Enugwu-Agidi community in Anambra State has suspended its President-General, Chukwuebuka Onuorah, for allegedly embezzling more than N30 million and engaging in alleged land-grabbing activities. This is even as Chukwuebuka Onuorah insisted that he was never suspended as President-General of the community union. In a communique emanating from a crucial meeting, members of the community called on the state governor, Professor Charles Soludo to intervene before the situation blows into crisis. The communiqué, signed by the interim leader of the community, Kenechukwu Okoye, and assistant secretary, Echezona Egbeonu, said that Onuorah was suspended for allegedly embezzling more than N30 million and his engagement in alleged land-grabbing activities within the community. The communique said that efforts by the community to get Onuorah to account for over N30 million during his period in office had failed, saying that instead, he has continued to paradise himself as the President-General of the community union despite his suspension. “Besides unlawful collection of levies and disruption of burial rites in the community, he uses thugs to disrupt meetings, including the village women’s meeting, at will. “Residents in Enugu-Agidi, a once peaceful town, now live in fear because Onuorah has no respect for the community’s traditional ruler, HRM, Igwe Michael Okekeuche. “This action of his needs to be urgently checked to prevent breakdown of law and order in the community.” The community said that Onuorah had overstayed his tenure and that he now molests anyone who dares to challenge him. The community asked the state government, through the Ministry of Local Government, Town Union and Chieftaincy Matters, to call Onuorah to order. However, Onuorah insisted that he had never been suspended, describing the purported suspension letter handed to him by the Central Executive Committee members of the Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union, as a mere “cyber cafe write-up.”
Former Clerk Of National Assembly, Barrister Mohammed Ataba Omonori has advised a new Lawyer that has been called to Nigeria Bar to get ready to face challenges in the practice of law. Speaking today, November 25, at a reception in honour of the new Lawyer, Salamatu Ize Mamman in Kuje, the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ataba Omonori said the completion of the legal education and call to Bar should be regarded as the end of the beginning. He said that how she faces challenges in practice would determine her excellence or otherwise. Ataba commended her parents, Alhaji Kayode Mamman and Hajiya Hassana Mamman for devoting their resources in seeing to the proper education of their daughter, especially in the legal profession. According to him, the pride of parents is to see their children performing well in their fields of calling and coming out with something positive to show for it.
Justice James Omotosho of an Abuja High Court has made it clear that he would have sentenced the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to death if it were not that death sentence has gone out of fashion across the world. He, instead, committed him to life imprisonment. Justice Omotosho, who delivered the judgment today in the terrorism case against Kanu, after sending him out of the courtroom for unruly behaviour, said that another reason he didn’t send him to death sentence was because the Holy books recommend mercy. The judge asked that Nnamdi Kanu be kept in a facility suitable for his behaviour, saying that Kuje Correctional Centre would not serve the purpose his sentence was meant to achieve. He said the convict must not be allowed to go near any electronic device except he is monitored closely by the Office of the National Security Adviser. He ordered that Nnamdi Kanu should be kept in protective custody in any part of the country. Omotosho also ruled that the transmitter Kanu used for his broadcasts be forfeited to the Federal Government. He said that if there is no appeal in the case, other equipment used by Kanu should be forfeited to the federal government.
