The Nation Newspaper

Tag: unsung

  • Unsung heroes of the fourth estate

    Sir: The fourth estate of the realm in Nigeria sings of other heroes but has left several heroes of her own unsung. Many of them had gone to meet their creator, and others are alive.

    Those that readily come to mind are Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who was the editor and later managing director of Nigerian Tribune for many years. He later won an election to become the governor of Lagos State. Apart from the building of Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has never instituted any annual programme in his honour. Alhaji Babatunde Jose was another icon that should not be forgotten so soon by NUJ. He was regarded as the doyen of journalism in Nigeria. He introduced the employment of graduates into newspapers houses in Nigeria.

    Sam Amuka-Pemu (Sad Sam) but now very, very happy Sam. Is it when he exits the stage that NUJ would think of honouring him? Honour him and let him see the future now. Chief Segun Osoba is another icon, who rose from the rain in journalism.

    If we turn to broadcasting, Nigeria has a crop of good newscasters. In the early 1950’s Abba Zuru and Christopher Edden, a Cameroonian, held sway at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation.

    The Enahoro brothers; Anthony, Peter and Mike should not be forgotten in a hurry by journalists in Nigeria. Chief Anthony Enahoro played an unforgettable role in the history of Nigeria. He was the one who raised the motion for the independence of Nigeria. He was even jailed in 1954.

    An interesting incident happened in Radio Nigeria: Mike Enahoro, it was, that told the world that his brother Anthony had been sent to prison. Peter Enahoro (Peter Pan) held sway in the Daily Times of those days. Like the Ransome Kuti family, Enahoro family should have an important institution named after the family.

    When it came to running football commentaries, Isola Folorunso and Ernest Okonkwo led the pack. Julie Coker was the darling on television.

    Chief Bisi Onabanjo (Aiyekoto) was another big-wig in Nigerian journalism. Thank God, Ogun State government had named a university after him.

    Social media has taken the wind out of the sail of journalism in Nigeria. The profession has been thrown to the dogs. Evil bloggers without ethics are having a field day. Definitely Nigeria needs a law to control these evil bloggers.

     

    • Dr. Sunday O. Ajai , Lagos.
  • Ire celebrates: Celebrating the unsung

    Ire celebrates: Celebrating the unsung

    In a society such as ours, where lots of people are doing extraordinary things, it may not be out of place to have many go unnoticed, despite their efforts. It was therefore a relief, when Creativity Development Centre, an NGO with a passion for celebrating the unsung of the society, came up with Ire Celebrates, a platform to celebrate achieving men and women in society. Dorcas Egede, who was at the fourth edition, reports

    The fairly large room which hitherto had the ambience of a waiting room at Bogobiri House, Ikoyi, Lagos, soon came alive. There couldn’t have been a better way to compensate the audience that had waited for about an hour for the event to commence. Enchanting chanter and entertainment diva, Ire, formerly known as Enitan Adebo, thrilled her audience with folklore music.

    It was the fourth edition of Ire Celebrates, an initiative of the Creativity Development Centre (CDC), an NGO that has charged itself with the responsibility of celebrating the unsung of society. The event attracted dignitaries such as the General Manager of National Theatre, Mr. George Nkanta Ufot, Mrs. Uche Majekodunmi and a host of music artists and thespians.

    Also performing at the event was performance poet, Evelyn ‘the Poet’ Osagie, who thrilled the audience to no end with her poems, Ire Celebrates and Lyrical lines to Oriola. Her performance was so impressive that Ufot, after the show exhaled, “You completely blew me away.”

    Since 2016 when Ire celebrates was launched, four silent achievers have been celebrated. This edition of Ire Celebrates was organised in honour of Paul Oghoghorie, the CEO of Hispeed Media Group, a company involved in a number of internet-based business projects, such as the Top Naija Music, Top Naija Events, Hispeed Digital Services, Empower Naija amongst others.

    Oghoghorie, who was being celebrated for his great achievements in the music scene, both locally and internationally, was the cynosure of all eyes. Garbed in white agbada, he greeted the guests gaily, posing for captures and selfies with as many as requested.

    Men are said to be good at masking emotions, but on this day, which by the way coincided with his 31st birthday, Oghoghorie was apparently excited. “I’m excited that this is happening today, because it is one thing to be noticed and it’s another thing to be celebrated, especially in an event like this, which happens to coincide with my birthday. The CDC team just called me and said, ‘Paul, we appreciate what you do; we’ve seen your hard work and wish to celebrate you.’” He said, elated.

    Speaking of his four-year journey in the entertainment industry, Oghoghorie said, glowing with pride, “We run the Top Nigerian Music, which is a digital music promotion platform. What we do is to get Nigerian songs to lovers of Nigerian music around the world. Other things we do include the Nigerian Music Awards, which is an award for emerging music artistes and it is unarguably the only indigenous music awards for emerging artists in Nigeria; and we have done it for four years. We also have the Top Nigerian Music Radio, which is a 24hr internet radio that plays only Nigerian songs. All that we are doing is to promote the Nigerian culture, and we have people tune in to the station from all over the world. At my last count, we had 17 countries that tune in to listen. I even got to discover that some restaurants in the US play songs from our internet radio to entertain their guests. So that shows that the platform is accepted. We also have the Top nigerianmusic.com, which is the online music promotion platform. We host events too.”

    On where he hopes to take his entertainment in five years’ time, Oghoghorie’s response is one of uncertainty. “It depends. Actually, the main challenge we have had is that of zero support. All along it’s been me and my team alone; even when we tried to get support, it wasn’t encouraging, and so we decided to pull out of the push for support to do what little we can on our own. But the truth is that if we can get the kind of support Nollywood is getting from the Bank of Industry (BoI), it will make a world of difference in the Nigerian music industry. We have plans of setting up music studios in the six geopolitical zones of the country; doing more competitions to give young people who are talented in music the encouragement to continue. It shouldn’t look like music is an industry for the elite artistes only. We want to turn music to a product, just like home video is today.”

