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Tag: trailblazer

  • Fed Govt mourns Eddie Ugboma, calls him trailblazer in movie industry

    The federal government has expressed shock and sadness at the death of veteran movie producer Eddie Ugboma, calling him a worthy pioneer of today’s burgeoning Nollywood industry.

    In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday, the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the fact that Chief Ugboma lived a purposeful life and left his footprint in the sands of time is a soothing consolation for all who knew him.

    ‘’In his lifetime, Chief Ugboma produced a number of avant-garde movies that blazed the trail and fired the imagination of those who would later become the top producers in today’s Nollywood. In a way, the success of the industry is a tribute to him and his co-pioneers,’’ the Minister said.

    He expressed Federal Government’s condolences to the family and friends of the late film maker and prayed that God will grant him eternal rest and comfort his family.

    Following a protracted illness, the veteran filmmaker had died in a Lagos hospital on Saturday, 48 hours before a scheduled surgery today.

    In a 2018 interview with The Nation newspaper, Ugbomah had revealed that his illness concerned his nerves, ears and brain. He said he was wrongly misdiagnosed and treated for malaria and typhoid by doctors at five different hospitals before doctors at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos diagnosed what was wrong with him.

    “It was something to do with my ears and my brain,” he said.

    He had appealed to Nigerians to come to his aid financially as he was ill and needed N50m to treat himself. He, however, said he was not begging but needed them to patronise his works.

    “We’re looking to raising N50m for my own intellectual property, not that I’m begging anybody cap in hand. I have something to make my money,” he said.

  • Trailblazer: Glo takes music, comedy to 54 cities

    Trailblazer: Glo takes music, comedy to 54 cities

    •To run free shows for six months  

    Beginning from April 7, for the next six months, indigenous telco, Globacom, will run a festival of 54 mega music and comedy shows in 54 cities across the country.

    Tagged, Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour,  the concerts will feature the  crème of the nation’s  music industry just as Glo Laffta Fest, a comedy event, will showcase accomplished African  humour merchants.

    Artistes that will perform on the tour are Olamide, Flavour, Runtown, Omawumi, Yemi Alade, PSquare, Phyno, Timaya, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Di’Ja and  Kiss Daniel.

    And the comedians that will perform are Gordons, Basketmouth, Bovi, Salvador from Uganda, I Go Dye, Dan D Humorous, Bash, Seyi Law, Omobaba, Acapella, Senator and Helen Paul. Others are Osama, Princewill, Mr Patrick, Frank D Don, MC Tagwaye, Kenny Blaq, Funky Mallam, Arinze Baba, 2CanTalk, Maleke, Still Ringing and AB Simple.

    While Benin city will host the debut  Glo Mega Music Concert on Friday, April 7, at the Best Western Hotel, Etete Layout, Benin City, the first Glo Laffta Fest will hold  at the Eko Hotels Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday, April 9.

    Globacom explained that the two shows will run concurrently mainly on Saturdays and Sundays, with the Glo Mega Music Concert holding on Saturdays, and Glo Laffta Fest show on Sundays.  The shows will also  hold in Ikeja, Ikorodu, FESTAC and Ajah all in Lagos; Awka; Owerri; Asaba; Calabar; Enugu; Aba; Port Harcourt; Suleja, Kubwa and FCT, all in Abuja; Ibadan; Ijebu Ode; Abeokuta; Ekpoma; Kaduna; Akure; Lokoja; and Ayingba.

    “We are running the spectacular shows as a way of saying thank you to our teeming subscribers across the country for their loyalty, support and abiding faith in the Glo brand over the years,” said Globacom in a statement in Lagos.

    “We are proud to say that never before has any corporate body assembled this array of stars for a six-month music and comedy shows like Globacom has done for the two shows.”

    While the trio of Juliet Ibrahim, Joselyn Dumas and Mercy Johnson will anchor the shows, Nollywood stars like Kanayo O. Kanayo, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Ebube Nwagbo, Funke Akindele, Odunlade Adekola, Sani Danja will add pep to the shows.

    “The shows are specially designed to celebrate and reward our teeming subscribers and to demonstrate to them that we will spare no efforts at delighting them at all times as they are the reason why we are in business,”  the telecommunications giant added.

