Category: INVESTIGATIVE

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”

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)

Behold the Bower’s Tower and Layiipo in Ibadan!

 

               
……..BoN on top of Bower’s Tower
..….Behold the Evil Forest of old
….Agala forest  in the 60’s
……..How Sade’s bodiless head was found in Agala
……….Why Bower’s Tower  is  called ‘Layiipo’ 
It took  this reporter  enormous discipline  with  prayers,  boldness, faith   and  caution to   climb this  Layiipo’s   spiral staircase. My  eyes were turning  as I was panting like a dog while climbing it and  one must not miss a step!.You missed a step then disaster creeps in.
My heart was pounding as I was on top of  this Bower’s Tower of about 60 feet from the ground .My  heart was in my  mouth .My   eyes were rolling  in their sockets as everywhere seemed  to be turning . Tears was rolling down my cheeks as   I made effort to  look at the sky  while my eyes were irritated and I was almost blind by the brightness and burning of the sun as I  tried to look at the far flung places like University Teaching Hospital, Adamasingba , Lagos /Ibadan Toll gate among others .When I saw the rustic corrugated iron sheets on the buildings of Ibadan , I marveled at the beauty and the ugliness .
           
BoN taking pictures on top of the Tower
With confidence I took pictures with my ipad  but immediately I remembered  where I was standing again my throat went dried.I developed goose pimples  while  my hands were  visibly shaking like a victim  of Parkinson’s  disease . My whole body  was  shaking like a leaf floated on water .My temperature was  no longer normal , it was  hot and cold  .The ten minutes I spent on the Tower was like ten hours. As I was descending the spiral  staircase I was still shaking as the dark place without light looked like an endless tunnel. When I eventually came out I was relieved as I gave a heavy sigh .I  looked at the Tower again and shook  my head .It was interesting yet dreadful.It was a real adventure .Welcome to Bower’s Tower  known as Layiipo in Ibadan.

Ibadan, reputed to be West Africa’s largest city, is widely known as a city “scattered among seven hills”. Taiwo Abiodun, who was on one of the hills, reports.

IGBO AGALA IN THE 50S

The old man scratched his bald head , pointed his tiny but  withered finger while shaking  his head and started ”That place you are going was once a thick forest. Wild and dangerous  animals  made the place their abode as foxes, tigers , gorillas and other animals were  hunted  there .Reptiles like snakes   hissed and crawled  on their bellies there. Monkeys jumped  from one tree to another . Squirrels were  seen everywhere  jumping  showing their beautiful tails running away from their prey .Not only that nobody dare  go into that forest alone  for it was known  as dangerous and  evil forest”.He chuckled , bite a piece of kolanut and continued .    ”Armed robbers  made the forest  their abode. Killings of human beings , and human  rituals and sacrifices were carried out there. The mere mention of Agala Forest sent shivers into people’s spines .Agala Forest? You dare not mentioned it.

     

 SADE’S BODILESS HEAD FOUND HERE

Madam Adedeji, in her own account said  “We were told that it was from here, Igbo Agala, that the Resident Bower administered his government and controlled the Ibadan people. No wonder it was feared and dreaded. Igbo Agala was a thick forest, and all manners of evils were perpetrated there. I remember in the 60s when a man called Sade was gruesomely murdered by unknown persons , and his bodiless head was discovered  here. The photograph of the head was shown all over Ibadan. Then it was a terrible place as criminals turned the place to a no -go -area. Area Boys turned the place into their abode with all manners of behaviour. Criminals turned the place to their meeting point, Indian hemp smokers paraded the area with rituals and sacrifices offered there. This is the place where masquerades do their own rehearsals (Igbo Igbale) and wear their costumes before they set out. No one goes there and comes back alive, in fact, those living in the vicinity tremble with fear. Anything could happen. But I thank God , it is now a different story.”

 

ATOP OF THE TOWER

While on top of this tower one could see the entire ancient city of  Ibadan. Apart from being popular with her warriors like Ogunmola the Generalissimo, Efunsetan Aniwura the Iyalode of Ibadan  aside  from the panegyrics ascribed to Ibadan as  Omo A lo kolohun kigbe ,ibi ole gbe njare olohun. Ibadan is also called  the city “scattered among seven hills”, is synonymous with Bower’s Tower.

 

According to a story, the British Captain Bower  made this  place his official place where he was overseeing  and directing the affairs of Ibadan and its environs. From here  one could see at a glance the four corners of Ibadan                                                   

 metropolis . It  gives a panoramic view of all the important places in the ancient city. From the top of the Tower one can see a bird’s eye view of Gate, the University College Hospital (UCH), University of Ibadan, Adebayo, Cocoa House, Dugbe Market , Agodi Gardens, Iwo Road, Ife Road, Olorunsogo and the defunct Lagos /Ibadan Toll Gate. Other far-flung places like Adamasingba, Felele, and many more become visible. Some of these places are far flung but standing atop the Tower gives one a precise picturesque of them.

Standing atop, one could also see the ugly rustic iron roofing sheets of the ancient buildings of the city and it reminds one vividly of Prof J. P. Clark’s most memorable poem of the city. The ugly beauty of the rustic corrugated iron roofing sheets of the city.

 

 Welcome to Bower’s Tower on Oke –Are, the home of Ibadan’s illustrious Generalissimos, the settlement of the great Ibadan warlords in the 17th century

Base of the Tower

 

According to Madam Florence Adedeji (80), who has been living in Oke Are since her youth, Bower’s Tower was erected in the 1930s by the Ibadan Native Authority but was unveiled by Captain Robert Lister Bower who was then the Resident and Travelling Commissioner for Ibadan and the Interior of Yorubaland in the South Western Nigeria. The hill was named after him.

She added, “It was here (atop of the tower) he was overseeing what was going on in the city and he administered his government from here and other Yoruba towns.” Omotayo Taiwo another resident and an old staff of the tower observed that the tower was named after Bower in appreciation of his contribution to the development and growth of Yorubaland , “He was not the one that built it but he unveiled it in 1936.”

The road to Bower’s Tower

The Tower is about 60 feet tall  on the hill top of Oke Are in Igbo Agala       ( Agala forest) area of Ibadan. It is the highest hilltop in the city. The Tower has about 47 spiral staircases, designed by one Taffy Jones in the early 30s. It was unveiled on December 15, 1936 by Sir Robert Tower. Written on the side of the tower are these words: BOWER’s TOWER ERECTED DEC. 1936 IN HONOUR OF CAPTAIN ROSS L. BOWER, 1ST RESIDENT AND TRAVELLING COMMISSIONER OF INTERIOR YORUBALAND (1893-1897). However, all the words written on the tower have faded with the names of ministers who had over time renovated the place.

