle Makinde, ZLP’s rift, by Ladoja

    He said: “Within 100 days in office, Governor Seyi Makinde has made a landmark in security, healthcare system, agriculture, educational advancement, economic expansion, workers’ welfare and accountability, but some people are saying that the pace would soon retrogress. I have news for them, tell them that we are just starting.

    “This administration signed a pact of infrastructural and human capital development with the people during electioneering campaign and fulfillment of this pact has just started. They have not seen anything yet.

    “The target is to surpass the previous administrations, including the last one, in the areas I have highlighted and continue to do those good things people never thought possible till the administration breasts the tape.”

    The commissioner added that the state government would not relent in its continuous efforts towards ensuring total development around the state to attract foreign investors for partnership.

    In his remarks, the General Manager, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Prince Dotun Oyelade, who was represented by the Director of News, Mrs. Adeola Adedotun, sought the support of th state government to make Oke -Ogun FM the best among its equals.

  • No compensation

    Henceforth, state governments that fix federal roads should not expect any compensation from the Federal Government. Works and housing minister, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who made this known on Tuesday in Abuja when he appeared before the House of Representatives’ Ad Hoc Committee on Abandoned Federal Government Projects (Works) from 1999 till date, said this was the directive from President Muhammadu Buhari. The Francis Uduyok-led panel had accused the Federal Ministry of Works of overstretching itself by handling 472 road projects at the same time. The president’s decision was apparently informed by the inflated bills that some state governments submitted for rehabilitation of federal roads.

    According to the minister, “The states submitted a bill of almost a trillion naira when President Buhari was elected. He asked us to work out what was their entitlement and all of that. Ultimately, the BPP (the Bureau of Public Procurement) certified about N44bn – I don’t remember the exact amount now – except for two states; I think Cross River and…there’s another state. They didn’t have the documents at the time, which we have sent back to the President. But the decision to pay those inherited debts, including the ones I contracted as Governor of Lagos, was with the caveat that I should tell the governors to leave his (Buhari’s) roads alone. Those were the directives; I was not the one that took the decision.”

    Roads have to be maintained if they must be passable all year round. The Federal Government realised this, hence, its creation of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to ensure fast response to road maintenance, by bypassing the bureaucratic bottlenecks in the ministry because of the urgency of FERMA’s task. However, poor funding has led to poor maintenance of roads by the agency, with the result that many Federal Trunk Roads are now more of death traps, as a result of their dilapidated state. State governments would have had no business rehabilitating federal roads if the agency had been as effective as it should be.

    But, then, this cannot be excuse for the state governments to inflate the amounts spent on fixing the roads so hugely. It is like stealing too much for the owner not to notice. Indeed, on this score, it is difficult to fault President Buhari’s decision to stop compensating the states for performing the Federal Government’s responsibility. About N44billion verified by the BPE is a far cry from the N1trillion the state governments presented to the Federal Government for reimbursement when President Buhari was elected. No responsible chief executive would close his eyes to such disparity, especially because tax payers’ money is at stake. Moreover, accountability and transparency demand that a thorough audit of such jobs be done before approvals are given for refunds.

    We deplore state governments that inflated the contract sums. However, we urge the federal and state governments to find a more sustainable framework to maintain these roads because they are joint stakeholders. It is true the roads are categorised as federal roads, but they are in areas under state governments’ jurisdiction. The truth is; many Nigerians do not remember that the roads belong to the Federal Government when they are bad. They cry to the state governments to fix the roads and the state governments cannot ignore such calls, especially in a democratic era.

    If we ask the state governments to bring in Federal Government officials at the onset of the contract award for the rehabilitation, it still does not solve the problem. It does not make the process fool-proof. Perhaps the way out is for the governments to consider tolling some of these roads to get funds for their rehabilitation. As things are, it is not just that FERMA is cash-strapped; it also does not seem to have the capacity to maintain the so-called federal roads nationwide.

    Ultimately though, the idea of the central government claiming ownership of roads in states is a misnomer. It is a reflection of the faulty federalism we are practicing. In a true federalism, state governments should be in control of roads in their areas of jurisdiction.