    Subscribers desirous of attending the show are required to use N3, 000 one month preceding each show and text “Music” and their preferred location to 207. A subscriber who wishes to attend the Ibadan event for example, should text “Music Ibadan” to 207.  Subscribers wishing to attend the Glo Lafta Fest shows are also encouraged to use N3, 000 before the show and send “LOL” to a short code, 240.  For example, any subscriber who desires to attend the Ijebu-Ode show should text “LOL Ijebu Ode” to 240.” The organisers said.

  • Participatory democracy: Lagos Assembly as trailblazer

    Recently, the print and electronic media came out with advertisements on the first constituency stakeholders meeting of the 8th Lagos State House of Assembly, detailing vital information about the exercise, especially its intent and purpose.

    From Badagry to Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Epe, Somolu and the other local governments making up the state constituencies in Lagos State, the exercise took place simultaneously on November 10, undoubtedly is first of its kind in our legislative history in terms of content and style.

    It was designed by the Lagos Assembly to obtain the input of Lagosians on their desire in their areas.

    This no doubt is big plus for the Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa-led Lagos State of Assembly in view of its timeliness and alignment with the social contract principle more so, as the House of Assembly is constitutionally empowered to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the state.

    The strategic nature of the stakeholders meeting could be better understood within the wider context of the legislature’s other functions including representation, oversight, checks and balance on the executive and the judidiary and conducting investigation into matters which it has powers to make laws and more.

    The speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa was therefore on point when he told stakeholders at his constituency meeting in Agege that the event was in line with social contract which the House has with the people. His words: “We are collaborating with our constituencies to ensure that the impact of government is felt at all levels and to reinvigorate rapid socio – economic projects, control of traffic, implementation of traffic laws, security and maintenance of law and order.

    The spokesman of the House, Hon. Tunde Braimoh at his constituency meeting would equally observe that, “while it is correct that constituency input has always, been sought in formulating budgeting proposal every year, it is also correct that the scale and style on this exercise stand out as novel and new.”

    One of the biggest draw backs of our democracy is the alienation of the people from government, the sidelining of the people from making meaningful inputs into government programs and policies.

    Consequently, what we sometimes have are largely projects conceived without the voice of the people who are the reason for government. The end result is huge waste of taxpayers money as some of these projects do not suit the immediate needs of the people.

    The Lagos State House of Assembly must therefore be commended for according due recognition to their constituents through the stakeholders meeting. This no doubt is what participatory government is all about because all elected representatives must as a matter of routine report back to the people periodically to intimate them about their stewardship.

    That those who spoke across the 40 state constituencies included Obas, Chiefs, Community Development Associations (CDAs), youths, artisans, professional bodies, and various unions is highly commendable.

    Lagosians would also be glad that Speaker Obasa has assured that these inputs will form part of the 2016 budget which is very remarkable. If actualized, it means that Lagos State would have, through its lawmakers, come up with a truly “people’s budget” next year.

    By this giant stride, the Lagos state House of Assembly may have begun its journey towards fulfilling its vision “to be the leading light and pathfinder for Nigeria and African legislatures.”

    To realize this, it must continue its pursuit of excellence by ensuring it fulfills its promise of a people’s budget in 2016.

    It should also continually interface with the people periodically to perfect their position on issues, as it is better placed to do this than other arms of government. This would no doubt make the change mantra of the APC-dominated House come to fruition as the country is in dire need of true change.

    Other legislatures should also take a cue from the precedent set by the lawmakers of the “Centre of Excellence” which has opened a new vista in participatory democracy through the constituency stakeholders meeting by organizing similar programmes. And like the former chairman, Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Monday Ubani said during Hon. Tunde Braimoh’s meeting with his constituents, the Lagos Assembly has set a precedent for other legislatures with this novel idea.

    More so, aside interfacing with the people, across the length and breadth of the state, one of the unique things about the event was that it cut across every strata of the society which makes it inclusive.

    The assembly may have unknowingly assisted the executive by using the medium to collate issues very dear to the heart of the electorate for onward transmission to the executive for consideration and implementation.

    Also by holding the exercise simultaneously across the state, the lawmakers have saved the state huge resources which could have been wasted had the exercise been staggered at this time of falling oil prices.

    The Lagos State House of Assembly therefore deserves praises, while hoping it continues to strive to be the flagship of the legislature for the benefit of the people by rising up to its constitutional duties at all times

    • Chukwu, is chairman, Centre for Accountability and Good Governance (CAGG), Lagos
  • Toyota 4Runner: The trailblazer

    Toyota 4Runner: The trailblazer

    There are only a few SUVs left these days that utilise body-on-frame construction for serious off-road capability. Not only is the 2015 Toyota 4Runner one of them, it also offers three-row seating, a spacious cargo hold and Toyota’s prime reputation for reliability. If you are hoping to find all of those attributes in one vehicle, the 4Runner stands alone in this price range, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO with agency reports.