THIS IS  WHERE LAYIIPO MYTH WAS COINED OUT ON IBADAN  

For the love they have for the Tower and for allowing one to see the many wonders of the city from its top the Ibadan natives have attached so much importance to the Tower. They have thus created myths and legends out of it. From the ordinary natives to the learned, scholars and researchers they have coined out stories and mythological phrases around “Layipo”, that is The Tower! These have become household words and common lingo of the ancient city. These have become part of the daily words and activities of the city. Therefore, it is common to hear such things as “Whoever comes to Ibadan and has not visited this Tower” (called Layipo) to view the city does not know Ibadan (Ibadan lo mo, o mo Layipo).

Spiral steps 

Mr. Omotayo Taiwo who owns and has run a bookshop in Beere for years said, “This is where we call ‘Layipo’ because one could see the nooks and crannies of Ibadan from this Tower. You will turn round on the tower to view the whole Ibadan. It is interesting to know the meaning and the message.” Another resident, Madam Emily Ogunwole added that ‘Layipo’ means that when an Ibadan man asks for a favour and the other answers yes, don’t be sure because he has not added that he has agreed, that is Layiipo for you in Ibadan. And it means don’t trust an Ibadan man or don’t take them for their words until they have really told you that they have agreed and accepted your proposal, that is the second meaning of ‘Layipo’.”

BoN  descending from the Spiral steps called Layiipo

According to Taiwo, the word ‘Layiipo’ was derived from the nature of the spiral steps which leads to the top of the Tower, which you have to turn round and round to get to the apex of the mountain. “It is these turnings that made it to be called Layipo”, he swore.

When I came down  I praised the Lord 

BoN ascending the steps 

The Tower itself has become old and small. The building, though still strong, does not befit the standard of modern day structure due to its lack of space and , according to an insider, no one envisaged it would become so popular and notable when it was constructed, “We need to praise the authority that constructed it because there is no building constructed today that can rival this one except that it is not wide enough to accommodate two people to go up (the narrow stairs) at the same time.”

THE AGALA FOREST

The road leading to Bower’s Tower could make any one without a steel heart melt. The tarred road of Oke Are leading to Igbo Agala is motor-able. However, any vehicle that is not strong could roll back because of the high terrain. A first time visitor would have to be patient, smart and be at alert and strong , because viewing the valleys on both sides of the road could arouse fear and make one fall head long down.

 

EVIL FOREST  TURNED TO PRAYER CITY

The one- time dreaded Agala forest has become a tourist attraction and has been cleared of refuse dump, deforested and turned into prayer city. Churches of different denominations and ilk have turned the place into a place to hold their activities, with over 150 tents constructed for hosting prayer sessions, while many others use either leaves, palm fronds or iron roofing sheets, as well as stones to form circles for praying in the place. Again some others use nylon to cover their tents.

There are names such as Ori Oke Agbo Jeesu, Agbara Oloun ko seun ti, Ori Oke segan mi dayo, Ori Oke Angeli Ajaja Agbara , Ori Oke Oluwa so mi dayo, Ori Oke Oloun ti se ohun gbogbo tan, The Grace of God Jesus Day Mountain, Ori Oke Oju o ti mi, Inspirational Power of God Evangelical Ministry (IPOGEM), Gethsemane Garden of Eden among others.

Pastor Gabriel Oyedotun of IPOGEM said he has been worshiping on the mountain since 2001. According to him, the place had been blessed with a lot of prayers which made them occupy the environment. “This place was known as a forest before where many evils were perpetrated daily. They have killed here. They have thrown this place into a place of worshiping idols, this place was once a den of armed robbers, Indian hemp smokers and where other criminal activities take place. But with our prayers, now things have changed.” On whether they pay money for the allocated plots or spaces, he agreed that the space belongs to the state government, so no one collects money from them. He, however, added “well if they want to collect money I believe that the man in charge will just collect just a t oken for the maintenance of the area.”

On why the churches have refused to erect structures there, he said, “There is an instruction or law that one should not erect any structure or buildings there. But we do take care of this place, and if it weren’t for us would have been coming to the Tower,” he boasted.

       

 

NECESSITY LEADS TO INVENTION

Prophetess Deborah Fantola who runs a church known as Mountain of Prayer on the hill said, “Apart from its serenity, the place is put in place by God for us to keep holy. This is the road to Bower’s Tower, and everywhere has become a tourist attraction. I know all the stories here, so we should thank God that we have good road leading to the mountain and to the Tower.”

 

HOW JUNE 12, 1993 EXPOSED AGALA FOREST

On how the place was deforested, she said June 12, 1993 election crisis exposed the place. She said anyone going to Bower’s Tower was subjected to attacks or sometimes killed or maimed, hoodlums robbed and raped there due to the thickness of the forest. According to her, “We used to kill animals like antelopes, snakes among other dangerous animals because the place was a forest but when there was no fuel during the 1993 presidential election crisis, the Ibadan people went into the forest to hew the woods and used them to cook. In fact, one could see water coming out from the firewood which were burning in fire. We cut all kinds of woods from the forest of Agala here to cook when we could not get kerosene, and fuel was scarce .That was how the Igbo Agala was deforested and the place became clean without the assistance of the government.”

Tony Innocent and Mama Ogundeji said they have been coming to the forest for special prayers and their prayers have been answered.

SAD NEWS OF  BOWER’S TOWER

Madam Adedeji who has spent all her life seeing the city grow observed, “I remember that I used to join others to look at the whole of Ibadan city from Bower’s Tower then and it was free of charge, we didn’t pay any money to climb the staircase in order to look at the whole city. Then it was the first and highest place to see all of Ibadan city. Now, I learnt they are paying money to climb the staircase.” She, however, lamented the deplorable condition of the Tower. “For some time now the place has been neglected. The condition is bad and this has led to low patronage unlike before when visitors come from the nook and cranny of the country to use the place for events like wedding ceremonies, entertainments and many other things. Nobody or very few people go to the place for sightseeing now.”

The sad aspect of the Bower’s Tower’s story is that the last times maintenance were carried out were under various military regimes in the country. This is displayed on the wall shown under successive ministers it was renovated by the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Tourism. For instance, it was renovated in 1996 by Rear Admiral Isaac Sunday Adeola, while Rear Admiral Jubril Kayode Ayinla had his turn in 1997 so also did Dr. Emmanuel Udogu in 1998. The last time was in 1999 by General Patrick Aziza. Since then nothing has been done.

To pay a token

The gate fee and sightseeing charges are written on the building. For entrance, a student is charged N30 while an adult pays N50. For those who want to take pictures and video the scene, the charge is N100 and N500 respectively.

Gate fee written on the door of the entrance into the Tower

The building has become decrepit, while the paintings are faded, and some of the structures, like tents where one could relax, have collapsed and are no longer in use.

One of those who work in the place lamented that, “We make small money even people hardly pay, we have to plead, talk, and talk before they could pay the required fee.”

Another worker who pleaded for anonymity said, “For a long time it has been neglected and therefore was not patronised for social functions because of its poor condition. It was later leased out to a company yet it made little or no progress. I am aware that the state government is planning to do something before the end of this year because it is too shameful to see the place like this.”

