CAPITALISM AND THE CHURCH

REAL TRUTH!!!

CAPITALISM AND THE CHURCH... THE WAY FORWARD.

There is a work side to prosperity.
It is the works of your hand God blesses.

People are in farms planting yams and you are busy sitting in church, when it is harvesting time; don't expect yams to fall from heaven. When it is eating time; people are eating and you are "believing" God for yams.

Faith without work is dead. There should be a corresponding action in line of faith.

When the gospel came to Africa, the missionaries saw two vital areas of deficiencies; hospital and school.
They filled these gaps.Today, directly or indirectly, we have all benefited from it.

Today, we have a major problem; unemployment. Instead of filling this gap we are taking advantage of it.

We gather the unemployed and "prophesy" jobs to them. We give them stickers, sell "holy water", tell them to sow and expect harvest, convincing them to "work" for the lord, that breakthrough is coming... All these we do to exploit and explore the vulnerable.

We travel abroad. We have gone to Isreal and see the agricultural exploits there. But we are not willing to bring them home.

When we sow, instead of our money to be invested into ventures like agriculture that would alleviate the sufferings of the weak ones among us, we channel the money to an atheist in Germany who designed MOG's customised car.

We channel the money to Buddhists in China where we bought our building materials.
We channel the money to a gay in America who produced the sound system and lighting system.

We channel the money to a Muslim in Dubai who did the interior decoration of our " magnificent " building...what a Capital Flight!

Why are we crying of poverty and for breakthrough? The God that I know respond to work wherever he sees man doing something to advance humanity, be it a Hindu, Gay, Buddhist, atheist etc.

I don't want to start mentioning names, neither do I want to indict any person. But just imagine Living Faith going to rice production, RCCG going into Cassava production, Christ Embassy into Maize, God's Choosen into Yams, Catholics into millets etc.

The land is there, the man power is there, the money is there, like the missionaries, who saw a problem and filled it, we can also fill this problem of unemployment and food security.

Just imagine a church sending hundreds of trailer load of food to evangelise the north.
No man can resist love. Feed them in love and watch how their hearts change.
That was how the missionaries changed the hearts of our forebears.

The missionaries have tried for us, and instead of us to keep pressing northwards, we have resulted in building empires.
We have commercialized the gospel.
It is all about breakthrough, money and less of Jesus, His Person, His Sacrifice and Finished works.

We have the manpowers to feed Nigeria and Africa, generate employment by adding values to farm produce and exporting them.

We have traveled abroad and have seen great agricultural exploits, it is time to bring these inventions home.

It is time we convert our exotic cars in our garages to tractors and other mechanised and modern agricultural tools. Doing what government cannot do, by do doing this;
"THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER ".

When we roar, the government is supposed to quiver, not because of our large bank accounts, but because of our intimidating exploits.

It is time to wake-up... I see a day when we shall be holding our numerous church services in farms and factories. It is time to take the government upon His shoulder. It is action time!

The Voice of One has spoken!
Selah!!!

.......I think we should pass this on!  Loads of youths in churches HAVE NO JOBS!
The church should think of ways to create jobs for them.
Sent as Received -  no details  of the writer

24 Self Development Tips.

24 SELF DEVELOPMENT TIPS

1. Make friends with successful people and occasionally buy them gifts and surprise them with lunch because successful people always give and hardly get, so when you give them, they value the gift a lot.

2. Get a mentor and follow his instructions and respect the relationship. Never beg your mentor for money or disrespect his or her privacy.

3. Make new positive friends as often as possible and ensure you keep the communication line open. Create a network of friends and not just connections.

5. Show kindness to everyone. Some small boys today will be big boys tomorrow. The biggest dog in the neighbourhood was once a puppy. Keep the information/secret to yourself.

6. Always plan ahead and be proactive. He that plans the future works less in the future.

7. Listen to speeches and messages from great teachers, both religious and educational.

8. Attend seminars and trainings on any area you need to improve yourself - Train the trainer, personal development, public speaking, sales etc.

9. Have the habit of keeping a pen and a writing pad handy because ideas come in the form of flashes. The smallest pen is bigger and better than the biggest brain.

10. Make sure at every point in time you are reading a book. If you spend 20 minutes reading daily, for 52 weeks you would have consumed 1,000,000 words.

11.Stay away from television as much as possible. You can watch educational channels. Men with big TV sit in front of them to watch men with big libraries.

12 Put control over your mouth; never say evil of any man; what you are not certain of should not be said. Say good of all men.

13. Always show appreciation for any good deed you received.

14. Always help someone in need.

15. Live a debt free life. What you can’t pay cash for is not your size.

16. Give out loans that you can part with as gift, so that you don’t destroy your business and relationship.

17. Create legitimate multiple sources of income.

18. Save at least 10 percent of your income regularly.

Ajayi our duty to remember.

 

Ajasin and Our duty to remember

By Dare Babarinsa

11 October 2017  THE GUARDIAN

Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, first elected governor of old Ondo State, was the moving spirit of the Free Education Programme of the defunct Western Region when Chief Obafemi Awolowo ruled the roost. Last week, many leaders and Ajasin’s old comrades gathered at the University of Ibadan to mark the 20th anniversary of this titan’s departure from Mother Earth. Though he later played several roles, Ajasin’s place in history is secured by his pivotal role as the original thinker of the Free Education Programme of the defunct Action Group.

As it was in those days, the nascent Action Group party had demanded for policy papers from its top members and Ajasin had opted to write on free education. This was accepted with skepticism for the country was still under colonial rule and no one has ever heard of such a policy. Ajasin was a teacher of considerable experience and he was already the principal of Imade College, Owo, his home town. Awolowo accepted the papers and successfully sold it to the party fathers. But trouble lay ahead.

In January 1955, Chief Awolowo proclaimed free education to all children of six years and above in the entire Western Region (now eight states) and the programme was welcomed with confusion in many areas. The opposition National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroun (later to become National Council of Nigerian Citizens), NCNC, campaigned against it. One of its leaders in Ibadan told his supporters “Awolowo is seizing your children now; he would soon be seizing your wives!”

There were violent protests in several cities across the West where the people were opposed to the idea of free education. During the 1956 Federal Elections, the people voted against the AG, replacing most of its members with NCNC stalwarts. Bitter about the rebuff, Awolowo offered to resign and go back to his flourishing legal practice. One morning, a group of traditional rulers led by Oba Adesoji Aderemi, then the Ooni of Ife, met with Awolowo in Ikenne to prevail on him not to abandon public service. “It is your duty,” he told him. “That is why you were sent to liberate the people.”

In 1980, I was one of the young people invited by the Ondo State Government to welcome Chief Awolowo to Akure while celebrating 25 years of free education. Papa Ajasin was now governor, elected on the platform of Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN. Chief Awolowo said we the beneficiaries of free education ought to be eternally grateful to Chief Ajasin. As the Leader of Government Business and Minister of Local Government then, Chief Awolowo said he gave the paper on Free Education to top civil servants, mostly British, to advise the government on the matter. In the end, the civil servants said the policy was good but required a lot of planning. They were willing to help and support. They recommended that the programme should take off by 1970. Awolowo rejected their recommendation and changed our world.

I interacted more with Chief Ajasin when I became the President, National Union of Ondo State Students in 1980. I was formally introduced to him by my old teacher, Dr. Nathaniel Falaye Aina, who was then the Commissioner for Education. Aina was later to succeed Chief Akin Omoboriowo as the Deputy Governor. We successfully negotiated, along with members of my executive, including Nick Tunde Eniola, an increment in the bursary payment for Ondo State students from N200 to N500 (Five Hundred Naira) per session.

Ajasin made more substantial impact on the people of Ondo State than the mere requests of students. My bosses at the Concord Group of Newspapers sent me to Akure as the Chief Correspondent of Ondo State in 1983. From that vantage point, I was able to observe the great man at close quarters. He was a tough and parsimonious patriarch, working hard to bring development to his people. He established the Obafemi Awolowo University, (now known as the Ekiti State University), Ado-Ekiti, and created governmental ethos of competence, diligence and integrity. Throughout his four years in office, he was living in a two-bedroom duplex, working from a modest office and spent less than N2 million as security vote.

The people loved him. When the storm came in 1983 following the declaration of Omoboriowo as the winner of the 1983 governorship election, Ondo State people backed Ajasin and dismantled the bandwagon of the ruling National Party of Nigeria, NPN. Few days after he was sworn-in for the second term in Akure, the UPN held its congress in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. Chief Awolowo, addressing his people, asked Nigerians to prepare for a major change in the country. Present were all the UPN governors, including Ajasin, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, the host, Alhaji Lateef Jakande of Lagos and Chief Cornelius Adebayo of Kwara State. Former Governors Ambrose Alli of Bendel State (now Edo and Delta) and Bola Ige of Oyo State (now Oyo and Osun) were also present.

Some few days before the end of 1983, Chief Awolowo asked Nigerians to fast for three days. Twenty-four hours after the end of the fast, General Muhammadu Buhari struck and the Second Republic became history. It was on the 31st of December 1983 and people were in a celebratory mood.

“Happy New Year! Happy New Government!” People were greeting each other in Akure and other Nigerian cities. There was the rumour that the new military regime was going to hand over power to Chief Awolowo whom many Akure residents actually believed won the 1983 presidential election. But Buhari had come with a different agenda. By the time the new governor, Commodore Michael Bamidele Otiko, came to town, Ajasin, like other top politicians, reported to the new authorities and was taken into detention.

Ajasin shared the same cell with Chief Bola Ige at the Ikoyi Prison. Though both were governors, Ige deferred to the elderly man who was there at the beginning of the old AG. Ige served him and was fetching water for him every morning in prison. Both of them, like the other UPN governors were to remain in prison until Buhari was toppled in 1985 by his Chief of Army Staff, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

Ajasin was born in 1908, seven years before Lord Lugard proclaimed the amalgamation of Nigeria and 22 years after the 16-year Ekitiparapo War. Ajasin and members of his generation inherited the debris of that war whose impacts and implications are still with us till today. They carried out their duty to the fatherland with diligence, dedication, loyalty and integrity.

