The Nation Newspaper

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  • Furore over alleged attempt to circumcise man’s daughters

    A man, Shoyemi Adewale, has cried out after he was allegedly frequently assaulted and brutalised by his family members over his failure to present his daughters for circumcision.

    The latest attack happened on March 27, while Adewale was on a trip to Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

    The family members were said to have become angry after Adewale refused that his daughters be circumcised in line with his family’s age-long traditional practice laden with rituals.

    Last year, he was also allegedly attacked by some of his family members along Oba Akran Road, Ikeja, Lagos while he was returning home from work.

    ‘’This is the second attack on me. The first attack happened in Lagos around December last year over the same issue. The recent attack took place while I was on my way to pick up application form for doctorate degree at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on March 27 this year.

    ‘’ I was assaulted by four family members for refusing to disclose the whereabouts of my daughters and not bringing them for circumcision. My car was even vandalised in the process, though I made a police report, I knew much won’t come out of it as I was told(by the police) to go and settle it in the family way while none of my attackers was arrested. ‘’

    Adewale noted that his wife, Olabisi, had been subjected to series of assault and brutality by his siblings in recent past.

    ‘’In July 2017, while I was on a trip outside Lagos, my family members went to my house and assaulted my wife for refusing to hand over our daughters for circumcision. My wife suffered swollen head and body bruises in the attack.

    Read also: FGM: 137 Osun communities abandon the cutting tradition

    ‘’Ever since then, we lived in fear until I decided to move them to a different location, but after some time my family members ended up knowing my wife’s whereabouts and continued to harass her until my wife made a drastic decision to live very far away.’’

    He said his father had recently insisted that he won’t get away with preventing his daughters from being circumcised because of certain negative spiritual consequences and had threatened to remove his name from his will.

    He added: ‘’I had changed addresses many times, but I was surprised how quick they knew my new address. There was a time in 2012 when I asked my wife to take my daughter to her brother’s residence in Bayelsa State. I was shocked to find out that she was trailed to a bus station there and assaulted again. She was saved by her brother and passers-by. But her brother was very unlucky. One of the assailants attacked him with a cutlass and almost cut off his arm. My wife quickly returned to Lagos, from where she went into hiding.’’

    Adewale said he was shocked that the assault could be unleashed on him.

    ‘’My wife is more than ever fearful after she received the news of the latest assault on me, because she never thought it would come to that.”

  • Drug trafficking: Another Nigerian arrested in Saudi Arabia — Presidential aide

    Another Nigerian has been arrested at the Jeddah airport, Saudi Arabia for allegedly smuggling about 1,138g of cocaine, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said yesterday.

    Dabiri-Erewa, in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, expressed disappointment that this came soon after a Nigerian lady was executed in the same country for a related offence.

    “The sad thing is that in the midst of talking of about 20 Nigerians on death roll, even as eight had been executed, just yesterday another Nigerian, Wahid Somade, was arrested at Jeddah airport with about I,138g of cocaine,” she said.

    “The latest one would be added to those that could be executed.”

    Read also: Execution of Nigerian: We followed legal procedure, says Saudi

    She said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had informed the family of the executed lady whose name she gave as Kudirat Afolabi, a widow and mother of two.

    She added: ”We pay our condolence to the family and keep begging Nigerians to obey the laws of other countries and Saudi has replied us officially, saying their law is their law.

    “However, diplomatic engagement will continue at the highest level.

    “It does not matter where you come from; you hold a green passport. Do not let a few people denigrate every one of us.”

    Dabiri-Erewa, however, stressed  the need to celebrate the success stories of Nigerians in the diaspora.

    “We have Nigerians doing great things all over the world; we are going to focus on them,” she said.

    Dabiri-Erewa called for concerted efforts on compulsory baggage identification at airports as well as more security surveillance and cameras at screening points at the airports.

  • Resetting our default mawkishness over criticism

    SHE wrote me a stinker, saying it was her way of getting it off her heart. But the hatred for my gut tells it all. I could ‘hear’ it in her ‘voice’. I am more worried because she claimed to be an American. I’d thought sentiment, in its crude form, was a developing world preserve. But as a Nigeria-born that she is, I am worried still that some seasons of winter that may have led to her second citizenship could not freeze such default mawkishness in her head into reset mode.