    Perhaps more excited than the celebrant was Ufot. His presence at the event was to the delight of the conveners, the celebrant and guests present. Asked why he exuded so much excitement, Ufot’s elated response was, “You know why I’m so excited about this? I was part of her beginning; when she was with Wanle Akinboboye at La Campagne Tropicana. She used to perform with Ara at the time. Ara was the lead performer then; she was like a younger person. But what was interesting about her was and still is her chanting. It’s so original. Sometime ago, we were in Paris together. I even sponsored her and her group to The Gambia. I’m talking about eight or so years ago. So, you now can tell why I’m this excited seeing how far she has come.”

    Even though Ufot graced this event to encourage young and emerging artists, he left the event with much more than he bargained for. “I learnt so much from the young man, Oghoghorie. I’m taking away the fact that there is something new coming up. Just like Nollywood evolved, so will the music industry. We should not underrate Nigeria. We are the biggest country in Africa, and we are emerging. We should just keep encouraging one another, because there is so much to be done apart from oil. The creative industry is a potent force that we have to use positively to our own advantage. This is tourism. We have to turn our creative industry into a tourism asset.

  • Unsung kidnap cases: A case of slow police reaction?

    On the heels of the recent polices heroics in rescuing the abducted Ikorodu school girls, Gboyega Alaka probes what looks like the force’s slow reaction, especially when the kidnap cases don’t receive huge media and public outcry.

    It was a commando-like operation. About five gun-toting men in military uniform crossed a jeep on a certain evening somewhere as it negotiated its way into the Raji Rasaki Estate in Amuwo-Odofin Area of Lagos, ordered the occupant, an obviously well-to-do man out of the car, threatening to shoot if he as much as played any pranks, ordered him into their vehicle and drove off, shooting fiercely as they disappeared into the night. Eye-witnesses said everything happened in less than five minutes. Some said they actually thought it was some military team on an arrest mission.

    A young man, Ifeanyi who narrated the incident said it was such that not many dared look for longer than seconds, as the precision and terror with which the kidnappers operated spoke of high level expertise. It was later that news began filtering out that it was indeed a kidnap operation and that the victim was Chief Francis Umeh, a well-known spare-parts dealer at the popular Aspanda market, Trade Fair, Badagry Expressway, who lived in the estate.

    He said the kidnappers must have trailed Umeh from the highway or probably waited for him, working on insider information.

    Not long before this incident, precisely two weeks, another notable businessman, Cosmas Ojukwu had been kidnapped in similar fashion, this time, in FESTAC. For those not familiar with Lagos, FESTAC Town is on the other side of Amuwo-Odofin, with the Badagry Expressway separating them. As a matter of fact, both areas fall under the same local government, Amuwo-Odofin Local government.

    Ojukwu’s abductors, it was gathered struck around 8pm as he approached the gate leading to his residence on House 16, X Close, 21 Road. He was said to be in company of some of his business apprentices, but like in the case of Umeh, where the driver was left untouched, the boys were left to go, probably to render first-hand experience of the terror they had seen.

    Information filtering out revealed that Ojukwu’s family and associates had raised the 1million dollars ransom demanded by the kidnappers, but the gang recanted and are now demanding an extra 1million dollars, probably having seen how quickly the initial  1million dollars was raised. The kidnappers, it is speculated, are demanding the extra one million dollars as a penalty for the ‘rude’ way the victim’s family had related with them.

    Like Ojukwu, Elias Ukachukwu’s kidnap story sends shivers down the spines of any wealthy man. After he was kidnapped in November 2015 and his family coughed out a whopping 1million dollar, the abductors demanded another 1million dollar, claiming rudeness by his family during negotiation.

    Thankfully, Ukachukwu, as learnt from the Lagos State Police PRO, Ms Dolapo Badmus, is back safely with his family.

    But the trend has put the families of kidnapped victims in a dilemma, as it now seems like the gangs put more stringent demands on victims’ families, once they respond promptly. A gentleman, who claims to know one of the relatives of one of the kidnapped business men, said the family raised the money quickly, fearing that they may hurt the victim if money is not quickly paid. Besides, they have heard stories of victims who have died in kidnappers’ den due to delayed response by their families.

    The case of Late Obi Akaeze Edward Ofolue III of Ubulu-Uku in Delta State, who was abducted and murdered in captivity, is still fresh. Same for a certain Lagos businessman, who was abducted in FESTAC in 2011, and whose decomposing body was later discovered in a remote village close to his home town in Anambra State.

    In September last year, Sir James Uzochukwu Udoji , Chairman of Comestar Manufacturing Company was kidnapped in similar fashion on 7th Avenue in the same FESTAC. As bad as the situation has become, he would count himself lucky, as he regained freedom after paying an undisclosed sum of money, which some close members of his family put at one million dollars.

    FESTAC Town as kidnapping field

    The situation is such that palpable fear now abounds amongst wealthy businessmen in FESTAC Town, Amuwo-Odofin and environ. In the last three months and thereabout, rumour has it that a good number of wealthy businessmen have been kidnapped in the area.  According to a reliable source, these series of kidnapping may have been perpetrated by what some have regarded as the same gang of criminals, as their mode of operation has been similar. Worse still, they demand payment in dollars and cite flimsy pretexts for increasing victims’ ransoms and holding onto them. Most of their victims are also notable businessmen at the popular Trade Fair Aspanda Market and other major commercial hubs in Lagos.

    The situation is such that most people with notable prosperity are going under or moving out to unknown locations, to avoid being targets of these evil gang or gangs. Sources say even the home of Chief Umeh is now the shadow of its old self, with members of the family going underground, whilst they continue negotiating for the kidnappers and looking to meet their herculean demand.

    Mum’s the word

    Probably for fear of implicating themselves, no one seems to be willing to volunteer a word, as this reporter pounded a wide breadth of FESTAC, looking to locate houses of some of the victims and possibly speak with some of them. Not a soul was willing to help the moment they learnt of his intention or mission, while some immediately retreated into their shells. A good number also simply walked away. The few, like Femi, who volunteered a word said it is a dangerous topic to discuss and that he wasn’t even sure if the gentleman posing as a reporter wasn’t actually one of the kidnappers on a mission to feel the pulse of the people.

