I can’t date a man with questionable wealth —Omalicha Elom

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I can’t date a man with questionable wealth —Omalicha Elom

Light skinned Nollywood actress, Omalicha Elom has expressed disappointment at the way some Nigerian ladies glorify internet fraudsters also  known as Yahoo boys.

The Anambra State-born script interpreter,  who is currently on set shooting her new movie, ‘The Survivors’, disclosed that she was averse to questionable wealth.

“I honestly don’t understand why some girls are dating yahoo boys, after they know the source of their wealth. I hear them say, ‘na dem dey spend pass’. They steal from people and spend on you? I pity your generation. My dear, I have never in my life supported internet fraud and till I die, I will never support them. As long as I know you are into any fraudulent activity, I will never give you my attention. These guys are destroying lives and giving our country bad name. I can’t date or have anything to do with any of them.”

On her relationship status,  Elom admitted she’s still single, but have learned certain lessons about relationships.

“I’m not in any serious relationship at the moment. The sad part is that, sometimes you break your own heart by falling in love with people you should have just had sex with and moved on,” she said.

I can’t date a man with questionable wealth —Omalicha Elom
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China's industrial profits fall in June, add to fears of slowdown

Profits earned by China's industrial firms fell 3.1% in June from a year earlier, reversing gains in May, the National Bureau of Statistics said.
Source: CNBC World News

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Two South Koreans dead, several aquatic athletes hurt in nightclub collapse, official says

Two South Koreans died and several others, including athletes attending world aquatic championships, were injured when a structure collapsed in a nightclub in the city of Gwangju, an official said.
Source: CNBC World News

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Without Obas’ input, war against insecurity may not be won —Alepata

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Without Obas’ input, war against insecurity may not be won —Alepata

Oba Joel Olalere Olawuwo ascended the throne of the Alepata of Igboholand in May 2019. He speaks with MOSES ALAO on his journey to the throne; his plans for the historic town and how traditional rulers in the country are indispensable to the return of peace and security at a period in which the country is ravaged by insecurity. Excerpts:

 

You ascended the throne of your forbears in May 2019 three years after the death of your predecessor, the late Oba (Dr) Johnson Oyeyiola. What led to the delay and how was the journey to the throne? The general impression is that the race for Obaship is always tortuous and involves deaths and other losses.

As you said, I ascended the throne of my ancestors three years after father, Oba (Dr) Johnson Olajide Oyeyiola, joined the pantheon of the gods. You know it is not right in Yoruba culture to say that a king died and if you are conducting an interview in English, there should be a way to respect Yoruba culture too. Now, back to your question, I was presented with the instruments of office precisely on May 24, 2019 and I can tell you that the journey to the throne was not tortuous as you insinuated, rather the process of electing a new Alepata was allowed to take its full course. Every eligible prince was allowed to signify the intention to ascend the throne, we all made consultations and in some cases compromises. And there was an election in which I emerged winner. So, what you referred to as the general impression that the race for Obaship is always tortuous and has to take life or involve other losses does not apply to us. The pattern of ascension to the throne of Alepata throne is clear; all princes are brothers from the same forbear and we do not fight to the death like it is the custom in some other places.

Abuse of paracetamol can cause hepatitis —Expert

It is commonplace to ask a new occupant of any office what his plans or agenda are. So, can one extend the same question to you, knowing that apart from the position of an Oba being about tradition, it is also an office that comes with perhaps the highest responsibilities?

I appreciate that question. Had it been that you were present during my coronation ceremony, you would have known that I, indeed, have great plans for Igboholand. In the speech I delivered on that occasion, which I entitled “Reformation Era,” I pointed out how many things have fallen out of place in the town and I noted that under my Obaship, we would explore all ways to rebuild the fallen fences, standards and values. For instance, many chiefs in the community had been doing whatever they wanted and there is so much discord that the spirit of oneness, which is necessary for the progress and growth of any community, is no longer there. But I have prayed to God to help me to mend the fences and make everyone come together again to move Igboholand forward.

I must tell you that as the Alepata, the paramount ruler of Igboholand, the permanent chairman of the Oorelope Local Government Council of Obas and the permanent member of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, I have been visiting all the chiefs in the town to talk to them and bring them together so that we can unite to move Igboho forward.

 

You talked about being the paramount ruler and permanent member of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, but there seems to be controversies over who the paramount ruler is…

There is no controversy; everyone in the town knows that the Alepata is the paramount ruler but politicians, because of votes and other things, brought about the disorganisation of the system such that they could attain their aim. But as they did that, they destroyed the system and set brothers against one another.

So, as I have said, I have been visiting all the chiefs: Onigboho, Ona Onibode, Iba Bonni, Alomo, every one of them. They are all under my leadership. It is the politicians that have destroyed everything. They have done many things in Igboho such that everybody from different quarters is now trying to make his own quarter more paramount than the others instead of seeking to build the entire Igboholand.

Whatever they are doing, I cannot be distracted. I will face the agenda of uniting Igboholand and bringing about growth and progress. Igboholand has a great history and an array of successful sons and daughters and I have been talking to them to come together and join hands to move the town forward. If they start with establishing small scale businesses in the town, the course of things will change.

 

But there is confusion outside the town as to the authentic traditional ruler…

There is no authentic or inauthentic; this matter has been settled. The Alepata of Igboholand is the paramount ruler in Igboholand; it is settled in law. Maybe if I give you a bit of historical background, you will understand the situation better. Igboho was founded by Alaafin Egunoju and several Alaafin reigned and passed on here and when Alaafin Tella Abipa was moving to the present day Oyo, he handed over the leadership of Igboho to the Alepata. So, till the world comes to an end, Alepata of Igboho will be the Oba of Igboho. Those people that are parading themselves as Obas are Part II Chiefs and there are some circulars from the state government that have warned them to desist from parading themselves as Obas. But when politicians see these things, they will not do anything simply because they are looking for votes.

Similarly, there are many judgments on the matter, which settled everything in favour of the Alepata. The Onigboho and the Onibode families have severally challenged the status quo in court and on each occasion, the judgments were in favour of the Alepata. In fact, there is a judgment of the High Court between the Onibode family and the Alepata of Igboho. In that judgment, Onibode was reaffirmed as one of the traditional rulers but it was settled that he has no right to assume the leadership of Igboho. The judgment followed the report of the Aderele Enquiry. The Onigboho had also approached the High Court on the report of the enquiry but he was floored and he approached the Court of Appeal, where he was floored again and then approached the Supreme Court. But in 1994, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Appeal Court, which had earlier affirmed the decision of the High Court in support of the Alepata. So, the court has already settled everything.

The call for traditional rulers to be given a constitutional role has been ongoing for some time, with the new governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, recently noting that traditional rulers will be carried along in his vision to secure the state. As a traditional ruler, how do you think Obas in the state can partner with the governor in this regard?

