The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yesterday

  • Hosannah of yesterday and betrayal of today

    Simon Peter was a man whose life and ministry were interspersed with the good, the bad and the ugly. The event cascading to his call, as recorded in Luke 5:1-11, brought him out as a man of diligence, selflessness and faith. He obeyed Jesus Christ mindless of toiling all night without catching anything. He cast aside the business failure of the previous night and surrendered his boat and services for dispensing the word of God at Jesus’ request. When the time for Jesus’ crucifixion was near, Jesus informed Simon Peter that “….. this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice”. Peter replied Him that “…Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples” (Matthew 26:34-35). True to Simon Peter’s words, few hours later, Judas led the Chief priest and others to arrest Jesus Christ, Peter in a show of courage “…. stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear” (Matthew 26:51). Although he had displayed that act of gallantry, he no sooner thereafter became a turncoat and manifested spinelessness and betrayed Jesus thrice to the extent that at a time he denied with an oath and at another time he denied he ever knew Jesus Christ cursing and swearing (Matthew 26:72-74). He betrayed the man few days ago, he joined the multitude to herald into Jerusalem with songs of “Hosannah!”.

    “All the world’s a stage’, according to William Shakespeare, ‘and all men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages”. This gives further credence to the fact that life is surely not only a stage with different actors, but need be added that life is also in stages, acts, scenes and phases. One stage of life dovetails into another unpredictable stage; in fact, life is a continuum of stages. In view of the unpredictability of human beings, what is pertinent for everyone, particularly people that are dancing to the Victory songs of today is to learn from Jesus Christ’s experience on His way to the cross that human beings are unpredictable, unreliable and be mindful of the fact that after the Victory song of today, a hymn of betrayal can follow tomorrow. The only person who can and will never change or betray His children is the Almighty God (Isaiah 49:15-16). As this year’s lenten season is ending, it is important to continue to stand with Him, the author and giver of life, and trust in Him alone; anything to the contrary is an invitation to disappointments, sadness, high blood pressure and sudden death.

    Paul, despite being a giant in faith, was once in a very challenging situation that defied human assistance at Asia. There, his travail, as recorded in Acts 19:22-41, was so serious that when the uproar ceased he departed to Macedonia following opposition which arose because of The way (Acts 9:2). In fact, there was a man called Demetrius, a silversmith, who was making shrines for Artemis and was losing business because of the Way (Acts 16:16, 19). Demetrius ganged up with other workers of similar occupation and they raised up great animosity against Paul. He was in a quagmire between who to follow – himself, loyalists, friends or God. He was helpless and hopeless but he “…. had the sentence of death …. not to trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead” (2Corinthians 1:9). Paul sentenced himself to the fact that no matter what, he would not trust in himself or his ability or anyone but repose his trust in God who alone has the power to raise from the dead. God intervened and raised up Alexander who spoke for him.  In whatever dire situation you may be in today, as you put your trust in God, He would send help to you and raise you ‘from the dead’, in Jesus’ name.

    It is unfortunate that many people in the world today have faith or trust in ephemeral beings, things and positions – that are here today and not there tomorrow. In order to stay afloat in this world and be able to steer the affairs of life to where God desires to take you to, you must eschew the attitudinal traits of the Israelites who “…… committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13). You must depend absolutely on the leading of the Holy Spirit and avoid putting trust in your education or knowledge (cf Acts 27:9 ff) or depend on any man because human beings alter their stands and positions at frequent will (Jeremiah 17:5-6; Micah 7:5-6).  No matter how sound or seemingly dependable a medical practitioner is for instance, Doctors have their limits (Mark 5:25-34). Even parents are not omnipotent and can fail (Isaiah 49:15-16).

    It doesn’t matter what you may be passing through now, hold tightly to Jesus Christ and remember that after the sufferings of Good Friday and/or the seeming silence of the Father on Good Saturday, there shall come the Supernatural intervention of the Father on Easter Sunday. May the Almighty God intervene in the affairs of your life, send angels to you from above, roll away that stone of hindrance, bring to life dead opportunities, put an end to all the challenges of today and at last, give you grace to inherit eternal life, in Jesus’ name.

     

    Prayer: Father, thank you for this year’ Lenten season that is ending, Lord give me grace to continually depend on you in this uncertain world and times, in Jesus’ name

  • Adams: Yesterday and today

    Adams: Yesterday and today

    When does the past end?  When does the present begin? These posers are pertinent as the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, on January 13, stepped into a new role as Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.  The new generalissimo of the Yoruba people was installed by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, at an elaborate event at the Durbar Stadium, Oyo.   It was the climax of intense preparations that followed the choice of Adams for the centuries-old traditional title last October.

