IPOB Alleged Threat to Kill Buhari (Video)

The Indigenous People of Biafra were reportedly said to have released a video where they have come out directly and threatened to kill the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.

The president who is presently on a two day work visit to the Igbolands, is said to be at Abakaliki in Ebonyi state as at filing this report.

The IPOB members who were carefully masked and disguised in the video threatened the president and alleged further on his visit as mockery to the dead and they vowed that he'll not leave their land alive.

Below is the video

https://youtu.be/duUrr13QII8

Conspiracy Theory Against Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi

Reuben Abati back in 2008 remarked on the deliberate conspiracy plot to obliterate Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi from history

"The deliberate attempt to forget Adelabu and erase his value is part of the collateral damage of the politics of acrimony that dominated Yorubaland for more than 50 years, and a national culture of selective remembrance".
"But recently" he continued "there have been attempts to revive the memory of this forgotten nationalist".

But this theory of historical intrigue seems to be continual and largely transferred on the subject only, but then fate chose with a dissipated lot when he selected between him and his direct counterpart. But his character and style was a envy of many. No doubt he was the brightest. He wore the dermis and garb of the common man, he empathized every impoverished woes and pains.

His thoughts on education still echoes in this present age in his master piece "Africa in Ebullition and Selected Speeches". He propounded a massive System of Education for the Masses that should be likened to the European countries despite constraints forbidding. He was a staunch proponent for a compulsory and free primary education from the age of five, he also believed it will free us from the scandalous spectacle of child labour.
How then will these invaluable efforts be gravely undermined in our study of history today, how can we proclaim publicly that this person antagonised a campaign for the stable foundation of education in the south west of Nigeria. A man who advocated for at least 50% of schools to be built in the rural areas. It's contradictory isn't it? He was a man of honour, a true nationalist and men of honour do not stand against their own words or what they stand for. I strongly believe he could not have utter those comments, grossly misconstrued, misrepresentation or misinterpretation.

He had vision, a distinct preference and respect for teachers where he proposed a higher percentage bonus over a similar man with equal qualifications but practicing other jobs and this is plainly because he valued the time, devotion and lifestyle of teachers. His audible decibel of resolute and eloquent rhetorics largely swayed at the hem of the low and penurious is an unflinching emblem of his pugnacity and support for the common man.

No legacy is so rich as honesty. William Shakespeare

Even 9ice Got it Wrong

In relation to the song by the Gongo Aso crooner, 9ice whose song has once again cooked a parlance to revitalize his street credibility with the popular Yoruba proverb 'olé lo b'òmóje, kin sa ti lowo' (money by fire by force creed except for stealing/theft) phrase in his living things track, which many classify as the new scam anthem (yahoo anthem).

Contrary to his perceived perception and the conventional outdated believe that stealing is the only crime any person can commit that may permanently defile the reputation culled overtime, the Nigerian concept has rebranded the whole ethical narrative where stealing conventionally tarnishes one's image completely in the past. This I must say is very unlikely in this present state, where criminals become the godfathers, role models and our pacesetters in the political arena.

It is simply what the world has metamorphosed into, we don some level of unquantifiable regard for looters and glorified criminals who have milked dry our national resources, yet we choose to believe we are ploughing the safe route for national redemption. Quite unlikely.

Sadly that's the modern day society we now dwell, where even stealing and corrupting is canonized across the galleries. More recently, a notorious kidnapper, Evans, garnered many sympathetic messages across the social media probably due to his kind gestures across his immediate society and people at large, but notwithstanding it's all a case of rallying facts to suit sentiments.

It is a shame how this aptly define the society we now find ourselves and Mr Abolore Adigun Ajifolajifaola aka 9ice should be told that stealing and corrupting are the new peak in the society. The people will continue to think very highly of criminals so long they don't get caught. Nigeria; a nation that has sailed into a complete Ethical drift. But I'll say they should remember the popular police saying that: if you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10211414214824099&id=1624093905

Obafemi Awolowo Speaks: Still Settling The Records Straight!

Obafemi Awolowo speaks:

Still Setting The Records Straight!

CIVIL WAR

Moderator: Yes Mr…….Mr. Oparadike.

Question: Chief Awolowo, your stand on the civil war, however unpopular it may have been to the Biafran people…Your stand on the civil war, however unpopular it may have been to the Biafrans or Ibo people, helped to shorten the war. Today, you’re being cast as the sole enemy of the Ibo people because of that stand, by among others, some of the people who as members of the federal military government at that time, were party to that decision and are today, in some cases, inheritors of power in one Nigeria which that decision of yours helped to save. How do you feel being cast in this role, and what steps are you taking to endear yourself once again to that large chunk of Nigerians who feels embittered.

Awolowo: As far as I know, the Ibo masses are friendly to me, towards me. In fact, whenever I visit Iboland, either Anambra or Imo, and there’s no campaigning for elections on, the Ibo people receive me warmly and affectionately. But there are some elements in Iboland who believe that they can maintain their popularity only by denigrating me, and so they keep on telling lies against me. Ojukwu is one of them. I don’t want to mention the names of the others because they are still redeemable, but ….Ojukwu is irredeemable so I mention his name, and my attitude to these lies is one of indifference, I must confess to you.
I’ve learnt to rely completely on the providence and vindication of Almighty God in some of these things. I’ve tried to explain myself in the past, but these liars persist. Ojukwu had only recently told the same lie against me. What’s the point in correcting lies when people are determined to persist in telling lies against you, what’s the point. I know that someday the Ibos, the masses of the Ibo people will realize who their friends are, and who their real enemies are. And the day that happens woe betide those enemies. The Ibos will deal with them very roughly, very roughly.
That has happened in my life. I have a nickname now, if you see my letterhead you’ll find something on top, you’ll find a fish done on the letterhead. Some people put Lion on theirs, some people put Tiger, but mine is Fish. And Fish represents my zodiac sign, those of you who read the stars and so on in the newspapers; you’ll find out that there’s a zodiac sign known as pieces, in Latin pieces mean Fish.

So I put pieces on top, that’s my zodiac sign being born on the 6th of March,….er well, the year doesn’t matter, it’s the day that matter. And then on top of it I write Eebudola. All of you know the meaning of that. You know I don’t want to tell a long story but………………Awolowo school, omo Awolowo, the…… started in Urobo land, in mid-west in those days. They were ridiculing my schools, I was building schools –brick and cement, to dpc level, block to dpc level and mud thereafter. And so the big shots in the place..”ah what kind of school is this? is this Awolowo school? Useless school” and when they saw the children..”ah this Awolowo children, they can’t read and write, Awolowo children” that’s how it started, with ridicule, and it became blessing, and now they say “Awolowo children, they are good people” no more ridicule about it, that’s how it started, so the Eebu becomes honor, the abuse became honor.

And so when I look back to all my life, treasonable felony, jail, all the abuses that were heaped on me, to Coker Inquiry, all sorts, and I see what has happened to the people who led, who led all these denigration campaign, where are they today? Those that are alive are what I call Homo Mortuus- dead living, oku eniyan, that’s what they are, those that their lives have gone.