    The Toyota 2015 4Runner is designed to provide real utility. It’s at its best when you are plugging along on off-road trails, and the numerous upgrades on the Trail and TRD Pro trims only add to the fun. At the same time, the 4Runner is refined enough for the daily grind, though lots of bumps make it in to the cabin as the rugged suspension and big tires jostle you around. The 4Runner’s steering feels a little too light in normal driving situations, but this turns out to be ideal for off-roading, as it results in reduced kickback on gnarly trails.

    The 4Runner’s V6 engine is strong enough for most needs, but there is no denying that you get more grunt from rivals like the V8-powered Grand Cherokee and Durango. The 4Runner’s five-speed automatic transmission provides well-timed shifts, but we certainly wouldn’t mind another gear to calm the engine on the highway and eke out another mpg or two.

    It won’t give you the fuel efficiency or ride comfort of a car-based crossover, but the 2015 4Runner stays true to its roots as an SUV that is ready for almost anything.

    Even in base SR5 trim, the 4Runner is primed for off-road action. Standard equipment includes items like mud guards and skid plates, while four-wheel-drive models add a dual-range transfer case, hill-start assist and hill-descent control. The Trail trim adds advanced electronic aids for more precise off-roading, but the big news this year is the range-topping TRD Pro trim level, which boasts beefier tires, high-performance Bilstein shocks and distinctive styling elements. Bottom line, any 4Runner can bust trails with the best of them, and there is more capability than ever for 2015.

    If you spend most of your time on the pavement, however, there are better family vehicles available. Specifically, the 4Runner has a difficult time smoothing out potholes in the city with its busy ride, and its fuel economy is woeful compared to most V6-powered crossovers. The optional third row is best reserved for kids, so if you want adult-sized space back there, youwill need to look elsewhere.

    There are several notable 4Runner alternatives to consider. The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of our favorites if you don’t need three seating rows, and it offers competitive off-road performance, several engine options, more robust towing capacity, better fuel economy and an upscale interior. The related 2015 Dodge Durango also has more towing capacity and a premium cabin, and it comes standard with a third-row seat. The two-row 2015 Nissan Xterra is relatively basic inside, but it’s quite similar mechanically to the 4Runner, and it’s considerably cheaper. If you can do without all the trail-busting hardware, the 2015 Toyota Highlander offers room for eight passengers, a carlike ride and superior efficiency and acceleration.

    But if nothing less than a traditional three-row SUV will do, the 4Runner is the only game in town. It may be among the last of a dying breed, but the 2015 Toyota 4Runner still has a lot to offer and is one of our top picks for a midsize two-row SUV in our 2015 Buying Guide.

     

    Body Styles

    The 2015 Toyota 4Runner is a midsize SUV offered in four trim levels: SR5, Trail, TRD Pro and Limited. The SR5 and Trail are divided into standard and Premium sub-trims. Five-passenger seating is standard, but an optional 50/50-split third-row seat on the SR5 and Limited models raises capacity to seven.

    The SR5 comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, skid plates, mud guards, a tow hitch, hill-start assist and hill-descent control (4WD only), a rearview camera, foglights, heated exterior mirrors, rear privacy glass, LED taillights, roof rails, a power liftgate window, a windshield wiper de-icer, keyless entry, cruise control, air-conditioning with second-row vents, cloth upholstery, a six-way power driver seat with power lumbar adjustment, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and 40/20/40-split folding and reclining rear seats. Standard electronics includes Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and an eight-speaker audio system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen interface, voice controls, a CD player, HD and satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface.

    The SR5 Premium adds a sunroof, upgraded exterior mirrors, leatherette (premium vinyl) upholstery, heated front seats, a power front passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and an upgraded version of Entune with smartphone app integration and a navigation system.

    Go with the 4WD-only Trail trim and you’ll get all of the base SR5’s standard features plus unique 17-inch wheels, a hood scoop, silver exterior trim accents, a locking rear differential, selectable terrain modes and crawl control. The Trail Premium model adds the SR5 Premium’s standard features.

