Where and When Wole Soyinka was Wrong - By Daniel Ayodele Adeniran

There are many Yoruba names whose meanings are now lost due to the facts that the words forming the roots of those words are no longer in use.

For instance ask the young Master Olopade the meaning of his name and he will probably tell you that his name means " policeman has come". Ask Mr Olopade, his father, and he would probably tell you it means "the owner of the staff has come". The two of them would be wrong as Olopade actually means" the Opa devotee has come". The same goes for all other Opa names like Opatola, Opadotun etc. Those names show that the ancestors of the bearers of the names were worshippers or devotees of the Opa Cult otherwise called Awo Opa, one of the religion cults or secret societies proscribed by the British in colonial days.

Or imagine another scenario: Pastor Obafemi, the pastor of a Pentecostal church, is asking Deacon Ogunyemi to change his name because he believes that the name of the deacon is associated with Ogun, an idol, without realizing that his own name is also idolatrous in its origin.

Even Professor Wole Soyinka in his book "The Man Died" gave the meaning of his surname Soyinka to be "surrounded by wizards". This is far from being the case. Names like Soyinka, Sonekan, Sonuga etc do not derive from "Oso" wizard but rather they derive from Orisaoko, the Yoruba god of Agriculture. The name Soyinka in full is Orisaokoyinka which became shortened by a gradual declension to Sookoyinka, Sooyinka and finally to Soyinka. It is the same for all the other "Soo..." names.

If a whole Professor Soyinka, a master of literature and language can be thus mistaken on the derivation and meaning of his own name, what about we lesser mortals. It is in order to put these various misconceptions right that I am publishing this little work via this medium.

This list is by no means exhaustive and other's inputs are welcome so it can be in writing for generations yet unborn so that the knowledge of the meaning of our names will not die out.

Also if you want to know the meaning of your Yoruba name, you are welcome to ask.

Agba o ni i tan lorile.

The "Oku" names like Okusanya, Okusehinde, Okusaga etc are not derived from "Oku" do-mi, a dead person. They are derived from "Okù" the Ijebu god of wealth which corresponds to " Ajé" the Oyo Yoruba god of wealth. Thus Okusanya means the god of wealth has rewarded me for my sufferings and not dead person has rewarded me for my sufferings.

Ore Names like Oresanya, Oredipe etc. They do not derive from Ore, do-mi (friend) but from Ore, re-do (a deity).

Ope Names like Opeseyi, Opetola etc do not derive from Ope, do-re, palm tree but rather from Ope, do-do, an Ifa divining chain.

Igbin names like Onigbinde, Igbintade etc do not derive from Igbin, do-mi, (snail) but rather from Igbin, re-re ( a drum beaten for the Orisaala worship). The ancestors of people bearing these names were drummers for Orisaala worshippers.
 Onasanya, Onabajo these names are not derived from ona (road) but they derive from ona (craft). The name bearers of these names would be people who were craftsmen like sculptors etc in their origin

Alalade does not derive from ala do-mi (dream) but derives from Ala do-do (white, the insignia of the Orisala or Obatala deity and it means the owner of ala has come, the Orisala devotee has come and not the dreamer has come as many have supposed it means.

Elegbede does not derive from egbe, re-mi (the supposed magical means of teleporting) and is not supposed to be pronounced as Elegbede re-mi-mi as Sunny Ade sang it in one of the records he made for the Erelu of Lagos when he sang “Aya Dehinde mi kaabo, Elegbede, Abiola Fernandez ku eto”. The name is derived from egbe do-do meaning support. Thus the name is more properly pronounced as Elegbede re-mi-do-mi-mi (the defender, the one who will fight or support my cause) has come.

Onipede does not derive from ipe do-mi (fish scales) but derives from ipe do-do (consolation). So it should not be pronounced as Onipede re-mi-vi-mi the owner of scales has come but rather as Onipede re-mi-do-mi-mi (the consoler has come).

Baba re-re and Oba re-re names such as Babasanya, Babafemi, Obadare, Obafemi, Obasanjo do not derive from father or king. They both derive their roots from Sonponna, the god of small-pox, which used to be referred to in reverent tone in olden days as Baba so that he would not kill them. If you will recall, In olden times, the marks left on the faces of anyone who recovered from small-pox attack used to be referred to as Ila-Baba, that is father’s marks.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at page Page 45 of his latest book My Watch gave us an insight into the origin of the names starting with Oba when he stated the origin of his name Obasanjo as follows:
“The change of fortune in my father's life was, to me inexplicable. Apart from being hardworking, he was a stickler to everything correct - correct behavior and mannerism; correct attitude in almost all things; respect for all, both younger and older. He was a good family man, wise and confident--most people in the village and many from neighboring villages sought his advice- and he was always sober and caring. My father’s social drink was fresh palmwine, which contains little or no alcohol before it ferments. But suddenly, my father started taking ogogoro, the locally brewed gin. The drink is reputed to be harsh and intoxicating. As my father indulged in this drink, things started going downhill for him. He became alcoholic. People wondered and were concerned.
“My mother took to enquiring from the gods and seeking a solution from diviners. The answer they came up with was that my father was an abiku (children that are regarded as dying and coming back, reborn through the same parents). They said also that when my grand mother came to her wits’ end, desperate to have a surviving child, she sought a child through the deity of smallpox, Obaluaiye. It was assumed that the neglect of Obaluaiye in our family has caused the change in my father’s lifestyle. The deity had to be appeased by my sister, Wola, being made a worshiper and being inducted into all the rituals of Obaluaiye. I was then made to understand that my father’s name, Obasanjo, was given to appreciate the kindness of Obaluaiye in granting my grandmother a surviving child. I later saw all this as superstition, anyway. And, in any case, my father’s gradual but steady downturn of fortune was neither stopped nor reversed until he died early in 1960. My sister married a Muslim and forgot about worshipping Obaluaiye and practising its rituals”.

From this one can see that the Oba in Obasanjo, Obafemi, derived from Obaluwaye otherwise called Sonponna, the god of small pox and does not derive from king.

So Pastor Obafemi in the hypothetical case mentioned above would do well to remove the log in his own eyes first by changing his own name first before insisting that Deacon Ogunyemi should change his name.

Oloko re-mi-do does not derive from the word oko re-do lorry or canoe and it does not mean the owner of a lorry or the owner of canoe, but it derives from the word oko do-do (spear) and it means the owner, master or lord of the spear. It is a war title which has become a name. It is the title borne by the group of warriors whose chosen weapons of warfare is the spare.

Adekogbe re-mi-do-mi does not mean the crown rejects excreta as the word igbe do-mi in the name does not mean excreta; rather it means a bush or a light forest. The name means the crown rejects the bush, that is to say a prince shouldn't be involved in manual labour or farming activities. Adekogbe is a name much favoured by the Ijebus, as they are of all Yoruba tribes a tribe that is more averse to farm work or manual labour than any of the other Yoruba tribes. They prefer to trade instead. Ade re-mi names like Adeboye Adebayo Adebola are not derived from Ade (crown) but rather they are derived from the verb de which means to come. Adeboye means he who came at a time when chieftaincy has just entered into the family. Adebayo means he who comes to meet when a thing of joy has just come into the family and Adebola means he who comes to meet when wealth has just come into the family. Apart from the misconstrued names, there are other names whose meanings are now recondite as many people no longer knows what the names mean.

Shadare Sadeko, Sadela etc, these names derive from the Orisala otherwise called Obatala deity. Shadare is an hyphenated form of Orishadare. The word Orisha whenever used alone invariably refers to Obatala otherwise called Orisala. So those names are names of people named after the Orishala deity. Shadare or Sadare then would mean Obatala has vindicated (me). Sadeko would mean that an Obatala worshipper has arrived at Eko (Lagos) Sadela would mean Obatala has arrived into wealth.

Akeredolu re-mi-mi-re-mi means he who reduces himself in order to become a king. He who humbles himself to become a king like the title of that play She Stoops To Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith. Adewuyi re-mi-re-do means the crown grows honour, that is the crown produces honour.

Olofa re-mi-do means the owner of arrows or the master or lord of arrows. It is another war title that has become a name and it is the title given to those whose weapons of war in battle is the bow and arrow, that is archers.

Alokolaro re-mi-re-mi-do-mi-mi means he who has a large farm and also has a cooperative society to assist him to do the farm work. Aaro is a cooperative system among the Yorubas whereby the members agree to work jointly in the farm of each member of the group in turn until they have finished the farm-work of all the members.