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nana Nandap has invited all the relevant agencies under the nation’s ministry of Interior to rise up to strengthen border security, identity verification systems and support national development goals. Kemi Nana, who visited the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote today, December 20, stressed the importance of a strong synergy amongst the relevant agencies, with particular emphasis on the two agencies. Such synergy, according to the immigration boss, is crucial in ensuring a secured and well-managed identity ecosystem for the country. This was even as the NIMC boss, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to expand its collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service. She stressed the need for sustained partnership to enhance data integrity, streamline operational procedures and fortify Nigeria’s borders through robust identity infrastructure. Both agencies expressed their shared commitment to working more closely in driving policies and initiatives that support security, efficiency and innovation in the nation’s identity and border management systems. In a statement, the technical Advisor, Media and Communications to the NIMC boss, Dr. Ayodele Babalola, described the visit by the Immigration CG as part of the commitment of both agencies to deepen their long-standing collaboration in promoting national security, identity management and enhanced service delivery to Nigerians. The two are key institutions under the Federal Ministry of Interior. The Immigration boss was accompanied by members of her management team.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disowned what it called “an entity” operating under the name of Zuldal Microfinance Bank Limited, with branches in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna and Kano. “The said Zuldal Microfinance Bank Limited is not a licensed Microfinance Bank and has no authorisation from the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate or carry out any form of banking or microfinance business in Nigeria.” A statement by the CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, drew attention to section 2 (1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 which stipulates that “no person shall carry on any banking business in Nigeria except it is a company duly incorporated in Nigeria and holds a valid banking licence issued by the CBN,” stressing that the said Zuldal Microfinance Bank Limited has not met such requirements to carry out microfinance banking in Nigeria. “The general public is therefore strongly advised to disregard any claims of licensing or approval by Zuldal Microfinance Bank Limited and to refrain from engaging in any financial transactions with the said entity, as such dealings are undertaken at the individual’s own risk. “The CBN remains committed to safeguarding the financial system and protecting members of the public from unlicensed and fraudulent institutions. A list of all licensed financial institutions in Nigeria is available on the CBN website: www.cbn.gov.ng.”
“Koko. Like a knock on the head.” Writing on communal clash in a village called Koko in Kebbi State…. “The Muckrakers. They are all over the place.” Writing on the politicians rising up in the second Republic in Nigeria. “Abuja is an unlucky city. Shortly after it was chosen as the nation’s new capital, the nation was informed by the gurus of medicine and health that it is the home of river blindness. They failed. After all, officialdom is not averse to seeing Nigerians go blind…”men and women are the players, actors and actresses of memorable play or a tragedy…” There are dozens of similar crispy, one-word-sentence, decorative, creative, rhythmitic constructions of words that turned out to be the trademark of Dan Agbese, the man I prefer to call “wordsmith.” He was just a few of the writers across the country that I admired and in fact, tried to take after in my over 40 years professional impute, not only in journalism/writing but also in the re-engineering of styles. To think that Dan Agbese, my mentor who virtually, I dare say, discovered me as promising reporter in 1981, is dead!!! Of course, there’s no doubt that for one, in the fast lane world we live now, especially in Nigeria, to die at the ripped age of 81 should be a thing to celebrate (life), but like humans that we are, it is grieving to find out that Dan Agbese had finally joined other mortals that have exited the physical world. The roles he played in my life, especially as a reporter/writer sprouting out from the budds are mouthwatering and interesting. In 1980, after obtaining a diploma in journalism and certificate in News reporting from the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ) Lagos, Jos study center, I was first employed briefly on freelance basis as announcer in the Kaduna State Radio station, located around Kaduna main market. Not quite two months later, I switched over to a weekly newspaper called SPECTATOR, published by Lawrence Obaje who was just coming from The PUNCH newspaper. While reporting for the SPECTATOR, I came across an advertisement in the Nigerian Standard newspaper, published in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and I promptly applied for the post of Reporter. A week later, I was invited for an interview in Jos. On the day of the interview, Dan Agbese and another doyen of journalism, Razak Aremu took charge. On the panel of the interview too were George Ohemu (Editor-in-chief), Alhaji Yahuza Makongiji (Editor of the Sunday Standard), Chris Anana (the group news editor) and Mafulu Lek as Secretary. One thing led to the other, Dan Agbese could not hide a kind of special interest in me. I actually didn’t know what he saw in me. Eventually, I was one of the six people (three indigenes of Plateau