    The 4Runner Trail models are exclusively eligible for the optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which automatically disconnects the SUV’s stabilizer bars in low-speed off-road situations to improve suspension articulation over deep ruts and boulders.

    The TRD Pro comes with most of the Trail Premium’s standard equipment, adding or substituting matte-black 17-inch wheels with special off-road tires, automatic headlights, a TRD-stamped aluminum front skid plate, Bilstein shocks, upgraded front springs, a higher ride height, a unique black front grille and various TRD-themed aesthetic upgrades.

    The 4Runner Limited includes most of the Trail Premium’s feature content, but it lacks the mud guards, locking rear differential, terrain-mode selector and crawl control. Its available full-time 4WD system instead employs a locking center differential. Other Limited highlights include 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive roll-reducing dampers (X-REAS), automatic headlights, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats and a 15-speaker JBL sound system and Toyota’s Safety Connect telematics.

    Many of the higher-end standard amenities are available as options on lower trim levels, but availability can vary depending on the region of the United States in which you live. Stand-alone options include fixed running boards, automatically deploying/retracting running boards, a sliding rear cargo floor (two-row models only) and roof-rack crossbars.

     

    Powertrains

    The 2015 Toyota 4Runner employs a 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a five-speed automatic. The SR5 and Limited models are available with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, while the Trail and TRD Pro are 4WD-only.

    Four-wheel-drive SR5 models have a part-time 4WD system with low-range gearing, while the Limited uses a full-time 4WD system with low-range gearing and a locking center differential. The Trail and TRD Pro models come standard with the part-time 4WD system and also include a locking rear differential, crawl control (for use in low range) and selectable terrain modes. Properly equipped, the 4Runner is rated to tow up to 4,700 pounds.

     

    Safety

    Standard safety features on the 2015 Toyota 4Runner include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, front knee airbags and active front head restraints. All 4WD models feature an off-road traction control system known as A-Trac that helps keep you moving on slippery terrain by redirecting engine torque to the wheel(s) that have traction.

    A rearview camera is standard across the board, but front and rear parking sensors are only available on the Limited trim level. The Limited also comes with Safety Connect, which includes automatic collision notification, a stolen-vehicle locator and emergency assistance.

     

    Interior Design and Special Features

    The interior of the 2015 Toyota 4Runner features instruments and controls that are well laid out and easy to understand, while the gauges are equally attractive and legible. Most owners will be satisfied with the quality of the 4Runner’s cabin materials, which are oriented more toward durability than aesthetics. If you want something a bit plusher, something like the Jeep Grand Cherokee will likely be a better fit.

    In addition, all 4Runners come with a touchscreen audio interface placed high on the center stack. Depending on which trim level you selected, the touchscreen brings various degrees of functionality from Toyota’s Entune suite of smartphone-enabled services and apps. All trims except the base SR5 and Trail integrate a navigation system into this interface.

    As for passenger accommodations, the standard five-person seating arrangement includes a reclining 40/20/40-split-folding second-row seat. In reality, the real estate in the back of the 4Runner is better suited for cargo. There is a healthy 47 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second-row seats, a number that jumps to an even healthier 89.7 cubic feet with all the rear seats folded down. This is far more space than the Grand Cherokee offers and more than many large crossovers (such as the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot) as well.

     

  • Chevrolet Trailblazer shines at Auto Fair

    Chevrolet Trailblazer shines at Auto Fair

    The latest model of Chevrolet Trailblazer Sport Utility Vehicle solely distributed by CFAO Motors in Nigeria, asserted its dominance at the Abuja Motor Fair. It also marked 10 years of Chevrolet’s impressive back to back appearance at the annual automobile festival in the federal capital city, having debuted in 2004.

    As the star SUV of the motor show, Chevrolet Trailblazer was prominently positioned at the pavilion of CFAO Intermotors, a division of CFAO Motors whilst visitors took turns to appreciate its body, engine compartment, the dashboard, the classy interiors and several other ensembles of the vehicle. The general conclusion of the visitors at the fair was that it is the SUV to have, being a lifestyle, family, business and all-roads automobile.

    The Trailblazer has a 6-speed automatic with a sequential shift override, a very smooth gearbox and remarkable performance-based fuel economy. Its excellent visibility and large mirrors, double wishbone front and Five-Link coil spring rear suspension ensure that its driving power remains in the hand of the driver. It is fitted with 245/70R18 tyres, four-wheel disc brakes to deal with the necessity of a sudden stop.

