‘He was the Solomon of our time’ – Olateru-Olagbegi’s son eulogises father on 25th remembrance (Photos)

Prince Goke Olateru-Olagbegi, son of late Oba Olateru-Olagbegi, the former Olowo of Owo in Ondo state, says his father was a trail blazer when he was alive.

The Owo Prince stated this in a heartfelt tribute marking the twenty-five years remembrance of the late colorful traditional ruler.

Goke, in the tribute tittle “twenty-five years of the passing of “The Solomon of our time”, described the late Olowo as a man like no other.

In his words “Alaye, It’s been twenty five years that you left us. A man like no other, A trail blazer, an high achiever, education lover, philanthropist, an avid reader, a great ruler.

Kabiyesi, I heard it was an unforgettable day in Owo the day you breathed your last. There was severe lightning and thunder that had never happened in that magnitude ever in Owo history.

The heaven welcomed you and your arrival was announced and pronounced.

Kabiyesi you ruled Owo and heralded unsurpassed development to the town. You were the last President of the Western State House of Chiefs before the military coup.

You treaded easily where others could not.You were a very bold man I have ever seen in my entire life. You took on problems with equanimity. You were a great man and still great till date. I believe fervently that no other person was created when God created you.

People have attested to that fact. You were a co- founder of the Action Group party in the first republic with Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the party was formally launched in your palatial palace, the largest in Africa where you made the highest donation. Even though some of the people were part of the ones that stabbed you in the back. It is well.

I am very fortunate and priviledged to be very close to you. I know a lot of things about you others don’t. I am bold and brave to say that. Kabiyesi, I miss you a lot, we shared some private moments together as father and son and I will never forget all that we shared in those moments. I still shed tears when  I’m in my private moments when I think about you. It has become a norm for me. I just cant get over your passing. It hurts too much.

Kabiyesi, you loved Owo more than life itself. When most major cities in Western States didn’t have modern amenities, you facilitated electricity, pipe borne water, teacher training college, Technical college, textile mill (which was later moved to Ekiti in your absence), you asked your people that built on major roads to give allowance for setback, the ones that listened are today praying for you and the ones that didn’t have their houses demolished now that there is road expansion.

You were futuristic. You turned your palace to one of the most modern palaces in Africa. Aside from the Palace being the largest in Africa, you changed the frontal to the replica of the great Buckingham Place of London with orchard, tennis court, swimming pool, the best flower garden in our country at that time, squash court, mini zoo, soccer field and track field.

You were dethroned by the people that were envious of your strides and your rise to stardom and some of them were the ones you made.  You succeeded your successor, a rare feat that had never happened anywhere before.

You were a lover of sports and you encouraged all your children to participate in sports especially Lawn- Tennis. You sponsored Lawn Tennis and Billiard tournaments nationally. The late Chief Molade Okoya Thomas once said you gave him his first wooden racket.

One of the leading lights in Nigeria King Wasiu Ayinde, Kwam I, Olori Omo Oba Ijebu once told me many years ago at Osto Restaurant in London where we frequently met that when they were little boys,  himself and his friends usually targeted the days you played Tennis at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos to meet you there.

He said you usually gave them money and advised them to strive to be the best they could. Today he is one of the best. He loved you so much that he mastered one of your Igogo festival songs. I was surprised when he serenaded me with the song in one of his concerts in Atlanta.

Kabiyesi, you were a man like no other. You made friends all over across every ethnical boundary.

You feared and respected God. You facilitated the founding of the Methodist church in Owo when you went to England to meet with the President of the Methodist Church in England.

You were Knighted by the Queen of England for your frontline participation in the attainment of the independence for Nigeria and you attended all the pre- independent conferences.

Nobody has surpassed you in caring for your family and taking care of your children’s education. You just didn’t bring children to the world to create liabilities, you did your best to educate them. You once said ” I want to make a nation within a nation” yes you have.

Your family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are growing in leaps and bounds unsurpassed by numbers.

Your forgiving spirit is astounding. You once told a General that had a hand in your deposition when they brought him to beg you for forgiveness, that you had forgiven him a long time ago. You said he didn’t have the power to do what he did but it was God that needed you to have a break so he could do great things in your life. I was amazed.

Kabiyesi there is a lot that I can say boldly about you due to my closeness with you. You will be forever missed and your stature in life will never be diminished because of the legacies you left. Continue to rest with your Lord.”

Your son

Prince Goke Olateru-Olagbegi

Oyo Assembly lawmaker, Adebisi appoints Remi Oginni as Special Adviser

Hon. Yusuf Oladeni Adebisi, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, has announced the appointment of Remi Oginni as Special Adviser on Sports and Entertainment.

The appointment according to the young honourable, who is also the Chairman House Committee on Youth and Sports, was as result of Oginni's contributions to the sectors in the past years.

Adebisi, in a letter dated 19th October, 2023, said he is of strong convictions that the appointment will avail Oginni an opportunity to exercise his intellectual and professionalism in his new office.

"I am pleased to offer you an appointment as a Special Adviser on Sports and Entertainment due to your contribution to these sectors in the past few years.

In addition as the Chairman House committee on Youth and Sports and Deputy Chief Whip of Oyo State House of Assembly, appointing you to this office we believe shall be of great privilege to exercise your intellectual and professionalism to the benefit of the office.

You are part of the team, and shall be involved in all our sports and entertainment programs within and outside the office. Congratulations once again and wish you many success in your endeavor." The appointment letter reads.

Remi Oginni is an events consultant and an actor. He has featured in a good number of Yoruba movies.

 

 

Airfares rise by 34% in last 12 months - NBS

Nigerians are now paying more to travel by air, with average ticket costs having increased by 34.06% over the previous 12 months.

According to the most recent report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), commuter bus tickets increased by 11.66% over the same time period, from N55,906.86 in May 2022 to N74,948.78 in May 2023.

NBS said that its data on transportation includes bus trips within cities for a fixed price per drop, bus trips between cities for a fixed price per person, air fares for single trips on certain routes, motorcycle trips for a fixed price per drop, and canal passenger transit.

They added: "The average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop increased by 0.23% in May 2023 when N649.59 was recorded relative to N648.12 in April 2023. On a year-on- year basis, the average fare paid rose by 11.66% from N581.79 in May 2022.

"In another category, the average fare paid by commuters for bus journey intercity per drop in May 2023 was N4,002.16, indicating an increase of 0.19% on a month-on-month basis compared to the N3,994.51 recorded in April 2023. On a year-on-year basis, this rose by 9.09% from N3,668.64 in May 2022," the NBS report reads.

The average fare paid by air passengers according to the report for specified routes and single journeys increased by 0.002% on a month-on-month basis from N74,947.30 in April 2023 to N74,948.78 in May 2023.

"On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 34.06% from N55,906.86 in May 2022. The average fare paid on Okada transportation in May 2023 was N464.55, a 0.49% increase from the rate recorded in April 2023 (N462.29)."

It was also revealed by NBS that motorcycle fares rose by 11.30% when compared with the value in May 2022 which was N417.39, also revealing average fare paid for water transport (waterway passenger transportation) in May 2023 stood at N1,045.15, showing an increase of 1.39% from N1,030.83 in April 2023. This is an increase of 10.99% from N941.63 in May 2022.

Navy intercepts 10,000kg cannabis in Lagos through new facility, Falcon Eye

The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday used its Falcon Eye, a cutting-edge maritime awareness domain facility technology, to recover over 200 packages of marijuana totaling 10,000 kilograms from the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

Kolawole Oguntuga, commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship NNS, BEECROFT, revealed this information during a news conference in Apapa.

