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Dele Momodu @60: Relationship Beyond Ovation By Olayinka Agboola

By
Peter Ayoade
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We were all born to achieve different purposes in life. Yes. We all desire to be successful but most of us never really develop that critical sense of focus, passion and perseverance.

Ayobamidele Abayomi Ojutelegan Ajani Momodu had all these ‘packaged’ for him in copious measures by the Creator as he journeyed down to this world sixty years ago.

It has been a very long time since I wrote tributes like this about anybody, anywhere. I have, perhaps, become lazy or maybe I have been too busy keeping myself and my businesses alive to bother about scripting eulogies to deserving friends and loved ones.

I can quickly submit here before I forget that I am yet to meet a Nigerian that has passion for Journalism as much as Basorun Dele Momodu. And I have so many reasons for my submission. It is no gainsaying that the Creator bestowed on him a far more than average intelligence quotient matched with a gargantuan native balance to push ahead in life. He is truly a man with a divine mission.

How did I meet Basorun?

I first met him while I was a student of the defunct Oyo State College of Arts and Science (OSCAS), Ile Ife, Osun State in 1982 after I left Lagelu Grammar School, Ibadan.

Even at that time, it was obvious he was going to end up in life as a popular man. I knew him. But I was sure he did not know me. I was certainly not one of those to attract his attention that time. He was one of our young lecturers and I recall that he handled English Literature under Mr Ogunmodede then. But he was so popular we all called him ‘Dele Mad’. How we came about that, I cannot readily recollect here. Seye Oyeleyo of DAWN Commission, a friend and fellow student at that time may recollect…

After our encounter in Ile Ife, I did not get to hear anything about him until I got to Lagos in 1991.The story of my sojourn in Lagos will come later (if I end up squeezing time to knock it together).

I landed in Lagos after serving in Bauchi and running a company with Brother Gbenga Adeyemi (Guze), the elder brother of one of my mates at Lagelu Grammar School, Ibadan. I left the North-Eastern city owing to the religious riots that broke out in 1991. I thereafter chose to stay briefly in Ibadan before proceeding to Lagos in tandem with the adrenalin of adventure which had overtaken my being. I took my father’s car with me. It was this car that I used in borrowing money to uplift the career of a popular juju musician in whose talent I had faith. He defaulted in paying and the issue became a media war between us. I still have copies of editions of The Punch, Daily Sketch, Vanguard, Nigerian Tribune, Daily Times, Hints and several others who published our ‘war’ then. It was during this brouhaha in 1992 that I encountered Dele Momodu officially.

Apparently, he read about the media brickbats the musician and I were throwing at each other and somehow, we met and he sat me down for a serious lecture. During the session, he told me the story of how he fell out with his own boss too, late May Helen Ezekiel who owned Classique Magazine. He told me about how he started a media war against her before Otunba Mike Adenuga, the owner of Globacom lectured him on why it is against the laws of propriety to engage close associates or friends in media war. This drew me to Momodu and prompted me to immediately drop my ‘toga of battle’ to follow him just like Peter began to follow Christ the Messiah.

By this time, he was a major distributor of the now defunct famous Abiola Bread owned by late Basorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. He sold bread with his blue-colored Volkswagen Jetta Car. At the same time, he was a Contributing Editor at the defunct FAME WEEKLY MAGAZINE where he maintained a weekly column, PENDULUM.

Bob Dee, as I met others calling him that time was the man everybody wanted to talk to and be with. His column was one of the very major reasons people bought FAME WEEKLY MAGAZINE. The directors then were Mayor Akinpelu, Kunle Bakare and Femi Akintunde-Johnson.

Unofficially, I became Bob Dee’s Personal Assistant running stuffs for him. I must at this point confess that this new relationship with the prolific writer fanned the flair for writing in me. I would take the manuscript of his PENDULUM from him as he wrote each page and re-write. I never really graduated as an apprentice writer because we almost immediately got involved with the MKO Abiola presidential campaign.

Bob Dee got his friends to employ me as a reporter at FAME WEEKLY. I was put under the late WALE OLOMU to also learn how to write entertainment stories. But Dele Momodu was still my boss.

Later, Prince Nduka Obaigbena asked Bob Dee to set up THISDAY Newspapers for him. He gave him a brand new Peugeot 504. Before this time, Chief MKO Abiola had arranged for a grey Mercedes Benz for him.

The newspaper took off somewhere on Norman Williams in Ikoyi, if I still remember. Okagbue Aduba, a complete gentleman, was brought in as the pioneer Editor. This is an interesting story for another day.

The point here is that Bob Dee put everything he had behind everything he did and is still doing. He is an excellent multi-tasking guru who kept his weekly column writing alongside his private consultancy businesses while still ensuring that THISDAY took off even as he continued running stuffs for MKO Abiola and his campaign team.