    Her words: “God has given you such a great gift with words but you seem to use it for negativity…or for fear of sounding like you (use it for EVIL)….I didn’t know about your writing until recently then I decided to look for more just to see if you are unbiased and approach your opinions from practical and realistic angles but to my dismay, I noticed you have one tone which is to always break things down from a negative perspective.  Amidst all the great news and positivity there is always your voice of opposition, full of spite, resentment and extreme revolt. This leads me to believe that your gift with words is from a highly deviant perspective and not such a gift after all.

    Unfortunately, I am not a psychologist to diagnose you with any emotional, personality or mental disorder but I definitely feel you need to be evaluated because your perspective is definitely warped. When the world sees blue, you see red. As an American, I believe we have the right to exercise freedom of speech so you are welcome to your opinions however f…d up. As a Nigerian, it would be great if you don’t single-handedly take down the few good that comes out of the country or that is recognized, all in an effort to maintain the tarnished image the country bears in so many regards or your narcissistic case just to satisfy your mental perversion.”

    The above was at the instance of my perceived negative review of ‘Royal Hibiscus Hotel’, produced by Mo Abudu. I got to know this after researching her and finding out she was one of the promoters of Mo Abudu’s works.

    When, by accident, I found myself among the A-list guests at the premiere of Mo Abudu’s most recent film, ‘Chief Daddy’, I decided to wait to see how others will perceive the film, without necessarily influencing their thoughts.

    Now, I can confirm to myself that I am not a pervert, as described by my assailant in the above Facebook message. And if it takes the owners and promoters of ‘Chief Daddy’, mostly, to score the film high, then the many Nigerians, home and abroad and Africans in Diaspora who have criticised the film for stereotype, weak plot, overcasting and cheap comedy will need to join me in seeing a psychologist to diagnose us with any ’emotional, personality or mental disorder’ as claimed in that Facebook attack.

    We live in a sentimental society that leaves little or no room for criticism. But I dare say that if we shy away from telling ourselves the home truth, outsiders will someday say it to us in the most embarrassing manner.

    This is exactly the bashing ‘Chief Daddy’ is now receiving, after it was released on Netflix, the battalion of actors which is one of the selling points, notwithstanding.

    I have been maligned, insulted, ostracized and recently, escaped an attack for what I suspect is related to expressing my thoughts as a journalist. But it is my hope that someday, criticism will be taken, not only in good faith (usually resign to fate) but also seen as a necessary check and balance measure for business development.

    I shy away from making friends in the entertainment industry to enable me do my work without fear or favour, because I understand that treachery is dining with someone the previous night and knocking them hard in the morning.

    My claims to what a ‘good’ film is have often been punctured by the commercial success of the films under review, forgetting that there is a word called classic, and this word is in the family of standard, model and everything good and definitive.

    Those who think that Nigerians are all for cheap comedy will soon come to the realization that, fad are short-lived. And whereas a houseful of A-list stars may have done the magic before, it will not only become boredom, but dim the gleam of the stars with passing time.

    Whereas nothing is wrong with comedy, as the Nigerian audience we choose not to ‘school’ but to ‘spoon-feed’ are crazy about foreign dramas, I like to wrap this up with a quote from a friend who says: “Hollywood comedy is always about the witty lines. Nollywood comedy, we always want act funny.”

  • Classy, single mamas in showbiz

    IT’S no secret that Tonto Dikeh, Genevieve Nnaji, Kate Henshaw, Waje, Iyabo Ojo, Mercy Aigbe, Fathia Williams, Tiwa Savage, Shan Goerge, Ibinabo Fiberesima and Bukky Wright are single parents.

    Some of these women in showbiz,who are putting up a good show, making people happy didn’t plan to be single mothers; it just happened and the beat goes on.

    Over time, these mothers have made such a good job of motherhood and their careers that they are now seen as sources of inspiration by thousands of women who have to raise their children alone.

    As many mothers know, being a mother to a child and raising him or her from childhood to adulthood is not a joke. It is often a thankless job and also without pay. But it also has lots of bitter-sweet moments.

    Read also: Bukky Wright: APPRECIATION IS THE CURE FOR DEPRECIATION

    Nonetheless, these Nollywood mothers have kept it together while being in the spotlight, managing powerful careers, raising their kids, who are also in the spotlight and also managing to look hot while at it.

    So, in the spirit of the season, while we are still appreciating mothers, we want to give accolades not just to the celebs who are married but our sisters who do the job of two persons for the wage of one.

    We believe these single amazons deserve full compliments because they are doing an amazing job.

    We cannot even imagine how they find time for themselves in-between a heavy work schedule, parenting and still look amazing while at it.