Oguntunga claimed that the timely interception by Nigerian Navy personnel occurred on July 3 in the early morning hours close to the Ibeju Lekki axis of the state.

He saide: "On this day, the falcon eye was able to detect the activity of criminals transferring bags of canabis from boats to land.

"As soon as we realized it, patrol teams both on water and land swiftly swung into action to ensure that the criminals did not escape.

"On sighting our men, they fled and we were able to confiscate the consignment and we recovered over 200 bags.

"Each bags weighs about 50kg so we are talking about 10,000 kg of these drugs."

The Navy commander added that, "We are going to make sure due process is done by handing over the illegal substance to the appropriate agency.

"We will also ensure that it is handled appropriately with the standard procedure."

He warned that, "The Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, is poised and resolute to ensure that these criminals are punished."

Oguntuga seized the occasion to extend his gratitude to the Chief of Naval Staff, whom he acknowledged as providing total support towards ensuring a crime-free country.

JAMB ends Joy Ejikeme Mmesoma's probe, sanction more candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has concluded its investigations on the case of Anambra State student, Mmesoma Ejikeme, who was accused of fraudulently inflating her 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination result.

This was disclosed by the board's Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede who made the disclosure on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

"The truth is that JAMB has concluded its investigation on Mmesoma's score falsification matter; she was not the only one caught, just that others have chosen not to go out.

"Presently, there is an industry faking results, and unfortunately, they cannot penetrate the JAMB system. The reason is that the system is foolproof and we will prove it at any time.

"It is unfortunate that parents and some of the candidates who are being fooled are not aware that they have only been fooled.

"There is internal evidence to show that the change in Mmesoma's scores was done with her collaboration. There are certain features pertaining to her that only she knows, and unless she makes them available to somebody else, they couldn't have increased her scores on her behalf," Oloyede said.

The JAMB Registrar also disclosed that he earlier spoke with a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, on Ejikeme's matter and told her that it was a high-level scam.

JAMB had on the same Tuesday released a result slip, which it confirmed as authentic, showing that Mmesoma's score in the 2023 UTME was 249 instead of 362 which she had been parading.

JAMB's spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, has described the result being flaunted by Mmesoma as obsolete. He also responded to a video of Mmesoma defending herself, saying someone was coaching her on what to say.

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has set up a committee of inquiry into the matter, the JAMB spokesperson said the exam body wants to be a part of the process.

"We are interested. I've sent a message to the Commissioner of Education saying, 'Please invite us. We'll come up with all the facts.' And we want to appeal to Airtel to also appear because Airtel has all the communications and interactions between this candidate and JAMB on the phone.

"And if the candidate will be sincere to bring her phone, you can see those transactions, the dates are there. If you had gone further, you would have seen that, yesterday, she also printed the result," Benjamin said.

How I Changed The Face of Oyo Liaison Office In Abuja - Wale Ajani

Hon. Wale Ajani has described his stint as former Director-General of the Oyo State Liaison Office in Abuja and Lagos as a relearning period for him.

Saying that he wouldn't have joined any government that is not performing. But for Governor Seyi Makinde's excellent performance, that himself and some others were encouraged to work with him.

"It is the basis for me to join and contribute my own little quota", Wale Ajani said.

Ajani, a qualified Engineer and a Lawyer, disclosed this much over the weekend during an interactive session with the South West Guild Of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) in Ibadan.

When asked about his experience working with Gov Makinde as Liaison Officer, Hon. Wale Ajani has this to say:

"For me, exactly June last year, I was appointed by His Excellency Gov Seyi Makinde to serve under his administration and by extension work for Oyo State Government. Let me say this unequivocally that Number one thing is that I wouldn't have joined any government if it is not performing. Gov Makinde was and still doing very well and some of us were encouraged to work with him. 

"It is the basis for me to join and contribute my own little quota because if you look at my antecedent, I contested in 2019 as a candidate under the ADC. If you know what happened, we that contested for House of Assembly were the canon folders.

"So, if there is anybody that should be looking for appointment, it is people like us because the National Assemblies candidates already lost the election before the coalition. But you can never see me around government circle seeking for any favour. I just went back to my professional work after losing the election."

Speaking on his achievements as former Director-General of the Oyo State Liaison Office in Abuja and Lagos. Ajani said:

"I want to say this, my about nine or ten months in office was a very good re-learning time for me. Although, I wasn't a person that was coming to office that didn't know what he's going there to do. I came in with a very clear understanding, vision and focus because I understand the job assigned to me by my boss His Excellency Gov Seyi Makinde as a liaison officer. 

"You are to represent your state interests at the Federal Capital Territory. It is just like a mini ambassador. It is just that some of us don't enjoy appellation. I was one of the first that was given the title of youth ambassador in this country early 90’s. I have also had the privilege of travelling round the world representing young people at different global platforms. So I know the job of an ambassador. 

"First thing i did after resumption is to change the image of the Oyo House which is the Embassy of Oyo State in Abuja, I discovered that a lot of things were not on the right track. You have to put everything in order because image is everything; perception is key. How do you have Oyo House that when you look at the street, you would see Kastina House, Rivers, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos etc but it is only Oyo House that urgently needed a facelift internally and externally. 

"Secondly,  I was able to restructure working administration of the staffers of Oyo House  that were posted from Ibadan to Abuja. We had a meeting, everyone got a clear schedule of duty so no one was inactive.  I checked the office files and discovered nobody has been engaging the MDA on behalf of the State Government and with the permission of His Excellency Gov Seyi Makinde I was able to lead the Oyo State team to more that 40 MDA for proper engagement on what Omituntun 1.0 was about and also the achievements of Gov Seyi Makinde.

"We also tried to make sure that we opened conversations, short and long term interest of the Seyi Makinde Administration. 

"The third aspect was that one of the mission of Abuja and Lagos liaison office is to issue the Certificate of Indigene to Oyo State in the diaspora. Before the dissolution of the government, I have started the plans to make it seamless leveraging on latest technology thereby making it possible to acquire it without traveling through a long distance.

"The truth is that there are over 300 federal agencies in Abuja. Every of these agencies have one thing or the other that they are doing and we have 36 states in Nigeria. So, the liaison officers' responsibility is to make sure that you go and ask how do my state benefit. They won't come and tell you. Nobody will come to you and say because you are liaison officer or DG. You are just DG in your pocket. 

"So you have to go and look for opportunities for your people and engage them because it is not the same grammar that I speak when I get to Energy Commission of Nigeria that I am going to speak when I get to Rural Electrification Agency. Most times before you go to this people, you need to research and know exactly what you are going there to tell them, otherwise they would just rubbish you or think you are there for meet and greet. 

"So, for me, it was a privilege  to do what I had been doing before because as a former President of the National Youth Council in Nigeria, I was able to do a lot of things and it is similar. I was talking to government agencies and development partners on behalf of young people so it is easier for me to talk to development partners. I want to appreciate Gov Seyi Makinde for that opportunity."

In the cause of the media chat Wale Ajani, who described himself as professional in partisan politics, was also asked if he has any regret missing the senatorial ticket. He was very blunt and confident.

"Of course, I felt bad as human but no single regret because it is not over until it is over, and for me, God rules in the affairs of men. If it is the will of God, it might even be something bigger than that so, I am not afraid and I am not in a rush.