Permit me if I miss anything out because at this point, things started moving at a dizzying pace. The Jos Primary election that produced MKO Abiola took place; Baba Gana Kingibe was chosen as his running mate; their party was Social Democratic Party (SDP);Bashir Tofa emerged as the candidate of NRC; the elections held and MKO won. Yes, he won. Thereafter, the June 12, 1993 struggle started. We all abandoned what we were doing to concentrate on how to actualize the mandate given to the legendary MKO.

At this time, the owner of THISDAY, Nduka Obaigbena had become a strong anti-June 12 advocate. He wanted Bob Dee to join him. Of course, Dele Momodu declined, stuck to the June 12 struggle. He never wavered. He was resolute. This landed him in Alagbon. He was detained for several days. After this, we smuggled him out of Nigeria to the United Kingdom.

While in London, he never allowed the challenges he faced in the bid to firmly entrench himself in his new abode to obliterate his passion for journalism. This was how he ‘conjured up’ with the idea of establishing OVATION INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE.

For those who do not know, we operated in Lagos like a ‘triumvirate family’. Dele Momodu was the father, Kunle Bakare of the then, Fame Weekly Magazine was his best friend and son and I was the grandson. In those days, if one of us was at the then famous Nite Shift Nite Club with Ken Calebs Olumhese, you could be sure the others were around. Such was the strength of the chord that bound us! The rest is history.

When he therefore came up with the idea of OVATION INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE, he relied on Kunle Bakare and my humble self. We handled the Nigerian end of the business. We would arrange for materials and send to him. He would then package and publish and send to Nigeria. We distributed the magazines alongside FAME WEEKLY.

Somehow, Bob Dee and Kunle Bakare fell out. This became a huge dilemma for me. I assumed Kunle Bakare was my best friend that time. God bless his enigmatic wife, Desola. I was unfortunately caught in the middle of a quarrel between two great friends. I did not know what to do or on whose side to stay. Bob Dee was my boss. Bakare also known as Mr. KB was my friend.

It took me almost three months to make up my mind on what to do. I give thanks to God for the lives of Chief Ezekiel Fatoye, Godwin Mekwuye of Vivid Imagination, Hassan Fatungase of the then Bakers’ World and Sir Doksy, now Oba Adedokun Abolarin, the Orangun of Oke Ila; late Sonny Okosuns, Olabode Opeseitan, Daniel Wilson and Daddy Showkey. They helped me to make up my mind.

I had two options -join Kunle Bakare and abandon the OVATION INTERNATIONAL project, or stay with Dele Momodu and lose KB’s friendship and resign from Fame Weekly as Assistant Editor.

Chief Fatoye, Hassan Fatungase, Vivid and Doksy and others all asked me one question…How did you meet the two warring gentlemen? My answer, ‘Dele Momodu introduced me to Kunle Bakare’. Then, they unanimously advised me to stay with Dele Momodu, who, at this time could not come to Nigeria.

After this admonition, I packed Ovation Magazine’s documents and all appertaining to it out of the Wemabod Estate, Ikeja office of FAME WEEKLY MAGAZINE to Afisman Drive, Anifowose in Central Ikeja where late Brother Rotimi Seriki(another wonderful soul), the husband of senior sister of Dele Momodu’s wife had a ready office for Ovation Magazine. So, the business of running the magazine continued under my humble self. And this was an assignment I carried out to the best of my ABILITY. Afterall, I could not have offered what I did not have. The rest is history…

As someone close to him at that time, I learnt so many lessons following him around, I learnt to practically worship him because he was to me, an enigma. He could speak both Yoruba and English fluently, he could write both, he was creative and he was extremely humane. He loved to read and had a very rich library. These were the virtues in him that served to cement our bond.

I stand the risk of sounding like a broken record but, permit me to mention specific examples to buttress the virtues that made Bob Dee tick.

Selfless

Bob Dee was not a rich man, but I saw him, at that time, sponsor at least four young men through their Law School programmes. One of them, Barrister Bamidele Abolarin (Super Dee) lives in Ibadan like me today.

Live and Let Live

Bob Dee lived for the day. If he had ten thousand naira, he would dash out eight and keep two. And if he had reason to dash out the two, he would. Fellow journalists would come to him at his Adigboluja, Ojodu, Lagos residence with myriads of problems and he would not only listen, he would lift fingers to support. Examples are too numerous to mention here. One of us then had problems with his wife because he did not have a car. Dele Momodu dashed him his Jetta Car!

Courageous and Committed

If you are looking for an example of courage, Bob Dee was one. For those who can remember, in 1993 during the heat of the election annulment, Bob Dee staged a ‘coup’ which saw the leader of the infamous Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), Chief Abimbola Davis speaking to the press from The Kitchen Restaurant on Allen Avenue. After the epochal media meeting, we all ran away. Davis was smuggled out of Lagos to Togo using a Peugeot 504 car that I was commissioned to arrange. Bob Dee also disappeared while I escaped to Ibadan. In addition, Bob Dee was in charge of several underground moves to actualize the June 12 mandate of MKO.

