He made the declaration on Wednesday in FUNAAB during a presentation titled “AMREC Work Ethics: Building a Strong Foundation for Success.”

The professor highlighted the central role of discipline, integrity, and accountability among staff of the Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre, AMREC, the university’s outreach arm to farming communities.

According to him, work ethic goes beyond technical competence.

He described it as “the internal compass that determines how individuals behave even when supervision is absent.”

He noted that institutions driven by strong ethical values were more productive, innovative, and better positioned to deliver impactful solutions.

Ikeobi emphasised that ethical conduct is particularly crucial in agricultural research and extension services, where inaccurate data or delayed information could result in significant crop losses for farmers.

He warned that AMREC’s credibility—and by extension that of FUNAAB—depended heavily on the professionalism of its workforce.

“As the bridge between research and rural farmers, AMREC must prioritise reliability and timeliness. A delay in communicating pest control measures or climate information can have devastating consequences,” he said.

The former university administrator identified key challenges facing AMREC staff, including limited resources, difficult terrain, and tight production schedules, noting that only a workforce grounded in strong ethics could effectively navigate the constraints.

He outlined core values expected of staff, including punctuality, honesty, teamwork, professionalism, and continuous learning.

He stressed that employees must take ownership of their responsibilities, avoid complacency, and remain proactive in solving problems without constant supervision.

Ikeobi also warned against what he described as “toxic competence,” where highly skilled workers lack discipline or integrity, noting that such individuals could damage team morale and institutional reputation.

On performance standards, he underscored the importance of attendance, loyalty, trustworthiness, initiative, and effective communication, adding that attitude often determines the level of success an individual or organisation can attain.

“Attitude determines altitude,” he stated, urging workers to embrace positive mindsets even in challenging environments.

To strengthen institutional efficiency, the professor recommended a shift from rigid supervision to a coaching-based management style, advocating for clear goal-setting, staff development, and regular feedback mechanisms.

He also called for fairness in enforcing rules, warning that selective discipline could erode trust within the organisation.

He further advised leadership to motivate staff through recognition, provision of adequate tools, and clear communication of organisational goals, noting that employees perform better when they understood the impact of their work on farmers’ livelihoods.

Ikeobi concluded that AMREC’s success — and its ability to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape — depended less on funding and more on the ethical commitment of its workforce.

“The soil of success is work ethic,” he declared, urging staff to see themselves not as routine civil servants, but as critical partners in national development, particularly in supporting farmers across Ogun State and beyond.

Speaking earlier at the event, AMREC Director, Prof Olalekan Jacob Olaoye said the centre, uniquely positioned at the interface of research, communication, and community engagement, bore the mandate of  knowledge into practical solutions that address real-world agricultural challenges.

These challenges, Olaoye stated, ranged from climate variability and food insecurity to post-harvest losses and the urgent need for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development, require a responsive, innovative, and knowledge-driven extension system.

According to him, the strength of any extension system lies in its capacity to adapt, innovate, and deliver measurable impact.

Consequently he said, “we must move beyond conventional approaches and embrace modern extension paradigms, including digital extension services, participatory methodologies, and value chain-driven interventions.”

The training session also had two other eminent professors in the Centre, the Deputy Director, Prof Ọlálékan  Oyekunle, and Prof Oluwakemi Irhekore deliver papers of interest on various topics.

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The president made the declaration on Tuesday.

He said the country’s economy had become stable and attracting interest from around the world.

He stated this at the State House when he received Oba Ghandi Afolabi Oladunni Olaoye, Orumogege III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, in audience with some other royal fathers.

President Tinubu said, “Years of neglect and self-deception, fake records, smuggling, and all of that denied Nigeria the necessary revenue for progress and development.

“Then we were confronted again with arbitrage trading of currency, an illusion of selling papers, corruption all over the place, and the integrity of the country and its economy being extremely and adversely challenged.

“We had to take those actions. With your prayers, patience, perseverance and great understanding, I’m glad to tell you today that the economy is stabilised. The bleeding has stopped. Haemorrhage is gone; the patient is alive.”

The president also said the establishment of NELFUND was to ensure that no student would drop out because of poverty.