"Don’t forget His Excellency Gov Makinde was also deprived of his Senatorial ticket at one point but today he is the number one citizen of Oyo State and watch out for that guy, he is on a mission in this country and the grace is sufficient for him. But, I would say this categorically, if I was given the ticket I might have done better because the truth is that politics is not rocket science. Politics is engagement and it is about interest. No matter how much you and I are brothers, if your interest is not captured in what I am doing now, you would work for someone else. And, politics is about negotiation; I might have done it better because I understand the game of negotiation and interest. 

"However, I am not a full fledge politician. I am a professional in politics. There is a difference between a politician and a professional in politics."

But how exactly did Wake Ajani come into politics?

"Yes, my attraction to politics was as a high school student, I didn't know that the blind goes to school. As the President of my school JETS Club I saw a young man that was using braille in those days and I said this must be a ruse, it must be packaged, so I picked one of my textbooks and I was reading to him. And when I finished reading, he was reading everything that I had read from his braille so I said ah, this thing can work. 

"I decided to join the movement under - Sir David Osunde Foundation for the Handicapped  then. It was through volunteerism that I found myself in politics. I have also been in the Exco of the University of Lagos Engineering Society (ULES). But I was running for Oyo Amala politics because there was this fear news that we used to hear then as upcoming, so I didn't want to join full Oyo politics. 

"I was eventually invited to join Oyo politics when as a delegate to National Conference (CONFAB) of 2014, myself and Baba Rashidi Ladoja met and because of my vibrancy within the National Conference and among Oyo delegates in particular, he encouraged me to come and do the local politics. That was how I joined politics."

At what stage has his efforts on job creation for youth in Oyo State yielded fruits?

"At our level in Abuja, we deal with the Federal Character Commission. They base things on quota. Oyo States have representatives which is a Federal Commissioner. We need to keep pushing for more slots that are due for Oyo State. As I said, there are over 300 parastatals. Within my little sojourn in the office, I was able to get some of our people employed at the Federal level and this can’t happened without the support of the God sent man H.E Gov Seyi Makinde. 

"Meanwhile, there are lots of graduates in Oyo State but from statics, I want to say there are more artisans in Oyo State. As a state, what are we doing about these cluster. It is not the same equipment they use to sow dresses 10years ago that they still use now. Whoever fails to upgrade would join the unemployment class.

"We need to actually help our people in that area. What are we doing about our technical and vocational education? There is so much in that area to help reduce unemployment. 

"As a journalist, if you go to the Chairman of This Day newspaper that you want a job, he would not ask you to bring your certificate but they would ask you to bring some of your previous past works/publications and if you are good he would give you job. For me it is about how do we update and develop those skills in our youths.

"Today, the educated guys have taken over almost the industry. You will see big outfits specializing in sewing of local caps. Also, for example, the print media are gradually going paperless. Very soon there won't be physical newspapers and the paper sellers would go jobless. We keep upgrading. So for me, knowledge economy is the best anytime any day. 

"So, I look forward to Oyo State that would be built and developed on knowledge economy. If you have been to the Facebook headquarters, it is not as big but you can't imagine the kind of things that are going on there. So, you don't have to build a big factory before you become a billionaire. 

About his views on the rate at which the youth are derailing and possible solution to reverse the dangerous trend? 

"I will start with the issue of value in our youth. We always believe that when you always go to church or mosque you actually know God but going to church and mosque is just a religion. Values are from homes. Unfortunately, with the kind of value system we are running now, fathers and mothers don't have time for the children anymore. 

"You will even see young ladies whose mothers would say, "Look at your mates who are making money. You can't bring anything on the table. They are thinking that because you are a fine girl, you should go and do anything. It is a serious issue. 

"The value is missing at home. It is the responsibility of parents. You should not wait for teachers to help you train your children. I told my son that if I knew what I know now, I would not buy that car then. It wouldn't have been my priority. I told him this when he was 10years old. Some of us would not tell our boys these things. I would call my boys and say come, let's talk about masturbation, cultism etc. they need to know them before one friend will lie to them and introduce them to wrong group.

"Teachers are just doing their best. You see what some students do; they drink and do all sorts of things. When my son told me he wanted to have a necklace on, the question that I asked him was that what value would the chain add to you? For me, value is key but we are losing it day by day. Parents have the responsibility while pastors would preach it. It is not what they preach on the pulpit but what you say to your children."

Ajani was also asked If he's not bothered about the rate at which the youth now shun vocational apprenticeship, resulting in the high number of motorcycle (Okada) riders.

"On apprenticeship, I want to use Oyo State as my focus. I developed a platform called 'Anywork 24/7.' This is it, you want an handi worker and you cannot guarantee anyone who can do it well. Now, let's create a platform where we can get accredited and verifiable handi workers. But alas, most of the handi workers are half baked. 

"They are not being trained using the current technique. A member of my church once came and said that he does kaftan. I told him to go and make one for me. By the time he brought it, it was zigzag. I said I couldn't wear this. Apprenticeship is key but we need to have relevant skill and equipment. We need to have in place a vocational centre set up and funded by government but managed by a consultant. We can have different latest equipment to ease life for the serious artisans. 

"Just come for three months. The state can do that. We have the Board of Technical and Vocational Education. Some of those we say are not doing well, it is not just that they are not doing well but the equipment they are using are not that of the 21st Century. But if the government decide that if you have job to do, you can come and use it for one or two hours, you won't come here and be wasting time cos of limited time and electricity will be available 24/7. 

"Within two hours, if it is two dresses that you are able to make, you can book for another two hours at another time until you are able to get your own money to buy your own machine. I think that is core for Oyo State because we have more artisans. If we can send our tilers in Oyo State on skill training, nobody would go to Benin Republic and all road will lead to Oyo State. I am certain that Gov Makinde can set the pace again under the sustainable development agenda."

On his defining moment in politics.

"My defining moments in politics are many but if not for politics, I won't sit down with the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria. As President of the Nigerian Youth Council, I don't know how many young persons of my age then that had opportunities to enter the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as much as I did. It might not look like an achievement, but I had a boss, a senior professional colleague the day he was meeting the President, he was shaking with all his money.  

"I had been privileged to speak in different platforms locally, regionally and nationally, so there is nothing that would scare me from talking to great people. I have several defining moments but my most defining moments are when I talk to the president of Nigeria and presidents from other countries on behalf of young people. Many people might not like Mugabe, but he was my friend."

Peller Dazzles Constituents With Multi Million Naira Sallah Gifts, Wishes Muslims Blissful Celebration

Despite being out of office, the Ayedero of Yorubaland, Honourable (Dr.) Shina Abiola Peller, on Tuesday distributed rams worth millions of naira to constituents across Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency and by extension, Oyo North Senatorial District.

Honourable Peller, who represented Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency at the ninth House of Representatives, personally supervised the distribution of the rams to make 2023 Ileya celebration worthwhile and enjoyable for his people, particularly Muslims who cannot afford buying rams.

Also distributed were bags of rice and other important items that are needed to ensure that the celebration is well enjoyed by the Muslim faithful in his federal constituency and Oyo North Senatorial District. 

Over two thousand families who benefited from this humanitarian gesture of the Oke Ogun-born businessman cum politician, will be having a fun-filled Salah celebration with their family members, close associates and friends. 

When contacted to speak on the reason behind the gesture despite being out of office, Honourable Peller recalled that distributing rams, bags of rice and other items to people during Salah celebration has always been his usual act even long before he joined politics. 

He added that whether he holds any public office or not, he won't stop reaching out to the people, particularly the needy, during festive period like Eid ul fitri, Eid al-Adha (Ileya), Easter, Christmas and New Year celebration.