Poor condition of the place

Some visitors who wanted to climb the staircase said they were afraid of the spiral staircase . However, the younger ones such as Miss Temilade Omolayo, a student of Citadel International School, Ikare in Ondo State, said, she came all the way to see Ibadan at a glance. She happily said, “This is my first time of coming to Ibadan and I was told to come and see this place that I can view the city well. This is a good tourist attraction apart from the Zoological Garden. I visited at the University of Ibadan.”

However, her younger brothers Dimeji and Yinka Omolayo who were not bold enough to climb the staircase said the building should have been bigger, saying, “The staircases are small and could only contain one person at a time. We need a guide to take us up to view the city.”

After traversing this historic Tower, this reporter left with the impression that this historic monument needs total renovation and enlightenment for it to become a veritable tourist attraction centre

BEAUTIFUL PICTURES FROM THE BOWER’S TOWER

By TAIWO ABIODUN (BoN)

       

       BY TAIWO ABIODUN

               

      BY TAIWO ABIODUN

           

Taiwo Abiodun on the Tower

 

         

                             

                                     

Taiwo Abiodun (BoN) took several pictures in different positions in Bower’s 

                                             

 

Taiwo Abiodun taking pictures from the  top of  Bower’s Tower

I almost died on my way to Europe by road

 
Continued from Last week https://taiwoabiodun.com/we-bought-womens-urine-some-drank-human-blood-in-s-desert-oluwadayisi-olabode/
 
……….65 arrived Spain out of 670 Immigrants
…….My parents were shocked to see me
…….My friend had married my fiancee
…..Some came back insane

FULL INTERVIEW

I WAS IN DEPORTATION CAMP IN LIBYA

“I was lucky to be taken into their detention camp where I met  over 2,500 people who had spent one, two and three  years there, all these immigrants   were  from different countries in Africa. l became an interpreter for the Arabs  and others, and they  used to send  me on errands  to buy food .Many die daily and I assisted them to pack these corpses   and the stench of the place was unbearable”.

MANY DIED ON THE SEA, SOME SHOT BY SECURITY MEN, SOME ELECTROCUTED…..

”Our plan to go to Spain materialized  when we were taken to the Seashore to go in a boat .  They brought a flying boat and taught two of us how to operate it .  The boat’s owner   collected 700 euro  from about 700 Immigrants  and  we  were later told that only two of us would be trained to operate the boat. When we were about to cross to Malta on river, we were seeing Spain.  At a point   I did not want to  continue  the journey .We asked of those who had gone before us where they were now , no news was heard about them- whether they had landed or not.  The owner of the boat  made sure the money paid  covered the price of his boat and gains then  he  trained two of us who were Immigrants   and pushed us  to the Sea to  Malta . Not all of us got to Spain as many died on the Sea , some fell into the river while Custom officers shot many  who were caught climbing the fences.  Some fell  while climbing the fence and , some  were hit by bullets.

”While on the sea you cannot drink  water, instead we were drinking the  soda water we took along because the river was smelling , and you cannot drink ordinary water.

SPAIN AT LAST

”I was among the 64 Immigrants that arrived  Spain with God’s mercy , we were 760 that went via boat and 64 arrived , some were shot dead, some fell into the water. It was a nasty experience”.

WHY I WAS DEPORTED

”The reason why I was deported was that I was with fake documents and I was advised by some Immigrants  to go and report myself. I did report myself and sought for deportation on my own.

”I was with my South African passport with the name John Matthew .When they asked where I came from in South Africa I said ‘Johannesburg’ .  I later confessed to   them the  truth about my identity and was taken to the Nigeria embassy where I was issued  a new passport as a Nigerian. I met Nigerians who had spent years there  about to be deported  . A Libyan gave me 100 dollars and we boarded the plane President Obasanjo sent to Spain to evacuate us.

”From the plane we heard rumour that we would  be   arrested  by the security men. We were told that the then President Obasanjo   had ordered our  arrest on  landing  .They rumoured  it that Baba (Obasanjo) said  that if  we  could  be bold and risked our lives and  took  those routes to Spain through Sahara Desert then they should enlist us  in the Nigerian  army .But guess what happened when  our plane landed and we alighted from the aircraft –  we all ran away and escaped”.

”I remember one of my friends we were living on the same street became mad, we came back with nothing , they seized our belt, even we did not wear chain, or w/watch so that we would not commit suicide.We were treated like criminals.We were given 100 dollars each and that was 13, 300 naira then.

 

 Now happily married with children

MY PARENTS  TOOK ME FOR GHOST …THREW SAND ON ME..

”When I arrived home, my parents  threw sand on me  thinking  they were seeing my ghost. They  said they  had consulted soothsayers, Babalawos , Alfas who told them I had died and therefore had to perform the necessary  rituals  .It took me time to gather and adjust myself .

 A FRIEND WENT MAD, OTHERS….

What of his friends  whom they traveled together from Nigeria? he was asked , but the Man looked up and down then shook his head and spoke ”There were about five of my friends I knew we went together, there was one I saw that came back , he had become insane and I didn’t see him again while others who lived on our street were no longer seen till today .I guess they had died on the road too.There were  some who became mentally unsound , some went back home, some back to farming , some were doing car wash , some sleeping under the bridge at Osodi …..

MY FIANCEE MARRIED MY FRIEND..

”When I got to the house I rented it  had been re-allocated to another man ,my property had been ….I no longer trust any friend again except Jesus . Could you believe that when I got home things have  changed…my business has gone  and the most painful aspect of it is that   my best friend before I came back had married my fiancee!.I was devastated.I did not know where to start from.I learnt that the two of them died later.’ I became jobless , nothing again!. My friends deserted me , even  if you see me  I didn’t look like a man that traveled out.I started sleeping  and waking up in the church and serving a Pastor, one day I heard a voice and that was where the God’s work started.

MY STUPID ACTION

” Could you believe I was still tempted looking for easy way to get money? With the little money in my hand.I  changed my 100dollars to naira and went to  a Babalawo and   told him I wanted to do juju for money .He collected money from me and gave me  charcoal to lick. When I got home one of my brothers who had never been rude to me was rude to me and even slapped me during an argument . On the  third day according to our agreement I went to the Babalawo .But lo and behold , the Babalawo had equipped his living room with a ceiling fan and bought a  new television with my money!. From here  I discovered I had been fooled . I now said it is high time I served the Lord.