    Say what you like about them- their relationship history and acting abilities, one thing is sure; these women adore and care for their children, they are successful in their careers and they always look classy and hot.

    Think motherhood is hard? Try doing it solo!

  • Insecurity: IGP inaugurates operation ‘Puff Adder’ on Abuja-Kaduna highway

    The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, yesterday launched a special operation to tackle the increasing rate of kidnapping and robbery on the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

    ‘Operation Puff Adder’, according to Adamu, is a well thought out and major operation aimed at re-dominating and reclaiming the public space from heinous criminal elements bent on threatening the internal security order.

    It will cover Abuja-Kaduna highway and the adjoining communities and extend to Kogi, Katsina, Niger and Zamfara states.

    Adamu, speaking at the event, said:”To the criminal elements, let me sound this note of warning loud and clear: give up your criminal activities, embrace other legitimate means of livelihood or be prepared for the consequences of your criminality.

    “The citizens and the police are now united in their resolve to take the battle to your doorsteps and bring you to deserved justice.”

    The IGP said crimes, particularly those that endanger the lives and property of citizens, do not represent the traditional values as a people.

    “No nation develops to its optimal potential in an environment of crimes and fear of criminality.

    “Unfortunately, the activities of organised and murderous criminals across the country have evolved to become a threat not only to these values but to our internal security.

    “There must, therefore, come a time in the life of a nation when we, as a people, must strengthen our will and resolve to mobilise and deploy all our assets towards confronting these criminal elements.

    “Take the battle to their doorsteps and make a clear statement that the few deviants among us cannot and will not re-order our cherished national values.

    “The time is now and today’s action by the police is aimed at this direction and it is in direct compliance with the directives of Mr President to the police, to re-evaluate and emplace new operational strategies.

    “This is in order to stem the tide of kidnapping, armed robbery, armed banditry and sundry highly organised crimes across the country within the shortest possible time.”

    Adamu said as a lead agency in internal security management, the police under the current dispensation, acknowledge that the duty of securing the lives and property of the citizens is its primary mandate.

    He noted that no police agency anywhere in the world, no matter how well-trained, equipped or motivated, can solely achieve its community security and safety mandate.

    Read also: Police restrict night operation of Okada in Badagry

    He said this could not be achieved without the support of the community it is engaged to serve.

    “It is in consequence of this that the police are collaborating closely with the armed forces, the intelligence community and other sister security agencies, in this operation and in its duties across the country.

    He said to achieve the objectives of this special operation, the full support of the civil populace, particularly traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth associations and market bodies would be needed.

    He charged the policemen deployed in the special operation to see their deployment as a call to national duty.

    “The force leadership and the entire nation are looking out for two major outcomes as you discharge your duties during this operation.

    “First to protect them from kidnappers, armed robbery and other heinous criminals and to be professionals in your conduct, as you strive to attain this objective,”Adamu said.

    He also charged them to be civil with the law-abiding citizens but firm and ruthless with criminal elements that may attempt to take the risk of testing their will or threaten citizens within the area of jurisdiction.

    Several units of mobile police, other special tactical operatives like the counter-terrorism unit, Intelligence Response Team, Special Tactical Squad, are deployed to curb kidnapping, armed banditry, robbery and other related violent crimes.

  • We’re ready to partner FG – Lagos NFAN chair

    The Lagos chairman of the National Fish Association of Nigeria (NFAN), Mr.  Olusegun  Mogbojuri,  has said that the association is set to work with the Federal Government to achieve the national goal of making fish business a major revenue source for the country.

    Mogbonuri, who just emerged the Lagos State Chairman of the association, said this at the inaugural ceremony of the association which was held in Lagos yesterday.

    The event, which was held at the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, Lagos, was attended by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of  Industry, Trade and Investment, Raw Material Research and Development Council, and other related establishments.

    Read also: Feg Agro boss emerges NFAN president

    The NFAN is the umbrella body for all operators and stakeholders in the fish and fish-related business, with the aim of organising and coordinating the operatives in the fish value chain for better economic benefits to members and the country in general.

    Mogbonuri, who is also the CEO of the Centre for Fish Processing and Value Addition, implored all members to see the NFAN under his umbrella as the next stage for success and accomplishment.

    Speaking to Mr Samuel Olubodun, the National Vice President (South West) of the NFAN, said the mass farming among fish farmers would help to produce sufficient fish to feed the nation.

    He added that it would encourage export in order to generate foreign exchange and employment.

