The Mysterious World of 'Baba Alankara'

By Ndimele Kingsley

Born on 25th September, 1944, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja is a businessman who became a governor of Oyo State on 29 May, 2003 as a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), but was impeached on 12 January, 2006. He was preceded by Lam Adesina and succeeded by Christopher Alao Akala. Ladoja was elected to the Senate of Nigeria in 1993 during the short-lived Nigerian Third Republic.

He attended Ibadan Boys High School (1958–1963) and Olivet Baptist High School (1964–1965). He studied at the University of Liège , Belgium (1966–1972) where he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering. He obtained a job with Total Nigeria , an oil company, where he worked for 13 years in various positions before entering private business in 1985. In 2000, he became a Director of Standard Trust Bank Limited.

Despite the status of Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the High Chief of Ibadan, however lives an incredibly simple lifestyle such that an unsuspecting onlooker would place him among peasant farmers.
A visit to his Bodija G.R.A, Ibadan home shows that his lifestyle fall below his worth. In his words, he says "I feel comfortable living a simple life".
Even in his dress style, most of the time he is clad in Nigerian-made Ankara. Ladoja admitted that people called him 'Baba Alankara' due to his choice of Ankara.

According to many, the ex-governor is jovial, accommodating and known for his philanthropic gestures. The septuagenarian noted that what is  important for him is to create opportunities for other people to grow. It can be inferred that Senator Ladoja's generosity transcends the Government House.

One of his outstanding achievements during his tenure as Oyo state governor was the 30 pupils per class Initiative in every government school.

According to him (Ladoja), He left PDP because the party had lost focus and forgotten its vision of becoming a democratic party that will meet the expectations of the masses. Ladoja reportedly stated that " PDP has abandoned its founding objective and the party is now peopled with politicians who are opposed to the political principles of democracy".

The former Oyo state governor who defected to the Accord Party is set to return to the People's Democratic Party. He disclosed this in a radio interview on Saturday 23 September, 2017 saying, "my greatest regret at 73 years is not getting Oyo state to where it ought to be".

In response to his contesting as a governorship aspirant in 2019, Senator Ladoja remains uncertain about his political ambition.

In also stated that his re-alliance with his ex-deputy, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala who many believed to have co-planned his impeachment and succeeded him on 12 January, 2006, Ladoja said "In politics, there's no permanent enemy and permanent friend, only permanent interest".

Opinion: A Million Pythons Cannot Dance Away The Biafra Question

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. — Albert Einstein

Whoever he is, the military officer who coined the code name ‘Python Dance’ is a genius. Although an original version of the military operation, the Python Dance I, held between November 27 and December 27, 2016, no one should have looked any further than the code name to deduce the possible outcome of the army’s latest incursion into the south-east. As a rebel scientist, I’ll break this down.

‘PYTHON DANCE’ MORE THAN MERE NOMENCLATURE
Although they are a family of nonvenomous snakes, pythons, scientifically Pythonidae, can be extremely dangerous. They are some of the largest snakes in the world, and are notorious ambush predators in that they typically lay motionless to evade the notice of a passing prey but then suddenly strike when danger is least expected. Ordinarily, no one should tease the python — that is where Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) got it wrong. Even though it looks innocuous when motionless, a python cannot be active without inflicting harm — that’s the misjudgement of the army, the thought that the operation would run without tension.

Prior to the take-off of the operation, the Nigerian Army acted like a python, listing a raft of harmless activities to cover up its one controversial aim of the operation. David Dawandi, a Major-General and Chief of Training and Operations of the army, said in a statement on September 8, that “during the exercise, emphasis will be placed on raids, cordon-and-search operations, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check points, patrols, and humanitarian relief activities such as medical outreach”. That’s the motionless python. The statement also made it clear that there would be a “show of force to curb the rising threat to national security in the south-eastern part of the country”. A “show of force”? That’s a python in ambush mode. The summary is that it was an unnecessary operation. For many reasons.



NEEDLESS DANCE
Nnamdi Kanu’s court trial is ongoing. When he returns to court on October 17, the court will hear the federal government’s application for the revocation of his bail. There is no chance Kanu will win that argument — unless Justice Binta Nyako, who granted him bail in April, wants to make a mockery of herself and the judiciary. Kanu has repeatedly violated his bail conditions, the most obvious being his prohibition from hanging out with a company of more than 10 or granting interviews. The violation of the latter Kanu has already tried to defend, bizarrely claiming that he doesn’t “grant interviews” but he only “answers the questions” of journalists because it would be “rude and arrogant” of him to keep quiet when asked a question! But no such ingenious explanation exists for the former; there are numerous footages of him among scores and hordes of people, including videos of him preaching raw hate. Kanu’s return to prison will be permanent in October, so first question to the army; why roll out the pythons against a drowning adversary?

While the pythons were still dancing, the defence headquarters rushed to designate IPOB a terrorist group without even taking a moment to find out the procedures, as laid down by the same law they claim to be enforcing. The army erred by failing to follow the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011, amended in 2013, that “setting up or pursuing acts of terrorism, the judge in Chambers may on an application made by the Attorney General, National Security Adviser or Inspector General of Police on the approval of the President; declare any entity to be a proscribed organization and the notice should be published in official gazette”.

Even that move itself is an overkill. Of course, Nnamdi Kanu is very annoying — I can imagine the Chief of Army Staff watching him in one of his numerous hate videos and itching to grab his throat and strangle him. There can be no arguments that he is unstable: how can a man who so passionately preached Nigeria’s unity under Goodluck Jonathan now so vehemently champion secession? But a more careful look at him will reveal his true nature: a mere radio/internet noisemaker elevated to the status of Biafra champion by a zealous and unlawful Muhammadu Buhari government. Kanu would never enjoy half his current popularity if he wasn’t repeatedly denied bail. Kanu talks too much; die-hard rebels talk less and act more. His Biafra Security Service (BSS) is toothless; not one of the so-called trainees carried any sort of weapon. They, in fact, looked too confused to be able to withstand confrontation by a private, the lowest-ranked officer of the Nigerian army. Little wonder Kanu himself is now in hiding.



LESSONS AND QUESTIONS
The deployment of soldiers to the south-east has caused needless tension. The death of a hard-to-ascertain number of people, the assault on suspected IPOB members (which, by the way, will go unpunished despite the army’s claim to be investigating it), the combing of buses by IPOB members in Aba for Hausa to harm, the Igbo-Hausa tension in Jos and Port Harcourt are all worrying scenarios that would have been avoided without military action. The seething inter-ethnic tension is worrisome; this is how wars start. In the past week, whether we admit it or not, Nigeria took one giant step towards a second Civil War. The good thing, though, is that the situation is still reasonably under control. To avert a total breakdown of law and order, our leaders must learn from our history and ask themselves the hard questions.

Speaking of lessons, it is hard to imagine how quickly our leaders have forgotten the role of military action in the escalation of Boko Haram from a nonviolent ideological group under Yusuf Mohammed to a ruthlessly violent one under Abubakar Shekau. The 2009 police crackdown on Boko Haram in Bauchi led to violence in Kano, Yobe and Borno states; and after Mohammed’s capture by the military and extrajudicial execution by the police, the reins of Boko Haram fell on the bellicose, blood-thirsty Shekau. The rest, as they say, is history. It will take decades for the north to recover from the ruin of this insurgency — the deaths of hundreds of thousands, displacement of at least 3million people, the humanitarian crisis, the sheer destruction of flora and fauna, the physical and socioeconomic regression. So, even if the military succeeds in taking out Kanu, the Biafra mantle will naturally be transferred to someone else, who may even be more dangerous than kanu. Tact, not force, is what President Muhammadu Buhari needs to handle Kanu and the Biafra agitation.

There are two questions the government must answer if Nigeria must remain peaceful. Why, despite his apparent weakness of character, lack of purpose, unruly choice of words, does Kanu continue commanding huge youth following? And, why, after almost four decades post-Civil War, are we still discussing Biafra? I do not have all the answers, but I’ll supply some.

First question: as I said earlier, Kanu is the number-one beneficiary of government’s misuse of power. But more importantly, Kanu’s followers are mostly made up of unemployed or unprofitably employed, disillusioned youth who have finally found someone to identify with their struggles. For the second, it must mean that the Biafra question was never addressed after the war. Buhari must think long and hard about what the Igbo want, why they feel sidelined, and what he can do to make them feel part of Nigeria.

