21022021 - S/N govs. monarchs join forces against killer herdsman,crinimals

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PAGE 14—SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 21, 2021 Alabi-Isama: An officer and a socialite?: A tribute This article was published in the Vanguard when Gen Alabi-Isama hit 70. Very little has changed since then except that he finally published his book, which was a block-buster that sold out so fast. Alabi- Isama had to autograph its pirated version for his friends and admirers after the first edition sold out! He is the chairman of the Amala Group, a bunch of professionals who meet once a month to savour bowls of hot Amala with choice pieces of meat washed down with the best of drinks! Gen. Isama recently turned 80 and this reprint is a celebration of the legendary soldier!!! Ihave often wondered who General Godson Alabi-Isama would have turned out to be if he hadn’t made that spur-of-themoment decision to enrol into the Nigerian Armed Forces a few months shy of his taking his West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE). He wasn’t scared of the exams - he’d taken quite a few after that and came up tops. According to him, he had watched a few military parades in Ibadan where he lived with his late mother, fancied being part of it and if he didn’t take that chance of joining fresh recruits then, he might never have the opportunity again. He passed the test and that was it! Alhaja, his poor mum, was almost apoplectic. An only son of her two children joining the Armed Forces? And, this at a time when joining the Forces By Olasunkanmi Akoni The Lagos State government has commenced the process for the review of the State Properties Protection Law, LSPPL, 2016 to expunge the option of fines for any convicted landgrabber(s) with a mandatory six-year jail term Ṗermanent Secretary, Lagos State Lands Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro, revealed this at a stakeholders’ forum on fraudulent sales of state government land by landgrabbers, popularly, called “Omo-Onile,” held in Aausa, Ikeja. He said: “Since the first of February 2021, you probably must have been exposed to our advertisement calling on Lagosians to the activities of was like sounding your own death knell. After a lot of efforts to pull her son ut failed, the poor woman had to resign herself to her fate. Well, Alabi-Isama thankfully lived to tell the tale of his exploits in the Army, and he is still telling tales of his mesmerising adventure in the war-front to anyone who cared to listen. You must have recently read of his military exploits in the various newspapers that have carried his stories - so I’ll spare you all that - again! All I’m convinced of is that if he hadn’t been a soldier, he would have excelled in any other profession of his choice. At 37, he suddenly found himself in the midst of us ‘bloody civilians’, hung around for a while, then relocated to the USA to cool his heels before restrategising. And, so began a chain of events that eventually moulded him into the man he is today - a Brigadier-General and a highly-successful businessman carving his niche in the telecoms business. Yet, the man is not as cut and dried as he seems. A socialite in his own right, it is amazing how he could make friends with the low and mighty and make all of them feel like his bosom buddy. You step into his house - and the revel begins! He virtually pours booze down your throat - you name your poison, he has it - from champagne to the best of brandies down to lager and exotic wines and soft drinks. But scarcely would you find him touching the stuff. Once •Gen Alabi-Isama a member of the ‘Champagne Charlie’ gang, he said he once drove for house through a nerve-wracking traffic from Ikeja to his Surulere residence. He was naturally in his soldier-temper when he got home. Still seething, he popped open a bottle of champagne and glug the lot straight from the bottle! “It knocked me for six,” he confessed. “Why I reacted so badly to a drink I’d enjoyed for years really frightened me. There and then, I resolved not to touch the stuff and I haven’t really looked back. Apart from a few celebratory drinks, I’ve stuck to my gun. I guess I’d had more than my share of the stuff. My exploits as a member of the ‘Elbow Raisers’ Club attested to that. But, there are a lot of things to enjoy in life than steeping in booze...” Like what, for instance? I asked him. “Like charting the Djooky music contest calls for entries as Brian Malouf, Patrice Rushen, others emerge judges He is a people’s man who made a lot of lasting friendship during the war, people whose lives he had saved still show him a lot of gratitude course of all my children some of