So when I look back, I come to the conclusion that all these abuses which have been heaped on me all my life for doing nothing, for doing good, they have become honor, and so Eebudola is one of my nicknames. So I’ve cultivated an attitude of indifference, I’ve done no evil to the Ibos.
During the war I saw to it that the revenue which was due to the Iboland- South Eastern states they call it, at that time..East Central State, I kept it, I saved the money for them. And when they ….was liberated I handed over the money to them- millions. If I’d decided to do so, I could have kept the money away from them and then when they took over I saw to it that subvention was given to them at the rate of 990,000 pounds every month. I didn’t go to the executive council to ask for support, or for approval because I knew if I went to the Executive Council at that time the subvention would not be approved because there were more enemies in the Executive Council for the Ibos than friends. And since I wasn’t going to take a percentage from what I was going to give them, and I knew I was doing what was right, I wanted the state to survive, I kept on giving the subvention – 990,000 almost a million, every month, and I did that for other states of course- South eastern state, North central state, Kwara and so on.

But I did that for the Ibos, and when the war was over, I saw to it that the ACB got three and a half million pounds to start with. This was distributed  immediately and I gave another sum of money. The attitude of the experts, officials at the time of the ACB was that ACB should be closed down, and I held the view you couldn’t close the ACB down because that is the bank that gives finance to the Ibo traders, and if you close it down they’ll find it difficult to revive or to survive. So it was given. I did the same thing for the Cooperative Bank of Eastern Nigeria, to rehabilitate all these places, and I saw to it as commissioner for finance that no obstacle was placed in the way of the ministry of economic planning in planning for rehabilitation of the war affected areas.

TWENTY POUNDS POLICY

That’s what I did, and the case of the money they said was not given back to them, you know during the war all the pounds were looted, they printed Biafran currency notes, which they circulated, at the close of the war some people wanted their Biafran notes to be exchanged for them. Of course I couldn’t do that, if I did that the whole country would be bankrupt. We didn’t know about Biafran notes and we didn’t know on what basis they have printed them, so we refused the Biafran note, but I laid down the principle that all those who had savings in the banks on the eve of the declaration of the Biafran war or Biafra, will get their money back if they could satisfy us that they had the savings there, or the money there. Unfortunately, all the banks’s books had been burnt, and many of the people who had savings there didn’t have their saving books or their last statement of account, so a panel had to be set up.

I didn’t take part in setting up the panel, it was done by the Central bank and the pertinent officials of the ministry of finance, to look into the matter, and they went carefully into the matter, they took some months to do so, and then make some recommendation which I approved. Go to the archives, all I did was approve, I didn’t write anything more than that, I don’t even remember the name of any of them who took part. So I did everything in this world to assist our Ibo brothers and sisters during and after the war.

And anyone who goes back to look at my broadcast in August 1967, which dealt with post-war reconstruction would see what I said there.

STARVATION POLICY

Then, but above all, the ending of the war itself that I’m accused of, accused of starving the Ibos, I did nothing of the sort. You know, shortly after the liberation of these places, Calabar, Enugu and Port Harcourt, I decided to pay a visit. There are certain things which I knew which you don’t know, which I don’t want to say here now, when I write my reminisces in the future I will do so. Some of the soldiers were not truthful with us, they didn’t tell us correct stories and so on.

I wanted to be there and see things for myself, bear in mind that Gowon himself did not go there at that time, it was after the war was over that he dorn himself up in various military dresses- Air force dress, Army dress and so on, and went to the war torn areas. But I went and some people tried to frighten me out of my goal by saying that Adekunle was my enemy and he was going to see to it that I never return from the place, so I went.

But when I went what did I see? I saw the kwashiorkor victims. If you see a kwashiorkor victim you’ll never like war to be waged. Terrible sight, in Enugu, in Port Harcourt, not many in Calabar, but mainly in Enugu and Port Harcourt. Then I enquired what happened to the food we are sending to the civilians. We were sending food through the Red Cross, and CARITAS to them, but what happen was that the vehicles carrying the food were always ambushed by the soldiers. That’s what I discovered, and the food would then be taken to the soldiers to feed them, and so they were able to continue to fight. And I said that was a very dangerous policy, we didn’t intend the food for soldiers. But who will go behind the line to stop the soldiers from ambushing the vehicles that were carrying the food? And as long as soldiers were fed, the war will continue, and who’ll continue to suffer? and those who didn’t go to the place to see things as I did, you remember that all the big guns, all the soldiers in the Biafran army looked all well fed after the war, its only the mass of the people that suffered kwashiorkor.
You won’t hear of a single lawyer, a single doctor, a single architect, who suffered from kwashiorkor? None of their children either, so they waylaid the foods, they ambush the vehicles and took the foods to their friends and to their collaborators and to their children and the masses were suffering. So I decided to stop sending the food there. In the process the civilians would suffer, but the soldiers will suffer most.

CHANGE OF CURRENCY

And it is on record that Ojukwu admitted that two things defeated him in this war, that’s as at the day he left Biafra. He said one, the change of currency, he said that was the first thing that defeated him, and we did that to prevent Ojukwu taking the money which his soldiers has stolen from our Central bank for sale abroad to buy arms. We discovered he looted our Central bank in Benin, he looted the one in Port Harcourt, looted the one in Calabar and he was taking the currency notes abroad to sell to earn foreign exchange to buy arms.

So I decided to change the currency, and for your benefit, it can now be told the whole world, only Gowon knew the day before, the day before the change took place. I decided, only three of us knew before then- Isong now governor of Cross River, Attah and myself. It was a closely guarded secret, if any commissioner at the time say that he knew about it, he’s only boosting his own ego. Because once you tell someone, he’ll tell another person. So we refused to tell them and we changed the currency notes. So Ojukwu said the change in currency defeated him, and starvation of his soldiers also defeated him.

These were the two things that defeated Ojukwu. And, he reminds me, when you saw Ojukwu’s picture after the war, did he look like someone who’s not well fed? But he has been taking the food which we send to civilians, and so we stopped the food.

ABANDONED PROPERTY

And then finally, I saw to it that the houses owned by the Ibos in Lagos and on this side, were kept for them. I had an estate agent friend who told me that one of them collected half a million pounds rent which has been kept for him. All his rent were collected, but since we didn’t seize their houses, he came back and collected half a million pounds.

So that is the position. I’m a friend of the Ibos and the mass of the Ibos are my friends, but there are certain elements who want to continue to deceive the Ibos by telling lies against me, and one day, they’ll discover and then that day will be terrible for those who have been telling the lies.

SOURCE: Nigeria Village Square.

Speech Delivered By The Deputy Governor of CBN, Mr Adebayo Adelabu

SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OPERATIONS, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA, MR ADEBAYO ADELABU ON THE OCCASION OF THE COMMISSIONING  OF THE CBN 2013 INTERVENTION PROJECTS AT OYO STATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, IBADAN OYO STATE
PROTOCOLS

I am most delighted to be here this morning on the historic event of the commissioning of the completed CBN 2013 intervention projects, the Construction of a Library, Classrooms and Offices for the Oyo State Technical University Ibadan, Oyo State.