Olowe re-mi-do means he who has an owe do-do cooperative group. Owe is another type of cooperative society whereby the members assist each other to work in the farm of each other. Olowe is thus somebody who has a large number of people at his beck and call whom he can call upon to assist him anytime in his farm or other work.

Apara re-re-re is short for Aparaogunbienipale re-re-re-re-re-mi-re-mi-re-mi. implies he who sets war at naught. It means literally somebody who gets ready for war as easily as other people get ready for home affairs.

Okoya re-mi-re-mi means the hoe has torn into pieces. It is an Abiku name. It implies an imploration to the Abiku not to die again as the hoe for burial has torn into pieces.
 Okose means the hoe has broken, same as Okoya.

Popoola means the avenue of Honour or nobility. Popo means a broad street or avenue, Ola means honour or nobility
Adesiyan means the crown is good. Adelabu means the crown has passed through the deep (the sea).

Banmeke means hold or sustain the rafter of the house with me. Eke is the underlying structure upon which the leaves used to roof the house was be placed. It served the purpose now served by the rafter as forming the superstructure of the roof. It thus a very important part of the house or family.

Falade means the god of divination has intermingled with royalty, probably a name given to a child who was born of an Ifa priesthood parent and a royal parent, like the mother of the 1st Olowu who being a princess married his father’s priest.

Olaniyan means nobility has swagger, that is to say noble people have a special way in which they carry themselves, Adedeke or Dedeke re-mi-re-mi means he who comes to become a very important part of the house. Eke (the rafter) being the superstructure of the roof. The Ade there is not crown but is from the verb de meaning to come or arrive.

Oluwusi means kingship has increased
Adebosin means he that came to meet kingship Osinbajo means the king has returned from a journey. Osin re-do means king. Bo means to come back from ajo do-do which means a journey.

Asaju re-re-mi-mi means the leader of the van. It is the war title of the chief of the unit that fights at the head of the army. Seriki derived from the Hausa word for king sarkin. He is the head of all the junior war chiefs.

Sarumi do-do-mi is another war title given to the head of the Cavalry, that is the unit of the army that fight with horses or on horseback. Alasa re-mi-mi-do is a war title that has now become a name. It does not refer to aasa tobacco, but to asa the shield. Alasa means the owner or lord of the shield, that is the shield bearer, perhaps of the king. Asa means shield.

Oshadipe. Orishadipe. The god (Obatala) has used this one (the newly born baby) to console by using him to replace a loss recently suffered by the family.

Sonibare means be careful in choosing whom you allow to get close to you. Eesuola means the pool that is the reservoir of honour or nobility.l

Bamgbegbin mi-re-mi-do means assist me to carry the Igbin. It is a name borne by drummers for Orisala worship. (Igbin is the drum beaten in the worship of Orisaala/Obatala deity).

Tella do-do is a name borne only by Oyo princes and it means bend or bow to become in order to become wealthy.

Oladoyibo re-mi-do-do-mi means Honour surrounds him, Olasope re-mi-re-mi means honour has emerged completely.

Kotoye do-mi-mi is short for Kotoyesi do-mi-mi-mi-mi, which means not worthy of being honoured, a name given to a child believed to be an Abiku because the Yorubas believe that such a child if shown any love or regard by being given sweet and affectionate names would go back to his group of bad children but if shown he is despised and of scant regard and is expected by his parents to die anytime, he would stay; because Abikus have a perverse tendency to do just the opposite of what you expect them to do. For that reason, they are given derogatory names like Kotoyesi, Aja (dog) etc.

Bamgbose mi-re-mi-mi means assist me in carrying the ose, that is Sango’s wand. It is a name given to children born by Sango worshippers.

Sorry I could not write the names in Yoruba character as I don’t have a Yoruba keyboard and all the virtual ones I downloaded and the one sent to me by the Proudly Yoruba Administrator did not seem to work.

By: Daniel Ayodele Adeniran

Source: Yinka Williams, a friend from the cradle

Vintage Bayo Adelabu: Routing for the Supreme Good Via Incremental Change in Oyo State Governance System (2) - By Isiaka Kehinde

Interesting enough, after the interview of Oloye Adelabu Adebayo on Fresh FM on Saturday, there have been a chain of reaction from the public, some sincere and trenchant, others specious and politically - motivated.

Vitally, Oloye Adelabu's comments on funding tertiary education specifically, and his general policy plan on education transformation has continued to elicit spontaneous reactions from the public. This is not unexpected. As Willard Richan once said, "we live in a political environment in which reactions to policy innovations often range from apathy to outright hostility".

Clearly, Oloye Adelabu Adebayo did not mince words in setting priorities for the transformation of education system in the state. Without a whiff of doubt, he is looking forward to providing a system that will not place premium on the book itself but which will give values to the book. He identified the triad of physical infrastructural development of the schools environment, provision of modern teaching aid and focus on the improved welfare of the teaching personnel as prerequisites for attaining qualitative education in the state.

He affirmed that plans are already in top gear to actualise the noble goal of quality education in Oyo state. Citing Lagelu Grammar School as a model, he emphasised that the fortune of the school, within just last one year of his helmsmanship of the school's governing board, has largely improved and the academic performance of the students markedly impressive. That  feat he assured will be repeated in other schools in due course.

Whilst agreeing that education in primary and post primary schools be made free, he insisted that tertiary institutions should be self-funding, autonomous and creative. 'All over the world, tertiary education is not free'. This seems to be an unsettling truth that some people designed not to settle for.

Oloye Adelabu Adebayo highlighted areas of fast tracking sustainability of funding of tertiary education and urged the administrators of the schools to think outside the box of over reliance on government intervention to developing holistic feasibility plan that will address  proper funding structure without ado  through third sector partnership, students loans scheme, grants, endowments, charities from the affluent members of the society among others.

Nothing happens, as they say, unless something is moved. From all indications, not that Oloye Adelabu Adebayo is taking the less travelled route for calling on the institutions to multiply their own strength merely to sooth his own ecstasy, he is  obviously aiming at a lasting solution, that may appear painful though at the beginning, but soothing in the end.

The discussion on the need to rethink higher education funding is not limited to Nigeria alone. Even in advanced democracies, funding of education is tied to tuition prices. The debate over the escalating tuition fees and the tax payers loans which often serve as issues of grave  concern by disadvantaged students overseas has been one of the widely debated contentious issues around the globe. A dicothomy between a not too financially stable students and their better off peers. The former after graduation faces another hurdle of loans repayment.

There is no equal opportunity for education. But to maintain a balance, institutions in advanced countries offer a boost to Education through providing access to students to get maintainance loans to defray their school fees and living cost. Even in Freetown, nothing is free. All reasoning concerning matter of fact is founded on the relation of cause and effect. More often to reach the desired effect it may cause the agent some sacrifice. This is a hard fact that Oloye Adelabu Adebayo was stressing in the interview that some people failed to grapple with.

He remarked  that  it's unthinkable that students fees be increased astronomically and they are still compelled to commence payment immediately. He therefore suggested a palliative process of spreading  such increase to cover some periods of time to cushion it's harsh effect on both the students and their parents.

Hatchback to the past history, it is easier to link Adelabu Adebayo's excellence of character and consuming passion for quality education to his late grand father, Hon Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi whose ideas for education for all was propelled by his uncanny political will necessary for social change. The late Penkelemesi  implied words to that effect when he said that "every item of luxury in our domestic and national budget whilst there are uneducated people about in any remote or outlandish portion of this country, is a sin against the law of God".

It also bears emphasis that Adelabu Adebayo in the said interview stated that he is a comfortable man who through dint of hardwork and God's grace has recorded huge success in his private ventures in the areas covering but not limited to, Hospitality, Agriculture and Estate. The visceral question on the lips of some people is - 'what do you want in government, if you are as accomplished a man as you claimed'. It needs be pointed out that politics as Tacitus says, "is the most flagrant of all passion". To think that government is an avenue to enrich those in power is an egregious falsity in common perspective on democracy. For a fact, some people are in politics to fulfill a dream in pursuance of good life for all. Such a person desires the opportunity for public service so that his or her virtue should not grow old and weak through lack of use. This is the supreme good, that once attained, a man desires nothing else. The irrepressible passion that drives Oloye Adelabu Adebayo to politics.

With Bayo, Next level is guaranteed in Oyo state.