In addition, Honourable used the avenue to wish fellow Muslim brothers and sisters a blissful salah celebration while he urged to make peace their watchwords, adding that Islam symbolizes peace. 

He said: "This is wishing my Muslim brothers and sisters a fun-filled 2023 Eid al-Adha celebration filled with love, happiness, joy, affluence and sound health. 

"Today is so pious to us all as Muslims and we must make it count by seeking God's mercy and forgiveness for our shortcomings and praying fervently for peace to reign in our country.

"Since Islam, which we practice means peace, it is very important that we make peace our watchword; we should think peace; preach peace always and religious tolerant. 

"Importantly, as we wine and dine during this festive period, we should remember to reach out to our fellow Muslims in whatever way we can, particularly the needy.

"Once again, I wish everyone of us a blissful salah celebration. May we witness many more of it on earth. Ameen."

Popular professor of communication, Lai Oso dies in Ore-Sagamu road mishap

A renowned Nigerian Professor of communication, Lai Oso, is dead.

Oso died in a motor accident in Ijebu axis of Ore-Sagamu expressway on Saturday evening.

The sad incident was said to have occured while the deceased was returning from Delta State University (DELSU). Where he was an external examiner at the department of Mass communication.

"His SUV has reached Ijebu axis on the expressway before the car plunged  into a river,” a source revealed.

Oso, in his lifetime, was a good man, a father and lecturer to many communication scholars and journalists across the world. 

He was one of the pillars of communication at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), and a former Dean of School of Communication, Lagos State University (LASU).

Titanic’s crash and anger of Olokun, the Sea goddess | By Festus Adedayo

The world is in a mourning mood. After a fruitless five-day search for a missing deep-sea submersible vessel with five passengers on board, its wreckage was eventually found last Thursday. The five occupants on board were killed in the process. The search had been spearheaded by a robotic diving vehicle deployed from a Canadian ship. The five were on a voyage to see the century-old wreckage of the famous Titanic by the time this catastrophic implosion occurred. The robotic vehicle had found the debris of the submersible Titan on the seabed, “some 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the bow of the Titanic,” reported Reuters. Named the Titan and operated by OceanGate Expeditions, a U.S.-based company, its passengers included the company's founder and chief executive officer, Stockton Rush who also doubled as pilot of the Titan; British billionaire and explorer, Hamish Harding; Pakistani-born businessman, Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman, as well as French oceanographer and famous Titanic expert, Paul-Henri Nargeolet. They had gone on the adventurous undersea expedition at the cost of $250,000 to each of the passengers.

The original British passenger liner named the Titanic, which its moulders claimed was unsinkable, had sunk on April 15, 1912, 111 years ago. It had collided with an iceberg. After several unsuccessful years of efforts to discover the wreckage, 73 years after, in 1985, a joint French-American expedition eventually found it out. Salvage operations to recover items in the Titanic which is said to lie in the ocean at a depth of about 12,500 feet on the coast of Newfoundland, have resulted in thousands of items found and now conserved by being put on public display. The bodies of the passengers could however not be recovered. A total of 2,208 passengers had sailed in the early morning of that day, on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City. Out of them, 1,503 died.

The crash of the deep-sea submersible vessel has provoked some interests and comments. One of such was a piece entitled The Titan disaster shows the effect of human hubris in the deep sea written by Karen Attiah, a columnist with The Washington Post. In it, she drew an inference of a probable anger of the Yoruba goddess of the ocean, Olokun as cause of the disaster. This connect was further reinforced when renowned Hollywood director and Titanic researcher, James Cameron, told the BBC in an interview that there was a definite link between the tragic crash of the two Titans as well as similarities in the crashes’ circumstances. Cameron, a submersible designer, had directed the Oscar-winning blockbuster Titanic. He had said: "I'm struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship, and yet, he steamed up full speed into an ice field on a moonless night. And many people died as a result and for us very similar tragedy where warnings went unheeded to take place at the same exact site."

Samuel Johnson, the iconic Yoruba historian, in telling the story of the dreaded Bashorun Gaa of the Old Oyo Empire, unknowingly explained the Atlantic economy of centuries ago among the Yoruba. In his narration, Johnson drew a link between the river goddess, Olokun and ancient Yoruba cowries, the only legal tender of transaction that began in the 16th century. As Prime Minister of Old Oyo from 1754–1774 circa, Gaa, according to Johnson, once requested his babalawo to make charms that would enable him acquire “plenty of cowries.” He had complained to them that, in spite of his enormous powers and wealth, he had little cowries to flaunt as symbol of his political power. In reality, this was a manifestation of the competition Gaa faced from other power wielders in the empire, that they might use their financial capacity to undermine his political base. Gaa’s cash crisis was also said to have been worsened by his incorrigible children, who, like the biblical sons of Eli – Hophni and Phinehas – lorded "it all over the country (Old Oyo provinces) (and which) deprived him of the revenues which might have come to him."

Anyway, these medicine men then gave the Prime Minister ose dudu, a medicinal soap, with which he was to take his bath. They thumped their chests as they asserted that, before sunset, humongous wealth would flood his palace. Unconfirmed reports claimed that the babalawo had secured the soap from the bowel of the Atlantic, specifically from the hands of Olokun. After the bath with the soap, a mysterious fire suddenly engulfed the Gaa compound which burnt virtually all his belongings to the hilt. However, due to the awe and dread of the Prime Minister’s powers, virtually all sectors of the Empire, from the capital to all the innumerable provinces, upon hearing of this destruction, rose in his support. Gaa’s venomous powers were such that, he could incinerate provinces that failed to contribute to the rebuilding of his lost assets and compound. Not only did they rebuild the compound, but the gifts Gaa also received in cash and materials were overwhelming. Ultimately, the Prime Minister emerged, like the mythical Phoenix, from the ashes of the disaster richer than he once was. Astounded by the link between his Olokun-given wealth and the disaster, Gaa had asked his babalawo for an explanation. According to Johnson, he had asked, "Is this the way you promised to get me cowries?" and their reply was, "Yes ... by what other means could you have amassed such an abundance in so short a time?"

In a journal article written for the Boston University African Studies Centre by Akinwumi Ogundiran, entitled Of small things remembered: Beads, cowries and cultural translations of the Atlantic experience (The International Journal of African Historical Studies, Vol. 35, No. 2/3 (2002), pp. 427-457) the author told the story of how Benin oral traditional history also speaks to the intervention of the Olokun in the prosperity recorded during the reign of Oba Eresoyen. He ruled from 1735 to 1737. By the way, Olokun, in Yoruba-Edo belief, was not only revered as the deity of the ocean, she was also known as goddess of wealth. Eresoyen’s cowry boom was said to have occurred when he made a peace pact with the Olokun. Palace remembrancers speak of how Oba Eresoyen initially engaged in an unending tiff with Olokun by using his spiritual powers to close tributaries in his kingdom which denied Olokun access to her waters. A palm wine tapper then mediated between Eresoyen and the Olokun which resulted in the restoration of water to the goddess. In appreciation, Olokun made a pact with Eresoyen that she would requite his restoration of access to her waters with massive wealth. She then heaped mounds of cowries, which were within her territorial grip, in the sky for Eresoyen which his palace courtiers shouldered into the palace in massive quantity.

I gave the two anecdotes above to highlight, not only the fertile beliefs, imaginations and rumours that thrived centuries ago, especially in the Atlantic commerce of the time, but also the dominant perception of the powers of the Atlantic Ocean called Okun and the lord of the ocean. 