State and three none indigenes: Godwin Udeagwu, Yusuf Ozi-Usman and Tunde) that were eventually employed, out of 35 people that attended the interview. Dan Agbese called me and gave direct instruction to me to return to Kaduna to assist the Kaduna State Editor, Chris Abba. I was specifically assigned to cover the State House of Assembly, presided over by Alhaji Mamman Danmusa of the NPN. The State Governor was Alhaji Balarabe Musa of the PRP. I proved my mettle in the coverage of the legislature, especially in the heat of the move by the NPN dominated House of Assembly to impeach Governor Balarabe Musa. In fact, at the time my life was being threatened by speaker Danmusa because the Standard obviously stood by the Governor in the feud, Dan Agbese sent a company vehicle to move me, in a midnight, to Jos. That was the day I was to be killed by political thugs, based on the impeccable information Dan Agbese got from the grapevine. Dan Agbese saved me from death at that very point in 1981. In fact, that was how I ended up being transferred to Jos. Again, when Dan Agbese moved to the New Nigerian Newspaper as the Editor of the daily, he searched for me. The editorial leadership of the Nigeria Standard had earlier transferred me to Kano to take over from Emma Agbegir as State Editor. Dan Agbese insisted that I should be employed, after an interview which he invited me to attend in Kaduna. He retained me in Kano to be assisting Abdulhamid Babatunde. As a matter of fact, Dan Agbese and A. B Ahmed who was the editor of the Sunday New Nigeria, relied, and in fact, put pressure, on me to be turning in breaking or exclusive news from Kano for front page lead. I was knowingly and or inadvertently turned into not just reporter but also investigating officer. I gradually became a nightmare to people in the state government, especially those with skeleton in their cupboard. The state military administrator, Colonel Dominic Obukadata Oneya would not feel comfortable anytime I attended any state house function. In the milieu of digging for news, away from the surface, I clashed with the military authorities. In fact, many people, including some colleagues believed or mistook me to be a CIA or secret service agent. I made a lot of direct enemies and pretentious or fake friends. There were others who openly avoided me like leper. By the time my cup was full in 1987, the federal government, led by General Ibrahim Babangida grabbed me by the jugular and threw me into detention at Ilaro prison in Ogun State over a conventional but innocent story on the wife of the President. As at that time, Dan Agbese had left the New Nigerian Newspaper to co-found the famous Newswatch. My arrest and detention came less than a year after Dele Giwa was bombed out of existence by unknown murderers. So, I became virtually an orphan without Dan Agbese, who was always there for me because he understood me more than any other person.
He was there for me when late General Sani Abacha, the then Chief of Army Staff, ordered my arrest, in gestapo style and detention over an investigative news I carried in Sunday New Nigeria about the illegal transportation of vegetable oil in several trailers. Dan Agbese and A.B Ahmed were there for me when gun-ablaze mobile police officers whisked me to Kaduna and dumped me in the prison there over a story I wrote and published in the Sunday New Nigeria about police officers collaborating with armed robbers in Kano to kill the husband of a woman that was just put to bed. It was during the era of dreaded Decree number 4. Dan Agbese was there for me when the military administrator, Colonel Dominic Obukadata Oneya ordered my arrest over a story I wrote and was published in the Sunday New Nigeria on the deceptive commissioning of borehole for the residents of Achika village; the residents that had never in their lifetime seen modern water system. Etc, etc. So, when the Babangida arrested and detained me in Ilaro prison for three months, Dan Agbese was not around to be there for me. And when I was released from the Babangida’s strangle hold towards the end of November in 1987, Dan Agbese was among the first persons that sent a letter consoling me, giving me encouragent. Part of the content of his six-paragraph letter to me, dated 22 December 1987 goes thus: “I am particularly delighted that you have regained your freedom. Accept my congratulations for your release and my sympathy for what you went through. As you very well know, this is part of the hazards of journalism. I hope that your experiences will give you the courage to stick to your profession and to determine to make positive contributions to the society and the profession… Warm regards.” Dan Agbese tried all he could to get me into the Newswatch magazine, especially after the management of the New Nigerian Newspapers (owned by the Federal Government) expectedly threw me out of job without giving me the opportunity of defending myself over what happened that led to my 90-day detention in Ilaro prison. For one reason or the other, the job offer in Newswatch magazine did not click. He however introduced me to May Ellen Ezekiel (MEE), who offered me a freelance writing job, though with some monthly retainer income. My last encounter with Dan Agbese was earlier last year when I begged him to write a foreword to a memoir of mine I was putting together. It is all about what my investigative journalism had caused me, snowballing into my 90-day detention by General Ibrahim Babangida’s federal government. He was so happy that I wanted to involve him and asked me to forward the draft to him. When I was done, I forwarded the draft in a folder to his Whatsapp contact, but never heard from him thereafter despite several attempts to get him. I tried to visit him in the last place I met him in Gwarimpa, Abuja but could not trace the house.