  • Uduak Isong ends birthday giveaway

    FILMMAKER Uduak Isong who clocked 40 during the week has revealed that the free training she organised for upcoming filmmakers was a success.

    The training which was powered by Afriville Training Institute was tagged Udauak’s birthday giveaway Movie Producing 101 held at Surulere, Lagos.

    The excited filmmaker who posted picture of successful candidates that registered for the training on her Instagram account wrote, “Our producer 101 free training. Was awesome meeting all of you.  Not a single male attended by the way. We have to have this conversation someday. Look forward to seeing all the selected candidates tomorrow.

    “As I grow older, the need to train people increases people whom I can one day pass the baton. Let’s do this.”

  • The weekend Nollywood took over Hollywood

    When you live in Los Angeles, you often feel you’ve seen everything. You’ve most likely gone through an earthquake or two. You’ve seen men become women and women become men. You’ve seen stars rise and fall. You’ve eaten food you can’t even pronounce. You’ve been on a roller coaster through life and, sometimes, you don’t know what is real and what is make belief.

    Last week, the city saw what it hadn’t seen before, not in this light. Nigeria was in town.

    “We’re gonna rock this town the way it’s not been rocked in a long time,” beamed Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose Oyamendan as he strolled in his Ankara shirt under the mild afternoon sun into a meeting with the big wigs at The Egyptian Theatre on Tuesday afternoon.

    A few hours later, the online version of the prestigious Los Angeles Times spilled the beans on the unsuspecting city when it announced, “Watch Out Hollywood, Nollywood is coming to town”. This is the closest you get to a cultural coup. Nigeria, long bashed in the media for scandals, corruption and fraud, was getting a public rebranding, thanks to the Nollywood In Hollywood event.

    The headline lit up the social media. Kemi Adetiba, the queen of Nigeria’s box office whose film, KING OF BOYS, was selected for screening posted a blurb of the newspaper headline on her Instagram page with a simple line, “Hey mommy… Hey daddy… Guess who just got featured in the @latimes”. Good news must travel fast. Within an hour, the news had been viewed or shared over a million times on social media. It would expand to over ten million in the next few days.

    Nollywood in Hollywood is the brainchild of Ose Oyamendan who created the initiative to give Nigerian films, actors and filmmakers a foothold in the global center of the film industry in Hollywood. “Nigerian filmmakers are doing great stuff in Nollywood with very little institutional support. I felt if I can help the industry move the needle even a little, I should. Nigeria is at a point where we may get to the promised land quicker if we follow John Kennedy’s charge to do what you can do for your country instead of waiting for what your country will do for you,” says Ose.

    He reached out to two of the most powerful institutions in Hollywood for a partnership that would see three of the best films in Nigeria presented to the Hollywood Industry, film lovers and the African Diaspora every year. The historic Egyptian Theatre and the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California signed on and the event kicked off in 2018.

    In just it’s second edition, Nollywood In Hollywood is easily the biggest African cultural event outside the continent. Across town, Alessandro Ago, the director of programming at USC, was surveying the majestic Eileen Norris Theatre, excited about the prospect of showing LIONHEART and KING OF BOYS.  “We enthusiastically support this opportunity to share and discuss the latest films and current trends in Nigerian cinema with our students and Los Angeles film enthusiasts,” says Ago.

    Nollywood couldn’t have chosen a better group to represent it at the event. The debonair, immensely popular actor/musician, Banky W brought the charm and the natural warmth of a superstar. Adetiba brought the class and glamour. Tope Oshin, the director of UP NORTH brought a charisma that shined through the two nights.

    Guests came literally from all over the country for this event that is fast becoming the cultural rallying point for the black diaspora. Nigeria’s Consul General, Mrs. Aisha Musa led a delegation from the Atlanta. Executives with New-York based networks flew into town to see the latest Nigerian talents. Groups of people flew in from Houston, San Francisco and Washington DC.

    Every one of the six hundred and fifty seats in the Egyptian Theatre was filled for the opening night screening of UP NORTH. The fire department turned a blind eye to the extra seats in the aisle. This was a screening that became a celebration, a celebration that turned into a party!

    The party spilled into the courtyard of The Egyptian after the screening where Streamliner, a start up streaming service for African content, flexed their entertainment muscles as the sponsor of the after screening celebration. There was snack, drinks and music.

    “I am just really grateful to be here. To screen your film at The Egyptian is really a big achievement. We had a great time and you could really see that there were new doors opening for Nollywood,” chimed in Tope Oshin, director of the opening night film, UP NORTH.