  • Americanah

    I cannot remember exactly when I outgrew my crush on Stella Damasus, the Atlanta-based Nigerian thespian who is a pioneer of our movie industry known as Nollywood. I remain her fan though. A week and some days ago, Stella was involved in a twitter battle over the pending adaptation of Americanah, the amazing love story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

    The 2013 novel, for which Chimamanda won the 2013 National Book Critics Circle Fiction award, tells the story of a young Nigerian woman, Ifemelu, who immigrates to the United States to attend university. She is in love with Obinze, who eventually relocates to London but finds life as an illegal immigrant difficult. He is bundled back home and fortune later smile on him. Distance breaks them up. Ifemelu starts another relationsh, and then another one, but her heart remains with Obinze, who also moves on by getting married and starting a family. But for the two of them, what goes up must come down.

    Of Adichie’s three novels, Americanah seems to have made the most impact. Like her Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah is set to go on the screen.

    Work on the television series, which the book is being adapted into, started five years ago. Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o is the brain behind it. Her Black Panther co-star Danai Gurira is serving as the series’ writer and show-runner. D2 Productions, Plan B Entertainment and Potboiler Television are actively involved in the project.

    The 10-part series is going to air on HBO Max. Its Head of Original Content, Sarah Aubrey, in a statement, said: “Americanah has sparked a cultural phenomenon and is revered by fans around the world. It has affected me deeply as one of the most moving, socially relevant and romantic stories of our time… This series will give viewers a uniquely heartfelt and unforgettable experience.”

    Lupita is going to play the lead role, Ifemelu — an Igbo lady. There lies the battle Stella had to do. She feels this is unfair and wonders why Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic or Stephanie Linus cannot be chosen to play the role. Respected Nigerian writers, such as Lola Shoneyin, Chika Unigwe and Molara Woods, took on Stella and insults were traded.

    Over the years there have been many Hollywood movies with Nigerian characters played by people from other nations. Their interpretations of the roles have always been subjects of disagreements. This is where Stella is coming from and I am sure this will continue when the series goes on air. People will watch out to see how Lupita, who is from Kenya, will pronounce Igbo names. Will she speak Igbo?

    Biyi Bandele’s adaptation of Half of a Yellow Sun was enmeshed in a similar controversy. Not a few felt the twins should have been played by Nigerians instead of Thandie Newton (Olanna) and Anika Noni Rose (Kainene).

    Nollywood is an industry that is cash-challenged. Acquiring screen rights of internationally-published works, such as Americanah, does not come cheap. By some agreement, ace cinematographer and director Tunde Kelani adapted some literary works of the late Akinwunmi Isola, such as Kosegbe and Oleku. Jude Dibia’s Walking with Shadows is also set to become a movie. I am sure no one dictated the choice of lead actors to either Kelani or Funmi Iyanda, the force behind the adaptation of Dibia’s book.

    Unlike Nollywood, the adaptation of literary works is commonplace. Movies, such as The Hate U Give, Crazy Rich Asians, If Beale Street Could Talk and hundreds of others, are made from books. Unconfirmed reports say over half of Hollywood movies were first books.

    Like Stella, I believe Nollywood is blessed with great actors. She is one. So are Genevieve, Stephanie, Rita, Omoni Oboli, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Olu Jacobs, Adesua Etomi-Wellington and many others. There is one particular actor that I am crazy about: She is Toyin Abraham. If you go to the movies now and there are three Nigerian movies on display, chances are that Toyin will be in two. Mama Ire and World Best, as her fans call her, had a fantastic run in 2017. The Auchi, Edo State-born girl finds it easy acting in English, Yoruba and Pidgin English.

    In one of her promotional materials for the sequel to Wives on Strike, ace actor and director Omoni Oboli predicted that the world would celebrate Toyin for her role as Iya Bola in the flick. I saw the film and could not agree less. Toyin was simply crazy. Not that other actors were not good. They were. But Toyin was the life of that film, which showed that comedy could be full of messages for us all to learn from. There is no scene with this crazy girl that falls below standard. As they say, she simply killed the role and my mind was simply made up about who should earn my trophy for Actor of 2017.

    In Pathetic, Tatu, Alakada Reloaded, Okafor’s Law, The In-laws, Celebrity Marriage and Wives on Strike the Revolution, Toyin gave her all in 2017. She was like the most-sought-after actor of that year and she has remained a hot cake this year. I am not sure even Ire, her baby, can slow her down. She seems to have so much energy and she burns them on the set. Her performance in Tatu was in a different light. She interpreted the role so well that one but felt the pain the character was made to go through. The scene where she was put in a hole was well delivered.

