Author: Taiwo Abiodun

I am a blogger . taiwoabiodun.com and TAIWOABIODUN.BLOGSPOT.COM

Monsurat Adene goes home

Internet abuzz over her death

Oró ñlá lẹẹ dá  Héé- héè
Oró ñlá lẹ dá
Ẹyin tẹẹ kó ọmọ ẹiyẹ
Tẹẹẹ jẹ o d’àgbà o
Oró ñlá lẹ dá

Many wept , some gnashed  their  teeth while others  rolled on the ground when  the news was broken . Those who found it hard to believe called to be sure. This weekend again this  ugly drama will repeat itself :  curses and curses will be rained on the masterminds and executioners of this  evil deed. Many would like to glance at the corpse to be sure that she is truly gone!

Yes! She  is  gone, gone and gone forever but thank God for the modern technology, Internet will not forget her even though we would sometimes temporarily forget her.

What will it be going through the killers’ minds when they watch  how she would be lowered six feet below the ground level?. What will they be saying when they suddenly discover that they made a big and fatal  mistake by killing her?. Now it’s either they will be regretting or those who sent them (if any) will boldly say   they regretted for not knowing the Nigerian press will carry the news  because of the obscurity of the scene of the crime. 

Babalawo Of the Nation ( BoN) broke down in tears

But like Abel’s blood that cried from the ground, Monsurat’s blood cried to high heavens!.

If you have ever had contact with her please endeavor to  give her a one-minute silence and pray for her departed soul. She was just unfortunate to have  had her life   cut -short  when she was about reaping the fruit of her labour.

I heard you complaining of her . Whaaaaat? . Are you a Saint? .

It was Diogenes that Cynic Philosopher who was going round the town in the afternoon holding a lantern looking for an honest man. He died without seeing any. Remember what Jesus said “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her” (John :7).

Let us stop running our mouth. His younger brother, Wale who lives in the USA spoke with me on phone and said ” Yes, my sister was strict but is it everyday that the legendary warlord Ajaka perpetrated evil?”.

Tonight  ,there would be a candlelight procession   where friends and relatives will give the above  soulful rendition in tears. This would be followed tomorrow in tears

God be with you till we meet again ….God be with you till we meet again ..

As the beautiful casket is being lowered and the grave covered.

A o pade leti odo t’ese Angeli ti tee, to mo gaara bi Krista leba …..

Let the assailants watch the video clips of how we wept. Let them watch how she was being lowered six feet below the ground level   and let them flash back to when they planned and hatched  their evil  plan. Now it is regret of ‘had  we known?’

Let those who sent  sent them flee the country . Let them go into hiding and let them not sombre  but should remember Peter Tosh’s  song ‘ You can run but you can’t hide on that day. If you run to the sea, sea will be boiling ,if you run to the rock ,rock will be melting on that day….’

Let us give her a befitting burial. Come let us console the family. Whether you like it or not she has become a celebrity and has become a goddess.

Since she has three names from three religions: Christianity, Islam and Tradition bearing Debbie ( Deborah) Monsurat,and  Iyabo. Let the Muslims , Christians and African  Traditional Practitioners pray for her and also invoke her spirit to fish out her killers.

HER SECRETS

Her grandfather was  from Ijebu-Ode and  the late Professor Yunusa  Oyeneye ,former Vice Chancellor of Adebisi Onabanjo University ( former Ogun State University) was her uncle. Her grandfather was Amusa Pakulopa  Oyeneye ,a successful business man who came from Ijebu-Ode to settle down in Owo . He was a wealthy man and had properties in Owo. He died  during the Holy pilgrimage to perform Hajj in Mecca in the 60s at the age of  65.

Monsurat was jovial and had a  good sense of humor . She had  a good  dress sense  . She was very creative and hardworking. She could adjust  to any situation. She was versatile.

The arrested Personal Assistant confessing in her house during a search

She was called Monsurat because of her Moslem  grandfather…..she converted to Christianity and bore the Christian name, Deborah              .( Debbie) .She was called Iyabo and Yoruba knows the reason . She did not let ‘Amusa’ reflect on her certificate as she preferred ‘Oyeneye'(a traditional name). She because of the love and her proficiency in English and social interactions went to study Secretarial Administration and bagged Higher National Diploma ( HND).

Monsurat’s behavior and manners cum actions showed how the Biblical Deborah was during the time of Israel in the Bible. Her role was powerful .She was a fearless Judge  in Israel. She was bold and courageous and could face anybody. She was a Charismatic Military leader performing both the Judicial functions; and was the only female Judge and Prophet .Monsurat did not employ Yoruba man as his Personal Assistant ditto her driver .

But a lesson must be learnt here; Don’t do evil. The killers would be shocked that all the Nigerian media carry  her news and story. They thought she would just be killed like others and let it go. But for this one ,No!.

Her own case became a hot soup and spilled on them. Her case became a hot water that spilled on them. Because the place.where the ugly incident happened,Oda Road  is in an obscured area nobody will know not knowing that  it would become a Celebrity / high profile case.

But how old are these young boys that were arrested? .I learnt they are between 17 and 18 years. How would they have the temerity , knowledge and evil mind of creativity to kill  and burn her and planned to sell dummy to us all that her kitchen gas cylinder exploded? ,ñbà, Na lie, iró Nla , úró gbuuu!

Let the Police fish  out the suspects . Let them be smoked out from  their hiding. Let justice  prevail .We need justice .

Continue reading “Monsurat Adene goes home”

Who will tell her mother?

      THEY  pinned her down on her bed  and stuffed her mouth with clothes . In  disbelief and shock , she begged for mercy . Mercy? , no way! .  They had already made up their mind. They had planned it . They brought out  two  sharp  cutlasses

During her 54th birthday 

and dealt  a fatal blow on her head. They cut her leg, dangling and her wrist. Blood spurted out like water from the tap. Blood splattered on the walls. The bed was soaked with blood. Her blood wet the floor and the plate of food she ate from, her leftover. Not yet done , they went to the kitchen , brought out a knife and thrust it into  her chest, breast and  when the knife broke they went for another and stabbed her in the stomach until the stomach was rip opened and the intestines were out . They buried the knife in her tommy( as the suspects confessed until the autopsy confirms).They made sure she was dead . Clinically dead . Job executed. Before they snuffed life out of her , she must have struggled  and struggled but what could a weaker sex ,slim lady do among the  three musketeers   when  she had been gagged and tied ? . The duvet was used to cover her head . Everywhere was blood . They successfully finished the operation without hassle, no thanks to the deafening sound of the generator that was on. To her ,  she thought she could  be dreaming and waiting to wake up from her slumber . No! ,it was not a dream. It was real. Really?.

This was the account of how the late Monsurat Iyabo Debbie Olakunbi Adene ( Nee Oyeneye ) was slaughtered like an animal two weeks ago in her  2- bedroom rented house , at Oda Road ,Akure , Ondo State.

After the heinous crime the trio  went into the kitchen, lighted  the gas and released the gas  from the cylinder to make it explode . They burnt part of the deceased’s tommy . All efforts to make it explode  to confuse people that she died from gas explosion failed as the gas cylinder didn’t explode.

They carted away her  two android phones and her ATM cards and went to the Bank to withdraw money. Then the two phones became theirs as they started using them !.

All these happened two days after her 54th birthday .

According to one of the arrested suspects , her Personal Assistant heard from her telephone conversation that she was to be paid 500,000naira and another 150,000 naira. The driver who also  overheard the conversation informed his other partner in crime who was also her domestic worker to be alert and ready for action.  Again , the eavesdropper , his P/A  and another like- mind criminals who are the three   Judases did more than what their mentor ( Judas Iscariot) did . Remember that Judas Iscariot only betrayed Jesus Christ but these three wicked dare- devil sons of  Satan did not only  betray their benefactor but murdered her in cold blood . After entertaining the trio ,she dozed off and they hacked her to death. She must have  seen them by surprise and screamed  Et tu  my staff.

The Cutlass used on her

Who says Monsurat was not a strong woman ? . She was. They were no match for her if they had not met her sleeping!. Was Sisera the Army Commander of  the Canaanite Army of King Jabin of Hazor not powerful enough to face Jael who after entertaining him dug six inches nail into his temple?.

Trust Monsurat , she would have  treated their ‘ fuck up’ ( her language). She was a very strong woman . She was industrious. She was courageous. She was a one-man   battalion. Tani n’jeun t’aja n’juru?.( Who is eating while the dog is wagging its tail?) .Who born monkey?. Ajá ko jee ba ekun ni ibuba! .Who the hell they are! . Monsurat?.She would  spew  venom at  them . She would have given them fatal blows of their lives. Have you ever met her where she displayed her                 ‘craziness’?.  Infact they would have left  with bruised heads and  with their tails dug in-between their legs.