Oluwadayisi Olabode is now a Prophet and a Counselor .Contact us if you  need his number

We bought  women’s urine, some  drank human blood  in S/Desert-Oluwadayisi  Olabode

 

             

…….Human skeletons,documents and passports litter Sahara Desert

……Some Travel Agents are liars

……I spent 41days in S/Desert

…… 350 passengers sandwiched  in a Jeep

……Many died on the road

…….. I became Born Again

Pastor Oluwadayisi   Olabode who traveled  to Europe by road  through Sahara Desert   gives a graphic description of  his experience . He spoke with Taiwo Abiodun

PART 1 VIDEO

WHY I WAS DESPERATE

As the man sat on the chair that day during this  interview, he was nervous as if he has not been set free from the Sahara Desert.  He started  “My name is Oluwadayisi  Olabode . I am 47 years old and I am married with children .I am now a   Pastor  and  a Counselor  .During the President Olusegun Obasanjo regime, precisely in  the month of  November , I planned to travel to Europe  by road .I was convinced that  it was easy to go  by road and would spend between one and two months on the road. I had a friend then called Emeka who introduced me to a Travel  Agent  about this   trip , and I told him I had been to Spain and  London  but deported as all my aim was to get out of Nigeria  for greener pasture”.           .

PREPARATION FOR THE JOURNEY

According to Olabode , he kept the  secret of his  journey  to himself and didn’t tell anybody , he said  ” I went to   ‘Oluwole’ in Lagos Island where fake documents were produced   and I  obtained a passport of South Africa  and affixed my  photograph passport.

”As a man of God and from my own personal experience , traveling abroad via wuruwuru is not the best because of my ugly experience, it is a terrible thing and unforgettable journey . I have experienced the worst. I don’t pray for my enemy to go through the pains I went through ”. He continued ”you see  these Travel Agents are terrible , they deceive clients and with   their sugarcoated mouths and the  money they would be paid  would lie to  their clients that it is one or two months’ journey. They are full of lies, deceits and tricks.They know many are desperate to leave Nigeria that is why many fell for them and become victims”, he  said ,shaking his  head.

CHANGE OF NAMES

”To start with I went to ‘Oluwole’ in Lagos Island where fake documents were being processed   and my  Travel Agent  provided the details  for   my international  passport.However, he    advised  me not to   obtain Nigerian passport  for it would not be easy to pass through as  foreigners make things difficult for Nigerians and would not  honour it. He suggested a Ghanaian or South African passport and   I obeyed  him. I  obtained  the  South African passport and   claimed  the State of Johannesburg. I  changed my name overnight and from the Yoruba name I bear  to  foreign  name and was bearing   John Martins    which was a lie . For  my mother’s name I wrote    Celine Dion .For  processing  my  International  passport  I paid between 11,000 to 12,000 naira to the Agent . We were told we would spend between two and  three months on the  road to Europe.

“We were told to be ready to travel  through the Sahara  Desert from Nigeria to Niger to Morocco and to  Libya where we would enter Europe by Boat.  I left the Nigerian border   with  185,000naira and I went along with  some women who were mostly from Edo State  were  co-travelers . We went  through  Kano  and from there to Niger. I was advised to change my Nigerian money into foreign currencies at the border  because it would get to a stage  when I would not be able to spend  my Nigerian currency . Part of the money was  changed to dollar and the rest to CFA because CFA is their currency in Niger . As I said we passed through  Kano and went to Zinda , from Zinda to Agadez in Northern Niger to … was still bearable.  We were like locust and being led like cows all in the name of going to Europe.Later  we  were led into a  vehicle with the logo of  Malboro cigarette on it  , it is the vehicle they  used to ferry us to  Agadez .

EMEKA BACKED OUT

Oluwadayisi said if he had known he would  have backed out from traveling for his friend who introduced him to  the Travel  Agent eventually backed out as he could not continue with the journey . He said ” Ah, the guy Emeka went back ,he said he could not continue the journey any longer. I would have done same thing but I had had it in mind that I must travel out that was why I didn’t turn back”.

NO MAN’S LAND

”There was a place they called  ”No Man’s Land”   because this is where you meet wicked and heartless people . Here they stripped us naked and took our money  .These strong men beat us and searched our bags,bodies and removed our money  ,no matter where you keep the money for they have known all parts of the body money is being kept., Our water were in kegs , some were with 10, 8, 5 litres.  From Agadez it was terrible. When it  got to a point I missed the Teza cosa Jeep ,  in this jeep we were about 350 passengers, we sat on one another , some would be under.  Some  Chadians were  called “Desert Cruisers” Chadians  were good  drivers and they  knew the routes in the desert  very well, it is like when one is on water , there is no direction, we paid them .We stopped along the way and covered ourselves with blanket, no trees to protect us from the sun or cold  .

TROUBLE IN  SAHARA DESERT

Shedding  tears and shivering while narrating his ugly and nasty  experience  , Olabode said ” I am developing goose pimples as I am narrating this story . We faced  many  hurdles  on the way ; there were  accidents, human skeletons , human bones littered everywhere ,decomposed and decomposing human bodies were seen on the road . I believed many died on the way and some wild animals also killed some of the Immigrants  too. We saw International passports of many nationalities  that were  scattered allover the place and that is  evidence that the travelers  never reached their destinations. Imagine  the parents and relatives  back home thought their children or wards had traveled out expecting goodies and calls  from them not knowing they were being tortured and unsafe somewhere!. We were ‘armed’  with only gaari , kulikuli  and litres of  kegs  of water .There was  no place to cook in the Desert  for there are no trees , no stove, it’s pure desert ,  no roofing and we  had  only our   blankets to cover our bodies.

” Again, we met the bad guys  called ‘Mafia’ who were along the way. They  stripped  us   naked us and after beating us mercilessly they removed  our hidden dollars and other currencies from our anus,  from women’s private parts, from our shirt’s collar and  from our  hidden  parts of our bodiess.  They knew all the areas travelers used to keep money” .

WE DRANK WOMEN’S URINE AND BLOOD

He continued ” When we   exhausted the  water each of us carried along  and   were  thirsty and there was  no water to drink we would buy the  women’s urine for  five dollars  while the strong among us would  kill  the weaker ones and drink their blood .The strong ones among us  would  dismember those who were weak and  who  fell along the road and  couldn’t continue the journey and drink their blood. There was no way  to quench our thirst. Don’t blame them for they  did  not kill out of wickedness but they have to drink blood in place of  water to quench their thirst .While in the Sahara Desert  we were    seeing  the street  lights  of Libya afar off thinking it was  nearer and closer , it’s like looking at Abuja’s  street lights  from Lagos , yet far!..I told God that if He  rescued and saved me I would worship Him for the rest of my life . Now the God’s work  He called  me to do  of which I rejected   was being done compulsorily here in the wilderness.I prayed and fasted by force”, he said as he was sweating profusely.

SEX IN DESERT?

When asked whether they had sex on the way but the man frowned,looked at this reporter  and said ” Sex?what are you talking about?. We were looking for how to survive. Sex? No, Nigerians didn’t do that only the Nigeriens  and  Libyans officials maltreated  our girls and had sex with them and  collected our valuables ”

ALONE IN THE DESERT

The man of God said he contemplated suicide  but God didn’t allow  it to happen , he gave the reason why .” It was in this desert that  I got my calling , it all happened like this ; when our vehicle stopped in the Desert  and the passengers alighted to obey the  call of nature and ease  themselves,  I too  went  to defecate somewhere   but before  I  came back the vehicle and the passengers  had all gone leaving me behind . I shouted but nobody heard me , not even an echo.  I was left alone. I became lonely”.