The traditional ruler in every community is closer to the people and people listen to them and believe them more than they do most of the political office holders. If traditional rulers can be given a function in the constitution, I think it will even be easier to administer government. As you have said that Governor Seyi Makinde is willing to carry traditional rulers along in securing the state, I think that is a step in the right direction. Let me use this opportunity to congratulate him and to commend him for his readiness to accord the traditional institution respect and I must say that traditional rulers will be willing to work with him to ensure peace and security in Oyo State, because as the Yorubas will say, Omo onilu o ni fe ko tu.

Let me also add this, in Oorelope Local Government here and I think to some extent, the adjoining local governments, there is a system in which local hunters have been formed into vigilantes and they protect our people on the inter-local/inter-state roads. The heads of the vigilante come here to give me situation reports and I can say that the model has helped to stem the tide of insecurity and I am recommending it for the state’s consideration. The state can have a robust set-up where hunters and responsible individuals willing to partake in the effort of securing our lands will be brought together to work with the police. The local governments can be made to take responsibility for the running of such set-ups. That is one of the advantages of having a bottom-up approach to security. Without giving due recognition to the traditional institution, the South-West may find it difficult to overcome its security challenges. It is abundantly clear that the police alone can no longer handle the security situation in the country.

I salute the courage of the South-West governors on the issue of insecurity, but they should be guided that any effort that does not involve Obas and their inputs may not yield much result in terms of securing our lands. The Yorubas will say that Enikan kii mo iya Osho, ju Osho lo and also say that Agba to mo oju ogun, nii pa obi n’Ire. Obas and the traditional institutions are important if we must get our acts right on the security challenges facing the South-West and even Nigeria.

Without Obas’ input, war against insecurity may not be won —Alepata
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Missing out of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations was a big disappointment for Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi.

Onazi ruptured his Achilles tendon in a Turkish Super Lig game against Rizespor in December 2018 which ruled him out of the rest of the season and the African tourney in Egypt.

He has since returned to training after the six-month injury layoff, as he was captured jogging in a video.

Reflecting on the injury and missing the AFCON 2019, the Trabzonspor midfielder said the situation broke him down so much, but he had to move on.

“I cannot deny how I felt about it. I almost got crazy but I had to just control myself, keep training and avoid distraction to focus on my club,” he said.

Nigeria emerged victorious in the third place match of the tournament after beating Tunisia 1-0 courtesy of a third minute goal by Odion Ighalo who announced his retirement from international duties after the competition.

The post Onazi: ‘Missing AFCON 2019 Was Heartbreaking’ appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.

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Should couples have separate rooms/ beds?

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Should couples have separate rooms/ beds?

EVERY marriage comes with the clause :“what God has joined together let no man put asunder”. This has always been a warning signal to third parties, friends, family and even parents who might want to come in-between the couples. However, little or no attention is paid to inanimate objects that are severing the oneness of couples.  This prompted the question: Should married partners have separate rooms/beds?

On WhatsApp Conversation, these are what those who joined the conversation and our expert said on the issue

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Sympathy Habu

I see no reason that can justify this, is it privacy? Then why are we husband and wife? if he wants an office/prayer room in the house, it is fine but not a separate room.

 

Egbeyale Daniel

If necessity demands, it shouldn’t be under lock. In marriage, you’ve given up your privacy by saying I do.

 

Olumide Adeniran

Sleeping in the same room does not in reality , mean deeper connection. Most times people need their space. No matter how in love you are, there would be time you feeling like staying alone that is what different rooms are meant for.

 

Bamidele Segun

Separate rooms?  No.  Separate beds? Maybe,  the bed can be for convenience and all but the room is no way!  We are partners and we should be together, a head cannot do without the neck. Separate rooms could result to a total fall out of a peaceful marriage.

 

Omolola Saka

If they have separate rooms, they automatically have separate beds. I do not see anything wrong with this, if it’s a result of their discussion. That is, both parties talked about it and they are fine with it. They could have separate rooms for privacy sake, to create boundaries and to make them comfortable.

 

Momoh Charles

It’s very good for couples to share one bedroom  as it’s interesting to tell the whole world that my wife and I share the same bedroom.

However, it’s never a condition for strong love as many would want to postulate. Sharing one bedroom together doesn’t stop quarreling or misunderstanding. With maturity and understanding, couples staying in different bedrooms can still be in love. One partner can always go and meet the other one if need be or an issue to be resolved. Finally, there may be need for some privacy once in a while. Let’s remove some religious sentiments here please.

 

Lanre Oseni

Married partners having separate rooms/beds – as much as having same room or/and same bed shows spouses’ love. It is not out of place to have separate rooms /beds for occasional once-a-while “strategic or/and deep faithful thinking.” Living does not end in sleeping together, entering same room together or/and eating together! There should be time to think, strategically.

However, for “other room” strategic togetherness, same room is recommended!

Dayo Aluko

Having separate bed’s is good as there are times when what your body needs is a deep sleep that would be void of cuddling and caressing. Understanding cannot be undermined in any aspect of relationship and that includes the bed sharing aspect. Having separate beds may even save you from unnecessary arguments.

 

Tolulope Adeleke

A marriage should not be on the line because of issues of bed (rooms), except one or both parties are immature. Couples should understand that they were first individuals and marriage won’t change that-there will still be preferences, and differences including such career, prime time, study time and even sleep time differences, thus requiring individual “me” time, space and boundaries. However, there could be weightier matters, especially if the separation is as a result of childbirth/children issues, relatives or guests, quarrel, sickness or threat to life.

 

Expert speaks

Ifejola Akintunde, a marriage counsellor is our expert on this issue.

The answer can be found in a simple and concise statement of the Almighty in the Garden of Eden when He said “for this reason shall a man leave his father and his mother, and cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh. “This statement is critical and crucial to answering the question of this discourse. Because of the importance of the above-mentioned, these Bible commands were repeated in four different occasions. Accordingly, I feel compelled to review these keywords to answer the question: Leaving: moving not only from the geographical location but to move away from emotional ties of a father and mother relationship.

Cleaving: entering into a new husband / wife relationship, and one flesh: consummating the new union by the act sexual intercourse.

This is a life-long commitment. Anything that will constitute a threat to this divine mandate to bring about division to the loyalties and fidelities to the marriage union must strongly be resisted.

Cleaving is a very strong factor in the marriage equation. It’s not good for a husband and wife have to separate room and bed. It’s indeed tragic for husband and wife to have separate room / beds. How will married partners fulfill the mandate of cleaving together when they have separate bed? Love in a marriage is more than feeling; it’s a commitment that dedicates to moving to a higher and more meaningful conjugal level. Husband and wife that separate room and bed are not fulfilling their divine mandate of “cleaving.” The only thing that can separate married partners is death of either partner. Separating rooms and beds will quietly lead to a gap in the marriage. For instance, fellowship by the partners will suffer a reversal; there will be dysfunctional children development, wandering affection, constant quarrels and possible separation. What God has joined together let no room or bed put asunder.

