Nigerian Newspapers
Ode to Moremi Ekiti
Not the glittering weapon fights the fight, but rather the hero’s heart.
–Proverb
I never knew you were fighting such a titanic battle until that very hot day, last November. I had visited Dr. Kayode Fayemi, my brother-in-law, and your brother and boss, at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti. After the meeting, I had sought to see you, but you were not available. I called your number thrice, quite uncharacteristically, you never picked. Neither did you return the calls, nor reply the SMS that followed.
“This is unlike Mrs. Olayinka,” I had told my wife, instantly, with a sense of foreboding. “Something serious is happening or has happened,” my wife concurred almost in a whisper, recalling how you had wanted to attend the wedding of our second son in October 2011 but had to change your mind at the last minute, sending a permanent secretary in your office to represent her. But we couldn’t place a handle on what the problem might be. “Whatever it was,” my wife continued, “it must be so serious that Mrs. Olayinka could not respond to our calls.”
Many people who knew you and your uncommon humility would understand our apprehension. It derived from the fact that you were not one of those executives who appoint personal assistants for telephones. You answered you calls personally, directly and speedily. If you couldn’t answer immediately, she would call you back later in the night or send a text. Despite your high office, there were no affectations. You carried no airs. You neither wore nor wave your gargantuan accomplishments like a badge or banner. You never allowed your success to alter the DNA of your humanity.
You kept your old friends and nurtured your new alliances. Few men and women of power are blessed with that attribute. God imbued you with so much grace that your high office never turned you to ‘something else’, like Femi Adesina, my bulky friend and boss, usually says. You humility was without compare.
This was why we were so worried when we didn’t hear a word from you on that occasion. But we never knew you were fighting a titanic battle for life. We never knew that you were fighting cancer. We didn’t know anything. It was at the 40th birthday dinner some friends held for Louis Odion, Edo State Commissioner of Information, that a friend intimated us with the scary development, telling us you were in Saint Nicholas, canvassing “serious prayers” for you. My heart sank that moment. My wife became confused and sorrowful. It was like someone had poured blocks of ice on us.
Maybe we didn’t do enough to find out. Maybe, my wife and I were too consumed by the drudgery of survival in our country that we forgot to visit and ‘ask after your health’ as we often say in this clime.
Whatever it is, Mrs. O, you are now a spirit. And I know a very kind spirit you will be, and you will find space in you loving spirit to forgive us.
You were just like your brother and boss, Governor Kayode Fayemi, with who you collaborated so well with and wrote a fresh chapter in the history of service as sacrifice, not only in Ekiti State but also in our fatherland, Nigeria.
Mrs. O, if it were possible for you to see the eulogy that your brother and friend, Dr. Fayemi, wrote, you would walk on air. “My friend’s life is study in redefining our society as a space guaranteeing increasing measure of opportunities for both men and women to actualize their dreams. This point wsclearly captured when Mrs. Olayinka joined Bisi (his wife), Mairo Mandara ad other leading ACN women to draft a Womanifesto for the Action Congress of Nigeria in 2010 insisting that our progressive party must live up to its billings by paying more than just lip servise to gender equality. It remains a bounden duty for us to ensure and promote more women in public life against all odds.”
For this reason, you brother and boss further wrote, everybody must endeavour to keep your memory evergreen “by not forgetting the contributions of my remarkable, redoubtable, courageous, dedicated and loyal partner in the Ekiti project.” For this reason, too, he has promised to invest in “efforts at early diagnosis of the dreaded disease (cancer).
“This is why I shall not relent on delivering our promises to Ekiti people through our eight point agenda. This is why your family is now my family. This is why Bisi and I will forever remain grateful to you for being part of the Collective Rescue Mission. This is why you’d remain my sister, my friend even in death.”
On Friday, April 5, I punched my laptop with some strange feeling. But I couldn’t place a handle on what the feeling was. But I knew it wasn’t a nice one. Then, my mind went to that night, the Saturday before when some of us gathered in a restaurant at Victoria Island, Lagos, to felicitate with Louis Odion, Edo State Commissionrer of Information who had just turned 40. It was at that gathering that I learnt that you were in St. Nicholas Hospital fighting to defeat the cancer that afflicted you. My heart sank. Curiously still,
Olufunmilayo Aduni Olayinka (June 20, 1960 – April 6, 2013) was the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State in Nigeria.[1] A proven technocrat[citation needed] and seasoned professional banker[citation needed], Mrs Olufunmilayo Aduni Olayinka (née Famuagun) was born in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria on 20 June 1960.
Mrs Olufunmilayo Olayinka attended Holy Trinity Grammar School Ibadan where she obtained her first school leaving certificate with distinction. She subsequently proceeded to Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo State, Nigeria where she obtained her Higher School Certificate (HSC).[3] She holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration [Marketing] from Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma, United States in 1981 and 1983 respectively.[citation needed] She was three times winner of the Dean’s Honour roll
A Marketing Analyst & Strategist who started her career in Banking with First Bank of Nigeria Plc in 1986, she later worked as Relationship Manager for Corporate Accounts in Access Bank, the now defunct Merchant Banking Corporation [MBC] and United Bank for Africa Plc.