He continued ”With my naked eyes I  saw strange things that are still giving me nightmares till this day.   In the desert I was the only one left ,I did  not bath for months, no water .  I would    swallow close up toothpaste I had with me   and mixed it with my  saliva    then swallowed it  like water in place of water  for my throat was dry. While in the desert you don’t know the time and date while the sun was just up  there shining You   don’t know the day of the month whether it is Wednesday or Monday. I later got to know that I had  spent 41 days in that  desert . As I was walking on the sand  the air was blowing me about . I had no energy and my clothes were heavy on me.I was left with my underwear.I saw human  carcasses on the ground. I saw  wild animals crossing both day and night. My clothes were heavy on me ,oh my God it was terrible. The sun and  moon were up there burning  seriously  that is why nothing can grow there in the desert. Here was where  I met God.

SOLDIERS RESCUED ME

” When the Libyan  soldiers  who were on patrol saw me they didn’t believe I was  still living . No clothes on me.  I had become a skeleton, for my clothes had torn and I had only pant on me and I was like a scarecrow. These soldiers came down and prayed on the sand , scooped  it and  threw it on me to be sure if I was not harmless or a Spirit or something else .Later they carried me into their vehicle. They gave me food and water but l could neither eat nor drink. I was like a patient who had just been operated on. They  took me away and that was the period when the Libyan soldiers were injecting  the HIV /AIDS victims with lethal injection to death when  HIV/AIDS  was just  discovered in their country  and believed  Nigerians  were the ones  bringing it into their country  so they  were going about with the lethal injection to kill  their victims especially immigrants  for they didn’t want to see the Blacks. These soldiers  thought of all these yet with God’s mercy they spared me and put me in their patrol van and rescued me from here. I was later told I had spent 41days  in the Sahara  Desert. From here I was taken to their deportation camp in Libya.

DEPORTATION CAMP

The man continued his story ” When I was dropped at the deportation Camp I met thousands of people from  different nations who were also Immigrants going to Spain. From here I started learning their language .They said Tiara is a vehicle moving on the ground and Siara is an aircraft or aeroplane flying in the sky. I became their spokesman and interpreter . I used to assist them to remove dead inmates outside .A lot of people died in the deportation camp. Later they left us in the town in Libya , from there I went to Tripoli and went to pay   to cross to Malta by water. But  in Tripoli I spent two to three months , yes there was food in Tripoli  but that was not what I was there for . I worked for sometime . They seized my 100 dollar bill. I called my brother in the USA via Yahoo messenger and told him I was in Libya , he was surprised and was not happy  for going to Libya. I  asked him to send 700 dollars to me . I worked in a cyber cafe and when they found out that  I  could speak little of their language they loved me and  I worked for sometime there  .From Libya  I  decided to take  a boat to Malta…

To be continued next week

Out of 670  of us in boat  only 65 landed  Malta…..etc

 

 

I am the authentic number two wife of Orlando Owoh-Silifat

 

…….I  eloped with  Orlando Owoh at age 13

…….I am number Two out of Seven wives

…….My only child  died at 52

…. I can’t remarry again

  Silifat in her shop

   Madam Silifat Owomoyela’s home is austere .Her routines simple while her days very ordinary . She   had   dined and wined  with the  late popular   Juju High-life African Kennery  Maestro, Orlando Owoh  in her heydays. Infact she had a child for him. Silifat who  once lived in a commercial ganglion city  where there was hustling and bustling  has  now relocated  to a peaceful but less- economic buoyant town.

Now  a grandmother, she  maintains a low profile and daytime duties as she sells locally brewed  alcoholic drinks  and gins  struggling to eke a living and takes care of  the  only grandchild  her only  late child   left behind.

Yet with all these  brutal life experiences she does not allow memories of  pains and agony that traumatized her  take-over  her life as she buried her sorrow and wears smiling face all the time.

HOW I ELOPED WITH THE LATE  ORLANDO OWOMOYELA

The woman who claimed that she  was once a dancer in the  late Musician Orlando Owoh’s Band  started ”My name is Silifat Owomoyela , I am from Owo. I got married to the late Orlando  Owoh the Musician  about  52years ago. I met Orlando  in Lagos .I was born in Mushin  in Lagos”. She continued ”You see Orlando  ”stole” me  from Lagos” .She spoke in Yoruba language  ”o ji mi gbe ni o. He is Ajinigbe ( she burst into laughter ). We were together .And we both went to Ibadan , that was when Mokola Roundabout was still called Elizabeth Road.We were together in Ibadan , about  52years ago”

 ORLANDO STOPPED MY EDUCATION

The woman gave a shock to  all Orlando’s fans,  she said the late Musician used to play for his late father when alive , she said ”when I met Orlando  in Lagos , he   used to entertain   my father  during the   Muslim Id El Fitri’s festival . In fact it was Orlando who stopped me from  going to school .We both  ran away from Lagos and went  to Ibadan to live.But when  I was pregnant  we parted  and that was all .     .       

The late Sunday Owomoyela

 

 MY FATHER WAS A   WEALTHY MAN

Beating her chest and without mincing words  she boasted ”It was my late  father who  exposed Orlando to the world and made him come back to Lagos to settle  down  because he was living in Ibadan before” . Asked  the   reaction of her father when Orlando left her, she quickly responded  ”My father  did not do anything to  him when he left me”. However she spoke highly of her late  father and said her  father was popular and wealthy in his heydays ”My father was very rich then, even Emperor Pick Peter sang his praise , My father’s nickname   was  ”Is A Goal”. If a ship sinks  in the Atlantic Ocean he would find ways to clear  the goods from the ship. He was a big Merchant and   trading at Apapa Wharf then”, she told this reporter.

WHY I AM STILL SINGLE

Asked why she has not remarried since she parted with Orlando, but the woman screamed as if marriage is a taboo ,  ”Remarry? I did not remarry , and I did not marry anybody. I have chosen not to remarry .I finally parted with Orlando 40years ago”. When pressed further on the reason why they parted, she said she could not cope with a man with harem of wives , she said ” it is difficult to survive  in a polygamous family , infact it was  Mama …(names withheld) who pushed me out  of the matrimonial home”.