    The party moved next door to the Pig N Whistle nightclub where Hollywood Entertainment Productions sponsored a fun filled after party with Nigerian music blasting out to the historic Hollywood Boulevard. The club was packed with ‘who is who’ in Nigerian entertainment in Los Angeles, studio executive, agents and managers. Hefty security men had to turn away tens of revelers who sought to join the Nigerians in the packed club.

    Banky W stepped out of the club early Saturday morning ahead of dozens of colleagues, admirers and fans, stood on the walk of fame with the names of dozens of stars on the sidewalk, took in a deep breath of the night air, looked up and down Hollywood Boulevard and flashed that million dollar smile and whispered, “Nollywood, we’re here”.

    The events moved to the celebrated Eileen Norris Theatre at the University of Southern California the next day. The school not only boasts the best film school in the world but the greatest film directors in the world have screened their films here for decades. Only two nights before, Jordan Peele screened US a day before its release and steep climb to the top of the box office. Today, Adetiba was screening King of Boys to a packed theater.

    “I am really grateful. I’m speechless actually. It was far beyond what I expected. This is really great for our industry.  I really have to thank Ose for putting this up for Nigeria. It’s really remarkable,” says Adetiba whose two films are at the top of Nigeria’s box office history.

    “We’re flying the Nigeria flag and African flag. It’s been an unbelievable two days here for Nollywood. Hopefully this will lead to more opportunities,” says Banky W.  For one weekend, Nigeria was the center of Hollywood and Nigerians everywhere could hold their heads high. Nollywood is here.

  • Residents nab kidnap syndicate operating in taxi

    Residents of Bariga have arrested members of a suspected kidnap and robbery syndicate operating in a taxi.

    The suspects including an old man said to be the driver were arrested on Wednesday, after one of the victims identified their operational vehicle, a dark green Toyota Camry.

    It was gathered that the victim, a woman, had boarded the taxi on Tuesday on her way to work but was diverted towards Badagry Expressway where her hands, legs and mouth were tied.

    The gang comprising four men, allegedly dispossessed her of her phone, N20,000 and other valuables before pushing her out of the vehicle inside a bush, to find her way.

    Luck however ran out of the gang on Wednesday when the said victim saw them and raised the alarm.

    According to a resident, Alhaji Kolade Awofeso, one of the suspects fled but the mob was able to apprehend three.

    “The remaining three were taken to Bariga Police Station including the elderly man (driver). Surprisingly at the Bariga Police Station, the suspects were familiar with the policemen.

    “They surprisingly asked the elderly man about the stolen items collected from the victim. He responded that he has handed them over to one Mama who turned out to be the owner of the vehicle used for the unbridled kidnapping and robbing,” said Awofeso.

    Meanwhile, armed robbers last weekend attacked a photojournalist with Security Express Magazine, Oluwasegun Falola at his 17,  Bajulaye Street Shomolu residence.

    According to the victim, the robbers attacked his residence around 3am on Saturday, while he was asleep and hit his head with a cutlass after he told them he did not have money.

    They robbers, he said demanded for his Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card, laptop, three telephones, video camera, computer hard drive and other valuables before exiting his apartment.

    Falola said they also locked him inside his apartment so he would not be able to come out or raise the alarm, adding that he had to break his window to seek help from nearby De-Bajo Hospital since he was bleeding.

    But the victim’s plight was worsened after he realised that the robbers had withdrawn the only N50,000 he had which he planned to use in offsetting his medical bills.

    He said he was still at a loss as to how the robbers were able to access his account without his pin, adding that he had reported the case at the Alade Police Station in Shomolu.

    Police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) confirmed that two of the kidnap suspects were in custody and investigation was ongoing.

  • Appraising the Tinubu phenomenon at 67

    I must have written volumes on why I have always thought that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Senator, two time governor of Lagos State and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stands in a class of his own, to be separated from the rest.

    I am not used to talking or writing platitudes. And I thank my Creator that He has given me an insight, laced with spiritual understanding, to be able to hazard safe guesses in our politics, especially that of Lagos, which I suggest I know like the lines on my palm.

    When a musician sang and warned that the head of a kitten must never be likened to that of a lion, that they may look alike but never the same, it is only the naive that will not understand the import of that statement. Some had trivialised the Tinubu phenomenon, but they haven’t been able to walk their talk in dismantling the solid achievements of the man who celebrated his 70th last week.