The gathering in Ibadan last week was an attempt to pay back the great service that the Ajasin generation rendered to Nigeria. We have a duty to remember the service of this selfless generation. One of the members of Ajasin cabinet was Chief Adebayo Adefarati who was to emerge the third elected governor of Ondo State in 1999. Adefarati built a university in his hometown of Akungba but named it Adekunle Ajasin University in honour of his old boss who gave the rest of us access to free education. Many other monuments and landmarks have been named to honour this great man.

Yet, in his old age, Ajasin continued to serve until death in 1997. He was the chairman of Afenifere and co-chairman of the opposition National Democratic Coalition, NADECO. His country home in Owo was the epicenter of opposition politics against the draconian regime of General Sani Abacha. It was his sacrifice and that of other heroes that has given us the current democratic dispensation.

It is also heartwarming that even while he was alive, Chief Ajasin realised that he was highly appreciated. One day after he returned from detention, Chief Ajasin visited Lagos. His car, a Peugeot 504, broke down on the Third Mainland Bridge because of a flat tyre. While his driver was trying to fix it, Ajasin stood by his side while a Mercedes Benz 230E car pulled up. The occupant came out and prostrated for Ajasin.

It was Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, one of his old students at Imade College. It was an emotional encounter, the principal and his old student; especially for Ade-Ojo. Few days later, Ajasin was back in Owo. He was on his veranda when a Mercedes Benz 230 pulled into the compound. It was Ade-Ojo’s driver. His boss had instructed him to present the Mercedes-Benz car as a gift to the old principal. Ajasin was speechless.

Micro Manager

*MYSTERY : Signs That Strongly Suggest You’re a Micromanager - by Byron Conway*

Micromanagement takes place whenever a manager intends to exercise excessive control over the working process.

Typical micromanagers delegate work and yet want to be closely involved with every minute aspect of the work done. This often leads to frustration and delays in work across the team. If there is a general opinion amongst your employees that you are micromanaging, it is a given that your leadership is trouble and the work product is going to be negatively impacted.

To stay away from micromanaging, it is important that you select the right team members whom you can delegate tasks effectively so that you can ease your control over your business process.
Signs That Indicate You May be Micromanaging

Many times people become micromanagers without even having an awareness about it.

The reason for this is that there is actually a very thin line that exists between a manager who wishes his or her team to produce the best possible outcome and eventually succumbing to micromanagement.

Here are some signals that you can look out for to identify when you may unknowingly cross the line of micromanagement:

*1.* You have an unreasonable high turnover in your team.

*2.* Your team avoids getting into one-on-one conversations with you or avoids you in general.

*3.* You have more work on your plate than you can manage because you are unable to delegate work effectively.

*4.* You have the habit of assigning work and then taking it back because you feel the work is not being done the way you would want it to be done.

*5.* You instruct your team exactly how you wish things to be done and do not leave any scope for others to take the initiative.

*6.* You have the habit of taking on a managerial role even when the project already has a project manager.

*7.* You are unable to meet project deadlines as you get too much involved in the details.

*8.* You have this habit of wanting to know what everyone else is doing all the time.
   
*9.* You don’t allow your team members to share their ideas, speak to one another, or even to communicate with clients.
   
*10.* You act as the bottleneck all the time since everyone in the team always waits for your approval on any and everything.
   
*11.* You have the habit of questioning everything under the sky right from the processes followed to accomplish the work, the work that has been completed, and the proposed next steps in every status meeting.
   
*12.* You have a strong belief that if you wish something to be done properly, you have to do it yourself.

If you feel that most of these signs resonate with you, then you are probably a micromanager. If you ask if it matters, then the answer is very much a ‘yes.’

*Impact of Micromanagement on Your Business*

If you are unable to gauge the damage caused by micromanagement, here are a couple of points to raise your awareness:

*1.* Micromanagement indicates that you do not trust your team or even respect their work.

*2.* Micromanagement takes away the sense of ownership from your team members in their work.

*3.* Micromanagement slows you down as you will never have sufficient time to plan and look ahead and hence the growth of your business is bound to suffer.

*4.* Micromanagement leads to re-work which wastes time and makes your team members lose their self-confidence and their ability to do the job well.

*5.* Micromanagement frustrates your team and makes them resentful.

*6.* Micromanagement often leads to procrastination and as a result causes time management disasters.

*7.* Micromanagement prevents your team members from nurturing and developing new skills and knowledge as they are bound to work autonomously.

If you are someone who can delegate work effectively, then you are on the right track. However, once any of the above micromanagement tendencies creep in, you may just need to stop and check yourself; else you go back to your old state of doing every single thing on your own which isn’t an option.

Sugarcane

Sugarcane (Ireke), belongs to the grass family (Poaceae), It is available at a very cheap price for everyone so anyone can be part of its beneficial properties. Sugarcane can be chewed using the teeth or juiced by crushing the peeled sugarcane in the machine.
It first originated in the New Guinea which was then distributed all over the world.

Scientific Name – Saccharum officinarum

Family – Poaceae
Origin – Papua New Guinea
Other Names – Ganna (Hindi), Karumbu (Tamil), Karibpu (Malayalam), Cheruku (Telugu) Ireke (Yoruba).

Commercially, it is grown in many countries including South Asia, Southeast Asia, Brazil, Nigeria, Latin America etc. Sugarcane juice is one of the most common drinking juice.



Sugarcane contains combination of sugars like the glucose, sucrose and fructose.

Here are some of its health benefits:

Increases Muscle Power

Ganna provides natural glucose to the body, which is necessary for maintaining the body's muscle power.

Strengthens Major Body Organs

It assists to a great level in strengthening the major organs such as the eyes, stomach, heart, kidneys, mind, sex organs and etc if used regularly.

Helps Women Conceive faster
Women who are trying to conceive can indulge in having a glass of Sugarcane Juice daily because of its high folic acid content.

Rehydrates Body

Sugarcane quenches thirst by rehydrating the body thus known as the instant body booster and used by athletes.

Treats Fever

It is useful for a person suffering from fever and prevents protein loss in the body.

Treats Jaundice

Sugarcane Juice is very helpful in the treatment of jaundice, it provides instant recovery from jaundice by maintaining the glucose level in the body.

Remedy for Sore Throat

Sugarcane Juice is considered as the best home remedy for treating sore throat and flu.

Regulates Digestive System Functioning

It is a very good energy drink for the well being of the digestive system.

Treats Constipation

Sugarcane provides help in treating constipation due to its high potassium level.

Promotes Wound Healing

Ganna has a type of sugar called "sucrose",which helps in healing wounds as well as boosting the immune system.

Prevents from Heart Diseases

It also prevents from the heart diseases and strokes as it decreases the bad body cholesterol level and triglycerides.

Treats various Diseases

Sugarcane juice helps in treating dysuria (burning sensation while passing urine), prostatitis, kidney stones, STD (sexually transmitted disease), urinary tract infections and etc if taken with lime juice or coconut water.
Ganna also assists in other problems like hyper acidity, cystitis, enlarged prostate, gonorrhea, nephritis and etc.

Prevents Cancer

Sugarcane juice is alkaline in nature, it helps in fighting various types of cancer like prostate and breast cancer.

Promotes Bone Growth

Sugarcane juice is helpful in the growth and development of the bones because of its calcium and phosphorous contents.

Prevents Anemia

Sugar is very useful for pèrsons suffering from anemia as it has good amount of iron which enhances the Hb level in the body.

Rich Source of Antioxidants

Sugarcane juice has an antioxidant property because of its flavonoid and phenolic compounds availability which works as an anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-allergic, anti-tumor agents and prevents body from various diseases accordingly.

Prevents from DNA Damage

Its antioxidants property protects us from the radiation induced DNA damage as well as from the oxidative degradation of the cellular lipids or fats. It also fights with the free radicals and prevents ageing.

Rich Source of Live Enzymes

Freshly prepared juice of the sugarcane has different live enzymes as well as nutrients which gets absorbed by the body and nourishes the body.

Treats Kidney Disorders

Drinking fresh ganna ras in enough amount helps in treating kidney disorders and other urinary problems.

Benefits of Sugarcane Juice for Liver/in Jaundice

Sugarcane juice is very beneficial for the major organ of the body called liver as it helps in treating the jaundice which is a liver function disorder. Jaundice causes yellow pigmentation of the skin and skin membranes because of the increased level of bile pigment called bilirubin. Bile pigment level increases due to poor liver functions or obstructed bile ducts. During jaundice, it has become very necessary to bring bilirubin level up to the normal as well as normalize the liver functioning which requires lots of medicine and home remedies.

To get fast recovery from the jaundice and liver functioning disorders, sugarcane juice acts as a best home remedy for such ailments. Some of the benefits are mentioned below:

Strengthens Liver

It acts as natural high energetic drink having refined sugar of low glycemic index which helps in strengthening the liver.

Treats Acidity

Ganne ka ras is alkaline in nature which helps in maintaining the acid-base balance and treating acidity.

Maintains Protein in Body

It fulfills the requirement of protein which was lost during the jaundice fever.

provides Fast Recovery

Ganna ras provides faster recover from the jaundice if taken a glass of sugarcane juice 2-3 times a day.

Boosts Immune System

Nutritional Benefit of Sugarcane Juice

Ganna juice has lots of antioxidants which makes body immune system stronger to fight against liver infections as well as normalizes the bilirubin level.

Benefits of Sugarcane Juice for Weight Loss

Reduces Weight

As sugarcane juice reduces the bad cholesterol level in the body and has natural sugar thus helps in reducing the weight.
Its high soluble fibers content aids a lot in the weight management strategy.