Otherwise, a legitimate Biafra question will be left in the hands of an opportunistic Kanu, and we will lose a golden opportunity to once and for all resolve our differences and strengthen the bond of our nationhood. Buhari should let the courts decide Kanu’s fate. He must jettison the use of force and embrace dialogue — because whether we like it or not, a million pythons cannot dance away the Biafra question!


The writer, 'Fisayo Soyombo, Editor of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), tweets @fisayosoyombo

Igbobi Boy: The Sweet Bitter Tales Of A Young Old Man

A review of Adebayo Lamikanra’s “Igbobi Boy” by ‘Joba Ojelabi


Having had firsthand experience on the effects that good aesthetics can have on the human mind, I tend to often find the maxim; “Do not judge a book by its cover” quite controversial. For indeed, as much as a substance’s exterior is not always a precise expression of its interior, I believe that the packaging of a thing, to some extent, defines the value of such substance. Such that before any critical appraisal, the metaphorical cover of a book offers a potential reader some privilege of a preliminary assessment because eventually, the cover is part of the book! And more importantly, it is the part that carries the burden of first interaction with potential readers, bringing to mind the brother expression of first impressions and their comparative lifespan in the mind of readers.  This, coupled with the fact that I have had the privilege of stopping by Adebayo Lamikanra’s office a number of times, is perhaps why I find the cover of the enlightening memoir of the Professor of Pharmaceutics not as arousing.

It does not take too much time with “Lamikay”, as Professor Lamikanra is more fondly called, to learn of his fascination with the arts; both visual and virtual. His office, apart from the several expressions of visual art present, is littered with sheets of abstract sketches by the Professor himself. It is on this basis that a person aware of this fact about Lamikay, such as myself, might demand more from the book cover of Igbobi Boy; which, as at the time of this review, is a simple silhouette of a school boy carrying the blue and yellow colours of Igbobi College; the Alma mata of Lamikanra. Personally, I have a soft spot for covers which, in their attempt to express the theme of the book and in obedience to the sacred laws of design functionality and aesthetics, are laced with some with some elements of mystery and simplicity. What says mystery better than abstract art?     
                                                                                           
A bite into the less colourful pages of the book, however, might leave a reader a little more interested than its blue and yellow covers as Lamikay describes his experience at Igbobi College in very specific and quite fascinating detail. Beginning from his admission into the legendary college, Professor Lamikanra describes people, places and events with such precision that makes it hard to believe that the memories are from over forty years ago; leaving any reader familiar with the author pondering on how young the old man really is. Lamikanra, in the first few chapters after his interesting admission into Igbobi College, describes the age-old college. And indeed, he does so with such detail and affection that should leave any person in the current Nigerian educational system with a bitter sweet aftertaste.        
                         
In the course of book, Lamikay describes many of the events that would go on to influence his personality. Starting with his immense affection for the college; which it would seem the college herself instills in her sons, discipline, leadership, a passion for excellence amongst other things, the author would even describe traits that were not directly instilled by the college: A good example being his mother’s well delivered offhand speech, which at the time was merely a source of pride for the author but would eventually become a strong influencing factor in his method of presentation in subsequent years; a method which has interestingly become characteristic of a number of lecturers of Pharmaceutical Microbiology in the Department of Pharmaceutics of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife to state but a few secondary influences.

Lamikanra, apart from the walls of Igbobi College, also describes fondly a number of people met either at or through Igbobi College. Some of these persons, the Professor would later come across in later years under different circumstances.

Igbobi Boy is a description of golden years, not just for the boy currently living in an old man but for a nation presently in the shadow of herself. Lamikanra reminds us of an almost forgotten period in Nigerian history through his affectionate and passionate narration of his formative years. For those of us that were not around in the sixties, Igbobi Boy might come off as a fairy tale, especially considering the current realities of the Nigerian state but for those that were around, Igbobi Boy is the kind of book that brings back some fond memories especially for other alumni of the institution. Although the book does contain some typographical blots, looking at its cover once again, Igbobi Boy might actually just be a good reason to not judge a book by its cover.             

Feelings And The Voices From The Cradle of Life

By 'Joba Ojelabi


I came into Ife at an interesting period or perhaps, the euphoria of becoming a student of one of the most prestigious universities in Nigeria, crowned by the re-emergence of the students’ union at the time is what clouded and still clouds my critical of the assessment of the period. Indeed, whilst the euphoria that comes with being a freshman of the university might be more personalized for many, the reinstatement of the Obafemi Awolowo University had a more general effect on us;y the freshmen of the university at the time. The newly restored union, through its leaders, had a point to prove to the freshmen. After all, we had heard tales of the glory days of the Union and boy were we ready to just taste a little of those fanciful tales. The performance of the leadership of the union at the time still remains a subject for debate till date, most especially considering the myriad of sad incidents that have accompanied subsequent leaderships. But in a personal assessment of each key office in that leadership, it is almost without any doubt that I would state that the Social revolution that came with that administration was quite intense. This, coupled with my curiosity as a freshman, is perhaps why I attended so many social gatherings and as expected, this exposed me to learning many things about the great Ife. The age-long amphi tradition of “Dobaleing”, the fixed price for selling tickets to Awo Boys, the stage expression of Aro and perhaps the then music community of the OAU Campus. I came into Ife at the dawn of a new reign.

Attending shows in OAU meant listening to OAU artistes and I can assure you that amidst all the rubbish that often came with the tagline “OAU acts”, there were a lot of local artistes that I always looked forward to listening to: There was Chinko Ekun; the lyrical tiger who could make verses from almost anything, High M; OAU’s Incredible, Viruz; the melodious lover of Tina, Veejay; the man who melted our hearts with his ice-cream voice, BlaqBones, Buraimo, Gbasky amongst many others. Once in my first year, I heard Bankeh sing and all I could do was breathe and listen. I no longer follow the OAU music industry as I used to, the engaging schedules of academia and the other baggages I now bear no longer allow me the luxury of attending as much social gatherings but a few days ago, I came by a song by Tobi Morakinyo and it reminded me so much of my fresh year and the plenty quality OAU tracks that still make it memorable.

Tobiano Ace, as the young lad is more popularly referred, in the track Feelings plays with the Ghanian-Nigerian melody, which is claimed to have been made by popularly producer, Masterkraft. And indeed what the song might lack in content, it surely makes up for delivery. Tobiano, already recipient and nominee in a number of varsity awards, works Masterkraft’s beat like a professional leaving one to wonder for how much longer the title “upcoming” that accompanies Tobi’s appellation would remain. But then again, with such a voice, it might only just be a matter of time…

PS- You can listen to TobianoAce’s feelings by following the link below. It would go a long way in helping this Great Ife. Click HERE to listen.

Something Light; The Musical Romance of Boda Taju

By ‘Joba Ojelabi

For me, like many others, I think it all started with a hello. But it wasn’t to us, it was to a mystical lady whom somehow Mr. Folarin Falana had managed to stupefy. “Ello bae”, apart from introducing Falz to us, was a track that went on become a quite popular social media trend, a feat that not too many upcoming artistes achieve these days. Looking back now, it would seem as though the track was an introduction to something more than his sardonic version of English: Ello bae, like what the phrase (Hello bae) indicates was an indeed an introduction to seeming contention with the female folk, a contention which would last through some subsequent tracks and is continued in “Something light”.

Any true lover of rap would agree that there has not been a lot of quality rap from these parts. Interestingly, there have been many attempts; and whilst some have given us some hope, the others have managed to take it back. “Something light”, like most of its predecessors, is a narrative, one that details an encounter of the artiste with a lady; an ‘entrepreneurial’ lady. In “Marry me”, Falz narrates the experience of a young man and woman who are on the verge of nuptial vows and although, Falz comes majorly from the feminine perspective, the track expresses the non-committal attitude of the male figure and more importantly, his non-readiness towards settling down. This non-readiness is perhaps why his travails escalate with “Karishika”, the spiritually active female who seems to be quite demanding from the spiritual realm (Personally, I think most ladies have an element of Karishika within).