At Idimepen,Owo,Ondo State she was known as Monsurat. Among her  friends, she was Debbie Olakunbi, and if you call her Ìyábò she knew who was calling her. She was a good mixer and knew how to package herself. No wonder she left her Secretarial career for Catering services and made her mark with her  Company; Country Kitchen.

She dreamt  to be great and become a celebrity and she became one. Her death became a national issue in National dailies. She  was known by the bigwigs from    politicians to senior government officials.Yes, her infectious smile and jokes will make you kowtow for her. But don’t go beyond your boundary, she would give you in  full dose  and did not care whose ox is gored. She had everything in her pouch and ready to give you: hot or cold.

She had  a humble beginning and she made it to the top .

And the big question is who killed Monsurat and Why? . What was the motive?.

Let her friends and associates give her a befitting burial. Let us not mourn her again . Let us console ourselves that some of  the suspects were caught and pray for  the driver   to be caught and let them be singing like the Canary bird. Yes,  we pray to God to let the suspects be arrested and be confessing like a tormented witch!.

A lot of assassinations had happened in the country from Dele Giwa, Bola  Ige and to  prominent Nigerians while no clue was found . Nobody was arrested . Let us thank God that  she  didn’t die in  plane crash  or drown in the river where we would not see her remains  . Let us accept our fate.

Let a day be fixed for her burial. Let there be a candle light  ceremony. Let us support her beautiful children and her husband.

But who killed Monsurat? Let the  police launch a manhunt for her  killers . Let the police complete their job and fish out her killers and bring them to book.

The man behind this is known and popular. We all know him but only few recognized him. The man is wealthy. He is a Chief . He is notorious . His hand is full of blood. With his lethal weapons and his goons . His armoury is full of all kinds of ammunition.No wonder God threw him away from Heaven.

The man behind the death of Monsurat has evaded  arrests several times. He has a company where he employed assassins who work for him 24/7. He is the roaring lion , walking about , seeking who to devour( 1 Peter 5:8). He is the chief Satan/ Devil/ Esu.

But let us  not accept the name  these criminals would give us that sent them . Let us not allow them to tease us or manipulate us. Yes, the man is Esu or Devil that  sent them. It is the handiwork of Esu /Devil we all attribute crime to. No, we no go gree, it is not Esu or the Devil that sent them.

Our law enforcement officers should drill them, torture them to confess who sent them because how can these children whose ages are  less than 20 to  have been highly criminally- minded and killed Monsurat and wanted to burn her to make people believe it was arson?. Esu ke? Esu bawo?. Esu kó, Esu ni.That is what we all say , it’s the handiwork of Esu / Devil.

Let the police interrogate the suspects thoroughly and tell the world who sent them. No, we no go gree, it is not Esu that sent them.

So Bob Marley was correct afterall when he sang

Man to man is so unjust children 

You  don’t know who to trust

Your worst enemy could be your best friend and your best friend your worst enemy 

Some  will eat and drink with you..

Only your friend know your secret so only he could reveal it

The domestic staff ate and drank with their boss but  they paid her back by gruesomely murdered her.

Woman hold her head and cry ‘cos  her son had been shot down in the street and die  from a stray of bullet..

Who will sing the song for Gwegwe -her mother? .How will Gwegwe take the lyrics ?. Who will tell her over 90 -year- old mother? .

But let us tell her that her daughter has traveled abroad and no one knows when she would be back!.

Gwegwe’ s daughter was not shot down in the street but was  hacked to death in her own room just because of our system ( Greed,avarice, impatient, crime).

Grief is the price we pay for love. We are grieving because we love you .

Adieu.

 

Allegedly murdered five days after her birthday

 

Debbie Olakunbi  Monsurat Adene (Nee Oyeneye)

…..Marked  her 54 birthday on Tuesday

…….Hacked to death on Sunday

….Body found on her bed

…..No arrest has been made

Yesterday  Ondo State  was thrown into confusion while  the family members of the late  Debbie Kunbi Adene (Nee Oyeneye) are gnashing their teeth  over the death of their daughter who was allegedly gruesomely murdered in Akure yesterday. TAIWO ABIODUN reports

 

Five days ago she was  hale and hearty .  Five days ago she was bubbling. Five  days ago she served  assorted wine and drinks with   local and intercontinental foods. Five  days ago she celebrated her birthday and entertained her visitors . She posted many of her  pictures that  flooded   Facebook while comments were  made congratulating her. But five  days after her birthday  the whole thing changed as news flew round that she was dead!.

Debbie Olakunbi  Monsurat Adene (Nee Oyeneye)

Dead?. Bad news

No it cannot be true . While some were cautious and careful not to write RIP – they wanted to verify .What if it was a fake news?.  Calls were  made to know whether it is true or not. From Owo to Lagos , Port Harcourt , from Nigeria to  America to United Kingdom to Russia to Australia phones were ringing.

Debbie Olakunbi  Monsurat Adene (Nee Oyeneye)

HUSBAND SPEAKS

As this reporter called her husband, Dele Adene’s number  at 2 am Nigeria time   to confirm, the man in hushed tone answered ” that is how I heard it. I have left Lagos with one of her daughters. I am in Ibadan now but it’s already late . I will be in Akure tomorrow ( today)” he said ,as he dropped the phone.

THE STORY

According to Dele Adene the husband of the deceased , he said ” I was told by one of  my daughters , Oluwapelumi Adene who worked at   GTB that she was called to be told what happened. I was told that she was found on her bed in a pool of her own blood as she was  hacked to death.They said  someone found her  lifeless body on her bed!”

Adene said ” I cannot believe that no arrest were made up till the  moment of talking to you. Suspects should have been arrested. Her phone should be tracked and  I don’t know how nobody in the building did not know such thing happened in about four flats”, he lamented  .

Debbie Olakunbi  Monsurat Adene (Nee Oyeneye)

 

HER DAUGHTERS SPEAK

Speaking with her daughter , Dr.( Miss) Tejumade Adene  who works with a Non -Profit Organization  in Ibadan said ” Yesterday afternoon the caretaker of the house where my mother lived called to inform me .My mummy’s brother, Kabiru later told me she was murdered and that  somebody  came to the house to kill her . We are now on our way to Akure now ”, she said as she burst into tears.

Miss Oluwapelumi Adene a Banker with GTB in Lagos also spoke with this reporter . She said ” Yesterday when I came back from the church and was trying my mom’s number  but it was saying ‘switched off’.Later I received a call from my mother’s brother , Kayode who called from the United States to inform me that my mother had been killed. I was with her on the 3rd of this month”, as she said this , she burst into tears again ”.

According to Dr. Tejumade , their mother lived in a two bedroom flat  on Oda Road ,Akure.

The late Kunbi worked in Lagos with  Swift Courier Services , later on she worked as a Secretary at Omega Bank at  V ictoria Island . After spending some years at the Omega Bank she left for ICAN to work as a secretary , which was the last place she worked .

      She relocated to Owo, Ondo state  some years ago and started her Catering business called Country Kitchen where she had many customers . She again left for Akure where she believed her business would boom. And that was how she dumped her Secretarial profession for Catering services .

She also a member of APC, as she was into politics too.

She was survived by  her aged mother and her two daughters ; Dr. (Miss)Tejumade Adene  who works at   a Veterinary Hospital , Ibadan and Miss Oluwapelumi Adene an accountant who worked with GTB,Lagos .

According to Adene , ”the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the Mortuary, Akure while the police are investigating, that is what I was told . I  with my two daughters are on our way   to Akure now”

As at the moment of filing this report no suspects has been arrested.  

 

Debbie Olakunbi  Monsurat Adene (Nee Oyeneye)

My husband sent me out due to my childlessness – Selimo Esther

 

 

….. I trekked from Ilorin to Lagos- Selimo Esther

……I taught her Typing and Shorthand in the ’80s ….. Rev. Aiyedun Sosanya

….. Selimo has  depression,needs help- Dr. Biodun Adeneye- Marcus 

…… I cannot continue harbouring her-Banjo Olusanya

Selimo Esther ( aka Adaramaluti)

Her story is pathetic, mind- boggling and emotional. Childlessness is one of the major causes of broken marriages especially in Africa where they count so much on Children unlike in the Western world where love is the key . Selimo Esther is a victim. Taiwo Abiodun writes

…I  typed projects for UNILAG and Yaba  College of Technology  Students

….I trekked from Ilorin to Lagos

…….I want to go back to school

…..I don’t want drunkards  and smokers as suitors

……..Why they  call me Adaramaluti

Selimo  ( aka Adaramaluti) in a dilapidated building

         As the  56 year – old woman walks around with her bag and baggages soliloquizing those who  saw  her at Fadipe and  Odubanjo  streets, Shomolu, Lagos remembered her very well during her  spinsterhood. A woman ( names withheld ) recalled ” She was beautiful and respectful. I knew her very well. I don’t know what could have happened to her .