    No safe haven

    The situation in FESTAC is no different from what obtains across the country. Hundreds of people are being kidnapped by the day across the expanse of Nigeria, with a sizeable number of them going literally unsung. Like the cases in FESTAC, several families have had to pull together their resources to ransom their loved ones from the jaws of kidnappers.

    Information reaching The Nation also indicates that a lot of these victims for fear of the unknown quietly comply with the demands of the kidnappers, whom they say always threaten thunder and brimstone, should they report to the police.

    South Africa-based Victor Ogadinma got more than he bargained for, when he was abducted in front of his house in Owerri, Anambra State. He had come home to be with his family in Owerri, Anambra State, when he was picked up by three gun-wielding men as he made to enter his house. He was released three days after his family had raised and paid a ransom of N1million to his abductors. Speaking to reporters after his kidnappers had been rounded up by the police, Ogadinma said “I was in front of my house waiting for my family members to open the gate, when three heavily armed men accosted me and forced me out of the car to the back seat. It was around 7.30pm, and my wife came out while they were struggling to push me into the car but they pushed her down.”

    He narrated how he was kept in a dirty kitchen all the while, adding that “I told them I had N220,000 and $2,000 and some European currencies. I was picked on January 7 and released January 10. They offered me food but I chose to drink only water.”

    Mid last year, a Warri-based hotelier, who recently retired from Chevron was abducted on his way to his hotel in Auchi, Edo State. Apparently taken for a wealthy man because of his car and the fact that he was chauffeur-driven, the kidnappers pounced on him and demanded a N100million ransom. A close relative of the victim who would not mention his name, say the gentlemen had to quietly settle the ransom which may have run into about N10million before being released three days later.

    Unsung cases, little police action?

    The above and several others that precede it as far back as 2012 are some unsung kidnap cases, where the victims suffered in silence and their families have had to sweep their bank accounts to free their loved ones. Many have accused the police of only acting fast when the victim/s are of notable backgrounds and their kidnap generated a lot of media hype. In several of the kidnap cases cited above, the victims were held sometimes for weeks and even months; with few people outside their immediate family circles and friends knowing about it.

    This is unlike the recent case of the three abducted girls of the Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary School, Ikorodu, where the police is said to have unleashed a massive 500-man rescue team into the town and surrounded forest. Needless to say, the heat smoked out the kidnappers and the whole country is still celebrating the police’s achievement.

    There is also the case of mother of former minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was abducted and freed five days later due to massive police heat. Although some other version said the old woman was freed after some ransom money must have exchanged hands, the fact remains that the senior Okonjo was released in a short time, compared to cases of other people, who didn’t receive as much media hype and sensational headlines as the minister’s mother.

    Even Former Secretary to the federal government of Nigeria and former presidential candidate on the platform of the Social Democratic party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae got out in good time, even though there were discordant tunes as to whether or not a ransom was paid.

    “What’s the police doing?”

    Interestingly, while most television stations were celebrating the heroic rescue of the three abducted girls of the Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary School, Ikorodu by the police early last week, one viewer sent in a message, which was run as a strip on the screen. It read like: “What’s the police doing about the spate of kidnapping in Festac/Amuwo Odofin axis. My uncle has been held for six weeks.”  This message cast a dark spot on what would otherwise have been an immaculate celebration, going by the way the police responded and cornered the kidnappers, who must still be wondering how they got it wrong.

    While it may be said that Chief Umeh’s case along with that of Chief Ojukwu Cosmas got a mention in the media, one cannot deny that they have not received as much media hype and outrage as the Ikorodu three or even Chief Falae received when they were abducted.

    The questions therefore remains: When will Chief Umeh and Ojukwu Cosmas regain freedom, granted that the sender on the message strip on Channels TV may be family to either of these two prominent businessmen or some others who are still languishing in Kidnappers’ den? When as a matter of fact will the spate of kidnapping currently raging in the country abate or become a thing of the past?

  • DJ TO HONOUR UNSUNG COLLEAGUES

    DJ TO HONOUR UNSUNG COLLEAGUES

    THE management of Xtreme Concept, led by renowned radio Disc Jockey, Mayaki Peter Seyi, aka DJ PCT, is set to hold a first-of-its-kind award to celebrate the unsung DJs and music producers all over the country.

    Titled the Nigerian Deejays and Music Producers Award (NDAMP), PCT, who started his career as a club DJ, said that NDAMP was initiated over a decade ago to appreciate the importance of Nigerian DJs and music producers and showcase their immense talent to the world.

    “We at Xtreme Concept are trying to be front liners in the entertainment business by contributing our quota through this means. We want to celebrate all music producers and DJs on radio and television and because there is no way a hit song can be successful without them working on it and playing it. They need not only to be supported but also celebrated,” said PCT who is a guest DJ on Rock-City FM

    Speaking further, he noted that the maiden edition of the award will come up at the first quarter of 2016.

    At the moment, he said, individuals, government agencies and parastatals as well as corporate bodies are already keying into the project which, he adds, will shake the entertainment industry to its foundation.

  • Unsung heroes of independence

    Unsung heroes of independence

    As the country marks her 55th independence anniversary, MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE reviews the record of the unsung heroes who fought for independence and suggests how to immortalise them.

    NIGERIA’S independence was not won on a platter of gold. Some nationalists paid the prize before the country got independence from Britain on October 1, 1960. While some of the players have been honoured, with monuments named after them, others are hardly mentioned. Though their contribution to liberate the country remains indelible, the heroes ought to be duly recognized, because of their passion.

    At the posthumous centenary birthday of one of the heroes, Adelabu Adegoke, last month, there were renewed calls for the immortalization of the unsung heroes. Except for the present government, the country had been under military and conservative administrations. But, with the progressives now on the saddle, under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigerians expect a change and fair deal for the departed heroes.

    At the event, speaker after speaker said the immortalisation of the heroes would address the social inequalities and prejudices in the society.  For instance, the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Adelabu Adegoke Centenary Posthumous Birthday, Oloye Lekan Alabi, said President Muhammadu Buhari must review the records of the heroes who fought to ensure that Nigeria got independence.