“Soldier”, which featured the sensational Simi might have been an indication of something positive but it would seem that the Barrister rapper got tired of the hard-to-get Jamb question crooner or perhaps “Joromi” happened. In “Something light” however, the current lady in the spotlight is painted as demanding, a character she shares with Miss Karishika but unlike the daughter of Jezebel, her demands are more physical. Another difference highlighted by the track, which might actually be the major theme of the rap song, is Miss Something Light’s pretextual schemes.


Like most quality rap songs, Something Light’s verses are separated by a simple chorus, one that does not require any tasking vocal burdens. Also in the song, Falz shares the microphone with fast rising rapper Ycee, who also comes on with his own narrative and together, they manage to create a harmonious two-in-one narrative that might after all be an indication of synergy in rap and its positive results.
“Something Light” also carries the usual comical flow that comes with Falz, or as he addresses his alter ego; Boda Taju and his kind of rap, and somehow, Ycee manages to keep up. And in attending to the question of who slaughtered who? It brings to mind the Jet Li-Jackie Chan duo in Forbidden Kingdom? It’s better to just focus on the bad guy or in this case, girl! And for Falz, we can only hope he settles down soon or for the sake of good music, maybe not so soon.

ASUU, The Academic Strike Union Of Universities! By ‘Fisayo Soyombo

By 'Fisayo Soyombo

Whenever the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) convenes a press conference, journalists can already reel off the top three agendas. One, strike. Two industrial actions. Three, the downing of tools. Of course, the agendas are never written out this way, but whatever is up for discussion is all semantics. ASUU has become so boringly predictable in its method of agitation that the students for whom it claims to be fighting could someday rebel against it, and the government it seeks to embarrass could someday call its bluff. This is not an exaggeration.

In July, after the killing and abduction of some University of Maiduguri UNIMAID lecturers as part of a wider oil exploration team attacked in Borno State by Boko Haram, ASUU threatened to go on strike.

“Our union is no doubt saddened by the UNIMAID incident,” Biodun Ogunyemi, President of the union and Professor at the Department of Curriculum Studies and Instructional Technology, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), told the media. “We have told the government to take the necessary steps and get our members in captivity released or else, we may be forced to call out our members.”

Never mind that on August 14, when the ASUU addressed a press conference to officially commence its latest industrial action, no single mention was made of the abducted UNIMAID lecturers. Instead, ASUU listed five issues: funding for revitalization of public universities, Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), pension, university staff schools, and unpaid salaries.

Opportunistic ASUU
Truly, the Nigerian public tertiary education system is in a mess. In many universities, learning facilities are inadequate and obsolete, lecturers are overworked and the best of them continue seeking greener pastures abroad, hostel accommodation for students are shabby. Generally, universities are operating beyond their carrying capacities, consequently breeding systems where frustrated lecturers are dealing with disenchanted students. The end result, as expected, is a chaotic society as ours, where competence and integrity are usually mutually exclusive.

At the start of the latest industrial action, Ogunyemi declared: “To have public universities that will be pride of all, to secure the future of our children and their own children’s future, and to lay the foundation for a university system capable of producing a country of our dream, we must make the federal and state governments implement the provision of the 2009 Agreement, the MoU of 2013 and the understanding reached in November 2016.”

However, the content of this 2009 agreement and the conduct of university managers in recent years are in dissonance with ASUU’s much-vaunted slogans of creating “universities that will be pride for all”, “securing the future of our children” and establishing universities “capable of producing a country of our dream”. Let’s travel back a decade to ASUU’s demands from the federal government.

Revisiting the 2009 agreement
In January 2007 when the federal government team led by Gamaliel Onosode and that of ASUU led by then President Abdullahi Sule-Kano began meeting to renegotiate the 2001 agreement, the terms of reference for the resultant committee were to: (i) reverse the decay in the university system, in order to reposition it for greater responsibilities in national development; (ii) reverse the brain drain, not only by enhancing the remuneration of academic staff, but also by disengaging them from the encumbrances of a unified civil service wage structure; (iii) restore Nigerian universities, through immediate, massive and sustained financial intervention; and (iv) ensure genuine university autonomy and academic freedom.

However, when ASUU listed the issues for negotiation, they were: (i) conditions of service, (ii) funding, (iii) university autonomy and academic freedom, and (iv) other matters.

First observation, “condition of service” — candidly put, “salary upgrade” — cannot constitute the most important step in “reversing the decay in the university system”. It is worrisome that ASUU treasured condition of service over infrastructure upgrade.

ASUU and FG agreed to have a “separate salary structure for university academic staff” which would see a lecturer earn as much as N7.5m per annum. They reached an agreement on Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), with assistant lecturers to receive N15,000 per student per annum, senior lecturers N20,000, and readers and professors N25,000 as postgraduate supervision allowance; the lecturers can receive the payments for up to five students. Added with other allowances — for teaching practice/industrial supervision/field trip, honoraria for internal/external examiner (postgraduate thesis), and honoraria for external moderation of undergraduate and postgraduate examinations — a lecturer can make up to N580,000 per annum in earned allowances.

There is N200,000 for external assessors of candidates for the position of Reader or Professor, plus a Responsibility Allowance that sees Hall Wardens receive N150,000 per annum and Vice Chancellors/Deputy Vice Chancellors/Librarians receive N750,000. A list of other nonsalary benefits includes improved proposals for vehicle loan/car refurbishing loan, housing loan, research leave, sabbatical leave, annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave and injury pension.

To be clear, I do not support arguments in some quarters that ASUU’s remunerative demands are unreasonable. ASUU — and indeed any other labour union — reserves the rights to propose whatever conditions it considers most effective for motivating its members for optimum job performance.  But there is a problem: while ASUU agrees to be disengaged from the encumbrances of a unified civil service wage structure, it goes on to demand that whenever there is a general increase in public sector salaries and allowances, the remuneration of academic staff shall be correspondingly increased. Simply put, ASUU wants to eat its cake and have it.

In the 2009 agreement, ASUU ensures that the renegotiation team agrees to its salary demands but as soon as discussion shifts to other matters, the team only recommends. And so, on matters involving the Education Tax Fund, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), amendment of the National Universities Commission Act (2004), and funding of universities, which are major institutional channels for reforming education, what ASUU does is to recommend, agree to recommend or project.

ASUU complicit in the rot
Make no mistake about this: the number-one reason ASUU is currently on strike is that it wants N825bn from the government, being the accumulation of yearly release of funds to universities as contained in the 2009 agreement. Based on the 2013 MoU, FG was to release N200bn to universities in 2013, and N220bn every year till 2018. By now, N1.3trn should have been released in all but so far only N475bn has. Blame the government! An agreement is sacrosanct regardless of which government signed it.

But there is a question ASUU has failed to answer. What happened to the N475bn released so far? The best-kept secret on university campuses is that vice chancellors saw so much money between 2013 and 2015 that they were scared; the bulk of it was mismanaged and embezzled. White-elephant projects sprang up all over, and at costs that were not commensurate with the result. When Kunle Adebajo, a student of the university wrote about such needless projects last year, UI authorities threatened the young man with rustication. The period also marked the rise in the recruitment of ghost workers and under-declaration of internally-generated revenue. This kind of corruption among university administrators is nationwide, yet ASUU, despite its preponderant influence, has done nothing to restrain errant VCs.

Also, who are the people frustrating the FG’s efforts to audit the previous release of funds to universities? ASUU should be interested. The government released N23bn EAA to universities in December and has insisted further release must be preceded by an audit of that tranche, but it’s a conversation that ASUU is uninterested in.

ASUU is a part of a growing university culture of gagging student unionism. ASUU was vociferous in its criticism of Governor Yahaya Bello’s recent ban of the academic union in Kogi State, but the same ASUU has been mum since May, when VC Idowu Olayinka proscribed student unionism in UI. It’s just hypocritical for ASUU to continue holding government accountable to education yet subscribe to Olayinka’s view that management cannot be held to account by students.

‘Academic’ unionism should be more than strikes

ASUU’s mode of agitation is blighted by a number of fallacies: that all the problems with university education will be solved by funding, and all the funding must come in the form of government handouts; that lecturers are more important than other professionals and so should operate at a level beyond their society.