Today, on behalf of my wife, Oluwatoyin and children, I thank him for being a great mentor to me despite our differences. He taught me that I must always restrict myself to my area of competence, be contented and to always stay on my own lane. He also lectured me on the need to dress well and be decent at all times. These orientations I got from the great Bob Dee, added to the Grace of God have helped me in life. This, to me is a relationship, brotherhood beyond Ovation. I am always proud to associate with this selfless mentor.

Basorun Dele Momodu, omo Iya Oyo, happy 60th birthday sir! God bless you, God bless your elegant wife, Omobolaji and all your children.

  • Olayinka Agboola is the Crew Leader at Parrot Xtra Magazine, PMParrot.com and Parrot Xtra Hour On Radio

ASUU: UNIOSUN Virtual Matriculation is a SCAM!

By
Peter Ayoade
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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Friday described the Virtual matriculation organised by the Vice Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Labode Popoola as a scam.

The Union lashed out the the VC alleging that he was aiming to use the matriculation to get financial favour from the federal government.

The Union stated that its Strike was still on to get Federal government commit funds to infrastructure including Information Communication Technology which is central to online delivery mode.

In a release signed by the Ibadan Zonal coordinator of ASUU ,Professor Ade Adejumo, ASUU described the virtual matriculation as a charade.

The Ibadan Zone of ASUU comprised University of Ibadan, Ladoke Akintola University, University of Ilorin, Kwara State University and Osun State University.

According to the Union, the University has succeeded in exposing the hapless students whose parents are experiencing non-payment of salaries, amputated salaries, disengagement and rightsizing due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world to be exploited by cybercafe operators.

ASUU noted that poor students do not have the wherewithal to cope with financial demands of online learning saying this is why ASUU is on strike to make Government fund revatilisation of infrastructure including ICT.

The University of Osun had conducted virtual matriculation in a ceremony attended by only the principal officers of the institution led by the Vice Chancellor, Labode Popoola who stated that the institution will strive to be a 21st century university.

But ASUU stated that UNIOSUN cannot complete effectively as it lacks the infrastructure to execute e-learning delivery.

According to the Union, members of the Union are on strike adding that the students should not be scammed to expect virtual classroom.

ASUU maintained that many public varsities have weak to non-existence ICT infrastructure adding that government must fund ICT infrastructure if it is interested in delivery e-learning in Post COVID-19 era.

” In the UNIOSUN’s Vice-Chancellor’s heart of heart, can he honestly beat his chest that all the students of that University have wherewithal to key into his e-learning platform. Moreso,given the fact that majority of the students are from very humble backgrounds, is this policy not a ploy to shut out such students from accessing the teaching and learning interaction? Mr Vice-Chancellor should come out clearly to tell the nation what his real motives are? We suspect, the motivation here is financial rather than altruistic. Is this another antic to undermine ASUU that the VC knows is currently on strike?

To this, we say anyone who works at cross-purposes with our Union’s patriotic struggle to improve funding of public universities, is an enemy of the people. Anyone, in the guise of being a Vice-Chancellor, who subverts the current struggle of the union, through organising of phoney teaching arrangement, which the Nigerian public universities cannot effectively deliver, is living in self-deceit and a fool’s paradise. But for ASUU’s historic struggles, will characters like Prof. Labo Popoola have any meaningful public university to preside over as Vice-Chancellors? For avoidance of doubt, this struggle will succeed like others before it to the eternal shame of characters in the mould of the Vice-Chancellor under reference here.”

COVID-19 UPDATE: Oyo Records Fresh Cases, now 13th on the log

By
Peter Ayoade
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Three new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Oyo State. The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced this on her official twitter handle @NCDCgov.

This brings the total figure of confirmed cases in the state to 76. The little spike moves Oyo State to 13th position on the Nigeria COVID-19 log.

Governor Seyi Makinde while confirming the report yesterday via his official facebook page, said two cases are from Oriire Local Government Area and one is from Oluyole Local Government Area.

According to the NCDC update, 288 new cases have been confirmed in 15 States. The total number of confirmed cases is 5445 as at Friday 15th May 2020. Total Discharged cases stand at 1320 while 171 Deaths cases have been recorded so far.

Below is the breakdown of the new confirmed cases across the country.

179-Lagos 20-Kaduna 15-Katsina

15-Jigawa 13-Borno 11-Ogun

8-Kano 7-FCT 4-Niger

4-Ekiti 3-Oyo 3-Delta

3-Bauchi 2-Kwara 1-Edo

Ayoola’s Passing Leaves Sour Taste in my mouth, says Sharafadeen Alli 

By
Peter Ayoade
-

A former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli on Friday described the death of a serving Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources in the State, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola as “a pill too bitter to swallow.”

Oloye Sharafadeen Alli in a statement personally signed by him and made available to newsmen, said, “Ayoola’s passing leaves sour taste in my mouth.”

According to him, “the news of the demise of Rt. Hon. Kehinde Ayoola came as a rude shock and a pill too bitter to swallow for me. As a matter of fact, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

“Reason is: Kehinde whom I normally called Kenny was a friend and co-traveler in the journey of politics for the sake of the people and egalitarianism of our dear State.