Removes Body Toxins

Sugarcane juice cleanses our body, improves the metabolism and detoxifies our body by eliminating all the toxins from the body which aids a lot in the gradual weight loss process.

Benefits of Sugarcane Juice for Diabetes

Maintains Sugar Level

Ganne ka ras is a natural sweetener which does not require other sugar to make it sweet thus beneficial for the diabetic person which does not involves in the disturbing the sugar levels.

Has Low Glycemic Index

Sugarcane juice is very beneficial for the for diabetic patients as it has very low glycemic index.

Benefits of Sugarcane Juice During Pregnancy

Increases Hb Level and Prevents Baby from Birth Defects

Because of its iron and folates contents it is very beneficial for the pregnant women. It enhances the Hb level in the pregnant women as well as prevents the unborn baby from variety of birth defects.

Benefits of Sugarcane Juice for Skin

Prevents from Ageing

Sugarcane juice has antioxidant property as it has flavonoids and phenolic compounds which makes the skin healthy, shiny, soft, supple, fair as well as prevents from early ageing and wrinkles.

Moisturizes the Skin

Sugarcane rehydrates and moisturizes the body thus making the skin soft and bright.

Nutritional Benefits of Sugarcane Juice per 1 oz (28.35 g)

(Source: USDA Nutrient database)

Safety first.

Knowledge That Might Save A Life One Day.

1. Never take out an object you’ve been stabbed with. It’s actually preventing you from a hemorrhage. Let a doctor or other medical person remove it.

2. If you need urgent help in a public place, do not scream for help. People will think someone else will help you. Instead, call out for help to one specific person.
The bystander effect, is a social psychological phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. The greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is that any one of them will help.

3.If the plane you’re in has to perform a water landing, you should never inflate your life jacket while you’re in the plane, as it will make you stuck on the ceiling. Get off the plane first, then inflate the jacket.

4.If you’re cooking with oil and gas and it catches fire, never try to extinguish it with water. Because of the oil, you’ll instead make the fire bigger. Simply turn off the gas and use something non-flammable to cover the flames. A pot lid, wet cloth or a wool blanket are useful.

5.Stay close to the ground if any building catches fire. Smoke is the first cause of death during a fire & smoke rises. Clearer air for breathing is found close to the ground.

6. If you find yourself in the ocean, for example, and want to surface, your first instinct will be to paddle as fast as you can. It will exhaust you, and eventually cause you to drown. Instead, just float.

7.Wherever you go, be it a church, a party, or even a school, make sure you see 3 exits. It can be both easy and hard. Scan the space with your eyes so that even if there’s only one door you’ll find at least three ways out.
Why? If something bad happens, it’ll be too late to look for an exit. If you’ve found and memorized them in advance, you’ll be able to move toward one of them almost without thinking.

8. If a dog is going to attack you in open place then,
-do not run, dog can catch you in no time( since it is open place).
-do not look into its eyes( animals can sense fear).
-do not show your back( showing back is a sign of fear).
-grab a stick if possible.
-Stand straight and be in attack mode.
-Walk backwards slowly until you are out of attack zone(200 meters is dog’s attack zone).

9. If you notice you are being followed, Raise your head, and go slowly.
People tend to instinctively lower their head and increase their pace when they sense danger. However, you should do just the contrary: confidently raise your chin, and slow down.
Why? When you follow your first instinct, you become prey. Whoever or whatever is threatening you, slow down, raise your head, and look sideways to see the danger with your peripheral vision.

10. Suppose you rammed your car into an electric-pole and live current wires on your car then,
-Do not panic. Your car tyres are made up of rubber and will work as an insulator. The metal surface of the car acts as a Faraday cage due to which the electric field inside the car is zero.
-Do not step out of the vehicle,if you do so you will complete the circuit between wires and earth and you’ll be fried in no time.
-Pick up the floor mats in you car and throw them on the ground where you could reach by jumping
-Make sure you cover maximum area with mats
-Open car door widely( roof top is preferable) then jump onto the mats which you placed earlier.
-Make sure you remove two legs at once( keeping one leg inside may complete circuit).

11. If you were bitten by a viper/any venomous snake,
-do not run(the venom will spread faster).
-Take a picture of the snake if possible or remember its features (pattern/head shape).
-Within the first 2 minutes, more than 95% of the venom will still be around the wound.
- Tie your shoelace 3 inches above the wound to slow down the spreading of the venom and loosen the tie for 30 seconds every 10 minutes to avoid necrosis.
-Call for help.
While waiting, rinse the wound with water (ideally 5% potassium permanganate with 2L water if you have a First Aid kit) or any -liquid (especially, urine).

12. If your car especially the fuel tank were on fire,
-do not try to douse the fire with water. Water is heavier than petrol and therefore would sink to the bottom of the tank. The boiling water would produce more heat, which when cannot diffuse, would cause explosion
-use dry powder fire extinguisher. Using the incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-ignite.
If the fire cannot be put out within 3 minutes, abandon the car.

13. You were driving a car and your brakes failed, then
-Do not say your last prayers in panic and be shouting "Jesus! Jesus!"
-Do not kill (turn off) the engine in panic as turning off engine will lock your steering then you can't change your path to avoid collisions.
-Do not change your gear to “neutral”, just decrease the gears sequentially. If you are in 80 with 4 gear come to 3rd and hit accelerator car will slow down like wise do with rest of the gears.
Once you have attained impact sustainable speed, try hand brakes. If they failed too, collide your vehicle with a similarly sized, parked car because Car fronts are designed to absorb shock (structurally weaker) and hitting a similarly sized car will distribute the momentum evenly
Else collide it with a tree or pole( make sure you wear seat belt and have air bags).

14. Never walk down the stairs with your hands in your pockets. This way if you trip/fall, you’ll not be able to catch yourself.

15. If a stranger gets in your car forcefully and orders you to take them somewhere, you can drive straight into a pole or a lamp post. This way you’ll render yourself useless to them because
a) the car is damaged and
b) you've drawn enough attention by crashing the car.
Sure, you'll damage your car but you'll save your life. Ensure your seat belt is on and your car has airbag.

16. If there are more than 2 routes to your house, try as much as possible to occasionally switch routes and don't switch in a patterned manner.... This will help you against ambushed kidnapping

17. Don't walk on/by the road when you talk, instead stop and finish your phone call before walking.
You will experience Inattention Blindness (you may be looking at an object but you'll fail to register it or process what it is).
The human brain cannot multitask. Walking and talking on a cell phone are two thinking tasks that involve many areas of the brain. Instead of processing both simultaneously, the brain rapidly switches between two cognitive activities.
Cell phone use reduces pedestrian safety. It shuts the world around, makes you blind to danger and is one of the leading causes of death for pedestrians.

18. When involved in an accident and a medical rescue team is on site, don't go about screaming your lungs out "help me! Help me!!"...
Make little or no sound as it is a well known fact that the less injured aren't usually the most vocal in an accident. The silent ones are most times attended to first as it is assumed they are CRITICALLY injured.

19.Do not take pictures of military vehicles, military personnel or military installations without permission. - Don't ask me why but you can find out if you want.

20. If you are in a foreign country, stay out of political discussions unless you know all of the parties VERY WELL. If pressed for an opinion, then simply state ,truthfully, that you don't know enough to comment. You will stay alive minding your business.

21.There is a little, clever device that can prevent death, headache, bleeding, back pain, neck pain, bone fractures, head trauma, brain damage, organ damage, bruises and emergency hospital admittance.
It’s called a SEAT BELT, use it always.

22. Wait a second or two after the traffic light turns green before hitting the accelerator.
There's always that one asshole at the other end that tries to outsmart the red light and they're never going slowly either.

23. If you are driving an automatic and you experience a failed brake, the first thing you want to do is to take your foot off the accelerator.
Secondly shift your vehicle gear down to D1 to reduce your speed. As your speed gradually drops, use your hand brake. Although it will take longer than usual to come to a stop because it only stops the back tires. Along with this, keep swerving the car and drive off the tarmac on the gravel or mud patch, if the conditions permit. This is to cause friction which will hopefully a long way in slowing the speed of the vehicle.
Ensure your hazard lights are on to warn fellow drivers & pedestrians.
Worst case, you can also scrape your car to the barrier/railings on the side of the road.
Friction is your best friend in such a situation. Try making the most of it.

24. Avoid as much as possible taking the lift alone. Use the staircase if the floor you are going to is not far. Otherwise, use the lift together with others.

What to do if you are unable to pass urine suddenly.

This is copied from "Abe 'Gi '81" FORUM - posted by Okuneye, Esq.
I find it intriguing.
Medical Doctors on the platform, please comment.
Tunde Oduwole, I-QS.

What to do if you are unable to pass urine suddenly

Recently I met a famous allopathy doctor on account of a medical article. He is in his 70s…is an ENT specialist. It was astonishing to listen to one of his experience which he shared. That day morning when he woke up he had a problem. He had an urge to pass urine but for some reason he was unable to do. At this age some people face with such problem some times and if they try two or three times they may succeed. He tried after some time but same condition. His continuous efforts didn’t bear any result. Then he realised there is some problem. Though he is a doctor but he is not an exception to such physical problems as he is also made of the same flesh and blood like everyone. Now his lower abdomen became heavy and he was unable to sit or stand and was suffering with the building pressure. Immediately he called up a known urologist on phone and explained his situation. Urologist replied “I am at present in a hospital in the outskirts and I will be coming to a clinic in your area in another one and a half hour. Will you be able to withstand that long?” He replied “I will try”.
At that instant he received an incoming call which happened to be from another allopathy doctor from his town (Suseendharam). With great difficulty the ENT doctor explained his situation to his childhood friend doctor.  His friend echoed back “oh, your urine bladder is full and you are unable to pass urine. Don’t worry, do as I suggest, you will be able to pass urine”. And he started giving the instructions. “Stand up and jump vigorously …while jumping lift both your hands as though you are plucking the mangoes. Do like this for 15 to 20 times”. What, when the bladder is full he wants me to jump? Though little sceptical the ENT doctor started trying it. What a relief within 5 to 6 time jumping urine started passing. ENT doctor felt overjoyed and felt thankful to his childhood friend doctor for solving it with such simple solution which otherwise would have required an admission in a hospital where they would have inserted a catheter inside the bladder, injections, anti-biotics etc resulting in a bill amount crossing Rs 50,000 in addition to physical and mental stress for him and his near and dear ones.
Sharing this for the benefit of others.