    There is no doubt that Adams comes to the position with a past. The ultimate challenge for him on the new stage must be how to make the present new.

    My enduring picture of Adams comes from August 21, 2015, when he made an ego-serving entrance at the finale of the Osun-Osogbo Festival in the Osun-Osogbo Grove, Osun State. When Adams arrived with his circle of boisterous followers, they caused quite a stir. Whip-wielding noisemakers disruptively created a path for Adams as he approached the sacred River Osun to announce his presence. He witnessed the unruliness of his men and encouraged it by his silence.  It was an unflattering drama.  His group was listed among “Partners” on the cover of the festival programme; the others were MTN, Goldberg, Seaman’s Royale, IOD, Kasapreko Alomo Bitters. The group’s emblem bore his name, suggesting that Gani Adams is OPC and OPC is Gani Adams.

    Another picture from March 16, 2015:  On that day, OPC stood for Operation Public Chaos as the self-identified defender and promoter of Yoruba interests demonstrated that it had not only sold its soul for filthy lucre but also lost its collective mind. Members of Adams’ OPC faction took their militancy to heights that mirrored a disturbing depth of degeneration.

    In an unprecedented demonstration of desperation ahead of the general election that year, members of the group terrorised Lagos disguised as political protesters. A report at the time said: “The two pamphlets distributed by the protesters had 7 reasons why President Goodluck Jonathan must continue in office and 7 reasons why Prof Attahiru Jega, the INEC boss, must go on terminal leave and be replaced with a credible administrator before the elections.”

    It was a message of force by forceful messengers. According to a report: “The protesters got traffic stuck for hours, smashed cars, harassed motorists and disrupted business in many parts of the city. They destroyed banners and campaign billboards of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.”

    Who was behind the bedlam? A subsequent eye-opening disclaimer said: “We, the members of the National Coordinating Council of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, the highest ruling body of the organisation, wish to disassociate ourselves from the shameful, destructive, violent and reactionary activities of the Gani Adams-led team which occurred in Lagos today.” The statement added: “What was witnessed in Lagos was the highest level of political violence sponsored and funded by certain elements in the Jonathan government.”

    It is noteworthy that the police had declared Adams wanted in 2000 for his group’s alleged violent ways. He was arrested in August 2001 but released after detention in prisons in Lagos, Abeokuta and Abuja.

    The past remains the past. The question is whether the past will remain in the past.   It is interesting that Adams, 47, spoke with a sense of the present at his inauguration.   Adams said: “I want to assure everyone that as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo, I will use my position, God willing, to protect the interest of our land… The journey has started from here. And my first appeal goes to Yoruba sons and daughters who are outside the shores of the country not to forget that there is no place like home. This was what informed the formation of the Oodua Progressives Union, Gani Adams Foundation and Olokun Festival Foundation. Please, see Yorubaland as the place to be. Don’t give the race a bad name. Come home and invest.”

    Adams should heed his own advice. Hopefully, he will not give the race a bad name in his new position. He also said: “As the 15th Aare Ona Kakanafo, I consider myself lucky that there is no war at hand confronting the Yoruba race now. In other words, we are living in peace time. However, I am not pleased with the level of Yoruba unity today and I am very concerned. Therefore, my greatest priority is the unity of the Yoruba race at home and in the Diaspora. I will, therefore, spare no effort in ensuring the unity of Yoruba race within the contemporary Nigeria body polity.”

    It was a bubbly occasion, and Adams got enthusiastic.  He added: “To take the journey further, I will, after this inauguration, launch the Aare Ona Kakanfo Foundation. This will further promote the culture of the people and document the history of the Aare Ona Kakanfo title.” It is easy to talk about cultural promotion, but difficult to be a cultural ambassador.  The Aare Ona Kakanfo title is a cultural title, and it remains to be seen how Adams intends to launch a Foundation with this name without suggesting a personalisation of the title.

    It is easy to notice Adams’ sense of importance and influence based on his new title.  He is entitled to his illusions as well as his disillusionment.  He is likely to learn sooner rather than later that his title does not automatically make him relevant. He was quoted as saying:  “My second appeal as the Aare Ona Kakanfo goes to the Federal Government to attend to some of the major roads in Yorubaland that are critical to its citizens. These include Lagos-Ibadan, Oyo-Ilorin, Lagos-Badagry, Sagamu-Benin, Badagry-Lusada-Sokoto, Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo, Osogbo-Ilesa, Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Lokoja and Lagos-Abeokuta. To our esteemed Governors in the South-West, I call for cooperation, no matter the party line. The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission should be empowered. And I want you all to see me as a partner in progress. I offer myself for service once it is for the advancement of the Yoruba race. The various groups in the South-West should also resolve their crises.”