“After leaving the Oyo State House of Assembly in 2003, Kenny had built himself up politically and academically. He was so well read resulting in his ability to contribute meaningfully to discussion on almost any topical matters and State of the nation affairs as a whole.

“A cerebral and widely read personality, Kenny was so passionate about Oyo, his home town.

“He was also an exemplary family man and a gentleman to the core.

“He had the ability to see both sides of any issue hence his ability to build bridges in time of conflict.

“It is thus so painful now that Kenny had an opportunity, in a government he helped put in place, to put to use all the knowledge and experience gathered over the years, but death took him away!

“We will miss him so dearly. Oyo state has lost a rare gem. My brother, Governor Seyi Makinde has lost one of his ‘best eleven’.

“May Allah grant all of us including the family (who he loved so much) the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” Alli added.

Just In: Ajimobi Felicitates Buhari over Abba Kyari’s Successor

By
Peter Ayoade
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The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Abiola Ajimobi has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari over the appointment of Prof. Agboola Ibrahim Gambari as his Chief of Staff.

Ajimobi described the appointment as a confirmation of meritocracy over mediocrity and professionalism over political interest.
The new Chief of Staff has been described as an accomplished diplomat, administrator, academic and a global figure with demonstrated interest and passion in the art of diplomacy and international relations.

According to the APC Chieftain, the President, by the choice of Prof. Gambari has further shown his determination to always choose the best among us all in the task of repositioning and building a Nation we can all be proud of. This has shown that the President prefers quality to inferiority.  “He did not apply sentiment in picking Prof. Gambari, rather, he picked the most suitable person, who is apolitical, for that position”.

Aare Musulumi Condoles with Makinde, Alaafin over Commissioner’s Death

By
Peter Ayoade
-
  • Alhaji Makanjuola also commiserates with former Lagos Commissioner

The Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land, Edo and Delta States, Alh. Dawud Makanjuola Akinola(De-Damak) has condoled with Governor Seyi Makinde, the Alaafin of Oyo, the Government of Oyo State and the citizens, over the death of the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Rt. Kehinde Ayoola

In a letter addressed to the Executive Governor Seyi Makinde, the Aare Musulumi described the late Ayoola as a dependable aide and  a quintessential gentleman whose exemplary characters and loyalty remain indelible and will no doubt, create a big vacuum in the present administration in Oyo State.

Part of letter reads:

“The news of his death was indeed a rude shock and saddening  to me and I know will also be to the people of Oyo State, Oyo town as well as Ikú Bàbá Yèyé the Alaafin of Oyo, whom I also use this medium to commiserate with”

“I thank the Almighty Allah for his fruitful life, a brilliant example for upcoming youths aspiring to become exemplary leaders.I pray Allah to repose his soul in eternal bliss and grant his family comfort and  fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. (Aameen).”

In another separate letter, the Aare Musulumi also commiserated with former Lagos State Commissioner of Home Affairs, Alh (Dr.) AbdulLateef AbdulHakeem, who lost his mother Alhaja Risikat Balogun, on Thursday, 14th May, 2020 after a protracted illness.

Makanjuola described Alhaja Risikat Balogun as a pious Muslim and a wonderful mother with wholesome dedication to the course of Islam and service to Allah. He prayed that Allah Grants the deceased the best place in Aljannah Firdaus.

Relief as Oyo Discharges 11 COVID-19 patients. Patients Appreciate Gov. Makinde

By
Peter Ayoade
-
  • 32 patients now on admission, says govt

Eleven more coronavirus patients were discharged in Oyo State on Friday, the state government announced. The patients, three females and eight males, of which eight were Northerners who came into the state from Sokoto axis. They were all discharged from the Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo -Ibadan after they tested negative to COVID-19 twice.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted a member of Oyo State Task Force on COVID-19 and former Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Temitope Alonge, as saying that after the discharge of the 11 cases, the Centre now had 32 patients, and that all but one, were in stable condition.

The statement added that of the 11 persons discharged at the Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo, Ibadan, three were females and eight were males.

According to Alonge, eight of the discharged persons were the Northerners who came from Sokoto axis.

He said: “We all must have behind our minds that this novel coronavirus, even though it belongs to a particular family, is not in any way similar to the HIV virus, meaning that it does not reside in you forever as it were. It has a span of time that it stays and your body’s immune system is built up enough to be able to get rid of it and you come back to normal.

“But, of course, if at the time you have a high load of the virus, you happen to have some other co-morbidities or you are under some treatment that reduces your immunity, then you can have a full flare. So, it is not like the HIV virus that you have to use medications to suppress or reduce their effects.

“When patients come down and they are tested as positive, it means the load of the virus is enough to make them feel sickly. When they are in isolation, what we do is to boost their immunity. There are so many regimens in the world that are being tried and used but here, our patients have stuck to a very simple regimen. They all have 500mg of azithromycin daily for three days. They also have zinc on a daily basis. 2gram of Vitamin C, Chloroquine 500mg and 250mg for another three days.