Next week on WhatsApp conversation: what will you do if you discover your spouse’s private bank account?

Join WhatsApp Conversation every Sunday by 8pm or send in your comments via Whatsapp or SMS to 07031811214, Twitter @whatsappconvs and email above.

Should couples have separate rooms/ beds?
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Lampard Wants Bakayoko Out Of Chelsea

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to listen to offers for Tiemoue Bakayoko as new boss Frank Lampard attempts to trim down his squad.

The former Monaco midfielder spent last season on loan at AC Milan after struggling to adapt to the Premier League following his £40 million move.

The 24-year-old has been involved in the Blues’ preseason preparations but according to The Telegraph, Lampard has not been sufficiently impressed amid constraints on his squad.

Lampard will need to omit a senior foreign player from his 25-man Premier League squad ahead of the new season, while the Blues will need to include at 17 homegrown players in their Champions League squad.

Chelsea are reportedly willing to consider allowing Bakayoko to head out on loan again next season, or move permanently.

Paris Saint-Germain were among clubs said to be interested in the player, however it remains to be seen whether they will bid for the player following the arrival of Everton’s Idrissa Gueye for £28m.

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Guardiola Need One More Signing

Pep Guardiola remains hopeful of adding one more signing but insisted Manchester City have enough depth to defend the Premier League title.

City parted ways with Vincent Kompany and Fabian Delph this summer and brought in Rodri and Angelino.

Guardiola is still hunting for a central defender and has an interest in free agent Dani Alves if Danilo leaves for Serie A.

But the City boss believes they can go again without any further additions.

‘It won’t be many,’ Guardiola said. ‘The market is so difficult but the team is really good enough. Maybe zero, maybe one, maybe one-and-a-half.

‘If we believe we can do it then we will but we can survive.’

John Stones candidly admitted to making too many mistakes earlier this week and Guardiola pushed him to improve.

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Liverpool Monitor Sporting’s Idrissa

Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool boss is reportedly keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon youngster Idrissa Doumbia.

The Reds boss is believed to be after at least one more new player before the transfer window closes, but he has ruled out any big-money signings.

Portuguese outlet Record reports that Doumbia has caught Klopp’s attention and he has earmarked a move for the 21-year-old, who impressed for Sporting in their 2-2 draw with Liverpool earlier this week.

Doumbia made 14 appearances for the Primeira Liga outfit last term after arriving from Akhmat Grozny in January.

Liverpool have made just one signing during the off-season, bringing in Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle for £1.3m.

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Party time for Odion Ighalo

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Party time for Odion Ighalo

Super Eagles goal poacher, Odion Ighalo was in party mood a few days ago. The striker, who announced his retirement from the Super Eagles after the AFCON competition in Egypt, where his team clinched a bronze had an exciting moment upon his return to Nigeria.

Ighalo, 30, took Lagos by storm recently as he joined another ex-footballer, Obafemi Martins for a night of fun and excitement.

The two friends, who had to their records some amount of goals for their country, combed a number of highbrow hangouts on the Island where they had some thrilling moments.

Ighalo, who won the golden boot after scoring the highest goals in the just concluded Nation’s Cup had 35 appearances for Nigeria and scored 16 goals.

 

Party time for Odion Ighalo
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Lille Agree £72m With Napoli For Pepe

Gerard Lopez, Lille president has confirmed that a £72m agreement has been reached with Napoli for the sale of in-demand winger Nicolas Pepe.

The 24-year-old scored 22 times in Ligue 1 last season – a total only bettered by Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe – and set up 11 more.

Pepe’s form earned him links with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, but Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti hinted on Thursday that his side were close to signing the Ivory Coast international.

An agreement is now in place between Lille and Napoli, but personal terms must still be thrashed out.

“Napoli have satisfied our request of €80m. Now it will be up to the player to decide where to go, also on the basis of other proposals that his agents received from four clubs,” Lopez told Tuttosport.

“Pepe will return from his holidays on Monday and I think that he will make his mind up halfway through the week. We asked him to stay last year and promised him we would have let him go during this transfer window.”

Adam Ounas is expected to make the switch to Lille as part of the agreement, according to reports in Italy

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Nigerians’ hassle and toughness dazzle me — Adhiambo Owuor

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Nigerians’ hassle and toughness dazzle me — Adhiambo Owuor

Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor is a Kenyan award-winning author, screenwriter, creative writing teacher and regular TEDx speaker. 2003 Caine Prize for Literature winner for her short story ‘Weight of Whispers’ and 2015 Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature winner for her novel ‘Dust’, she has written three novels, ‘The Dragonfly Sea’ (March, 2019), being the most recent. In this interview by KINGSLEY ALUMONA, she speaks about her life growing up in Kenya, her mentor Binyavanga Wainaina, her new novel and her visit to Nigeria.

 

W HAT was life like growing up as a young girl in Kenya? And, when did you know you would make a career from writing?

I grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, in a home environment inhabited by the books of parents who were universalists, who adored books. They brought the entire world into our home walls through books, art, music, discussions. They took us into nature and revealed to us the book of nature, of landscape. I was lucky in the school I went to where teachers nurtured small strangenesses like the shy girl who always found a corner to hide in in order to read stories. I should have understood that writing was my vocation, given that it brought joy to my spirit. But it took years and years of doing a whole load of other things, useful things, before I understood that writing was the way I would read and navigate the world and figure out my place in it.

Leave Yoruba land now or face confrontation, Afenifere tells killer Fulani herdsmen

What motivated you to go for an MA in Television and Video Development? Between screenwriting and prose writing, which one comes easily to you?

I should have gone straight into creative writing rather than that M.A. I wish I had been braver and dared to enter straight into what I really did want to do: write stories. I did that degree because it seemed to sit well at the cusp between social development and creativity.

 

How would you describe the late Binyavanga Wainaina’s influence in your writing career?

That man, that wild, unruly, disruptive, mad, beautiful, gifted, visionary beloved man, that prophet, that midwife and seed-giver, the story-whisperer showed up like firelight for me in a season of floundering. He was mentor, believer, champion, critic, first-line editor. I am a writer because he believed I was a writer. I wrote ‘Weight of Whispers’ to get him off my back. He would call me about seven times a day to ask for a story. It is the story that also lunched Kwani Trust. It opened the doors that set me on a literary trajectory.

 

What is your writing process like? The themes of your novels are mostly about loss, sacrifice and survival. Why is that?