    The body is made up of large dual-port grille, carved bumpers, clamshell hood, flowing side crease, wide-floodlight headlamps, power windows and wiper stalks.

    The 7-seater SUV has a noiseless 2.8 litre engine with 200 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 500 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. This power is unequalled in its category anywhere in Nigeria.

    Confirming the notable presence of Trailblazer at the fair ground, the Head of Intermotors Division of CFAO Motors, Mr Ladi Abiodun said the Trailblazer was specially positioned for Nigerians who do not want to bother about any transportation problem.

    “Whether the road is smooth or rough, whether traffic is light or heavy, whether the destination is far or near, Chevrolet Trailblazer delivers with pleasurable comfort and assured safety. Having introduced the SUV to Nigerians a few months ago, we have a few units left which visitors to our pavilion could pick at a good discount during the motor show only,” Abiodun said.

  • Ekiti: Footsteps of a trailblazer

    Any society desirous of improving its socio-economic and political fortunes must, as a matter of utmost necessity, be endowed with leaders who have incisive focus on the management of public affairs as well as the operation of the private sector. Such leaders must be people of proven integrity and credentials, and the leadership provided must be blended with an appreciable measure of intellectual finesse, sincerity and uncommon sagacity, in addition to being people’s oriented, liberal, broad minded, honest and transparent. Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, without any iota of contradiction is immensely endowed in this regards.

    Plato, a great philosopher postulated that the foundation upon which a formidable society is built lies in the ability of its leaders to recognize and harness the potentials of its people and align them towards the development of that society. The present administration in Ekiti State under Fayemi, mindful of the aforementioned, on assumption of office, set machineries in motion for the realization of his age-long love, hopes and aspirations for the future of Ekiti State where governance will be for service to the people as against personal aggrandizement.

    The legendary king Midas of Greek mythology had an extraordinary gift of turning everything he touched into gold. Considering the landmark achievement of Fayemi in Ekiti State from assumption of office to date, referring to him as a personality with the Midas touch cannot be a subject of controversy. Ekiti State under his leadership has witnessed unprecedented leap characterized by monumental development strides in all aspects of human endeavour. The amiable Governor fondly called “EYIYATO”, is a man whose approach to governance remains unrivalled, legendary and novel.

    The relative peace witnessed is Ekiti State today and the accompany sustainable development is a product of dint of sheer hard-work, courage and sincerity of purpose displayed over the period by the pragmatic, purposeful and resilient administration which believed strongly that, no meaningful development can thrive in an atmosphere of acrimony. The glamour and creativity this administration has brought to bear, as far as governance is concerned within the last four years is uncommon and as such deserves the commendation of all and sundry. The robustness of the administration’s innovations in the areas of blocking of loopholes in the system, job creation efforts and youth empowerment, social security scheme for the elderly citizens, to mention but a few has become a reference point for other states to emulate.

    Education, our main industry in the state has never been given the desired pride of place in the recent past until the present administration came into being. Free education policy of government, the ICT initiative for secondary schools, reconstruction and renovation of new and existing schools across the state, training and re-training of teachers, prompt payment of teachers salaries among others stand out as part of this administration plan to bring back the lost glory in the education sector. The sheer splendor in Ekiti state public schools today is bound to startle even the unrepentant critics of the administration.

    Also, the health sector has and continues to enjoy its own fair share of attention by the present administration. The free medical care which focuses on the vulnerable group in the society is being given an accelerated boost. Children under five years, elderly above 65 years, pregnant women as well as physically challenged in Ekiti State can now access health care without any stress. The urban renewal project of government is on course and in no distant future, the state will become tourist/investors delight as infrastructural development in the areas of beautification as well as massive road construction and rehabilitation projects spread across the length and breath of the state continue to remain on the priority list of the administration. The multiplier effect of the monumental strides and developmental leaps on the socio- political and economic life of Ekiti in both the short and the long run can best be imagined and will remain unrivalled in the annals of Ekiti existence as a state.

    Fayemi, a scholar with impeccable records of achievement, a man with an incredible passion for excellence and moral uprightness, a man with stupendously amazing qualification and excellent leadership qualities that transcend party politics, a leader who loathes vanity, timorousness, sloth and dissipation but cherishes the virtue of intrepidity prudence, charity and integrity, a social justice crusader of all times whose concern centered on the moral understanding of human actions in their relation to the social goals of man, a quintessential personality per excellence, an author of many academic works on governance and democratization and above all, an advocate of egalitarian society is an accomplished academic with a PhD in War Studies specializing in civilian-military relationship and defence planning obtained from University of London in 1993.