“We are privileged to have linked up with our colleagues in UCH, who have been exceptionally wonderful. So, we are not only looking at their symptoms but also the viral load and their CT. But the value of the CT is also in correlation with the value of the viral load. The higher the viral load, the lower the CT value.”

The ex-CMD maintained that there were now 32 active patients at the Infectious Disease Centre, noting that all of them except one were in stable condition.

“We have 32 (patients). All of them are very stable. We only have one of them who has a comorbid issue and, as I speak, one of our senior consultants from the University College Hospital is attending to him. Also, another consultant in the Psychiatry Department will come and counsel this particular client on the use of medications, because we found out that he was using too many medications that can be injurious to his health.

“Apart from that, everybody is fine. We even have a family here; father, mother, and children and they are doing exceptionally well.

“Eight of those cases discharged are the Northerners who came from the Sokoto axis. Since they are now negative, they want to go back to Sokoto.”

Speaking earlier, one of the discharged persons (names withheld), who spoke on behalf of the other patients, appreciated the state government, the governor and the medical personnel at the Centre.

She said: “On behalf of all of us here who are COVID-19 patients, we want to appreciate Governor Seyi Makinde. We pray that God will reward him.

“We experienced good care. They took us as their sisters and brothers. They did not stigmatise us. So, we really appreciate all the doctors and nurses. We really appreciate the Oyo State government.”

When asked what her experience was while in isolation, she maintained she and most of those in the Centre were asymptomatic, saying: “I did not show any symptoms. I just went for the test voluntarily. So, after nine days, they called me that the test came out positive and I was asked to come to the isolation centre to quarantine myself.

“The test was conducted on me on the 22nd of April at Etiosa Local Government, but I was already in Ibadan when they told me the result and I was asked to go into isolation in Ibadan because there was no isolation centre in Lagos again.”

PHOTOS: Oyo Deputy Governor leads Govt Delegation to Condole with Ayoola’s Family

By
Peter Ayoade
-

The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, earlier on Friday, led Oyo State Government delegation on a condolence visit to the family of the late Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Natural  Resources, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola.

In the condolence register, Engr. Olaniyan wrote “Ayoola will be greatly missed, we pray God will grant his family the fortitude to bear this loss”. @ Ibadan, Nigeria

Oyo Govt Honours late Commissioner, Orders State Flag to Fly at Half-mast

By
Peter Ayoade
-

…Deputy Gov leads government delegation to family

The Oyo State Government, on Friday, honoured the late Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola, by flying its flag at half-mast.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, gave the directive on behalf of the governor.

The statement further indicated that all state activities were at low-key as a mark of honour to the departed Commissioner.

Ayoola was sworn-in as Commissioner on August 14, 2019 and was thereafter deployed to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, where he led the charge for the implementation of the new environment architecture and green initiative.

The Ministry had only recently kickstarted the reconstruction of key dumpsites in the state to pave the way for weighbridges and the Waste-to-Wealth initiative, which was initially scheduled for inauguration as part of the government’s first anniversary.

Also on Friday, a delegation of the state government led by the deputy governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, paid condolence visit to the family of the deceased Commissioner.

The delegation was received by the deceased’s wife, Professor Olukemi Ayoola.

The statement indicated that the deputy governor described the demise of Ayoola as “unexpected and a great loss of an active player in the Governor Makinde-led administration in Oyo State.”

He added that “the late Ayoola was never a dormant member of the state executive but a resourceful and active contributor during state executive meetings.”

Olaniyan also lamented that Ayoola died when Governor Makinde and his team were trying to reshape and reset Oyo State from where they met it.

According to him, the late Commissioner “came, saw and conquered by playing his own role in reshaping the state.”

He asked the wife, the children and the entire family to accept the heartfelt sympathy of the state cabinet and the people of Oyo State.

A son of the deceased, Beel’Oluwawi, who responded on behalf of the family, thanked the government delegation for the visit.

Those on the delegation include the SSG, Mrs. Adeosun, Head of Service, Mrs Amidat Agboola, Director-General of Due Process Office, Ms. Tara Adefope and the Commissioner for Education, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, among others.

The late Ayoola was born at Apaara Quarters, Oyo town in January 1965 and attended St. Michael’s Primary School, Oke Ebo, Oyo, Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo and the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife, in Osun.

He served as the Speaker of the 4th Session of the Oyo State House of Assembly, during the administration of Alhaji Lam Adesina administration.

TAMPAN appoints Fokoko, Foluke Daramola, Akintayo as Presidential Aides

By
Peter Ayoade
-

The National Executive Council (NEC) of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) has approved the appointments of three creative personalities for its President and his Deputy during their meeting held online on Wednesday.