In August 2002, she took up a new challenge in Corporate Communications and promptly proceeded to Head the Corporate Affairs Division, United Bank for Africa. She later became Head, Brand Management & Corporate Affairs, thereby leading the Team responsible for delivering a compelling Brand proposition and re-branding of the United Bank for Africa which helped to drive the bank’s business strategy & added value to the total image of the Brand.[citation needed]
She was also the 2nd Vice President of the Association of Corporate Managers of Banks between 2002 and 2004.
She played notable strategic roles during the Merger process of the erstwhile United Bank for Africa & Standard Trust Bank where she co-chaired the Branding Sub-Committee. She also served as a key member of the Media Relations Sub-Committee.
Until her election as the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, she was Head of Corporate Services, Ecobank Transatlantic Inc where she was responsible for communicating the bank’s activities to the public, relationship management with the Public and providing feedback to management as it relates to the total image of the Bank . In addition, she also oversaw the General Internal Services Unit with responsibility for overall co-ordination of administrative services for the entire bank.
Indeed, Friday, your day of final rites of passage was so glorious, so magnificent that if you saw anyone beating his or her chest, or gnashing his or her teeth, waling at you’re your graveside, you would have, perhaps, tapped the person on the shoulder and urged caution because you are now in a place where there is no day or night. Where there is no pain or sorrow. Where there is no death but life eternal. Where light shines perpetually on saints long gone or just departed, like you virtuous self. Where peace flows like a river.
Indeed, Friday, you big day, the day of the celebration of your action packed life, was so big and beautiful that if your saw anyone crying, you would have perhaps brought out your immaculate white handkerchief and stopped the cascading tears. You would have comforted the grieving soul with these words scripted by Mary Frye in 1932, titled: Do not stand by my grave and weep.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
(Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!)
Yes, Funmilayo Adunni, omo (child of) Famuagun, aya (wife of) Olayinka cannot die. Heroes and heroines don’t really die. Even if they go the way of all flesh, like you have just done, their good works live after them, because they are forever etched emblazoned in gold in the hearts of all who love them. Everybody testified that you died a hero. It is better to die a hero than live long to become a villian.
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Posted in Nigerian Newspapers. A DisNaija.Com network.
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•Deploy more personnel as army chief vows to wipe out terror group
•Security beefed up at N’Assembly
Deji Elumoye and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power, is under a massive security cordon following threats of attacks by insurgents and the increasing wave of banditry in the contiguous states of Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger States, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.
There has been a wave of kidnappings in the outskirts of the federal capital, notably Pegi, Tuganmaje and Kuje among others, which the police have battled in recent times.
The security situation in and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was heightened by the pronouncement of the Niger State Governor, Mr. Sani Bello, that Boko Haram fighters who he said sacked 50 villages in the state and hoisted the terror group’s flag, were about two hours drive away from the FCT.
Security has also been beefed up at the National Assembly as operatives, yesterday, thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The deteriorating security situation nationwide prompted the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, to warn that the 2023 general election may not hold, demanding the declaration of a state of emergency as well as the convocation of a national conference.
However, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, yesterday restated the Nigerian Army’s determination to annihilate Boko Haram.
But the Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Bello Masari, cautioned against declaring a state of emergency, saying doing so isn’t the solution to combat the security challenges facing the country.
The security of the nation’s airports was also in focus yesterday as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) said there was no threat to them.
THISDAY’s investigations showed increased presence of troops, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and intelligence operatives at the three strategic entrances to the city notably, Keffi, Zuba and Gwagwalada.
More checkpoints were also mounted around Gwagwalada and Keffi.
THISDAY also observed increased intelligence deployment at the entrance and the borders of FCT with contiguous states.
Beyond the borders, there were more deployments and police patrols inside the city and increased intelligence deployments as well.
Security sources told THISDAY: “There are deployments here and there but they are routine. Alertness is key to a secure environment.”
It was also learnt that security agencies were involved in frenzied meetings throughout yesterday.
The meetings, coordinated by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff under the new joint operational strategy of the armed forces, were aimed at coordinating a joint response to possible threats of attack to the FCT.
“I understand the security teams have been meeting for some days now and if you look around you, you will notice that there are increasing patrols and numbers of security personnel. The threats are not been taken lightly,” a source said.
National Assembly workers, lawmakers and visitors also had a harrowing experience accessing the legislative complex due to heightened security in the area.
Security operatives thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja, impeding both human and vehicular traffic.
The Sergeant-at-arm of the National Assembly and other security agencies supervised the operations, leading to huge traffic build-up inside the complex.
Legislative staff, visitors and lawmakers were seen patiently waiting for their cars to be searched so that they could go ahead with the business of the day.
Some staff and visitors at some point got tired of waiting and were seen alighting from their cars to trek from the gate to the complex.