Attiah had delved into what she called “the Yoruba religious tradition” where “divine spirits known as Orishas (sic) rule over various cosmic forces and elements of nature. There is Shango (sic) the king orisha of thunder and fire; Yemaya (sic) the orisha of the ocean; and Oshun (sic) who rules rivers and lakes” and what she called “a lesser-known orisha, Olokun, who is androgynous and rules the deepest parts of the ocean where light does not penetrate.” Attiah further wrote that “the Olokun is an extremely fearsome and vengeful orisha, upset with humans for not showing proper reverence… (and) chained to the bottom of the ocean so as to restrain (her) from destroying humanity. The pressure of the deep ocean represents the origins of life and threatens gruesome, instant death for humans. It is for all these reasons Olokun is rarely challenged or disturbed, even by the other orishas.” She concluded in this piece that the submersible’s disaster is a reminder to the world that in spite of humanity’s inventions, it cannot dominate the deep, deep sea.

How true is Attiah’s linkage of Olokun to the submersible’s disaster and how dissimilar or similar is this tragedy from centuries-old mythic perception of traditional Africa? This debate about the existence of gods, goddesses and attempts to spiritize disasters like the Titanic of 1912 and last week’s have provoked philosophical debates about the existence of spirits and metaphysical objects. Are spirits real? Are there evil spirits? Is the physical the only real thing? If it isn’t, what then makes Attiah’s explanation for the crash of the Titanic unreal, mythic and fabulous, while we concentrate on what we are only able to cognize?

While the particular configuration of the Olokun is unknown, the Yemoja, another goddess of the river or water deity, is widely iterated in Yoruba folklores. Many claimed to have encountered this fish goddess who also, like the Olokun, resides in the heart of the waters. Indeed, the Yemoja, taken from Yeye Omo Eja – mother of fishes – has devotees who honour her as a source of life, fertility and abundance and built temples for her. Some people even claimed to have encountered her in the depths of rivers with dual features of a fish, complete with fins but with human shoulders and head. She is carved out as the Mother with weeping breasts and venerated for her kindness. Yemoja is also the Queen Mother who lives in the depth of the water – the Ayaba ti ngbe ibu omi. Yemoja shares her maternity renown with three other water goddesses, Osun, Oba and Oya water deities.

Janet Langlois, of the Folklore Institute, Indiana University, citing ethnographer Ellis A. B, retold the Yemoja story that had often been told as folklore in Yorubaland. Ellis had narrated the legend in his 1894-written The Yoruba-speaking Peop1e of the Slave Coast of West Africa. It goes thus: “Oduduwa, the Earth, given birth to by Obatala, who was the Heavens, also gave birth to a son and daughter. The son was named Aganju and he represented dry and barren land. He then married the daughter, Yemoja, who was life-giving water. They both jointly had a son named Orungan, who was the sky between heaven and earth. One sad day when Aganju was far from home, Orungan ravished his mother, Yemoja. She sprang from him and ran quickly, blindly away. He pursued her and was overtaking her and about to touch her when she slipped and fell, striking her head against a stone. The impact sent jets of water gushing up from her huge breasts. These waters joined to form a sweet lagoon. Her huge belly burst open and many Orisas sprang from her.”

Among the Yoruba, water has a powerful force. Waters are sacred sites with presiding spirits which act as intercessors with the ultimate divine. This provides the reason for the worship of the Yemoja in Osun as the river goddess of fertility. She is referred to as the Ajeje, a mother who has herbs in the river with which she takes care of her children and gives them longevity. Devotees say they revere the waters of Osun just as Christianity reveres rivers in its baptism phenomenon and River Jordan in particular for its spirituality. In Africa, many groups don’t go to the rivers on certain days, believing that those were the days the water spirits come out.

From their manifestations, Olokun and Yemoja are different. The differences are in their temperaments and habitation. While Olokun resides in the Atlantic, Yemoja lives in rivers. Yemoja is benign while Olokun, though is mythically perceived as the god of wealth, could also be a jealous woman who can be deadly. In spite of scientific explanations of the Bermuda Triangle, otherwise known as the Devil’s Triangle, traditionalists believe the calamities wrecked by it in the mid-20th century were caused by the Olokun who, in her anger, and in mysterious circumstances, brought about the disappearances of some aircraft and ships. Some meteorological studies have however referred to Olokun and the Bermuda as an urban legend, ascribing the calamities to “diffraction heat patterns (which) give rise to corresponding weather and ocean patterns which, to a large extent, account for the mysteries already noted in the Bermuda region.” The Bermuda is located in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean.

So, could Attiah have been right about the anger of the Olokun as cause of the crash of the two Titanics? Should we be bothered and seek extra-scientific answers to these tragedies so as to guard against them in the future? Attiah buttressed her claim with allusions to what she called the social value of certain perilous journeys. On the social media, many have wondered why such potentially perilous elite fancy should detain the rest of humanity. The world had literally been frozen due to the deaths of these voyagers while thousands of immigrants have perished in the Mediterranean without as much as a whimper from the same world. These were, in the words of Attiah, “migrants who are arguably much braver but have far fewer resources… demonized and left to die, despite the fact that all they want is the opportunity to work, to contribute value, to live.” In the same vein, the west has literally shut its ears from cries of reparations for sunken slave ships which Attiah calls “the true symbols of Europe’s ability to enslave people and exploit nature in faraway lands.”

Brandon Presser, an Op-ed writer with the Post, had joined in affirming the reckless audacity of man in going behind its province to seek to dominate the aquatic province of fishes. “Water is our birthright but also a force of great destruction, holding a record of everything it claims. To visit the depths of the ocean is not an act of arrogance, then, but something quite the opposite: an acknowledgment of our obsolescence. It’s fitting that the desire to blindly careen toward the ocean floor goes hand in hand with our curious obsession with the Titanic. The felled ship, once touted as the world’s greatest, has remained a parable for nature’s power over the mightiest efforts of humankind to assert its dominance over the planet,” he had written.

While the world is shedding tears about the recent Titanic disaster, Attiah has given us thoughts to ponder on. Why is the world obsessed with technological dominance like the Titanic, which “allow(ed) Europe to explore and pillage other countries, wipe out entire peoples and enrich itself by exploiting the Earth’s resources”? The Titanic, she said, “might be a reminder that the deep ocean is the only resource-rich realm on Earth with the power to keep White men from exploiting it.” Is Olokun then that power?

So, is Olokun angry that man is going beyond their earthly borders? Or, in the words of Attiah, “are (there indeed) some realms on Earth that are meant to be mysteries — not to be mastered”? Is humanity suffering from what the Yoruba call agbere, arrogant audacity? Or, is this absolute nonsense, in the words of Austrian philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein, who saw anything metaphysical like the link being drawn between the Titanic and an angry sea goddess, as such?

Tinubu seeks European Council support to fight poverty, security

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday called on the European Union to assist Nigeria and Africa in strengthening security and economic development to alleviate poverty in the continent.

A statement by the Director of Communication, Abiodun Oladunjoye, indicated that the President made the during during a telephone conversation with the President of the European Council, Mr. Charles Michel.

The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union.

According to President Tinubu, Nigeria and the whole of Africa would require the help and partnership of her friends and development partners like the EU to address the excruciating poverty in the continent.

While requesting the EU to look at specific areas of security challenge like the Lake Chad and coastal areas, the Nigerian leader promised to remain in contact with the European Union and other member states.