The last, for example, is responsible for ASUU’s demand for exemption from the FG’s TSA policy. TSA is not an angelic policy. While it no doubts help to reduce profligacy in public offices, it can also slow down the pace of governance. It is far nobler for ASUU to present arguments against the general implementation of the policy than to obstinately demand the exclusion of universities. In any case, TSA has handicapped universities to spend money at will and without gauge; at the moment, this looks like ASUU’s grouse.

ASUU claims that TSA has hampered research in universities. But Abdullahi Baffa, Executive Secretary of TETFUND, said earlier in the month that since the establishment of TETFUND in 2009 with the seed fund of N3bn plus an additional N1bn in 2016 to beef up the intervention, only N1.72bn had so far been disbursed to finance researchers in different thematic areas due to the low quality of research proposals. That’s at least N2.28bn still unexplored by, and ASUU doesn’t seem to be noticing.

If ASUU is truly interested in the emergence of “the country of our dreams”, it must stop using students as cannon fodders while fighting for the pockets of its members. It must lead the students by example — by being a bastion of probity, accountability, tolerance for dissent, and proffering robust, intellectually-driven and empirically-backed solutions to Nigeria’s tertiary education woes. Other than that, ASUU risks being seen by all, including undergraduates, as a union of strikers rather than a union of academics.

This article was first published and culled from Sahara Reporters

"The B and F Committee Has Had About Fifty Meetings This Session"- Hon Pchaun

By Michael Mary
So OAU Peeps interacted with Hon. Sola Onimole, of the Faculty of Technology and member Budgetary and Finance Committee popularly known as Pchaun and here's what he had to say.

Interview Session with Sola Onimole, honourable of the OAU SRC representing Faculty of Technology

Good evening sir, we would like to know you.
Hon Pchaun: My name is Onimole 'Sola Paul, studentt of OAU, Mechanical Engineering part four.
  Is that all there is to know about you?
Hon Pchaun: I'm an honourable for my faculty.
  What faculty is that?
Hon Pchaun: Faculty of Technology, I'm also the class rep of my department.
  Perhaps, some background, educational background, where are you from?
Hon Pchaun: I'm from Lagos Island, I stay in Ogun state, I was born into a family of four, the second child and we have just a girl. Educational background, I had my primary and secondary education in Lagos state before coming down to Ife.

Coming back to Ife, in what year did come to campus?
Hon Pchaun: I came to campus in the year 2014.
  So how did the SRC happen?
Hon Pchaun: I have Always been involved in major things like having the mind of people at the back of my mind. I always want to see a better future. Ok, when I was in part one, I contested for the post of a class rep and I won. Ever since then, I have been going on with the with the good things, passing out information. Trying to get the best information. I will say in my set, I am the most popular class rep, I'm known as the  Faculty Rep. I have always been interested in bringing up the  progress of everywhere I am.
  So how did you convert that into getting the class rep office?
Hon Pchaun: When I was in Angola, I was very active, getting information, I was well known by majority of the people that stayed in Angola. I was involved in one political ambition that didn't really show up.
  What was that?
Hon Pchaun: Financial Secretary, but we thank God. I have been into getting latest information on campus especially the political aspect of it, till when I was in part three, I think when I was in part three when the union was proscribed. There was a little adjustment then and I contested for the post of SRC when I was in part three.

Now that we know your background, let's start from when you get to campus assessing the union, what do u have to say about it?
Hon Pchaun: When I was in part one, the welfare of the students was OK, that was the tenure of Ibikunle, the union was very vibrant. During the tenure of T.Y nothing really happened the union was dead that was what led to the suspension of some Executives of the union. Then we have this current administration, this administration hasn't been going on well actually, somethings that had to be done well has been done in a very bad way. They might have a good idea of what they need to do, but they are not really getting it. It's the other way round instead. So, this administration hasn't been going well for me, I don't really like it. I have not really seen something they have really achieved about from the issue that was on ground some months ago but we thank God.

Coming from that now, we must ask, you said personally that you have not been enjoying the administration, but you are part of the administration. As a part of the administration, what's your reaction to it? What have you been doing?

Hon Pchaun: I have been playing my role as an honourable and a major member in a committee.

Which committee exactly sir?
Hon Pchaun: The Budget and Finance committee.

Are you holding any post in the committee?
Hon Pchaun: No, but I'm an active member. What we do there is look into the budget making sure that nothing goes wrong. The part in which I don't enjoy is the bus issue it was a big slap on the face of Great Ife students, it didn't go Well at all, they didn't do the right thing for getting the bus which was known to the whole world.

We sure know that the bus issue is the one that really rocked the union this semester, if not mistaken, it is perhaps the biggest scandal we have experienced this session. Some say the price was exaggerated, and different claims have emanated. One of their major offenses was slighting the B&F in the process of procuring the bus, quite a number of releases was made, some trying to explain that the B&F were not constituted. As a member of that committee what have you guys been doing with the budget for this administration?

Hon Pchaun: We have done a lot of things, there is a whole lot of improvement, as a member we have had more than fifty meetings just this semester. At times we stay more than five hours, everytime I go for the meeting I always go back home with headache, because we are there to analyse issue, sometimes an argument may come up. It hasn't been easy but B&F have been trying.
So are we looking forward to the Budget Ratification soon?
Hon Pchaun: We have been doing it.

Diverting a little from the union and coming back to academics, if there anything we learn on campus, it is that combining academics with other things can be quite tedious. You said you are the class representative, an honourable and you are still a student, how do you find the balance?

Hon Pchaun: I have been trying my best because I have always been used to serving others, making things be in place and taking my time hasn't been a burden. So, I have been managing it up right from my secondary school and I am in part four now, I'm used to it already and I have never regretted it.
We must ask, are u looking forward to any bigger responsibility especially concerning the union or may be outside?
Hon Pchaun: Yes I am because not even looking at OAU alone but looking at our Society Ife, Nigeria, OAU, Osun state. There are a whole lot of things to address and put in place. Someone once told me she is not interested, she just wants to be looking at it from afar, she doesn't want to know what they are doing. And I told her if you see things going bad then what effect will it have on your community? If you can go there and make them understand that such is wrong. Let us do it this way, and why are we doing it this way so, there are a whole lots of things I'm so much interested both in OAU and outside OAU. Nigeria as a whole, there are a lots of things to put into place. 
Closing Remarks?
Hon Pchaun: Let me first address the issue we have here, in the administration we have right now, I noticed a fault. I think they should sit together and try to understand each other having the issue of suspending this and the other, then when are we going to have a good union? They need to work together for the progress of the union. Nigeria as a whole, Osun state, a whole lot of things to address next election shouldn't bring any violence and maybe they have to do some medical check up. I want to thank Great Ife students, OAU peeps for putting me there as an honourable and we are trying our best.

Thank you very much for your time.

Random Thoughts From Paris to Osun

By Koye-Ladele Mofehintoluwa

"I have no apologies for believing that education is the key with which all doors open to development- whether national or corporate or individual- are opened. I hold the same views with Obafemi Awolowo that this country will remain backward, unproductive and prone to tyrannical government as long as some people are ignorant"- Bola Ige

The news hit the waves yesterday that Osun state paid 8bn on salaries from Paris club refund and 2bn on pension. I think that was too much for recurrent expenditure. I doubt Osun generates as much and I am stunned by the possible impacts on the lives of those workers if the Paris Club Refund did not take place in the first instance. The current Nigerian structure creates states that exist just to maintain the state civil service, carry out some projects and feed the political class that their hunger never quenches.

The price we pay for Nigerian unity at all costs is a 36-state structure that emphasises dependence on the centre for revenue and on crude oil for survival. This structure ensures that the peoples of Nigeria are not granted enough cohesion to seek a dissolution but at the same time does not let us move forward.

Sincerely, I think our civil service is bloated and ineffective. However, I do not think the solution is a total scrap as we are slowly tending towards with the various neoliberal economics playing out evidenced by the pervading foulness of privatization which would have been better if it sought advancement but is merely a way of cutting out huge chunks of the national cake for less than the cost and to themselves, their friends, family and even lucky concubines.

Rather, I push the position that the solution is in remodelling the civil service to become productive.