Watch out for part 3 that will cover Adelabu Adebayo's position and viewpoint  on Environment, Health and Housing.

Monsurat Sunmonu for Senate, Oyo Central - Leekan Si

The election time is here already, we have kept a low tone for too long since the beginning of the 8th Assembly and now is the best hour to blow our own trumpet because if we don't do it, who will do it on our behalf?

Senator Monsurat Sunmonu very much unlike our generic Nigerian politician: who sing praise of the minutest of their achievements at every single convenience; who desire special appraisement and thanksgiving services over her simply doing her civil responsibility; who at the barest stir, armoured with the media strength, all equipped and ready to blaze the air on her every twist and turn.

For too long SMS, as she's fondly called, as always acted on the floor of the house of assembly with the fear of God, she has always gone about her work with the utmost humility, respect, decency - the hallmark of good leadership and representative of her people and country, Nigeria. Very few among her distinguished colleagues can lay claim to this humane virtues. With respect to nobility in service and execution of duty, her determination is unrivalled and she stands way above her pairs.

SMS have during her service to the nation, and particularly to the people of Oyo Central senatorial district, garnered so many accomplishments and when reeled out to the public becomes an exposé and they seemingly marvel at her numerous achievements and unpublished glory at the floor of the house. Little wonder she's popularly referred to as 'The Iron Lady'. It is noteworthy that these good exploits did not come to manifest by mere words or action but by dutiful and forceful execution of services, having her way as the house is a combination of like minds and the unlike minds.

Her success stories in the house include the provision of medical attention for critical condition victims which has already been signed into law, who would believe that that kind of law is non-existence in Nigeria as at that time? Since it has been passed into law, this motion alone have saved many lives and aborted many untimely mortality of our accident victims all over the country. All in all, she has 9 motions in her name and many more which she co-sponsored, she has about 9 bills in the house with various oversight functions of the house, she has numerous projects/contributions in education, healthcare, infrastructure, youths and women empowerment.

Believe me, the bulk of her achievements is way too numerous for enlistment in this piece, but the aspect that usually fascinate me particularly is her colossal contribution to the infrastructural development of her district. It readily comes to mind with her exertion on the Alakia-Adegbayi road, a project she facilitated the speedy repairs, before then the road was an harbour for accident and a death trap for unsuspecting road users due to its dilapidated state. Her invaluable sympathy for human lives made these gestures more a selfless service than offering the people a favor. She also facilitated the resumption of work at the Oyo-Ogbomoso Expressway.

To list a few more of her numerous triumph which largely bothers on youths and women empowerment through job provision and capacity trainings - such as: the training of more than 2,000 Oyo Central Youths in China, NDE, Port Novo and Abuja among others; training and empowerment of over 20 youths on specialised agro-foresty practice, provision of jobs at Nigerian Police, Civil Defense, SPED, Immigration Service, FIRS, and RCC. Many others categories also include Skill Acquisition Scheme in Cosmetology, GSM Repairs, Sewing, Hairdressing, Barbing, Tiling/POP, Electrical Installation and so on.

SMS is a mother, a religious leader, a political leader, human/woman emancipator, the Iron Lady of the 8th Assembly, she will do more I can guarantee you, if voted in for a second term as our representative from Oyo Central Senatorial District. Let's join hands to vote Senator Monsurat Sunmonu Leekan Si

Bayo Adelabu Scores Gov. Ajimobi's Administration Excellent

Oloye Adebayo Adelabu, the APC gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State yesterday while speaking on Political Circuit, a radio program on Fresh FM anchored by Mayor Isaac Brown scored the Abiola Ajimobi led government in Oyo State an excellent 80%. Oloye Adelabu had many strong words to express his thoughts on the great achievements of the present governor whom he hopes to take over government from after the election coming up on March 2nd of this same year.

When quizzed on how he feels on how he's now perceived as a godson of Gov. Ajimobi and how the shortcomings of this administration is rubbing off on him and his reputation as the candidate of the APC in Oyo State. Oloye Adelabu waxed both lyrical and philosophical when he replied with a long speech on the qualities of a good leader whom Gov. Ajimobi is one of them.

"I'm better off being in that position than being under the opposition. It is very hard to separate more like a trinity: the candidate; the platform (party); and the incumbency, the three come together to become one. They can't be separated. What we all pray for is let our good work surpass our bad work. If the present governor Ajimobi present administration is scored 80% by my estimation, (I'm even being modest). I have a lot to leverage on, in the good work he has done in the last seven and half years -
* Peace and tranquility in the state
* Infrastructure: the good roads, comparable to what is obtained anywhere in the world, not roads that will spend two years and you will later re-award the contract.
* Reforms in the education: fine, we have not gotten to the eldorado, I'm a living witness, I head one of the school governing council, go to Lagelu Grammar School and see the transformation.
* Reforms in Health: the specialist hospitals in Ade-Oyo, we are reintroducing the primary health care system, dispensary across all local governments council, maternity homes across all local governments council, we are planning to do recreation centers. In the last twenty years, for the first time in Oyo State, we have a governor that can stand tall in the committee of governors, he is humane, civil and exposed, fine gentleman that has the interest of Oyo state people at heart.

Nobody can finish it at a go, that is why I call him the initiator of good governance, when you are initiating, you have a lot of fight, a lot of hurdle. We know Oyo State, it is not easy to introduce good governance, there are saboteurs here and there which is why it appeared a bit slow, now we have reached the foundation level, you need an accelerator".

When quizzed further to talk on Gov. Ajimobi's shortcomings. Oloye Bayo Adelabu Penkelemesi asserted that the are not shortcomings but areas that require improvement. "That is the burden of leadership, you've got choices to make, atimes good governance may be hard on people. If you have a passionate leader, he'll do things that you suppose to have, not things that you want to have. Everybody what to stay in their comfort zone but for you to improve in life, you must leave your comfort zone and face some challenges, after the challenges, then you'll see that it is sweeter than the other end of the fence. Those things you call bad things are only hard choices, but let me tell you - 'the end will justify the means'. Even the Almighty God might be doing things and we humans will think it is evil, but with the benefit of hindsight, looking back, you'll thank God that you allowed it to happen. I can assure you in the next one to two years, we'll thank God that Ajimobi took all these steps on our behalf.

The positive impact of government can be long term or short term, but there are some quick wins, you can see the roads, security but a lot of things the developed countries leverage on, the positive impact don't come immediately, there's a long gestation (period), it could take two to three years. He(Gov. Ajimobi) is a bold and courageous leader who does not mind what people say about him except to take his people to the eldorado. Those fearful/cowards that only wants to play to the gallery will not take such steps because people will not see the immediate positive reasons for taking it but if you have the love of the state/people in mind and you want to see your state transformed, you will take the risk for taking those steps. These are the things Gov. Ajimobi did that we are complaining today, but tomorrow we'll laugh. I'm coming to implement and improve on what Gov. Ajimobi has done, as you can see, I'm a younger person. I can move from pillar to poles and run around, you should expect that with the base and foundation level provided, I have a lot to leverage upon".

The link to the full video (YouTube) is below
https://youtu.be/Kzl9PBOQXh4

Vintage Bayo Adelabu: Routing for the Supreme Good Via Incremental Change in Oyo State Governance System (1) - By Isiaka Kehinde

"Who is to say which is better, incremental or fundamental change? There are arguments for each. As an advocate, the important thing is to know what kind of strategy you are following because tactics that promote incremental change could be seen as underpinning the potential for the fundamental change or vice versa." -Willard Richan.

When he talks, people always rush to listen, when he is silent, people wonder and pine to hear him speak. That's the quality of a man who has turned on the light of his mind to dispel the dark night and reflect the light of truth. It's called reflective mind. It reminds the mind the purpose for which it exists. Exactly the type of mind the APC Guber hopeful in Oyo state and Agbaakin Parakoyi of Ibadanland, Oloye Adelabu Adebayo, no doubt, possess in no small measure. He is always a listener's delight at every fora and people always hang on his every word just as when the biblical Moses was reeling out the commandments. He selects his words and doesn't talk just to say something but only when there's something to say. His interview today, Saturday, 5th January on Fresh FM in the fresh year 2019, conspicuously revealed the freshness of his mind.

Listening to him again today on Fresh actually refreshed my hope for a period when the electorates will no longer accept only the available as the desirable. Now the desirable is available.