Rotimi2Williams Vs Gani Fawehinmi.

*Rotimi Williams Vs Gani Fawehinmi*

*When a Degree is not who you are.*

Gani Fawehinmi was the best legal mind of his time in  but he was not even the best in the University days, truthfully, he had ordinary pass in his Law degree, not even a third class degree. He could be classified as “let my people go” in those days.

After Gani left the University and passed his Law school , there was nothing ordinary again in his life, he was the best in everything he touched. He wrote lots legal books and journals in Nigeria. He visited Courts more than those who made First class in the same school with him or those who became SAN before him.

Gani’s presence in any court was a big news to the Press and the nation, he was delightful and reassuring to watch, he spoke the language of his profession like an angel and every judge knew him as a man of integrity.

Gani was the most honorable lawyer Nigeria ever produced, to most Nigerians particularly the poor and middle class,he was their hope, and epitome of graceful expectations of how to prosecute cases, he made legal profession honorable.

Gani’s most memorable case to the Oracle was against Rotimi Williams over integrity. He made a mockery of the man Nigeria called *Rotimi the Law* the Chairman of the 1979 Constitution drafting committee of 49 wise men. It was supposed to be 50 wise men until Awolowo pulled out of the committee.

Why?

The first appointment given to Rotimi William as Attorney General of Western Region was by Awolowo as Premier. It was the mistake of the Head of State Gen Muritala Mohammed to think Awolowo could serve under Rotimi unfortunately, he never consulted Awolowo before the announcement on the radio.

Rotimi Williams had sued Gani over his integrity and like Shylock he wanted a pound of flesh, the flesh that will show the nation Rotimi was the law. He also wanted an open apology in the court with the Press and new radicals of media like Dan Agbese, Dele Giwa, Mohamed and Ogunsanya around. He got more than what he bargained for.

When Gani stood up, the poor and middle class stood up with him, if Gani had failed lots of his fans would have cried openly in the Court but he turned things around. He took few steps towards the Judge and demanded to put Rotimi the Law on the witness stand for cross examination.

No one had ever done that in the history of Nigeria, probably in Africa. Rotimi was not a short man either probably around 6.2 ft, tall and huge with sharp penetrating eyes, broad shoulders, his presence took away the oxygen in the room, he was the attention in any Court.he was indeed the Giant of legal profession.

Rotimi wore his robe like a rag and if the event could be biblically assessed it was like David standing next to Goliath. Rotimi had everything his profession could offer, fame, money and power, Judges bowed before him and who would not? He wrote the law of the land.if not why would he be called* Rotimi the law*

To the surprise of the nation, the presiding Judge granted the request of Gani to have the man that was greater than life on the cross-examination box. Gani had a mischievous smile on his thin lips, he knew he had Rotimi by the balls, he was going to tear down the wall to show Nigerians how coleric his adversary was.

The hate was glaring, we knew the occasion would be historical as we were about to witness how David of Nigeria legal profession would defeat the Goliath of the learned colleagues.

Gani asked if Rotimi ever attended the popular High School in Lagos, he mentioned. Rotimi had no choice than to confirm he did. Gani told the Court to look at Rotimi Williams as a student of the High School who stole a calculator or so and was sent out for stealing if such a thief had any integrity?

Rotimi never had any integrity he said infact he lost it from his High School days and wondered what he wanted to protect as an adult. Gani Fawehinmi concluded. Rotimi was almost in tears.

The Judge called the two lawyers to his chambers and Rotimi withdrew the case. He never recovered from the bruised of the shame which the Press sensationally reviewed on the pages of the newspapers and talk radio.

From Gen Gowon to Military President Babangida, they were all scared of Gani Fawehinmi. Gani was a friend of the sick and the poor, a philanthropist with special attention to education where he noted his own weakness, he gave Nigeria his all, energies and commitment to the rule of Law and love for humanity.

If his profession were to be military, Gani would be more than a four star General. He was indeed what a Lawyer could be, to this Oracle, Gani was the Perry Mason of Nigeria law.

The Oracle says, what you make out of your University education depends on what you put into the society. Your degree is not a waste it is template for you to understand life and contribute meaningfully to the society, the man who made a difference is the one with education to improve his environments not the paper qualifications.

I beseach you my readers to have a renewal of spirit and mind in how you see life, let your goal in life be guided with your contribution to your society and never look down on anyone who came out of the University with ordinary pass. He could be the one to make a difference.

Papaya seeds

Start Eating Papaya Seeds Right Now – They Are Magical Cure For Gut, Kidney, Liver, Cancer and Many Other Diseases.

When we eat Papaya we usually throw away the seeds. You will change this habit when you will read how healthy they are, preventing and curing diseases related to the gut, liver, kidney, worms etc.
The following list will show the benefits of consuming Papaya seeds.

Papaya seeds are rich with nutrients that can heal cirrhosis of the liver. Crush 5 or 6 Papaya seeds and consume them with food, juice, especially lime juice. Repeat this for 30 days. Eating small amounts of seeds will protect and detox the liver.

2. Kidney Health
Experts at the Karachi University have found that seeds from Papaya can improve kidney health and also prevent renal failure. Papaya seeds can do wonders for diseases related to kidney poisoning.

3. Anti-inflammatory properties
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, papaya seeds are great for joint disease, alleviating arthritis, pain, swelling and redness.

4. Antibacterial and Antiviral properties
Papaya seeds, even in small amounts can kill bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli and Staph. Also, they fight infections and cure Typhoid, Dengue and other harmful diseases. People in Nigeria drink milk with Papaya seeds as cure for Typhoid fever.
In Costa Rica the seeds are used to fight Dengue fever.

Making papaya juice:
Take 2 papaya leaves. Wash them and cut into tiny pieces. Pound the pulp and squeeze through a filter cloth. You can squeeze around 2 tablespoons of juice.
Consume 2 tablespoons once a day.

5. Arresting Cancer
Papaya seeds have agents that can stop the growth of tumors and cancer cells. They contain isothiocyanate, which helps with breast, colon, leukemia, lung and prostate cancer.

6. Destroys Parasites
Papaya seeds have an alkaloid named “Carpaine” that kills amoeba parasites and intestinal worms. Papaya fruit easy metabolizes proteins and that way make the gastrointestinal tract great place for parasites. Children in Nigeria after consuming Papaya seed juice for 7 days get rid of 75 % of parasites in their gut.

7. Natural Contraceptive
Papaya seeds are natural contraceptives for women and men, without any side effects. People in the Indian subcontinent and also in parts of Southeast Asia, have used papaya seeds and papaya fruit for centuries, as a form of birth control.

8. Aids Digestion
Papaya seeds are rich in the enzyme papain, which protects digestion and it is a great solution for women who want to get pregnant.
For men, consuming 1 teaspoon of Papaya seeds daily, for 3 months can reduce sperm production not affecting the libido. This effect is temporary, if men stop consuming Papaya seeds the fertility returns to normal.

How to consume papaya seeds:
Papaya seeds can be consumed raw, crushed or ground in milk, honey or salad dressings.
Side effects and possible warnings for using seeds from Papaya :
Besides, many health benefits, papaya seeds can be dangerous for pregnant women, and women that are breastfeeding. Papaya seeds can be too strong for gastrointestinal tract of babies and young children.

Hurricane Harvey

[http://metro.co.uk/video/drone-footage-shows-hurricane-harvey-s-destruction-1525747/] [Drone footage shows Hurricane Harvey's destruction | Metro Video] is good,have a look at it!

How Funmilayo Ransome Kuti "Sacked" the ALADE of Egba land in 1949

HOW FUNMILAYO RANSOME-KUTI "SACKED" THE ALAKE OF EGBALAND IN 1949

On January 3, 1949, Oba Samuel Ladapo Ademola (1872-1962) the 7th Alake of Egbaland (1920-1962), abdicated the throne due to a strife with Egba women, led by Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900-1978) and her sister-in-law, Eniola Soyinka, mother of Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka (b. 1934) , on the issue of tax. The women were made to pay heavy taxes and were also maltreated.
After days, months and years of protest, the Alake, who was regarded as a stooge of the colonial master, was removed and forced out of office and had to move to Ogbomoso (other records say Oshogbo) where he stayed till December 1950 before things came back to normal.

THE LIONESS OF LISABI

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was born Frances Abigail Olufunmilayo Thomas to Daniel Olumeyuwa Thomas and Lucretia Phyllis Omoyeni Adeosolu, on October 25, 1900. She was a teacher, political campaigner, women's rights activist and traditional aristocrat.

She served with distinction as one of the most prominent leaders of her generation. She was also the first woman in Nigeria to drive a car.
Ransome-Kuti's political activism led to her being described as the doyen of female rights in Nigeria, as well as to her being regarded as "The Mother of Africa." Early on, she was a very powerful force advocating for the Nigerian woman's right to vote. She was described in 1947, by the West African Pilot as the "Lioness of Lisabi" for her leadership of the women of the Egba clan that she belonged to, on a campaign against their arbitrary taxation. That struggle led to the abdication of the Egba high king Oba Ademola II in 1949.