Those who knew her at Sabo- Yaba, Market Complex ,Lagos described her as a professional typist whose typing speed was  60 words per minute. An ex- student ( who does not want his name in print) of Yaba College of Technology  told  this reporter on phone that Selimo used to type his assignments and projects while a student of University of Lagos described the woman as a genius in typing in 90s  .

At  Sabo Market besides  Yaba Post office, she was  known for typing affidavits , private and official letters and post office- related materials.

An old man who lived at Birrel Avenue , Yaba  confirmed her story and said ”Selimo was  responsible and respectful when he knew her in the 90s”.

Today, Selimo has changed: Her words are incoherent no thanks to her mental  state of her health yet her beautiful face remains the same. Now  she moves  from one place to another. According to her, she trekked from Ilorin to  Lagos, and came to  Shomolu where she once lived as a Spinster. What baffles many is the fact that she came back to  where she once lived as a  Spinster and still has good  retentive memory  as she recollects names of some landlords , friends ,about her past activities and many more.

A call from Ilorin confirmed that she lived there in the early 80’s. While residents of Somolu who knew her for years confirmed she  was once a resident in their environment too.

 

Selimo  during an interview with Dr.Biodun Adeneye – Marcus

 

According to Selimo  she walked from Ilorin to Lagos and was on the road for days before she arrived   Lagos.

MY STORY

When asked to introduce herself, she smiled and started” My name is  Selimo   Esther .I have both Christian and Muslim names .They call me Adaramaluti ( Beautiful without piercing earlobe ( for earrings). My father’s name is Adebowale Adebayo . I was born on   May 30, 1968.I attended St. John Anglican  Primary School  Iwo Road, Ibadan  and later  proceeded to Adebowale Private Secondary School, Ibadan. When I came to Lagos I attended  Adebisi Commercial Enterprises School Oyingbo, Lagos.

 

Selimo Esther without earrings

MY PROFESSION

Asked what she was doing for a living before her present state  , she responded” Sebi I told you that I am a typist or Stenographer .I worked at Nkemu Business Center Sabo Market by Yaba Post office . I also typed projects for students of higher institutions like  Yaba Technology  and University of Lagos  I  used to type their projects and many ,many have graduated today!”, she said.

She gave a heavy sigh and  continued”I worked as a stenographer . Do you know I learnt typing with manual typewriter? .Again I also used  electronic typewriter but now they are using computer of which I have to go back to school and learn how to use . You know technology has changed many things”, she said jabbing the air with her fist.

MY MARRIAGE

Selimot said she didn’t enjoy her  marriage . “You see I married a man called Toyin (surname  withheld) from Osun State but after some years his senior wife ( names withheld )  and my husband  sent me out packing ,they said I am barren. I don’t know it’s a sin if you don’t have a child. But I believe and hope in God.”

TYPE OF MAN I’M LOOKING FOR

Selimo  still believes she would marry one day and would meet a man who understands her feelings but not just any man. She said “there was a time I had suitors coming but many of them are smokers and some  are drunkers, I cannot marry such a person. But if I see a responsible man who has the fear of  God, fine. But for me to marry a drunkard  or a smoker no way.”

WHY MOVING  AROUND

On why she moves around aimlessly,she said “my family members don’t want to see me. I have no parents again. I am moving around to save my life, no where to sleep . I sleep anywhere but I am managing this place.

“I clocked  56  last  month ,May 30. I am not getting younger. You see I need a padlock …( Her words are no more coherent).

Selimot answering questions from Dr. Biodun Adeneye- Marcus and Prince Ferera 

GOOD SAMARITANS

Dr. Biodun Adeneye- Marcus , an author and publisher cum media/ Public Relations practitioner described the lady’s situation as pathetic . He said ” She knows many people here in Somolu and can still recognize where she lived at Fadipe/ Odubanjo streets. I know those who knew her very well when she was still young. I believe she is out of her mind. She must have suffered depression. “According to her , her marriage crashed because  of her childlessness and  was sent out ,this could cause depression for her “. Adeneye -Marcus said  the woman needs rehabilitation. “I want people to come to her aid before it is too late because she is vulnerable now. Ritualists could take advantage of her and she could be as well be raped by these ruthless boys. Aside that ,she is being stigmatized and she is not violent”.

Selimo during an interview with Dr. Biodun Adeneye- Marcus

Adeneye -Marcus continued ” The state government should come to her aid for her to regain her sanity .You can imagine , she could talk and explain very well on any  topic but would atimes missed her point “.

A politician ,Prince Babajide George – Ferera who was a one -time Ward  chairman in Somolu described the woman as  harmless and only needs care . His words” Those who knew this woman described her as a gentle woman. I can see that she’s harmless and not violent. She needs care. I want the state government and NGOs to come and assist her. She needs to be attended to. She needs care. She needs love . She should not be stigmatized. And she’s lucky to have found herself back in the community she had been known for years. She is vulnerable. Please the Lagos state or good Samaritans should come to assist her. Time is hard now there is little one can do for her”.

Mr. Adebanjo Olusanya  another good Samaritan saw  Selimo moving around the vicinity  and decided to harbour her after doing a research on her. He said ” When I saw her walking about aimlessly and nobody to harbour her I then made inquiry about her.  Dr . Adeneye – Marcus also encouraged me to assist her.I discovered that many who had  lived  in our vicinity know her  very well. And when I discovered she is harmless and not violent I decided to give a a space in our compound  at 12, Efon Alaiye Street, Somolu to stay.

“I am pleading to the good – spirited Nigerians to quickly come to her aid because I cannot continue to be harbouring her and take care of her.I know  this is  a big risk yet  I have to rescue her from being molested or abused by these roughnecks. If she falls into their hands they could rape her and again do dirty things on her” .

 

Reverend Aiyedun Sosanya said Selimo was his student in the 80’s. He said ” I taught her Typing and shorthand in the 80’s when I was running my school , Aiyedun  Commercial Institute which I later changed to Aiyedun Business Center ( ABC), Somolu. Selimo was a very brilliant girl then.However,  the last time I saw her was  about 15 or 20 years ago.I don’t know about her marriage. But I knew then that Boys always approached her but she always turned them down .”

Now Selimo is living in a dilapidated building,she needs medical care ,and other she needs help or else her condition could  become worse.

She said she needs a computer, typewriter ,photocopying machine and wants to go back to school to learn how to use Computer.

Nobody knows her relatives. She has no child to call her own .She is lonely.please help her before it is too late.

 

Why I joined…..

 

Bobo T 

…….My regret

……Some Miracle Workers are members

…….I came across some friends

…….The rich and Philanthropists

……. Don’t trust anybody

    When it was my turn  I knelt down and like a giraffe I  stretched out my neck to pick the raw meat with my mouth and ate it. That was the first time I would  ever eat raw meat dripping with blood. After this , an old man who had loincloth on his waist beckoned at me to walk backward three times without looking back. Later I was instructed to use my mouth to catch the pebbles thrown  in the air.  However I was able to catch five, ” anyway you will be rich but have only five years to spend and enjoy your wealth”, an old woman said in  cracked voice. I was then asked to chew the pebbles and swallow them . That was the end of the first initiation

T Bobo

The following day my phone rang and I knew who was calling in  that dead of the night. I told my wife I was going to a party , she bade me goodbye and jokingly asked me to greet my babes.

Communication is by gesticulation for they don’t talk at the meetings. Suddenly a man with facial marks brought out a powdery substance and rubbed it on my face -that was all I could remember as I woke up in a dingy room the following day and found myself surrounded by eight old men and two young ladies.” Now it is time for you to eat the food of success”, one of them said  as they brought out a bowl filled with charcoal . At first I didn’t feel like eating the ‘ food’ but one of them warned me that if I refused to eat the special food I could go mad because this is part of the initiation. I picked the first Charcoal and ate, later I continued eating the charcoal and eating it one after another like àkàrà balls,  one after another. After my horrible ‘breakfast’ these men formed a circle and surrounded  me and started  chanting  incantations while I was made to sit on a one-legged wooden chair .

The third day , I was  present there as usual , and for the first time I was able to talk to one or two people there . But what struck my mind was the man I saw there, he   is  the gatekeeper of our office where I used to work. I saw another  man who is my  very good  friend and a devoted pastor who is known all over my area. He used to perform miracles in his church . The man called me ” Bobo T, how are you doing? You are welcome into our club’. I replied “Haaa, Oga Pastor so you are here?”, he quickly covered  his mouth and asked me to keep shut. He told me this is where he belong and the members of this Club have been assisting him to perform miracles. He said ” there is no offense in performing miracle as long as you don’t tell anyone where you got your power”.

I saw my Boss who used to brag in the office that nobody can sack him. I saw small, small girls who joined the secret society looking  for fame and money !. Wàláítàlàì I saw a first Class degree holder who joined the Club because he is looking for an appointment  in oil company.