    A grassroots man by all standards, the governor has left no one in doubt that he is committed to the realization of the dreams of our founding fathers, which is, to make Ekiti State, a model among the state of the federation. This task has always engaged his attention and he has been spearheading it through uncommon zeal and unwavering commitment. It is only logical that the citizen of the state, irrespective of political leaning and affiliation pray for him for more positive results in all his lofty projects and programmes and rally round his administration in its transformation drive.

    As election in Ekiti State is fast approaching and for sustainability of the laudable programmes put in place by the present administration in its quest to consolidate on the gains already recorded and to actualise all its lofty objective of making Ekiti State the most politically, socially and economically developed among the states of the federation, giving Fayemi another chance to direct the affairs of the state cannot be out of place. At this point of our history as a state, primordial or personal agenda and political differences must be put on the back seat. Launching into the future with renewed vigor and hope to secure a better tomorrow for all and sundry, as well as issue based politics should inform our political decisions. Fayemi has been tested and performed creditably hence the need to have abiding faith in his administration’s commitment to turning around the aggregate fortune of Ekiti State for good now and beyond 2014. With the unflinching support of the esteemed good people of Ekiti at the 2014 poll, the amiable governor is more than ever before, ready to bring to bear once again, his astute leadership endowment and creativity in his usual quest to take Ekiti to the promise land.

    Finally, making choice of candidate for the office of the governor should be through achievable manifestos, practical logic and debates as well as altruism of the candidates based on their antecedents and character both in public and private domain over the years. As usual, a vote for Kayode Fayemi is a vote for progress, prudence and sustainable development that will always stand the test of time.

    • Aladesami writes from Ado-Ekiti.

  • The trailblazer lives on

    There are lots of annoying inconsistencies in life that we would never have answers to. Why would a drug addict who can barely take care of herself keep having children when those who have the mental, physical, emotional and material resources to give a child a great future sometimes look for them in vain? Why would the armed robber and cultist who have the blood of hundreds of innocent victims on their hands live to a ripe old-age while those who strive to make humanity better die young? Why would a religious fanatic who kills at random be placated and even financially induced to “give up” his ways?

    Most importantly, why do some of the best die young? This is an age-old question that has thus far not been satisfactorily answered; all we have are conjectures and human reasoning in trying to proffer answers to a question that only God Almighty can satisfactorily answer. I battled with the question too when Mrs. Ngozi Agbo, the visionary of this project and one of the best individuals I have come across, passed on. What made it even more painful was the fact that she barely glanced at the son she carried, prepared and prayed for for nine months. This unique lady died giving birth to life! Even though mortals cannot question God, in my quiet moments I sometimes asked why? In the process of trying to unravel this I came across this piece by Rabbi Aron Moss who teaches Kabbalah, Talmud and practical Judaism in Sydney, Australia.

    So, I want to leave the issues of the falling standard of education, dearth of infrastructure in our schools, ASUU, NASU etc strikes, NANS crises and the plethora of challenges confronting us as our nation and write about real life issues today.

    Moss titled his piece “Where is the justice?” and it reads like this: A great debate once raged in heaven. It was over a most beautiful and precious new soul that God had created. The angels debated what should be done with this soul. One group of angels demanded that this soul remain in heaven. “She is too pure, too holy to face the ugliness of the lowly world,” they said. “Who knows what will happen to her in a world of temptation and evil. This soul must stay with us here.”

    But the other group of angels said the exact opposite: “Indeed, this soul glows with a unique divine glow. But for that very reason, she must go down to earth. For imagine the beauty and goodness this soul can bring to a dark world. What good is there in keeping such a soul in heaven? Let her descend to earth and shine her light there.”

    And so they argued back and forth, each side unshakable in its view. Until it became clear that they could not resolve the issue themselves, they needed a Higher Authority. The case was brought before God Almighty. The angels stated their arguments before the heavenly court. God listened to the two opinions -the first group of angel arguing that this unspoiled soul is too holy to be plunged into the lowly world, the second countering that the world needs such souls more than anything.