And, on Monday November 17, 2025, instead of the foreword he promised to write for my memoir what I got was a message that he, Dan Agbese was dead!!!
Cruel!!
Yusuf Ozi-Usman, nipr is Editor-in-chief of Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper
Garba Shehu, spokesperson to late President Muhammadu Buhari has described Dan Agbese whose death was announced today, November 17, as a first class journalist in Nigeria. In a tribute to Dan Agbese, who was a co-founder of the famous newswatch magazine in Lagos, Garba Shehu said that Nigerian media has lost one of its brightest names. The former Presidential spokesperson recalled that the commentary and editorial leadership of the deceased used to draw widespread interest and admiration “because he possessed a deep understanding of both local and international issues, coupled with an enviable knack of humour and incisive commentary. “He was insightful and humble.” Garba Shehu said that as Chairman of the Northern Media Forum (NMF), Dan Agbese, who also served ss editor of the New Nigerian newspaper in Kaduna, led with firmness, fairness and candour, “giving us a rare opportunity to interact periodically with him. “Throughout this period, he remained a curious mind, always seeking to learn, with humility until his last days. “His demise after a long illness has deprived the media community, nay the nation of a distinct voice which rang from compelling newspaper columns, reaching so many followers over several decades. “My condolences to his family, colleagues, and many friends.” Also, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio mourned the erudite columnist. In a condolence message signed by his spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, Senator Akpabio described the passing of Dan Agbese as “a monumental loss to Nigeria’s journalism family and to all who value truth, integrity, and courageous storytelling.” The Senate President expressed profound sorrow over the departure of “a media icon whose pen never wavered in defence of the public interest.” He noted that Agbese belonged to a generation of journalists whose work defined an era and set the good standard for ethical, fearless, and professional journalism in Nigeria. “On behalf of the National Assembly, my family, and the good people I represent, I deeply mourn the loss of Chief Dan Agbese — a distinguished journalist who devoted his life to the pursuit of truth, accountability, and press freedom. His writings shaped national conscience, challenged power, and illuminated the path of democracy. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of journalists yet unborn.” Senator Akpabio extended his deepest condolences to the Agbese family, his friends, and the entire media community, noting that the void created by his passing will be felt across newsrooms and editorial boards nationwide. He also commiserated with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), describing this moment as “a shared grief for all who believe in the critical role of journalism in nation-building.” “May the gentle soul of this titan of the written word rest in perfect peace,” he added, praying that God grants the family and the nation’s media community the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss.
A veteran journalist and co-founder of the famous Newswatch Magazine, Dan Agbese is dead. Family sources said he died in Lagos State today, November 17, aged 81. Other co-founders of the now rested Newspaper magazine were Dele Giwa, who was killed by a parcel bomb in 1986; Ray Ekpu and Mohammed. He was until April 2010 the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine. Dan Agbese held degrees in mass communications and journalism from the University of Lagos and Columbia University, New York, respectively. He also served as editor of The Nigeria Standard in Jos, Plateau State, the New Nigerian in Kaduna as well as General Manager of Radio Benue. He was the author of several acclaimed books, including Nigeria their Nigeria, Fellow Nigerians, The Reporter’s Companion, Style: A Guide to Good Writing and The Columnist’s Companion: The Art and Craft of Column Writing. Agbese was also a highly regarded newspaper columnist.