Taiwo Abiodun 

On the fourth day I visited them again at the normal place at nocturnal hours. Activities started again: Before my very eyes they broke three bottles and ground them. Later I was asked whether I wanted it to be mixed with beer or milk to enable me drink it with ease. I said I preferred beer . I remembered the traditional dance in Indonesia called Jaranan. When the Shaman say some prayers, and a dancer was in trance , then he proceeds to eat broken glasses , light bulbs  stabbing himself with bottles and knives and nothing would harm  him. This gave me confidence that nothing would happen to me. They brought two bottles of my choice beer and emptied the powdered / grounded bottle into the beer of my choice . I drank it with ease before a big shrine. But before I say Jack Robinson about seven girls who are virgins all  dressed in white  came with seven calabashes and asked me to open ONLY one to know what the future has in store for me .I asked what the contents are, but they declined to say it .I was blindfolded and asked to open one of the calabashes. When I did open,they now unfolded my eyes and showed me what I picked . Inside the calabash were scorpions crawling , snakes hissing and a toad jumping about in the calabash. The man who was to interpret it to me screamed and spoke in YORUBA language ” Haaaaa! Iwo omo yi ki lo nwa nibi? Why are you in a hurry to be rich? . I told him I wanted to be rich at all cost because poverty is a disease. He looked at me with pity , he started shaking his  head saying ” what is wrong with our youth?. They are not contented. They are not creative positively. They envy their friends .They are lazy and looking for short ways to success”.

 

But how did I join? It was one of my childhood friends , Mr. Arítenimòòwí Fiàpáàdìbotirèmólè who introduced me to the club when he saw me suffering .I didn’t know that some of my friends are members . Fiàpáàdìbotirèmólè convinced me that joining the Club would pave way for me in life. I would be wealthy , have many children and would be respected in the community. Among our members are Pastors , Chief Imams and other notable people in the community that I cannot mention their names .

Readers , I know you will be blaming me for this , but don’t blame me. I was very poor and we couldn’t afford three square meals a day . One day I woke up my wife and told her that we need to find solution to our problem  or else we would forever be poor  and die in poverty. Who doesn’t like good things of life?.

It was around 2am in the dead night when my friend ( names withheld) whistled to me that we should go.

When a preacher preached to me that I should go and burn my   powerful red clothe that could send me to hell fire I snubbed him.

Suddenly I saw about eight people who surrounded me saying ” this man is drunk. Look at what he has been drinking since last night at his friend’s birthday party . Olóríburúkú, ológógóró. That was how they stole his car five years ago when he was dead drunk. Haaaaa! Bobo T, T Bobo, Babalawo of the Nation, BoN you sabi drink ooooo”

Babalawo Of the Nation ( BoN)

Fare thee well Prince Olagbegi

Babá re’lé o

Ilé lo lo t’ààrà rà

Ilé ooo, ilé ooo….

A o padè  l’etí óódo t’ese Áñgéélì ti tèè  éé…

 

God be with you till we meet again

By His counsels guide ,uphold you;

God be with you till we meet again 

È rùn rèn o Bàmi!

Prince Olagbegi in his flowing gown with beads

.……My father was my best friend –Dr.Láyí  Olágbègí

……Owo community lost a Griot- Olunaun of Unaun

The above are some of the farewell songs to be rendered next week during service of songs and when the beautiful casket is being lowered into the grave .No matter his age some will shed tears!

By this time next week the ancient town of Owo will receive visitors from all over the world .  From Church  members, politicians, Religious leaders, academic, traditional rulers and what have you.

Well -wishers from St. Louis, Missouri, Atlanta, Texas Maryland ,New York,New Jersey New ,America will  show their faces . Those from Europe Australia,West Indies and India will not be exempted as they would paint the town red to honour the  octogenarian.

ÀJÀBÚÈ DAY

On May 22  , the traditional rites of passage starts as the family members and well- wishers  will start the traditional dance of   Àjàbúè  round the  town  announcing the glorious passage of the Prince. He was a Religious leader, community leader, political juggernaut and a Griot and great Historian who had stories of politics and the Community on his fingertip .

On that Wednesday males who are the Omo olóòkú ( Children of the deceased) will dance with the Owo traditional sword (Agada) and    the female children would  ‘armed’  themselves with yààsin (fly whisk) as they will all  decorate their necks,wrists and ankles  with ìlèkè ( coral beads)  exhibiting  their culture . Infact it’s a time to display the town’s tradition and culture of it’s burial ceremony. Lághálogho   ( metal gong ) and special drums specifically meant for a highly powered son of the soil who was also a Prince in  Owo will be competing with one another when the traditional musicians would exhibit their skills to outwit one another!

Cows will be slaughtered, musicians would be on stage and entertainment would flow yànfù yànfù .Assorted food and  drinks would be served and gift items / souvenirs would be distributed. Yes! visitors will be entertained lavishly .

Reason: Bàbá is going  home . Bàbá will be joining his ancestors. Bàbá will be given his final rite of passage and as a prince from a very important and popular royal house cows would be donated to various groups from family, Chiefs, age group, etc. in fact celebrating a person of this high calibre gives you the  inkling that the deceased was rich, educated and blessed.

Prince Olagbegi was a respecter of Tradition, he was a Chief

While the Christian   would sing ” ..  God will be with you till we meet again. A o pade l’etí óódo, t’ese Áñgéélì ti tèè éé…

Prince Olagbegi was humility personified

Wàláítàlàì nobody will cry . Nobody will grind their  teeth. Nobody will stamp his foot on the ground while placing his hands on his head. Why? because Bàbá was old. Bàbá was fulfilled. Bàbá finished his race with  honour and dignity and has gone home to rest! We will all bid him fare thee well .

Then as a chapter is closed  another chapter is open.

Solomon Olagbegi goes home @ 87
…survived by wives
…..16 Children
…..40 Grandchildren
…… 1 Grandchild

Prince Solomon Olusegun Mowasola Olagbegi was born October 2, 1936 to the late Prince Iyiolase Olagbegi and late Mrs Ajibike Iyiolase-Olagbegi in Benin City.
He was a grandson of Olagbegi 1.
He attended Government Primary School, Owo from 1945 to 1952 and then proceeded to Imade College, Owo from 1953 to 1957 where he was the Senior Prefect.
He then proceeded to Federal Emergency Science School in Lagos from 1961 to 1962 and then University of Ibadan, Ibadan from 1963 to 1970.
He also had Higher Education at Paddington College, London 1973 to 1974 and Bristol Polytechnic, Bristol, United Kingdom, 1985 to 1986.
Working experience included
Teaching
Premier Grammar School, Abeokuta and Egbado College, Ilaro from 1959 to 1968.
Laboratory Technologist
Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan from 1972 to 1976.
Chemistry Department, University of Ilorin, Ilorin as Academic Chief Technologist from 1976 until he retired from public service on February 1, 1997 for mandatory age related reason.

Prince Olagbegi in his Aladura robe

He was Chairman, Senior staff Association of Universities (Ilorin Branch)1979-1983
Sectorial Chairman All Nigeria Universities of SSAUTHRIAI (1984-1986)
National President, Association of University Technologists of Nigeria (ASUTON) (1992-1993)
He was a member of the Holy Church of Cherubim and Seraphim at Ikirun, Ehinogbe, and Akure District Council.
Chairman, Owo circuit of the Movement Churches,
Co-founder and Leader of the Holy Church of Cherubim and Seraphim, Ilorin (1993 to 1997)
Member, Owo Community Advisory and Economic Development Committee (2010 to 2012).

Chief Iyiolase of Owo Kingdom
He was involved as Chairman, Member, Executive Committee, Member of Board of Directors, of Schools and Associations, including
Fountain International Secondary school,
Imade College Old Student Association,
Government School,Owo PTA,
Imade College Owo Board of Governors,
Owo High School Board of Governors.
Life, Patron, The Boys Brigade, Nigeria, Owo Battalion, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Chapter.
Life Patron, The Boys Brigade Nigeria, Owo Battalion (Owo/Ose LGA.
He was PDP Chairman, Igboroko ward, Owo (2015-2017)
Travels
The late Olagbegi has been to Great Britain/Israel/Geneva/USA

BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS
According to the family spokesman and one of the children Dr. Olayiwola Olagbegi, on May 22 there will be Ajabue traditional dance round the town. Family and well wishes will take off from the deceased’s residence at 3,Obasekaiye St,Ehin-Ogbe Quarters ,Owo ,Ondo State at 10am to 4pm.
On Thursday,May 23 at 10 am the body leaves Federal Medical Center ( FMC),Owo for lying in-state at his residence. There will be wake keep same day at 4pm at Olateru -Olagbegi Event Center, Fajuyi ,Road,Owo.
There will be funeral service on Friday 24,at 10 am at Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church ,1, Farm Centre ,Ehin- Ogbe Quarters Off Idasen Road,Owo.Interment follows immediately .There will be Thanksgiving immediately after service while reception takes place at Best Western Plus Mydas Hotel ,Klm 1,Owo/ Ikare Road.
On Saturday 25 May there will be Mowasola Olagbegi Memorial Football match ( Maiden Edition) at Ipm at Owo township Stadium.