    After his inauguration, it is time for Adams to demonstrate that he appreciates the need to work on his public image. It is said that a leopard can’t change its spots. Can Adams prove this saying wrong?

  • Bishop Bagobiri @60: Yesterday, today and tomorrow

    On the occasion of this great man’s birthday, I will rather take a post-mortem tribute of a sort, and write about the emancipation of Southern Kaduna which seems to have preoccupied the Bishop’s heart for a long time. It will be a mortal sin to think that the cleric started this only yesterday.

    Though I had read some of the articles he authored while he was still in the Seminary, with other seminarians who distinguished themselves like John Odey, Philip Gaiya, Innocent Jooji, Matthew Ndangoso, George Ehusani, Nicholas Ncha Obi, etc, His Lordship’s foray into indepth socio-political issues only started in 1992 when we were still under the old Zaria emirate.

    The context was the Zango Kataf crisis. At that time, we were still paying taxes to the emirate, while the Hausa- Fulani ethnic group was still in control of every facet of our economy. Since there is time for everything under the sun, the Kataf people soon revolted against what they termed local colonialism which attracted national attention to their plight, nay the plight of the entire ethnic groups of Southern Kaduna.

    Rather than seeing it within the context of a civil disobedience, the former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, pounced on some Kataf elite, including Gen. Zamani Lekwot, who were accused of being behind the mayhem.

    After Justice Okadigbo-led panel handed down the death verdict on Lekwot and his fellow tribe men, it took fierce resistance by the Southern Kaduna, assisted with red neck military officers from the Middle Belt to save the former Rivers State Military Administrator and his fellow Kataf people from the hangman’s noose.

    Apart from protests that were embarked upon by the people, there was a rainbow effort at ensuring Lekwot and his fellow Kataf brethren escaped death by the whiskers. Among this intellectual arm were then Frs. Bagobiri, Matthew Kukah, Philip Gaiya, Laurence Bakut, including the late Agwatyap, HRH Harrison Bungon, Sir Francis Mutuah.

    Like Bagobiri, they were learned enough. Apart from the priests, Sir Mutuah was the first to have a degree in Atyap land while Bungon was as way back in 1978, already a distinguished student at the famous University of Manchester in the UK.

    I think it was there that he met Bishop Kukah who was doing a Masters in SOAS, University of London, in preparation to come back and engage the unjust system back at home. These men, in the course of their education, may have read about Martin Luther King Jr, Oscar Romero, Cardinal Sin, etc.

    The priests in particular, may have done a course in Liberation Theology; bringing them face to face with the role of their colleagues in the fight against injustice in Latin America, to say the least. It is no exaggeration to say that it was the intervention of these individuals then that saved the lives of those elite already listed for execution by the Babangida regime.

    Only last year, I narrated this story to Lekwot and he flatly told me that he was not aware of this event. To prove my point, I went ahead to provide relevant literature for him to read. But I did not miss telling him on the need by our elite to shy away from selfishness to justify genuine sacrifices made by people like Bishop Bagobiri which made them (Lekwot and his fellow Kataf people) direct  or indirect beneficiaries.

    That, perhaps, made me feel pains when Bishop Bagobiri, moved by patriotic instincts for the emancipation of his own people, was involved in the emergence of a consensus candidate from Southern Kaduna in 2015 governorship poll but was rebuked by our so-called politicians who asked him to shut up and mind his business as a priest.

    Today, the same set of greedy elite, who asked the Bishop to mind his business and pay attention to telling his congregation how to go to heaven, are now rallying around him because they have become internally displaced within the political architecture.

    Apart from the culpable Hausa-Fulani, even within SK, some minor minority ethnic nationalities feel dominated by the bigger ones. This means that we must first restructure internally. To restructure is to do justice. And justice, like charity, must begin at home.

    As an Ikulu man for instance, I am pained that my entire nationality that has not been able to produce a local government chairman, constitute only an electoral ward, while others are boasting of five or more wards within the same Local Government.

    Apart from the dilemma of small minority groups who are suffering and feeling being excluded from the scheme of things, the Muslim community in Southern Kaduna also feels alienated. Though they are bona fide sons and daughters of the soil, there is a feeling that they are being segregated against.