Alhaji Adubi was his popular name. Many of us fondly called him so. Ohueta and Ihima are hard-hit by his demise. So are Ebira-land and Kogi State as a whole. He lived a cheerful, impactful and exemplary life. Why then should his death not shock those who knew and or closely interacted with him? I am one of them. My consolation is that his actions, trade, and character are impressive legacies for our youths in particular, and our adults as well, to emulate. During his youthful days, uncle Adubi chose tailoring as an occupation or trade. He was committed to it diligently. He later took this trade to a higher level by dissipating energy to travel out of Ihima (his native home) to learn embroidery – a fashion design that was not in supply in Kogi Central at that time. His enterprising demeanour and innovative mind brought him into limelight in Ebira-land. He became very popular by his trade. It is heart-warming that most of our youths are doing well in their studies and other endeavours today, but Alh. Adubi has thought the vulnerable ones that no trade is small; it is what you make of it. What matters most is the seriousness and/or innovation you bring to it. By having a sure and lucrative trade or occupation, our vulnerable youths could shun political thuggery, cybercrimes and other social vices and triumph. Alh. Adubi has given a good example. Alh. Adubi was a progressive man who put high premium on the education of his children. He obviously made some sacrifice and wise investment in this regard, and these have paid off today. By God’s grace, he has produced a University Professor, a Mass Media guru, and a top-level Nursing Officer, among others. We give glory to God that these children gave him comfort and good welfare before he departed. Ohueta adults have something to learn from this, the youths too should note the successful children under reference above also put in hard-work, self-development and commitment. Through Alh. Adubi, Ohueta has produced her first Professor. What is more, Ohueta has now joined the special club of professors in top-most tertiary institutions that prepare the academic excellence of the country’s future leaders. May Ohueta produce more professors, for us, Amen. It is however sad to disclose that I had personal experience of some close youths who were given academic admission opportunities but declined them with a ridiculous excuse that their brains would not be able to cope. Please some of our youths should shun laziness or slothfulness, and be enthusiastic to acquire knowledge. Knowledge is not only power, it is also wealth. Uncle Adubi was an Ambassador of peace. Aside from what he did for others in this regard in Ohueta and Ihima, I too personally benefited from his peace mission twice. First, when serving as Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Liaison Office, Lagos in the early 1980s I used, through the grace of God, my friendship tie with Hon. Salami Robin of blessed memory, to secure elevation/appointment of Local Government Education Secretary for our able Chief I.A. Jegede (now His Highness). The appointment attracted, inter alia, allocation of Official Car and driver, and Chief Jegede was well qualified for the post. There were additional two or more of the same position that were still vacant at that time. Hon Salami Robin from Okene was then the Chairman of Kwara State Education Board, Ilorin. But the late Dr. John Lawani who was then the Hon Commissioner of Health, Kwara State, felt that he was the political head of Ihima and that I did not clear the appointment with him. He therefore used his closeness to the State Governor, Alhaji Adamu Atta of blessed memory to halt Chief Jegede’s appointment. The crisis that arose made Alh. Adubi and the late Alh. Siaka Yakubu to take the trouble of going to the Ministry of Health in Ilorin for a peace meeting with the aggrieved Commissioner. I too had to abandon my liaison functions in Lagos to meet them in Ilorin for the scheduled amicable settlement. Alh. Adubi was a vocal, diplomatic, sincere, and patient personality – the rare ingredients required in peace – making. Secondly, when I was in the National Population Commission, there was an unfortunate political difference between me and our brother, His Excellency, Dr (Barr.) Philip O. Salawu, the then Deputy Governor of Kogi State. As some people were enjoying the dispute, others were even fuelling it. Only Alh. Adubi and Pastor Manjoe Suleiman that consistently worked assiduously to end the rift. Both of them had to travel to Lokoja to meet the two of us involved, and finally settled the dispute. My joy therefore is that the word of God in Matthew 5:9 says: “Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the sons of God” I therefore fervently pray the gracious Lord to let the deceased be one of His sons that will make heaven in Jesus holy Names, Amen. Also, may the good Lord bountifully reward Pastor Joseph Suleiman (Manjoe) for his ever-impressive exploits in both the vineyard and the community, Amen. There is truism in the wise saying by Henry W. Longfellow, an American poet, who stated that: “Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Foot-prints on the sands of time” Truly, Uncle Adubi has departed. But as revealed in the foregoing write-up, he has left behind worthy virtues such as hard-work, innovative spirit, sincerity, progressive ideals, the spirit of peace mission, etc. These are commendable legacies that should be emulated by those of us that are still alive. At this juncture, I fervently pray God Almighty to grant His Royal Highness, the Obobayin of Ohueta; the wives and children of the deceased; and all other sons and daughters of Ohueta (including my humble-self); and other relations/associates of the deceased, the fortitude to bear the heavy loss, Amen. In conclusion, I say to Uncle Adubi: Adieu, Adieu, Adieu!