He said poverty and insecurity were priority areas for his administration and he would do all that is required to address them.

The Council president used the opportunity of the telephone conversation to once again congratulate President Tinubu over his election.

While pledging the commitment of the Council towards a stronger cooperation and partnership with Nigeria based on mutual respect and common interests, he pointed out that Nigeria is important to the EU and the International Community. 

Mr Michel urged the Nigerian leader to continue to work with the EU in all relevant areas.

EFCC arrests 37 suspected internet fraudsters in Ibadan

Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on have arrested thirty-seven (37) suspected internet fraudsters in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The suspects are Ibrahim Adewale Adegoke, Echeta Chidi Oluwabe, Adeyinka Oladaide Monsuru, Adedeji Mojeed Adewusi, Uzuh Samuel Friday, Ibrahim Aliu Olaide, Babatunde Ayomide Yinus, Rahaman Idris, Adeniji Eniade Ebelizer, Segun Bamidele, Ifemade Haruna, Adeyinka Kola Michael, Adewusi  Taiwo Femi, Oyewo Ayomide Solomon, Adebayo Okikioluwa Adeoye, Abiodun Olamijulo Kayode, Collin Ayomide Oyelakin, Babatunde Oluwasegun and Mathew Emmanuel Ogina.

Others include Echeta Chinedu Junior, Babatunde Abdulmajeed, Badejo Adefemi Emmanuel, Musa Ayinde Olorunisola, Olumoroti Ayobami Segun, Adebayo Isiaka Olajide, Omobolaji Abiola Quwam, Ademola Qodir Alabi, Akinbode Adedolapo Joshua, Evwiekpoamare Tivere Jackson, Oparinde Sheriff Funso, Olatunbosun Stephen, Samuel Ayodeji Mayokun, Wemimo Adebare Sodiq, Oluwole David Dare, Segun Ajewole Abraham, Ajayi Elijah Oladimeji and Gbadegesin Nurudeen Opeyemi.

They were arrested at Ologolo Estate and Omi-ado areas of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Items recovered from the suspects include seven exotic cars, one motorcycle, several mobile phones and laptops, among others.

They will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.

FG charges fleeing Adebutu, Zenith Bank MD, others with vote-buying, money laundering

Oladipupo Adebutu, a Peoples Democratic Party candidate for governor in Ogun State in the 2023 election, has been accused by the federal government of money laundering and vote-buying.

Zenith Bank, its managing director, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, and the bank's head of card services, Celestina Appeal, were also sued by the government in front of the Federal High Court in Abeokuta for allegedly helping Adebutu conduct the claimed crime.

Adebutu, according to a report by Punch Newspaper, was charged by the government with vote-buying during the state's March 18 governorship election on the charge sheet with the case number AB/10c/2023.

Adebutu, who was the PDP governorship candidate, contested against incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress.

Nine additional PDP members were named as co-defendants by the Attorney General of the Federation's office, which also brought the accusations against Adebutu.

They are Sanni Adejoke, Ogunbona Hammed, Tiamiyu Waliu, and Egunsola Owolabi.

There are also Malik Akawo, Dare Ogunleye, Dare Adeoye, Dayo Fashina, and Wasiu Enololobo.

In the charge sheet, the FG said Adebutu was at large.

Adebutu, alleging a threat to his life, had shortly after the election reportedly travelled out of the country.

The governorship candidate and Adegoke were charged with three counts of criminal conspiracy, bribery and undue influence, while the eight others were charged with vote-buying and conspiracy.

The prosecution listed eight witnesses, who include a police officer, three officials of the NDLEA and two Points of Sale operators, against Adebutu and others.

One of the charges read: “That you Oladipupo Adebuti (now at large), adult male of Kessington House, Iperu, Ogun State between February and March, 2023 at Ogun State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did provide 200,000 prepaid verve cards loaded with N10,000, which had inscribed on them ‘Dame Caroline Oladuni Adebutu Memorial Endorsement Scheme for less privileged’  for the purpose of corruptly influencing votes to vote for PDP candidates (including yourself) during the governorship and state Assembly elections in Ogun State and you thereby committed an offence.”

In another suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, the prosecution accused  Zenith Bank, its Managing Director, Onyeagwu, and the head of card services at the bank, Appeal, of aiding Adebutu to commit the alleged crime.

The government alleged: “That you (Mr Onyeagwu and Ms Appeal) between February 2023 to March 2023 in Ogun State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did fail to report dust transactions which appeared to have no economic justification or lawful objective, in the account of Oladipupo  Adebutu domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 7(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 7 (10) of the same Act.”

Senate okays Tinubu's request to appoint 20 special advisers

The Nigerian senate Tuesday approved speedily a request from President Bola Tinubu to appoint 20 special advisers,

Tinubu’s request was read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday, according to the Cable.

The president did not list the names of the prospective special advisers.

After the letter was read, the upper legislative chamber gave speedy approval to the request.

The senate president said it is of “utmost urgency” that the president has a team to work with.

“Because there is no name for special advisers we will just approve it from here,” Lawan said.

“We feel that that this is something of utmost urgency.”

The development came days after Tinubu announced the appointment of Femi Gbajabiamila, the outgoing speaker of the house of representatives, as his chief of staff.

George Akume, former minister of special duties, was named the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF).

Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, a former deputy governor of Jigawa state, was appointed deputy chief of staff.

UI professor, Opeyemi Ajewole assassinated

Prof. Opeyemi Ajewole, a professor of social and environmental forestry at the University of Ibadan, was reportedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Ibadan, the capital of the Oyo state.

Optimaltimesng reports that Ajewole allegedly died last night while on his way home.

The victim was killed at his home in Ibadan, according to a lecturer from the institution who confirmed the occurrence.

Adewale Osifeso, the PPRO for the Oyo State Police, commented on the incident and said: "The matter is under investigation. Please submit updates in accordance with that.

Trumpeters Church overseer, Oludare dies

Pastor J.O. Oludare, the founder of the Trumpeters Church in Nigeria, is dead.

On Monday, June 5, 2023, a sizable congregation gathering in his church near the Ilesa-Akure expressway, Ilesa, was informed of his passing.

The late man of God began the mission over twenty years ago ago and attracted over 100,000 followers.

It was reported that he passed away after a brief illness.

Oludare, in his lifetime, was well-known for his anti-tithe collection teachings.

His passing has been described by many as a tremendous loss for Nigeria and Ijesa region.

Credit: papermacheonline

Just In: NLC, TUC suspend planned nationwide strike, to reconvene next week

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended their Wednesday scheduled nationwide strike.

The decision was arrived at after a meeting between federal government and organized labor officials on Monday night at the presidential villa to discuss the withdrawal of fuel subsidies.

The National Industrial Court prevented Organized Labor from going on any kind of strike earlier on Monday.

Justice O.Y. Anuwe made a decision based on an exparte application submitted to the court, preventing the defendants (the TUC and the NLC) from going on the scheduled nationwide strike on Wednesday while the motion of notice dated June 5, 2023 is heard and decided.

The originating proceedings, the motion on notice, and the court order must all be served on the defendants right away, the judge further directed.

On Monday, June 19, officials of the federal government and organized labor are scheduled to restart their discussions.

Thugs beat guber aspirant, Segun Sowumi, others at election petition tribunal in Ogun state

Segun Sowumi, a former governorship aspirant of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state and other party loyalists were reportedly beaten by thugs on Monday.

The sad incident occured at the election tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the state's capital.