She was raised by parents who valued education and became the first girl-student admitted to Abeokuta Grammar School, hence, her nickname-Beere (which means first girl in Yoruba). She later went to England for further studies. She soon returned to Nigeria and became a teacher. On January 20, 1925, she married the Reverend Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti (1891-1955). He also defended the commoners of his country, and was one of the founders of both the Nigeria Union of Teachers and of the Nigerian Union of Students. The marriage was blessed with four children; Olikoye, Beko, Fela and a girl, Dolapo.

In 1918, Governor-General Lugard had introduced a system of direct taxation and created the Sole Native Authority which was a form of indirect rule whereby the traditional rulers acted as agents for the colonial government. The Sole Native Authority (equivalent to today’s Local Government) was headed by the Alake. It had far-reaching powers and all the previous checks and balances on the power of the Alake was eroded under the indirect rule system as kingmakers, chiefs and priests who could act to limit the abuse of power of the Alake were now dependent on the Sole Native Authority for their appointment to advisory councils. In plain words, they were rendered effeminate.

Before the advent of the British, women had participated in politics and had their own representatives. The most important, was the Iyalode on state councils whose duty was to protect and promote women’s interest. When they (the British) came, it never occurred to them that women had any significant role and so they never made any provision for it. Nevertheless, some women titles like Iyalode and Erelu remained but they lacked power and influence.

The aching issue for the Egba women was taxation. Having been subjected to tax by the colonial government, they provided as much as one-half of district revenues. Yet, they had no direct representation on the Sole Native Authority council, a situation they abhorred so much.
Further, the manner by which taxes were collected was often through insult, violence, chasing of women, beatings and stripping of young women ostensibly to assess their age.
As time went on, complaints increased, reaching a point where women decided that their only chance to gain redress of their grievances was a more militant approach. They considered the tax as foreign, unfair and excessive. They also objected to the method of collection.

This was the one issue which catapulted Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti into the political limelight, first in Abeokuta and then in Nigeria.
In 1923, she (Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti) had organized a group of young girls and women into the Abeokuta Ladies Club. The group was made up of western educated middle class and mostly Christian women who concentrated on crafts and social etiquette.

Around 1943/44, the Abeokuta Ladies Club regrouped and expanded to include market women who had approached Kuti to explain their ordeal to her. Most of these women were uneducated and it was at this point that Kuti began her political activism which aimed at raising the standard of womanhood in Abeokuta, encouraging learning among the adults and thereby wiping out illiteracy.

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was appalled to hear of the level of exploitation by the colonial and Egba Native Authority, harassment by police and representatives of the Alake against women. She discovered that the Alake, the traditional ruler of Abeokuta was diverting confiscated rice to his own stores, selling it and pocketing the profits (the rice had been confiscated by the government from women traders).

In 1946, the burden of taxation became unbearable and the Abeokuta Ladies Club metamorphosed to Abeokuta Women’s Union. This was designed to challenge both colonial rule and the male-controlled structure. Through the union, they opposed price controls and imposition of direct taxation, engaged in press campaigns and mobilized so much pressure against the Alake.

The Abeokuta Women’s Union was a well-organised and disciplined organisation. Mass refusal to pay the tax combined with enormous protest led to brutal response from the authorities as tear gas were deployed and beatings were administered. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti ran training sessions on how to deal with this threat, teaching women how to protect themselves from the effects of tear gas and how long they had to throw the canisters back to the authorities.

In late 1946, the Alake increased the tax rate for women. Thousands of women marched to the palace to protest these increases. The Alake’s only response was that if any woman felt her taxes are too high, she should appeal to him individually.
It seemed there was nothing to achieve, so the Abeokuta Women’s Union, through their leader, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, engaging in tremendous letter writing effort, outlined the women’s grievances to newspapers in Lagos and Abeokuta.
A mass movement was organised and they laid down objectives, some of which included:

1. Resistance against the poll tax,
2. Resistance against harsh enforcement of sanitation regulations, the payment of water rate, and
3. The removal of the Alake from office.

The Alake was vigorously criticised, since he was considered the personification and symbol of the Sole Native Authority to the detriment of his people’s well-being. Although, the colonial government was the real source of power, the Abeokuta Women’s Union attacked its agents, the Sole Native Authority and the Alake. They challenged the Alake’s abuses of food and price controls, his interference in trade and court matters. He was also charged for demanding sex from some women who had left their abusive spouses to take refuge in his palace and charging them for accommodation.

In addition, the Abeokuta Women’s Union called for representation of women on all bodies that administered Egba affairs by members of the union. Their rationale was that since the men had not protected their rights, women’s representatives were needed to do so. The anti-tax protest was a long one with Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti at the head leading the women in the struggle.

In 1947, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti refused to pay her taxes and was arrested. At her arraignment where she pleaded “not guilty”, thousands of women congregated at the courthouse to demonstrate their support. The next year, she again refused to pay her taxes. She led the Abeokuta Women’s Union in laying down plans for a systematic programme of mass protest.

The first major demonstration held on November 29 and 30, 1947. Many women took part. As they neared the Alake’s palace, she commanded the marchers to stop, closed her eyes and told them that all those who were afraid should leave while her eyes were closed. None withdrew. They maintained vigil during which they sang abusive songs.
In reference to the Aba women’s riots of 1929, the women were careful to stress the importance of not allowing the authorities any excuse to attack them or use violence by making sure no weapon was carried. Many women were jailed but were later released.
In January, 1948, Kuti was banned from the palace for insulting the Alake and the British administration supported it. Administrative attempts to woo away the Abeokuta Women’s Union executive from its support of Kuti failed. They also refused to attend any meeting without Kuti.

By April, the women were determined to get rid of the Alake and obtain their demands, one of which included that the Alake be removed from office. They continued their demonstration and vowed to go on the streets in nudity (a taboo in Egbaland).
To gain time, the Alake decided to go for a holiday at the beginning of June in Jos, hoping things would cool off in his absence. He appointed a special committee to investigate the complaints of the women. He also suspended their taxation and agreed to women representative on the central committee. Alas, the women were no longer interested in anything he did. They were only interested in his abdication, so they continued their demonstrations.

After he returned, he ceded further ground by resigning his position as Sole Native Authority. But the women would not budge and blatantly refused to accept nothing less than his total abdication and continued their demonstrations.
In July, the Egba chiefs and members of the Egba Native Authority passed a resolution against the Sole Native Authority system. They also charged the Alake with corruption and abuse of power. They thereby rejected him as king, rang the bell and beat the traditional drums to that effect.

Finally, on January 3, 1949, the Alake abdicated. The women’s protest which had intensified from October 1946 to July 1948 had been successful. Four women, all executive of the Abeokuta Women’s Union, including Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti were appointed to the Egba Central Council that replaced the Sole Native Authority and the women taxation was also abolished

Yoruba Woman

*Reasons why one should marry a Yoruba woman!!! No wonder Yoruba people are so smart and well behaved except for the ones without maternal care. Yoruba mothers are one of the best when it comes to child upbringing. Yoruba mothers produce the best range of slaps: IGBATI, IFOTI, IGBAJU, IGBARUN, IFORUN, IFAKUN, ILADI, ABARA. These slaps will make you think you were adopted. IGBATI will make you correct your wrongs instantly! The beauty of IFOTI is, you will confess your sins on the spot. IGBARUN, IGBAJU and IFORUN will make you expose those who committed the crime with you without hesitation. ABARA and ILADI will make you pee in your new pants. And apart from IGBAJU, we have an advanced one which is IGBAJU OLOYI. When you receive this one, you'll lose balance and your head will go into "auto search" as you'll be wondering what hit you!!! Oh!!! IGBAJU OLOYI... It can reset someone to 3D (DEAF,DUMB and DAFT). You'll be told 'let's go home' and you'll say 'its in my pocket'... LOL !!! GOD bless our parents for the good upbringing. If you were brought up in yoruba land, regardless of how caring your mother was, you would have encountered these slaps..... I know you're now laughing unless you're not a YORUBA".*God bless Yoruba Mothers.

Sunny Ade Vs Abioro

*The Magnate versus The Musician - The Story of the Epic Battle Between King Sunny Ade and Chief Bolarinwa Abioro*

It was in 1974 that the news broke. Chief Bolarinwa Abioro, the Balogun of Ipokia, the Chairman of African Songs Limited, had taken his star musician to court! Everyone who knew KSA knew Abioro. Everyone who knew Abioro knew Sunday Adeniyi. Sunny was the son. Abioro was the father. What could have gone wrong between father and son?

KSA was the second artiste to be signed on to the stable of African Songs Limited. Ayinde Bakare was the first. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister was the third. Like most creative people, young Sunny Ade was more concern about his passion and less concern about the business aspect of music. His passion was to play music and to excel as a musician.

It was enough that Abioro – one of the biggest men in the music industry at the time – was ready to promote him. They brought documents for Sunny and his band boys to sign. They called it a contract. It could have been called any other name for all that KSA cared. Won ni ko wa je saara, o ni ojo ti wonu ju. Se ata ni won ni ko mu wa ni, abi iyo. You are invited to a free feast, you are complaining about the short notice, are they asking you to bring salt or pepper? Sunny Ade and his boys didn't hesitate. It is doubtful if any of them read what the contract said. The most important thing was that they were going to become recording artistes. Sunny signed. His band boys signed. Everybody was happy.

The contract was for 5 years. However before its expiration, KSA had become a household name. His album, Challenge Cup, sold in excess of 500,000 copies. It was certain that King Sunny Ade was going to dominate the music scene for a very long time to come. African Songs Ltd knew a good product when it saw one. The management of the company didn’t wait for the first contract to expire before they brought a new contract.