    He said heroes like Adelabu and others who struggled to lay the foundation of Nigeria deserve something better. He said it help to cement the unity of the country. He added: “Naming road after the late nationalist would go a long way in immortalising him.’’

    Alabi noted that the Adelabu family decided to celebrate their hero because his unprecedented public records, which may go into oblivion, just like those of some of his contemporaries.

    The unsung heroes include:

     

    Adelabu

    Adelabu was a strong and vocal politician from Ibadan; he was fierce and outspoken in his days. He made remarkable impact in the struggle for independence. He won a seat in the Western Regional House of Assembly and served as Minister of Social Services and Mineral Resources as a member of the House of Representatives. He coined the word penkelemesi, meaning “peculiar mess.”

    He was a member of the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. He contributed to the socio-political development of Nigeria. He struggled for the independence, but he never lived to witness the attainment of that status. In the parliament and in the Council of Ministers, his ideas gave birth to productive agricultural policies, especially the River Basin Development, Mass Literacy Scheme and the indigenization policy, which he put forward in 1957.

    He died in 1958, at the age of 43. He was the first opposition figure to die in office. Although, he passed on at a time the country needed his parliamentary service most, the country has done very little to appreciate his contribution as the opposition leader in the Western House of Representatives.

    The uncompromising politician had a turbulent career and was arraigned 17 times for murder, but he triumphed in all the charges proffered against him.

     

    Dikko

    He was among the nationalists who canvassed for self rule for the country. Born in Wusasa, Zaria, Kaduna State, he joined the colonial service in 1940 after his training in the medical field. He rose through the ranks of the civil service, becoming a senior medical officer in 1953.

    He was a founding member of the Jamiyar Mutanen Arewa, a Northern Nigeria cultural organisation that later formed the nucleus of the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) to fight colonial rule.

    Dikko later served as Federal Commissioner of Mines and Power in 1967 and later Commissioner for Transportation in 1971 under General Yakubu Gowon administration. There is nothing to suggest that his efforts for self rule have been rewarded. The Kaduna State-born politician deserves to be honoured.

     

    Davies

    Hezekiah Oladipo Davies, popularly known as H.O. Davies, was a nationalist and lawyer, whose contribution to the Nigerian nation was momentous. He was prominent in the emerging trade union in the country and he fought the then colonial administration through legal protests. His grandfather was from Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State. He was the Secretary-General of the Lagos Youth Movement, which later transformed in the Nigeria Youth Movement (NYM). The NYM was a political association that became a thorn in the flesh of colonial government. He left the association in 1951 and formed his own political party, the Nigerian Peoples’ Congress (NPC).

    He later joined the NCNC, where he and his co-travellers impacted in the polity of the country. A successful lawyer, he was honoured by the Queen of England for his distinction. He was a delegate to the Economic Council of the United Nations in 1964.

     

    Alakija

    Sir Adeyemo Alakija was a lawyer, businessman and politician. He was the President of the Nigerian Youth Movement. He was a co-founder of the Daily Time of Nigeria, an independent newspaper that shaped the post independence era. He was largely behind the success recorded the NYM in Lagos politics.

    The contribution made by the erudite lawyer to the attainment of independence through the NYM’s persistent struggle for self governance was remarkable. Alakija’s role in the brotherhood community of Free Masons was also legendary. The Egba chief was prominent in the formation of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa and he became its first President.

     

    Mowoe

    Mukoro Mowoe was the President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), which was founded in 1931. He rose to prominence in the 1920s through political activism. As a shrewd businessman and politician of the first generation, he deployed his wealth to negotiate a better position for the Niger Delta. He became a thorn in the flesh of the colonialists in the march to independence.

    He was elected from the Warri Province to the first Western Regional Assembly in 1946. His role could be compared to those of foremost nationalists like Jaja of Opobo, Nana Olomu of Ebrohimi and William Pepple of Bonny.

    The UPU, which he co-founded, established the Urhobo College, Effunrun, the institution that became the citadel of learning in the country. He never succumbed to imperialist intimidation.

     

    Soyinka

    Eniola Soyinka co-founded the Egba Women Union with Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. Soyinka is the mother of renowned playwright, Prof. Wole Soyinka. The women activist played a prominent role in decongesting Nigeria of colonial manipulation. She was fully involved in organising workshops for illiterate Egba women to make them understand their rights as citizens.

    The contribution of this rights activist remained indelible in Nigeria, yet nothing significant has been done by succeeding administration to appreciate her efforts.

     

    Dipcharima

    Dipcharima forayed into politics was to fight colonial exploitative economic policy. He did this through the NCNC the major existing political party in 1946 after the enactment of the Richards Constitution which allowed more indigenous political participation.

    In 1947, he was among the delegation on London and to object certain acts in the Richards Constitution. To demand the repeal of certain sections in the Public Lands Acquisition Ordinance and Amendment, Crown Land Ordinance and Amendment, Mineral Ordinance and Appointment and Deposition of Chiefs Ordinance and Amendment.

    He was elected as a Native Authority councilor in charge of Prisons and the Police and later as a member of the Federal House of Representatives.

     

    Ikoli

    Ernest Ikoli hailed from Bayelsa State. He was a journalist by profession. He was one of the nationalists who fought for independence of the country. He could be described as a forgotten hero of the modern Nigeria. Ikoli, H.O. Davies and Samuel Akinsanya founded the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) in 1934. He rose to become the President of the organisation. In 1942, he represented Lagos at the legislative council.

    He was not only advocating the end of colonial rule in Nigeria, but led an attack by over 1000 warrior against the Royal Niger Company trading posts. The attack on the British company led to reprisals, which eventually resulted in the British-Nembe war.

     

    Eyo Ita

    Ita was one of the founding fathers Nigeria. Upon his return from the United States, he formed the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) in 1934 and galvanized the Nigerian youths for nationalism.

    He campaigned vigorously for education as a tool of freeing the African mind and soul and liberating it from forces of political repression. He later became the proprietor of the West African People’s Institute in Calabar.