who, thank goodness, are in some of world’s best professions.” He is also very passionate about his business - and there is his resolve to write a book about the civil war. Interesting how his life always revolve round his stint in the Army. Several books have been written about the war and a lot of Generals have given different accounts of their dare-devil adventures that another book would be a sort of so-what? To the reading public. “Not this one I’m writing,” he assured. “It’s so easy to distort facts when you’re not smack in the middle of action. My book is guaranteed to fill in the gaps.” Alabi-Isama is a perfectionist and that is preventing his book from going to press. He has refused to use a ghost-writer and he is writing the book long hand and with his computer. He is By Tunde Oso AS part of its efforts to improve the traffic situation in Lagos, Lagos State Management Agency, LASTMA, has partnered with the Association of Nigeria Courier Operators, ANCO by appointing some members of the association as Special Traffic Mayors, STMs. Speaking at the induction of the new mayors in Lagos, Commandant of Special Traffic Mayors, Lagos, Mr Othman Adesina Tajudeen said the burden of managing and controlling the traffic in the metropolitan city is so enormous it could not be left for LASTMA or Police alone, hence the partnership with private organisations like ANCO. According to him, with the involvement of the special traffic mayors and publicspirited individuals, the chaotic traffic situation and enending and ubiquitous gridlock will be a thing of the past. Educating the newlyinducted ANCO members on the functions of a mayor, the LASTMA chief said: ‘’You are to control traffic anywhere there is gridlock and chaos on the road; You are also to monitor road users and traffic painstakingly going through the mountain of photographs he has of his war days. A sort of collector’s item, he muttered he might just make a separate book of those! A glance at him on his desk with that determined scowl on his face had often made me want to turn back and run, as more often than not, I’d be used as his sounding board. In time I realised that he often asked your advice, you gave it, he sighed and promptly did exactly what he set out to do! And, he had got into a lot of trouble for that too! I had shown my indignance when I had to intervene in some of his skirmishes but he wasn’t having none of it. “My sister,” he often patronised, “you know I seldom go out. Most of the time you find me here at home in my corner, minding my business. So, how could I be guilty of all those things people accuse me of?” Then, the argument would start. The soldier in him never allows him to cede. “I don’t suffer fools,” he snaps. So, he cuts those he sees as traitors off without a backward glance. I have often reminded him he is no longer a soldier, that he now has to deal with mere mortals and make allowances for their shortcomings. Once in a while, he listens. Other times, he gives me the look he must have given some of his preys in the war-front before he pounced! In spite of all that, he has a large and generous heart. Why he decided to have his Land grabbing: Convicts to face 6-yr jail term with no option of fine ...as Lagos reviews law By Nnamdi Ojiego This year’s winner of the prestigious Djooky music contest award will go home with the star prize of $10,000 and an all-expensepaid recording session at Capitol Recording Studios in Los Angeles, United States of America. The runner up will get a $5,000 cash prize and the third prize winner will pocket a cash prize of $2,000. The Djooky song contest is a global music competition dubious elements in certain communities who are selling Lagos State government lands to unsuspecting people in some parts of Lagos. “The lands are located at Okenla village, Ibeju-Lekki, Idake village, Ajao Oki, Ladegbole, Imedu, Iratirin, Obadimisi, Ogombo, and Eti- Osa, among others. “These land grabbers have now taken their game to a new level as they have the audacity to erect signpost bearing government logo and excision application file numbers in their desperate attempt to deceive prospective buyers into believing that sales of such lands are genuine transactions and have government backing. “In line with our vision to be a platform for efficient land resources management that promotes easy access to land that runs four times a year (winter, spring, summer and autumn), and opens to all types of music and genres from artists across the globe including African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The contest, backed by world-recognized platinum producer, Brian Malouf, will kick start the national voting round from February 21-23, and title registration in