Lere Olayinka, a media aide to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has given a graphic details of what actually happened in the alleged assassination attempt on the life of Navy Lieutenant A. M Yerima yesterday, November 16. In a post he made on X, Olayinka claimed that Yerima “made up” the story of an assassination attempt on his life at a Police checkpoint in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, but that it’s not true. According to him, the naval officer was driving around town with a tinted and ‘unplated vehicle’ and that when he was stopped at a police checkpoint and asked to wind down his car window and identify himself he refused. Olayinka wrote: “You were driving a car without a plate number. The car was tinted. At the Police Checkpoint, you were stopped. You were asked to wind down, you refused. “After you eventually wind down, you were asked to identify yourself, you refused. Instead, you were calling other Naval Officers while insulting the Policemen on official duty. The Policemen didn’t allow you to go until your colleagues came and identified you. You left and sold the story of escaping assassination. “So the Policemen who kept you waiting until your colleagues came to identify you were the ones who wanted to assassinate you? “Or was it part of an order for you to use an unregistered car and refuse to identify yourself when asked to do so by the Police?” Olayinka queried. He said that Yerima’s action was out of place in his meeting with the police, possibly due to the recent validation he has been getting from social media users over his encounter with the minister. Olayinka accused Yerima of taking advantage of the recent social media hypes. The social media was awashed last night of assassination attemp on Lt Yerima which he escaped from. This is barely one week after Yerima was involved in a heated verbal altercation with the FCT minister, Nyeson Wike over a piece of land belonging to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Zubairu Gambo in the Gaduwa area of Abuja. Yerima, who led a team of military officers had in the past week, prevented the Minister and officials of the FCT Administration from gaining access to the property.
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The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nana Nandap has invited all the relevant agencies under the nation’s ministry of Interior to rise up to strengthen border security, identity verification systems and support national development goals.
Positive Impact Of Alh Adubi On Ebira Community Before He Departed, By S. S. Lawal
Alhaji Adubi was his popular name. Many of us fondly called him so. Ohueta and Ihima are hard-hit by his demise. So are Ebira-land and Kogi State as a whole. He lived a cheerful, impactful and exemplary life.
Why then should his death not shock those who knew and or closely interacted with him? I am one of them. My consolation is that his actions, trade, and character are impressive legacies for our youths in particular, and our adults as well, to emulate.
During his youthful days, uncle Adubi chose tailoring as an occupation or trade. He was committed to it diligently. He later took this trade to a higher level by dissipating energy to travel out of Ihima (his native home) to learn embroidery – a fashion design that was not in supply in Kogi Central at that time. His enterprising demeanour and innovative mind brought him into limelight in Ebira-land. He became very popular by his trade.
It is heart-warming that most of our youths are doing well in their studies and other endeavours today, but Alh. Adubi has thought the vulnerable ones that no trade is small; it is what you make of it. What matters most is the seriousness and/or innovation you bring to it. By having a sure and lucrative trade or occupation, our vulnerable youths could shun political thuggery, cybercrimes and other social vices and triumph. Alh. Adubi has given a good example.