ORLANDO AND GANJA

Asked whether she was aware of Orlando’s  habit of smoking ganja, the woman declared  ”Yes, he was smoking ganja ,  but I don’t even drink and  I didnt’ buy ganja for  him” . She described Orlando thus ” he  was a nice and popular  man but more popular as the time went by  .Fans used to pay five naira ticket fee to watch his shows, later it came to ten naira. He used to play in Mayflower- Olorunsogo ,Lagos. He also used  to  go to Ibadan  to  play   at places like  Mokola Roundabout ,Anti Rose Hotel  , and Sabo, in Ibadan”

The late Orlando

MY PARENTS RELUCTANTLY  APPROVED OUR MARRIAGE 

On whether the union between her and the late Musician receive the blessing of her parents, she replied ”My mummy did not support it at initial stage  but in the end it was supported. They (my mother and the late Orlando) are  from same area in Ifon, but my paternal grandfather was from Ute , he was called Agbaminoja .My mother was  from the royal house of    Ute , but her (my mother) mother is from Ifon. My father is from Owo, and  did not support  the union , and they warned me not to go to him but  later it was approved”

I AM NUMBER TWO AMONG ORLANDO’S WIVES

The woman argued that she is number two among Orlando Owho’s seven  wives. She added that she was a dancer as she used to dance for him while on stage while dating the late Musician .In her own words she said ”I used to dance for Orlando’s band . I  was his dancer on stage in Ibadan,  he trained me . It was Orlando who  deflowered me”  .She added ” Orlando took my virginity (deflowered) . I did not know any man  before I met  him. I was at age 13 when I met him .We were together in Ibadan ,that was when he was also going out with anti Muibat, who  was older than me .It was towards the end  he married Shade. I was with Orlando at Mokola, Ibadan but anti Muibat was working at Sketch Newspaper in Ibadan. We were all in Ibadan , anti Muibat used to come to  us in Hotel in Ibadan. I was young   and innocent  then  , very young and  it was the (dis)virginity  or my first sex that I had  that  resulted to having my first and only child  (Sunday) ”.

From left :Funke, Shade and Muibat

Still on the argument whether she was the second wife, she declared  ”I did not meet any wife in his house , but I met  a  male child in the house .That child  then  is in America  today and he is the one paying  for my grandchild’s school fees.” 

MY ONLY CHILD  DIED at 52!

But the woman is sad , as her voice changed , and  in a sad and low  tone said the  only child she had for Orlando and her   only  child, a son, Sunday Owomoyela  died  five years ago . She  added ”that was why they brought me  back home. My son, a soldier  died five years ago. He had a  set of  twins, but only one, Taiye  survived ,and he is with me here .If  you see Orlando’s grandchild don’t look for Orlando again,  the boy  is 10 years old , he could beat the  drum very well. His twin brother  Kehinde has died ,  he returned to where he came from”.

RELOCATION

After spending many years in Lagos , Silifat  who should be in her mid 60s relocated to her family house  in Owo to continue her life. According to her , her family advised her to come back home after spending most of her lifetime in Lagos. The family members now set up  a small scale business for her where she is selling  hard drinks , and shots for her customers.”I am in my father’s house in Owo now”, she told this reporter.

ALAGBON CASE

During the time Orlando had problem on the drug saga , Silifat said she was not around then  but ran back to Lagos to sympathize with the late Musical icon,”I traveled to the North but  when I heard  the news on radio I rushed back home . I heard that he was arrested for cocaine and I knew he was not selling cocaine”.

On the death of Orlando ,she said  ”It  was Folashade  Lagundoye  who had my cell phone number that   called me to inform me that  Baba had died .We ( wives)  all observed  the widowhood rituals  together even two months after the outing   I was still there in his  house at Agege” . She spoke on her relationship with  the other Orlando’s wives and  said ” other wives  love me ,myself,  Auntie  Muibat , Funke  and Shade  are the remaining four wives Orlando  left behind ”

According to Silifat , seven women had children for the late Musician , and she is proud to say they all live peacefully , she  said ”we have never had any quarrel in our lives , we were very close , no rift among us”

SHE IS NOT ORLANDO’S WIFE, SHE  ONLY HAD A CHILD FOR ORLANDO—-Anonymous

After the last interviews with the late Orlando’s three  surviving wives viz: Caroline Muibat ( the most senior wife), Funke  (second wife)  and Folashade Lagundoye (last wife)  who are all living in their late husband’s house at Agege Lagos, a woman , Silifat  who claimed to have been the  original number two wife of Orlando’s seven wives came out to debunk the claim that  someone is number two wife and said she was number two of Orlando’s wives. Silifat  spoke with authority and boldness. She gave a graphic details of  her relationship with the late musician  dated over 50years  and said she had a child for him who was 52years old before he died five years ago.

When this reporter contacted  one of the family members of Orlando , a woman, she said  ”though Silifat  had a child for Orlando but  she was not living with Orlando, and was married   out of wedlock as the late Orlando  wedded all his wives”.

Another person, a man  who claimed to have known the late Orlando very well said Orlando was known to be a polygamist  but this woman should have been living with other wives if she was truly engaged with Orlando.But in African  Culture  the moment    a woman has a child for you she  has  become your  wife”, he added ” this woman called Silifat was one of Orlando’s dancers , and if she married Orlando out of wedlock we can say she is one of his wives” .

An old man  who is in his 80s begged for anonymity   defended Silifat and said ”one does not necessarily need to live with a husband before she is called   his wife. Remember  that Silifat once lived with Orlando  and she could have been the first wife to me but when she could not cope with  the politics in the polygamous home  she  left. Aside that she observed  all the necessary roles and rituals a wife must perform   during and after the death of Orlando . So she is number two as she said , no jupiter can change that. Is it compulsory to live with other wives in the same house?”, he queried.

The last may not have been heard about the late Kennery Musician, Orlando Owoh’s harem of wives , who knows   another woman would come out again to claim her rightful position?. Time will tell.

Gbómogbómo gbé omo mi lo

 

 

…….Omo mi méjì pòórá l’ójó kan

…….Èmi kò mo orúko àwon ayálégbé náà

…….Ìyà ñlá jé mí

…..Ólópa tún fi ìyà je mí l’ójó náà l’óhūn

                            
        

     ÌBÊRÈ ÑLA: ÀWON OMÕ MI  DÀ?

           Ekún gbaragada ni abiléko   Bimbo Lékan ti i se   ìyá  olómo méjì  yi bú  sí ti o si ñgbéra sánlè l’ójó Ogbòn, osù Sere, odun 2018 (30-1-2018). Eni tí o ba  ríi yióò sàánū abiyamo  bí ó  ti se ñsokún kíkòrò  lójó nā lóhún. Nítorí náà kò ya n’ilénu nínú ìsesí áti ìhùwàsíi rè  ‘lòdò ìyá  rè àgbà ti Akòròhìn yīi ti bā .Ñse ni ó ñsáré  jáde , tí ó tún ñsare wolé ,ti  ó ńkígbe l’ohun rara ti o sì  ńbèrè pé ”Omo mì dà? omo mì dà?”. Sùgbón kò sí eni ti o le dáhùn ìbere ńla yii .