There is no gainsaying the fact that education is a bedrock for development and lifting people out of poverty. Nigeria is experiencing an acute shortage of high quality and world class educational institutions. For instance, the highest ranked university in Nigeria, according to The Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2017, placed University of Ibadan (UI) as 801 out of the 980 universities surveyed worldwide. It is instructive to note that UI, although it came first in Nigeria in the Rankings, was ranked behind a number of South African universities.

Perhaps this is why there has been a surge in the number of Nigerian students going abroad to seek for quality education. This however has implications for the demand for foreign exchange and supply of qualified personnel to support the productive capacity of the country. We are all witnesses to what a combination of a high foreign exchange demand and low productive capacity can do to a country. There is no way we can separate these problems from the core mandates of the Central Bank of Nigeria. This is why we cannot all continue to fold our arms.

Our primary mandate at the Central Bank of Nigeria includes maintenance of price and exchange rate stability, functional and stable financial system, effective payment system and credible currency. At the heart of all these is achieving economic growth and development in collaboration with the Fiscal Policy authority. This behooves on us the responsibility for development financing through regular intervention in the critical sectors of the economy of which education is one, to bridge the manpower and infrastructural deficits accumulated over time.

It is against this background that the Central Bank of Nigeria commenced its intervention programmes in the education sector. It is worthy of note that Oyo State University is one of the seven Tertiary Institutions in 2013 which benefited from the intervention programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria as part of the Banks development function and the need for capacity building for the achievement of Vision 20, 2020 of the Federal Government. The intervention becomes more apt, especially, at this time of the rise in digital knowledge economy.

Having recognized Ibadan and Oyo state in general as a socio-political and educational head quarter of the South Western region, given its past role in the south west regional development and potential role it can still play in the general economic integration of the South West region, the state in the past three years has benefited from various intervention projects of the Central Bank of Nigeria. These include:

1. Building infrastructure for the University of Ibadan Center of Excellence for post graduate studies in Economics, Finance and Banking which cost about N10Billion .
2. Post Graduate Hostel building at the University of Ibadan which cost about N5billion.
3. Total Re-development of Classroom and Office infrastructures at the Bishop Philips Academy Secondary School, Iwo road Ibadan.
4. Establishment of the South West Regional Entrepreneur Development Center (EDC) in Oyo state at Samonda, Ibadan with quarterly financial support from the CBN for the running of the center.
5. Building of Lecture Rooms, Offices and State of the Art E-Library for the new Oyo State Technical University (which we are commissioning today).

In addition, there are a few other proposed intervention projects already listed for the state and at advance stage of approval to be executed over the next three years. These include:

1. Development of Lecture Rooms and Hostel facilities for the Polytechnic of Ibadan to cost about N3.5bilion.
2. Total Renovation and Building of New classrooms, Library and Technical and Science Laboratories for Lagelu Grammer School to cost about N500million.
3. Building of a Cancer Center or Modern Diagnostic Center for the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

In line with the Public Procurement Act, the contract for the Construction of the buildings was awarded in 2013 to Messrs Harrison George Nigeria Limited.

The projects for commissioning today which is located on the main campus of the institution involved the Construction of the following;

1. A fully furnished Library and E-Library complex.
2. A fully furnished Administrative and Classroom Block.

The project was completed in December, 2016 and handed over to the beneficiaries on the 20th April, 2017.

Though the project had its temporary setbacks, the Project Management Team comprising the Bank’s Project Implementation Office and the Consultants together with the contractor were able to complete the project, which is what made it possible for commissioning today.

It is therefore heartwarming that today, the beneficiaries including staff and students of the University will begin to make use of the buildings and derive the full benefits for which the project was intended.

I want to take this opportunity to express the hope that the University Management will adopt the necessary maintenance culture to keep the buildings and equipment in pristine condition so that the buildings and equipment will be available for use for many more years to come.

It is clear that Government cannot fund Education alone. The private sector equally has very important roles to play. Tertiary institutions are supposed to be the drivers of Research and Innovation relevant to Industry and Commerce. Research success will in turn attract funding. There are no limits to what heights are attainable with Creativity, Innovation and Hard Work. This intervention project is in fulfillment of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s commitment to developing capacity in tertiary institutions in the Country to bring about the desired change in our socio-economic fabric.

Finally, I wish to congratulate the State Governor and his team, the Pro-Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, the Staff and Students of the University and the entire people of Oyo State on this occasion and to convey the best wishes of the Governor and Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria to the State Governor and Management of the University.

Thank you.

Adebayo Adekola Adelabu FCA, FCIB
Deputy Governor, Operations
Central Bank of Nigeria

Destiny and the 2019 Succession Rat Race in the Pace-setter State

Chief Adeniji Akintola SAN , Alhaji Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, Senator Abiola Ajimobi , Destiny and the 2019 Succession Rat Race in the Pace-setter State

I am compellingly constrained to put my thoughts to papers on the raging and indecent exchanges of abusive words and vulgar languages , fitted only for motor parks touts that have been trending on the internet and the social media network by two of my respected Seniors and Benefactors, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN who is the Asiwaju of Ido and Alhaji Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, the present Honourable Minister for Communications in Nigeria.

I am sufficiently very close to both of them and the duo always regarded me as their "good and loyal boy and foot soldier ".
While Asiwaju Adeniyi Akintola is my reverred "Egbon" and kinsman as we are both "shons of the soil", but I must state clearly that I am not an Ibadan irredentist like the learned Chief ; Alhaji Shittu and I are bound together only by professional and Islamic ties. However, while the latter is an Islamic fundamentalist, I am just a nominal and or a liberal Moslem who is even faithfully married and "committed" to a very devout Christian spouse.

It is pertinent for me to state that both the learned Silk and the learned Sheikh are some of the greatest admirers of my Principal , mentor and role model, Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu Esq., SAN , the vintage Aketi ,who is the incumbent Governor of Ondo State. In actual fact, it was through Aketi that I became closer to both reverred Senior Counsel especially during the the impeachment saga of Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. Both of them would attest to the fact that I was fully and actively involved in all the cases as an obedient and loyal  junior to them from inception of the cases till the end together with my friend and brother, Sunday Aborisade Esq. a.k.a. " Orisa / Boris or the Learned Life Bencher"

I must add that it was the witty and savvy Aketi in his usual characteristic self who nicknamed the 2 gladiators as "Sai Niyi" and " Ya Shittu" respectively during the Ladoja's impeachment cases and most especially the locus classicuss case of INAKOJU & ORS v. Hon. Adeolu Adeleke & Ors ( now popularly known as Senator Rashidi Ladoja's impeachment case.

Please permit me to state that I have been deliberately consistent in mentioning Chief Akintola's name before that of Alhaji Shittu because of the established tradition of our noble legal profession which is  greatly premised on Seniority at the Bar.
While Alhaji Shittu was called to the Bar in 1979 , Chief Akintola was called called to the Bar in 1986 but he had progressed to take Silk and became a member of the prestigious inner Bar in 2003 , thus becoming , by human providential efforts, the re-odered Senior of Alhaji Shittu who still remains a member of the outer bar till date.