He affirmed that everybody had a right to education as it was the “greatest weapon you can give to human beings against poverty; that’s what we are doing. We have remained aggressive on our infrastructure. And it’s just two years.”

President Tinubu thanked the Soun of Ogbomoso for crediting his administration with the bold decisions taken immediately upon resumption of office.

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He noted that the people of Ogbomosoland were already feeling the modernisation and transformation introduced by the monarch, who promised to strengthen traditional institutions.

The president promised to engage the Ministers of Power, Water Resources, Agriculture, and Works to look into the visiting monarch’s requests, stating they could make Nigeria self-sufficient in agriculture.

The Soun commended the president for his incredible strides, which “only a bold leader could have recorded. Removing fuel subsidy has shown us that it is the right decision, and we can see the effects.”

Oba Ghandi Olaoye said the foreign exchange reforms and introduction of NELFUND had made it easier for many students to continue their schooling without considering dropping out.

The monarch also commended the president for awarding the contract for dualization of the Oyo-Ogbomosho Road, which had been abandoned for decades, pointing out that the road would spur economic activities as a significant gateway to the North.

The paramount ruler, however, requested the president’s intervention in the water and power supply in Ogbomoso, the upgrading of the General Hospital in the town into a Federal Medical Centre, as well as the establishment of a research institute to enhance the development and transformation of the famous ‘Ogbomoso mangoes and cashew nuts’ into a viable agricultural enterprise.

Oba Olaoye thanked the president for appointing Ogbomoso sons to his administration, notably the Federal Inland Revenue Service Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, and the DG of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Debo Adedokun.

On the entourage of the Soun of Ogbomosoland were five other kings representing the five councils in Ogbomosoland, namely High Chief Samuel Otolorin, the Areago of Ogbomosoland; Oba Oyetunji Adeyeye, the Alajaawa of Ajaawa; Oba Bolarinwa Ezekiel Olajide, the Onisapa of Isapa; Oba Babatunde Amao, the Aale Oke-elerin, and Oba Prof. Akinola John Akintola, the Olokin-apa of Okin-apa.

Others were High Chief Ogundare Oluwakemi Rebecca, Iyalode of Ogbomosoland; Prof. Sola Adepoju, former DG Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria; Chief Tunji Olaniyi, a businessman, and Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Atanda Owodunni, the Aare Musulumi of Ogbomosoland.

Also present was the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, a prominent ‘son of the soil’ who doubles as the Agbaakin of Ogbomosoland.

The post In just two years, Nigeria is now respected globally -Tinubu appeared first on Frontpageng.

As early as 8.00 a.m., residents of the town trooped out in different attires heading to the venue of the coronation ceremony.

There was heavy vehicular movement in the town.

Security agencies were also seen at strategic locations, while officials of Federal Road Safety Corps were directing the traffic.

Dignitaries at the venue include former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Governor Ademola Adeleke; former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and Gboyega Oyetola, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II; the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, and Chief Deji Adeleke.

School pupils were also seen waving flags, with scores of residents at the front of the palace waiting anxiously for the commencement of the coronation ceremony.

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Hastruup, a former deputy governor in the state, was selected as the 41st Owa-Obokun on December 27, 2024 succeeding late Oba Gabriel Aromolaran.

Hastruup, from the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, emerged as the Owa-elect during a selection process conducted by kingmakers at the Ilesa West local government secretariat.

An Osun State High Court in Ilesa on Thursday refused to stop the coronation of Haastrup.

Justice M. Agboola, during the proceedings on the case filed by the Arimoro family of Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, held that until the issues around the service of the court process on the first respondent, Haastrup, was sorted, the application stopping the coronation could not proceed.

Source: NAN

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At its inception 37 years ago in January 1988, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), being one of the specialized universities of agriculture in Nigeria, was saddled with a tripartite mandate – Teaching, Research and Extension Services.

The Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC) is the leg upon which the extension mandate rests which in essence is about deepening community engagements.

Overtime, and especially under the incumbent Administration of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Babatunde Kehinde, AMREC has been living up to its billing as extensionist, reaching out with proven solutions to farmers, food processors, industries and other stakeholders across the South Western States of Nigeria.

In concrete terms, FUNAAB is currently doing so much in the area of manpower development through teaching and training as well as research, particularly problem-directed and result-oriented researches, leading to several collaborations with other stakeholders.