Most civil service slots are held by people being rewarded for political loyalty. Promotions are not based on merit. The service has for a long time existed merely as a source of sustenance for those holding the offices but not as an investment for growth for the state itself.

What must be done?

There must be assessment tests especially for teachers to determine if they are fit for their roles. Often. We complain that students fall in final examinations but their teachers are worse off. Reassessing those who hold these offices is key.

It should be followed up with a salary review which would also affect the political class. The cost of governance consumes much in this country. Government officers must be willing to part with huge bonuses and in turn work on building the economy such that workers would earn less but the money has more value. Thus, in essence, if the currency becomes stronger, salaries across levels of government can be reviewed downwards as the purchasing value of money would have become stronger.

We must consider investments into education. The world is creeping slowly towards natural resources not being huge revenue sources. Tourism, education, healthcare are fast replacing natural resources as revenue source. Oil, gold, cocoa, timber and other such may in the next 20 years not be the source of the wealth of nations. Our education must be raised to a global standard and our youth should be encouraged to stay back and make returns into local economy.

Nigeria should work on developing models that are futuristic. We should see the future and seize it. There should be 10, 20 and as long as 50 year plans for growth. Our country continues to emphasise politics while no concrete move is being contemplated on the chessboard of global political economy.

Nigeria should begin thoughts of creating her own multinational companies. This relates with our education too. We must connect the lines between what our children are taught in school, their understanding of the world and their ability to solve the problems of the world. We must market these solutions on a global scale and have Nigerian equivalents of global brands.

Those who can read the times should hold office and not those who can appeal to the sentiments of immediate gratification. Elections are being bought across the country and they are bringing into political office complete simpletons.
As it appears, what we operate in Nigeria is not a democracy but an imitation of it that should be christened. The factors that determine ascent to power go beyond the imprint of thumbs on ballot papers. There are strings that those who really intend to serve cannot pull. These strings determine the eventual outcome of elections.
In a nutshell, leakage must be plugged. The Ministry of Works as a civil service agency for instance should be upgraded such that contracts such as road repairs and construction do not go out to the Julius Bergers or RCC but rather highly trained and skilled engineers in the Ministry. They would deliver just as well for far less. If our Ministry of Works can attain this height, other capital projects would become realistic dreams without the constraints of economic handcuffs.
We must have parties that we understand their ideology and methods. We must also begin to form organisations that will push the demands of the mass. If you vote PDP, what is their foreign policy? Any answer? If you vote APC, are they capitalist oriented or socialist? If you vote MDP, do you have a clear idea what the party will do in event of a global economic meltdown?
Ideology must surface. A people without ideas cannot leave the darkness in which Nigeria wallows.
Nigeria must first catch up with the world and then try to overtake her. Time is running out.
Can we achieve all these radical change through a democracy or do the people have to change the government by toppling it by any means necessary?

By any means necessary!


Koye-Ladele Mofehintoluwa is a 300L student of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University. He represents his Faculty in the SRC as a Parliamentarian. He is a Student Activist with an undying passion for societal development.

A Fanciable Rubbish System: The Definition of our Immediate Society.

I don't know when to point to in exactness the last time parity took charge for real (or to a very considerable extent) in this society. I am sure in my own head anyway, for things to be this goodly poor; in the past, things had to have been directly the opposite. Realistically now, when I think figuratively deeply about the superstructure of the kind of rulership this society used to have way back when capitalism was beginning from communalism or even before that, before the slave trade kick-started. There used to be peace. Humankind on these selfsame lands upon which we tread today as pin-riddened paths used to be together in oneness, in utter sufficiency of almost everything in all their aspects of being as they multiplied and subdued their earths as the Lord God has directed. Although, there would be misunderstandings and some negative natural occurences constant with man but such would be... or was at a very miniature weight. Thus, they were together sharing fine myths and legendary tales of past leaders to children to pass them over too. They cultivated farms well and ate well and died quite applaudably old enough.
However today, life has become quite easier through machine or technology and through what any sane human could down-tone today, our democratic system of government. However, it is all a façade. Common! open your eyes wide! "shine your eyes"! and smell the acrid odour of the rubbish around you. Can you not see? Look at what we have all around now. Every bit of the system makes me cry as though broken bottles, gun powder mixed with hot water and chili pepper are poured in my eyes. These are nothing compared to the gravity of pain few good minds in this society enjoy through the dark light our democracy shines upstairs. Truth has been taken to be a terrible sin off the grace of rulership libation. It is now only those who lie and cause serious woes for millions at once that are right.
This is no good system. This system was never there. If we call what we have a democracy, we must be out of our right minds or being jocular. What is the difference betwixt Marxism and this Democracy ah! For you to talk at all you must have practised well how to cover your semblance for afterwards, justice would only be given you after your head bounces back and forth away from the guillotine. This is oligarchic as the few rich become richer and they have had us all packed lonely to one corner and they serve us all with stubble as we run around in kilter doing for them their terms to cause us more trouble.
In conclusion, this I have written bleeding way too deep inside my heart as I project always considering my future kids, our posterity. I am begining to pity them already as they are already on their way to us in this shameful pit of gory. If this feeling could make me be singly good and do well to keep every bit of the state's structure as Nigeria's "Pledge" as it. Why must you not pray for the same, my fellow person? Although now, it seems God has abandoned us to suffer on and on like this as it is much like pragmatically, the world is not bad, it is us in it that always want to blow it apart. Justice has lost its virtue and would only bear its true self (again) if only we would for real, for once, once and for all fear the rules and regulations of the state, having kept them each for the goodness of the other neighbour.


-Kayode Emmanuel.

#FreeElujoba: Nigeria On The Brink Of Slaughtering One Of Her Finest Administrators On The Slab Of A Nepotistic Anti-corruption Drive

Some of us (Nigerian youths) have made up our mind and sworn to ourselves to uphold the great values of humanity that are obviously lacking in the country’s leadership today, even while we are yet to lead, when we are privileged to lead and for the rest of our lives. The simple reason is because we clearly understand, feel and suffer what selfish and corrupt governance, incompetency and anarchy have made of Nigeria and her defenseless citizens.

Unfortunately, as I write, the failing Nigerian system is once again bearing so hard on our resolve, our resilience and motivation to remain true to this noble decision of ours. You know it’s quite pathetic and saddening right?

I have been a community member, an ardent follower of events and a critical observer of administrations in Obafemi Awolowo University for a while, especially in the last 6 years or thereabout. I have never witnessed a kind of the leadership brought on board by Professor Anthony Elujoba.

To tell the obvious, it was more than a smooth academic calendar for an institution that usually strikes pretty better than thunder. I mean, that was just one of the many goodies that have since come the way of Nigeria's best university while the Village Chemist lasted at the helm of affairs.

Now, he’s been made to pay for probably going a long extent to ensure normalcy restored to the once tattered system. While I believe no one should truly be above the law, it is a shame that the case for us in Nigeria cannot be described any better than a Yoruba adage has put it; “Ńse ni a fi ètè silè pa làpálàpá” (We are ignoring leprosy for the cure of ringworm).

I feel if Professor Anthony Elujoba is eventually jailed for restoring sanity, pride and peace to #GreatIfe after several years of struggles and apparent maladministration of the institution, then, Nigerians (especially members of OAU community) need to be convinced about the real values of the present central government and where its interest lies.

More importantly, this is the best time for the direct beneficiaries – students, staff, parents, Ile-Ife community, Osun State, Nigerian students and all sincere Nigerians – to raise their unified voice in rejection of the obvious selective corruption fight and victimization of 'distant' Nigerians by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Of course, we know those who ran our system aground and surely, we know they have political immunity from the leprous claws of justice. If not so, now tell me, for how long are we going to reward the real thieves with appointments instead of breaking their heart of crime?

By the way, where is the Great Ife student's Union whose members have benefited the most from the leadership of the Pharmacist? Oh, my bad, I almost forgot a soon-to-be medical doctor, who currently leads the Union is allegedly in the business of doctoring the doctrines of the same Union.

So I learnt, as I was gathering thought for this piece that the Union Executives, in a statement purportedly signed by the Union PRO said “…as Students' Union, we firmly maintain our position not to be used by any Union, organisation and even the University Management to achieve their selfish agenda.  Nevertheless, it is essential that students decide on what is right and healthy for our Union and mass of students at this critical point in time.” Applaudise!!