    What all this means is that, as the Bishop spends sleepless nights thinking about the emancipation of the people, there are two main obstacles: One, the greedy elite, and two, the different aggrieved groups that feel estranged from the activities of local predators.

    We must sincerely put our house in order first. Unfortunately, no matter how loud the Bishop shouts at government to do the right thing, at the end, decision making lies only with the people who have the PVCs. But what is the assurance that history will not continue to repeat itself?

    Ask Senator Haruna Azeez since Sen. Isaiah Balat is no longer here to tell his own story about the typical Southern Kaduna man each time he comes face-to-face with money. The Bishop, who is no stranger to the other side of Southern Kaduna, recently said, “I have had my fingers burnt before. I will be careful, not partisan, but not apolitical.”

    Bishop Bagobiri’s resolve to remain non-partisan but not apolitical is based on his experience with our people who are always ready to give up the struggle at the sight of any form of financial inducement.

    At 60, as the chief shepherd of Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, His Lordship has made contributions to the development of the area more than anyone else. The Catholic Diocese’s investments in education and in rallying facilities to meet the health needs of the people are among the greatest.

    Under the leadership of Bishop Bagobiri, the Catholic Church has superintended over the opening of more than a hundred schools spread over the diocese known for their quality education; including St. Albert Institute for Higher Education that is perhaps the first privately owned Philosophy degree awarding institution in the North, if not the only.

    With this alone, there is no doubt that the Bishop Bagobiri has sown seeds for tomorrow’s harvest with or without the so-called politicians. Indeed, he is living a worthy life by adding value to the lives of people.

    And this is an attribute of one who is conscious of a return to the hereafter. He himself, in reaction to the choices of the political class, recently said:” Whatever we are able to accumulate, and however well we live, there is an end. And this ultimate end should be the primary concern not our possessions or the number of years we live in this world. “

    As long as there is humanity, his deeds will remain indelible in the hearts of men and women of good conscience. As a beneficiary of the Bishop’s scholarship scheme throughout my tertiary education, here is wishing him many more years of good health in the service of God and humanity.

     

    • Damina is a student of Religion and Politics and can be reached via:Francisdamina@gmail.com

  • Ozubulu: Yesterday and today

    Ozubulu, Anambra State, is in the news on account of the August 6 gun attack at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in which 13 people were killed.

    What happened brought to the surface a similarly tragic incident that happened about 10 years ago. The traditional ruler of Ozubulu community, Fidelis Nnamdi Oruche, said in an interview: “This incident I am telling you happened around 2007. Four of our security men were killed in a very agonising and painful manner by unknown people. Their body parts were not complete as we buried them. Their tongues, eyes and even private parts were taken away.”

    He continued the tale of terror: “They were dragged into a bush where they killed them. It was painful. My brother was among the 2007 victims. The government and security agencies are aware of the issue. Their killers disguised by wearing camouflages. The victims were blindfolded. The palm wine tapper who saw them told us. We are still asking questions to know why they were killed and where their organs were taken to.”

    Similarly, the public is asking questions about the latest carnage.  In both cases, the evildoers should not go unpunished.

    Oruche spoke about the community’s response to the church bloodbath: “I told you that the spiritual solutions to the development have begun. We are bringing back our old culture into the spiritual inquiry. We are going to approach the issue using the Igbo spiritual method of seeking solutions to their problems.”

    Was this method used concerning the earlier incident? Ozubulu needs a method that works.

  • Remembering yesterday

    SIR: When I remember yesterday my heart sinks. It sinks because our sacrosanct values have been eroded. The values that made life easy, simple and progressive have been sacrificed on the altar of today’s vices. Sanity, love, selflessness, contentment, responsibility and hard work were some of the beloved products of yesterday. Today, there is general madness expressing itself in cupidity, unrestrained free life, hatred and a rape of moral rectitude.

    An uncontrollably recalcitrant boy was reported to his teacher by his parents. ‘I can’t handle this case. Your son is a terror. I don’t want him to descend on me. Please, count me out’, the teacher said bitterly. And he was right. The boy later got a hint of it and sternly warned his teacher to steer clear of his family’s affairs if he treasured his life.

    Yesterday, the trend was remarkably different. At the mention of his teacher, the boy in question would kneel down in tears, begging his parents for forgiveness and promising not to wear such ugly shoes again. He knew what would befall him if his misdemeanour eventually got to the notice of his teacher.