    He joined the NCNC in the 1940s and was elected Vice President after the death of Herbert Macaulay. He left the NCNC to form the National Independence Party (NIP), one of the five Nigerian parties that represented the country at London Constitutional Conference.

     

    Joseph Tarka

    Senator Joseph Tarka was one of the founding fathers of United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC). The union was dedicated to protecting the Middle Belt cause. By extension, advocating for self rule in Nigeria. He was elected to the Federal House of Representatives on a non party basis.

    He later became the President of UMBC in 1957 and ensured that the Nigeria got independence through legislative pronouncement at the House of Representatives.

     

    David Obadiah Lot

    David Obadiah Lot was a religious leader from Benue State. He joined the political scene in 1940 to secure better political bargain for Nigeria. In 1946, he was part of the Nigerian delegation to London for a constitutional conference.

    He used the Middle Belt Zone League (MLL) to pursue his dream of a better Nigeria. He was elected into the House of Representatives. Being a teacher, he groomed ardent followers who were sympathetic to the Middle Belt cause. He was equally vocal in the creation of separate state for the region in the Nigerian composition.

     

    Dr. Akinwande Savage

    The political activist was a member of the National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA). He was resident in Ghana when the issue of independence for African states took the front burner. He returned to Nigeria in 1915 and entrenched the NCBWA in the country.

    Though, the congress did not perform up to expectation in Lagos. The domineering position of the Gold Coast group within NCBWA whittled its influence in Nigeria. The group supported local and tribal institutions to fight for self economic determination and governance.

     

    Mojola Agbebi

    Mojola Agbebi was a Baptist minister. He was formerly known as David Brown Vincent. But, he later renounced the name during the wave of African nationalism. He was a strong supporter of self-rule. He used both religious and political platform to canvass for African rebirth and independence.

    He played a prominent role in the establishment of the native Baptist Church now (First African Church) in Lagos. He supported his wife’s effort in establishing the Baptist Women’s League. He presented a paper at the first Universal Races Congress in London in 1911, canvassing for the return of African churches and territory to their original owners.

     

    Chief Arthur Edward Prest

    Chief Arthur Edward Prest was a prominent Itsekiri politician from the defunct Warri Division. He was police officer before he was elected as member of the Western Regional House of Assembly.  He declared his support for the Action Congress in 1952, but left in 1957.

     

    Bode Thomas

    He was one of the founding members of the Action Group (AG). The politician called for strong regional based politics. This, according to him, would lead to competition among the regions for development and progress. The lawyer championed the adoption of true federalism for Nigeria.

     

    Gambo Sawaba

    The uncompromising and radical female politician dominated the northern politics, calling the authorities to recognise the role of women. Her bold initiatives came with useful results, as the Northern Peoples’ Congress (NPC) took into cognizance programmes that elevated the women folk.

     

    Inuwa Wada

    Inuwa Wada was a parliamentarian and Minister of Works and Survey under the administration of Tafawa Balewa. He was a veteran parliamentarian towards the end of the Nigerian First Republic and was given the Defense portfolio in 1965 after the death of Muhammadu Ribadu.

    He was first elected in 1951 as a member of the Northern House of Assembly; he was subsequently nominated to the Federal House of Representatives and was a member and later minister from 1951 to 1966.

    The Kano-born politician trained as a teacher and was known by many as a quiet figure in contrast to the hectic demands of his ministerial portfolio in the Works department.

     

    Janet Mokelu

    She was a frontline female politician in the pre independence period. She was a role model and inspirer to many women in the colonial day, ensuring that women participated in the fight against oppression.

    The Enugu State-born lawmaker was appoint into the Eastern House of Chiefs in 1959 and later elected into the Eastern House of Assembly as the first women be elected.

     

    Mary Okezie

    Mary Okezie was the one of the prominent women that led the Aba Women’s Riot in 1929. She was a teacher at the Anglican Mission School, Umuocham, in the present day Abia State when the riot broke out. She was very sympathetic to the cause of the rioters. Nevertheless, being a civil servant, she could not directly participate in the protest against the census, which was widely regarded as a prelude for the imposition of more taxes by the colonial government.

    Okezie submitted a memo to the commission of inquiry on the reason why the riot broke out. She founded the Ngwa Women’s Association in 1948 to promote the education and welfare of women.

     

    Ladipo Solanke

    Ladipo Solanke was a political activist with unparalleled record. He joined the Union of the Students of African Descent and championed the cause of the emergent students of African descent. He led the West Africa Students Union (WASU) and was responsible for securing hostel accommodation for students in London.

    He taught Yoruba among Nigerian students in London, who did not show much interest in African tradition and culture. He later became a broadcaster. His voice was popular on the radio, where he utilised the Yoruba Language to dish out propaganda against colonial rule. His leaflets, written in English and Yoruba, also caused panic in the rank of the colonialists. He devoted a significant portion of his time towards the betterment of the life of the people. He travelled around the sub-continent to get relief materials for the West African students and achieved a considerable success. The student body he left fought relentlessly for emancipation from imperialist domination.

    Solanke however did not live to witness the independence of Nigeria; he died in 1958 from lung cancer.

  • Unsung heroes of Independence

    Unsung heroes of Independence

    Many  Nigerians participated in the struggle for Independence.  But, some of them have not been honoured or immortalised. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examines the role of the forgotten heroes.  

    The battle for Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960 was fought by Nigerians from all walks of life. They were inspired by the love for their fatherland. Beyond the notable heroes and celebrated nationalists, there are countless others who are not so well known, but who equally paid a prize for the liberation of the country from colonial rule. Some of them suffered incarceration and even lost their lives in the struggle.

    At independence, many thought it was the beginning of a new dawn. With the advent of self rule, they thought the problems would disappear and the generality of Nigerians would savour the fruits of independence. But, it didn’t happen that way. The independence of the country has been preserved and some minimal gains have been recorded. But the dreams of the founding fathers have been dashed. Many of the heroes of the struggle have remained unsung.