    While the talents of Toyin and many others are not in doubt, it is not an automatic ticket that when Nigeria-centred roles are available in Hollywood it will be waiting for them. Genevieve and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde have a measure of international fame, but, even at that, power (role) is never served a la carte. There are other considerations other than talents.

    My final take: He who pays the piper calls the tune. Movie-making, like publishing, is business and the investors are always concerned about how to recoup their investment. This is, for me, a genuine concern. They are not into charity. If they feel that they need Hollywood actors to get the return on their investment, we certainly cannot begrudge them.

    I have been told Nigerian novels, such as Night Dancer, On Black Sisters’ Street, The Fishermen, Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, In the Name of Our Father and Lakiriboto, will make good movies. I also believe Ayobami Adebayo’s Stay With Me will make a great screenplay. So, Nollywood should look for money, option these novels and decide who plays what role. It is ridiculous to tell a businessman how to recoup his money.

  • Private or pirate

    •Mushrooming of private schools is ruining education fast

    The public schools are in trouble, and they have been for a long time. The infrastructure is awful, the teachers few and need teaching, the environment seedy, and discipline sometimes decadent.

    So, parents have resorted to self-help in two ways. One, they send their wards to Europe, Canada and the United States. For those who can afford less, they go to Ghana or Benin Republic. The other alternative is to send their children to private schools in the country.

    Private schools, on the surface, are the exact opposite of the public schools. Their teachers are literate, erudite even; the classrooms are furnished with comfortable seats and desks and the blackboards or chalkboards intact. Some of them have air-conditioners.

    So, the parents think their wards are in the privileged class over the public schools victims. They are promised better education, better discipline, and an assured future. But the story is looking less sanguine these days. This is because the proprietors of such schools are seeing them more as businesses rather than centres of nurture and education.

    It has been suffused like many other national endeavours with the spirit of lucre. The owners are caring less about how much education they impart as how much money they make. But it is not helped by government policies that have continued to make the private schools compelling to the parents.

    All over the country, the private schools are of three main types. The first is of high quality by Nigerian standards. These schools are well-furnished, in well-heeled settings, especially in the top cities of the country like Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Kano and Kaduna, and the teachers and administrators are also well-trained and experienced. Some of them are even embraced by foreigners from the west, particularly because the foreigners have stakes in them. They are also secure with police deployed to protect the children. These schools cost a pretty penny. Some of such schools extract millions of Naira in fees.

    The lower level to that is often cheap only relative to the first category. But they cost hundreds of thousands a term and are often burden, though embraced reluctantly, by the parents who would not settle for bad schools. But these schools are furnished and have moderately good teachers. These are passable.

    But the third category is the most problematic. These are mushroomed. Some of them are built without roofs, without chairs or seats, without discipline, and with curricula of doubtful integrity. It is often a breath-taking sight often when newspapers publish students receiving classes in ramshackle buildings, the roofs only open the pupils for a drench-filled day. They have few books, their uniforms threadbare, and the teachers also uninspired.

    Governments like Lagos have clamped down on some of them in the past, and it seems that the private schools are feeding a need. The parents are often beguiled into thinking some of these private schools are in good shape.

    What seems to happen is that the schools are inspected on take-off. The proprietors have enough money to put the classrooms, equipment and facility in place, employ teachers and head teachers. But they do so in anticipation of profits so as to keep the investment going. But the returns do not catch up with the deterioration. And the schools lose seats, suffer broken windows, teachers atrophy, roof crack, and suddenly the school is no longer a school but a patchwork of infrastructure with a wrong name.

    These are even the best of them. Most of them are cynical enough to entice parents by just calling themselves private, and that flatters the parents who want the class distinction of having their children not attend public schools.

    The consequence is far-reaching for the society, and only governments can stop this by diligent inspection and saving public schools.

  • Birthdays: President greets Fasanmi, Onabule

    President Muhammadu Buhari has warmly congratulated national leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayorinde Fasanmi, who turns 94 today.

    He praised him for consistently projecting the noble and progressive ideas of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser (SA) on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President also joined family, friends, professional and political associates of the pharmacist who joined politics to serve the nation at a young age in his birthday celebration.