    When I see how examinations are conducted today, I shed tears. Exams are fraught with malpractice and this is perpetrated with impunity. It is now the order of the day and it cuts across all segments. Do you know that exam answers are copied for the students or candidates on the chalkboard under the supervision of the supervisors, principals, ministry of education officials and officials of exam bodies? Do you know that today’s students don’t even know the day and time of the subject they will sit for? Yet, they come out with incredibly good grades. The fall out of these activities is the production of graduates who can’t even identify their names from a list. This system is a direct opposite of what obtained yesterday when exams were conducted devoid of malpractice. The students were studious, committed and responsible. The supervisors also carried out their duties with all manner of responsibility. And the result was the emergence of wise, dedicated, hardworking and responsible citizens.

    I attended one marriage ceremony in my neighbourhood. It was the talk of the town, featuring a lot to eat and drink. Later that day, I was baffled to hear the enormous amount of money used to organize such revelry. And it was the man who bore the expenses. He even borrowed from some people with the hope of paying back from the money he expected from the invitees.

    ‘How can a man dissipate such whopping amount of money on marriage? How can a man incur huge debts which may take a long time to settle because of marriage?’ I meditated. Yesterday’s marriage was simple, sweet and based on mutual love. The man was obliged to pay some token as bride price to his would-be in laws in the presence of some of his relations. This was accompanied by some drinks, kola nuts and alligator pepper which the few people would enjoy. And the ceremony happily came to an end. Then, the woman would be escorted to the man’s house and they began to live as husband and wife.

    In yesterday’s marriage, there was no provision for pre-marital sex. The couple lived for each other as fidelity and contentment reigned supreme. Is it the same with today’s marriage that is fraught with frequent divorce, infidelity, muscle flexing, suspicion, insubordination, love for materialism, pre-marital sex etc?

     

    • Udodilim Ijeoma,

    Sapele, Delta State.

  • ‎FG explains why it can’t stop non-Nigerian herdsmen

    ‎FG explains why it can’t stop non-Nigerian herdsmen

    The Federal Government, yesterday, gave the ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol as a reason why non-citizens of Nigeria are still allowed to graze their cattle across the country.

    It has been established that many herdsmen who are involved in clashes in Nigerian villages were not Nigerians.

    The ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol, the government stated, has given the right of free movement to citizens of member countries.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who disclosed this at the opening of a two -day Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Grazing Reserves and Stock Routes in Abuja on Thursday, told journalists that the law is similar to the fundamental right to freedom of movement in the Nigerian constitution.

    Chief Ogbeh said: “The Nigerian constitution has given every citizen the fundamental right to freedom of movement in search of legitimate businesses; transhumance pastoralism is seen along these lines.

    “For pastoralists from neighbouring West African countries, access to grazing rights in other countries in the ECOWAS zone including Nigeria, are guaranteed by the ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol of 1998 and ECOWAS Protocol of Free Movement of Goods and Persons in West Africa.”

    Ogbeh stated that the ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol allows for herders to move across borders in search of pasture upon fulfilling the conditions laid down in the Protocol.

    “So it is not strange to see a Malian, Burkinabe or Nigerien pastoralist grazing his cows, sheep or goats in Nigeria or a Nigerian pastoralist grazing his livestock in Benin, Togo or Ghana and by extension, transhumance pastoralists from other neighbouring countries,” he added.

    The minister noted that pastoralists who provided bulk of livestock and dairy products consumed locally, employ mobility as a production strategy.

    ‎Chief Ogbeh, regretted that the movement of animals within and across agro-ecological zones had precipitated resource use competition that had resulted in high incidence of conflicts between crop farmers and pastoralists across the country.

    ‎According to Ogbeh, the conflict had taken a massive tool on the nation’s economy, stressing that, “the present deadly conflicts reportedly occur mostly between the Nigerian transhumance herders and/or the cross border transhumance pastoralists on hand and the local crop farmers on the other.”

    On ways to mitigate the conflict between the groups and promote commercial livestock production, the minister stated that grazing reserves and stock routes development and utilization had been stepped up in recent years.

    “The grazing reserves are to settle transhumant pastoralists and reduce/eliminate crop farmer-pastoralist conflicts,” he stated.

  • Contractors of yesterday

    Niger Delta ex-militia leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, is trying hard to counter any suggestion that he might still be interested in pipeline surveillance contracts. He will need to try harder.

    In a May 17 statement that brought unpleasant memories of the unpopular security contracts awarded by the past Goodluck Jonathan administration to even more unpopular contractors, Tompolo said: “I want the whole world to know that I am not in competition with Ayiri Emami on pipeline surveillance contract.”