Well, I am not certain about those advising the Union’s CEC to tow the line of denying a man who promised the restoration of its proscribed Union and reinstatement of its rusticated comrades and did not eventually renege on fulfilling those promises on assumption of office, among many other developments that came to OAU during his time.

I have read comments by some campus Leftists and probably that is where the CEC stole this silly idea. One thing is sure, whatever position the Union takes at this time is well capable of changing narratives in the near future. Therefore, there is a need for OAU students to assert a notable and noble stand on the current Magu's danse macabre.

Let me even ask, is anyone still in doubt if selective corruption fight is not what this present government is best known for? Do you not think it is really high time any sincere Nigerian youth reassessed his/her loyalty to this seemingly incompetent government?

Without mincing words, I am strongly of the opinion that Nigeria is at the brink of slaughtering one of its finest administrators on the slab of nepotism. If it does, the martyr’s blood will spill over and clog the intent of doing any good in many. Sadly, Late Major Daniel Bamidele now comes to mind again...

The writer of this piece, Omooba Dafidi is an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University. You can reach him via davospeaks@gmail.com

Fatile Emmanuel: We Did Not Mean To Be Comrades!

By 'Joba Ojelabi

(Dedicated To The Loving Memories of Fatile Emmanuel)


In the faculty of Pharmacy of the Obafemi Awolowo University, there are two major kinds of students; the typical pharmacy students and the “comrades”. The typical pharmacy students are the ones who take pharmacy “very seriously”. Somehow, they have managed to design their lives around the faculty and its demands. They attend almost all classes, go to all practical labs, write all reports, do all assignments, and as much as possible try to avoid every other thing that is not pharmacy. For to them, every other thing is a distraction. These are the kind of students the average Nigerian parent would be proud of; they mind their business, “face their books” and most times have comparatively good results to show. The comrades, on the other hands, are the ones who try to be more. These class of students, either by some realistic necessities, a flair for adventure or developed ideals and beliefs, have managed to add something else to their primarily being a student of pharmacy. For quite a number, the added factor is often politics but a wide array of things outside politics can also be added; business, journalism, sports, several forms of art, and even in some cases; religion. Certainly, being in this class does come without its price, after all, the old saying does go along the lines “one cannot eat his cake and have it”. Reputable for her tasking demands in diligence, Pharmacy can be a very difficult place for comrades as finding the required balance is, in itself, herculean. It is thus not totally surprising that a huge percentage of the comrades are not usually represented in the academic blue books of the Faculty. This is not to say that the comrades do not also pass their exams, as a matter of fact, a lot of comrades have graduated from the faculty with a fine number even claiming the golden prize in the course.


Fatile Emmanuel bought me a bottle of Cocacola at a time when I was expected to do the buying. I had just made public my intentions to contest for the position of Public Relations Officer of the student association of our faculty and coincidentally, he was also contesting in that election. He had also earlier applied to join the OAU Peeps News Agency, an organization in which I was, at the time, serving as Deputy Editor-in-Chief and so when he introduced himself to me at the buttery of the Faculty of Pharmacy, we immediately found a lot of things to talk about. By the time I stood up to leave, he insisted that he paid for the bottle of Coke that I downed in the course of our conversation. I believe this incident gave me an above-average impression of the Mr. Fresher, an impression that would eventually form the foundation of a casual friendship and warm camaraderie with a number of others.


Max, as he was more fondly called, certainly had his flaws. He, like every other person, was not infallible. Sadly, these flaws tend to be more highlighted and maybe even exaggerated when one is not a typical pharmacy student. One’s aspirations to explore new frontiers, to attempt to seek alternative sources of income or to even “live” can become an Achilles heel.
Sometimes, I try a lot to be a typical Pharmacy student, to just face my books and be nothing else but those who know me would know how woefully I have failed at these attempts. Many have come tell me that there is a time for everything, citing ecclesiastical references of course; imploring me to be nothing else but a pharmacy student for the main time for in their words; “It would soon end”. The Comical part is as much as I agree with them, sometimes I do not know which they are talking about; the school or the whole life. For indeed, life itself is too short, too short to not live. Fatile Emmanuel, like many of us was a “comrade”, and maybe that is his legacy; that even in the midst of this curriculum that manages to take all our attention, this work schedule that somehow steals all our time, Max strived to be more…

June 26: Drug Free World or World of Free Drugs?

  Living  in  the  21st  century  has  its  own  intricacies  especially  when  its  2017.  The  recession  is  taking  its  toll on  all  and  sundry,  people are  stressed  and  stretched  more  than ever  before,  divorce  rates  are  skyrocketing,  depression  is  consistently  shared  amongst  the  old  and  young     and   the  life  expectancy  has  plunged   miserably.  In  this  age,  the  celebrity  celebrates  obscenity  and  extols  immorality,  the  artist  sings  odes  to  marijuana  and  if  you  are  a  boy  and  you  have  not  had  a  beer  at  16,  then  you  are  chicken –hearted The  world  is  in  a  bad  shape   and  almost  all  of  us  are  entangled  in  this  sad  web  of  modernity  ,  a  very  valid reason  to  resort  to  these  stuffs at  least  to  lift  us  high  when we  are  down  and  to  celebrate  each  of  our  successes  and  landmarks: drugs.

       As  a  pharmacist  in  training  , I  understand  drugs  as  substances  used  in  the  diagnosis,  treatment  and  prevention  of  diseases .  But  theses  substances  if  misused   are  powerful  and  could  lead to  brain  changes  that  challenge  the  person’s  self-control  and  interfere  with  their  ability  to  resist  intense  urges  to  take  them .  Many  people  don't  understand  why  or  how  other  people  become  addicted to  drugs. They  may  mistakenly  think  that  those  who  use  drugs  lack  moral  principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality,  drug  addiction  is  a  complex  disease,  and  quitting  usually  takes  more  than good  intentions  or  a  strong  will.

    These substances  of  abuse  have  caused  a myriad  of   problems  and  done  a  lot  of  hurt  to  the  human  race.  They  have  broken  relationships  and  families ,  thwarted  dreams,  crushed  careers  built  with sweat  and tears . The  reliance  on drugs  has cost  humanity  some  times  the  value  we all  try  to  protect and  share  : love . Michael Jackson  ,  Prince , Whitney Houston to  mention  a few   are  famous  stars,  people  with  unbelievable talents   we have  lost  to  drugs . Drugs  of abuse  have  caused  embarrassment  and  disgrace to  the  likes  of  Lance  Armstrong. They have  cost  us a lot  , i say  too much. No wonder  the  United  Nations  in  December  1987  designated  June 26  as the   International   Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking .  A  symbolic  day  that commemorates  the  dismantling  of the  opium  trade  in  Guangdong.
     
Being  drug free does  not  mean  total  abstinence  from  drugs  or  alcohol  but  it  means being  able  to  love  ,  laugh   and live  normally  without  drugs , to  be  able  to  pursue  one's  passion  independently , share  smiles with  family  and friends  without turning  to  drugs  for  help.  It means  to be  truly  happy. This  is  a  good  time  to  make  resolutions  and  strong  resolve to stop  doing  drugs. The  human race in times  past   have  been able  to  rise  above  challenges . We  have  confronted fear  head  on  and dared to live,  i  believe  in  humanity  that  we can  make   concerted attempts  to  defeat  this  bane.  We  at  drug  free club  have  chosen  to  commit  tandem  efforts  to  uphold  and  show  by  example the  unlimited  , boundless  and  self-sufficient  traits  in mankind...without  drugs!  You should too.

Ishola Ayobami R.
President, 
Drug Free Club OAU

Music Review: Doing "Uncle Suru" Proud

By 'Joba Ojelabi


Do you remember that song they said we shouldn’t forget? Well we didn’t. Being the only feature on his quite anticipated album, and keeping in mind that many already anticipated a collabo between Adekunle Gold and his alleged lover, Simi, at least before Folarin Falana came along with his village boy rap, “No forget” was certainly one collaboration that brought pleasure to many lovers of good music in Nigeria, and even though it had its faults, many have since then looked out for another collaboration between the golden boy lover and Simi, whose voice, somehow always manages to pull strings in the heart.