The new agreement was carefully worded. KSA and his band boys agreed to perform and record exclusively for ASL for a period of five years. ASL had full copyrights to all compositions and recordings of Sunny Ade. ASL was entitled to the sole right of production, reproduction,  and use of King Sunny Ade’s performance throughout the world.

That was not all. During the period of the agreement, KSA was prohibited from rendering any performance whatsoever to himself, any company or group of persons. The contract also stipulated that ASL had the option to renew the agreement at its expiration for a further term of  two years or for any longer period. Sunny Ade had no such right.

That was not all. On the sale of every album which price was then fixed at N6.00, KSA and his boys were entitled to a princely sum of 20 kobo. Yes, you read that right. African Songs would go home with the remaining N5. 80 kobo. Onigegewura's mathematics has never been good.  He is just an amateur historian. You can do the sum yourself.

Still basking in the euphoria of his growing fame, Sunny gratefully signed again. His band boys signed. 20 kobo was still something. Orogun iya re da sokoto fun o, o ni ko bale, melo ni iya to bi o da fun o? You are complaining that the trousers made for you by your step-mother was not long enough, where is the one your own mother made for you?

They were expecting their 20 kobo royalty on every album. Well, when the time came for actual payment, it was then discovered that mathematically and arithmetically, it was not supposed to be 20 kobo. They had not factored the cost of publicity and promotion! And since it was the artiste that was being promoted, he must be the one to bear the cost! After the addition and subtraction, Sunny was given 15 kobo per album.

KSA was not Chike Obi, the mathematician. But he knew that 20 kobo and 15 kobo were not the same thing. Compared with his contemporaries in the music industry, KSA realized that he was holding the short end of the stick. His colleague, Baba Commander, Chief Ebenezer Obey was earning as high as 70 kobo per album. Others were earning between 35 kobo and 60 kobo.

That was when Sunny decided to ask Chief Abioro for a raise of the royalty payment. The chairman listened patiently to KSA and his colleagues. He was nodding as they canvassed one reason after another why a raise was in order. When they finished, Chief Abioro flipped open a file he had on his table. He brought out a bundle of documents. Even from where he was seated across the table, Sunny saw that it was a copy of the contract he signed. “An agreement is an agreement. It is a binding contract!” The chief informed them. “This is what you signed. This is what you are entitled to! No more, No less.” He returned the documents to the file. Case dismissed.

But Sunny was not done. “Chief, this is not about contract. You are our father. Our request is for adequate compensation! Let’s leave the contract aside.” Chief Abioro looked at the young star the way a parent looks at a child asking for another candy. “Leave the contract aside? We should leave the contract aside?” The chairman asked incredulously. “You know, it would be nice to leave the contract aside. But you know what? That would be illegal!”

Haba! Illegality ke! . It was then that someone brought up the idea of requesting some of his friends to plead their case. Sunny agreed. After all, Eni ti o mo oju Ogun, ni pa obi ni 're. It is the person who is conversant with Ogun, the god of iron, that is usually given the duty to administer its rites. They went to meet Prince Okunade Sijuwade who would later become the Ooni of Ife. They also met with Chief Afolabi Joseph. Even Chief Ebenezer Obey was also requested to intervene as well as Chief Nurudeen Alowonle. (You will soon read about the epic battle between Nurudeen Alowonle and Haruna Ishola on this blog.)

The eminent persons appeared in the court of the Balogun of Ipokia as ‘amici curiae’ on behalf of the musicians. Amici curiae are lawyers invited by the judge(s) to assist in filling briefs that may be helpful to the court in deciding a case. Our eminent persons argued their case like experienced advocates. They cited relevant sections of the unwritten Yoruba constitution. They cited Yoruba proverbs. They made reference to the story of Oduduwa. The presiding chairman listened to their submissions and summarily dismissed the case. Contract is contract!

Chief did not only dismiss the request for a raise. He opened another file on his table and brought out a new set of documents. Your guess is right! A new five-year contract! By now, Sunny Ade had learnt enough law. He had become a professional mathematician. He had obtained his Master of Business Administration from practical experience. He knew the implication of putting pen to paper. He applied for an adjournment.

The King of African Beats found himself in a quandary. His new songs were ready but Chief had threatened not to release any new album until he signed the new contract. And KSA was not ready to sign any new contract until the issue of royalty was resolved.

KSA remembered his grandmother’s proverb. Ti abiku ba gbon ogbon ati ku ni igba erun, iya abiku a gbon ogbon ati sin oku e si etido. If an abikudecided to die during the dry season when he knew that the ground would be hard to dig, his parents would also decide to bury him by the riverside where the ground would not be hard to dig.

Sunny Ade decided to release his record with another company. His plan was to use the album to bargain for a better deal with African Songs. Instead of the measly 20 kobo, he was confident that the chairman would be ready to pay him at least N1.00 per copy. The album was recorded in Nigeria but taken to London for mixing. What Sunny Ade did not know was that Chief Abioro was a master at the game. Before Sunny could get a copy of his own album, Chief Abioro was already in possession of the new record.

Baba Ibeji was composing fresh materials at home when the court bailiffs arrived. They served him with an order of interim injunction! The court order was as comprehensive as it was broad. Sunny Ade was prohibited from sale, distribution, marketing, dealing, etc. etc. of the record. He read the order again. Even without being a lawyer, he knew the implication of the document he was holding. 

With palpable emotion, his mind went back to how he came to Lagos from Abeokuta with only one shilling and eighteen pence! He remembered his years with Baba Sala. He recalled how he got stranded with Baba Sala’s travelling theatre in Jebba and Kano. How he did not see his mother for two years whilst he suffered to make it as a musician. He recalled how his first album sold only 13 copies. Now when he was at the threshold of success, this court order! With grim determination, he knew he couldn’t afford to quit.

He remembered his first day at Oshodi when he missed his way trying to locate Moses Olaiya’s house and how he was directed instead to Dr. Victor Olaiya at Tinubu. He recalled how he knelt down in the dust of Oshodi to pray. Immediately he knew what he must do. Sunny went down on his knees and with an emotional voice, he prayed and prayed.

It was not the Sunday Adeniyi that knelt down to pray that stood up. He had become empowered. He had become emboldened. That same evening, he established his own label.

Sunny Alade Records was born!

He didn’t bother to sit down again. He remembered the threat of Chief Abioro to bring him down at all cost. He needed a lawyer who knew his law and who would be prepared to fight his cause against the Magnate. He went off in search of Gani Fawehinmi.

Gani collected the court papers and looked at the claims. He looked at his client. He looked again at the claims. Chief Abioro was not leaving anything to chance. He knew what he wanted from the court. His lawyer had read the agreement between African Songs Limited and Sunday Adeniyi.

Chief Abioro wanted only four things from the court: a declaration that the agreement between ASL and Sunday Adeniyi and his boys was still subsisting; an injunction restraining Sunny Ade from distributing or selling the record; an account of all sales of the record; and N1 million for breach of contract.

I hope you are not sneering at the N1 million as being ‘chicken change’. Remember this was in 1974. The price of a brand new Volkswagen Beetle car was about N500 at that time. N1 million in 1974 was a princely sum!

On the day of the trial, the court was filled to capacity. Gani Fawehinmi was armed with every conceivable legal authority. The law books he brought to the court were more than enough to open a library. There were books on Contract. There were books on Human Rights. There were volumes on Intellectual Property. Gani even brought some books on Slave Trade.

The first application Gani brought before the court was for an order to compel African Songs to produce its statement of account over the preceding three years. The court granted the order. It was discovered that the company was making almost N900,000 every year from the sale of Sunny Ade Records. It was also discovered that the total sum that KSA received was N62,000 in the almost ten years he was with the company. How can you be asking me what is 900,000 divided by 62,000? I have told you that I’m not a mathematician. Please don’t ask me about percentages or fractions.

Gani did not forget to raise the issue of how 20kobo became 15 kobo. He also cross-examined Chief Abioro at length on the onerous terms contained in the contract. Gani put it to the chief that the contract was in restraint of trade and that it was therefore null and void as it amounted to colonization of  King Sunny Ade, a free citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a citizen of the Commonwealth!

My Lord Justice L. J. Dosunmu listened patiently to the parties. His Lordship also asked the witnesses some probing cases.  The court thereafter adjourned the matter to February 14, 1975 for judgment.  It did not even occur to the King of African Beats that the day was St. Valentine’s Day. His only preoccupation was to find out the direction in which the pendulum of justice was going to swing.

On February 14, people started arriving at the court as early as 7am. The court officials had hectic time controlling the mammoth crowd that had come to court to witness the historic decision.  

In His Lordship’s judgment, Justice Dosunmu held that although some of the terms of the contract were stringent, that was not a ground for holding the contract invalid. In effect, the contract between ASL and KSA was therefore valid. As the court pronounced on the validity of the contract, Sunny looked at his lawyer. Gani signaled to him to be calm, the court had only resolved one issue out of four.

With regard to the second claim, the court held that since the records in question had been distributed all over Nigeria, there was no way the court could order them to be recalled. The court therefore refused to restrain Sunny Ade and his marketer, M. Ola Kazim from distributing the album. A tiny smile crossed Sunny’s face.

You recall that Chief Abioro was asking for N1,000,000 as damages for breach of contract. The court ruled that for recording with another company during the subsistence of the contract, Sunny Ade was liable. He was asked to pay N300! Yes, Three Hundred Naira! From N1,000,000 to N300! Sunny smiled for the first time.

The court having found that the contract was still subsisting, KSA was ordered not to release another album pending the expiration of the contract with Chief Abioro’s company, which was due in six months. Six months! What am I going to be eating? Sunny thought. Apparently, this was the only part of the judgment that Anti Wura, Buroda Alani's third wife must have heard, and heard wrongly too!