As an arm of the University, AMREC which is under the leadership of its Director, Prof. Prof. Olalekan Jacob Olaoye, a Professor of Fisheries Extension and Production Management, is among centres and departments under the supervision of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Prof. Kolawole Adebayo.

From its day to day operations, AMREC deploys strategies involving training, demonstrations, adaptive research and communication to help farmers and other stakeholders in agriculture form opinions and adopt new knowledge and technologies that will enhance agricultural productivity and ultimately improve their livelihoods.

READ ALSO: Rivers: Why I’ll not comment on emergency declaration –Jonathan

In furtherance of its several tasks, the Centre’s approach to extension activities involves the adoption of model extension villages within its catchment areas in the southwest and the use of an inter-disciplinary extension system in agricultural transfer.

AMREC operates a structure comprising five Operating Programmes which are Extension and Adaptive Research (EAR), Gender Issues and Youth Development (GIYD), Media and Farm Broadcast (MFB); Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and ICT (PME-ICT), and Training and Farm Demonstration (TFD).

Last Thursday, March 20, 2025, AMREC literarily brought a large assemblage of tomato farmers to the classroom, courtesy of a training programme organized in collaboration with the Institutional-Based Research Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) on participatory assessment of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) on growth and yield of Tomato.

The training, themed “Result Dissemination and Post-Training on Good Agricultural Practices for Tomato Farmers,” was aimed at enhancing sustainable farming techniques, boosting productivity, and improving crop quality while minimising environmental impact.

Three facilitators took the farmers on some practical hands-on skills in farm practices geared at boosting their agricultural outputs.

Dr. Olatunbosun Soetan highlighted findings from a study on GAPs and called for increased awareness and training of tomato farmers for sustainable production and the need to scale up the project for commercial farming in Nigeria.

Another facilitator, Dr. James Fadeyi, focused on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to mitigate crop losses, noting that farmers must have basic knowledge on key pests, diseases and weeds.

For his part, Dr. Olanrewaju Oni who discussed the impact of biostimulants and fertilizer types on okra growth and yield, offered insights applicable to tomato farming.

FUNAAB’S Director in the Directorate of Research, Innovations, and Partnerships (DRIP), Prof. Mutiu Busari, who was present at the event, underscored the role of technology in modern agriculture, noting that mobile applications could assist farmers in assessing soil fertility and determining suitable fertilizer types.

*Arowojolu is Deputy Director, Media and Information at FUNAAB

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Recall that Justice K. A. Adedokun of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso had, on October 25, 2023, nullified the selection and installation of Olaoye as the Soun of Ogbomoso.

The lower court asserted that the procedure of Olaoye’s nomination was “irregular, null and void”.

It added that the process did not comply with the provisions of the Soun Chieftaincy Declaration of 1958.

Delivering judgment on the appeal filed by Olaoye, Justice Yargata Nimpar, who led a three-member panel of justices, resolved the appeal in favour of Olaoye.

READ ALSO: Mahmoud Youssouf emerges AU Commission chairperson

Nimpar said that the lower court had no jurisdiction to entertain the case.

According to the judge, the respondents failed to comply with the administrative procedure of writing the government about their dissatisfaction with the selection before approaching the court.

Nimpar, therefore, set aside the lower court’s judgment and affirmed the selection and installation of Olaoye as the Soun of Ogbomoso.

Speaking with newsmen after the judgment, the respondents’ lead counsel, Mr Abiodun Ogunjumi, said his client was dissatisfied with the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

Ogunjumi said he was ready to file notice and grounds of the appeal to attack the judgment of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court.

The respondents are Prince Muhammed Olaore and six others.

Mr Kolawole Fatoye stood in for Olaoye’s counsel, Mr Yusuf Ali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Source: NAN

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This is for the film “Everybody Loves Jenifa” which had raked in N1.6 billion across cinemas in Nigeria.

This was revealed by Filmone on its Instagram page, @filmoneng, on Wednesday.

Adebayo Tijani emerged as the second highest-grossing film director for “Beast of Two Worlds: Ajakaju”, “Alakada Bad and Boujee”, and “Farmer’s Bride”.