    And this was God’s response: “Indeed, it is sad to send such an immaculate soul into such a dark world. But this is My will. I only created darkness so souls like this one can transform darkness into light. The whole purpose of creation was that the lowly world be refined by the good deeds of mortal human beings. This cannot be achieved by souls in heaven. It can only be achieved through souls in bodies. And so even this most perfect and pure soul must descend to earth.”

    The first group of angels, who requested for the soul to remain in heaven, were disappointed. They couldn’t fathom how such a spiritual being could be expected to survive such a physical world. God turned to them and said, “As for your request to keep this soul up here, I will grant it partially. Though she must leave us and go down to earth, it will not be long before she will return to us. Her sojourn on earth will be brief. Such a brilliant soul will not need long to fulfill her mission. Soon she will be free to come back to heaven.”

    Every day that she is on earth is a blessing, God then turned to the second group and asked, “Are you satisfied with that? Do you accept that this soul can only be on earth for a limited time?” The angels replied, “Yes we do. Every day that she is on earth is a blessing.”

    Exciting story isn’t it? My heart moved when I first read it because when a loved one passes away, we know we have lost something precious. We are left with a gaping hole in our heart, and we often wonder why they were taken away from us. But at the same time we can be grateful for the very fact that they were given to us in the first place and that they made positive impact. We are blessed to have such beautiful souls in our lives; the world is privileged to have such heavenly guests come down on earth. And even if it can only be for a short while, we will take whatever we can get. In time all souls will be reunited. In the meantime, it pays to be thankful for the impact the individual made in his or her earthly journey.

    That was how I felt a year ago when Ngozi left so suddenly, though the pain remains but I find succour in the fact that she had a vision and left that vision behind to be followed. She was a trailblazer, just like The Nation is a trailblazer in student journalism in Nigeria. She believed that Nigeria, despite the socio-economic and other challenges she faces, has the potentials of being a great nation. She believed that the potentials lie in the hands of the youth and she birthed an idea that would give them the platform to express their dreams for the nation.

    Her vision was anchored on building the total man and looking at the core values and attributes that defines him, attributes that always emphasises the highest level of moral and ethical regeneration and the molding of sound character which she instilled in her “children.” She never failed to remind them that they are always a shining light to their generation, and coming into contact with these students you will realise that the objective is already bearing fruit. Does that mean her preoccupation was only with undergraduates? Absolutely not, Ngozi was also a student of leadership and those who were familiar with this column when she handled it knew too well of her passion for leadership; from leadership in the home to religious and secular leadership.

    She often drove the point home to her undergraduates to steer clear of ethnic jingoists and divisive individuals who have the innate capacity of filling their minds with xenophobic ideologies that have the tendency of creating hatred, rancour and bitterness in the society. This they can only do if they are inculcated with the right value system. The annual capacity building workshops and award ceremonies she undertook every year with the support of Coca-Cola Nigeria and Nigerian Bottling Company was a pointer to the fact that apart from merely sending in articles for publication, she ensured she had contact with her undergraduates to be certain that the venture they are undertaking was far bigger than having their stories published in the newspapers.

    Another sterling quality of the vision is the molding of character. Ngozi was a disciplinarian and she didn’t mince words when it comes to discipline and her students knew that. I will point out two instances here. Two weeks before her death she held her Ninth Campus Life workshop in Lagos where she invited more than 50 students from tertiary institutions across Nigeria. Some undergraduates who could not make it to the workshop called her and pleaded that she sends them their certificate of attendance. She took her time to patiently lecture them that it is morally wrong for her to send certificate to someone who did not attend the workshop; she also told them that it was be against the tenet of what she taught them. Some called back to apologise for their misdemeanor. What actually touched me was how she linked the whole incident to the vision of Campus Life. There are countless encounters that I can’t mention here for lack of space.

    There is no better epitaph to write for this bold, unique, courageous and determined lady than to say that some of her products are now living out what she taught them, her efforts were not in vain. Gbenga Ojo, now publishes Exceptional Magazine, Wale Ajetunmobi now oversees the Campuslife pages in The Nation; Faith Olaniran of FUTA runs a Youth Development programme; David Osu also of FUTA is a United Nations Ambassador on Education; Jumoke Awe runs a Girl-Child NGO, Onyinye Nkwocha runs a NGO; to uplift the students she teaches at her area of primary responsibility. Again, there are more of Ngozi’s former students contributing positively toward the development of a better society which space will not allow me to recount, they will tell their own stories someday. Meanwhile, the trailblaser lives on.