The appointees are Alhaji Babatunde Bamgbode (Fokoko) as Senior Special Adviser on TAMPAN Elder’s Matters; Mrs. Foluke Daramola-Salako as Senior Special Adviser on Welfare & Developmental Matters and a broadcaster, Alhaji Waheed Akintayo (Ilumoka Presenter) who was formerly Senior Special Assistant on Media as Senior Special Adviser on Media & Strategic Communication to the president.

The release signed by TAMPAN’s National Director, Research and Documentation, Yemi Amodu stated that their appointments take immediate effect.

TRIBUTE: Ayoola was Accessible, Altruistic and Straightforward ||Sola Kolawole

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Sola Kola Kolawole Onikoyi

It is over 24 hours and am still here struggling to accept the reality of the sudden demise of Egbon Kehinde as some of us call him. Sometimes in this vain life, we take so many things for granted including relationships.

Some few days after he became Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources last August, he scheduled a meeting for a Monday at 8am. If you have been around Political Office holders, you will know that they don’t get to work that early talkless of scheduling a meeting for such time. It is almost 9 months and I kept postponing that meeting because of other commitments.

In my mind, I felt Egbon was accessible and I could always walk over to his office whenever I am in Ibadan. I took that rear privilege for granted. I felt our regular chats on WhatsApp was ok and he will always ask, ‘Sola, where are you?’ My response most times was, ‘I will be back in Ibadan next week.’

In 2017, before crossing over to the PDP, Egbon almost dragged me back to active partisan politics. He suggested I consider recontesting my Federal Constituency seat. At that time, I was focused on something else. My preoccupation was T.R.E.E. Initiative and Agriculture.

Rt. Hon. Olatunji K Ayoola JP meant different things to different people. He was firm, consistent, stoic and resolute. You can easily know where he stands in any conversation and one thing I like about him is his bluntness. He doesn’t play to the gallery. Unlike most Nigerian leaders, he was clear and forthright.

His death at 55 is a rude reminder that life is short. We don’t have all the time to do what we have to do.

Egbon gave his all to the Omituntun Campaign which eventually ushered in Governor Seyi Makinde and no one can fault his loyalty to GSM’s ambition.

I have argued a few times that he would have been more useful as Scribe to the State Government instead of Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources given his exposure to public governance and the workings of government; his political pedigree as a grassrooter and natural competence as well as his understanding of the different blocks in the Oyo political matrix.

I wish I could touch more areas in this tribute but he is gone now and he has left us with some lessons to reflect on. Deep lessons for us to learn from.

Political Office holders and leaders have a lot to learn from this Egbon in terms of accessibility and devotion. He was peaceful but not weak.

I know some of our friends who are no longer accessible because of their transient political appointments and financial status. Some no longer pick or return calls or SMS not to talk of chats. They are now flexing at the top.

The temporal deceptive feel of overinflated superiority can be dangerous most times especially when you stumble on power by accident or by mere mortal calculations.

Of what good is power without constructive impact?

For me, I consider people influential only if they can still get things done without occupying space in Government. There are many people in Government that are not useful to say the least.

Only a few in our generation can boost that political access or politics for them is not all about status and pecuniary gains.

Egbon Kehinde was altruistic and straightforward. He will be remembered for doing his bit for our dear State and adding value to those around him irrespective of their background.

He was a distinguish Olivetian. He was also a major pillar of support when we floated #fundLAUTECH. In fact, he facilitated the donation made by GSM to our cause in 2017. His works will live after him.

Adieu Egbon.

See you at the pearly gates of heaven.

 

*Sola Kolawole Onikoyi is an Agriculturist and Public Affairs Commentator

COVID-19: Alumni Donates N5m Research Grant to UNIUYO, Pharmaceutical Society

By
Peter Ayoade
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The Uniuyo Alumni Association has donated the sum of Five million Naira (5,000,000) to the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (Akwa Ibom State Council) and the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, to support research towards finding a cure against the Novel Coronavirus.

The International President of the Association, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke who made the donation on behalf of the Association noted that universities around the world are working tirelessly as well as sharing information to bring an end to the Pandemic and there was a need for the institution to do same. He expressed optimism that in the ways and manners of God, the one true cure of this global pandemic could be found in Akwa Ibom state and harnessed in the laboratories of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Uyo.

 

“This particular strain of the virus was unknown to man but now it is here. Our researchers and research institutions need to rise to the occasion in challenging this Pandemic that threatens our collective existence…let us not think that the cure to Coronavirus will come or can only come from abroad, it may be right here with us in Akwa Ibom and it is in your hands to bring it forth” he said.

He further charged them to put in their best and ensure appropriate use of the funds while reassuring them of the support of the entire Alumni.

Receiving the grant, Dean of Pharmacy, Pharm. Emmanuel I. Etim Ph.D, thanked the Alumni for the very thoughtful initiative. He applauded the Onofiok Luke Led Alumni for it’s show of solidarity while acknowledging that the desire for scientific work was always there but was hampered by the paucity of funds. He pledged that the funds will be used judiciously.

Responding, Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Akwaowoh Akpabio appreciated the gesture and prayed God’s wisdom on the leadership of the Alumni.