Lagos State and our mission to entrench a culture of excellence, that ensures prompt and efficient service delivery anchored on the most current technology, “We are doubling efforts to confront all circumstances that may undermine transparency and integrity in the process of accessing land for either residential or commercial purposes. “The Attorney-General of the state has drafted the proposed amendment bill and presently with the state House of Assembly for a public hearing. In the next two months or less, we expected the law to be in operation. ‘The focal point of the review is to remove the aspect of the option of fines 2021. The continental and global voting will hold from 24 - 26 and 27 - 28 February 2021. This year’s judging panel includes multi-platinum US producer, Brian; Grammynominated artist and music director, Patrice Rushen; UK Ivor Novello winning songwriter, Sacha Skarbek and producer/music executive and songwriter Justin Gray; and Music Producer and Founder of BukiHQ Media, Buki Sawyerr-Izeogu, amongst others. and make it mandatory of six years in jail for convicted landgrabber(s). “We cannot afford to fold our arms while some persons continue to take advantage of hardworking and responsible Lagosians by selling illegal lands to them. “This is even so as the consequences of those transactions put lands bureau The management of Edo State University Uzairue, formerly Edo University Iyamho, has announced the commencement of postgraduate studies. This was contained in a statement made available to Sunday Vanguard. According to the statement:"Edo State University Uzairue, formerly Edo University Iyamho has scored another academic milestone with the commencement of admission into her postgraduate programme for the 2020/ 2021 academic session after securing the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC). The commencement of the postgraduate programme is a sequel to the graduation of 70th birthday bash at his late mother’s city of Ilorin beats a lot of us who had been warming up for the big event. He did have a good party, a lot of people whose hearts he had touched over the years managed to make their way to the venue in spite of the fact that it was a day to Christmas. Alabi-Isama is still expanding on details he wants in his soon-to-bepublished three-part book. “Why don’t you turn it into a sort of Encyclopaedia of the Nigerian Civil War?” At least I tried to! Alabi-Isama has remained a good friend. His children relate well to him. So, do his wives. He is a people’s man who made a lot of lasting friendship during the war. People whose lives he had saved still show him a lot of gratitude. Even now, he seems humbled by the fact that he pops into establishments looking for one favour or the other and up pops someone, eager to help and extol his help when they stared despair in the face. He boats of a stack of awards; and letters of commendation mostly from his business associates abroad. But his best moments are when he is amongst friends and family, dolling out hospitality and making as much noise as most of his tipsy guests whilst he remained as sober as a judge. Izam! This is wishing you the best of the rest of your years. As for the twins you have on your wishlist, may they materialise in your children and not in you!!! LASTMA inducts courier operators as Special Traffic Mayors officers with a view of providing information and updates to the agency. ‘’Special traffic mayors are also expected to participate in workshops, seminars and training on traffic management periodically to avail themselves of best global practices.’’ under unnecessary pressure when the buyers eventually come forward to process title documents. That is why it is better to proactively tame this preventive action now". The STM Commandant pointed out that the same laws guide LASTMA officers and Special Traffic Mayors, reminding the new inductees that being a mayor does not make them above the law, stressing that it rather behoves a responsibility on them to be exemplary and lead by example. Edo State Varsity, Uzairue commences postgraduate programmes two sets of students and a resource verification visit to the University by the National Universities Commission in November 2020. "The University secured approval for postgraduate Diplomas, Masters and Doctors of Philosophy in Economics, History and International Studies and Political Science. Others include; Biochemistry, Computer Science, and Microbiology and postgraduate Diplomas, Masters in Accounting With this, graduate students from around the country are advised to visit the University’s website for more details and procedures to obtain the postgraduate admission form for the commencement of their programmes.
SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 21, 2021, PAGE 15 Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation Minister, responds to the reactions trailing his rumoured bid to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Trap, spy claims Over the last one week, millions of Nigerians have expressed concern about which direction I am going politically and much has been said. Some have gone out of their way to reach out to me and offered their counsel out of genuine love and concern. Others have not reached out to me and have written or spoken out of ignorance, hate and malice imputing the worst motivations for actions which they claim I have purportedly taken. This contribution is an attempt to provide answers to just a few of the oftentimes asinine and absurd assertions and observations that the latter group has made. Some say they warned me and that I have fallen into a trap whilst others say my voice has been silenced, I am a spy and that this signals the end of my political career. My response to them and others who have conjured up even stranger motivations and conspiracy theories when it comes to FFK is as follows: To whom it may concern: spare me your crocodile tears and be rest assured that I am too big, too intelligent, too experienced and too forthright to fall into any trap. It is impossible to castrate a lion, render it impotent or silence its roar. Beliefs I stand on all my beliefs, core values and principles. I am the voice of the voiceless, I am a warrior, I fear nothing, I fear noone, I am as constant as the northern star and I will ALWAYS stand against evil. Speaking to other leaders across party lines in order to build bridges, engender peace, foster stability and enhance national unity ought not to create such national and international rage, panic and pandemonium. Are we so divided that we can’t even talk to one another and take pictures together without causing a public stir and setting the Internet on fire? You insult me and say I am scared of prison because I had a meeting with two APC governors? Do you know how many PDP and APC governors and leaders I interact with and meet regularly? Do you know how many I talk to on a daily basis? Do you know that I was prosecuted for seven years by PDP governments which tried to jail me simply for speaking out against them yet it did not deter me? Ask those that were in the Yar’Adua and Jonathan administrations. After a while they got tired because the more they tried to intimidate me into silence or make me flee the country, the more I stood my ground and fought from my corner till they gave up. Does that sound like a man that is scared of death or prison? You insult me and say I am broke because I had talks with two APC governors. Do you know that what I spend on salary in one month is more than what some of these people that are claiming I am broke earn in five or 10 years? I have 55 domestic staff in my house alone. Not one of them gets below 70,000 naira per month which is higher than the national minimum wage. I do not owe salaries and I feed each of them three square meals every day. I do all this just to help them and to ensure they can look after and feed their families. Does that sound like a broke? That is my little contribution to the welfare of our people because I certainly do not need so many staff. I employ them just to keep them off the unemployment line. Apart from that, do you know how many people I give scholarships to and how many people’s children I feed and educate? Do you know how many other families I am responsible for in terms of day-to-day living? The Bible says “be your brother’s keeper” and I do these things unto the Lord. I do them and I will never stop even when my good is repaid with evil. The Lord has always provided for me and given me the fat of the land. He has always caused me to be a blessing to others though I do not make noise about it. For the last 60 years of my life He has been good to me. He has caused me to excel, prosper and flourish and from beginning to end He has always been with me and mine. You say I make money through politics; meanwhile I left public office in 2007 which is 13 years ago! Does that make sense to you? In any case is politics my only source of income? Am I your conventional politician who craves for elective office? Do I even attend their meetings? I have been in this game since 1990! I have been making contributions to current affairs, political discourse and politics for the past 31 years which is long before most of today’s governors or Ministers even knew the meaning of the word. NADECO And it was always a struggle which involved sacrifice. Where were my detractors when I was in NADECO and fought against military rule? The records are there and so are the essays and some of the people I worked with. Where were they when we set up •Dikwa Fani-Kayode opens up on ‘defection’: I am a lion that cannot be caged September Club in 1989 and some of the nation’s greatest leaders and elder statesmen and top politicians over the last 30 years, including Presidents, governors, Ministers and legislators across party lines, were members? Where were they in the days of NRC, SDP and Choice ’92 when politics was real, when the greats held sway and when men honored their word? Where were they when we risked all for MKO Abiola’s stolen mandate and June 12th and even had to go into exile for years because of it? Where were they when we stood against the annulment of June 12th and fought against the government of General Sani