    Bukola Saraki, with all his inherited and acquired wealth, tried it and got all his fingers burnt. I notice the young champion of Kwara is still sounding deviant as if the political polar-axe that shook him to his foundation is nothing to be worried about; something like the case of a boxer who had been pummelled and battered to a wobble but still thinks he can trudge on to the sound of the gong.

    If in the approach to Saraki’s political de-robing, those with the discernment, predicted enough was enough with his political leadership, they sure knew the man was on the way down the ladder. How some people now equated Tinubu with Saraki and felt the sing-song of “O to ge” (enough is enough) in Kwara could play out in Lagos, suggests to me strongly that their understanding of high wire political dynamics was suspect and not as deep as many had ascribed to them. Instead of the “O to ge” song being replayed at the last elections in Lagos, what broke forth from thousands of mouths is “O to pe”, meaning it is worthy of celebration.

    Great men and women of history have their time and season; willy-nilly, no one else rules the roost with them.

    In spite of the perfidy of trusted aides, Chief Obafemi Awolowo remained impregnable in the West in his time and season but because no dynasty lasts for ever, his hold on the politics of his region loosed, at his death. It is to be fair that we must all accept that for now, Tinubu holds the ace in this area. That may sound bad music to some ears, but like a strand in the slogan of the “enfant terrible” of Mushin politics, Hon Funmi Tejuoso goes: “Nwon o r’ogun e se, Babalawo o ni gba story,” meaning there’s no unravelling of her political mysticism yet.

    I have a tip for those whose pre-occupation is to dip the Tinubu magic: work harder, because, like kerosene, this nimble man of the moment does not sleep; he keeps improving in sharpening his political skills, by the second.

    Happy birthday to the undisputed and indisputable political leader of the West, nay Nigeria!

     

    Abeokuta… Like Houston in Texas

    Driving out of Bush International Airport into town last week, the thought of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s Ogun State flashed across my mind.

    Bush Airport is in Houston, Texas in the United States of America. The first attraction as you drive some 30 minutes away from that airport is the spiral flyovers that litter everywhere. Even in their clusters, they look so majestic that you cannot but be in awe of the engineering mesmerism on the parkway.

    My mind flipped and Ogun State came to mind, where outgoing governor Ibikunle Amosun implanted in our minds bridges and flyovers in major towns across the state, to remind us that he was ready to live in the future. Ogun State’s level of development, to be sure, is not yet ripe for the experimentation of flyovers there, but there is honestly no problem in being futuristic. After all, the problem with the future itself is that it is even on hand before you know or realise it.

    When that future dawns, the flyovers of Abeokuta (exempted), Ilaro, Otta and Ijebu Igbo will come handy, unlike now when the need for them is somewhat minimal. If in spite of the many flyovers I saw in Houston the traffic snarls on that long stretch on Sam Houston Parkway were that many, one begins to wonder what would have become of that road stretch if the flyovers that sprang up like mushrooms were not there. The gridlock would have been out of this world.

    Let Amosun ensure the completion of those flyovers before he bids the governorship in Ogun final goodbye, so that he will forever be remembered as the man who tried to import Houston into Ogun State.

     

    Losers are orphans indeed

    I had often heard it said that losers are orphans while winners have many parents. That realisation confronted me at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos the other day, as I prepared to take off on a short trip abroad.

    I donned my BOS cap, with Governor-elect Jide Sanwoolu’s picture emblazoned on it, as well as my APC logo and I walked the length of the departure hall from point one to the last with the gait of which I’m now accustomed, hoping that I would find something donning a PDP or an Accord party cap; but alas, I didn’t find any.

    Why? Is it because they didn’t have the candidate they could be proud of, or is it that their contact with wearing caps expired at the conclusion of the elections, especially once the candidate they backed had lost? This thought made me realise yet again the beauty and joy of victory. Thank God He didn’t make me follow a loser at the outset.

    With assured steps, I carried on in the departure hall with the Sanwoolu cap on my head and those who had seen the cap during the hustings, either nodded in approval or showed curiosity. Of course, I couldn’t care less what anyone felt about my cap and I.

    The airline, police and immigration officials I encountered while going through clearing formalities showed much interest because of the fez cap I donned while it conferred on me the courtesies I might not have enjoyed, were it not for the cap on my head.

    Victory is truly sweet and I thank my principal for the good luck that was his lot at the polls, for which it is possibly today to toast ourselves as beneficiaries of a genuine mandate.