He is survived by his wives, 16 children, 40 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Prince Olagbegi was a man of the people

Family members will fulfill all righteousness by following the tradition and   supplying the compulsory sacrificial fowl  ( adìye ìrànà)  for Bàbá’s smooth  passage  and warm reception in the land of the spirit .

Wàláítàlàì nobody will cry . Nobody will grind their teeth because Bàbá was old. Baba was fulfilled. Bàbá finished his race with dignity and has gone home to rest! We will all bid him fare thee well .

Prince Olagbegi in suit

Fare thee well Bàbá

Ó dìgbà o dìgbóse

Ma j’òkùn, ma j’ekòló

Ohun ti won ba ñje ni ki o ba won je o

Bá mi ki Bàmi ati iyè mi OOOOOOO diiiiiigba!!!!

Then eulogy ( oríkì) follows

 

Don’t disclose that I have joined the Army

LETTER TO MY CHILDREN ON FATHERS’ DAY

Bobo T  in uniform

…………..Why I joined the Army

…………on the battlefield

………..I was wounded , thrown into the bush

…………I have  one artificial  arm now! 

Family members and friends did not know my whereabouts  for  the past  two years .In fact they did not know that  I  was conscripted into the  Army to fight in the war as a Combatant Soldier .On the battlefield I saw  broken limbs and human flesh that  littered everywhere . I saw human heads  rolling on the ground while I heard the shrill cries of wounded soldiers. Now I am with one arm.Taiwo Abiodun narrates  his experience .

 

My dearest Children,

                    Please don’t tell your friends and family members  that  I  have joined the Army . Don’t tell  that I am presently on the battlefield fighting  for their hearts would be in their mouths. Don’t tell that with my naked eyes  I am  seeing  hot bullets  flying past my ears as I escaped being hurt  by the whiskers or by  a hair’s breadth. Few days ago   grenades  were thrown to where I was standing , though  I was not hurt but some of my combatants  were mortally wounded.   Imagine  I have no basic training but only trained how to use the gun. I only had  One Station Unit Training (OSUT) for two weeks before we were despatched  to the War front.

T Bobo ready to fight

I cried when I remember that you could become fatherless if I die in this war. Who will take care of you?. I know you will all call me useless and good- for -nothing father who brought you into to this world to suffer. But don’t blame me , blame my destiny .Now I forced myself to be reciting   Psalm 23  by fire- by -force  for I don’t know when last I went to church. I am forced to be singing  ” Nearer my God to thee….” when seeing death face-to-face.

I am with  some armed-to-the – teeth nicotine-stained -teeth  angry   soldiers  with blood-shot eyes  who throw grenades and enjoy sending sorrow into people’s lives. 

           Last month I  was   in charge of one of the   armouries  where they stored  ammunition like : Submachine guns, Heckler & Koch, Light Machine guns, M60 Machine guns, Vickers Machine guns,General Purpose Machine Guns, MG42  among others before  I was drafted into the middle of War.  My  loaded Beretta M9A3 gun  replaced my old SIG P226 and now is in its  holster on my waist.     

Could you believe that everyday, bombs and  ballistic  missiles are thrown to where I am ? . It is like  I am  the enemies’   target during the counter offensive  to  take over the territory .      I was almost captured as   enemy combatants surrounded some of  us and opened fire on us  but I shook off  my body as  if nothing  happened . Some believe  I have African Bullet Proof. They were all surprised as one of them with a bayonet  rushed at me   ready to butcher me like a cow  but the bayonet  broke into two.

Babalawo Of the Nation (BoN)

From  the air, enemies  are  dropping F-16 Fighting Falcon,P-51D Mustang  dropping bombs. Combatants wait  behind minefields .Our enemies attacked us with drones , fighter bombers patrol. We retaliated and   attacked  them too with  the newly acquired sophisticated BoN 7174, war planes.The  sound of bombs , rockets and other weapons were thunderous and deafening .

          One  evening  I visited a nearby town  that had been ruined by soldiers  with their weapons . I did not know when I broke down and wept like a baby seeing how devastated the town has been reduced to  .I developed goosebumps  when I saw domestic  animals who  were confused as they run around, trembling  on hearing the booming of guns and other sound. Dogs were barking  restlessly . Goats were bleating  and running for safety while cats were meowing  and running around. Two big cats  sat on a sofa chair  with their owner who was already dead, he was said to have been hit by bullets . The cats dreadfully sat  with  their scary eyes  glowing   but the  chicks and chickens  were running around pecking grains  from the waste bins suddenly I saw  massive   buildings  came down crumbling as a result of  bomb. It was like an earthquake   while some bungalows obeyed to the law of gravity. Infact  many  lost their lives as a result of being hit while some were electrocuted .  Many were buried  alive while some were  under rubbles. War is not good. Some parents left  their children behind  and ran for their dear lives while some took shelter in  underground or   basement .Government and private institutions were attacked .Streets were  littered with decomposing corpses. A two- year- old blood- soaked  toddler was playing with her mother’s hair  not knowing  she was dead as a result of the shrapnel that tore her stomach and another  lodged in her heart.

 One could see the mushroom cloud forms  all from  the detonated bombs .Their water was polluted. The air was polluted as a result of stench coming out from the dead corpses and the blue sky  turned  dark  as a result of these pollutants .In the night one could see fire that ‘lighted’ the city as a result of  the burning houses -no thanks to the enemies’ rocket launchers . Churches and Mosques all went up in conflagration .Human beings  were roasted alive in their homes and offices. I wept when I saw what war has caused   in this town. 

Bobo T inspecting a grenade 

I knew all these would happen to me  because it was  war. The fiercest battle I ever faced was the the night our Army’s 67th Mechanized Assault Brigade   was bombarded by stupid , good  for nothing and blood thirsty  ragtag soldiers  who had used all kinds of hard  drugs from Indian hemp to Cocaine . Up till this moment I refused to wear my helmet because  it is too heavy. Although I forgot my Compass at home .Our  32 Mechanized Brigade Army  was supplied Ordnance.

  Our soldiers  fought using submarine  weapons from water .We fought by air and by land  , we didn’t care about their  landmines.  Yes, the enemies shelled us with their  artillery bombs and rockets  where over 500 soldiers were torn into pieces like rags . The sight of the dead and wounded soldiers is horrific .It is gory . It is  gruesome .  Stomachs were ripped open , eyes gouged out , shattered bones all over the place while human brains mixed with blood as bullets  were lodged in some of their skulls.

This is not the war one would be equipped with AK 47. This is not a war  one would go with ordinary amulets  or talismanic rings. Yes, of course I went with my charmed  rings , amulets , gbetugbetu but non worked .Some of our soldiers were taken as Prisoners Of War (POW).

 

T Bobo 

Presently  all the  rivers  are dirty and had been polluted while the rain that fell few days ago was black in colour no thanks to the smoke  or emissions released from the guns and bombs.There is far -reaching environmental damage. The plants , food and crops are contaminated .  

Could you believe that we have little time to relax  and have fun with women? . Me who love women more than anything . Me who love anything in skirt. Me who love sikisiki. Ah,  my manhood shrinks whenever I heard the sound of the booming of the guns and sighting war planes hovering round where we are. Where is fun on the battlefield? .I have heard and seen great men who fell by the wayside because of women . It  happened two weeks ago  , bombs were rained on men and women copulating!. I did not pity the men  who  exited this planet earth   through same ‘ way ‘  or passageway they came into the world.

                  Could you believe that two of our soldiers were summarily executed for betraying us? .The two soldiers  were Judas as they connived with our enemy combatants  and showed them some of  our armouries. They revealed our  War strategies to the enemies. The cat was let out the bag when  one of them who was found with wads of currency notes spilled the beans when he was drunk. Our Infantryman (Leader) called the two and they confessed , that was how they were asked to dig a trench and were shot dead right in our presence  to teach others a lesson. We were betrayed no wonder why some of us were captured or killed like flies.

Taiwo Abiodun at it again

Last month  I was wounded .As  I  bend down to pick a  Mark II 20 lbs   bomb  and another  German SC250 aerial bomb,  it exploded and cut off my right arm completely. I just found myself among those presumed to have died  and  was evacuated into  the bush. Among the dead, I saw some wounded soldiers  still struggling to stand up  but fell again while  wild animals like wolves   were  eating up human beings who were not dead yet but struggling and twitching – half dead! .

I saw vultures feasting on dead bodies. I was weak and had lost pints of blood . It was  one of the soldiers who came to dump dead bodies that saw me jerking and shouting that took me back to  the Camp  where the surgeon clinically cut off my hand that was dangling for only a tiny flesh that held it. It was already gangrenous and  decomposing !.

We don’t know when the war will be over as they had just supplied us  new ammunition like planes,tanks, tank destroyers,trucks,aircraft among others.