Posterity had records and accounts of the great roles played by both of them in the build-up events to the impeachment of Senator Ladoja as the Governor of Oyo State and also their conducts in the prosecution of the cases up to the Supreme Court where we eventually got justice for Senator Ladoja . May the good Lord accord them and all other counsel in the matters (including myself)their due and deserved rewards for all their actions and inactions in the case. Amen.

Unknown to many, it was Aketi who put a mobile phone call to Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN who was then the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State at that material time in my very presence to plead and persuade the then Governor of Lagos State, the iconic Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and come to the aid and rescue of Senator Ladoja who was then fastly being swept off by the impeachment tide set in motion by Alhaji Lamido Adedibu ( now late) with the active support of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo and with the active connivance and collussion of the leadership of Oyo State Judiciary.

What eventually saved Senator Ladoja was that phone call that afternoon by Aketi in his law office to Professor Osinbajo, the then HAG, Lagos State in my very presence and Aketi said, " Oj, please close that door" and after which I complied he started the telephone conversation as follows, " Jebby, you people should be interested in the unsavoury development in Oyo State where some touts and thugs were camped together at a private hotel and proceeded to impeach a duly elected Governor in a wanton and brazen manner. Please talk to your Governor to arrest the tide and reverse the aberrations for posterity sake and in the overall interest of our nascent democracy. " Aketi put the phone on speaker since it was just the 2 of us that were in his office that afternoon.  The learned Professor replied , " Aketi, what exactly do you want us to do moreso that Ladoja and his troublers are all members of the PDP while we were in the opposing party"

Aketi pleaded with him and said, " if you assist Senator Ladoja, I can assure you that he would forever appreciate you and join your party well ahead of the 2007 general elections. " The HAG was satisfied and asked Aketi to proceed with the strategies he has in mind. Aketi opined , " We should retain all the counsel already in the  matter which majorly included the cerebral Mallam Yussuff O. Ali, SAN Chief Akintola SAN, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, S.S.Akinyele Esq., and M.O.Adebayo Esq., BUT it is extremely important that we bring on board immediately the following leading Counsel, the reputable Chief Wole Okanipekun SAN, Kola Awodehin Esq. SAN , Professor Taiwo Osipitan SAN,the respected Femi Falana Esq., and the immaculate Dele Adesina Esq., ( as both of them were at that time).

I have distressed this far to underscore a very important point which is very germane to the exchanges of letters by both Chief Akintola and Alhaji Shittu in that till date and except as being just stated by me here for the very first time, neither Aketi nor Professor Yemi Osinbajo has ever come out in the public to claim authorities for constituting that great and bright consortium of lawyers unlike what would have been the case with some lesser mortals who would have selfishly arrogated such to themselves and flaunt same unnecessarily to score some cheap and pedestrian political gains, even after earning their fees.

Let me also add and state that Aketi did not suggest himself as member of the Legal Consortium, rather it was the learned  Professor who said that , "Aketi, I ruled and ordered that you must be there for effective and efficient co-ordination". And Aketi also complied.

The needless and unnecessary letters being exchanged by a former junior counsel and his erstwhile Principal could have been totally avoided if both of them are true and faithful students of " Yoruba Ayanmo" or " Destiny" . What will be will be without much ado as it is only the Almighty God that ordain and install a king or leader as He wishes. You plan, we plan but Allah(swt) is the best of planners.

The outburst which to me is undeservedly needless and the guttural response by an aide who consistently  illiterately uninformed referred to his boss as "Barr. Shittu which is unethically against the manner of addressing Counsel who should be simply referred to as Alhaji Adebayo A. Shittu or as Adebayo A. Shittu Esq., both unscrupulous letters or  interview or releases or whatever they may be are mere "show off" especially the first letter to curry political favours and sympathies ahead of the APC Governorship primaries of Oyo State for the 2019 elections.

I make bold to say and am very proud to assert that none of the 2 gladiators here can claim to be as sufficiently close as me to the Governor of Too State, Senator Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi. Whatever facts , figures and data they may be brandishing and flaunting around now, like many other aspirants to succeed Senator Ajimobi in 2019, are not only false assumptions or over-estimation of themselves and or their imaginary contrivance to deceive the gullible and unsuspecting party  members and the public.

I am a core SENACO person and a disciple of Ajumose politics of Ajimobi, I know him too well that he doesn't suffer fools gladly and eschew psychopantic  and dogmatic behaviours and tendencies. He may, most unlikely, ignore such people but he is never taken in or deceived by such.

Ajimobi doesn't need any attack dog to ward off any pest or strayed meddlesome interlopers as he is in himself an " Oyo mesi"and would therefore not engaged any rabble rouser or stormy pretrels to do so on his behalf. In actual fact, he always admonished us not to bring down the bar of intellectual discourse in the state to the hitherto pedestrian level because according to him , "if you choose to fight with the pig, you will end up being dragged in the mud of pigstu which is the pig's natural habitat. And men, for crying out aloud , we are too refined, civil and decent for that kind of amala politics".

I would refrain myself fro giving the details of the N8M financial request solicited by Alhaji Shittu from Senator Ajimobi to offset his house rent in Abuja shortly after he was  nominated as Minister by PMB. Alhaji appealed to the Governor to cover his nakedness as he had no money to get a house in Abuja and also that he has no serviceable vehicle prior to his appointment.

Some persons whom he co-opted to achieve the easier grant and release of the fund are- Professor Abdul-Rasheed Aderinoye, Alhaji Akintunde Yunuss, and Mr. Oyaremi. When the Governor gave him the bail-out, the Minister, Professor Aderinoye and Alhaji Yunuss told me about it and asked me to please help them to appreciate the Governor for the prompt and kind gesture/ bailout and I did just that.

The reference to the money by the Minister and his Aide as " Greek gift" is mostly uncharitable and unfortunate. Ditto for the Aide's feeble and lame duck excuse that the money was thus diverted and use for  the publication of some  NCC books. The Minister and his Aide can tell that cock and bull story to the marines as same is not only untenable but a mere afterthought ingeniously devised by the Minister to pocket and keep the other rent money of N8m which he also collected from my esteemed Learned Senior, Benefactor, Pious  Quintessential Gentleman and a consummate Bar Man, Ahmed Raji Esq., SAN whom the Minister had also, cleverly ,obtained another N8m from for the same and one only house rent.

If the Minister perceived the money to be Greek Gift, why did he fail to return it to the owner instead of insulting our intelligence here by telling us that he gave directive that the money be used for NCC project.  It is a notorious fact that NCC is one of the most buoyant federal government Commission. " No be NCC, Na NNPC". What an allocutus?
I must add that Alhaji Shittu has,  long before his appointment as a Minister being a beneficiary of Senator Ajimobi's largesse and bail out fund for various needs including domestic upkeep and vehicle maintenance.

I was even privy to the fact that it was Senator Abiola Ajimobi who paid for Alhaji Shittu's nomination form for CPC Gubernatorial candidate in the 2011 election.