Also, Kayode Kasum became the third highest-grossing director for 2024 for “Ajosepe”, “All’s Fair in Love”, and “What About Us”.

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Odunlade Adekola made the fourth highest-grossing director for “Beast of Two Worlds: Ajakaju” and “Lakatabu” while Adeoluwa Owu clinched the fifth-highest-grossing director for “Queen Lateefah” and “When Love Strikes”.

Toka McBaror emerged as the sixth highest-grossing director for “The Waiter”, and Jack Opukeme made the seventh for “Farmer’s Bride”.

Bolanle Austen-Peters clinched the eighth highest-grossing director for “Funmilayo Ransome Kuti”, while Biodun Stephen made the ninth for “Muri & Ko”.

Omoni Oboli emerged as the tenth highest-grossing director for “Wives on Strike: The Uprising”.

Source: NAN

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Man’s three basic needs or necessities are generally given as food (including water), clothing, and shelter. Food (including water) is needed to keep body and soul together and give us the energy required for our daily activities. Apart from air, food (including water) is the most basic – and important – of man’s needs. Water appears more indispensable to the human body than food. Clothing basically is meant to keep us warm as well as cover our nakedness. Shelter or accommodation is the roof that we need over our head, just as the Mighty Diamonds crooned.

Taking a cue from the Creator of the universe as told in the Bible, light was the first of His creation to bring order and form into a disorderly and formless world. It was afterwards that He began to create all else.

If a vox populi is conducted among the generality of Nigerians today, I am certain the order of priority will be something like food, fuel and power supply (light). Clothing and shelter will come a distant fourth and fifth. In our institutions of higher learning, however, the order of priority will be different. It will be something like water (including food), power supply (light) and shelter (hostel accommodation).

Many of the disturbances or student unrest that we have witnessed have centred around water and light issues. Only the electricity subsidy that we heard that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended to the hospitals and our institutions of higher learning – if it is substantial enough – will starve unrest in our institutions of higher learning in our present circumstances.

It is a matter for regret that we have proven unable to solve the twin-problems of water and light; rather, they have become exacerbated all over the place. Other problems of decrepit infrastructure, inhospitable learning environment, and inadequate hostel accommodation have joined the league of problems that our so-called leaders of tomorrow contend with in our institutions of higher learning. Things get worse there; they don’t improve or get better.

What you are about to read – Let there be light – was written by Wole Olaoye, erstwhile Student Union president of the then University of Ife (Great Ife), now Obafemi Awolowo University but still “Great” all the same. When we return, we shall make some closing remarks.

“It has been seven seasons now since banner headlines ‘OAU TO GENERATE 8.03 MW OF ELECTRICITY’ announced to the world that Obafemi Awolowo University was poised to become the first university in Nigeria to generate its own power and, in addition, cater to the needs of its immediate neighbour, the Ile-Ife community. In the beginning was the promise and the promise was visionary but the promise has now been dashed.

“In the place of round-the-clock provision of electricity leading to increased productivity, enhanced quality of research and improved health, the university now has an abandoned project with sundry installed equipment and facilities rotting away as yet another symbol of the Nigerian government’s corruption and medieval backwardness.

“In 2017, Obafemi Awolowo University entered into a working relationship with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to provide a gas-powered turbine that would produce the institution’s independent power needs. The project was to be delivered within two years.

“When the project was launched amidst pomp and pageantry, the institution’s then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, revealed that with the coming to fruition of the project and consequent disengagement of OAU from the national grid, the institution would save between N35 million and N65 million monthly. He added that their daily energy requirement was below six megawatts. The gas-turbine-based system being installed was projected to produce eight megawatts daily, hence the assurance that the institution would be in a position to share the excess with neighbouring communities.

“Seven other federal universities were also approved to self-generate electricity: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Bayero University, Kano; Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto; Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; University of Lagos, Akoka; Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Warri; in the first phase of the federal intervention.

“For OAU, trouble started in the form of what appeared like a personality clash on the surface but was actually the monster of corruption gripping the federal system under the (Muhammadu) Buhari administration. The Rural Electrification Agency was headed by Clara Ogunbiyi at the time. For some reasons, there was no love-lost between her and the newly-appointed Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman. If you put your ears to the ground, you would hear that the lady was considered uncooperative with the various sleaze schemes brought to her table. Eventually, she left Nigeria to its peccadilloes and resumed a new job in a saner environment at a global agency.