       Àwon tí kò mo ohun ti ó  dé baa rò pe wèrè ni sùgbón kò ñse wèrè o, nítorí orí rè pé  ju bí wón se ròó lo. Léèkan síi ,jìnnìjìnnì bõ, o tún bérè pe ”Àwon omo mi dà? . Ìyá je mí .Mo r’oko d’élé Dálémo. Agbón ta mí . Mo se oore dáràn. Págà!! , a tii gbó pe  odindi omo méjì põrá ninu ilé ti gbogbo wa wà yi?”.Igbe e ba mi wá omo mi ni arábìnrin yìi wa ńke tòò, ó sì ńgbéra s’áńlè bi  àgékù ejò.
    ” Ó ńta gìrì bi eni ti  àìsan gìrì mú. Ó  ńmí gúle gúle . Ó ñsúkĕ pake pake .Ó  wá  ńwò  bòò  bí  eran  Iléyá . Ojú re  le bi eni ti ó kó àtòsí. Sùgbón kò ya wèrè o, bêni kò sì kó àtòsí. Ìdāmú lo de bā. Sé  eni ti ìdāmu bá dé bá kò sí ohun tí kò le se , kò sì sí  ohun tí kò le so. Òròkórò  ni yio so, ìsokúso ni yio ma jade lenu re  bêni irànrán ni yío o ma se.

Sèbī ìwákúwá la’ñwá ohun tó sonù..        

  Ayòmídé

      Arábìnrin  yii  ñnàgà o ñwa orí tábìlì , ó tún  bèrè mólè o ńwo abé àga, o sáré wo yàrá ó ńye tìmùtìmù  orí ibùsùn wò. Sùgbón  kò ri àwon  omo  rè méjèjì níbè  .Lógán ló bá ráńtí  pé ayálégbé lo ńbá àwon omo òun seré tó  fà wón l’ówó lo tó fē ra sweet fún won .Ahh, níbo ni ó hā lo? .Ó sáré wo yàrá arábìnrin yīi  sùgbón kò si ènìyàn níbè .Ìgbóná ara mū, o sáré jáde  kò mà  ri won  mó!, Omo mi sonù sáà sàn ju omo mi nù lo. ”Bawo ni ki ñse so fún bàbá àwon omo mi méjèjì yī pé àwon omo yìí sonù. Sé áwon ajómogbé lo se ìkà  èyi fun mi?.Omo ò mi dà? ,omo ò mi dà?. Kíni mó se? .Èé tirí? .Iná jómi , wèrèpè bò  mi, agbón ti ta mí o. Ah , ìyà ñlá  mà ni eléyìí.Ta ni mo sè? .Èbè la ñbe òsìkà ki ó dákun dáríjí ni”, se igbe kíké ni isé eiye, igbe ni arábìnrin yi  ñke tañtañ tan, ti o si ñfi owó lu ògiri bi Bíríkìlà se ñfi òbe ré ilé.
        Ni ojó  òni ,ogbòn ojó ,Osù Séré (January 30) ni o   pe odún mêjì  gbáko ti abiléko ti orúko rè nje Bímbo Lekan  ti ńwá omo rè méjèji ti orúko won ńjé Blessing  to wa ni omo osu mejo  ati Ayòmídé Lêkan  omo odun meji le ni osu mejo   ti di awátì ni Ojúlé Métàdínlógbòn Àdúgbõ, Òkèdógbòn  , Òwò
       ÒRÒ LÉNU BIMBO
   Pélú omijé  l’ójú  òun òse ni Bimbo fi bá Akòròhìn wa Akòròhìn sòrò l’ójó nā l’óhūn, o ni ”Omo odún méjìlélógún ni mi, isé irun dídì ni mo ko,  Mo bi omo méjì ti won je omo odun méjì ati osu mejo ati àbúrò rè ti o je Omo Osù méjo. L’ójó kan ni omokùnrin kan wá  si ilé wa ni Ojúlé Métàdínlógbòn Àdúgbõ Òkèdógbòn  (27, Òkèdógbòn street) ni ìlú Òwò, lati gba yàrá kan, sùgbón ìyá mi so fun pe  a  kò  le fún okùnrin tííse àpón ní ilê .Okùnrin yìí si padà wa pèlù obìnrin ti o pe ni ìyàwó rè. A ní kí ó san   egbèrún  méjì  naira (2,000) l’ósù sùgbón ñwón bèbè fún èédégbèjo naira (1,500) l’ósù. o san owó ilé a si gbàá s’ílé. Wón san owó odún kan  a kò i tii fún won ni ìwé èrí owo sísan (receipt)  sùgbón l’ójó k’efà ni wón pòórá bí isó ti a kò ri won mó pèlú omo mi méjì.
          Arábìnrin yìí tèsíwájú nínú òrò rè , o ni  ”Ohun tí ó dùn  mí  jù ni pé a kò kò tíì fun wón ni receipt .L’ójó tí wón jí omo gbé yìí arábìnrin ti o p’era rè ni ìyàwó okùnrin yiì gbé omo mi tí o ñsúnkun .Ó si ñba mi d’irun fún èkéjì níwòn ìgbàtí o so pé isé irun dídì ni oun yàn láàyo. l’éhìn èyí o ni oun fé ló ra sweet fun won.Èmi sì ñfõ aso l’ehìnkùnle.
Obìnrin náà tè  síwájú o ni ”Nígbàti mo parí aso fífò mo wá àwon omo mi tì sùgbón ti a wo yàrá obìnrin yìi àpo Ghána Must Go nìkan ni a bá n’íbè , nínú rè ni a ri bébà tií wón ti gé wélé wélé nínú re .
        KO SI ÀWÒRAN ÀWON OMO
    Nígbà tí Akòròhìn wa Táíwò Abíódún bérè àwòrán (photographs) àwon omo méjèjì, nse ni obìnrin yìí ñwò pàkò pàkò bí orí eran ti o so pe òun kò ni àwòran won l’ówó àfi èyí kékeré n’ígbàtí ti o wà ni omo osù méjì’
Ñse ni wón ñsó obìnrin yìí l’ówó l’ésè bí eni ti o ni ode orí n’ígbàtí Oníròhìn wa báa l’ódo ìyá rè àgbà l’ójó náà l’óhūn.
   Ìròhìn tó tè wá l’ówó nīi pé l’áti ìgbà yen   à  kò gbúrõ wípé wón rii  àwon omo mêjì yi ì rárá.
E kò háà ri n’kan bí? .E wáíye obìnrin abiyamo l’óde.
Àdúrà tán n’ílé aládúrà , olópã na ñké tantan ,beni ará àdúgbò ñ’logun .Ìgbàkigbà tí obìnrin yìí ba ji l’órū l’áti fún omo rè l’ómú  ni yíõ tó ráñtí wípé awon omo òun méjiì ti di àwátì.
Awon omo wa kò ni  di àwátì o. E se àmín kí e fi owó àdúrà b’ójú , kí e si fi owo àdúrà s’owó ráñsé si òùnkòwé yìí.  À ní  títí di bí a se ñkòwé yī a kò  gbó nkànkan n’ipa àwon omo méjèjì yīi o.
Sùgbón bí a se ñko ìròhìn yìí Obìnrin yí sì wà l’áíyé ó sì wà l’áàìyè rè o. L’óotóo omo mi kú sàn ju omo mi nù lo bēe si ni   A kò mo ohun Olóun yí oò se  ko je ká b’ínú kú.