Having put all these issues in proper perspectives,  it is very vain , mischievous and gross display of ungratefulness on the part of my respected and brilliant Egbon, Adeniyi Akintola's SAN to knowingly deny and failed to acknowledge his watershed which historically is the Crescent Chambers of Alhaji Bayo Shittu. There must be some modicum of honours , even among thieves.  Also, Sir , your first salvo fired at Alhaji Bayo Shittu is,  to say the least, unprovoked and unwarranted. The man under whom you cut your teeth in the Legal profession deserves an unreserved apology from you Sir.

Alhaji Bayo Shittu, you also owe the Governor , Senator Abiola Ajimobi , first and foremost a great debt of gratitude, which must be followed up immediately with an unreserved apology and please use the grace of this holy month of Ramadan to seek for Allah's forgiveness for you have unknowingly offended Allah through your ungrateful disposition to the Governor.

Alhaji Kunle Sanni of NACOMYO fame once told me and I verily much believe him that your facade of Islamic  fundamentalism notwithstanding, that the only distinguishing feature between your good self and my humble self is that you don't drink alcohol  while I do, but that we both do all other things together and have them in common. I had since 30th  December , 2016 also abstained totally from alcoholic drinks. Let's pray to Allah in this Ramadan month to take off that other thing too from us so that we can be better Moslems.

On who will become the Governor of Too State in 2019, only God the ultimate Decider and Finsher of human affairs aha do that for us in Oyo State just like he did the unprecedented Second term victory for us in 2015 by ceremoniously broken both the myth and the jinx that surrounded it.
The Most High God who is the Alpha and Omega is still there  and we trust and believe in Him to again do the best for us in Oyo State in 2019 and we are very sure and assured that He shall do it again. It is done deal case of prayers already answered and who even knows whether tonight is the Ramadan's Night of Majesty.

Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo Esq., is the Immediate Past Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Oyo State.

Oyo State Appoints OAU Don, Prof Salami as Tech-U Pioneer VC

Oyo State Government has appointed Professor Ayobami Salami, a former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) at the Obafemi Awolowo University, as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Technical University, Ibadan.

Mr. Olalekan Alli, the Secretary to the State Government made this announcement in a statement on Monday, he said, "Governor Abiola Ajimobi has approved the appointment of Prof. Salami with immediate effect for a term of five years".

According to the Statement, Prof. Salami was until his appointment, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Director, Institute of Ecology and Environmental studies at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.

He described the new Tech-U VC as a widely travelled scholar and internationally-sought after environmental consultant with previous teaching and research experience in University of the Gambia, The Gambia; University of Dar es Sallam, Tanzania and International  Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, Enschede, The Netherlands.

Alli also explained that Tech-U, a newly licensed tertiary institution situated in an industrial hub of the state Free Trade Zone designed to accommodate 175 manufacturing concerns, was an initiative of the Oyo State Government to train students on practical experience of their scholastic activities, adding that the University is founded on the principle of unique innovation, research collaboration, exceptional service, integrity, excellence and the uplifting of human conditions.

According to him, Tech-U is committed to the efficient and responsible use of science, technology, engineering and innovation in solving societal problems, while maintaining a culture of entrepreneurship anchored on quality programmes that are responsive and financially suitable, adding that the University is expected to commence full academic activities in September 2017.

“The University’s mission is to cultivate a cadre of technical professionals, with requisite entrepreneurial skills, capable of creating jobs and employment. This will be done by imparting sound theoretical knowledge and practical skills in various trades and disciplines to students. The focus is to provide the training and learning environments that will produce exceptional graduates who are socially-conscious and technically-competent,” Mr. Alli stated.

Mr Deji Adeyanju Has Been Arrested at the Unity Fountain Abuja

Prince Deji Adeyanju, the Convener of a pro-democracy and good governance group, Concerned Nigerians, was arrested this morning at the Unity Fountain in Abuja where he plans to protest along with the volunteered public on the attempt of the government to conduct a secret trial for the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

He had earlier made allegations of a threat against his life when he divulged the discussions he had with the Commissioner of Police FCT, Director of DSS and Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army.

“Just got out of a 1-hour meeting with Commissioner of Police of FCT. In attendance was a Director of DSS and Brigade Commander of the Army. “They said there’s security concerns over our rallies: #SayNoToSecretTrial of Nnamdi Kanu #FreeZakZakky I asked what concern: No Answer. “Then threats and more threats. “I told them, rally will go on as planned tomorrow for #SayNoToSecretTrial and #FreeZakZakky on Wednesday. “Then threats and more threats. I told them, rally will go on as planned tomorrow for #SayNoToSecretTrial and #FreeZakZakky on Wednesday. “The DSS guy said: Deji, we have never disturbed you in all your rallies. Why ZakZakky and Kanu “They have a major issue with ZakZakky & Kanu.”

He tweeted immediately of his arrest and eye witnesses have attested to his arrest by the Police Department.

Football Fans Electrocuted at a Viewing Center in Calabar

According to news coming from Twitter and ChannelsTV, over 30 people are feared dead at a football viewing centre in Calabar, the Cross River State capital after being electrocuted by a high tension cable that reportedly fell on them.

The soccer fans are said to have assembled at a viewing centre to watch a UEFA Europa League quarter-final match between Manchester United and Anderlecht on satellite television.

Channels Television correspondent in Calabar also reported that the live electricity cable broke from its mooring and fell on the viewers who assembled to watch their various team play on Thursday night.

More reports to follow

CBN Hands Over TechU Buildings to Oyo State Government

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reportedly handed over a Central Library, Blocks of Lecture and Administrative buildings to the Oyo State Government as part of its intervention programs towards the education sector in the state.

It was donated to TechU, Ibadan by the Apex bank. The buildings, constructed on about 1.455 hectares of land, includes; Central e-Library space for 500 students with 10nos of offices, 12nos of toilet facilities as well as block of 24 lectures room which has 11nos Administrative offices, furniture, borehole, Generating set, street lights, CCTV camera, air conditioners and additional toilets facilities for male and female students.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli, ably represented the State Governor, the Pro-Chancellor of TechU, Ibadan, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Abimbola Adekanmbi, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun and other top government functionaries were present to receive the building on behalf of the state government.

During the handover of the buildings, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli assured that the state will embark on additional developments on the two hundred-hectare university, adding that adequate security will be provided around the vicinity of the institution and the state as a whole.

The SSG, who appreciated the CBN for its intervention in TechU, Oyo state
“We appreciate the efforts of the Apex bank to support and develop our education sector. The CBN has showed that education is key to the development of country. We say thank you to the management and the entire staff of the bank for this gesture and assure that the building will be adequately put to use immediately,” he said.

Mr. Alli noted that the State Government is committed to the establishment of TechU as part of its transformation of the education sector in the state , and consequently expressed the firm belief that the first set of students will matriculate in September 2017.

In his closing remarks, the CBN Branch Controller, Lagos Branch, Mr. Omebere Iyari commended the Oyo State Government for the initiative of TechU, Ibadan, saying that the unique institution will revolutionize technical skills development and education in the country.