     

    Adegoke Adelabu 

    Adegoke Adelabu was a strong and vocal politician from Ibadan. He was fierce and outspoken in his days and he made remarkable impact in the struggle for independence. He won a seat in the Western Regional House of Assembly and served as Minister of Social Services and Mineral Resources as a member of the House of Representatives. As a colourful politician, he left his imprints on the sands of time. He coined the word Penkelemesi, meaning ‘peculiar mess.’

    He was a member of the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. He contributed to the socio-political development of Nigeria. He struggled for the independence, but he never lived to witness the attainment of that status. In the parliament and Council of Ministers, his ideas gave birth to productive agricultural policies, especially the River Basin Development, Mass Literacy Scheme and the indigenization policy, which he put forward in 1957.

    His death in 1958, at the age of 43, unleashed communal violence in Ibadan. He was the first opposition figure to die in office. Although, he passed on at a time the country needed his parliamentary service most, the country has done very little to appreciate his contribution as the opposition leader in the Western House of Representatives.

    The uncompromising politician had a turbulent career and was arraigned for 17 times for murder, but he triumphed in all the charges proffered against him.

     

     

    Mary Okezie

    Mary Okezie was the one of the prominent women that led the Aba Women’s Riot in 1929. She was a teacher at the Anglican Mission School, Umuocham, in the present day Abia State when the riot broke out. She was very sympathetic to the cause of the rioters. Nevertheless, being a civil servant, she could not directly participate in the protest against the census, which was widely regarded as a prelude for the imposition of more taxes by the colonial government.

    Okezie submitted a memo to the commission of inquiry on the reason why the riot broke out. She founded the Ngwa Women’s Association in 1948 to promote the education and welfare of women.

     

    Ladipo Solanke

    Ladipo Solanke was a political activist with unparalleled record. He joined the Union of the Students of African Descent and championed the cause of the emergent students of African descent. He led the West Africa Students Union (WASU) and was responsible for securing hostel accommodation for students in London.

    He taught Yoruba among Nigerian students in London, who did not show much interest in African tradition and culture. He later became a broadcaster. His voice was popular on the radio, where he utilised the Yoruba Language to dish out propaganda against colonial rule. His leaflets, written in English and Yoruba, also caused panic in the rank of the colonialists. He devoted a significant portion of his time towards the betterment of the life of the people. He travelled around the sub-continent to get relief materials for the West African students and achieved a considerable success. The student body he left fought relentlessly for emancipation from imperialist domination.

    Solanke however did not live to witness the independence of Nigeria; he died in 1958 from lung cancer.

     

    H.O. Davies

    Hezekiah Oladipo Davies, popularly known as H.O. Davies, was a nationalist and lawyer, whose contribution to the Nigerian nation was momentous. He was prominent in the emerging trade union in the country and fought colonial administration through legal protests.  His grandfather was from Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State. He was the Secretary-General of the Lagos Youth Movement, which later transformed in the Nigeria Youth Movement (NYM). The NYM was a political association that became a thorn in the flesh of colonial government. He left the association in 1951 and formed his own political party, the Nigerian Peoples’ Congress (NPC).

    He later joined the NCNC, where he and his co-travellers impacted in the polity of the country. A successful lawyer, he was honoured by the Queen of England for his distinction. He was a delegate to the Economic Council of the United Nations in 1964.

     

    Sir Adeyemo Alakija

    Sir Adeyemo Alakija was a lawyer, businessman and politician. He was the President of the Nigerian Youth Movement. He was a co-founder of the Daily Time of Nigeria, an independent newspaper that shaped the post independence era. He was largely behind the success recorded the NYM in Lagos politics.

    The contribution made by the erudite lawyer to the attainment of independence through the NYM’s persistent struggle for self governance was remarkable. Alakija’s role in the brotherhood community of Free Masons was also legendary. The Egba chief was prominent in the formation of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa and he became its first President.

     

     Mukoro Mowoe

    Mukoro Mowoe was the President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), which was founded in 1931. He rose to prominence in the 1920s through political activism. As a shrewd businessman and politician of the first generation, he deployed his wealth to negotiate a better position for the Niger Delta. He became a thorn in the flesh of the colonialists in the march to independence.

    He was elected from the Warri Province to the first Western Regional Assembly in 1946. His role could be compared to those of foremost nationalists like Jaja of Opobo, Nana Olomu of Ebrohimi and William Pepple of Bonny.

    The UPU, which he co-founded, established the Urhobo College, Effunrun, the institution that became the citadel of learning in the country. He never succumbed to imperialist intimidation.

     

    Eniola Soyinka

    Eniola Soyinka co-founded the Egba Women Union with Mrs. Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti. Soyinka is the mother of renowned playwright, Prof. Wole Soyinka. The women activist played a prominent role in decongesting Nigeria of colonial manipulation. She was fully involved in organising workshop for illiterate Egba women to make them understand their rights as citizens.

    The contribution of this rights activist remained indelible in Nigeria, yet nothing significant has been done by succeeding administration to appreciate her efforts.

     

    Ernest Ikoli

    Ernest Ikoli hailed from Bayelsa State. He was a journalist by profession. He was one of the nationalists who fought for independence of the country. He could be described as a forgotten hero of the modern Nigeria. Ikoli, H.O. Davies and Samuel Akinsanya founded the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) in 1934. He rose to become the President of the organisation.  In 1942, he represented Lagos at the legislative council.

    He was not only advocating the end of colonial rule in Nigeria, but led an attack by over 1000 warrior against the Royal Niger Company trading posts. The attack on the British company led to reprisals, which eventually resulted in the British-Nembe war.

     

    Joseph Tarka

    Senator Joseph Tarka was one of the founding fathers of United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC). The union was dedicated to protecting the Middle Belt cause. By extension, advocating for self rule in Nigeria. He was elected to the Federal House of Representatives on a non party basis.

    He later became the President of UMBC in 1957 and ensured that the Nigeria got independence through legislative pronouncement at the House of Representatives.

     

    David Obadiah Lot

    David Obadiah Lot was a religious leader from Benue State. He joined the political scene in 1940 to secure better political bargain for Nigeria. In 1946, he was part of the Nigerian delegation  to London for  a constitutional conference.