Three things made Adelabu Adebayo stand out in the interview. One, which is most vital, is his high level of preparedness to turn his lofty dreams for making Oyo State Primus inter pares (a first among equal) to a stark reality. He sounded confident and reassuring throughout. He attempted every question raised with broad calmness and answered with pinpoint accuracy. He did not sound like someone in the horns of a familiar dilemma or in the unfortunate web of what Joseph Keller teemed cash 22 situation. In short, he was never charged but totally in charge. He followed to the letter the rules of TQC - Total Quality  Communication in public relations. He is clear about his agenda, clear about his priorities, clear about the incremental change to adopt and of course clear on how his new plan will not undermine the original intent. He wants to build on an existing structure as an "Accelerator," to fast track social change, he doesn't pretend to share the glory of the current occupier of the exalted seat, Senator Abiola Ajimobi who he proudly referred to as the "initiator" or a "Pathfinder."

Aside knowing his agenda and setting up action plan towards actualising it, he is a real man who doesn't play to the gallery to woo or mislead the electorates. He said "whoever tries to satisfy everybody in life should not near governance system but rather sell ice cream". This presents him as a platonic realist who is ready to take any broadside so far his intention for his action or inaction is to attain the supreme good. According to Boethius" the supreme good is defined as that which when attained relieves a man of further desires which are lesser good"

Adelabu so much believes in the essence of continuity in governance. To him, government at it's best is a continuum. The goal is achieved faster when the methods are keenly followed by each moral agent in charge in a succession order.  He ranked Ajimobi 's government above a passing average. He maintained that "the burden of leadership is hefty and governance process hectic". In obvious show of his emotional intelligence, Adebayo Adelabu waxed philosophical when the anchor pointed at Ajimobi's shortcomings. He said "The end will justify the means, good men will ultimately obtain what they desire and that, not every throw of a dart results in a quick win, others don't bring instant visible gains as they have a long gestation period". But eventually, like the beautiful sunny day after the winters blast, people will love and appreciate them more (emphasis mine).

The third thing that  particularly made me  enamoured of the performance of the vintage Penkelemesi  grandson is his deep understanding of the fact that nobility lies in the necessities imposed on the noble man to carry on the virtues of his ancesstors. He proudly described his grandy, Hon Adelabu Adegoke Penkelemesi  as a great man and Pathfinder of grassroots politics in Ibadan who loved and lived with his people. A man whose footsteps he said  he is also following like a compass.

Oloye Adelabu Adebayo also spoke on how a combination of nature and nature can bring about a perfect man. He surely has both. He is no doubt a man that has "a get -up - and -go " sense that modern public sector transformation require. 

On his 7 point policy agenda, development plan for massive economic growth and strategies. Please watch out for the concluding part.

We'll Uplift Oyo State Trade to the Next Level, Bayo Adelabu Tells Traders Union

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Oloye Bayo Adelabu on Monday affirms his commitment to make Oyo State the business hub of the Southwest if elected as the governor the state in the 2019 election.

Oloye Bayo Adelabu Penkelemesi while addressing the Traders Union at the HEC center in Jericho told the people of the needed coalition for credible candidature, he expressed his plan for a better economy through social security and improved economic development. The grandson of the Adegoke Adelabu expressed his passion at tackling the fundamentals issue confronting the people of Oyo State, he therefore used the medium to tell the unions of his intending plans of using trade to foster the economy of the state where business can be carried out in a peaceful and serene environment.

He also informed the traders associations that this is the time for proper implementation of the good foundation laid down by the present Gov. Abiola Ajimobi who has gone a long way in setting a new standard in governance in Oyo State. The Next Level mantra is solely aimed at an empirical evidence of the good works of the Gov Ajimobi.

Present at the meeting were: Oyo State Food Workers President, Chief (Mrs) Iyadunni Lawal; Trade Men and Artisans, Chief Yisau Olayode (vice president); Oyo State Joint Traders (vice president), Chief (Mrs) Labake Lawal; National Youths Action Council (president), Alhaji Najeemdeem Azeez; Oyo State Association of Nigerian Traders (president), Chief (Mrs) Modupe Olabode; Oyo State Men/Women Association, Alhaji Dauda Oladapo; National Association of Market Leaders Council, Alhaja Sikirat Hammed Lawal; and Ibadan Joint Traders, Ibadanland, Chief Alhaji Abiodun Oladepo were all present at the meeting.

The groups' leader and representatives took turns in expressing their sincere passion to Bayo Adelabu Penkelemesi becoming the next governor of Oyo State, they pledged their total support and loyalty to the project and thereafter endorsed the APC candidate with their leadership.

Bayo Adelabu Too Focused to be Dismayed By Any On-line Merit Award By Oluwatobi Adisa

Political fortune is often deceptive. It parades itself in many ways to cage it's victims. It pretends to be friendly to those it intends to cheat. Though it is primed to cheat, it offers "worthless gift'. But a wise one looks on to pursue his goal without any distraction.

The above narrative formed the nucleus of our discussion in a forum yesterday when someone raised the issue of a candidate of a party winning governorship award in the social media radar. The amazing side of the story is  the way they are celebrating the award that does not worth more than the plague it's made of as if that really portends to electoral victory.  How foolish can a man be who cuts his vine branches in the spring when Bacchus brings it's fruit in the autumn. Is that not equal to a man building a sand castle and hope to luxuriate in it's comfy settings thereafter.  Tell me what brings a vague hope than the flower that blossom in the spring?

When the call came to us at #TeamPenkelemesi to bombard the link to nominate our principal for the award using different identities to boost his chance, I laughed. For one, Oloye Bayo Adelabu believes that nothing in the realm of providence is left to chance. He is often proud of his achievements because they are attained through a rigorous academic exercise and painstaking years of job experience and meritorious service. This forms the pillar on which Adelabu's "self identity" is built. He is what a Scottish philosopher David Hume calls" a pragmatist who never strive to make ideals real."

Contrasted with the political idealist  celebrating victory in the air, Oloye Bayo Adelabu is a rational leader who never submits himself to the foul ruins of lust. The real, F Hegel assets, is rational.

The difference is always in the nature of the struggle. Whilst the opposition elements are losing the race against time by spending every minute of the hours hurling abuses on the person of Oloye Adelabu, -  "the Political Accelerator" and the incumbent governor, -  the "Political Initiator and Pathfinder," we remain focussed in fashioning ways to build on the existing capacities.  We don't only build on the solid structure emplaced by Governor Ajimobi, we set new agenda for action through our seven thematic focal points of all round transformation. This is what Oloye Adelabu in a recent interview explained as the imperative of continuity and consistency.

Beyond that, we aim at identifying constraints clinically and manage development effectively.  Our governor to-be (by God's grace) is always brimming with novel ideas to put Oyo state on the epicenter of the National Atlas. We put in our plans a time-bound realistic target that will trigger robust economic growth and equal opportunity for all. We are building our castle on the ground, not in the air. Oloye Bayo Adelabu is going to shock the bookmakers' by building a grassroots communication and advocacy strategy that will push governance into the treshold of the people.

We will embark on effectual (Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). We don't want a population surge without it's corresponding boon. We are set to create job, tackle insecurity problems,  increase food supply chain, improve the health system, provide free but quality education, diversify from oil economy to Agric transformation and mining. Put in place a more caring and safer communities through effective policing. We will also  unlock our tourism potentials and enhance our transportation system. Tell me, how can we be working round the clock to put all these plans on ground and still have the luxury of on-line voting? We don't misplace our priorities.

In Penkelemesi Camp, we don't settle for media merits, we are tirelessly moving to the next level of how to walk our noble  plans. You can see the contradiction between their political idealism which is impression - based  and our own political realism which is people's - centered and unfalsifiable.

And at the point where their self glorification which is now making them happy ends, the impotence which makes  them miserable begins. At that crucial period, the silent electorates whose votes will count would have made their wise choice to move on to the next level. Then it will dawn on the impressionable challengers that votes counted on social media never count. That's the point that demarcates prosperity of power from power of prosperity.

O ma Penkele serious.  Ileri Oluwa Ni.

We wish you all a Happy New Year in advance.

Gbogbo wa la maa De Bayo Ni 2019.

By Oluwatobi Adisa .

I Don't See Problems in Oyo State, I see Opportunities - Bayo Adelabu

The APC Gubernatorial Candidate in Oyo State was in his usual prepared state when he visited Petals FM last night on Igbesi Aye with Maestro. He was as clinical as ever in the presentation of his manifestos and plans to take Oyo State to the Next Level in governance. He waxed lyrical with indepth analysis and innate awareness by acknowledging the vantage positions of Oyo State and how to transform these huge resources to economic growth and development.