As if reading Sunny Ade’s mind, Justice Dosunmu said he realized that Sunny Ade would need to eat and feed his family in the six months that the contract had to run. His Lordship therefore held that the injunction was limited to only recording of albums and that Sunny Ade was free to do live performances for fees. His Lordship said that this was  in order to avoid a situation where the King of Music would starve or be compelled to go back to Chief Abioro.

The Judge had hardly risen before King Sunny Ade jumped up to hug his counsel. He was free! He gave Gani a bear hug. He had learnt his lesson. Creativity and Business must go hand in hand. Years later, the King of Music recalled: “The lesson I learnt from the episode is that if an artiste is churning out hit records, he needs to keep an eye on the business side of things. If not, he would be in a mess.”

I thank you for your time.

Onigegewura©

Historian Is Not a Judge, History Is.

The right of Olanrewaju Onigegewura© to be identified as the author of stories published on this blog has been asserted by him in accordance with the copyright laws. I encourage my beloved readers to always identify Olanrewaju Onigegewura© the Amateur Historian, as the author of these stories when they ‘Forward As Received’.

Olanrewaju Onigegewura 

*HOW TO AVOID ADULTERY IN YOUR MARRIAGE*.

*HOW TO AVOID ADULTERY IN YOUR MARRIAGE*.

Please note that you can avoid adultery. It is within your power to do it, if you really mean it.

Carelessness is one of the major causes of affairs in marriage not the devil in the real sense of it as many people always claim when they fall into error. So abide with the following simple rules and you will never fall into adultery...

1: Never make a member of the opposite sex your best friend with whom you share intimate discussions.

2: Never be with a member of the opposite sex at a time your spouse doesn't know you are there.

3: Never speak evil about your spouse in the presence of anyone. They will know you are not happy in your marriage and take advantage of that by showing you insincere affections and give you what you lack with your Spouse and destroy you.

5: Never visit a website you will not be proud to tell your children and wife / husband you visited.

6: Avoid keeping secrets from your spouse, AFFAIRS thrive in secrecy.

7: Avoid confiding in the people of the opposite sex, there should be somebody of your sex you can talk to. Don't dig the grave of your marriage with your mouth.

8: Avoid collecting unsolicited gifts and favour from the opposite sex. They will ask for sex in return. They are not Father Christmas.

9: Avoid thinking that anybody is better than your husband or wife. You don't know what their spouses are enduring at home. What you see outside is just show biz don't be deceived. Grass is only greener in the other compound because it is far from you.

10: Divert all your sexual fantasy towards your spouse. He or she is planted into your life to satisfy you and keep you holy.

11: Always remember that whatever every Woman or Man has in his or her body, your spouse has it too and they are not different from each other, only faces differ it is the same package.

12: Deal with any sexual thoughts that is not directed towards your spouse, kill it before it kills you. Sexual error doesn't begin in the bedroom,it begins in the heart.

14: Before traveling have sex with your spouse and put your mind to it that you will not have sex until you come back. That decision may save your life and destiny.

15: Men, avoid looking at the front and back side of ladies and imagine what is there. It is stupid, childish and dirty to do that, that's called lust, what is there isn't different from what your spouse has, please don't be stupid Sir.

16: Walk in the company of good and Godly Men/Women. If you keep company with adulterers, you will become adulterous.

17: Discuss your sexual desires with your spouse and let it be met at home, don't hunt for something that will hunt you later and hurt you deeply tomorrow, your wife/ husband has the best, get it at home.

18: fill your heart with the word of God always, this will not give lust a chance in your mind.

20: Always count the cost of adultery, don't just look at the pleasure, look at the pain, loss of integrity, how you will hurt your wife/husband, children, friends and above all GOD the Almighty.

21: Always remember that the enjoyment, pleasure and the thrills in sex is just 8 seconds or less, it can not be more than that but its repercussions can last for eternity. Why trade eternity for 8 seconds, is there wisdom in that?
*BE FAITHFUL TO YOUR SPOUSE AND YOU WILL BE GLAD IN DID*.

22: Pray regularly for your Spouse and your marriage. It is well.

God bless your marriage (Home).

(Share this until it gets to all married couples. You may be Saving a soul or a family).

Untold Story of S T Oredein

Grace to Grass: The Untold Story of ST Oredein, a Political Godfather Who Became a Robbery Kingpin

https://onigegewura.blogspot.com.ng/

There was no one in Western Nigeria who did not know S. T. Oredein. If there was such a person, he must have just arrived from Planet Jupiter. Chief Samuel Taiwo Oredein was not just a politician. He was politics personified. He was a kingmaker. He was a godfather. In fact, he was the Big Boss.

Oredein belonged to the exclusive club of the seven people who partnered with Chief Obafemi Awolowo to establish the Action Group which became the party that produced the first premier of the region. You don’t know the other founders? I will tell you. They are: Abiodun Akerele, Ade Akinsanya, J. O. Adigun, S. O. Shonibare, Ayo Akinsanya, and Olatunji Dosunmu.

Founders of the Action Group
ST did not hold a cabinet position. He was however more powerful than some Ministers of government. He was the Principal Organising Secretary of the Action Group in the First Republic. It is on record that ST had legal authority to issue query to Ministers and chairmen of government’s statutory corporations. It was Chief Oredein that broke the news of Segun's death to Chief Awolowo.

As an acclaimed authority on political moblisation, he also wrote a book. He was the author of A Manual on Action Group Party Organisation. It was published in 1955.

When the news broke in 1971 of his involvement in a case of armed robbery, it was greeted with shock and unbelief. It must have been a mistake, people thought. Or could it have been a political frame-up?

Today, Onigegewura brings you the story of a political godfather who became a robbery kingpin.

On April 13, 1971, Nigerians woke up to hear the news of an armed robbery attack on Bacita Road. Bacita is a small town in Kwara State. It used to be a very popular town in the past. It is the location of Nigerian Sugar Company. When the company was established in 1964, it was the first integrated sugar factory in Nigeria.  The town even has an airstrip.

The armed robbery attack was as daring as it was audacious. It was carried out with military precision. Two officers of Barclays Bank and two policemen who were in the vehicles that were attacked by the armed robbers were seriously wounded. One of the wounded persons later died of his injuries at the hospital. (And in case you are wondering what happened to the then Barclays Bank, it is the bank that became our present day Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.)

At the end of the ‘operation’, the armed robbers went away with a box containing thirteen thousand pounds. That was a lot of money in 1971. Chief Awolowo was then the Finance Minister and with his prudent management of Nigerian economy, our pound was almost at par with the British pound.

Barclays Bank Building
Mr. Kam Salem was the Inspector General of Police at the time. The Kam Salem House on Moloney Street, Obalende, Lagos is named after him. He directed all police formations across the country to fish out those behind the attack. The police spread its dragnet and within days of the robbery, Felix Dumeh, the leader of the gang was arrested. Nigerians jubilated when they heard the news.

Felix did not make any attempt to deny being the ringleader. He promised to cooperate with the police. He told his interrogators that although he was the leader of the gang, he was not the real brain behind the daring raid. Felix must have at some point in his life aspired to be a musician. He began to sing like a canary. He started to mention names.

The investigators listened in shock as Felix began to mention one name after another. He was not mentioning names of common criminals that the police officers were familiar with. The names of people he mentioned as his backers, protectors and shareholders were names of people you only read about in newspapers.

The first person he mentioned was a Chief Superintendent of Police at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Ibadan, Patrick Njovens. The interrogators opened their mouth in wonder. Felix threw another bomb when he mentioned Mr. Yesufu Bello, an Assistant Superintendent of Police also of CID, Ibadan. The third person he listed as his backer was Amusa Abidogun, a Chief Inspector of Police stationed in Ibadan.

The investigators thought they had heard everything. They didn’t know that egun nla ni o n kehin igbale. It is the biggest masquerade that is the last to come out of the grove. Then Felix spoke again. The name came out in a whisper. It was the name they were all familiar with. I have already told you that there was no one in the Western Region that did not know High Chief Oredein.

Iya Agba, my grandmother, used to tell me that when a child’s net catches a tilapia, the child eats it alone. But when the net catches a shark, the child must run to his father. The investigators knew immediately that this was not a tilapia. The fish they were looking at was nothing but a shark. They went to brief their superior.

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police was Mr. Sunday Adewusi. He was later to serve as the Inspector General of Police between 1981 and 1983. Ha! You remember him? He was the IGP when Alhaji Shehu Shagari was the President.

Mr. Adewusi sent his officers to Ibadan Command to investigate the matter. On getting to Ibadan, Adewusi’s officers were arrested by the three senior police officers they were sent to arrest! You are saying “Haba!” The hunters became the hunted. The Ilorin officers were later thrown out of the station! They were warned never to come to Ibadan again.

The three senior officers however didn’t reckon with Adewusi’s tenacity. He came back and got the three of them arrested. He took them to Ilorin. He also invited Chief Oredein for a 'chat'.

Chief Oredein arrived at the Police Command in a grand style. He came to Ilorin in his Mercedes car with its unique plate number: WR 6666. He expected it to be a brief meeting. He had engagements later that day in Ibadan and he had promised to be back at his base before nightfall.

Unknown to ST, the police had done their homework thoroughly. They had painstakingly investigated the case and gathered relevant evidence and related materials before inviting the political godfather. One of the people that the police met in the course of their investigation was Mustapha Adigun who was popularly called Balewa. He got the nickname from the abbreviation of his first name, Tafa! But he was never a Prime Minister. He was also called Tafa Igiripa by some people.

Adigun claimed that Oredein was his boss during the days of politics when he (Adigun) was the head of ST’s political boys. He informed the police that in the evening of the day of the armed robbery attack, he went with his boss to the house of Felix Dumeh. In addition to his boss, the three police officers mentioned by Felix were also present. I am not sure they were wearing police uniforms for that special assignment.