He further explained that the intervention has showed that CBN is beyond monetary and fiscal policies, stressing that the Apex bank has a lot of intervention in education, agriculture and other sectors of the economy.

Remembering 'Penkelemesi' Adegoke Adelabu by Oloye Lekan Alabi

On March 25, 1958, one of Nigeria’s irrepressible nationalists, politician, orator and mass mobiliser, Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu, alias ‘Penkelemesi’ died in a car accident in Ogere Remo area on the old Lagos-Ibadan Road, of the defunct Western Region of Nigeria.

The Adegoke Adelabu Foundation, founded on September 3, 2015 (Adelabu’s posthumous 100th birthday) and which I chair, successfully held the 2017 Adegoke Adelabu Annual Memorial Lecture on Saturday, March 25, this year.

The venue was Adelabu’s home, which he named the “Taj Mahal” at Oke Oluokun, Ibadan, Oyo State. And the Guest Speaker at the well-attended lecture was the erudite scholar, lecturer and Islamic leader, Professor (Engineer) Sabitu Olagoke JP. The topic of Professor Olagoke’s well researched lecture was “Roles of Youth in the promotion of communal peace and progress.”

Adegoke Adelabu hailed from a double aristocratic lineage. Born in Oke-Oluokun, Ibadan on September 3, 1915, to middle class parents, he had an enviable start in life relative to prevailing conditions of the time.
His father, Sanusi Ashiyanbi Adelabu, was a scion of the famous Oluokun Chieftaincy Ruling House of Ibadan, whose members in turn, were direct maternal descendants of the Alaafin Ruling House of Oyo. A talented cloth weaver of repute, Ashiyanbi was accustomed to royal treatment and was rich enough to possess and keep a stable with many horses for pleasure.

His mother, Awujoola Ajoke, was also linked by birth to the first king of Ibadan, who used the title Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abass Okunola Aleshinloye (1930-1946) and like her husband, she too was a successful trader in dyed cloth.

To many people within and outside Nigeria, Adelabu is known as a firebrand politician with only political achievements to his credit. Little or nothing is known, or said, of his other attainments outside the realm of politics. One such area of unmatched distinction is the academic domain.

Adegoke Adelabu had his elementary education at St. David’s CMS Elementary School, Kudeti, Ibadan (1925-1929), and CMS Central School, Mapo, Ibadan (1930). He then attended Government College, Ibadan (1931-1933) before proceeding for further studies (1936) at the Higher College, Yaba, Lagos which was Nigeria’s only tertiary institution then in existence.

Right from the onset of his education career, Adelabu showed promise of academic excellence and later proved to be a child prodigy in classroom performance. For example, his exceptional brilliance earned him double promotions at each of the three tiers of learning; an uncommon feat that was appreciatively rewarded with enabling scholarship awards. Not only that, he had the unparalleled distinction of maintaining the first position in each class, beating his erstwhile seniors after each double promotion!

If this performance feat today appears most incredible, concrete personal testimonies abound to support Adelabu’s official school records. In his condolence remarks at Adelabu’s transition on Match 25, 1958, the late Professor Saburi Biobaku, historian, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, and a contemporary of Adelabu’s at Government College, Ibadan testified in part; “As one who was his contemporary in school, I have known him from his boyhood. At the Government College, Ibadan, he was known as Joseph Adegoke Sanusi and was undoubtedly the most brilliant boy to have passed through that school so far.”

Twenty-one years ago, I wrote a tribute to Adegoke Adelabu titled, “What a peculiar miss”, which was published in the Vanguard newspaper issue of Tuesday, April 9, 1996, and I wish to refresh my reader’s memories here with the said tribute.

“Having waited in vain since last Monday (March 25, 1996) for either a spoken or written word to commemorate the 38th Anniversary of the death of the ‘Lion of Ibadan Politics’ nay the old Western Region politics, Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu (he died in a motor accident on March 25, 1958), one is tempted to utter “What a peculiar miss” with equal amazement as he, Adelabu pooh-poohed the corruption charges against him in 1956, while serving as the Chairman of the defunct Ibadan District Council.

“Adelabu had described the charge of financial misdeeds as a “peculiar mess”, an expression, his devotees corrupted to “penkelemeesi” a sobriquet Adelabu eventually had to bear till death and even thereafter.

“A great nationalist in the genre of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Aminu Kano, Anthony Enahoro, Habib Raji Abdullah, Mbonu Ojike, etc, I grew up to know and meet the gifted orator, merchandise salesman, first African Manager (UAC), cooperative inspector, journalist, charismatic politician, council chairman, federal minister, and leader of opposition by virtue of my being the eldest grandchild of the late Mama Asma’u Odunola Alabi of Ekerin Ajengbe Clan Ibadan.

“Grandma, “Iya Ile-Ekerin” (Mother of Ekerin Clan) as she was popularly known, was the leader of the women wing of the defunct NCNC under Adelabu in Ibadan, while the late Alhaja Humuani Apampa, alias “Orababa”, her protégé, from Bashorun Apampa, Compound, Isale-Osi, Ibadan, was the deputy leader.

The many political meetings and rallies at our Isale Jebu-Oja’Ba-Isale Osi axis of the city still remain vivid in one’s memory with the multitude of followers and admirers. This treatise is, however, not aimed at the expansive and awe-inspiring political hue of Adelabu. Rather, it is aimed at recapturing some of his visionary thoughts on a wide range of subjects.

Education
Education is the foundation of freedom; ignorance is the basis of slavery. If you would free a people, first and foremost, educate them. The illiterate man is only half a man. He is already slave enough to his unfounded fears, his uncurbed passion, his natural instincts.

Career
I want a career open to talent. I want opportunities based on merit. I want the son of the Fulani herdsman in Sokoto, the son of the cocoa, plantain labourer in Ibadan, the son of a railway porter in Enugu, and the sons of their Highnesses the Emir of Katsina, the Ooni of Ife, and the Obi of Onitsha to stand an equal chance of succeeding Dr. Mellanby as the next Principal of Ibadan University College. Such a career is open to talents in America. Such a career is open to talents in England. Such a career is open to talents in Germany. We shall labour without respite until such a career is open to talents in our own Nigeria.

Industrialisation
Our raw materials – tin, gold, bauxite, coal, petroleum, lignite, zinc, cocoa, palm oil, palm kernel, cotton, groundnut, rubber, coffee, hides an skins, shea butter, castor seed, tobacco, cattle, cereals, herbs, timber, and poultry, point the way of development. The power problem must be solved in a comprehensive way with the electricity generated form the Niger/Benue Valley Authority Project.

“Our land, rail, water, and air transport systems must be integrated into one efficient whole. Our labour manpower must be given requisite skilled technical training which will enable them to play their new role as the backbone of a new industrial civilisation. These tasks must be faced squarely and manly.