He's setting a standard yet unattained in politics in recent years, these kind of intellectual expanse is reminiscent of the great Adelabu (grandfather), Awolowo and Akintola political era who have also demonstrated their unparalleled ability of transforming these brilliance to mental and physical development during governance. Not many of our new age candidates can match this unprecedented feat.

When asked by Maestro if he knows the fundamental problems confronting the people and past governments of Oyo State, so he won't be taken aback when he eventually assumes government. The grandson of Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi responded in his usual brilliant, prepared manner and with a vast knowledge of his social environment that -
"I don't see problems or difficulties, I see opportunities - If you look at the problems from the difficult angle, you are bound to be overwhelmed or defeated at the point of inception. I look at issues raised from the opportunities or potential yet to be harnessed in Oyo State." He continued, "We don't have problems but challenges that we need to find lasting solutions for. I'm well attuned to the major problems, confronting the state as a whole as there's no weekend I don't come to Ibadan while working in Lagos, Abuja and the Abroad."

He added that with his wealth of experience in accounting, banking and finance which principally borders on sourcing finance and accountability in spending, and not to mention as a CBN top boss, he his in full knowledge of the financial compass of Oyo state, as the CBN is also responsible for issuing bailout funds, budget and allocations. He his in a vantage position to lead Oyo State in these dire economic time as not many candidates can even boast of contributing a quota in the present government or having knowledge of highly classified information like him. He strongly emphasized how he has been the Chairman, Oyo State Security Trust Fund and at the same time, The Chairman, School Governing Board of Lagelu Grammar School. He went a step further to express how the present governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi has kept him abreast of the necessary information as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

He thereafter urged the people of Oyo State to vote him as the next governor of Oyo State so that he can speedily improve on the good works of Gov Ajimobi and further develop Oyo State in all sectors. "Governor Ajimobi is the foundation maker, the INITIATOR of modern developments in Oyo State, now we need Bayo Adelabu, an ACCELERATOR, who has the capability and the capacity to bring speedy developments to Oyo State as he is reputably regarded as one who speedily got to the peak of his career at a tender age.

You can watch the full version of the interview on YouTube using the link below
https://youtu.be/61138PQ4smY

Bayo Adelabu, Upholding the Name of Lagelu Grammar School on Air Again By Isiaka Kehinde

In what served as fulfilling a pledge of "wherever I go, whatever I be, I will always uphold your name" part of our school's anthem, the name of Lagelu Grammar School kept resonating during the special  interview of our set Chairman, Oloye Adelabu Adebayo Adekola on Petals FM 102.3 this evening (Sunday, 30th December, 2018). It was a so balmy, so interesting. It makes me to be proud of being a product of the school and indeed feel blessed to be associated with our set and our Chairman.

The bare your soul interview further exposed not only the intellectual worth of our chairman but accentuated his native intelligence. It showed him as somebody who holds the card wherever issues concerning governance system is on the front burner. 

He reiterated that his desire for  the opportunity to govern Oyo state is for the public interest. It deserves a special emphasis that he established all his points with pinpoint accuracy so convincing that none of it's implications raised any doubt.  This is a display of a rare divine gift of wisdom which the ignorant can not match nor comprehend. It's so clear that true honour truly can not be attained through specious dignities. It is earned.

Our own Agbaakin Parakoyi spoke extensively on diverse issues and highlighted ones that underscores his seven thematic focus area visa a vis, Education, Health, Agric Security, Housing, Environment and Transportation. In the program, he dwelled more on the triad of how to boost the education system. He laid bare his plans for development of education at all levels, touching on personnel welfare, structural transformation and innovations of teaching methods and improved module. He also remarked on why we as a people need a shift from oil as the mainstay of our economy in Nigeria. He therefore pointed at agriculture and solid mineral as a way to diversify from monolithic oil sector. He said, we would only survive the economic blustery weather if we adopt a zero - oil budget. On Health, he laid emphasis on preventive health which largely depends on improved Primary Health care.

The success of every human action depends on the will and power. The interview, without any gainsaying, proved that he combines both.

Oloye Adelabu Adebayo's brilliant show tonight reminds me of Plato's recipe for good governance. He said "civil government ought to be in the hands of wise men and that if it were left to the wicked, the common good will suffer". Oyo state electorates no doubt know what is good for them and will not settle for any second best.

To me personally, the highpoint of the no hold barred interview was the area of improving education standard in which Lagelu Grammar School came as a reference point recurringly in terms of physical structure improvement, teachers remuneration and introduction of modern teaching aid. The outcome of which has placed Lagelu Grammar School on a higher pedestal above others. Our chair really made us proud. He deserves our accolades.

A sage says whenever you overcome the earth, the stars will be all yours. Oloye Adelabu is emotionally and physically well prepared for the task ahead in all ramifications, I have no doubt, he will excel. May the good Lord grant him a deserving victory at the poll.

#SEMPER OPTIMUM..... ALWAYS THE BEST

Still on YS Live Program that Unveils Adelabu's Political Will to Save Oyo State from Malthusian Catastrophe.

"African countries do not lack ideas, they lack the political will and commitment to implement ideas necessary for changing their societies"- Ike Odimegu

The way Chief Adelabu Adebayo rolled out his plans to tackle the perennial issue of urban environmental crisis in Oyo State during his last interview on Splash FM  starkly highlighted his understanding of the situation on ground and portrayed him as  one who has a card up his sleeve.

Urban environmental crisis is a global phenomenon. It is estimated that by 2025, two third of the world population will live in high urban areas. As the population mushrooms, it will come with the attendant problems of how the government will satisfy the needs of the growing population, tackle food insecurity, unemployment and other challenges.

When population multiplies geometrically and food conversely grow arithmetically, there is bound to be a precarious situation the economists tagged "Malthusian catastrophe" This was copiously alluded to by Chief Adebayo Adelabu in the said interview. He did not just talk the talk, he provided solutions to the depressing challenges.

Chief Adelabu Adebayo expanded the nest of his discourse to cover innovative plans to enhance food security using modern technology. He said Agriculture is a major employer of active labour force and great contributor to Gross Domestic Product, hence, should be properly focussed. Part of his Agric transformation strategies is to rehabilitate the feeder roads for improved access to the farm produce and for ease of transportation. He envisages a speed up in farming process that will necessitate a shift  from the unproductive slash- and -burn -system to a technology -driven one. He admitted that the present administration of  Governor Abiola Ajimobi has taken a quantum leap in addressing some of the issues, but promised to leverage on it and make Agriculture a cardinal focus of his government by 2019.

The Agbaakin Parakoyi of Ibadanland also explored the underlying causes of poverty and weighed the prospects for inclusive and equitable development under his coming regime. He maintained that as a successful entrepreneur that has never owed his teeming employees a month salary over the years, he will surely create more jobs if voted into power and ensure a steady payment of workers salary without any let or hindrance. 

The major thrust of the interview was what Chief Adebayo Adelabu dubbed "uneven geographic distribution of population". He bemoaned a parlous situation where more than five people will be overcrowded in a single room all in the quest for enjoying urban life. He said, since there is insufficient accommodation in the urban areas to meet the demands of the large scale migration of people, there is an urgent need to reverse the trend through an effective policy shift on mass housing.

Chief Bayo Adelabu frowned at the imperilled health and poor quality of life of the citizens living under the blighted structures in low income neighbourhood due to overstressed existing facilities provided by the government. He mentioned places like Beere, Ayeye, Oopo etc to illustrate his points. As a person who also suffered the heat while growing up, he surely knows how painful it can be to be packed in a single room like pilchard in a barrel.

For the sake of emphasis, in 2003, Lagos State Government embarked on what is called "Slum neighborhood incremental improvement programme'. The program has recorded significant mileage and is worthy of emulation. Chief Bayo Adelabu touched on the instances where Lagos module has been a huge success and how it has largely solved the problems of insufficient accommodation, overcrowding , increase spread of communicable diseases, undue pressure on existing government facilities, waste generation etc. Frankly speaking, Chief Adebayo Adelabu stated that Oyo state can also borrow a leaf from the Lagos success story on mass housing  and make a workable PRSP (Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan) that will not remain just a plan on paper but a stark reality.

Visceral reactions of the myopic critics.