The tribunal is sitting to hear the petition filed by Ladi Adebutu against Governor Dapo Abiodun in the last gubernatorial elections.

Some of the thugs believed to be loyalists of the APC descended on the PDP supporters with canes and singled out Segun Showunmi whom they beat to stupor before the intervention of some security operatives.

An eye witness present at the tribunal confirmed Sowunmi escaped by the whiskers.

Adebutu’s lead counsel, Chris Uche complained to the tribunal how PDP members were attacked at the entrance and prevented from observing the session.

 

Subsidy Removal: Kwara state government reduces workdays to 3 for civil servants

The Kwara state government has taken temporary measure to ease the burden of public workers in the State following the astronomical hike in transport fare.

A statement by CPS to the governor, Murtala Atoyebi, indicated that the announcement was made on Monday the state's Head of Service, Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole.

Saying that the state governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazak has directed that the work days be reduced from five days to three days per week for every worker.

The measure was to relieve the state's workers of the hardship being experienced as a result of the fuel subsidy removal announced by the Federal Government, according to her.

Mrs Oluwole directed all Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the State to immediately work out a format indicating the alternating work days for each worker under them.

The Head of Service however, warned the workers not to abuse the magnanimity of the Governor, stressing that the regular monitoring of MDAs by her office would be intensified to ensure strict compliance.

Governor Makinde backs Ogundoyin's returns as Oyo assembly speaker

Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo state, has lent his support to the reinstatement of Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin as Speaker of the state parliament.

During the launching of an electrical project at Olorunda Ogunsola Idi-Obi and environs in the Ona-Ara local government area, Makinde dropped the hint and emphasized that individuals who performed well in his Omituntun 1.0 program should be given a chance in Omituntun 2.0.

He said that since the people of Oyo State had also given his administration the chance for a second term in power, it was only reasonable to allow those who work well in teams another chance.

The Speaker, who is in charge of the legislative branch of government, not only fulfilled his legal obligations to a high standard, but also contributed to political stability in the state, according to the Governor.

However, he went on to say that although though he wasn't a member of the house of assembly and would back a democratic process to elect a Speaker, he still wanted Rt Hon Debo Ogundoyin to serve as Speaker again in the 10th assembly.

Makinde appoints former Oyo PMS secretary as new chairman

Oyo state government has announced Alhaji Oluwatomiwa Omolewa, former Park Management System (PMS) Secretary, as the new Chairman.

Alhaji Kasali Ajisafe Lawal aka Baba Bola is to serve as the secretary.

The appointment, according to the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, is part of the reorganization of the PMS embarked upon by the state government.

It would be recalled that the former chairman of PMS, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi aka Auxiliary was sacked on Monday by Governor Makinde.

The embattled former chairman has since been declared wanted by the Oyo Police Command. This was after two of his properties were searched by the Police and a cache of ammunition, arms and local charms were recovered. 

Joe Biden’s fall and a shaking Nigeria | By Festus Adedayo

America was a pitiable sight last Thursday. That great country was crouched on the bare floor. It fell like a huge hippopotamus. President Joe Biden’s legs were wrapped over each other like a malevolent viper that had just had its backbone yanked apart by an irreverent bullet. America looked helpless. The edges of Biden’s blue suit raised their hands up in surrender, leaving the world gaping through his now visible white singlet. The only thing on him that seemed unfazed by the fall was his blue fez cap. For the first time ever, cameras pierced through the underneath of Biden’s black shoes. Those shoes lay on their sides, even as a Biden security aide was pictured attempting to lift America up. Looking at the faces of the guests on the podium, you could see palpable shock and fright. America fell!

Biden had tripped and fallen immediately after handing out the last diploma at a U.S. Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in Colorado. After he fell, the president caught himself with his hands and immediately got up on a knee. He looked backwards towards a sandbag which supported the teleprompter he used. This confirms the universality of that Yoruba proverb which says, when a child falls, he looks forward to a remedy but when elders do, they look backwards to the roots of the fall. Three of Biden’s aides then sprightly sprang up to his rescue, helped him up as he walked back to his seat. He then sat down as if nothing had happened.  Back at the White House, the president joked, “I got sandbagged."

Olusegun Obasanjo didn’t have such joke as riposte. He had a sound rebuke. In 1995 circa, he had attended a political event at the Gateway Hotel, Sango-Ota, Ogun State. He was ostensibly under the weather but reluctantly elected to come and honour organizers of the event, in spite of his failing health. As he sat on the high table, with the event afoot, human nature took its toll. Vomit daringly coursed through his esophagus, irreverently unmindful that this was once a Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. This was an office that imbues its occupant with power of life and death. Like the Yoruba Anikulapo, he had death imprisoned inside his pouch. Obasanjo momentarily grabbed one of the cups in his front on the high table, inside of which was hemmed a serviette paper. By then, the goddamn vomit had burst the door of his mouth open and was ready to spill the content of its cistern. Obasanjo merely offered the glass cup as sacrifice to this rude guest. Then, the vomit forcefully gushed out of his guts.

Ace photographer of the then Third Eye and later, Tribune newspapers, Tomi Adegbite, just like those photographers in Colorado who clicked on as America fell, sprang up his feet and unto the scene. He immediately drew out his camera. Click-click-click, this audacious professional thumbed the button of his camera, photographing Nigeria’s ex-Head of State at his most vulnerable moment. Obasanjo couldn’t care. He soberly attended to the unseen hand that ruled him at that moment. After his Lord and Master, the vomit, had finished its assignment and the cup was filled up, the ex- Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces looked up to behold the photographer. “Ta lo ran e ni’se? Foto lo de nya loju ara e yen o?” – Who sent you? You must think you are taking a shot? he demanded. It was indecipherable. Was it a question, threat or a remark? The photographer didn’t wait to give a reply. As the Yoruba would say, he “na papa bo ra” – literally, disappeared into void. Like Biden’s photo, this too was later published in the Third Eye.

The Biden fall became a piece of narrative to justify Nigeria’s tottering last week. It was spearheaded by those who believe in the Messiahnism of the current landlord of Aso Rock. A few days before Biden’s, Nigeria almost fell too. It was on May 29, 2023 at the Eagle Square. A clandestine video recording said to be of President Bola Tinubu at his swearing-in, went viral. As celebration enveloped Nigeria and the atmosphere of conviviality wrapped the Eagle Square, the president allegedly made for the podium to address the world. From the video, we saw a president who shook tremulously like a storm-propelled chandelier. His ADC briskly fled after him as he tottered like one in the dark, seeming to want to fall. Or, could the president have been drunk that early morning? This reminded the audience of the biblical apostles accused by their Jew brethren of being drunk early in the morning. The charge was later disputed by Peter the apostle who reminded them that Jews seldom drank alcohol before nine in the morning. So, was Nigeria’s president drunk on the day of his joy?

Or, was he drunk on something? Or, ill? After his fall last June in America, Biden’s doctors came out to tell the world that he does not drink alcohol nor use tobacco and exercises "at least" five times a week. The fall came as Biden dismounted his bicycle and snared a foot in a toe clip of the cycle. He had taken a weekend trip to the Gordons Pond area of the Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Just as he did in Colorado, Biden stood up immediately, waved and said, "I'm good. I got my foot caught up."

Immediately, his doctors declared him healthy and fit for duty after they conducted physical examination on him. The White House thereafter issued a release saying the president did not require any medical attention. Nigerians were not that lucky. After Nigeria tottered at the Eagle Square last Monday, mum was the word. There was even no official reaction to the viral video. We expected to be told, as usual, that the video was photo-shopped; and that some shaky and tremulous character, not our president, was imported into that viral video. Neither did we get a medical reaction similar to the one from Biden’s physicians telling us that “President Tinubu does not drink alcohol nor use tobacco or any other harmful substance and exercises on the treadmill ‘at least’ five times a week.”