National Unity
The crux of the problem of unity is that sacrifices, great sacrifices, must be made by individual, groups, tribes, sections, bodies, classes, and religions, in order to usher in that unity which will secure for us freedom and independence. It is not that we do not love our tribe, religion, class, and region, but we love Nigeria more. We hereby implore all partisans and religionists to join us in the Great Adventure. The stake is well worth the sacrifice.”
A radical socialist and fanatical nationalist, Adelabu held managerial positions with the United Africa Company Limited (UAC) in its various departments, such as the first African Manager, UAC produce (1936-37); Merchandise salesman (1937-38); Inspector, Cooperative Department (1938-44); and Manager, UAC Haberdashery, Lagos (1945-46).

Before his election as a legislator for Ibadan Division in 1951, Adelabu had for five years been in business and journalism. He later became Chairman of Ibadan District Council, Federal Minister of Social and Welfare Development and Leader of Opposition in the Western Region House of Assembly.

On himself, Adelabu wrote: “There is running through my life an insatiable thirst for knowledge, a continuous quest in search of new adventure, an irresistible urge to taste life in all its delicious mixture and intriguing complexities. There is a coherent philosophy at the basis of this attitude to life, which I hope to live to propound and amplify in all its ramifications.”Though death cut short his dreams at just 43, the propagation and ramification of the ideals of geniuses like him don’t die with them.
• Alabi is Agba Akin of Ibadanland

Bayo Adelabu Foundation Empowers 430 Widows in Ibadan

It was a glorious Easter celebration for the widows in Ibadan on Saturday the 15th of April, 2017 as Bayo Adelabu Foundation (BAF) hosted the people to a wonderful Easter event for widows empowerment where he doled out a sum of #15,000 to 430 widows as a zero interest loan.

Bayo Adelabu Foundation in collaboration with SeedVest Micro Finance Bank Limited was able to make the scheme a reality.
It was a jam-packed event as the turnout was awesome with lots of attendees and well wishers present to grace the occasion.

Bayo Adelabu himself, the Chief philanthropist of the foundation was present with his youthful aura and commanding presence to turn up the event. Equally present were eminent personalities to liven up the event as well.

Tope Alabi, the gospel artist then entertained the crowd with her powerful and inspirational Christian songs to make the event an entertaining one.

The awardees spreads through the 33 Local Government in Oyo State
The recipients of the loan scheme also took their time out to express their profound appreciation to the principal Oloye Adebayo Adelabu who according to them, took the time to make sure the program was carefully harmonized, lacking of uncoordinated discrepancies which are usually synonymous with such programs. The widows also appreciated the fact that it was not hijacked by politician and partisan powers who would rather bend the program to their own advantage.

Kemi Olunloyo Finally Granted #1M Bail

The controversial journalist and blogger, Kemi Olunloyo, was on Tuesday granted bail by a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.

Kemi Olunloyo had been remanded in Port Harcourt prison for over a month, she was however granted bail in the sum of N1 million.

It will be recalled that the journalist/blogger was arrested by security operatives in Ibadan over material published online and believed to have offended a frontline Port Harcourt-based cleric, Pastor Ibiyeomie

Nigerian Senate Passes Amendment To Electoral Act

The Senate Thursday passed amendments to the  Electoral Act 2010, approving the use of electronic voting in future elections.
It also approved that election results should be electronically transmitted to collation centers.

The passage of bill followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on a Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act No. 6, 2010 and for other related matters (SB 231 and SB 234).

Major highlights of the new bill include provision for the use of electronic voting by INEC during future elections, use of Card Reader and also gives INEC power to modify the voting process if there is a challenge.

The Senate also approved a provision to enable INEC transmit the result of elections electronically in an encrypted and secured manner to prevent hacking.

To address the incident that happened in Kogi State, during last gubernatorial election, the amended Electoral Act provides that if a candidate dies before results of elections are declared, the results will not only remain valid but belongs to the political party that lost its candidate.

It also added that in such a scenario, the INEC should suspend the elections for 21 days during which period the affected political party will conduct fresh primaries to choose a new candidate.

The Bill also gives political parties power to adopt direct or indirect primaries in choosing their flag bearers, while qualification of disqualification of candidates for elections will be solely based on the Constitution.

In his comments after the adoption of the report by the Red Chamber, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, thanked his colleagues for a job well done and expressed optimism that the Bill would further improve the nation’s electoral system and also contribute to good governance.

Saraki said: “Distinguished colleagues, let me thank all of you for this job well done. I want to particularly thank the members of the Committee on INEC and particularly the former chairman of the Committee, Abubakar Kyari,  Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and all the members of the committee who have worked very hard to ensure the passage of this very important bill which addresses our electoral process and goes on to strengthen our democracy.

“We have touched on new areas which I believe will improve the credibility of our elections and by so doing, definitely improve our democracy and good governance.

“Most importantly, I think, are some of the new sections we have added, in the area of technology, the smart card reader, and particularly the area of collation which has been an area of great concern.

“Collation of results after the polling units and some of the additions we put on the electronic way by which the compilation of results can be done, I think will go a long way to reduce some of the irregularities we have seen before.

“This is a great work you have been able to put together today and I want to commend everybody. I am also happy that we have passed the amendments very early. My concern has always been that if we don’t do it now, it will get more difficult as we get blowed to the 2019 elections.

“We hope that with this Bill that we have passed, very soon, we will sit together with the House of Representatives to be able to get the copy to the President for assent.

“I think when signed into law, it will enable INEC to have something to work early enough. I think what we have done today will really put our electoral law among the best that we have and it will go a long way in improving our electoral process,” he said.

END

Signed:

Sanni Onogu
Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President

In Memory of Hon Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi (1) By Isiaka Kehinde

Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi: the immortal African project (being part of 59th years celebrations of the life and time of Hon Gbadamosi Oduola Adelabu Adegoke (Penkelemesi).

This post is the beginning of a series that is packaged for ten weeks for your weekend delight and comments. It is a collection of worldview aimed at beaming a searchlight on the life of a man who bestrode Africa like a colossus, left so early but has refused to leave our memories. A coronation of moral teachings of those instrumental values that have made the philosophical Penkelemesi an infuential with a significant influence on mankind as well as Critical Evaluation of a meaningful existence that serves as a pointer as to how we can all "be" to "inspire"others.

According to him "to be, is to do".  It will also look in depth into the political value game in contrast with today's political "power game ". Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi like Montesquieu "was born, achieved and died"  His work begun, and advanced to maturity but very much unlike Montesquieu, his was "not finished". His works, cut in his prime, after 59 years of departure, now continue in grand style as his children and grand sires have resolved to keep the flag flying.

Today's edition is captioned " what  the talking drum amplified of the exploits of Adelabu Adegoke Penkelemesi.

It burrowed into the theory of cultural identity and how it grooms the motif for promotion of African understanding of personal values inherent in an "Omoluabi".  

Below are the cultural identity of the man Adegoke Adelabu vividly caught in the language of the drummers of the yester years and the events that spurred such reactions.

"Adelabu Adegoke
      O se falejo , o se fonile
           Adelabu, ibi to ba wa ile re"

This is to eulogise his chivalry and selflessness which has made him "a true torch in the darkness".

"Kosenatu ti bimo (2ce)
       Iyawo  Olope t Adelabu gba
             Kosenatu ti bimo
                    E o ribi (2ce)".