Barely after the beautiful policy analysis and presentation of a detailed developmental program he has in store for the people of Oyo state, the politically sponsored elements have started to  savagely critique the noble plans. They called the plan for mass housing "impractical and unrealistic". They weaved  specious premises to justify their shaky conclusions. Their grandstanding view is that" if people were relocated to decongest the thick population, what happens to their ancestral homes they have been familiar with over the years.?

It was Albert Einstein who posited that "nothing happens unless something is moved". As a platonic realist, I hold that If we desire a positive change, people should prepare to make a necessary sacrifice.

In the early eighties, the Akere family in Oritamerin moved enmass to Ijokodo area, a suburb and just emerging settlement at the period to arrest insufficient accommodation the family members were facing in Oritamerin.  The first of the settlers at Ijokodo considered it a tragic burden initially, but today, they live to thank their fate for taking that hard choice. The scariest moment is always just before you start.

The Next level.

As we are moving to the next level in Oyo state, it is pertinent to note that, progress can only come when the citizens are in full support of the government policy and programmes. If we can effect the change we wished for ourselves, there is nothing stopping us. We will surely reach the promised land.

Very soon, Oyo maa penkele better.

By Oluwatobi Adisa

PROFILING ADELABU AS FIRST AMONG EQUALS: DIALOGUE OF TWO CITIZENS AS OYO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION CAMPAIGN HOTS UP

A- These seasonal people are here again with their sugar-coated talk.

B- Who are those again? Somebody has riled you?

A- What do you mean? See, l am not like you and l know what l am saying o. I don't give a hoot about any politician no matter how humongous is his money.

B- Oh oo. You have started with this your bad belle again. Now tell me, what is your grouse this time around?

A- Is it not that Adelabu or what did he call himself. He kept jumping about different media houses talking nonsense all over the place.

B-  Bros, come off it joor! What is wrong about a candidate using the media to propagate his programmes and the manifesto of his party to the electorate who would actually determine his success or failure in the election.

A- You may have a point there sha. But this Penkele own is too much. Everyday you hear him disturbing the airwaves building castle in the air and promising heaven on earth. All in a bid to deceive us! Ko le werk kankan!

B- Haba! Why would you say...

A- (Cuts in) See, forget that. Is he even the only candidate contesting as Governor of Oyo State? It's him and his boys that kept coming up on every media house; radio, television, newspapers, billboard, online and everywhere. He is just a money miss road, my brother.

B- If that is your view about his media tour and campaign, then you are wrong and off the mark there. Bayo Adelabu has not prevented other candidates and their parties from taking their campaigns to the media too. So, why is that your problem?

A- It was even the nonsense he was spewing on Splash FM last Tuesday that is pissing me off. Didn't you listen to YS Live on that day?

B- Of course. I listened to the two-hour interview he had with Yemi Sonde. The guy sounded impressive and very cerebral. If all what he said was anything to go by, l tell you, Oyo State would go places and the citizens would have so much to cheer about if he wins and execute even sixty percent of all that he is promising.

A- So you also believe all those things the man is saying on radio. See, all that one na saka manje!

B- Which one is saka manje again. Abeg come down to my level jare.

A- No wonder! Oo ja si. You don't understand saka manje?  I mean the guy just dey deceive people with all his big big plans ni!

B- You are wrong my brother. It  only shows that the guy has done his homework and will hit the ground running if he becomes the Governor.

A- Which Governor? He can't win kankan! Someone that is saying he is going to demolish people's ancestral home and chase them away. He should first go and demolish his own family compound at Oke Odo in Ibadan before he starts pulling down our forefathers houses joor! Family compounds that have spanned generations! All these book people sha!

B- Now l see that you are just being mischievous there. The man was talking about urban renewal and providing decent housing for the people. I heard him clearly. He was saying that he wanted to see the people moving away from living in squalor where five or six people live in a dingy, dirty room to a three bedroom apartment in a healthy environment largely at the expense of government. He even cited Lagos examples where people were moved from Oluwole and Ita faaji to better and spacious environments. If you will be sincere with yourself, that is a very sound Housing policy if properly implemented.

A- Okay. Let's leave that aside. How about the N25,000 Security level the man is endorsing? With the current economic situation, how can he subscribe to adding to people's economic burden with one yeye security tax?

B- My guy, l think you should be objective here. We are talking of security of lives and property here. The man was sayng...

A- (Cuts in) What is he talking about? Is the government not supposed to ensure the security of lives of all citizens? So, people have to pay through their nose because government wants to secure them?

B- I was making a point on that before you interrupted me. And my point is that the current government should be commended for ensuring peace throughout Oyo State in the last 7 and half years. So if citizens are now asked to pay some amount as part of their contribution to the safety of their lives and property, l don't think that is asking for too much.

A- And to you, N25,000 Security Levy per year is not too much? The man even calls the amount a "token" on radio. Olohun saa ma je k'awon APC yi fi tax pa wa l'Oyo State!

B- l am sure you heard Adelabu breaking it down on radio o. He said the amount was less than N2,500 per month. That was what he meant by describing it as a token and not the negative way you are painting it. And you must remember that as the Chairman of Oyo State Security Trust Fund, Adelabu must be talking from a vantage point of superior knowledge.

A- That's his own problem. And what about this one? Why can't he make a definite promise when Yemi Sonde asked him about the tuition fee and other issues relating to The Polytechnic, Ibadan?

A- How can he do that? Someone who is not yet the Governor and not yet in full grasp of government finances is not expected to be categorical about such key issue like tertiary education. I was impressed with his response when he said he will look into all the grey areas when he gets into office. However, he explained that there will be opportunities of tertiary education loans for undergraduates in his government. Or didn't you hear that one too? Or you would have preferred him play to the gallery to win votes? That would not be statesmanship if you ask me.

A- Well, well, l had him say that sha! Even with that, the Adelabu man is too proud for my liking. Always peddling the name of his grandfather. Penkele! Penkele! Penkele! everywhere and all the time. Don't other candidates have fathers too or we as citizens fall off from heaven without having  fathers?

B- Don't be petty there! Are you saying when a man has a proud and enviable ancestral background he should not flaunt it? When you are selling a product, the right thing to do is to display and market it with all the unique selling points and attributes that such products has. Now, you accuse Omo Adegoke Adelabu of always mouthing the name of his grandfather. If his grandfather Adelabu had been a felon or  a disgraced politician in the 50s when he reigned as the foremost politician in Ibadan and its environs, the opposition would be quick to go to town, shouting on the rooftop that the electorate should be wary of voting for the grandson of a felon! If l have such background like that of Adelabu, l will even do same and blow my trumpet for the whole world to here jare.

A- What about him saying he is the best amongst all the aspirants that contested for the ticket of his party, APC? Before you say Jack Robinson, the man would be shouting "I made first class, l made first class" all about town. I am telling you that the guy is too full of himself and you are here defending him.

B- Now, l get you. I think you personally don't like the man and would never recognise the fact that he is a good or sound product, party or no party affiliation. What l heard the man say on radio that Tuesday was that he is the combination of all the good sides of all the aspirants that vie for the APC Governorship ticket with him. And what is wrong with someone saying l am the best especially if that is the truth. Even though the man didn't pointedly say he is the best amongst all the candidates, what he is saying is that he combines all that is best in the APC and that all the other aspirants are collectively giving him maximum support.

A- But let's look at it this way o. Is it APC that will now win Oyo State again after the party has spent 8 years as government in power? Are they the only party in the state? Let other parties also come and enjoy government too. Enikan o laye joor. Their own don do!

B- Don't tell me your concept of politics, government and good governance is all about turn by turn! That your opinion is a great disservice to true spirit of governance and statesmanship. When a government is doing the right thing and meeting the needs of the citizens, the people would be right to continually vote them back into office. It is this "come and eat" or "turn by turn" style of political leadership that has stifled Nigerian political and economic development over the years. So, if the people of Oyo State feel that  they are better off with the performance of APC in government in the last 8 years, they will vote the party and its candidates back to office again and again!

A- Well, it is not the fault of Adelabu and the APC people sha. Even the other parties self, one can hardly hear them presenting their manifestoes anywhere. And now, elections are barely two months from now. I don't know for them jare.

B- Now, you are getting to where we actually started this conversation from. And that is my point. When the electorate can hardly hear, see or feel what the other candidates and their parties have in stock for the people, wouldn't Penkelemesi's political profile and ratings continue to rise far beyond that of his opponents, especially with Adelabu's unrelenting engagements with the electorate on the media and all around town?