In the war I heard the clanking of guns, and soldiers brazenly using their swords and Bayonets on their enemies. I saw human skeletons  still in military uniform with their helmets on their heads. I saw headless bodies and some  dried human  skulls  these soldiers used  to drink water , in fact some of the soldiers who believe that drinking human blood would add to their physical and spiritual power  drank the blood . I saw some who are Cannibals, eating human flesh . I saw a  man who used one hand  to fight  when the other had been severed but still fighting with the other hand .I saw one legged-soldier   like Long John Silver in the Book, Treasure Island, fighting for his life.   

Happy Father’s Day, I will soon be back home 

BURY ME WITH MY BLING BLING

When my bullet-riddled body is brought home  please dress me very well in my Jeans Jeans. Don’t forget to put my rings on my fingers and my necklace to let them know I am that Bobo T, T Bobo, Babalawo Of the Nation, BoN. Give me the Military salute.  Remember to sing  that emotional and thought -provoking song written by Jeremiah Rankin in 1880

God be with you till we meet again,

By his Counsels guide ,uphold you,

With his sheep securely fold  you,

God be with you till we meet again…..

 

     Crazy guy called Bobo T, T Bobo, Babalawo Of the Nation, BoN 

  

How I survived car -crash

 

……. Car somersaulted three times  

……….One eye & one earlobe gone, limbs to be replaced

…..Arraigned in Court

……..I didn’t commit rape

As I opened my eyes  I saw five men in different uniform  that  surrounded  me  on my hospital bed: A  fully armed-to- the teeth  Police officer, a Fire Brigade official and   three   doctors  with  their stethoscopes  hanging  loosely on their necks. I closed my eyes . To be sure of what  I saw  I opened my eyes  again  and behold I saw my right leg casts  hanging in the air. I also  sighted   a stump of  my   left  leg in bandage, this one has been amputated. I discovered that I could not open one eye . When I touched my head I realised  that  my head had been bandaged . I saw two  intravenous poles … one giving me blood, the other with white liquid . Blood transfusion ke!. 

I tried to lift up my arm but no way, it was as heavy as  lead.  I tried to speak but it was as if  my tongue was tied -as if suffering from ankyloglossia . My head was heavy and  with serious headache  , my head was  spinning   and the bed  was turning . It was  if  a sledgehammer   was being used on my head. My head kept on     ringing  like that big  church bell in the tower .  I heard one  of those standing by saying ” this man was dead drunk and was unconscious  when he was brought here, he must have smoked weed”.

My memory  was coming back gradually as I started  recalling   all what happened .  I remember   I attended a friend’s birthday party with Ronnie, my wife. I could also recollect  how I  took the car key from  Ronnie’s bag. And it was  when she went to the toilet to ease herself that I took off. I recalled  that  she warned me not to drink the hard drink anymore as I had had more than enough and could make me tipsy. I recollected  how I wobbled towards the car with the car key. I remembered how  I tried to start the engine with the house key but later corrected myself.My mind flashed back to that scenario when    I saw the trailer that was fully loaded with logs of wood. Again, I remembered how I took one -Way  with  high speed in  order to quickly get to where I was going .   I applied the brake   when a truck  tried to hit me. Ah , I remember that   one of the occupants in the car  continued to give me the  gin to drink and I was happily playing music. ….then I  rammed into an oncoming vehicle and had a head-on collision,   and  the radiator flung open while I ran into the bush and hit the big tree  with a big bang. That was all I could  remember now. Ah what happened to the airbag? Where is my phone ?. Where is my wife, Ronnie?.Mo gbé! . Wàhálà de! .Asiri tu!.

So I am now in the hospital?. Who brought me here?. I overheard one of the doctors saying that the  windscreen of the car shattered and a branch of a tree pierced through  and went into my left eye, the doctor said ”this man has lost his eye ,  he has punctured eyeball, cornel abrasion  and  acute Hyphema as a result of  sharp objects that  punctured his  eyes while  the optic nerve retinal blood  vessel ,medial rectus muscle, vitreous body, Hyaloid canal and suspensory ligament are affected, he could go blind without any iota of doubt” , the ophthalmologist said and added ” this man will need  an artificial eye . I will recommend Prosthetic eye surgery for him”.

Among the  doctors  who  came to me is an  Otolaryngologist, he     said ”the impact of the accident,  had affected  this man’s  hearing . We will replace his earlobe with earlobe silicon prosthesis”. He explained to me that   my  left  earlobe was cut off by the window glass”. Another doctor, an orthopaedic looked at me and said ” this man has lost his right arm  while his femur  has damaged, he said ” Parts of his femur  like head, neck, trochanteric crest, lesser trochanter pectineal line and Gluteal tuberosity  are affected , he would need  artificial limbs .He needs Prosthetic limbs one for his hand and another for his leg ”, the, doctor said. An  Anesthesiologist added”   Sir, you spent four hours on the surgeon’s table ”  ,while   a Nurse interjected ” Sir, you had internal bleeding and we had to give you blood transfusion because you lost a lot of blood during the accident ”, when I told her that my religion forbids Blood transfusion, the Nurse replied  ” we have to save your life first because you were unconscious when you were brought here by an ambulance and you even fell into coma  for three days  during your surgery but God perfected everything ” . The Orthopaedic was looking at the X-rays he was holding and   even  it  is possible my second leg could be amputated to avoid gangrene but  if …..” that was all I could hear and different thoughts flooded my mind . I now remembered the one legged  Pirate , Long John Silver in the Book ” Treasure Island” who had one leg and was supporting himself with  crutches. I read the book in 1973 at All Saints’ Modern School, Owo, Ondo State.I now remembered the man with one eye , so I could easily be described in the public as a one-eyed man.What of my right arm?, the bones have broken and I would need another surgery and may need an artificial hand  which is very expensive .According to the doctor  I could become a Uniped or Bilateral Amputee, meaning one of my legs and hands could be amputated or if worse the two hands and legs could be amputated if….

While a  man who claimed to be  a Fire Brigade officer said   my car somersaulted three times, hit an electric Pole and the petrol spilled on the ground  and caught fire when they arrived. He said ” we   had to use our instruments like  rescue tools  to cut the car into pieces    before they could pull me out . That car is completely  right -off for immediately you were pulled out from the wreckage the car caught fire!. I hope your insurance will cover it  for you will have to replace the car and that of the car you damaged . The tree you hit is also there, you destroyed the tree!, the owner will have to be compensated.The airbag saved you. You are very lucky for not having spinal cord injury. I don’t know what you gain in drinking. When you are offered free drinks you don’t know when to stop, foolish man”

The police officer came with their result that the accident was as a result of Alcohol intoxication, spirit, marijuana all found in the car. I cried : Mo gbe , Nkan de o, kini gbogbo wahala yii?

I asked about the condition of  the  two passengers who rode with me  in the Car , because  I remember we were three. They smiled and said   they  did not see anybody . The Police officer said I had a case to answer as my results from breath, blood, and urine tests showed that I was drunk while driving which is against the Traffic rule.

MY FRIENDS DESERT ME

         On my sick bed I received calls from friends while some blamed and heaped insults on me for the accident while  others said they had warned me several times about my  alcohol consumption . A close friend said ” Babalawo Of the Nation , we thought you  have juju as you used to boast , shame on you”. While I received text  messages that the accident served  me  right for  my careless talk with my caustic tongue and writing about who killed a Chief  I have been writing about.

                 

Saluting  an Electric Pole

                 A friend (names withheld) came to my bedside and said ” You glutton, did  I not tell you to stop drinking at the party when you went to the Ladies instead of Gents to ease yourself ?. Did I not tell you  that you were dead  drunk when you were giving a Military salute to an electric pole and dancing without ?. Here is the picture I snapped when you were saluting an electric pole. Do you remember how you turned into a Traffic Warden passing all vehicles on the Highway when the Traffic lights were working?. Do you remember when the breeze was pushing you here and  you were missing steps and walking unsteadily  while you eventually threw up? . Were you not  stammering and  speaking gibberish ? . I am today denying you as my friend  ”, he said  as he  walked out of the hospital.

A voice message was sent to me by an unknown person who prayed for my quick recovery, the voice said ” You will be healed in Jesus Mighty name”. Later I heard a voice saying ” I was that passenger sitting at the back seat   and did not leave you alone. The man who was giving  spirit and smoke by your side in the car had completed his dirty job and had left you   looking for another victim”.

 I WAS ARRAIGNED IN COURT

The following week I was charged to Court and many charges were leveled against me  from overspeeding, drunkenness  to  smoking the prohibited  ganja of which they found in my car, public nuisance and… When the prosecutor read the charges that ”You have ……. under the influence of Alcohol raped a minor,defiled her and  this woman in the dock without their consents   therefore you have  committed an offence   under Section … Are you guilty or not?” .