Alh. Adubi was a progressive man who put high premium on the education of his children. He obviously made some sacrifice and wise investment in this regard, and these have paid off today. By God’s grace, he has produced a University Professor, a Mass Media guru, and a top-level Nursing Officer, among others. We give glory to God that these children gave him comfort and good welfare before he departed.
Ohueta adults have something to learn from this, the youths too should note the successful children under reference above also put in hard-work, self-development and commitment. Through Alh. Adubi, Ohueta has produced her first Professor. What is more, Ohueta has now joined the special club of professors in top-most tertiary institutions that prepare the academic excellence of the country’s future leaders. May Ohueta produce more professors, for us, Amen.
It is however sad to disclose that I had personal experience of some close youths who were given academic admission opportunities but declined them with a ridiculous excuse that their brains would not be able to cope. Please some of our youths should shun laziness or slothfulness, and be enthusiastic to acquire knowledge. Knowledge is not only power, it is also wealth.
Uncle Adubi was an Ambassador of peace. Aside from what he did for others in this regard in Ohueta and Ihima, I too personally benefited from his peace mission twice.
First, when serving as Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Liaison Office, Lagos in the early 1980s I used, through the grace of God, my friendship tie with Hon. Salami Robin of blessed memory, to secure elevation/appointment of Local Government Education Secretary for our able Chief I.A. Jegede (now His Highness). The appointment attracted, inter alia, allocation of Official Car and driver, and Chief Jegede was well qualified for the post. There were additional two or more of the same position that were still vacant at that time. Hon Salami Robin from Okene was then the Chairman of Kwara State Education Board, Ilorin.
But the late Dr. John Lawani who was then the Hon Commissioner of Health, Kwara State, felt that he was the political head of Ihima and that I did not clear the appointment with him. He therefore used his closeness to the State Governor, Alhaji Adamu Atta of blessed memory to halt Chief Jegede’s appointment.
The crisis that arose made Alh. Adubi and the late Alh. Siaka Yakubu to take the trouble of going to the Ministry of Health in Ilorin for a peace meeting with the aggrieved Commissioner. I too had to abandon my liaison functions in Lagos to meet them in Ilorin for the scheduled amicable settlement. Alh. Adubi was a vocal, diplomatic, sincere, and patient personality – the rare ingredients required in peace – making.
Secondly, when I was in the National Population Commission, there was an unfortunate political difference between me and our brother, His Excellency, Dr (Barr.) Philip O. Salawu, the then Deputy Governor of Kogi State. As some people were enjoying the dispute, others were even fuelling it. Only Alh. Adubi and Pastor Manjoe Suleiman that consistently worked assiduously to end the rift.
Both of them had to travel to Lokoja to meet the two of us involved, and finally settled the dispute. My joy therefore is that the word of God in Matthew 5:9 says: “Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the sons of God” I therefore fervently pray the gracious Lord to let the deceased be one of His sons that will make heaven in Jesus holy Names, Amen. Also, may the good Lord bountifully reward Pastor Joseph Suleiman (Manjoe) for his ever-impressive exploits in both the vineyard and the community, Amen.
There is truism in the wise saying by Henry W. Longfellow, an American poet, who stated that:
“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Foot-prints on the sands of time”
Truly, Uncle Adubi has departed. But as revealed in the foregoing write-up, he has left behind worthy virtues such as hard-work, innovative spirit, sincerity, progressive ideals, the spirit of peace mission, etc. These are commendable legacies that should be emulated by those of us that are still alive.
At this juncture, I fervently pray God Almighty to grant His Royal Highness, the Obobayin of Ohueta; the wives and children of the deceased; and all other sons and daughters of Ohueta (including my humble-self); and other relations/associates of the deceased, the fortitude to bear the heavy loss, Amen.
In conclusion, I say to Uncle Adubi:
Adieu, Adieu, Adieu!