    This should not be interpreted to mean that Tompolo now thinks he is too big for pipeline surveillance contracts which helped to make him fantastically big. To appreciate how big Tompolo became as a result of the contracts, it is useful to recall that $103m, (about N21 billion then), was reportedly involved in the security contract controversially awarded to the Global West Vessel Specialists Nigeria Limited linked with him.

    It is interesting that Tompolo said in the statement: “…when I had one-year pipeline surveillance contract in Delta State, Ayiri Emami was one of the directors of the company (Oil Facility Surveillance Limited) in 2012. He could not protect the oil facilities in his beat, and so I was the one that was equally doing the job. It is on record, and the authorities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) can bear me witness, that even those in Bayelsa (Pajereos Nigeria Limited) and Rivers (Adef Energy Resources Nigeria Limited) that had similar surveillance jobs like me, could not protect the oil facilities in their respective states.”

    Tompolo obviously feels proud of his record, and he seemed to be selling his services so subtly. But he may need to be reminded that this so-called record was achieved at the expense of the country. The dubious security contracts, from which Tompolo benefited, downgraded the regular security agencies in favour of militiamen and enriched militia leaders to the detriment of the country’s security personnel who should have been empowered to perform their duties.

    It is a cause for concern that Tompolo also said: “… Ayiri Emami and others accusing me of the destruction of oil facilities in parts of the Delta are simply looking for relevance, recognition and pipeline surveillance contracts. If anyone doubts what I am saying, such should find out from the GMD and Minister for State for Petroleum, because Ayiri and his likes have been troubling the minister for pipeline surveillance contracts for some time now. The minister has even succumbed to the Ayiri Emami gimmick by appointing some of his cronies as special advisers.”

    There should be no space at all for the discredited contractors of yesterday in whatever form.

  • ‘That little girl of yesterday’

    ‘That little girl of yesterday’

    A teacher, former Miss Omorinsola Temiloluwa Taiwo, got married to a lawyer, Ajibola Eyimofe Ige, last Thursday in Lagos, reports NNEKA NWANERI

    For mother and daughter, it was a day of joy- their birthday and wedding came up the same day. Omorinsola, a teacher, got married to Ajibola Eyinofe Ige, a lawyer, on the day her mother, Mrs Seyi Taiwo added another year.

    It was a Thursday, yet the wedding was well attended. Family members and friends turned out in large numbers to share in the couple’s joy. The event held at the The New Estate Baptist Church (NEBC) in Surulere, Lagos.

    With the hymn: “My hope is built on nothing less”, the pretty bride was led to the altar by her father.

    The couple took turns to exchange marital vows. Ajibola stepped out first; his voice steady and confident. Omorinsola, after a chuckle, recited hers.

    The officiating minister and pastor of NEBC, Revd Amos Achi Kunat, blessed the rings. He urged the couple to always wear their ring as a symbol of their commitment to each other.

    In a sermon, the cleric described love as an active word. He implored the couple to be broadminded.

    He said: “Examine your paradigms and be open to each other’s perspective, judging it from the word of God. Listen to each other and do not let the way you see things make you act in a certain way.”

    The couple told The Nation how they met five years ago during Nigeria’s Independence Day Fair in London.

    Ajibola had gone to London for his postgraduate studies; Omorinsola just finished her teacher’s training.

    According to Omorinsola, their parents are friends. She said they met when her mother sent him to her in London.  They began dating a year later.

    Describing Ajibola as the love of her life, she said she became convinced that he was her man six months into their dating.

    On how they have been coping, she said: “We talk a lot on what is going on and how we feel. He’s such a good listener, so, there is no problem we can’t deal with.”

    Ajibola said he was attracted by her simplicity and character.

    “She was so free that day. I also must mention that she is smart and great company,” the groom said.

    He proposed to her on their second outing which fell on her birthday.

    The Bishop Howells Memorial Church Hall in Surulere, where the reception was held, was decorated in light green and dark red fabrics.

    A white carpet lined the walkway with red rose petals adorning it. An all-white court was set up at the far end of the expansive hall with LOVE boldly inscribed above the couple’s seat.

    The groom’s mother, who teaches Teachers Education at the University of Ibadan, described her daughter-in-law as the little girl of yesterday who has become a woman.

  • Yesterday, today and tomorrow

    Yesterday is important. But not like today. And tomorrow is the most important in many respects. Yesterday can destroy today and today can crush tomorrow. So, extra care is required to ensure a synergy between the three of them.