Immediately I heard the word ‘rape’ and saw a little girl , a minor and a  strange ugly  woman who looks like amoeba I had never come across in life  . I threw away my crutches while my eyes popped out of the socket with my hairs standing erect with goose bumps   and screamed ”  My Lord, I did not rape. No sir, my case is  that of auto crash. I did not rape ”.

  ” Whaaaaaat! I heard you    shouting that you did not rape, what is the matter? .See   how you are sweating . This is  somniloquy. You are already late”,Ronnie said.

I quickly ran out to catch the bus to the  train station so as not  to be late to work.

 

 

 

 

 

Ariwó ta gèè!

 

 

Ariwó  ta gèè.  Elékún ñsunkún. Àwon abánikédùn  ñgbéra s’ánlè  wôn ñyi gbirigbiri n’íle bī bōlu aláfesègbá ni pápá ìseré    bĕ si ni àwon abánikédùn kan si ñsán  ara won m’ólè  bi ejò  ti wón fi òpá pa  ti o nta ràì  ràì  ti o si njanr’arè m’ólè  . È é  tijé ?. Béè ni àwon kan ń’tu itó sààrà bi  aláboyún  ti kò je àsèje rè. Àwon kan ñkan orí m’ólè bi òmùtí  tí o ti mutí yó  ti o jōko l’órí àga bě  nwón si ñkédùn ni o. T’iwon wă peléke, t’iwon di  òtò l’eni a gbá l’étí òtò l’eni t’étí ñdùn. Eni ti a f’òrò lò t’óní t’òun bàjé , kíní k’ólórò kó se? .Àsèjù pò. Ìkáánú èké   pò. Sùgbón ó n’ídi .Àní t’iwon wā ga jù , àgàgà òré Bàbá ìyàwó ti o ñwole , ñwòde n’ílé  òré rè bee iro la ba n’ídí rè. Bi àwon kan se ñwo òkû n’ílè ninu àgbàrá èjè ni  won  fi owó bo imú  ti won si ñtu kèlèbè jáde l’énu  . Bĕ sì  l’àwon kan ñké ti wón k’áwó l’órí ti won si fi èpè bonu pe  ”Eni se eléyī ko nii jèrè . Awon àgbàgbà àfâ Musulumi ti irun won  funfun báláú nke ”Alhamudu lahi,Allah fun wa o si gbaa lo. Ó yé Olóun”. Ikun imú  ìyá olomo  nsàn , o si ñpòsé  bi ejo sèbé.

Kí l’ódé? Ni iseju aaya yi? .Aso ìgbéyàwó  ti òyìnbó ni o si wa l’ára Omolará ti o kún fún kìkì èjè. Ki lo s’elè?.Tani won se?

Bi nwon se nsofo lowo,  ni Baba iyawo  sure  mu ankasiifi funfun balau wo yàrá lo. Ko si eni to rii. Kia ni o tun bo sita. Awon ti nwon nse aajo nse aajo . Ki lo de ti a fi obe gun arabinrin yi? Ese wo ni o se? Ta si ni o le se? Oro yi ni gbogbo abanikedun nbere.Bee si ni oko iyawo nso oyinbo ti o tu tai re ”O!@ mai Goodu”

Haa lojo igbeyawo Baba Iyawo fi ile pon oti o fi ona ro oka. E wa wo orisirisi oti elerindodo, oti oyinbo lo sua . Emu nru fuu bi ito akiwarapa.

Ara fu mi ,mo la Ala buruku kan . Mama Omolara ni o so fun oko re nipa ala ti o la. E jowo w mase je ki a se igbeyawo yi nisisisyi, bi Sade iyawo Suga se so fun oko re niyen. Sugbo Suga so pe owo wa., a oo se iyawo yi . A ti da ojo, a si ti da osu .A si ko le yee mo.  Sebi owo la fee na. Haa owo lobinrin mo, bi Sade se gbo pe owo wa yi , oju re pada, o bu serin  muse bi eni ti o je tete , o tu aso idi re ro bi obinrin ti o nfi ete pe oko re sinu iyewu lati baa se totomelefu tii domo. O  bere si se oyaya , ara re si ya ga ga . Kai , owo apekanupo. Ohun ti owo ba se ti ile lo ngbe. Owo de , idunnu de.

Iyawo Suga tiise  Sade ti  lo si ilu Switzerland lo mu aso. Lojo igbeyawo Omolara  aso orisisiri lo yoju . Elegbejoda lo jantirere. Owo dara ore mi . Bi o ba ni owo lowo iwo le fe aya Oba. Sebi  o ri bee lojo naa lohun ti olowo kan ni ile wa yi fe iyawo oba ti gbogbo iwe irohin gbee jade. Ani se ki Oluwa ma se fi owo kehin oro wa. Mo  ni ki owo ki o mase .. to to funn ,owo apekanuko. Owo ni mu aburo pe egbon ran nise . Owo le je ki omo pe Baba ni my padi. Esu lowo. Owo a maa mu ni sise . Owo a maa ja itiju kuro lara eni. Eni ba ni owo ko dara ki o to iya talaka wo fun odun meta  yoi rii iyato re.

Oko Iyawo nko? Oko iyawo ti jade nile iwe giga ti Fasiti, ti o gba oye Olukoni  o si ti se odun kan ti Alagunbaniro  ti  o fi sin ijoba ti a npe .NYSC . Sugbon lehin odun kefa ko si ise , nse lo nba won ta ayo olopon  l’abe  igi isin. Ihahin lo fi se ibujoko lati maa fi pa ironu re. Segun mo ayo ti yio je, oun naa lo mo itan gbogbo ilu won,.Sebi nidi ayo lati ngbo orisirisi oro , ofofo ati isele ni ilu.  Segun mo awon ti won yan ale, o mo omo ale. o mo igbati Oyinbo  Elizabeth Ilu Oyinbo ti o ta teru nipa nijosi gun ori aga alefa re . Itan ni Segun mo bee lori ainiselowo yi naa ni.

Nigbati Omolara pade Segun Omolara fii lokan bale pe oun oi baa wase , ati pe Baba oun milonia ni.Awon mejeji mo obi ara won , ina wo , won si da ojo igbeyawo.Ojo pe . Baba iyawo lo ra aso oko ati iyawo, oun na lo ra aso ore oko ati or iyawo  la i je ki won na kobo ninu inawo nla yi.

Bee Wakati meji sehin ni Oniwaasu so awon toko tiyawo po ni ile ijosin BoN.. Adura ti gba pe omobinrin ti nwa oko ti ri oko bi o tile je pe ojo ori iyawo ju ti oko lo. Sugbon oku orun ni a fi eyi se. Bi io ti le je pe ara ile iyawo nikan lo mo pe omo won ni aaginni. Sugbon talo le so? Tani jee tu asiri sita.

Lojiji ni a ri iyawo ti o subu lule ti o nkigbe oro o, won ti gun mi l’obe o,okunrin kan ti o njo lo gunn l’obe  nigba ti o dibon pe oun nba jo. Gbara ti o subu ni onitohun ti sa lo. O di digbadigba won gbeee lo si ile iwosan. Baba iyawo binu lopolopo , o ni eni pa omo oun yio je iya.

Won ko mo eni ti o gunn lobe bee ni .. ago  olopa ya.Olopa bere lowo awon obi ati ojulumo tani a fura si, sugbon enikookan ko le so.

Nigbati Dokita se ayewo Omolara , o rii pe ikun re ni obe ba, sugbon ko wole sii lara. Lose keji a da omolara pada sile , bee ni Ago olopa nse iwadi lo.

Omolara wa so fun Olopa ki won ko gbogbo amuhunmaworan , kamera ti a fi si kolofin ile baba re jade lati wo eni se ise laabi ohun. Bee ko seni ti o mo pe Omolara fi Camera si ayika ati inu ile wonyi. O si see nitori ole, alo kolohun kigbe , alafowera nigba aseye.

Nihayi ni asiri tu. Haa akara tu sepo. A ri okunrin kan ti o n’fun omodekunrin kan l’owo tuulu tuulu  ni iyara ati obe  ti ori re ri sooroso ti o mu felefele bi abe ifari.  A si ri omodekunrin kan naa yi ti o fi obe gun iyawo nigbati o nl’e owo moo loju loju agbo ti won njo. Camera te siwaju lati ri ore Baba Iyawo ti won nsoro wuye wuye , a si tun ri Baba Iyawo ti o fi aso pelebe funfun nu eje lara Omolara ti o sii fi si abe aso  wo iyewu lo, ti o fii sinu igba  ti a fi owo  eyo  di lara. A si ri ore Baba Iyawo nigba ti won ngbe igba yi sinu paali oti , lati fihan  pe oti ni won ngbe jade lo. Bee etanje ree.