Meanwhile, the ONSA has said there is no threat to the nation’s airports.
A statement by the Head of Strategic Communication, Mr. Zachari Usman, said the reports of threats to the airports were an internal correspondence of security threat assessment misconstrued as security threat to the airports.
PDP Demands State of Emergency
In a related development, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday demanded the declaration of a state of emergency, warning that the 2023 general election might not hold if the federal government failed to tackle insecurity.
He called on the federal government to summon a national conference to address the spike in insecurity.
Secondus added that the national caucus of the party will meet today to discuss the state of the nation.
Addressing members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja, Secondus said: “We are worried Abuja is not even safe. It is no longer politics. We got alert of plots to bomb and burn down our airports.
“We urge the federal government to declare a national state of emergency in security. There is the need to call a national conference to discuss the insecurity in the country.
“There may not be any election in 2023 in Nigeria due to insecurity. This government must listen to the people. The Buhari government should call a national confab to discuss security and state of the nation. It is no longer politics. This time we are not playing politics. Let’s keep politics aside and move the nation forward.”
He said the country had been grounded, regretting that there had been no matching response from the federal government.
Secondus said in the past, terrorism in the North was confined to the North-east, but with the report of Boko Haram occupying villages in Niger State, terrorism had spread to the North-central
“Herdsmen are also menacing in the West; gunmen causing havoc in the East; and the militants in the South; all killing, looting, raping, maiming and burning down homes. The situation is bad; Nigerians all over are living in fear,” he said.
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the problem of Nigeria was outside of the PDP headquarters, while pledging the support of the Senate to the declaration of state of emergency in security.
Abaribe said he deliberately decided not to speak on the floor of the Senate but to allow the APC senators to speak so as to avoid being accused of giving a partisan colouration to the issue of insecurity.
He stated that only electoral reforms would give victory to the opposition party in the 2023 general election and ensure a democratic defeat of the APC-led federal government.
Also, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, commended the NEC and the PDP leadership for their collective efforts at resolving the House leadership crisis.
The NEC meeting adopted the position of Secondus, calling on the federal government to convoke a national conference to discuss the state of insecurity in the country, according to a communiqué read by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.
Army Chief Vows to Wipe Out Boko Haram
The army yesterday reiterated its commitment to wipe out Boko Haram.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, told reporters in Maiduguri, Borno State that Boko Haram had been defeated in many encounters and would continue to be defeated until it’s annihilated from Nigeria.
“We will take on Boko Haram decisively, and we are committed to the focus of the operations, which is the total annihilation of Boko Haram from Nigeria,” he said.
The COAS, who was visiting the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri for the fifth time since his appointment four months ago, said the visit was to boost the morale of the troops, reassure them and listen to any issues affecting them.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Farouq Yahaya, lauded the visit, which he said had continued to boost the morale of the troops.
“We are honoured, we are grateful, we are encouraged by those visits. You provided us guidance, logistics and other things we required. We are most grateful for those visits,” Yahaya said.
State of Emergency Won’t Solve Security Challenges, Says Masari
Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari, has, however, said declaration of a state of emergency won’t solve the security challenges facing the nation.
Masari, who spoke yesterday with journalists after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the State House, Abuja stated that he was against the recent call by the House of Representatives for the declaration of a state of emergency in the security sector as it would not solve the problem.
According to him, declaring a state of emergency will not achieve the desired effect as the security structure and personnel to be used to execute the emergency are already overstretched in a bid to safeguard lives and property.
Sourced From: THISDAYLIVE
Tribune Online
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 62 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 165,110. The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Friday. “55 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria; Lagos-21, Yobe-19, Ogun-6, Akwa Ibom-3, Kaduna-2, Plateau-2, FCT-1, Rivers-1.” YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE COVID-19: Nigeria Recorded […]
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Tribune Online
Sourced From: Tribune Online
The government said that no worker should stay back beyond 6:00 p.m. within premises of buildings undergoing construction.
The post Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
Sourced From: Premium Times Nigeria
Kamaru Usman has raked in a mammoth £1.1million, about N584.2 million after his impressive knockout victory over Jorge Masvidal on Saturday night, Sportivation.com.ng reports.
The Nigerian Nightmare has been handsomely rewarded for his stunning performance and he was the best-paid fighter on the card which was witnessed by 15, 000 fans in Florida.
According to Daily Mail, Usman earned £538,000 to show up, £459,000 pay-per-view bonus, a £43,000 sponsorship bonus and a well deserved £35,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Jorge Masvidal also earned £358,000 to show, £186,000 in pay-per-view money and a £28,000 sponsorship bonus.
This is the biggest payday of Usman’s career so far and the Welterweight champion also benefited from the fact that Masvidal is also a top draw for the fans.
Kamaru Usman is a Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist, former freestyle wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler.
Sourced From: Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics
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Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Military, Police Ring Abuja to Forestall Boko Haram Attack
UFC: Usman gets N584m after beating Masvidal
Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings
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