    Cross River’s today began some eight years ago. At that time, the state’s pocket was deep. Really deep you could dip all manners of containers into it and fill them up until you were tired. No one queried its oil-rich fable. It was glaring for all to see. Even the blind could feel it.

    Civil and public servants felt the impact of the deep purse. Banks were glad to do business with Liyel Imoke’s Cross River.

    Then the bubble burst some two years ago. Its neigbour, Akwa Ibom, felt the oil which entitled Imoke’s state to the 13 per cent derivation actually belonged to it. Both had to compete for the oil wells. It was a bitter legal duel that took God’s grace to prevent bloodbath. Wise counsel was allowed to prevail and Akwa Ibom’s fortunes took a major leap when the Supreme Court gave all oil wells which entitled Cross River to the 13 per cent derivation fund to it. It was a decision which saw these brother-states quarrel seriously.

    The apex court’s decision made Akpabio and Imoke almost become enemies. The media made a lot of money on advertorials by both parties on the court’s decision. Somehow they were able to manage and life has since continued and for close to years now, Cross River has not received one kobo as derivation fund and this has affected it seriously. Its loss has been Akwa Ibom’s gain and Uyo is happy for it.

    The decision cut Cross River’s monthly allocation by several billions. Its status as an oil-producing state practically thinned out too.

    Before the turn of event, there were so many projects either ongoing or about to start in parts of the state. There were also projects, such as the Tinapa Resort, though completed, but still in need of help.

    One project that was at the stage of taking off when the bubble burst is called Summit Hills. On the Hills, there is plan for a Golf Course and Golf Clubhouse, an international convention centre with an adjoining Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, and a monorail to link Tinapa, that entertainment, shopping and leisure centre.

    By the plan, the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), sandwiched within a Free Trade Zone, is to turn Calabar to “West Africa’s business and event destination of choice”. The Hills is also to house the Calabar Specialist Hospital, collaboration with foreign partners meant to encourage medical tourism. There are also layouts for people to build homes.

    The new Margaret Ekpo Airport Bye Pass was also ongoing when the bubble burst. There were so many other ones. And the loss of several billions to the legal tussle was expected to impact on the projects. But somehow, Cross River has been able to move on, though I understand some austerity measures had to be taken internally.

    I was on the Hills last weekend during a brief visit to Calabar. The International Convention Centre, the first of its kind in Nigeria, has really taken shape. I have seen one or two convention centres in Nigeria, but compared to what is being done in Calabar, the other ones are mere meeting rooms only decorated with flags of different countries to justify the tag of being international. The Calabar one is massive and only comparable to its like in Durbar, South Africa and Singapore.

    Though about 70 or 80 per cent completed, the Calabar International Convention Centre gives me the feel of the ones I have seen in Durban and Singapore.

    The Golf Course has also taken shape. So has life been breathed into the specialist hospital.  I also noticed that about three people are already building their homes on the Hills.  And the monorail to link Tinapa is also taking form.

    Tinapa is one project that brings me close to tears once in a while. But I am consoled by the belief that the Hills will help make it what it should be. I will explain why Tinapa evokes emotions in me: it was meant to take Calabar to the next level, so to speak.

    The Donald Duke administration conceived it to be Nigeria’s own mini Dubai. All the trappings were there: an artificial lake; water parks; a shopping mall; a beautiful four-star hotel; and an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

    In no time, however, the excitement about Tinapa died down. For it to work well, it needed a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) status but by the time it was ready for use, this all-important status was not achieved. It was not a law that the Cross River State House of Assembly could pass. Only the Federal Government has the authority to gazette an entity as FTZ. Duke could not achieve this before it was time to leave power. It became Imoke’s albatross. He got over it and Tinapa became FTZ.

    There was another challenge. Customs did not threat businessmen there as operating in a FTZ. This meant they had to pay duties, thus the goods sold there could not be duty-free. Their woes were compounded by the non-dredging of the Calabar port, which forced the businessmen to bring their goods through Onne Port in Rivers State.

    All these challenges meant the place could not be run properly. Loans taken from banks could not be paid. It got to a stage that the debt buyer, the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON),  had to come in.

    The summit hills projects, especially the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), is expected through the monorail to shorten the distance between Tinapa and Calabar’s heart. With such a life built around Tinapa, the giant may just wake up. It has been in a deep slumber.