Abacha? Where were they when we formed the Progressive Action Movement in 1999 and some of the nation’s brightest and best young stars and minds made their I owe noone any explanation for what I will do or will not do tomorrow contribution to national affairs? Where were they when we fought against Senator Ali Modu Sheriff who was allegedly sent to destroy the PDP? Where were they when I led President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential campaign in 2015 and took the battle to the gates of the enemy? Where were they when I stood behind President Olusegun Obasanjo and faced down ALL his detractors? Where were they when I was targeted and almost assassinated on two separate occasions during the Obasanjo presidency simply because I was the President’s defender-in-chief and armour bearer and was totally committed to his cause? I did all this in the past and present and you say I am making money from it? Do you know the risks involved in these things? Do you know I could have been killed together with members of my family long ago and most certainly would have had it not been for God? Can my detractors give up so much and risk so much just for politics? Honestly it really is the deepest insult. Wealth and politics Some of us were born into wealth and have never lacked it. We were born into politics too. We were born into the circles of power so nothing moves us. For us politics is a noble calling and not a profession. It is about proffering solutions to complex national issues and not about acquisition of primitive wealth. We gave up all for the struggle for democracy and the opportunity to help to develop our country and move her forward and now we are insulted and mocked and told we did it for money? Which money? How much can I be bought or bribed with? All the money in the world could not move me because I have never lacked it. What have I not had or enjoyed in life from a very young age? Where have I not been? I came to the conclusion long ago that all is vanity and that material wealth means nothing. I would never sacrifice my principles or integrity for it. Mallam Abba Kyari, the President’s late and powerful Chief of Staff, was my brother for over 40 years and we interacted regularly whilst he was in power. I never asked him for ANYTHING from his government just as I never asked or got ANYTHING from any of the previous Federal Governments between 2007 and 2021. If I had done so I would not have been able to criticise those governments publicly and I would have been exposed. You cannot criticise where you eat from. I did not join APC when Abba was in government and I did not compromise my principles when I could have asked him for anything since he had the ear of the President. I respected and loved him for who he was and NOT for the position he held and the feeling was mutual. I opposed his government in spite of our friendship and did not share his views yet we remained friends because our friendship was well above politics. That is what civilised people do. They agree to disagree and respect each other’s views. They never let it come between their friendship. I opposed Abba’s government and risked losing an old and loyal friend and brother because I believed passionately in all I said. I believed all that I said then and I still believe it today. All that and now you dare to question my resolve and consistency? It is laughable. Consistent You say I am inconsistent. Meanwhile I have been more consistent in my views over the last 30 years than 95% of Nigerian leaders and I have stuck to my guns despite all manner of persecution and suffering! You say I have no relevance meanwhile millions all over the world read my words avidly every day and follow my actions religiously because I inspire them due to the fact that I have always had the courage of my convictions and I have always spoken truth to power. Unlike most politicians I actually inspire people and give them hope. And most important of all they trust me and trust my judgment. They have also acknowledged the fact that more often than not my words are prophetic and I have displayed remarkable insight and foresight when it comes to national affairs. How many of your so-called “relevant” leaders have done that? How many of them have displayed such courage under fire for years on end? How many of them can have their newspaper columns in three national dailies closed over the years due to threats to the publishers from government and yet keep writing his essays on social media with millions of people all over the world still reading them and receiving the message? How many of them can be blacklisted by newspapers and television stations with threatening orders from above and still keep talking? How many of them across party lines can mould the thoughts and guide millions in this way with their counsel, words, actions and thoughts? First seven years of persecution under PDP then five years of persecution under APC! HOW many of your leaders can stand such fire and pain and still fight on? Almost all of them ever do is sell you down the river, tell you lies, ignore your pain, deceive you, mock you, use you and give you crumbs in return for your acclamation, support and loyalty but you love them for that. You say I am scared of even more persecution. At the age of 60 you believe I am scared? Continues on page 16
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21022021 - S/N govs. monarchs join forces against killer herdsman,crinimals

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