“Ogunbiyi was replaced as managing director by Ahmad Salihijo, who did nothing to facilitate the completion of the Ife project but soon demonstrated that he had demons of his own to contend with. As soon as the Buhari administration expired, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) swooped in. Salihijo was suspended by the new Tinubu administration. Many eyes popped when the EFCC made public the kernel of its findings. One of the pegs of the investigation was the uncovering of 27 accounts linked with the suspended REA Managing Director.

READ ALSO: Edo suspends school resumption over hike in fuel price

“The EFCC said, among other things, that about N1.2 billion, which immediately accounted for Ahmad’s suspension, had been wired into the accounts of eight staff members, including two directors. The allegations against the top officials of REA are criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of public funds, procurement fraud and money laundering.

All of us the alumni of Great Ife, male and female, young and old, at home and away must stand up to be counted. The battle is not for the OAU authorities or students alone, it is for all of us that have a stake in Great Ife.

“In announcing Salihijo’s suspension in a statement signed by Ajuri Ngelale, the presidency had said: ‘In the light of new findings unearthed during a comprehensive investigation into the financial activities of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), President Bola Tinubu has approved the indefinite suspension of the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, alongside three executive directors of the agency, from office. Furthermore, President Tinubu has ordered a wider investigation into the conduct of the aforementioned officials in a fraudulent mis-expenditure amounting to over N1.2 billion over the past two years, some of which (finds) have already been recovered by anti-graft agencies’.

“Cynical Nigerians said it would all end up as a game of musical chairs. Abba Abubakar Aliyu was appointed as the MD/CEO to replace Ahmad; Ayoade Gboyega as executive director, corporate services; Umar Abdullahi Umar, executive director, technical services; Doris Uboh, executive director, rural electrification fund (REF); and Olufemi Akinyelure, head of project management unit, Nigeria electrification project.

“Although Ngelale reiterated President Tinubu’s determination to elevate the yearnings of Nigerians for good governance and qualitative service delivery above the narrow interests of individuals who are entrusted to provide critical services to Nigerians, the Ife power project stalls still.

“The institution’s stakeholders who have been anxiously hoping that all encumbrances in the way of the completion of the project would immediately be removed were surprised that, so far, nothing concrete is happening. The Asian staff who came for the installation of the last set of equipment on site have since returned home. Then, some sources indicated that the Tinubu government wants to convert the project to a solar-powered facility instead of the gas originally designed and upon which the 75 per cent completion already achieved is based.

“There is also talk of introducing a new player who had never been part of the project. Nigeria! Now, being a self-confessed Engineering illiterate, I will refrain from laughing in vernacular or composing panegyrics concerning this project; neither is required, although this tragic stalling of a developmental project is both galling and dispiriting. For goodness’ sake, how does corruption dog every attempt to gain an inch?

“Rather than news about project completion, we have been regaled with tidings of a different kind. It will be recalled that throughout his tenure, President Buhari removed only two ministers. The man posted to the Ministry of Power was one of them, having been sacked for alleged corruption in September 2021.

“Last July, hearing in his case was stalled because he was said to have suddenly taken ill outside the court premises and had to be sprinkled with water to revive him. While granting Saleh the benefit of the doubt, there have been too many incidents of government officials dramatising fainting spells or showing up in wheelchairs when dragged before the law. Those are mere distractions.

“The buck stops at President Tinubu’s table. Will he allow the present scandalous situation regarding the OAU power project to continue or will he direct the incumbent Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, to expeditiously resolve this matter to ensure that, for once, corruption is put to shame? When will Tinubu declare, ‘Let there be light?’”

So sad, not so? But there are more intrigues to the independent power project issue at OAU than president-emeritus Wole Olaoye hinted at above. He only scratched the issue on the surface. My own investigations revealed that more than corruption was involved. Tribalism also played a role in the stalling of the OAU independent power project. Some of the equipment meant for the project were said to have been cleared at the port and diverted to some other locations up North. The authorities must speak to that.