Felix was said to have brought out a bottle of schnapps and some pieces of alligator pepper. He opened the bottle  and poured a little quantity on the floor and also threw some alligator pepper on the floor. Like a Chief Priest, Felix then raised the bottle of the alcoholic drink and said: “this thing wey tin we dey do, God make it no let it prove.” They all chorused amen to the solemn prayers. Felix then drank out of the bottle and chewed one alligator pepper. The four of them also drank out of the bottle and chewed alligator pepper.

Oath taking and prayers completed, Felix went to bring a brown paper bag. It was the size of a carton. He gave it to Oredein. ST was about to open the carton when Amusa Abidogun, the Chief Inspector of Police snatched it from him. Abidogun passed the carton to his superior officer Njovens, with a smart police salute. You know seniority is important in the Force. It was the Chief Superintendent of Police who finally opened the paper bag. It was full of currency.

Njovens looked suspiciously at the carton, his eyes made a mental calculation of the total sum. “How much?” He asked. Felix raised his spread left palm before saying “Five.” The senior police officer shook his head. “Is that the arrangement? Before, the arrangement was seven” Felix began to fidget. “The boys are too many on it.” Well, half a loaf of bread was still bread. Five or Seven, Njovens was not one to reject money. Akosapo la n ko owo. The proper way to reject money is to put it in your pocket, as Iya Agba used to say.

Oredein was stunned when he arrived at the police headquarters to meet both Adigun and Felix. Commissioner Adewusi asked them to repeat what they told the police. They did. In the presence of Oredein, Felix confirmed Adigun’s statement that it was Oredein that first received the carton of money from him before Abidogun snatched it from him.

The former Principal Organising Secretary of the Action Group looked blankly at Felix. With a straight face and a deadpan expression, he denied knowing Felix or ever visiting his house. Njovens, Bello and Abidogun also made feeble attempts to deny knowing Felix. Later they started to beg the future IGP to assist them because it was the devil that actually used them to collect the money. “Ise asetani ni. Mo fi Anabi ati Jesu Krisiti beyin!” That was from Alhaji Amusa Abidogun, the Chief Inspector. He offered to return part of his own share.

Sample of Nigerian One Pound Note. It was introduced in 1968
Chief Oredein, the master strategist, realized that the cards were stacked against him. He checked his sleeve to see whether he had an ace he could use. He found none. It was then he reluctantly admitted that all that Adigun who was also known as Tafa Igiripa said was correct. However, the Chief denied that the money was in one-pound denomination as stated by Adigun. Adigun maintained his stand. Finally, ST nodded his head that the money was actually in one-pound denomination.
Reverse Side of Nigerian One Pound Note. It was withdrawn in 1973

It was over the radio that people heard the news. Chief Oredein had been arrested and would be arraigned in Court for armed robbery! Armed robbery! It must have been a case of mistaken identity. It could not have been the Chief S. T. Oredein that they knew. Armed robbery! Ki lo pa alaso funfun ati alaro po? What could have been the connection with the owner of a white cloth and a dyer?

In truth, Chief Oredein was not a poor man by any standard. Everybody knew he was a man of means.  Ohun ti a ko mo ni a ko mo, eni ti o ba ti ri oyun oyinbo ti mo pe omo pupa ni o ma fi bi. It is a well-known fact that the product of a white woman's pregnancy would always be fair in complexion. Between 1942 and 1962, Chief Oredein had erected six buildings. And mind you, we are not talking of four-bedroom ‘boys quarters’ in a village o! We are talking of real buildings in strategic locations. Four of the houses were at Ibadan. He built one at Oshodi. The sixth building was in a prime area in Ikeja.

What of automobiles? ST had a total of nine vehicles, including cars and lorries for both his business and personal use. He was not only sagacious on the political field. He was also productive in the other room. He was blessed with more than 30 children.

Finally the day of the trial arrived. People had travelled all the way from Lagos, Ibadan and Ogere to Ilorin to confirm whether it was truly the Chief Oredein that was arrested. To the surprise of many of his supporters and friends, it was the author of the book on political organisation himself that was brought to court.

ST was arraigned alongside the three senior police officers. They were charged with abetting the commission of a robbery and of receiving stolen property as well as offence of harbouring known offenders. In other words, they were charged with receiving 5,000 pounds from the armed robbers in order to screen them from legal punishment for the offence.

It was a criminal trial like no other. It was a battle of giants. Chief Oredein and Patrick Njovens briefed Chief Rotimi Williams to appear for them. Bello and Abidogun retained the services of Mr. Richard Akinjide. The prosecution was led by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Kwara State, Mr. Anthony Ekundayo. The three senior lawyers proved their mettle. 

The trial judge was a relatively young judge, having been appointed to the Bench only two years before the trial. However, what My Lord Justice Moradeyo Adesiyun lacked in age, His Lordship made up with uncommon brilliance and exemplary courage.

At the trial, Chief Oredein testified that on the day of the robbery he was at his hometown, Ogere having left Ibadan around 6.30pm on that day and only came back to Ibadan the following day. He admitted that it was true that Adewusi confronted him on May 26 with Felix Dumeh but he stated that he denied there and then the allegations of Dumeh. His principal witness was his solicitor who claimed that he was with Chief on April 13 from about 3pm to 11pm. Chief also called an Imam and a farmer as his witnesses. They all testified that he was at Ogere on the evening of April 13.

The trial was not only being conducted in the courtroom. From Ilorin to Ibadan, From Lagos to Enugu, From Port Harcourt to Ile-Ife, people were also busy conducting their own versions of the trial. Would the young judge be able to convict ST if he was found guilty? Would AG leaders allow their former colleague to go to prison for robbery?

When His Lordship adjourned the matter to December 28, 1971 for judgment, speculations began afresh. It was said that it was to enable the judge to release the accused before the end of the year. Some said that thanksgiving services had been planned to coincide with the New Year. All Nigerians waited with bated breath for the judgment day.

Finally, the day arrived. It was a Tuesday. It was three days after Christmas and three days before the New Year.

The four accused persons were brought to the Court in a Black Maria. If ST felt any apprehension, it was not apparent. As he was led to the court, Oredein gave the sign of victory to the crowd of spectators who had come from far and near to hear the verdict. It was a good sign. It was a sign of victory. His people became happy.

Hon. Justice Moradeyo Adesiyun began by reviewing the charges against the four of them. His Lordship extensively analysed and appraised the evidence. When His Lordship noted the fact that the accused were not at the scene of the crime, Oredein turned to smile at the people in the courtroom. He would soon be on his way home.

Then came the moment. His Lordship found that though the accused persons were not physically present at the scene of the armed robbery, they had prior knowledge of the robbery before it took place and that the three of them who were police officers did nothing to prevent the robbery. His Lordship also found that they all received proceeds of the robbery.

Justice Adesiyun therefore came to the conclusion that the accused persons were guilty of the charges against them.

Chief Oredein could not believe his ears. Guilty as charged? He was not going to be free? His native cap which he had been holding, in deference to the authority of the court, clattered to the floor with a thud. The High Chief from Ogere Remo stood still as if he was Opa Oranmiyan in Ile-Ife. It was Yesufu Bello who was standing beside him that nudged him back to reality. “Chief, 'they' are asking if you have anything to say.”

Oredein had not prepared any allocutus. He had not expected to be convicted. Ko si eni ti o gbe oju fifo le adiye ori aba. Who could have imagined that a mother hen would fly off from her hatchery? You don't know allocutus? It is another Latin word they taught us in Law School. It is a statement made by a defendant who has been found guilty before he is sentenced. It is like 'A beg, tamper justice with mercy' that a Lagos bus driver would tell you after breaking the side mirror of your Range Rover.

Allocutus or no allocutus, something must be said. The court had only convicted, His Lordship had not yet pronounced their sentences. Perhaps something could still be done. His eyes scanned the crowded courtroom. It appeared he was looking for someone or something. Whatever he was looking for was not in the court. He turned back to His Lordship.

Oredein pleaded for leniency. In a very moving voice, he informed the court of his past travails: “First it was the treasonable felony and conspiracy trial, but I was acquitted at the Supreme Court. Second, the Aberenla murder trial came, and I was in custody for 11 months before I was freed at Ijebu-Ode High Court. I humbly plead for Your Lordship’s forgiveness.”

Of course you know the treasonable felony trial the Chief referred to. The Aberenla trial he mentioned was the case over the murder of Ogunkoya Aberenla who was the Leader of Ogere Remo's branch of Nigerian National Democratic Party of Chief Ladoke Akintola (Not to be confused with the party of the same name established by Herbert Macaulay in 1922). Aberenla's body was never found. Onigegewura will write about his mysterious disappearance soon.

Justice Adesiyun looked at the accused persons. “If you had any conscience, you should drop your heads in shame.” His Lordship observed that they were lucky not to have been caught by the amendment to the Robbery and Firearms Decree which provided death by public execution for convicted armed robbers and those found to have aided and abetted armed robbery.

His Lordship therefore sentenced each of them to life imprisonment. There was no Federal Court of Appeal in those days. It was only Western State that had a Court of Appeal and Kwara was not part of Western State.

The four of them ran all the way to the Supreme Court.

On May 3, 1973, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment. My Lord Justice Coker who delivered the judgment of the apex court dismissed the appeal of all the convicted persons and affirmed the life sentences imposed on them by the trial court.

Chief Rotimi Williams later became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Mr. Richard Akinjide became a Chief, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Attorney General of the Federation. Mr. Anthony Ekundayo, the DPP, was elevated to the Bench as a Justice of the High Court of Kwara State. The trial Judge, My Lord Adesiyun was also elevated. His Lordship served as the Chief Judge of Benue State from 1976 until his retirement in 1985.

History Does Not Forget! Historian is not a judge, History is.

I thank you most warmly for your time. Please don't forget to leave your comment below. Winners of our first set of books will be announced next week.

Olanrewaju Onigegewura©