Tinubu wasn’t the first leader of a people to totter that pitiably. Indeed, he has no reason to worry about falling. Falls have almost become an imprimatur of the world presidency. One world leader, who once fell or nearly fell, was Boris Johnson. Curated by the British press as having a nonchalant approach to governance with his hair uncombed and shirts flown out, untucked, in 2015, Boris hit tabloid headlines as he slipped at a charity tug-of-war game organized for a World War I commemoration event holding at the Thames River. Clenching his teeth and grimacing, Johnson pulled hard in the game as he fell, losing his footing on the muddy grass. He exclaimed, “oh bugger!”

Then another photograph emerged. It was of President Tinubu at a meeting with CBN and NNPCL heads. He was cosseted by his wife, Remi. Though they claimed it was not an official meeting, what was Mrs. Tinubu doing at an official meeting presided over by her husband? Was Nigeria about to witness an imperial presidency where the queen and king reigned? This question accompanied the viral photograph of the event. It reminded me of one verse of the Ifa corpus that inveighed leaders who import their women into the theatre of power.

The narrative went thus: The Olufimo, who was a king, got pestered by his newly wedded wife to take her to the Oro cult, a ritual that forbade the presence of women in traditional Yoruba society. When the pestering became almost like a pestilence, Olufimo, in the bid to wave off a far more pestilential matrimonial crisis, had no choice than smuggle the woman into the Oro groove. He did this by hiding her inside the apere – the traditional seat of the king. As the initiates gathered for the ceremony, the babalawo struck the chord of the Ifa deity thrice on the pouch but the deity refused to communicate with the initiates as it used to do. Then, the Ifa priest sought the face of the god in a different way and commanded that the Olufimo’s apere be ransacked for the cause of the blockage of communication by the Oro cult from the living. The Ifa narrative expressed this thus in Yoruba – Ohun lo di’fa fun Olufimo Akoko ni’jo ti o f’aya e j’oye; ape’fa, ifa o je o, a p’oro, oro o mi titi o, e je a ye’nu apere oba wo. The Olufimo and his wife were then beheaded for the sacrilege they brought upon the land.

On the social media, Nigerians did their own “beheading” via commentaries dragging the First Family. Questions were asked on the nature of this unfolding government. Would the First Lady be attending Executive Council meetings too? Was this part of the un-communicated handover note that Mrs. Aisha Buhari left for the pastor? “Learn lessons from my isolation in the Villa. Take charge, from the word go!” Was that what she said? Or was that Nigerian Christians’ own way of achieving a Muslim/Christian presidential parity?

Some very naughty persons however reasoned that the First Lady was cosseting her husband all over the place not necessarily to flaunt her feminine power but to physically monitor his fragile health. Didn’t Yoruba say that the plate is not displaying arrogance when it diffidently insists that it must have its own soup poured right on its face? – oju awo l’awo fi ngb’obe. No one, not even a doctor, can decipher when the indicators are going wrong like the woman who had witnessed the indicators slide dangerously in the past.

Did President Gerald Ford’s wife, like Remi, dot on him too after he fell? Ford fell exactly the same day, 48 years earlier from the day Biden fell in Colorado. On June 1, 1975, Ford had been captured in a photograph flung on the floor yakata like a castrated puppy. The very embarrassing event had occurred overseas as the president disembarked the Air Force One in Salzburg, the rainy Austrian city. His wife beside him, Ford, who was by then 61 years old, had lost his balance as he walked down the wet steps of the aircraft. He then skidded off down the remaining stairs. The almighty president of America ended up folded in a heap by the tarmac. Flummoxed, officials stampeded round themselves to get America back on its feet. Later while delivering his speech, Ford had said: “Thank you for your gracious welcome to Salzburg, and I am sorry I tumbled in.”

Falls are viewed both literally and metaphorically by people all over the world. They are even symbolic. For political foes of presidents, they narrate a bumbling and clumsy presidency. To paparazzi and the yellow journalism world, when such falls are caught on camera, they become skits for entertainment and late-night comedy shows. Stumbles are also framed as narratives of lack of fitness for the office occupied. For older presidents and leaders, they are pointers that the ones who fell had aged beyond the call of office. The cantankerous Trump had seized on the Biden fall in Colorado. When asked about it at an Iowa rally, he sarcastically remarked, "He actually fell down? Well, I hope he wasn’t hurt," and added, "You gotta be careful about that," even if you have to “tiptoe down a ramp."

These falls and tottering may mean nothing to other world leaders, but they should to President Tinubu. As an African, Tinubu should look back, like Biden did, to his teleprompter. Falls and tottering humanize us as the living. They show that we are mere pencil traces on a paper which can be erased in a twinkle of an eye. They guide us to remember our humble past. In traditional African reading of infirmities and death, Africans came to a conclusion that those are beyond the purview of the living. Anyone who mocks a recipient of any of such unfavourable knuckle of fate is the greatest fool. The aged and worn trees of the forest have been known to confound human understanding to stand erect while the green, luxuriating ones fell.

On Friday in Osogbo, Osun State, on a Rave FM radio sermon, an Islamic cleric, Musbaideen Afolabi Orimadegun, had narrated the story of an ex-slave by the name Ayaz. Ayaz was promoted and became the king’s favourite chief. He had been thoroughly impoverished and wore torn clothes as apparel. He now began to wear expensive clothes and shoes. Then his co-chiefs reported to the king that he usually went inside the king’s treasury, where he kept all his clothes and material property. One day, the king volunteered to go with the chiefs at the dead of the night to witness what they said was Ayaz’ nocturnal pre-occupation. There, they saw him peel himself of all those adornments of wealth, even as he wore those torn clothes and shoes he wore as a poverty-stricken man. Then murmuring, he told himself “Ayaz, don’t forget what you were before now. This is you; this is your foundation! Realize this and be humble.”

As Orimadegun, a highly revered Ustaz due to his depth of understanding of Yoruba and the Quran, said during that sermon, the native concoction that rescues one from perennial bouts with an Abiku child must never be denied its veneration. It must be constantly replenished with water – agbo to ba si’ni lowo abiku, omi ori re o gbodo gbe. In the same way, said Orimadegun, atori ta ba fi le ise wo gbe, a’i ju si’gbo – the cudgel with which poverty is chased into the forest must never be despised or thrown away. The people make and unmake leaders. As I once said, there is no difference between the ordinary cleaner on the street and the president, except that one is privileged over the other. The cleaner’s defecation smells, just as the president’s; they both take ill, trip and fall. The people are the ones who make the leader and deserve to be constantly venerated. Their welfare must be topmost in consideration. Did Tinubu factor the people into the current removal of subsidy? As desirable as the removal is, was it logical to yank it off, as peremptory and off-the-cuff as it was done, with the attendant suffering Nigerians are going through now?

Nigerians expect a presidency of sobriety, and which will preference them. They want an economy that stands on its feet and may care less about a president who totters; they want a presidency that is reconciliatory and not one that wars with any part of the country. Again, Orimadegun’s counsel in that sermon, dredging deep into Yoruba chieftaincy tradition, was that, a chieftaincy attained in the thick of hues and cries deserves sobriety – Oye ti a ba fi ote je, kike laa ke. Is the Nigerian presidency listening?