A- I agree with you there. But the guy get bastard money o. He is everywhere; radio, television; billboards, rallies, just everywhere! The man must be spending millions of naira to achieve such massive political mobilisation.

B- Truth be told, our current level of politics is highly skewed towards money, a lot of money at that. And if a candidate  doesn't have the required capital to pursue his ambition, he may not reach anywhere. And if he managed to reach somewhere, his sponsors and godfathers would not allow him to be independent-minded and focused on good governance. For me, that is one baggage that Adelabu does not have. He is his own man, spending his money and being complimented by his party. The added advantage of a candidate like Adelabu is that he would not get into government and be looking for how to recoup his expenses. I have not seen that quality in most of the other candidates.

A- It appears you like this Adelabu Penkelemesi o. With the way you are rooting for him as if he is an angel. Mind you, that is how they all come promising heaven on earth. But when they manage to get into power, they turn their back on the people as if they no longer matter.

B- Not really. I am just being objective and factual in my assessment. To me, this Adelabu is a breath of fresh air. He is a young man of high attainments and no political baggage around him. It is very commendable too is that he had never moved from one party to the other, a fact that is very uncommon with politicians in this clime.

A- With the way you are going, you are making me to like this Bayo Adelabu man o. Let me give it to him sha, he has achieved so much with his relatively young age of 48 years.

B- By the way, do you even have a PVC? That will give you the power of voting in a candidate like Adelabu that brings enthusiasm,  youthfulness and aggressive developmental political economics to the table.

A- Mo fe ni PVC pa ni! Now that you have thrown more light on this Adelabu and the Governorship campaign in Oyo State, I can't wait to go and vote for your Penkele. And don't think it is because of your grammar o. Even though you make sense, just that his credentials and political propositions are too irresistible ni o!

*The writer, Akinsola Ige is a public analyst who lives in Ibadan.*

Re: Adelabu's Responses, An Admittance of Ajimobi's Failure and Gross Inexperience

Our attention has been drawn to the post written by one faceless Kolajo with the above caption. It was an admixture of  misrepresentation of facts and concorted lies culminating into a misbegotten opinion of an obviously hired writer with the sole intent of smearing the image of the governorship candidate under the flagship of APC, Oloye Adelabu Adebayo.

In a rush to write history barely 24 hours after recording what was largely applauded as a cerebral performance on a live radio program, the hatchet men lapsed into indecent distortion of fact and degenerated into an-out and -out personal attack of Oloye Adelabu Adebayo.

From the collective to the specifics, the antics of the writer and his paymasters that have renounced the right to right thinking only reminds one of the ideological deficiency of desperate politicians enslaved by the race for power.

In their shallow minds, for Chief Adelabu Adebayo to be stressing the essence of  continuity and how he will set out building on an existing solid structure already emplaced by the performing governor amounts to scoring low the incumbent.  They fight for ideas to justify their  injudicious claims forgetting that ideas only exist in the heads of individual. How else can one describe a person who calls a former deputy governor of the banker's bank a tyroo in public governance, if not, mentally sterile.

They alluded to the submission of Chief Adelabu Adebayo on the ability of the incumbent governor for laying a solid ground for sustainable peace in the state, a precursor to social progress. This feat, Chief Adelabu stressed was accomplished in the last seven and a half years without demanding a dime from the citizens. And they blabbed 'is it not the preoccupation of the government to secure people's lives and properties?' We should ask them the preoccupation of the successive administrations in the state before Ajimobi assumed office? Definitely, they set social order ablazed and put residents in perpetual fears. Governor Ajimobi came to restore social order and put the unrepentant troublers of our own Israel under check. People can now sleep with their two eyes closed. Yet, the lazy beast of prey that often follow the wrong trail prefer disorderliness.

Now that there is a need to build a lasting Fail-Safe device to bring a permanent security to the state, the citizens were recently tasked to cough out a levy of #25,000 naira which Oloye Adelabu rightly described in the interview under reference  as a 'token" in comparison to the humongous cost of the project at hand and it's attendant huge benefits. But those who misread his lips gave it a different interpretation.

Therefore, to reset the brains of the writer crying foul over the use of the word "tokenism", he should be tutored that  whenever a nominal charge is levied on the people, which is a weeny fraction, compared to the value it offers, what better adjective can be used in that context order than "token"?  The writer of that hurriedly penned piece pushed an argument smacking of indiscretionary in the extreme. No pun meant, he lacks knowledge of how to go about puncturing a brilliant argument for a policy position. His presumption that 25 thousand naira should not be called a "token' is only reflective of the value he and his masters  placed on security of lives and properties, which, in all intents and purposes, should be priceless.  Just like adding the word "only" after filling up a cheque of one million naira, does the "only" put at the end render the value insignificant?

The sceptics also distributed their ignorance lavishly when they wondered how Chief Adelabu's plan to light up dark areas within the city from 7pm to 6am to put the night mauraders at bay. They don't believe in possibilities of attaining a height in Nigeria which even our neighbouring Ghana has put behind them for years. Chief Adelabu told them convincingly what he set out to do differently, but the nihilists got it all wrong.

On food security and maximising the effects of Governor Ajimobi led administration, Chief Adelabu gave kudos to the governor and pledged to follow it up by adding more  technological driven innovations, rehabilitate feeder roads and enhance the storage of the farm produce to prepare for the rainy days among other measures. Is it a crime for Chief Adelabu to nurse the idea of extending the legacy of Governor Ajimobi on Agriculture? Just for asking, In what manner has Chief Adelabu demeaned the governor with those unambiguous statements?

The fellow again raised a cold shoulder at the solicitous manner in which Chief Adelabu empathised with people living in the interior and thus lampooned his plans on urban renewal. What a pity!

In the course of the program, Chief Adelabu beamed his searchlight into how his government, if voted in, will identify and bridge the gap, plan effectively and manage development reasonably in the areas of: Mass Housing; Agriculture; Education and  Primary Health Care, yet the naysayers misconstrued it to mean an aspersion on the present government that Chief Adelabu commended for clearing the ground for his own smooth take off throughout the interview.

Every next level of your life demands a different you. It probably jostled the blind critics that Chief Adelabu harped on turning policy into productivity and mooted the idea of offering a free Education in both primary and post primary schools without condemning the "token" of 1,000 levy that is the current practice as he said "there is no such thing as free lunch". Was he not stating the obvious by  saying that "no society grows when people get something for nothing?"

To cap their ignorance, they thought Chief Adelabu is a soft touch who would be pushed to taking a position on impulse in his answer to a poser on what he would do to reduce the fees of Polytechnic students in Oyo state, but a blunt and factual person  that he is, Chief Adelabu knocked them off - line by saying he would need to study the situation better before he can give a definitive response to it. Must he just say something off the cuff, even if unrealistic,  to satiate the listeners to get their votes? Chief Adelabu Adebayo is a man of integrity, he doesn't assure when he is not yet sure.

In a Preposterous, manner, the paid writer  castigated Chief Adelabu for flaunting his nobility of birth. It bears repeating here,  that Adelabu Adebayo came from a family of honourable reckoning is a fact that is beyond questions to those who are unaware of and not politically naive to, the exploit of his grandfather, unarguably one of the most influential politician and the Stormy petrel of his era in the history of Oyo State. It stands on common sense that anyone would begrudge a man for flaunting what he has. Who has stopped you from tracing your own history and making a political capital of it? You implied that Hon Adegoke Adelabu was incurably against free Education, another empty claim. Records have it that Hon Adegoke Adelabu in his time made a strong case for Education for all and strongly pursued it. He wrote " Every item in our domestic and national budget, whilst there are uneducated people about in any remote or outlandish portion of this country is a sin against the law of God". Can anyone rewrite history?.

As It will be difficult for the opposition elements to refrain from politics without principle, work without wealth and pursuing a degree in Management By Wandering Around (MBWA) which have become their pastimes. How then will they pay attention to  the Personal growth and administrative acumen which Chief Adelabu Adebayo is known for that  actually come through years of experience  in both public and private enterprise. They dissipate time and so much energy to monitor Chief Adelabu Adebayo on air, but lack the courage to come on air to tell the good people of Oyo state what they can offer them.

Little Wonder the good people of Oyo state are eagerly waiting for Omo Penkelemesi  to take them to the next level. Come 2019, by the grace of the Most Merciful God, another chapter of the next level will be opened in the history page of our dear state. No amount of blackmail will thwart the will of the people.

We are already moving on to the NEXT LEVEL.