Writing process: Get moved by an image that won’t go away. Pursue the muse. Procrastinate. Make excuses. Set deadline. Research and research. Sit. Write and write. Get edited. Write again. Ask select friends to review what is written. Implement suggestions. You get the picture. About my story themes: I wrestle with those twin questions of what does it mean to be human/what does the humanity of the other mean for me. I am scoured by my African living, its complexities, its beauties, its paradoxes. The themes include sacrifice and loss, less survival as much as resolution or transcendence. But there are also themes of love, desire, homecoming, discovery, plurality, family, what might happiness mean. Life, I guess.

 

Briefly tell us about your new novel ‘The Dragon Sea’. How is the novel faring in the market?

‘The Dragonfly Sea’ is a coming-of-age story set on the island of Pate, off the coast of Kenya. It focuses on Ayaana, her mother Munira and the father Ayaana adopts, Muhidin. It is a story I enjoyed writing as I explored notions of our Eastern African oceanic imaginary, our relationship with the seas, and what China’s return to our part of the world portends for intimate, personal histories. Where the novel is available, it seems to be gathering quite a good number of friends. I am delighted.

 

Why were you named the ‘Woman of the Year’ by Eve Magazine? Have you thought of setting up a literary magazine or foundation in Africa?

The magazine wanted to honour the surprise of having a Kenyan woman being recognised elsewhere for contributions to art and literature. I am a contributor to magazines, sitting on the boards of a few. But my calling and metier is story creation. There are others who are better trained and ‘called’ to do these. Who knows the future? But I do intend to have something established to support the writing hopes of the many in Africa and beyond—resources and time permitting.

 

As a creative, in what ways do you think African literature can help address African essential challenges?

This question speaks directly to what I regard as the primary crisis in our beloved continent—that of the imagination, not only for ourselves but for the whole world, for the galaxies. Of all the places in the world ours is the one blessed with the best and greatest of the earth’s bounties. Yet, it has indeed been the most afflicted by all sorts of external and internal wounds that seem to paralyse its essential being. Take off requires a deep, volcanic re-imagining, a re-telling of us in the world, and of the world in us. Story, daring, bold, immense, all-encompassing truthful story, should we so desire it, will help our glorious, gifted continent realise its grand destiny.

 

You live in Australia. What necessitated your residency there? And, how does the country remind you of Kenya?

No, I live in Kenya. When ‘Dust’ was published I was in Australia then, doing my MPhil. But I am Kenya born, bred, fed, nurtured, dwelling, living, fully identified. Having said that, Brisbane’s climate mirrored Nairobi’s. The landscapes were a delightful invocation of home. There are also resonances of habits shared that probably come from the British connections.

 

What is your impression of Nigeria? If you were to visit the country, where would you like to visit and why?

The places in Nigeria I have been to: Lagos, Abuja, Abeokuta. My experiences were exhilarating. It is like travelling across landscapes to arrive at a place not dissimilar to the home you left. I am struck by the hassle, the joy, the toughness, the beauty, the humour, the immensity, the wealth, and oh my, my…the food, the art, the giftedness. It cannot be known after a mere glance. I think one must immerse oneself for a few years before having the boldness to say; this is what Nigeria also is.

 

What are you currently working on? Do you see yourself winning Nobel Prize in Literature in the future?

New Book. The Future is like night. Who knows what the dawn might show up with?

 

What is your greatest challenge as a creative? And, what do you like doing at your leisure?

Discipline to deliver to deadlines. Governing the self to work according to schedule. Avoiding the feast of distractions that offer themselves to you every day you promise: Today I shall work. Leisure? Outdoors stuff. Hike, swim, run, read, travel. Watch Korean drama. Eat good food. Catch up on the latest news (aka palaver/gossip).

 

What advice do you have for young people, especially the female ones, who are aspiring to be like you?

Read widely, wildly. Ask strange and big questions. Dare to ask yourself these two questions often: What does it mean for me to be human/what does the humanity of the other mean for me? Find your voice. Talk to the elders. Listen. Learn the things that delight you, annoy you—turn them into characters. Write out your fears—turn these into a tale. Observe life, humanity, your own heart. Get experiences. Whatever task you are given to do, use it to study human interactions, relationships, voices. All of these will inform your story journeys. Then, when you decide to write, write. Write because if you don’t write you will suffocate. And if the accolades and applause come, nod at these. But, keep vulnerable as you write. And may your stories nourish you and the world. Oh yes, and do have fun while doing so. It is not a grim race to some fantasy finish.

Nigerians’ hassle and toughness dazzle me — Adhiambo Owuor
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Strive to be the best in all spheres of life —Prof. Popoola tells students

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Strive to be the best in all spheres of life —Prof. Popoola tells students

Executive Director, Kingston College, Ibadan, Mr Kayode Fasola (fourth right); Head of Performing Arts and Music Department, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Professor Bode Sowande (seventh right); Barrister Tunji Aladejebi, (extreme left); the principal, Mr Joshua Ajayi; graduating students and the school prefects during the fourth Valedictory ceremony held at the school, last Friday.

 

The Vice Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Directors, Kingston College, Ibadan, who is a professor of Forestry Economics and Sustainable Development, Professor Labo Popoola last Friday, charged the graduating students of Kingston College, Ijokodo, Ibadan, Oyo State, to play their part in helping communities improve their quality of life as they climb higher ladder of academic success.

He said this during the fourth Valedictory ceremony of the school which took place at the school’s Events Hall.

“Graduation is a time of celebration, triumph and marks the end of one phase and beginning of another phase.”

He urged the outgoing students to set goals that are achievable having been protected and directed in the college so that their dreams which are in line with their goals are attainable. Not only this, Professor Popoola stressed the need to plan their activities well as the reward for planning far outweighs lethargy and laziness born out of lack of good career guidance.

“Do not be distracted by unnecessary issues in the institutions of higher learning, concentrate and be focused,” he sad.

He commended parents who had made sacrifices in the last few years and had provided enabling environment, financial and moral support to help them through the just concluded phase. Teachers were not left out of his commendation, as they had done their best to help through motivation and encouragement in order to achieve positive result.

In his speech, the Executive Director of the institution, Mr Kayode Fasola, acknowledged the supremacy of God’s mercy in all the activities of the school during the session. He also commended the teacher for their professionalism dedication and strategies employed for special groupings and small group teaching in some subject areas to cater for full range of needs. Of note were the efforts of the school management committee for its contributions to the college.

Fasola charged the outgoing students to put into use knowledge they had acquired academically and conduct themselves in public, friends and colleagues morally.

Leave Yoruba land now or face confrontation, Afenifere tells killer Fulani herdsmen

“Above all, as you leave, you must accept God with all your hearts, meditate and pray constantly. On a final note, the Executive Director commended parents for believing in the school system. He also appreciated all staff for their commitment to the course of the institution, praying for God’s blessings upon everyone.