When his only surviving wife Mama Kosenatu gave birth to her first child. It is to praise God for the gift of the new baby and to deride political opponents of Penkelemesi.

"Adelabu A b'oosun ni?
      Oorun we niwaju Adajo"

To wake an apparently fatigued Adelabu during one of his court cases as a mark of solidarity. He won the case.

"Adelabu ko ku o, (2ce)
      Oke Mapo Ladelabu wa
               Adelabu ko ku o"

Saying that Adelabu only relocated to the top of Mapo Hill, not dead. Meaning that it was imponderable to even imagine, not to say, that Adelabu could die like a mere mortal. This shows how steep Adelabu was held in the minds of his teeming admirers.

"Adelabu maa kowo wa na (2ce)
         Igunnu lo ni Tapa,
                Tapa lo ni ogunnu
                        Maa kowo wa na"

Even they say you embezzle our money, you have our consent, go ahead (Adelabu was so loved and appreciated that he was considered to be infallible.

"Adelabu n se be be (2ce)
       Eni ti ko dun mo
            Ko o fori sole,
                 Adelabu n se be be"

Adelabu is Performing wonders, who so ever is disatissfied can knock  his or head against the ground.

"Adelabu Adegoke Penkelemesi (3ce)"

This has till date remained a signature tune to welcome the "Adelabus" into a social  gathering. I noticed this with pleasure when Oloye Adelabu Adebayo Adekola entered the venue of annual memorial / lecture event for the late Penkelemesi  yesterday.

..................    

watch out for  series next Sunday  on "the role  of youth as true  Agents of change: Adelabu Adegoke's perspective.

Happy Birthday Wishes To Alhaji Isiaka Kehinde, Mr Ethics

Happy Birthday celebrations to Alh Isiaka Kehinde (Mr Ethics).

A man of exemplary character, intellectual prowess and a meticulous team player who deserves all the accolades on this wonderful day as it marks a day this great ethical figure came to birth.

This day should mark a day to enforce Ethical value in our society, especially in Oyo state, from cradle to adulthood.

He has touched lives no doubt with his beautifully crafted ethically inclined posts and write-ups scattered across the entire media centers. He has imparted in my life in no small ways, unquantifiable and he's not relenting any time soon either. Every day marks a new beginning in his life accomplishments. Not many men are born with such congenital character and discipline to help others during their trying times and pave a way for people to succeed in life and achieve their life goals.

Using the famous Guinness advert phrase; Alhaji Isiaka Kehinde Ethics is a great man.

The 59th Annual Memorial Prayer/Lecture for Adegoke Adelabu

It was a memorable event yesterday at Oke Oluokun in Ibadan at the historic Taj Mahal, Adegoke Adelabu Foundation Headquarters for the 59th year Annual Memorial Prayer/Lecture Events of the sage Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi.

In attendance were top top dignitaries across all ramifications; The Executive Governor of Oyo State Senator Abiola Ajimobi ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Oloye Olalekan Ali, also in attendance is the Olubadan of Ibadan Land himself Oba Saliu Adetunji (Aje Ogungunuso (1) ably represented by Oloye 'Lekan Alabi who doubled as the Chairman of Adegoke Adelabu Foundation (AAF) Board.

Welcome address was delivered by the president AAF Executive Council, Alh Nurudeen Adelabu. We were then sent back to the past, the realm of the sage by the Matriarch herself, Alhaja Kosenat Adelabu, the only surviving wife of Adegoke, she eulogized Adelabu Penkelemesi with so much passion like he died few days ago, she also sang beautifully to our listening pleasure.

"Adelabu Adegoke ose falejo ose fonile, Adelabu ibi to ba wa ile're"

Otunba Gbade Oyebanji also raised panegyrics and honors in respect of the sage.

Oloye 'Lekan Alabi pontificated the uniqueness of Taj Mahal and emphasized how the sage stayed in his home even when he attained a national status and didn't envisage relocating unlike our regular politicians.

The lecture was delivered by Prof. S.A. Olagoke and it centered on 'The Roles of Youths in the Promotion of Peace and Progress'.

It capped a memorable event which Agbaakin Parakoyi of Ibadan Land, Oloye Adelabu Adebayo was notably present and his aura on display was a true indication of his magnificent personality as the scion of the Adegoke Adelabu Dynasty.

Also present at the event was Alh Daud Bashir Yusuf, Alh Isiaka Kehinde, Mr Ibukun Ogunniran and  a host of other dignitaries, where Mr Yinka Adelabu and Prince Olumide Adeniyi were the Chief Hosts of a momentous event.

Adelabu oku o, Adelabu oku o, oke mapo la'delabu wa, Adelabu oku o

Ahmad Ahmad Has Been Elected As New CAF President

Ahmad Ahmad of Madagascar has been elected as the new President of the Confederation of African Football today in Addis Ababa.

Ahmad got 34 votes against Issa Hayatou’s who got 20 votes.

The election was held in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

Ahmad is the president of the Madagascar Football Federation while Hayatou has been CAF president since 1988.

Lecturer Slaps UNILORIN SUG President

The drama ensued at the UNILORIN C.B.T center when a lecturer from the faculty of Engineering slapped Comrade Shobowale Lukman (Eminent), the Students Union President, while he was mediating on behalf of some students who were inappropriately delayed in writing their exams.

According to report who claim anonymity, it happened around 4:20pm, when some students from the department of Nursing, College of health sciences who have been waiting since 9am, approached the students union president to intercede on their behalf in a bid to write their examinations after a long wait.

The students union president, in the spirit of solidarity, proceeded to the appropriate body with the aim to make dialogue with the exam coordinators, so the 50 Nursing students write their exams to prevent them from missing the bus scheduled to take them back to their faculty.

It was in this process that the Sub-dean, faculty of engineering, Dr. Ajiboye slapped him after he politely approached and introduced himself while trying to meet with the C.B.T Secretary, Dr. Tomori.

Dr. Ajiboye rudely shooed him off and while he (Eminent) stepped aside, to converse with his colleague, the said lecturer approached him and questioned him as to why he decided to murmur after he has spoken and he then slapped him.

We also gathered that this turn of events resulted in an uproar from the students and it took the quick thinking of Students Union president to calm the already angry students who were ready to cause a bigger scene at the center.

Dr. Ajiboye’s action has really violated the ethics of the school, and the situation should be looked into by the disciplinary committee, in a bid to forestall future occurrences.

While we spoke to some students, who witnessed the scene, many described it as an ”aberration and injustice” on the part of the lecturer, as that would not be the first time such act would be perpetrated by either teaching and non-teaching staffs of the school.

A Feast of Colour As Hindus Celebrates Holi In India

Holi , the festival of colours, marks the beginning of spring in India.

One of the biggest Hindu festivals,  Holi holds a mythological importance - that of the triumph of good over evil. It is also associated with the eternal love of Lord Krishna and his consort Radha.

The festival of Holi brings together people of all classes and ages, who sing and dance, hand out sweets, and splash colours over friends and loved ones.

Here below are more wonderful pictures from the festival.

Pictures courtesy Aljazeera;