The event which held at the Dean’s Conference room, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of uyo, had in attendance the members of Exco, Dean of Pharmacy, Dr. Emmanuel I. Etim, Chairman PSN, Pharm. Akwaowoh Akpabio, Deputy President of the Alumni, Dr. Godwin Akpan, Alumni secretary and Vice Dean of Student’s Affairs, Dr. Essien Akpan Uko and other members of the Alumni EXCO.

Oyo Govt flags off ‘Operation Zero Potholes’ in Ibadan

By
Peter Ayoade
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The Oyo State Government has flagged off ‘Operation Zero Potholes’ within the state capital, Ibadan.

Oyo State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism shared the information on its official facebook page. The information as obtained by the Pacesetter News reads:

“1st Phase of “Operation zero-potholes in Oyo State” commences within Ibadan metropolis as earlier announced by the State Government.

Work to commence on other parts of the State shortly.

Below are roads to be worked on in the 1st phase;

OLD SDP ROAD (BYPASS OLD IFE & NEW ROAD)

ASHI – BODIJA OJURIN ROAD

AWOLOWO AVENUE BODIJA – SANGO ELEWURE JUNCTION

JERICHO ROUNDABOUT – ELEYELE – SANGO ROAD

MOKOLA – SANGO – UI ROAD

MOKOLA – SABO – AGBARIGO – ONIREKE ROAD

IWO ROAD INTERCHANGE – MONOTAN – OLODO ROAD

LABO – ELETA – OLOMI ROAD

BEERE – YEMETU – TOTAL GARDEN.

More details to follow as the work progresses @ Ibadan, Nigeria”

Tribute on Hon. Kehinde Ayoola, Oyo State Commissioner for Environment ~By Rahaman Onike

By
Peter Ayoade
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The news of sudden death of Honourable Kehinde Olatunji Ayoola came to the entire cabinet of the Oyo State Government and the good people of the state with a rude shock early hours of Thursday, May 14. I wept profusely like a baby when family source broke this sad news to me. It was so shocking that I could not control my emotion to have suddenly lost a highly cerebral, versatile, and patriotic citizen at his prime age.

Given his pedigree and current position as the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, the office occupied by him since 18th September 2019, his death remains a colossal loss and inescapable reality to family, friends, and the good people of Oyo State. Out of the entire cabinet members of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola, was not just cynosure of all eyes, but he was uniquely a major engine that drives the administration’s policy directives, programs, and strategic plans.

Hon. Kehinde Ayoola was not a political upstart, he has been into political activism since the 1980s before he joined active politics in 1999 when he contested and won election into membership of Oyo State House of Assembly. When the House was inaugurated, Hon. Ayoola served as the first speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly during that political dispensation. Our path crossed for the first time when we both served on the think tank committee when Alhaji Yunus Akintunde, the former Commissioner for Works and Transport was contesting for Chairmanship election under Zero party system in 1993.

We became intimate friends since he joined on our political group, Action 99, the platform on which he rode to secure ticket under the Alliance For Democracy (AD) when he was contesting for membership of the Oyo State House of Assembly. It is not an overstatement that late Kehinde Ayoola was a rare gem. Right from his secondary school days at the Olivet Baptist High School, (1977-1982), Great Zuma, as he was fondly called by mates in secondary school was a genius based on any definition of the word genius apart from his rare oratory skill. His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed in his tribute that “Kehinde Ayoola was a loyal friend with a dedication to duty that cannot be questioned. In his own exact words, Engr. Seyi Makinde declared that the deceased will call sorely missed for his great oratory skills and his love for the people of Oyo town and Oyo state”.

For whoever is familiar with his academic records when he was in the secondary school would not be surprised by his excellent rhetorical communication skills. Throughout his days in Secondary school, he received the best performance prizes in English Language and Literature in English despite the fact that he was in science class.

For the purpose of insight, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola was born at Apaara Compound, Oyo East Local Government Area of Oyo State on January 14, 1965. He attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka(15th October 1983-17th November 1984). He left Nsukka for Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, where he studied Animal Science (1984-1989) and graduated with second class honors. He also pursued his master’s degree in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and specialized in Environmental Control and Management at the University’s Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies.

Before he got the state appointment, Hon. Ayoola has been a great entrepreneur. He was the former Chief Executive Officer, Aurum National Resources Ltd Ibadan and he was the Managing Director, Friendsphere Agro-Environmental Ltd.

When he was in the University, he was an athlete and commander of the Man ‘O War. His antecedent as a political strategist and tactician was attested to by Governor Seyi Makinde in his tribute where-in it was stated that Kehinde Ayoola got connected to him in 2002 when they both served as members of the Fortune Group for the election of Senator Rasheed Ladoja. He also served as the Director-General for his 2015 campaign and Deputy Director for his 2019 campaign. Of course, he was once served as the National Financial Secretary, Social Democratic Party(SDP) before he defected to his current party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

One aspect of Ayoola’s life is that he was a prolific writer and this has really contributed to his large following on social media particularly Facebook. If not for his sudden death, he was planning to complete and do a public presentation of the two books, he was working on. One is more or less a story book and in writing the book, he tilts towards a genre called ‘faction'(a mixture of facts and fiction). The other manuscript he was working on which his sudden death could not allow him to complete is semi-autobiography as described by him.