The principal of the school, Mr Joshua Ajayi, congratulated and also gave glory to God who helped every student who graduated from the school at the end of their six years to end well. He said “I want to challenge you this day that as you go out into this world of possibilities, try to be different in your endeavours. Be a positive thinker right from your day one of setting your feet on that university ground and make all efforts to be a dedicated student,” Ajayi said. He stressed the importance attached to hard work which does not kill but would make them excellent individual at the end of the day.

Among the highlights of the programme were the cutting of the valedictory cake, presentation of awards which includes: academic awards to students, presentation of awards to outstanding members of staff and recitation of poems entitled: “be strong” and “the once of a country,” by Mimololuwa Alokan and Akere Omotayo respectively.

Strive to be the best in all spheres of life —Prof. Popoola tells students
Tribune Online

Source: Tribune

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London Stock Exchange says it is in talks to buy Refinitiv for enterprise value of $27 billion

The London Stock Exchange Group said it was in talks to buy data analytics platform Refinitiv for a total enterprise value of about $27 billion.
Source: CNBC World News

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Wendy Shay – Ghana Boys

Wendy Shay – Ghana Boys

Overview of Wendy Shay – Ghana Boys

 

RuffTown Records/Midas Touch Inc. act, Ghanaian songstress Wendy Shay releases a brand new single.

This one is titled “Ghana Boys”, and it’s a solo afrobeats cut from the diva.

Download the MP3 below.

 

DOWNLOAD AUDIO

 

For more info and tracks check out Wendy Shay’s NotJustOk Page

 

Some of Wendy Shay’s top music include:

1. Wendy Shay – Uber Driver

2. Wendy Shay ft. Sarkodie & Kuami Eugene – Psalm 35

3. Wendy Shay – Astalavista

4. Wendy Shay ft. Ray James – Masakra

5. Wendy Shay ft. Eno Barony – The Boy Is Mine 

6. Wendy Shay – All For You

7. Wendy Shay – Shay On You

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Source: Not just okay

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Tsema Ede-Okoye: The Untold Story of the Nigerian Primary Healthcare System

It is a sunny Monday morning in one of the satellite towns of Abuja. There she is, a woman in the process of delivery, two nurses guiding her as her baby’s head crowns. Her childbirth process catches my interest because she is having her baby in a car, parked outside the clinic. She is lying down in the back seat with a rubber mackintosh spread under her to prevent the car seats from getting ruined. I guess she arrived at the clinic late, without giving the nurses time to prep her for delivery in the clinic’s delivery room. It was interesting to watch this woman have her baby in this unpleasant situation, with little or no amenities to ease the process of child birth.

Her story is that of many women in rural and semi-rural Nigerian communities, who are stuck in the rut of having risky deliveries due to Nigeria’s healthcare system. Daily, women who are in labour are referred to hospitals in the cities to have their babies because the clinics in their communities cannot handle complicated deliveries. At other times, women deliver their babies in unsanitary circumstances.

In many situations where babies are delivered in the Primary Health Centre, Nigeria’s infamously epileptic power supply means that the babies are delivered with light from cell phones, kerosene lamps, torches, or rechargeable lanterns.

In 2018, the World Health Organization ranked Nigeria’s healthcare system at 187 out of 190, Nigeria continues to produce some of the worst health outcomes in the world. We can no longer ignore the fact that Nigeria is mired in a healthcare crisis. WHO records that in 2016, the life expectancy in Nigeria was 55 years for men and 56 years for women. 100 out of 1000 children would probably die under five years, 372 out of 1000 men had the probability of dying between 15 and 60 years, and the number for women was 333 out of 1000. It is estimated that 1 in 13 women in Nigeria is likely to die during childbirth, and about 58,000 women died from childbirth-related complications in 2015. Even in situations where women safely have their babies, the clinics cannot provide the needed care for recovery because they lack basic amenities.

The unstable power supply situation continues to impact healthcare delivery in ways that have left Nigerians accustomed to substandard services. Minimum standards in healthcare delivery require the use of energy for running water, temperature control, lighting, ventilation, storage, and sundry clinical processes. Nigeria’s inability to provide constant electricity undermines the ability of facilities to guarantee these elementary functions. Unreliable electricity leads to vaccine spoilage, interruptions in the use of medical and diagnostic devices, and the lack of basic lighting for maternal delivery and emerging procedures.

The time for the government’s prioritisation of public health services is overdue, and addressing their energy needs will be an appropriate first step.

As Nigeria draws closer to 2030, it is worthy to note that the Nigerian Renewable Energy and Efficiency Policy (NREEP) commits Nigeria to achieve 20% of its National Electricity supplies from renewable energies by 2030. Efforts should be made to improve healthcare delivery through the application of renewable energy solutions, and this will possibly push Nigeria closer to achieving this goal in 2030. Focusing on providing solar solutions to energy and water scarcity in the health sector are potential quick wins for incoming legislative and executive office holders. With quality healthcare dependent on power for vaccines cold chain system, blood banking, child delivery, neonatal care, or complex surgeries, the important role electricity plays in healthcare delivery cannot be overstated. The epileptic power supply is a public health problem that Nigeria has allowed to linger.

While we advocate for solar-powered public health institutions, especially primary health centres, we are mindful of the poor maintenance culture that exists in the country. Inadequate funding and the lack of technical know-how contribute to the quick ruin and eventual abandonment of hospital equipment once minor faults develop. We see that manifest across the country with run-down infrastructure and facilities, and we need to have conversations with state authorities on the need to invest in training healthcare personnel on proper hospital equipment maintenance and repairs to help improve the delivery of health services. The government’s partnership with the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) will be useful in ensuring that contractors do not supply substandard Solar PV equipment, and provide technical support to public health institutions on solar power equipment maintenance.

While the rest of the world continues to take substantive steps forward in providing efficient healthcare, innovation is required in addressing the health and development challenges that present themselves in the 21st century. For Nigeria to catch up with other countries, we must be prepared to invest in health systems that can meet the diverse needs of the most vulnerable citizens at every age and stage of life.

I celebrate a group of heroes who are not acknowledged enough in Nigeria. Health personnel working in the public health system. They work tirelessly under the most deplorable conditions, with no equipment, and inadequate facilities. The financial incentives are insufficient for the work they do but they deliver their best to help people in need of medical attention. There are so many things broken in Nigeria’s healthcare system and I want to seize this moment to appreciate the doctors and nurses who deliver healthcare regardless of how faulty the system is. There is a lot of work to be done, and one can only hope that the new Minister of Health and the law makers identify the provision of renewable energy in Primary Health Centres as quick wins for healthcare delivery

The post Tsema Ede-Okoye: The Untold Story of the Nigerian Primary Healthcare System appeared first on BellaNaija – Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Source: Bella Naija

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How I cope with advances from male fans —Actress Damipe Adekoya

Tribune Online
How I cope with advances from male fans —Actress Damipe Adekoya

Oluwadamipe Iyanuoluwa Adekoya, a graduate of Dramatic Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State is a Nollywood actress and producer. In this interview by TAYO GESINDE, she speaks about her foray into acting, how she combines her career with the home front and her most embarrassing moment. Excerpts:

 

Why did you study Dramatic Arts?