Oluwatobi Adisa & Akintunde Yusuf

Ajimobi Reply Critics: Insists God Chose Bayo Adelabu for Oyo State

Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday at the official Flag-Off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Campaign in Oyo State, expressed his profound joy in the party choice of candidate - Chief Bayo Adelabu Penkelemesi. He said the APC chose the best candidate among the league of highly qualified gentlemen who vied for the Oyo State APC guber candidature.

During his usual much lengthy speech, he expressed his displeasure over some other party aspirant who claimed God did not inspire Gov Ajimobi but instead referred to former Lagos State governor and APC leader, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the person who chose Bayo Adelabu over Ajimobi's choice of candidate. Governor Ajimobi while speaking said nobody chose Adelabu for him as Tinubu has no say in Oyo State politics and in a reprisal attack said Oyo State cannot be a replica of their party who a certain Uche Secondus chose their guber candidate for them.

He continued that, the APC has the best candidate in Bayo Adelabu Penkelemesi a proven man of many worth unlike other candidate who barely started their businesses with unknown source of wealth few years after graduation. He rightly referred to the APC as the best party in Oyo State today and victory is certain in the next election. He also took the time to introduce to the people the other APC candidates: from the 3 Senatorial candidates including himself; the 14 House of Representative candidates and their respective local governments; to the State Assembly candidates as well. He also officially made known to the people, the running mate to Adelabu in the forthcoming 2019 election: Chief Samuel Modepoola Egunjobi.

He also eulogised Bayo Adelabu Penkelemesi, a man who has taken the bull by the horn in the Oyo state guber race. He took the opportunity to inform the people that Bayo Adelabu has donated 2 branded Sienna Vehicles to each local government area and he urged the party official to use the vehicles for party duties only. Governor Abiola Ajimobi said that about 67 cars are being donated altogether for the course of the campaign.

Mammoth Crowd Attends Akin Alabi Campaign Flag-Off

The candidate representing the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Egbeda/Ona-Ara LG constituency elections in the House of Representative and CEO of Nairabet, Oloye Akin Alabi on Saturday, the 8th of December, staged a massive campaign flag-off rally which involved many of the party candidates in the constituency and top musical artists were on full display to lit up the event.

It was well attended by a mammoth crowd of Akin Alabi and APC supporters who came to show their support and share some love to the man of the people in the constituency. It was a highly powerful event which had a number of the APC candidates in attendance to show their massive support and to also appeal to the people to vote the APC.

While speaking, Oloye Akin Alabi thanked the executive governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi for the easy conduct of the primary elections and the privilege bestowed on them to represent the party at the 2019 election. He also appealed to the people of the constituency to vote enmass for the APC as governance cannot be done without supports from all corners. He urged the people to vote Bayo Adelabu Penkelemesi for governor, vote Teslim Folarin for senator, vote Akin Alabi for House of Representative, vote Hon Abidemi Sanusi Ola-Iya for Ona-Ara LG and vote Usman Olalekan Ultra for Egbeda LG. He further informed them on how it will further make his efforts more appreciable if allowed to work with like-minds as it will aid productivity of value.

The candidate representing the APC for Oyo Central senatorial district and former majority leader of the senate, Senator Teslim Folarin was also in attendance, he also took the time out to appeal to the people to vote for the APC. In the same vein, the candidates for the State Assembly for the constituency, Hon. Abidemi Sanusi Ola-Iya and Usman Olalekan Ultra representing Ona-Ara and Egbeda LG also pleaded for the people's support.

The candidate representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency of Oyo state, Shina Peller was also in attendance for the big event, he came to share his support for the candidates, he also beseeched the people to vote for the winning party, APC come 2019.

Top musical performances was observed by Paso Poly and Skuki, who really got the crowd all dancing to their various bangers.

The video of Akin Alabi flag-off campaign can be seen on YouTube using the link below
https://youtu.be/Hot2FmXESTE

Hon Abidemi Sanusi Ola-Iya Visits Ward 2 - Ona-Ara LG

Yesterday, honourable Abidemi Sanusi Ola-Iya, the candidate of the APC in the 2019 State House of Assembly elections from Ona-Ara LG in Ibadan, was with the people of Araromi and Kajola of ward 2 Ona-Ara LG on a campaign visit, they were in full attendance and they expressed their profound support for the All Progressives Congress (APC). They came out enmass to show their desire and continuity for the ruling party, APC.

While thanking the people of Ward 2 in his Facebook post, Hon. Abidemi Sanusi Ola-Iya expressed his gratitude: "I thank the people of Araro and Kajola of ward 2 in Ona-Ara Local Government for their support for our party #APC.  The reception and acceptance was overwhelming and I pray it counts for massive votes during 2019 general election." He gratified.

Having met with the people of the different communities and listening to their needs with the major areas of support needed, he clamoured for their blessings and beseech them to vote for him and the APC at large while also urging them to vote for a youthful reign. The time for a youthful regime is now and power must return to the youths.

Adebayo Adelabu: Reincarnation of a Genius By Oloye Abiola Iyiola

Homologous recombination is a method in Genetics which determines which traits a child inherits from parents and grandparents. A human is genetically a recombination of four separate individuals. It could be deduced therefore that family is what makes a human who he or she is. A human derives half of his genome from each parent in the ratio of fifty percent each while he or she goes on to derive a fraction of his genome from grandparents in the ratio of twenty-five percent each, though the former is governed by exact necessity and the latter, by chance. However, to solve the curiosity of which of the grandparents a child is related to in terms of personal traits, paternal grandfather appears the most favoured.

The above scientifically confirmed theory is an attempt to create solid grounds for comparison of genetic traits between the late mercurial politician, the stormy petrel of Ibadan politics in the 50s, Adegoke Adelabu, and his grandson, Adebayo Adelabu, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for 2019 governorship election in Oyo state. During the politics of 1950s, especially in the political capital of the western region, Ibadan, Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi enjoyed cult-like love from the majority of Ibadan people because of his unfeigned passion for Ibadan cause and welfare.

At the period when the Action Group, the iconoclastic party of the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, was making wondrous waves in regional and national politics, Adegoke Adelabu had the firm grip of Ibadan politics with his baby creation, the Ibadan People's Party. The staunch support the Action Group was getting from other weighty politicians of the era like Adisa Akinloye could not retrieve Ibadan politics from Adegoke Adelabu's firm grips. However, it wasn't for nothing that Ibadan people pitched their political tent with the diminutive Adelabu.

The Lion of the West had a pact-unto-death decision to liberate Ibadan and her people from all ills that hindered their social, economic, intellectual and political prosperity. While Adegoke Adelabu held political sway in Ibadan, the oppositions remained in near permanent political oblivion.

As regards the opening paragraph of this opinion, Grandchild Bayo Adelabu undoubtedly inherits traits of academic astuteness, administrative acumen, unrivalled corporate accomplishments, business shrewdness and political popularity and influence from Grandpa Adegoke Adelabu.

As the Older Adelabu made outstanding marks in corporate business at both private and public sectors, Younger Adelabu also records resounding exploits at both public and private corporate environments, at relatively young ages. Older Adelabu had reached the peak of his professional and political careers in his late 30s, so is Younger Adelabu, who, arguably, was the youngest Deputy Governor of CBN before he retired early 2018 at the age of 48!

During his lifetime, Adegoke Adelabu was a political nightmare to his opponents. They became jittery at the mention of the  corrupt version of one of his outbursts; Penkelemesi! His vociferous voice, contrasting his petite frame, made his opponents develop goose pimples whenever he mounted soap-box. And in an unmistakable confirmation of taking after his grandfather in many respects, Bayo Adelabu's emergence as the governorship candidate of APC rattled members of the opposition parties, especially the governorship candidate of the major opposition party in the state as he has gone on inactive mode since Adebayo Adelabu emerged from the consensus of APC governorship primary guided to conflict-free conclusion by the excellent Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Adebayo Adelabu is set to reenact the politics of insightful ideas and ideals that his grandfather brought to bear on the politics of the western region in the 50s. Bayo Adelabu is as indigenous as he is cosmopolitan like his grandfather. Ibadan is dear to the youthful intellectual, Nigeria is dearer to the man with endearing accomplishments, Africa is dearest to the champion of developmental governance, just like the continental colossus, Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi!

#NextLevel
#ReadyToServe
#OyoDecides2019
#iStandWithBayoAdelabu2019

By Oloye Abiola Iyiola