Late Ayoola was a full member of several professional bodies and affiliate members, the Association of Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN).

In terms of social life, Hon. Ayoola was a lifelong supporter of the 3CE Football Club of Ibadan and was equally an ardent fan of the Arsenal Football Club of England. Apart from his attribute of intellection, he was a pastor at the New Covenant Church, Apata, Ibadan.

He got married to Olukemi an Associate Professor of Agronomy at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Ayoola on September 21, 1996 and the family is blessed with two children. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

RAHAMAN ONIKE is a Public Affairs Analyst from Oyo, Oyo State

KEHINDE AYOOLA: LIKE A CANDLE IN THE WIND

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Prince Adetayo Adekunle, M.SC, MCPA.

It was Calpurnia, a major character/wife of the tragic hero in the celebrated magnum opus authored by Williams Shakespeare titled the Tragedy of Julius Caesar, who asserted that “when beggars die there are no comets seen; but the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.”

The foregoing summarizes the unfortunate demise of the Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Rt. Hon. Kehinde Olatunji Akanbi Ayoola JP, M.SC, MHA.

Born on January 14, 1965, the deceased who hailed from Ile-Jagun in Apaara, Ward 04, Oyo East Local Government Area of Oyo State breathed his last on May 14, 2020. He was married to a Professor of Agronomy with children.

While this tribute is not exhaustive, I promise to write more about our relationship when my bleeding heart fully heals. But for now this should suffice.

Even though I had a relationship that spanned less than twenty years with the deceased but it appeared as if we had known each other from the point of creation. I was exceptionally close to him and I was privy to almost everything about him including his medical records, education, political aspirations and family objectives.

Ayoola meant many things to many people and is seen in different light by them all. For me, he was my mentor, my teacher, my friend, my brother, my confidant, my ally and buddy under whose tutelage I cut my political teeth.

Politically, the late Ayoola gave me exposure of the highest order. I recall how he took my brother and I to a meeting in the popular Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja well over a decade ago. At that meeting, we rubbed shoulders freely with Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Matthew Mbu, the late Dr. Dejo Raimi of Oyo State, Dr. Benson Enikuomehin, Alex Kalejaiye (now APC Publicity Secretary in Ondo) and a host of others. He taught me how to setup a campaign structures, write press statements and draw organogram of organizations. Through his benevolence, I was privileged to study the Western Region House of Assembly Hansard where I read, in details, the verbatim debates of the Great Awolowo, Fani-Kayode, SL Akintola and a host of others. That book greatly improved my oratory skills. Through Hon Ayoola, I met a good number of politicians like Professor Soji Adejumo, Dr. Morohunkola Thomas, former Speaker Rt. Hon Mikhail Alarape, Olusola Oke SAN, Otun Olubadan Oloye Lekan Balogun, the kindhearted businessman, Alhaji Tunde Ologburo and a host of others.

May I also add that Hon. Ayoola played a notable role in my academic career. God used him to enable me access University education after many unsuccessful admission attempts. He visited me in class about five times just to encourage me. We bought his M.SC form and filled it together and I accompanied him to Ilora, Afijio LGA on many occasions for his project work in the year 2013.
Two months ago, he informed me of his desire to apply for PhD in Environmental Conflict Management at UI. Alas, man proposes but God disposes!

Lest I forget, Hon. Ayoola was the Chairman of my eldest brother’s wedding reception almost a decade ago. We started the programme and ended it together. He facilitated my brother and I’s attendance at many crucial meetings well over our age and paygrade. He was there for us in our high and low moments.

During his lifetime, I called him Boda Kehinde, Uncle K, Husband of the Professor and more recently, “Baale Kole-KoDoti” when he became Commissioner for Environment. Anytime I called him, Baale Kole-Kodoti he would say “that’s my job”. Anyway, I eventually changed it to Baale Onimototo two months after.

I have been receiving condolence messages from far and near. While the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde described him as a dependable friend, the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Munta Ladipo Abimbola who is a friend of his eldest brother described him as a great man whose loss was huge. His friend of close to forty years who is the Secretary General of the ECOWAS Commission likened his death to the exit of a titan.

Hon Ayoola was, at various times, Speaker/Member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Member of the Oyo State Judicial Service Commission, Member of the Governing Board of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba, SDP Financial Secretary amongst many other positions. He was a preacher of the gospel at the New Covenant Church and a mentor to many online and offline.

May God grant a repose of his soul in Jesus name amen. Goodnight my sweet brother.

 

Adekunle, a public affairs commentator and family friend of the deceased, sent this piece from Ibadan. He can be reached via adekunleadetayo@gmail.com

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