Well, I didn’t have it in mind until I was going to cross to senior secondary school. Then I was a student at a private school; Hosanna international High school. I didn’t even know there was a course like that at the time. I wanted to be a neurosurgeon but after Junior West African Examination Council (WAEC) examination, my principal came to my class and asked us about the class we all wanted to be in.

When it was my turn I answered “Science class,” he laughed at me and said, “You’d better go to Arts class.” He said that because I was always involved in all arts activities in school. So, he told me about Theatre Arts and I began to consider it. I got my JAMB form and was admitted into the university for that same course.  After my National Youth Service at the Lagos Internal Revenue Service, I went for an integrated media course in scriptwriting at Afrinolly which is in affiliation with Pan-Atlantic University in 2018.

BREAKING: Lawmakers flee as snakes drop from Ondo assembly rooftop

How did your parents react when you told them you wanted to study the course?

Although, my parents are not one to choose careers for their children, but my dad wasn’t really happy because he wanted me to be a doctor. So, when I told him about going to art class, he felt maybe Law was what I wanted to study.  I had to plan with my brother to change the course written on my course form. He was furious at first but later I convinced him that I had chosen my path. My mum supported me all the way.

 

When and how did you join Nollywood?

I joined Nollywood fully in 2013. Before then, I featured in a movie shot by Abiodun Aleja in 2009 entitled SKILASHI, which featured the likes of Gabriel Afolayan, Jude Orhorha and so on. In 2013, I began to go for auditions and met people both in the English and Yoruba industry. I met people like Muyideen  Samsiliu, Niji Akanni, Muyideen Oladapo (Lala), Adebayo Tijani, Greg Odutayo and so on. They all helped my career in one way or the other. So, I should say 2013 was when I joined the industry and fully started for me.

 

What were the challenges you faced when you started?

I think being in school which was in Ife and coming back to Lagos made things stressful because we were not given the opportunity to go for auditions or feature in movies when I was still a student; it was like starting all over again, hustling for my talent to be noticed. Finance was an issue too. Anyone who goes for auditions will testify to the fact that we spend a lot in transporting ourselves to audition venues. You have to always communicate to know about auditions and you know in Nigeria, once you are a graduate, your parents stop the monthly allowance they give you. So, it was frustrating but I thank God for where I am today. I have featured in movies like, Soul sistas, Imoran, Keregbetofo, Freezing point, Tales of Eve, Freshly Divorced, Ologo Didan, Atupa, Itura Ife, SKILASHI, Efuufu, Arabi, Kondo, Police, Aima’s cross, among others.

 

Who are your role models in the industry and why?

Gabriel Afolayan and Sola Shobowale. I always ask God for 30 per cent of their talents each, I will be satisfied with that. They are both professionals and are humble. When they hear action, they are no longer Sola and Gabriel. They are out of their bodies and entirely into the role. I think that is the point I want to reach in this career. When it comes to business, Mo Abudu, Jane Maduegbuna and Funke Akindele are my mentors; they have three things I wish for, confidence, connections and money. I want all three.

 

Of all the movies you have featured in, which one is your favourite and why?

Itura Ife, because it was produced by me and I put a whole lot into it. Also, because it is a story of the trials we go through, especially in relationships, revealing that not everything that seems right to us go the way we think it should go.

 

It is said that many producers prey on upcoming female artistes. Did you experience sexual harassment?

Yes I was, but I don’t think it’s about my industry alone. It’s in every industry, the only reason why eyes are fixated on the entertainment industry is because it’s showbiz and everyone is involved in our business.

How has being a celebrity affected you?

I am really, still who I am, I don’t even see myself as a celebrity. But on the other hand, it just really gives one a voice; to be heard when you needed to be heard.

 

How have you been coping with advances from your male fans?

The same way I have coped with male advances all my life. I am a very beautiful woman and I’m expecting more.

 

How have you been combining your career with the home front?

Well, I have a very understanding husband and I do not take that for granted. He supports me in every way he can and when it’s my turn I return the favour too. My success is his pride and vice versa. I’m also grateful to my parents; they take care of my daughter when I’m not home which gives me full rest of mind that she’s in safe hands. I consider my career and my home as two of my children; I could never choose one over the other.

 

As a married woman, are there some roles you can’t take?

My job is different from my marital status. So, I do what I have to do as a professional.

 

Can you share with us your most embarrassing moment as an actress?

In 2016, I was on a particular set; we had already shot for like 10 days and on the 11th day, I was summoned to the office of the executive producers. I was asked to pack my things and as I was wondering why, I noticed a new cast on set and began to hear rumour that I was being swapped. Unknown to me, everyone on set already knew and started giving me the pity face (I hate that) I got emotional and cried as I took my walk of shame out of the location. The excuse was my acting was similar to the acting of another character on set. I took it in good faith, went back home and got back on my feet.

 

How have you been able to avoid scandal in an industry that thrives on it?

Oh! I am not avoiding them. I live my life the way I think it is morally right for me, after all I am an adult, and your truth and mine will always differ. Good or bad press, it’s all news.

 

What is your philosophy of life?

The love of money is the beginning of hard work. I am a Gold digger, it takes strength and determination to find gold.

 

How would you describe yourself?

I have always been one who knows what she wants and dream big. I don’t believe in starting small or waiting for resources to come. I had to strive for everything I have gotten in my life that is why I think things over before doing them, so that when it goes wrong, I won’t feel any sort of regret. I am a respecter of people but with a mind of my own. I’m also very funny and playful, so much that when I get serious people are always surprised. I am a team-player and a non-judgemental individual; everyone has the right to live hisher live the way they want.

 

What advice do you have for young people?

As for young people like me, hard times and harder times are coming but let’s not give up easily, always keep your eyes on the price. Watch out for me, I am unfolding gradually.

 

How I cope with advances from male fans —Actress Damipe Adekoya
Tribune Online

Source: Tribune

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Release Of Kidnapped Turkish Nationals: Kwara Mulls Tougher Anti-Kidnapping Laws

Lagos – The Kwara State Government has said that it may review and strengthen all relevant laws to ensure that anyone convicted of kidnapping is swiftly and severely punished in accordance with the law, keeping in mind the need to ensure the security of life and property in the state.