They say two’s a company, three is a crowd but somehow, Jon Ogah has found a way to place himself in between the “No Forget” couple without necessarily crowding the track. Perhaps because, unlike their first collaboration, “Uncle Suru” is not a love affair. The track carries a theme of patience, or at least it is supposed to. “Suru” is the Yoruba word for patience, however as much as the broad theme of the song is patience, it primarily narrows this patience to the music industry, with all three artistes telling us in their own way that the industry is not a bed of roses.

Considering Jon Ogah’s past with music, one might be tempted to expect more from a thirty million naira voice but then again, there are claims that he kissed T-boss with that mouth. However still, his vocal performance on the track is sure above average. We have certainly heard less melodious voices in the industry, some even costing as much as thirty billion. Adekunle Gold, once again, does not hesitate to remind us that he is Yoruba as he conveniently switches languages when he takes his verse, he however might have taken it to risky heights when he starts making claims that he might just be a better singer than the R&B legend, R.Kelly, if he gets the instruments. Well, some serious autotuning stuff better be in those instruments. And then one is compelled to ask, what ever happened to Ladies first? Simi’s verse comes last and as always, she does some vocal magic which might be a hint that she mixed and mastered the track.

In all, Uncle Suru is the kind of track that makes one regret not knowing the Salsa dance. It is almost sure to get any first time listener nodding in no time. Personally, I think even “Uncle Suru” himself would be proud

Anthony Elujoba: The People, The Man and His Legacy

By 'Joba Ojelabi


My first encounter with Professor Anthony Elujoba was in my sophomore year in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife. It was my first year in the Faculty of Pharmacy and sadly, my first time handling a working microscope. Like most of my colleagues, I did not know what I was expected to see under the lens so at the sight of everything not the bright background light, I called the laboratory demonstrator. It was in the midst of this that he walked in. It was as though even the air of the laboratory recognized the oldest lecturer in the department of Pharmacognosy as it, alongside other staff present stood still. This was not his first time of stopping by the laboratory to assess the performance of the demonstrators and students. The events that followed showed that it would not be his last. At the time, he did not hold any official position, his visits were only that of the concerned elder whose presence in the market square ensured the neonate properly rested on his mother’s back. Looking back now, I think maybe the old Professor just wanted to ensure that we did things right.


The drama that ensued at the exit of Professor Bamitale Omole is one that the Obafemi Awolowo University community would not forget in a hurry. The alleged misdoings of the Professor of International Relations and the fact that his deputy emerged in what many described as a corrupt process threw staff unions, especially the non-academic staff, into a massive frenzy. It is therefore not strange to hear believers of the supernatural to describe the emergence of Professor Anthony Elujoba as the acting Vice-Chancellor of the university as divine. The Village Chemist walked into the new office with a tremendous amount of humility or at least, so the media made it seem: He was kneeling for prayers in open spaces; for the first time in a long while, principal officers of the university paid unannounced visits to the undergraduate Halls of Residence; he was prostrating to greet the Ooni of Ife etc. These, amongst other things, made it seems as though the new Vice-chancellor might actually be the man to save the day. However, still some doubt existed.


Halfway into his administration, several questions were asked again. Going by the laws of the University, an acting Vice-chancellor could only operate for a renewable six-month term. Was Anthony Elujoba going to be around for another six months? The insatiable students had already begun to grumble about how he was all talk and no action and the renovations that had come earlier in his administration might just be a hoax. But still, quite a number of members of the university still wanted the “doing things right” Professor to remain, for although the electricity condition on campus might not have improved greatly, somehow he had managed to keep the gates of the University open for six months despite several threats of strike actions had come from several quarters. And when it came to the Non-academic staff, it was as though the man had something that just gave them hope and joy. For whenever they saw him, they had a huge tendency to burst into ecstasy. Once I met some Non-academic staff who asked me where they could buy “Professor Elujoba’s Jedi Decoction” in the Faculty of Pharmacy and although I knew that my home faculty dealt in some herbal remedies, I did not know that Professor Elujoba had invented such a remedy but I directed them to the Faculty anyways. A reaffirmation of the love the people had for Anthony Elujoba would once again be proven when he was invited to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The mere thought of his invitation sparked a lot of outrage amongst members of the university and the day that he honored the invitation would be remembered in the OAU campus as the day almost, if not, all unions in the Obafemi Awolowo University stood on the same ground, all for one man!

As a true student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, I have visited the Oduduwa Hall of the university more times than I can remember but Wednesday, the 7th of June 2017 would remain one of my most memorable visits to the Hall. That day, I saw the kind of joy which, before then, I had only seen in fans of soccer. One not merely born of obligation or compulsion but of love. I saw old men sing the “Elu…” song at the top of their voices for the man whom had somehow managed to gain so much love for himself. And although some students and staff remained indifferent about the performance of the ecclesiastical professor after his ten months tenure, not a lot of people disliked him and whatever their number was, it remained almost insignificant compared to the amount that had come to revere him. I do not believe Professor Anthony Elujoba is the best speech giver. I feel he is more of a preacher but preacher or not, every word of his valedictory speech drew resounding applause and ultimately, I feel some of that love might have been transferred to his successor, Professor Eyitope Ogunmodede.

Professor Anthony Elujoba might not have been the best Vice-chancellor but he is surely a man to laud. His “doing things right” philosophy which he managed to sing at every opportunity seems to have worked out just fine for him and his humility was one that left mouths agape. Only a few can match his tremendous work in and love for academic research, little wonder that barely a month after his exit from office, the Professor of Pharmacognosy is already facilitating research and seminars.

I do not know how history would keep the memories of Anthony Elujoba but it is certain the Obafemi Awolowo University would not forget the Professor who did things right!

Freshmen And The Packaging- Adigun Olayemi Paul

After some months at home, after sitting to write series of UTME, and now successfully gaining admission, the time has come to step up as a student of one of the leading universities in Nigeria - Obafemi Awolowo University.

Firstly, as you have now gained admission, one thing that will definitely strike your mind is how to cope in a new environment. Virtually all students on this campus also thought as much when they resumed as freshmen. But I must tell you that your readiness is necessary for this task ahead because the task I can say is for years and not for months or days. The main thing is to be adequately prepared for the task so as to be able to meet up and face every challenge you'll be faced with.

As a freshman, you need to more intuitive in your decision making. By this, I  mean being able to make some decisions rationally and quickly as well. Those secondary school days when your parents made all decisions for you are over. Of course, your parents could still make some choices for you. However you can start by coming up with ideas by yourself, then working to implement them into results. Personally, I cannot say you shouldn't take to your parents' advice - that would be unwise. You must however be ready to take responsibility for your actions. This, of course, takes a responsible and diligent mind to accomplish.

At this stage, your way of thinking and your level of intelligence should be improving rapidly. This is due to the obvious fact that you're now in the higher institution, and as such, an adult. You should be focused on how to make good grades, and how to develop yourself for the demands of your career and the outside world. In addition, as you begin to make some achievements, try to remain humble.  Remember that getting into the university does not necessarily place you above your colleagues in the polytechnics and other institutions.

Finally, my advice is that you live within your means.  Not everything you desire right now is needed or affordable. Make use of what you have presently to continue this journey you have embarked on. You have started well and you must endeavor to end well. Hold fast to those values which will aid you in accomplishing the task you are here for. Maintain the right mindset and share your problems with God and like-minded and trustworthy individuals. I welcome you all to this new phase of freedom.

Adigun Olayemi Paul

"Bloody Fresher"- Ayantayo-Ojo Damilola

It is my desire to extend the most gracious and inclusive welcome to the fresh students admitted into the Obafemi Awolowo University, which is typically known for learning and culture. It is my pleasure therefore, to apprise you all that you have been admitted into one of the most prestigious and renowned universities in Nigeria, likewise, the most beautiful campus in Africa and you, deserve to be proud of yourselves.

This is a new phase in your various lives, as you have come to live in a new world around the four corners of the campus. Your stepping into the university is the kick-off stage of a memorable and indelible experience, and this would be as a result of various amusing, interesting as well as formidable and challenging  encounters usually experienced as a fresh student.