It is also not the power project alone that is stalled at OAU, the Opa dam that is supposed to supply water to the university community has been mired in controversy. Land grabbers are engaged in a tussle with the university over a swath of land belonging to the university, which has adversely affected the dam. At a point the water in the dam was suspected to have been poisoned by enemies of the university community.

The unwholesome activity of land grabbers is another headache the OAU authorities have had to contend with. Sometime ago, a Fidelity bank account belonging to a prominent traditional ruler into which funds were reportedly paid by those who bought part of the OAU encroached land, made the rounds.

As if these headaches were not enough, illegal miners also invaded the university and began to mine minerals right within the vicinity of the staff quarters and student’s hostel accommodation! Spirited efforts by the university to ward off the encroachers and procure a licence to prospect for minerals on its own land were reportedly rebuffed by the Buhari presidency!

Reprieve, however, came with the new sheriffs in town as Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals, gave listening ears to the OAU authorities and suspended the so-called licence being flaunted by the encroachers. It is, however, not yet ‘uhuru’ for OAU. The vice-chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simon Banire, has a mountain to climb. So also the new chairman of the OAU council, my friend, classmate and course-mate, Professor Gafar Siyan Oyeweso.

All of us the alumni of Great Ife, male and female, young and old, at home and away must stand up to be counted. The battle is not for the OAU authorities or students alone, it is for all of us that have a stake in Great Ife. If there is one way we can give back to our alma mater, it is to make its battle our battle and its cause our cause.

*Bolawole (turnpot@gmail.com 0807 552 5533), former Editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, was also the Managing Director/ Editor-in-chief of the Westerner newsmagazine. He writes the “ON THE LORD’S DAY” column in the Sunday Tribune and “TREASURES” column in the New Telegraph newspapers. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.

The post At OAU, let there be light! appeared first on Frontpageng.

I have seen on Animal world that when animals pant after water, they do not care for the danger involved in trooping into crocodile-infested waters to have a drink; or mind the pride of lions lurking around. In like manner did hungry Nigerians put their life on the line in a mad rush for Customs rice the other day. Seven persons were said to have died in the stampede that ensued before the poorly-executed exercise was hurriedly called off.

Two institutions that should be of utmost help to the people in their hour of need are government and religious leaders; unfortunately, both have seemingly turned deaf ears to the cries of the people that their burden be lessened.

The Sons of Korah were downcast because they were in exile – and understandably so – but millions of Nigerians are downcast today right inside their own country. Call it internal exile, which is worse than external exile or “japa”. “Crestfallen and hurt” was how a bible commentator described the state of affairs of the Sons of Korah but note that they were warned but would not take heed – like us here in Nigeria, year-after-year, decade-after-decade. Like Rome’s king Nero, we fiddled while Muhammadu Buhari and his band of wanton troopers set fire on our roof, only to now wake up late in the day to disparage efforts aimed at putting out the fire!

My intention here today is to print some of the comments sent to me on last week’s piece; when I return, I will make some closing remarks and call it a day!

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“Waaaooo. I can imagine how deep your imaginations and reflections were in this article. Your mind clearly traversed the cosmos and the heavenly places and you just got hooked in the midst of the flight as you tried to reconnect with our planet – this Earth, this our world of sorrow and joy, and of joy and sadness. But what you were saying in all these ruminations is that we can make our world a heavenly place; as in, we can make our society a better place. So, we don’t really need japa if we think deeply and we stop worrying about a thing because there is a better day or a better time just around the corner if only we could see, especially because three little birds will knock at our door singing sweet songs and bringing melodies of joy and happiness. Thanks again for provoking our thoughts! I think at this point, many other writers will now agree that you are truly a man of deep insight, a genuine award winner in the real sense. As I recognize the quality of your mindset, permit me to say that we all have a duty to keep hope alive in the midst of the topsy-turvy our country is in today.

– waleajao2002@gmail.com.

“BB, well done on this piece, which amplifies your erudition and giftings as a writer! More grace!

– Apostle Bisi Olaoye.