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday evening by the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, after the release of the four Turkish nationals recently abducted in Edu Local Government of the state.

In the statement, the state government said it was elated at the freedom of the four Turkish nationals, just as it thanked God for crowning its efforts with success.

“The government thanks the security agencies and members of the vigilante groups for their efforts, and the locals for volunteering very useful information that led to the unconditional release of the abductees,” the statement read in part.

The government described the kidnapping of the Turkish nationals as a horrible crime against the innocent victims who had their freedom curtailed.

“The government also views the development as an assault on the peace-loving people of Kwara State and it will not go unpunished.

“The state government may, therefore, review and strengthen all relevant laws to ensure that anyone convicted of kidnapping is swiftly and severely punished in accordance with the law, keeping in mind the need to ensure the security of life and property in the state,” the statement added.

The state government, however, urged the people of the state to be vigilant and to report any suspicious movement or strange persons to the nearby security posts.

The post Release Of Kidnapped Turkish Nationals: Kwara Mulls Tougher Anti-Kidnapping Laws appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.

Source: Independent

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Okorocha Faults Invasion Of Wife’s Shop By Imo PDP Government

Lagos – The former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha has faulted the invasion of All-In-One Shop belonging to his wife by members of Jasper Ndubuaku led committee on recovery of public property set up by the government of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) two days after the shop was marked for investigation by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former governor who made his position known through a statement made available to journalists on Friday by Sam Onwuemeodo, special adviser to the senator on media said that PDP was out to witch haunt opponents. He wondered why the party members and agents would loot a shop that was already marked for investigation by EFCC.
He said that Nigerians should be noted that before embarking on the reckless actions, the PDP government had hosted selected media chieftains from Lagos and Abuja and known bloggers also helped them to cover their excesses and falsehood.
Onwuemeodo stressed that Jasper Ndubuaku and his members were not recovering any property but were on a looting spree. According to him, PDP petitioned EFCC and the anti-graft agency marked the investments they had mentioned in their petitions for investigation. He wondered why the same people resorted to looting the same establishments marked by EFCC for investigation? He said that if Governor Ihedioha had meant well he would not have entrusted such sensitive task in the hands of a man like Jasper Ndubuaku.

He said “This is to inform all men and women of goodwill, that barely two days after the agents of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had marked the All-In-One- Shop owned by the wife of the former governor, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, located at Naze near Owerri, for investigation, following flood of petitions written to the commission by PDP government in the State, the leader and members of the government’s committee on the “Recovery of Government Property” invaded the shop yesterday, Friday, July 26, 2019 and looted the goods including the ones inside containers parked inside the premises of the Shop.

We have told all those who cared to listen that the PDP government in the State is out to witch-hunt and intimidate opponents. Why invade and loot a shop already marked for investigation by the EFCC. The anti-graft agency marked the shop for investigation on Tuesday. What if at the end of the day EFCC establishes that this shop has no relationship with the last administration” he said.

Onwuemeodo pointed out that aside from inviting EFCC that they had advised the PDP to publish whatever they had against Rochas Okorocha and the family or anybody that served in the “Rescue Mission Government” but they have not been forthcoming. He maintained that the patience of opponents in the State was waning and nobody could predict what would happen next.

The post Okorocha Faults Invasion Of Wife’s Shop By Imo PDP Government appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.

Source: Independent

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Super Eagles deserve commendation

Tribune Online
Super Eagles deserve commendation

The Super Eagles of Nigeria deserve commendation for their performance in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), held in Egypt. The players showed patriotism during the competition despite all odds. Nobody can change God’s decision, no matter what measures you take. So we should appreciate their effort and their achievement.

My advice to the Nigeria Football Federation is to continue to support the efforts of the Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, for his contribution towards the development of the team to qualify for the World Cup and the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations and also to retain the coach because it is key to holding the team together.

By doing this, Super Eagles would be among the world best teams with time.

Bello Shehu Shuni,

08035114465

Super Eagles deserve commendation
Tribune Online

Source: Tribune

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Only God can save Nigeria

Tribune Online
Only God can save Nigeria

This expression of our security operatives and people at the helms reflects an acknowledgement of helplessness, low morale, hope, putting faith on luck for security and not efforts.

Helplessness from those saddled with the responsibility of national security may sound funny but it is tragic for brave soldiers and their superiors to give up hope openly without pretence or false confidence that is part of military tactics.

The war left for soldiers to fight seems misplaced and devoid of merit to inspire the confidence for winning. It is real that high drug misuse and its mental health effects is aggravating national crises as seen in cases of suicides, domestic violence, insecurity, road accidents.

Moh’d Bagudu,

Minna

Only God can save Nigeria
Tribune Online

Source: Tribune

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Wale Oshun, Okurounmu Are Envious Of My Achievements –Osoba

Aremo Olusegun Osoba, veteran journalist and two-time governor of Ogun State, in this interview with select journalists speaks on the allegations of treachery leveled against him by two chieftains of Afenifere, Senator Femi Okurounmu and Wale Oshun. TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI brings the excerpts:

Senator Femi Okurounmu,a chieftain of Afenifere recently granted an interview where he said some of the things you wrote in your book ‘Battlelines’ were lies and an attempt to distort history. How will you respond to that?

I will not descend into using uncouth, insulting and gutter languages like Senator Okurounmu did by referring to me as a traitor, a security agent and a double dealer. In spite of his sustained attacks on me in the last two weeks, I was unruffled and unmoved as a tested fighter and warrior. On the day I launched my book, I showed series of pictures and one was me as boxer at the age of 10. I also titled my book ‘Battlelines’ to show a lot of the blackmail that I suffered in both my professional and political life.

As for Okurounmu, I will describe him as a frustrated, unfulfilled politician as well as a failure in his chosen profession. His recent attack on me was borne out of jealousy and the major factor is envy and wickedness.

Yoruba language is highly proverbial and Yoruba will describe Okurounmu’s situation as somebody suffering from proverb that says ‘Ija ilara kii tan boro, Anjuwon ko see wi l’ejo’ which means ‘ when you are envious you carry that burden almost forever and an envious character cannot easily say the reason why he is envious particularly God has been too kind and generous to the person he is envious of ’. That is the situation between me and Okurounmu.

My answer to that is I pray to God in heaven and our heroes, many who died in the cause of the struggle, particularly those unsung, too many people that suffered that are unsung; but I will be specific with our leaders that wherever they are in heaven, I appeal to them to forgive Okurounmu at 80 because insinuation that the military government was after me because I was an agent is false.

He claimed that you were detained by the military because you were spying for NADECO. How will you respond to that?