During the first week of resumption, an orientation programme would be organized by the school management. One would be adequately informed about all essential things a bona-fide student of the university need to know. The school antemn would be taught, and also familiarization of all top officials on campus, including the acting Vice Chancellor among others in persons, would be made.

The freshers week is another memorable experience I would advise freshmen not to miss. This week is going to be dedicated to you, so you are urged to participate fully in it. The days of this week would be dedicated to various programmes such as mountaineering, a tour round the school where visits to places like the museum, zoo, Spider ( a magnificent building in OAU) among others would be made, dinner, a Variety night to showcase various talents among frehers, film show, games. The most important of all is the colloquium. This is an interactive section with your departmental lecturers and getting to know what they expect from you.

As you resume, you are going to be welcomed into the open arms of caring and loving religious sects who all want you to become members of their fellowships or Associations. This is like having over ten campus fellowships to choose from. Also, there's the part of being woken up by fellowships as early as possible for morning devotions.

This is quite hilarious but true. You should be ready for the unannounced yellowish stains of bats' waste on your heads and beautiful dresses. Do not be amused because  in OAU, this is believed to be a blessing from the heaven and also a way to assure you of being a bona-fide member of this university. I had this experience on my way to an SER class on a beautiful Tuesday morning.

The first year on campus is usually the most naive period of one's stay. This is due to one's little knowledge about campus. It is sure that certain amusing actions would be carried out by you. Do not be discouraged as they would become memorable things as time goes on.   For instance, I called my father to ask which special elective I should choose because I was so confused. Also, a friend told me that we were headed to 'Academics'. I replied that we were in an academic environment already. She smiled and explained to me that a place where lecture theatres are located is called 'academics'. I was embarassed then, but now it's funny as I remember.

There is also this aspect faced by freshers. This is the  running around to receive lectures at different lecture theatres. This is as a result of the small lecture theatres being allocated to courses taken by a large number of students from various departments. Although very stressful, as you would eventually find out, I would say that it's part of being on campus as it would prepare you ahead for other forthcoming challenges.

On a final note, I'd say "pass through school and let school pass through you".
By "pass through school", I mean focusing strictly on  your main reason on campus which is to acquire academic knowledge which will define your career years ahead, and "let school pass through you" is by joining various voluntary, educative, talent-developing organisations. Attend seminars, conferences, shows and others, as all these would make you competent, capable and people-oriented.

We are  delighted to offer the most hospitable welcome we can and we wish you great sucess ahead.


Ayantayo-Ojo

N13bn Ikoyi Haul; Who Owns This Money?

By Ndimele "Novel" Kingsley

Despite the mixed reactions which continue to trail the #49m found in Kaduna Airport and #448m found in a shop at Victoria Island, Lagos, another discovery of $43.4m, £27,800 and #23.2m was made on Wednesday,April 12,2017 when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission stormed a residential building in the 7th floor of a four bedroom apartment at Osborne Tower located at 16,Osborne road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

          Who owns this money? Nigerians are questing. Though this question remains unanswered, nevertheless, investigations have revealed top suspects.

ADAMU MUAZU
The former governor of Bauchi State (1999-2007) as well as former PDP chairman was the first person allegedly fingered as the owner of the stash.He built the block of flats where the money was found in. Mr. Muazu admitted to owning the building in a telephone conversation between his London-based aide, Akin Oyegoke and a correspondent of Sahara Reporters. But Funnily, Muazu has denied claims by Sahara Reporters that he is the owner of the Ikoyi home where the money was discovered.What a contention!

NIA/GOODLUCK JONATHAN
National Intelligence Agency stepped up to claim ownership of the money saying the funds were approved by former President Goodluck Jonathan for "covert" security projects. "It is seen impossible,in fact, unconstitutional that a security agency will be carrying out covert operations without the knowledge of the sitting President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces" the source said. "The President has been in power for nearly two years now,not for once did the NIA DG mention any such project tou him,either at security meeting or one-on-one". From what we know so far,funds were indeed approved by former President Goodluck Jonathan for the agency in late 2014.Recall, Ayodele Oke,the NIA Director-General was appointed by Jonathan in November 2013 and retained by Buhari in 2015. But like the monies released for Boko Haram operations,predictably, the funds were diverted for non-security use.That was why Nigerians could infer that the money ended up in a private residence.However, if indeed the NIA owns the money,how come two agencies (NIA and EFCC) who should be on the same side are pitched against each other?

ROTIMI AMAECHI
Former Governor of Rivers State as well as Minster of Transportation has also been linked to the recovered money at the  Ikoyi apartment.Governor Fayose's aide and Femi Fani Kayode alleged Rotimi Amaechi of owning the money. Nyesom Wike  says,"We have facts to prove that the said money belongs to Rivers State Government".Chief Mike Ozekhome(SAN) also alleged that the money belonged to a in serving minister under President Buhari. Meanwhile, in a statement released by Amaechi's Media Office which described the news as "fake" there seems to be no proof to support such claim and urged Nigerians to disregard it.

MO ABUDU
The Direct of EbonyLlfe TV and Executive Producer of Record Breaking Movie "The Wedding Party" has also been alleged as the owner of the money. Rumor claims that Rotimi Amaechi bought the apartment 7A where the money was found and handed it over to her as a gift.However, she has denied ever living in the apartment, receiving or knowing anything about the money.

ESTHER NNAMDI OGBUE
The embattled Managing Director of Retail at NNPC is one of the possible owners of the money.Reportedly,it was investigated that she owns a flat on the second floor in the building.However, contrary to the claims by Sahara Reporters,a statement by her lawyer says,"the money in different currencies recovered is not own by her." Nigerians are still questing.

PETER OBI
Former Governor of Anambra State also owns apartment in the Ikoyi building. He owns one flat on the first floor.

PATRICIA ANENIH-OSAGIE
"Reports" revealed that daughter of ex-Peoples' Democratic Party Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief Anthony Anenih owns the apartment in the Ikoyi building where the money was found.

SENATOR SOLOMON ADEOLA
Popularly called "Yayi " who represents Lagos West was also named but he has distanced himself from the cash, saying, "the billions of naira discovered by EFCC in Ikoyi does not belong to me and I don't have a house in the said area."

YOU
Yes! Think about it! If the money was illegally acquired and it's our common wealth, then,bdon't we all own a SHARE of it?

Amidst allegations, suspects and denials, the question remains WHO OWNS THIS MONEY?

Dòbálè: The Thing About Lying Lizards- Pope Jay

“All Lizards lie on their belly, we don’t know which suffers a stomach ache”- Yoruba Proverb

In my school, there is a funny tradition, I do not know how and when it started but I can assure you that it has been around for a while. Before you can successfully address a crowd, you must prostrate before the crowd. The nomenclature of the unusual tradition is unsurprisingly the Yoruba translation of the act; “Dòbálè”. This tradition is so entrenched in the Obafemi Awolowo University that as a performing artiste or Public speaker, your chances of succeeding with the audience drops exponentially if you do not perform this act before a Great Ife Students gathering and in contrast, performing this act can greatly improve the your chances of winning the audience when rightly done.

You might probably think that there are some people that are exempted from our funny tradition and indeed, this is the truth. Certain people, especially in the higher political class, who have managed to gain some “mouth” for themselves can be exempted from this tradition. However, most of the other classes are not. Star musicians who have come to perform on the soil of the Obafemi Awolowo University have willingly undergone the sacred tradition and have of course enjoyed the benefits thereof. Burnaboy, Sean Tizzle, Orezi, Olamide… are some names that come to mind in recent times.

The irony that often arises in the practice of this tradition can be quite comical. The ‘Ìdòbálè” is a way by which the Yoruba show respect; especially from the younger to the elderly. And as much I am uncertain of the circumstances of the creation of the tradition, I want to believe that it was about wanting to show the audience some reverence, and what better way is there to do this than in the most cultural way possible. But then again, persons who try to use the “Dòbálè” are not always the most morally justified; a fact acknowledged in the proverb; “The Ìdòbálè is not a measure of character”. This explains why a musician, drunk to stupor, would come to tender his idobale before performing or why men in starched shirts who have come to make vague promises would annoyingly spend half the time being a “well-trained Yoruba boy”.

But then again, all lizards are lying, we just don't know which ones are actually lying...

Pope Jay