    The President noted that Pa Fasanmi has demonstrated his love for the country by working for the welfare of the poor and underprivileged, and holding leaders to account for their promise of good governance.

    President Buhari recalled that as a legislator, who served in the House of Representatives and Senate, Pa Fasanmi’s focus on people shaped his life philosophy and politics.

    He noted that government can only remain relevant when it caters for the needs of the vulnerable and voiceless.

    President Buhari acknowledged Pa Fasanmi’s courage in standing for democratic governance and fighting for democratic ideals and values.

    He prayed that the Almighty God will grant him longer life, good health and strength to keep serving the nation.

    The President also joined family and friends in celebrating with Chief Duro Onabule, renowned journalist and columnist, who becomes an octogenarian today.

    He congratulated the former editor for his courage and steadfastness in serving the country.

    In statement by Adesina, the President affirmed that Onabule’s consistency in his chosen career had benefitted the country a lot, starting out at the dawn of Independence in 1961 and rising steadily to work with many print media houses, like the Daily Sketch, Daily Express, Daily Times and Concord newspapers.

     

    President Buhari hailed the veteran journalist for upholding the highest standard of professionalism in journalism by investigating and projecting the truth, ensuring balance and accuracy, and confidently pushing for inclusive and responsive government that caters for ordinary Nigerians.

    As he turns 80, the President congratulated Chief Onabule for serving the country with his talent, treasures and time, especially in crucial times that deserved personal sacrifices.

    President Buhari prayed for longer life, good health and prosperity for the octogenarian.

     

  • KSA: King whose kingdom is the dancing stage

    Musical entertainment is a very important part of socio-cultural lives of the Africans.  Almost every aspect of their lives is affected by music. They often employ music as they work to its rhythmic beats and its soulful tunes especially to expedite physical actions at their often energy-sapping work at farms, market places, workshops etc. Indeed to mitigate the effect of work burden on their psyches and diffuse work tension, they often shrill, oozing out musical sounds through their lips and teeth.

    Nigeria, the largest black nation in the world and the largest country in the African continent has distinct music culture. For example, every weekend is seen as a period of respite from work pressure of previous days of the week. This period is usually agog with celebration of birthday parties, baby-naming ceremonies, wedding, burial ceremonies, house warming events etc. Music rendition often plays dominant role in these usually convivial events. Local musicians – each playing his own genre of music – are hired to play live at such colourful ceremonies, where celebrants and well-wishers often dance and drink to stupor, while variety of local foods and drinks are often at the beck and call of attendees.

    No doubt, one of the greatest musicians that have come out of African continent is the legendary King Sunny Ade who has rendered soulful music to the entertainment world ceaselessly in the past 52 years. The legendary artiste is perhaps one of the very few artistes on the planet earth who has played music worldwide for so long a period of time and is still found useful in the entertainment world till now. The energetic musician is still playing scintillating music and honouring almost all live engagements till today in every corner of the world.  A careful study of King Sunny Ade’s juju genre of music reveals that it has real African elements which have sustained his musical pattern till now.

    Ade’s, as fondly called in the US and European entertainment market has the knack to embellish his music with core undiluted Yoruba lexicon. It is the tradition of the Yorubas, the largest ethnic tribe in the south western part of Nigeria, to sing in praise of themselves especially to show appreciation for good deeds and encourage others to embrace philanthropic deeds. This is also true of most of many of the 250 different ethnic groups in Nigeria including the Ibos, Hausas, Edos, the Itsekiris etc. Hence it is common practice of most musicians to sing in their respective dialects in praise of their patrons. King Sunny Ade goes beyond rendering praise songs, he often lavishly applies descriptive names, cognomen – oríkì ìdílé, to embellish his adulatory songs to extol the sterling virtues of his fans.  Oríkì ìdílé involves deep research works on the part of a skilled musician to know the historical antecedents of a person in whose praise he sings. Hardly is there any of Sunny Ade’s music album that does not include copious application of oríkì ìdílé.