Olopa pe Baba iyawo ati Ore re

. Olopa wa Arakunrin ti o gun obe .Gbogbo won ni won wa lawari bi obinrin se nwa nkan obe. Okan Baba iyawo bale , o ni oun ko je gbi, sebi eni je gbi loun nku gbi. Sugbon okan arakunrin ni ko bale , o nke kinmi mo se? Sebi aseburuku o ku ara ifu. O seka tan o rido bori ..lai mo pe Oba oke nwo e. Igba ti o ya o ni Emi ko da see, sebi adase nii hun ni. Ejo to ba darin la n’fopa pa. Emi nikan ko lo mo soran naa. Baba iyawo lowo lowo, oun towo ba se ti ile lo ngbe .Sugbon ko mo pe olopa ti ko ni gba riba niyi ani olopa ti ko ni gba owo ehin lo foju kan yi .Beeni olopa DPO yi ko ngba abetele.Kini ka ti wa see si?

Lojo Alamisi ni  ale agogo mewa ku iseju  mejo ni oju  ati ese pe ni  ofisi DPO otelemuye ni ago olopa ni ilu BoN ti won si fi camera han gbobo awon eniyan wonyi. Asiri tu, akara tu sepo. Baba fi ika abamo senu , o nke nba mo nba maa see.Sugbon  ototo ilu pejo won ko ri ebo abamo se , a see tan o di aapon. Baba iyawo jewo pe oun fee renew oogun owo pelu eje omo oun ninu aso igbeyawo ni. Enu ko ha, a se ebi eni a maa se ni. A se kokoro ti nje obi inu obi nii iwa , kokoro tii jewe inu ewe niiwa bee si ni kokoro ti nje  efo inu efo lo wa . A see isale oro a maa  legbin,……( Coming out soon)

 

 

10 years after Sheila Solarin’s demise

 

   

I AM MOURNING 

This morning I am wearing Black. This morning I am mourning .This morning I am in a sober mood so nobody should talk to me. This morning I am grieving  so nobody should call my phone . I am crying not only for myself but I am crying for the entire nation for not appreciating this woman . Come, sebi they gave out   Nigeria National Merit Awards  and gave   Post humous awards?. Why did we forget the couple: the late Tai Solarin and his wife, Sheila? .Are we ingrates or have we  forgotten the couple? .What a country! . So we have forgotten her kiakia niyen?. Nigeria we hail thee. So they did not deserve national honours or is it an act of  omission or commission ? . Next year they should be awarded , and if they are not honoured , I  along with Mayflower students both ex and present will protest. We will march from Ikenne to  the National House of  Assembly in Abuja .

She was a library. She was a  Griot.  She was rich in stories infact she was an encyclopedia of stories. She was never tired of me. A phone call will put you through. She would not tell you the time to come . No scheduled time .Unlike those so called  arrogant  millionaires who would be flaunting    their illegal or ill-gotten wealth and pacing up and down in their living rooms to show you how wealthy they are , no!, not for Mama . Mama Sheila as she  was fondly called would invite you into her sparsely decorated  living room .Her dressing was simple .She was modest in everything .

MY CONTACT WITH HER

I vividly remember the late Abayomi Ogundeji who was the Editor of Sunday Desk  in the days of  The Comet Newspaper  who asked me to go to Ikenne to do a story on the late Tai Solarin’s anniversary . It was my first time to visit Ikenne and Mama welcomed me  to the fullest and answered all the questions I asked .First impression last longer , they say. Since then I have been their family member . And when The Nation newspaper  was launched  in 2007  the  then Sunday  Editor Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin would  say ” Babalawo Of the Nation  let’s have your Tai Solarin story, you have become their family member”. That was how I  covered the Solarins’ story till when God said  e don do for me at The Nation newspaper.   Mama was ready to give me all stories .   Ask her any question she was ready to answer.

WHAT I MISSED IN HER

I missed her if you don’t miss her. I know her worth and value . She was witty,  she was  an egghead and was full of wisdom. She taught me many things before she left. I was one of her students .  The education she gave me for the 10 years I covered her story from the defunct The Comet  newspaper to  the biggest and thriving Nigeria media House – The Nation newspaper was great.  She taught me what others can never have. She taught me what University education cannot teach you. She  was to me like    Socrates and his followers or disciples.  During my  journey in life I came across her and she was super. If you go to a rich man’s house he would feed you with food and wine but go to Mama Sheila she would feed you with knowledge and wisdom. She was  one of the few greatest Nigerians I  ever met.

I am in Black  dress, mourning

THAT BLACK SUNDAY

I remember that day . It was  Black Sunday . I repeat that that day was a Black Sunday . Today it  echoes, the messages ,  the telephone calls , my actions  .Yes I can recall all . It was a nasty Sunday . Yes , I didn’t go to church  that day .I remember it was around 2 O’clock , yes 2 O’clock in the afternoon . I could recall the time, date and all what happened .Today I recalled  that  day, the sun was shining and  the temperature was  very high. I was drinking my black coffee , yes I could remember . Then I was laughing hysterically   when I remembered something , Yes  it was  … no don’t let me tell you,  when suddenly my phone rang. gran gran gran , and then started  dishing out  my favourite Bob Marley Music. I allowed the music  to go on. It stopped.  Again the phone  Nokia 3310 rang  and I picked it  . Who could that be? . A voice came through  ,”Babalawo , do  you have Tai Solarin’s children’s cell number? I heard that Mama Sheila is dead , please help us to confirm’’, that was the voice of  Kofo  Osagie, a colleague from education desk  from  the office .  Immediately   I heard the name Babalawo  I knew it was from the office, for that is what they call me. I suddenly became cold. I stopped sipping my coffee. I became cold . Tears went down my cheeks . It was a day that my heart was punctured .It was the  day I missed one of my favourite family members I was never related to by blood. Yes , I sank into my sofa chair and screamed ”Oh my God”. Then I was a full staff  at  The Nation newspaper , then I was already the family member of the Tai Solarins. They all knew me ,my face was not unknown to the household except    Tunde  whom  I never met till date. Mama said  Tunde is a private person. But I was very close to Corin, who is a younger sister to Tunde.

I   was   shivering like Christmas goat and unstable like a floated leaf on waters. My   cell phone   almost dropped from my hand as if I was suffering from Parkinson syndrome. I   called Corin’s   line   the first child of the Solarins. ”Confirmed ”, she replied in a text message  and I wept like a baby. This was  the second time I  would weep in my life .The first  time  was when my mother died at 79 .

Few hours later   I started receiving   calls from  home and abroad asking me the full details and her last hours  as if I was there when she breathed her last.  .

I used to ask her many questions from sense to non sense , civilized to  uncouth,  foolish or wise yet she would  not turn me down. I have asked about   her  romantic life when she was young,  the medical problem she ever faced and she told me it was cervical cancer. I told her that I am a friend to her parrot as I sighted the parrot in her house,  she too told me that we were the same thing. I asked  her why she did not use walking stick , she replied ‘’ I don’t  need it’’. I have asked  her  why she kept  Ghanaians ,Togolese in her house , and she replied   ‘’ what is wrong in that  Taiwo? . They are okay’’.

I remember she asked me to bring my twin brother if truly I am a twin , and  I told him that my twin brother, Kehinde  is still alive but    far away in Canada but  she said  ”that is what Yoruba will say when they have no twin brother or sister again, anyway let us meet one day or do you want me to come to Owo? ”, she jocularly   asked , and I promised to bring my twin brother ,Kehinde to know her .Unfortunately the woman never lived up to see him!.

Anytime I mentioned   the former Head of state General Babangida  she would say ”I cannot forgive him, he contributed to my husband’s death. Babangida   incarcerated my husband for months  just because  he was fighting for a just cause. Where are the leaders of yesteryears? But has he come here to tender apology?’’, she  asked.

I asked her why she did not go to Church on one Sunday morning   when I went to interview her, she responded  ”And why did you come  here on Sunday morning when you know I should be in church. Church? I don’t go to Church. I am an Atheist .I am always busy ’’. And when I told her it has been long since I went to church she was excited and   gave me a parting gift  , a book titled  Humanism By Barbara Smoker. Apart from this I have  other  eight  books she always gave me anytime I went  there for an interview ,these books are in my library.

SHEILA SOLARIN 1924-OCTOBER 10, 2012

Mama Sheila was one of the greatest Nigerians I ever met during my sojourn in journalism. She was a millionaire but chose to live a simple life. She fought for the Nigerian masses. She had wanted everything to be better  but today things are getting worse. Her voice was powerful. She was listened to . She criticized the government both the Military the Civilian. She admonished the greedy politicians who increased poverty in Nigeria.

She could have wished to go back to England and live  but chose to  live and die  in Nigeria. Can we have another Sheila again? . She had wanted History Subject to be brought back into the School’s curriculum. To  Mama , the military only came to destroy the country     while our politicians are just selfish and amassing wealth and impoverished the Nigerian masses.

Mama Sheila knew we would  all die and not go with   wealth. She knew that life is ephemeral. She was modest in everything . Her life was simple . While our millionaires wear expensive rags they called clothes , my Mama , our Mama would wear clothe full of wisdom , put on the cap of  knowledge . All these and many more will be in my Book to be published soon.