Sergeant Rogers was categorical when he was cross-examined by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, a renowned authority in the Law of Evidence who was then the Attorney-General of Lagos State. He mentioned names of those of us who were marked down and they were instructed to assassinate. I appeal to the spirit of Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane, the spirit of Bola Ige who died in the hands of assassins, the spirit of Olu Onagoruwa , the spirit of those who were hit and a lot of them died in the cause which include Papa Abraham Adesanya, my brother, good friend and soul mate Alex Ibru. I can go and mention names of those who were marked down by the evidence given in court.

I am still alive. If they were after me as a security collaborator and agent, then Okurounmu destroyed the spirit of these people who died in the cause that all of us who were marked down as stated in the evidence recorded in court that we are all agents. May the spirit of those who died in the cause forgive Okurounmu. May their souls continue to rest in peace but what he has done is making all of them turn in their graves.

What about the allegation that your governorship election in 1992 was funded by former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida?

I’m shocked and disappointed at the lack of knowledge and intellectualism displayed by Okurounmu who claimed to be a PhD holder. If you are a student of history, the two party systems, a little to the right and a little to the left in my time were well and openly funded by President Babangida’s government. We haven’t arrived at the garrison command politics of Obasanjo, the politics of do-or –die of today. At that time, voting system was open ballot. You queue openly behind the photograph of your candidate at all levels.

Votes at that time were not monetised. In our time, we didn’t need much money to run our campaign because the parties were funded, we didn’t need to fund the party or buy votes because voting was by open ballot. You queue in the open behind the photographs. What evidence has he that I collected money when the party has already been funded? What do I need the money for when voting was by open ballot? We have a situation where the wife will queue on one side and the husband will queue on the other side. On the day of the election in Ijebu- Igbo, Papa Adesanya at that time, who was a junior brother to my father-in-law directed people in his voting centre that they were supporting Afolabi Olabimtan and people were telling him ‘ Papa, you have a right to say you are supporting Olabimtan but we are for Osoba’ and they queued openly behind my picture.

The same thing with Papa Ayo Adebanjo in Isanya Ogbo. His closest political foot soldier in Isanya- Ogbo, late CP Odunsi was my supporter. He openly queued behind my picture contrary to the directive of Papa Ayo Adebanjo. So, what money did I need from Babangida then? What will I spend the money on? You don’t even need an agent because the result is recorded. An example is Lagos. In Lagos, the late Wahab Dosunmu and Towry Coker were candidates for the Senate seat in Lagos. Somehow, they disagreed that they were not happy with the way the primary was being conducted and so they decided to boycott it. However, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele said she was not boycotting.

Two of the people queued behind her. At the end of the day, Babagana Kingibe upheld the result and said there is no provision in the constitution for boycott. The party members still went ahead and voted for Bucknor- Akerele who was not their candidate despite the fact that she was not the original candidate they wanted. There was party discipline then. I can give you several examples to show you that there was discipline in the two-party systems. There was never one carpet-crossing. Towry-Coker or Dosunmu did not cross because they felt that they were not fairly treated in the party. It was in the same Lagos that when they conducted the primary and they were not happy with the way it was conducted, they voted for House of Assembly in the open and also decided to queue behind the late Michael Otedola who was governorship candidate of NRC. The system then was open. So, what do I need the Babangida’s money for? That is why I said Okurounmu is lacking in sense of history, intellectualism and political knowledge.

Wale Oshun, the Chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) also claimed that you donated 5,000 Pounds to the project of Mrs Maryam Abacha but when NADECO approached you for financial assistance, you gave them a paltry 250 Pounds. What really transpired then?

I have answered Wale Oshun in my book. I titled that chapter ‘Unkindest Cut’. His was the unkindest cut I can ever think of because both of them claimed to be Secretary-General of NADECO but it was a lie. Neither of the two were part of the 49 people that founded NADECO. NADECO was formed in General Adeyinka Adebayo’s house in Ikeja and it was a coalition of so many forces. Neither of them was present and so they cannot tell the story of their forefathers. The closest person to me in exile in London was Wale Oshun. He was a regular visitor to my house. He should tell you first what transpired between me as individuals.

When he was briefly detained in Ikoyi Prisons before he ran away to the United Kingdom (UK), I was regularly going to his house with Segun Adesegun, former Deputy Governor of Ogun state and Alhaji Sule Onabiyi to help the wife. My passport was seized and I was to attend an operation in 1993 when MKO Abiola asked me to come and return as the foremost governor behind him to come and face Babangida which I did. Then, I had nerve root problem and my nerve was almost cutting off by the time efforts were made to get my passport released. My wife’s passport was also seized so she couldn’t travel with me. I had a three-hour operation at Princess Grace Hospital. If my relationship with Wale Oshun was that sour, how come he was the first person I saw by the time I came out of anesthesia? He was the first person by my bedside when I came back to life and opened my eyes. But I know his problem.

What is his problem?

Under SDP, he failed in Lagos. He was playing his politics in Lagos but lost out. So he came to Ogun state and because both of us were in the Constituent Assembly in 1998 where I met him over 30 years ago, he pleaded with me that he wanted to be my running mate. I now told him that Papa Awolowo was a democrat who practiced democracy to the core and as one of his staunch followers; I am not going to handpick my deputy. The field is open and he is free to come in, I will throw it open to contest. In his local government, he defeated my deputy in Ogun East (Waterside) local government and he emerged through the Option A4 at the first level.

At the second level, he lost out to Rafiu Ogunleye. At the state level, he lost out in Ijebu, so he was not one of the candidates who were considered at the state level where Ogunleye won by narrow margin. So, that is the genesis of his attacks on me because he could not forgive me for not handpicking him as my deputy in 1991. He is still carrying that burden till today. At that time there was party discipline. The party then decided that let us compensate this young man who failed in Lagos, who also failed to become Deputy Governor in Ogun and we gave him House of Reps ticket.

After he won the election, I supported him to become Chief Whip as the governor of Ogun state then. We are that close. Senator Jubril Martins Kuye was in the Senate then and he became embittered because he wanted to become principal officer in the Senate but since I supported Wale Oshun, there was no way an Ijebu man can get principal officer in Ogun. So, this is the genesis of the bitterness of Wale Oshun. He and Okurounmu have not gone beyond that level ever. My God is great. I have gone beyond the level of a one-term governor. I became governor the second time under a different political dispensation.

Okurounmu said he wants a public debate but I will not descend to the level of dancing naked in the market at the age of 80. There is a saying that when you see a mad person who picked your cloth at the riverside while you were swimming , instead of you to cover your nakedness with leaves, you now decided to run naked after the mad man to retrieve your cloth, everybody will say they saw two mad people running on the road. Okurounmu is not a mad man but I will not join him in dancing naked on the street.

The post Wale Oshun, Okurounmu Are Envious Of My Achievements –Osoba appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.

Source: Independent

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