    King Sunny Ade’s music has deep philosophical messages for the wise to ponder upon. His ever-didactic lyrics always have some lessons or morals to teach every perceptive audience. This explains why the elderly people, the traditional rulers, and those who value native sense and moral scruples adore him like a saint.  While the lyrics often attract the elderly audience, his charming music with dynamic instrumental passage has titillated the youths who enjoy and latches on many elements found in his music. Sunny has the gusto to gravitate from pop to soul or to jazzy instrumentals from one breath to another even in a single musical rendition viz:  ”3-6-5 is My Number” track In Private Line, “My Pretty Suzzy”, “Igbeyin Lo Ju Esan A Ke”; “Mo fe Da bi Olorun Mi” in Sound Vibration album “Happy Celebration to King of Music” etc. all have either pop, jazz, or lullaby instrumentals.

    KSA enriches his beats with heavy and multiple percussion instruments whose sound flow at brisk tempo without running into discordance. The Yorubas enjoy dancing to the lead talking drum, the (iya’lu) which often reels out esoteric and abstruse messages which can only be understood by the initiated.. KSA easily understands abstruse messages of his talking drummers, most especially the iya’lu. Thus, he readily and spontaneously responds to such messages with precision, which subsequently explains his bizarre dancing style.

    The ebullient artiste remains the cynosure of entertainment public eyes for this long because of his avid love for intense research works, not only on African traditional music, but also on Yoruba anthology and lexical structure. He is renowned worldwide for his stagecraft and enchanting showmanship. A master in kinetics, even at 73 he has more reasons to sing his “Kó dùn. Kó pò. Kó pé. Olúwa ló n fún ni.” That is. to be sweet, and yet be sufficiently plenty, and to last long, is God’s blessings.” His sizzling performances hinge mainly on his passion and love for excellence on whatever he does. Sunny, a complete and unapologetic teetotaller has intense hatred for alcoholism and drunkenness. This epitome of humour with chameleonic image, sextuples as an artiste; and artist – most fans may not know that KSA sketches and designs the templates of his albums by himself.

    Rated one of the 100 greatest guitarists in the world, The Master Guitarist dominates the guitar world completely, even to the awe and amazement of its manufacturers; making the ubiquitous string instrument to do his bidding to provide any desire tune of his choice; from the mumbling sound of the tidal waves to the endless prattling of a loquacious parrot. And from the hee-hawing of a donkey to the endless barking of a rabid dog. Sunny is adept at creating with his lead guitar the stridulating voice of a cricket or the snarling tone of an enraged tiger.

    A consummate percussionist, King Sunny Ade is also an actor in many films, a consummate dancer, a poet and philosopher, who has successfully dazzled the entertainment world for over five decades. One of the most querulous personalities ever known by this writer, Sunny is hardly satisfied with any of his own albums. He has the knack for recording and re-recording, cancelling and re-packaging over and over again, all in a bid to get the best output.  And yet the best is never his best to him! Sunny can spend almost the entire 365 days of the year hibernating in solitude, ruminating on new ideas as concerns his genre of music; or spending and spending heavily to acquire latest equipment, which he masters and applies almost with computerized precision.

    Perhaps there are useful lessons to learn from this mercurial and enigmatic personality as he clocked 73 on Sunday, September 22. King Sunny Ade is known all over the world with millions of fans enjoying his music with its ever-didactic messages. The music ricochets and blares loudly beyond Nigeria’s shore. Sunny’s honour shimmers across the globe. Yet, he sings in Yoruba, his mother tongue and native language. His music does not only entertain, it is meaningful and thus evokes actions. A lesson? Our young and upcoming artistes should be proud of their origin, and should not despise the humble beginning. Nobody elevates the one who deflates himself. A river that forgets its source often dries up. Our upcoming artistes should learn to engage in research works aimed at playing good and meaningful music.

    KSA personifies excellence and dynamism in musical arts. A lesson? Be the best of whatever you are, and shimmering honour shall be in your pursuit. The indomitable KSA, an adjunct lecturer in music at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and several award honourees began his musical career in 1967 and still is found relevant in the entertainment world till today, honouring both local and international engagements, and giving exquisite stage performances.

    A lesson? Our modern-day youths should be consistent and learn to “grow up” with patience and forbearance, rather than “jumping up” in haste. A man that grows up gradually often remains on top with unblemished honours. But the impatient one that jumps up hastily, using short-cut methods; pursuing vainglorious activities and inordinate ambitions comes down spontaneously in utter shame. And that is the corollary. Verbum Satis Sapieti

     

    • Ajayi, writer, author and communication scholar writes from Lagos.