    He used the Middle Belt Zone League (MLL) to pursue his dream of a better Nigeria. He was elected into the House of Representatives. Being a teacher, he groomed ardent followers who were sympathetic to the Middle Belt cause. He was equally vocal in the creation of separate state for the region in the Nigerian composition.

     

    Dr. Akinwande Savage

    The political activist was a member of the National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA). He was resident in Ghana when the issue of independence for African states took the front burner. He returned to Nigeria in 1915 and entrenched the NCBWA in the country.

    Though, the congress did not perform up to expectation in Lagos. The domineering position of the Gold Coast group within NCBWA whittled its influence in Nigeria. The group supported local and tribal institutions to fight for self economic determination and governance.

     

    Mojola Agbebi

    Mojola Agbebi was a Baptist minister. He was formerly known as David Brown Vincent. But he later renounced the name during the wave of African nationalism. He was a strong supporter of self-rule. He used both religious and political platform to canvass for African rebirth and independence.

    He played a prominent role in the establishment of the native Baptist Church now (First African Church) in Lagos. He supported his wife’s effort in establishing the Baptist Women’s League. He presented a paper at the first Universal Races Congress in London in 1911, canvassing for the return of African churches and territory to their original owners.

     

    Chief Arthur Edward Prest

    Chief Arthur Edward Prest was a prominent Itsekiri politician from the Warri division. He was police officer before he was elected as member of the Western Regional House of Assembly.  He declared his support for the Action Congress in 1952, but left in 1957.

     

    Bode Thomas

    He was one of the founding members of the Action Group (AG). The politician called for strong regional based politics. This, according to him, would lead to competition among the regions for development and progress.

    The lawyer championed the adoption of true federalism for Nigeria.

     

    Gambo Sawaba

    The uncompromising and radical female politician dominated the northern politics, calling the authorities to recognise the role of women.

    Her bold initiatives came with useful results, as the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) took into cognizance programmes that elevated the women folk.

  • Rotary and the unsung side of Sir Emeka Offor

    Rotary and the unsung side of Sir Emeka Offor

    History is being made today in Abuja as the Group Executive Vice-Chairman of The Chrome Group, Sir Emeka Offor, will mount the stage for induction into Arch C. Klumph Society by Rotary Foundation. In this piece, our Managing Editor, Northern Operation, YUSUF ALLI, reveals the untold story of businessman’s philanthropy.

     

     

    Far away from his misadventure into politics, the reticent Group Executive Vice-Chairman of The Chrome Group, Sir Emeka Offor, will be honoured today by both District 9125 of Rotary International and Rotary Foundation. The high point of this historic event is the induction of Offor into Arch C. Klumph Society, an exclusive society meant for those who have passed the threshold of making a single donation of over $250,000 to Rotary Foundation. He becomes the fourth Nigerian to attain the feat. Other past inductees are: a former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; a former Minister of State for Education, Rotarian Kenneth Gbagi and a past Assistant Governor Mike Omotosho.

    For Offor, the induction is the icing of the cake for a stream of silent charity works he had executed and promoted. To earn an induction nod from Rotary Foundation, the oil magnate had donated over $500,000 to Rotary Foundation to emerge as the biggest individual donor to the Foundation in Africa . The District Governor of 9125, the amiable Rotarian Felix A. E. Obadan, captures the mood of today’s historic event in Abuja as follows: “We are honouring Sir Emeka Offor as a district because he has done Africa proud by being the biggest and highest contributor to Rotary Foundation from Africa.”

    Born in Kaduna to a policeman from Oraifitte in Anambra State, Offor went through the pains and pangs of barracks life to be a stakeholder in Nigerian oil industry. Armed with only a secondary school certificate from Abbot Boys’ Secondary School, Ihiala in Anambra State in 1977, he bestrode the business sector at an early age such that by 1983( six years after leaving secondary school), he had secured a N19million contract which gave him a breakthrough into mega ventures.

    Today he presides over a chain of companies, including Chrome Oil Services, which had handled the turn-around maintenance of Port-Harcourt refinery in the past; Chrome Air, a charter airline which is on retainership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Chrome Radio; being a co-owner of the defunct African Express Bank, (Afex Bank) and a director of Niger Insurance, amongst several other companies. He is also linked to a Houston, Texas-based oil company EHRC Energy, Environmental Remediation Holding Company (ERHC) and huge oil exploration in Sao Tome . He has interests in Oil and Gas, Insurance, Power sector, Telecommunications and Logistics, both in Nigeria and overseas.Other subsidiaries of Chrome Group include Kaztec Engineering Limited, Global Scansystems Nigeria Limited, Chome Insurance Brokers Limited and Interstate Electrics- the newest subsidiary of the Chrome Group which secured the bid for Enugu DISCO.

    But the initial gains he made in business were almost lost to what turned out to be his misadventure in politics between 1998 and 2003. With huge resources at his disposal and desperate to protect his business interest, Offor had in 1997-98 formed the Movement for National Stability to join the league of those encouraging Nigeria’s foremost dark-goggled dictator, ex-Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha to transmute from a military leader to a civilian President. When the self-succession agenda failed, he became a major financier of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a political godfather through whose platform ex-Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju rode to power. But before the end of Mbadinuju’s tenure, the political son fell out of favour with Offor. It was an investment which almost cost Offor his image and ruined his business. By 2003, Offor was one of those who funded the second term campaign of Obasanjo. Except for tactical diplomacy, the strain in the relationship between Obasanjo and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar almost affected Offor’s businesses. The row led to the emergence of Chris Ubah and Andy Ubah as the new godfathers of Anambra politics.

    But Offor’s setback in politics has been recouped in philanthropy. He is Numero Uno in charity and with the way he is going, he would soon assume the status of Bill Gates of Africa . A Knight of the Catholic Church, he allegedly single-handedly funded the tarring of Oraifitte-Nnewi Road . He also believes in quality education and empowerment. He once said: “Without education, the people cannot create their own solutions. If they cannot create their own solutions, they cannot escape the poverty imposed on them”.