“One understands your message on the dichotomy of the richness of the life of Abraham and Lazarus: one could be described as ‘double face’ richness, and the other, ‘single face’ richness, going by your explanation. One way of looking at the issue is, how feasible is it in the world to attain the kind of ‘double face’ richness of Father Abraham, i.e. to be rich in this world as well as in heaven? This line of thought is in consideration of the declaration of the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 18: 24 & 25, thus: “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God’? Although one appreciates Jesus’ response in verse 27 that ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God’. And in the light of your assertion that “whereas our own place looks more and more like hell”, one could conjecture that most of our people would get “double face” tragedy, with the current look-like-hell situation in our country and still being indisposed to the ways of the Lord. This reminds me of a happening when we went out for evangelism in a locality during my secondary school days: As we came across people in squalid conditions of poverty, a white missionary could not help voicing out that his greatest concern and pity for the people was the possibility of their missing the kingdom of God (paradise) after death, after their pitiable suffering on earth, just because of their unbelief!”

– Elder Olaitan Makanjuola.

“It seems to me that the church needs to go back and re-read the Scriptures. STEP ONE:  Let it understand that Covid-19 was God’s own way of reviving the church to understand the messages in John 4:23 and John 17:21, both speaking about the wall-less church, globalization and end-time worshippers who would do it in SPIRIT  AND IN TRUTH. STEP TWO: The church for now should suspend dancing to hymns. Rather, it would do well to read them out. Let the church find out why Muslims recite or chant the Quran (written in verses like the Psalms) rather than dance to its recitation. Singing has lost the purpose for which God ordained it (Deuteronomy 31: 19-30). STEP THREE: Let the church go back and re-read Acts of the Apostles 6:1,2,3 and 9. Daily ministration and the need to “SERVE TABLE” portend Governance: Providing the basic necessities of life for the people. Why has the church neglected its old habit of giving seeds to its congregations any time the rainy season was approaching while members equally provided farm yields during church harvests?… What is the church preparing for its congregations in the presence of starvation now ravaging the land? Psalm 23: 5 is not speaking to the wind when it states: “THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MINE ENEMY? Can you imagine a worse enemy than starvation and hunger? It is the same thing being emphasized in The Lord’s Prayer: “GIVE US OUR DAILY BREAD while in the administration of tithes, the Bible in Malachi 3:10 stressed: “BRING YE ALL THE TITHES INTO THE STOREHOUSE THAT THERE MAY BE MEAT IN MINE HOUSE…” Unfortunately today, the church is using tithes to build structures and to purchase other luxuries, and not food for the hungry. Yet, the same church and its congregations wait for palliatives from  governments!  A case of the tail wagging the dog!

– Olalere Fagbola.

“Hmmm. This is real food for thought! Though Abraham had his challenges when he was alive, generally, he was portrayed as a very successful man. Again, he was counted worthy in heaven according to the scriptures. This is like enjoying the best of two lives. Lazarus on the other hand suffered on earth before exiting to heaven to enjoy. I believe it is by choice but it is better to enjoy both on earth and in heaven. Your enjoyment on earth will largely depend on your decisions and ability to achieve your aims and aspirations. Your enjoyment hereafter depends on how you lived your life when you were on earth. The story of the rich man and Lazarus in the Bible teaches us to be kind and considerate to others when we have the opportunity. Lazarus’s circumstances presented an opportunity for the rich man to be kind”.

– Pa E. K. Odeleye.

But tell them: Revolution is loading! O Lord, send another Martin Luther to kindle a second Reformation in Your Church!

Those are the few comments that I can accommodate here today. Two institutions that should be of utmost help to the people in their hour of need are government and religious leaders; unfortunately, both have seemingly turned deaf ears to the cries of the people that their burden be lessened. Have they not both acted like Jeroboam, son and successor of king Solomon, who chose to whip his long-suffering people with scorpions whereas his father had whipped them with horsewhips? And are there better representatives than these two categories of the hypocrites and brood of vipers that Jesus Christ chastised in Matthew 23: 1- 39? They pile misery on the poor but neglect to touch the heavy burden even with one finger! The people get leaner but the government official/pastor/imam grows more robust!

But tell them: Revolution is loading! O Lord, send another Martin Luther to kindle a second Reformation in Your Church!

*Bolawole (turnpot@gmail.com / 0807 552 5533), former Editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, was also the Managing Director/ Editor-in-chief of THE WESTERNER newsmagazine. He writes the ON THE LORD’S DAY column in the Sunday Tribune and TREASURES column in New Telegraph newspaper on Wednesdays. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.