    Duke, who birthed Tinapa, is Cross River’s yesterday. Imoke is its today. The Tinapa fable shows how today cannot run away from yesterday. And that brings me to the question: Who will be Cross River’s tomorrow? Imoke’s choice is an academic and senator, Prof. Ayade.  It was a battle royale before Ayade could emerge the PDP standard bearer. Being state where no other political party has towering strength, it may be safe to project that Ayade will take the baton from Imoke.

    Aside the Summit Hills and others, we have also seen Imoke’s hands in projects, such as the massive palm plantation cultivated by Wilmer International, a global brand in oil palm plantation based in Malaysia, the Songhai Integrated Farm located in Itigidi, the Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), Ugep in Yarkur, which matriculated its students last Saturday, and the over 600km of roads constructed across the state.

    In less than six months, Imoke will be out of the Government House. He will, in my estimation, be leaving behind a legacy of projects that will define Cross River’s tomorrow.

     

     

     

     

  • ‘That little girl of yesterday’

    ‘That little girl of yesterday’

    A worker with Nigerian Breweries (NB), Plc, Ifedapo Khadijah, got married to  a civil servant, Abdul-Gafaar Eniola Durosinmi-Etti in Lagos last Sunday. NNEKA NWANERI was there.

    The Lekki Central Mosque looked majestic on the horizon. Last Sunday Khadijah Ifedayo, who works with the Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc, and Abdul-Gafaar Eniola Durosinmi-Etti, a Civil Servant, tied the nuptial knot there.

    Khadijah looked charming in her snow white bridal gown. She was surrounded by curvy and pretty damsels. Her colleagues in Nigerian Breweries, where she is a manager in the Corporate Affairs Department, and friends waited on her.

    Abdul-Gafaar, was in a white fitted suit with black. He was supported by his friends and colleagues from Ogun State, where he works. It was a day to remember for the couple as they said: ‘I do’ to each other.

    They met in February, last year through a mutual friend, who was convinced they were a perfect match. Before long, the friendship blossomed into love.

    The auspicious event drew people from far and wide. There was a deluge of sedans and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) parked on the adjoining streets to the mosque. The mosque was impeccably clean. Its tiled floors shone as guests, who alighted from their vehicles, stepped on it after taking off their shoes.

    Many guests were in a uniform yellow lace  outfit.  The women, covered their heads with matching headgears. Well-lit chandeliers dangled from the centre of the mosque’s ceiling.

    At noon, the programme started with the couple making their way to the front of the mosque. The officiating imams received them, and read portions of the Holy Quran.

    Some of the dignitaries present were called out as witnesses and asked to advise the couple. First was Kano State Governor  Rabi’u  Kwankwaso, who said he has known the bride’s father since 1992 as an upright man. He wished the couple a blissful marital life filled with Allah’s blessing.

    Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,  Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN), presented them with a copy of the Quran, a gift, which according to him, will lead them to a good life.

    Former Federal Commissioner for Works and National President of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN),  wished them a fruitful marriage.

    In a brief lecture, Lekki Central Mosque Chief Imam Alhaji Ridwan Jamiu counselled the couple on the importance of tolerating each other to be able to settle their differences.

    He implored the groom to take good care of his wife and protect his family to guarantee success.

    Following their parents’ consent, Khadijah and Abdul-Gafaar were pronounced man and wife and presented with their wedding certificate.

    The bride, a biochemistry graduate of Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State has an MBA in global business from the United Kingdom. She told The Nation that the best part of her man is his free and caring nature.

    “There is just something about him. He is very sweet and loves God like none I have ever seen,” she said.

    According to her, he proposed in a special way by inviting her friends over for dinner. “When the time came, he was shy and requested them to stay outside while he proposed,” she added.

    “I did accept and I’m so glad this day has come,” Khadijah said.

    The bride’s father, Adesina Adebgenro recalled how his friends made jest of him while he changed his baby’s napkins and diapers at a tender age in the higher institution.

    “When I had her, I was still schooling and working. It’s amazing that that baby they taunted me for is now a graduate with her first and second degrees. Today, I can say I am a proud father of a wonderful lady,” he said.

    On what endeared his son-in-law to him, he said: “After observing him and knowing he is well brought up and has embraced Islam with a lot of knowledge of the Quran with the fear of God, I became optimistic that they will make a successful marriage.”

    Adegbenro said he will miss those little things she does that gladden his heart. He advised the couple to live with the fear of God and be good friends.

    It was non-stop partying and celebration at the reception held at the Ark Events Centre, Lekki.

    Also in attendance was wife of Lagos State governor Dame Abimbola Fashola and Senator Gbenga Ashafa among others.