    According to findings, his humble background and suffering motivated him to go into philanthropy, a terrain where his charity works were hardly noticed by Nigerians. He was once quoted as saying: “I want to make my mark. Actually, I want to make two marks. One is that I have been an excellent businessman who built a group of companies that will stand the test of time. Two, that I have been as good at giving as I was in turning a profit. In my own way, I hope to set an example for the next generation of successful Nigerian businessmen. I want them to know that they can make money while also making a difference.”

    On its website, the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation(SEOF) said he has “so far committed over N750 million (USD 4.9m) to charitable projects.” Though unlettered and hardly audible, Offor has made up for his deficiencies by asking his Foundation to pursue the following schemes: Youth Empowerment Scheme ;Widows Cooperative Scheme; Education Scholarship Scheme; Health Scheme Services and Infrastructure Development Scheme.

    The Foundation’s synopsis of Offor’s Midas touch on the poor and indigent reads: “Lack of health care haunts the poor and Sir Emeka seeks to bring basic care where there is none. Nigeria is one of the few nations where polio still exists, mostly afflicting poor and distressed populations in parts of northern Nigeria . When polio is finally rendered extinct and the crippling disease’s final chapter in Nigeria is written, SEOF will be cited as a hero in this needed fight. On October 24, SEOF gave $250,000 to Rotary International to help Rotary in its role as a lead partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. In providing the funds, Offor stated: “It is unacceptable that polio continues to infect our children and cause such suffering in Nigeria . The flight against glaucoma is another important health care initiative of the Foundation. Acutely aware of the hidden danger glaucoma poses to a growing portion of the world’s population, Sir Emeka Offor established a $100,000 glaucoma research grant at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Mainz , Germany , and has established a Nigerian fellowship for Cataract Surgery and Glaucoma Management at the same university.

    “Sir Emeka has also joined with Rotary International to promote conflict resolution and peace. His foundation recently provided the Rotary Peace Center at the Chulalongkorn University in Thailand another $250,000. The sum will provide an endowment for practitioners and activists from sub-Sahara Africa in disciplines such as public health, education, rule of law and social justice. The dual purposes of the fellowship is to enhance future recipients’ substantive knowledge in their respective disciplines and to encourage them to adapt this enhanced knowledge to promote social harmony and conflict resolution in their communities and nations. This contribution can be an important catalyst toward promoting peace in Nigeria with its ethno-religious and regional diversity.

    “Sir Emeka believes poverty is the harshest obstacle facing most Nigerians. He has quietly and methodically positioned the Foundation to tackle this steep challenge in many ways. One is through community-based projects for human capacity building and skills acquisition. Widows are a group particularly vulnerable to poverty. In many traditional societies, widows have scant rights to the marital property once shared with their husbands.

    “Apart from the emotional trauma of losing a loved one, widows can be cast into poverty because of this lack of legal protection. This is especially true for widows who did not work outside the home prior to their spouses’ passing. The Foundation seeks practical solutions to mitigate this inequality by forming women’s cooperatives, a pilot initiative already started in Sir Emeka’s home village in Anambra State. These women’s coops train participants to be economically self-sufficient by teaching various money-making skills and trades such as learning to process palm kernel oil for sale, acquiring tailoring and hairdressing skills and learning how to manage a small business.

    The citation added: “Working on the principle that the very poor and needy can become active and productive members of the society if properly equiped, the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation is committed to human and material capacity development; skills acquisition and transfer at the grassroots level leading to the establishment of small and medium enterprises(SME)and cooperative societies, for the less-privileged.

    “Acutely aware of the hidden danger Glaucoma poses to the growing portion of world’s population, the Sir Emeka Offor through his foundation established a $100, 000 Glaucoma research grant at the Department of Ophthalmology University of Mainz, Germany and also established a Nigerian fellowship for Cataract Surgery and Glaucoma Management at the same university.

    “Sir Emeka Offor, a member of the Rotary Foundation, who recently was elevated to the status of an Arch C. Klumph Society (AKS) member of the Foundation as a result his singular donation of $250, 000 USD for Peace Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand and another donation of $250, 000 USD for polio eradication. He has also indicated his intention to donate an additional $250, 000 USD for guinea worm eradication, and another $250, 000 USD for women empowerment programmes of the Rotary International”.

     

    What the induction is about

    The District Governor of 9125, Obadan, said the “induction is a way of acknowledging philanthropic deeds.” A brief on the honour says: “The Rotary Foundation provides special recognition to Rotarians and friends of Rotary who contribute $250,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation by inducting them into the Arch C. Klumph Society. Members may have their portraits displayed in the Arch C. Klumph Gallery at Rotary International’s World Headquarters in Evanston , Illinois , USA . Donors receive a certificate signed by the President of Rotary International and the Chairman of The Rotary Foundation, and they are invited to a special event at annual RI conventions. The society is named in honour of The Rotary Foundation’s founder, Arch C. Klumph.

    “Arch C. Klumph Society members’ photographs and statement of support for The Rotary Foundation are recorded on a touch screen kiosk at Rotary International World Headquarters. The touch screen kiosk is portable and on display at major Rotary events such as the International Convention and International Assembly.( ( Arch C. Klumph Society Members are among The Rotary Foundation’s top leaders and innovators. Members believe in the work of The Rotary Foundation and have made supporting peace, education, and humanitarian assistance part of their personal mission. They are key supporters of the Foundation, and their involvement is vital to its work.

    “Arch C. Klumph Society members support The Rotary Foundation for a variety of reasons. With their help, the Foundation is fulfilling Rotary’s promise of creating a polio-free world. Children and families are living healthier lives through the Foundation’s humanitarian grants programme. Educational and cultural exchange programmes are helping young people build lasting friendships and mutual understanding with their peers around the world. Members’ support enables tomorrow’s leaders to live and study together as Rotary World Peace Fellows and provides them the opportunity to begin building a more peaceful world.”

     

    What is next for Offor?

    Will this induction be the last word from Offor? For many years, he had disappeared from political radar and he makes less news in the social circle. But Nigerians won’t stop asking: What is he up to? Certainly, the charity works have given Offor an international leverage. The honour from Rotary Foundation and District 9125 is an abiding testimonial and a challenge to other money bags who are spend thrift.