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Makinde, in his remarks, urged the 62-year-old traditional ruler to take steps that would ensure unity in Ogbomoso land.

He also enjoined the new Soun to embark on activities that would fast-track development in the ancient town.

The governor, who noted that there wasn’t a central traditional council in the state, said that the new royal father should work toward ensuring that there was unity among traditional rulers in the state.

He particularly called Oba Olaoye to work assiduously to ensure that the State Council of Traditional Rulers became functional again.

Makinde said that his administration would soon reconstruct the House of Chiefs within the secretariat complex to allow the traditional rulers to hold their meetings in a conducive atmosphere.

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He called other contestants to the Soun throne to put the experience behind them and support the new traditional ruler.

“I’m looking forward to seeing those who went to court to challenge the new oba withdrawing their cases as a show of love for Ogbomosoland,” he said.

In his address, Oba Olaoye appealed to all the stakeholders in the Ogbomoso land project to join hands with him to ensure that the ancient town attained its great potentials.

“It is a well known fact that the sons and daughters of Ogbomoso land are among the most industrious entrepreneurs in this country.

“No community can embark on any significant development that we want for Ogbomoso land without government’s inputs.

“We are thankful for the roles that the governments at all levels – federal, state and local governments – are playing in the development of Ogbomoso land,” he said.

He particularly appreciated the Makinde-led administration for the attention given to Ogbomoso since its inception.

The historic ceremony, which kick-started Oba Olaoye’s reign, was held at Ogbomoso Stadium.

A galaxy of dignitaries from all walks of life, including former Vice-President Yemi Osibajo; Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, and Kwara State deputy governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, witnessed the event.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Sen. George Akume, was represented at the occasion by Mr Olusekun Adekunle, while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse and Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi were also present.

Soun’s stool became vacant after the passing away of Oba Jimoh Ajagungbade in December 2021 at the age of 95, after reigning for 48 years.

Source: NAN

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Adeboye, while speaking at the interdenominational thanksgiving services for the traditional ruler at Beulah Baptist Conference, Ogbomoso, said Olaoye was destined to be a king.

Olaoye was a senior pastor in RCCG before being selected and approved for the Soun’s stool.

He will receive his staff of office as the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso on December 19.

The cleric, who was replying critics, who queried him for not stopping Olaoye from vying for the position of his forebears in Ogbomoso, said he could not stand against the will of God.

“When he came to inform me about the development, I told him to go and pray.

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“Shortly after, he came back and said he has not heard anything and I told him to go back and pray again.

“After a while, he came back and said that God has spoken to him and have heard him loud and clear that he should go ahead.

“It was then that I told him to go because it has been destined, I knew that long ago, but I want God to speak to him directly.

“To my critics, if I said No and God said Yes, whose word is the final, God of course.

“So, I cannot stop him because Pastor Olaoye was destined to be a king even before he was born and thank God it is coming into fruition,” he said.

Adeboye, in his sermon, reading  from Act of Apostles Chapter 15 verse18, counselled the traditional ruler to embrace the people and promote peace and unity among his subjects.

After the sermon, Pastor Adeboye anointed the king and his wife and prayed for his peaceful and prosperous reign as Soun.

Oba Olaoye, while addressing the congregation said, “Pastor Adeboye is my spiritual role model. He has been a father to me; it’s an unforgivable sin if anyone reports me to Pastor Adeboye.

“I am happy that the person who laid a hand on me to become a pastor is the same, who anointed me when I became a king.

“To my people in Ogbomoso, let us work together, let us develop this land and let’s make this land a place, where our sons and daughters will be proud of,  I believe it’s a new dawn for Ogbomoso.

Group of clergymen offered special prayers for the royal father, Ogbomoso, Oyo State and Nigeria in general.

The clergymen include President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Israel Akanji; Bishop Titus Olayinka, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Pastor J.S. Adegoke, and Rev Solomon Isola.

Other men of God are former president of the seminary, Prof. Nihinlola Emiola, Rev. Stephen Ayankeye, Bishop Ademola Moradeyo, Titus Olayinka, Bishop of Anglican Church, Rev Johnson Adeniji, Prophet Akintola and Baba Awoye, among others.

Source: NAN

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