NB

E f’arabalè l’á’ti gbó òrò y’oku l’enu arabinrin yi ninu fidio yii

 

They dig, they die

IJERO EKITI

They  dig , they die

For many years Ijero  in Ekiti State has been invaded by illegal miners who are  foreigners and natives while the town is on the bridge to cave in, taiwoabiodun.com investigates

see video here

Unperturbed as he exhibited unusual confidence while strolling about the huge excavation site for the proverbial goldmine. The young man, a Kano indigene simply identified as Ahmed  was ably accompanied by his able lieutenant and  labourer, Abubakar from Bauchi, who obviously was wearing a frowned  face. He took his spade and headed towards the dug tunnel.

The duo hinted this reporter that they came on a voyage in search of precious stones which are readily available in commercial quantity  in Ijero.

After waiting  for over one  hour for Abubakar to appear at the other end the long wait at the lonely and unsightly enclave appears to this reporter an endless one.

A trip to Ijero Ekiti in search of gold made these two friends left their homes to search for greener pastures

One of the residents revealed that the town city Centre is besieged  daily by  indigenes of different nationalities, name it: Togolese , Lebanese , Sudanese, Liberian, Cotonou , Senegalese, as well as Europeans who stormed the ancient town for similar reason.

However, the ecological threat caused by illegal mining activities in IJERO and its environs cannot be over emphasized even as the spiral effect on the water sourced majorly from the wells is believed to be injurious to the health of thousands of hapless IJERO residents.

ABUBAKAR -AN ILLEGAL MINER GOING UNDERGROUND IN SEARCH OF PRECIOUS STONES                                                             PHOTO:TAIWO ABIODUN

 

Unless urgent steps are taken by concerned authorities, the entire IJERO community, despite the huge deposits of rich mineral resources, may soon face the imminence of socio-  economic degradation resulting in health hazards, no thanks to mining operations giving outsiders false impression that all is well with them.

There is no doubt that the ancient town is blessed  with  mineral deposits.

According  to Mr. M. Yewande “Ijero is blessed with solid mineral resources that is next to Jos. What we have here can sustain this town if well tapped .We have chiefly among them  : limestone, gold, bauxite, copper, turmaline, cushy, feldspar ,cataract, foundry  sand, costa mica, tantalite, ruby, rubilite, sodonite, prodonite, tin, columbite, diamond , bauxite, iron and kaolin.We equally have gold which is yet untapped”.

How illegal  miners work

There are a lot of illegal miners in the land , according to a source who begged for anonymity. One of the illegal miners explained  how they get the precious stones  , “when  we sight a certain stone we would dig  that place of over 200 feet deep and this leads us again to  sight another stone ( which acts as a pointer  to where we are going) then we continue digging until we  again come across  some specific   stones which leads you ahead  that you are getting there for  they are like a compass  locating where these  precious stones are”.

Aside this , the illegal miner continued “there is a chemical  used to blast these stones , we  would fix it with wire and move away from the place , at least some feet away and connect it with the battery  then blast it  and within 20 minutes to  one hour its all over, then some stones would be exposed while water would be oozing  from the area and the next thing to do is to use pumping machine to drain the water and continue blasting the rock sighted”.

How we get the land

Another illegal miner said “We buy some portion  of land for 400 naira per day and will be checking whether we would get these precious stones  , if we get them it’s our luck and if we don’t get them we have lost our 400 Naira. However we have a group and the group is divided into seven while  each group would divide themselves and part ways and  whoever gets luck to get a place where mineral  deposits are  would call  others and then the digging starts “, the  man explained

Death on the prowl

These mining sites had recorded a lot of deaths .”In a year over 10 official deaths were reported not to talk of  those  secretly buried. Many  died when   the excavated sand  caves  – in. Many at times  illegal miners  would fall into the deep trenches dug  or    heaped sand would  fall  on many and buried them alive “, said an illegal miner.

A young man said ” when they die we would use long rope to bring the corpses out from the dug holes. A source said ” at least an average of 20 people die in this process. Last year,  I know about six people who died in the process.They tied a rope and went into the hole and tied  it on the body of the boy and brought it out.However , while they announced the few natives that died there  but we record high number of deaths  from the Hausas and foreigners  whose history are not known”. A man said his cousin  died in one of the  dug holes last year, he said ” we were at home when his friends  came to inform us that my cousin had died  while scooping  the earth.We cried and  cried and cried for he was yet to get married.

“Another incidence happened when a boy after he had finished (in the dug well ) a rope  used to bring him out cut in the process and he fell back  into the pit , he broke his neck and his back that was all.He was eventually tied again and brought out dead!.

“But when a foreigner dies they would say it is the wish of Allah and no cries while some would be buried in the ground”.

 

Native connivance

No one can be trusted as some unscrupulous natives connive with outsiders  to loot the town.The financial gains realized from these resources  is either pocketed or go into private pocket or taken away by these foreigners .

Most of the high class people one looks up to as rich men  are thieves who assist these foreigners and put them through on how  and where to get these products. In the end these so called big men would collect money and get away.

Yewande is concerned  about them , he said ” there is no development here.There is no impact that these precious stones are found here because they are carted away with the connivance of big men in our community. Many have  become sick because of the blasts of these stones. The illegal blasting has created a lot of problems here.Many developed  hearing problems , mental disturbance, fear of lead  poisoning has led to deaths of many. Madam Mary Adefebi said she had no peace and her sleep was always disrupted when she was admitted at the Specialist Hospital where blasting was done behind the hospital .” In the night I would be hearing blasts and my eardrum was always affected.A woman collapsed and died one day as a result of the blast because she was hypertensive”.

Another complainant whose house is close to the fields said ”many houses are shaking for they had dredged most of these places.One day houses would be sinking .I pray the State government should assist us in this.

Yewande said what happened in Zamfara ( as people were drinking poisoned water) will soon happen here.

The royal father who is not impressed about the environment and with frowned look said ” what we have here is pure looting , people come from Sudan, Moronvia, Togo, Cotonou  , Senegal, Europe .

Solution

Group Captain Ropo Aiyegbusi ( retired) one of the notable indigenes of the state decried the situation and said the fault comes from leaders of the community who did not cooperate with the vigilante group ,he asked ” How many have they arrested? .It is connivance , some of our people do plan with these unscrupulous elements to steal our resources. We have many foreigners  who are staying here illegally and because of our precious stones stay behind here stealing and looting ..

“How many of these people have the license to use? Do they pay to the local government what they are supposed to pay ? What of the state and the federal government ? Don’t we have law that covers mining? . I know it is not yet time for God to intervene ,People are dying silently”, he added.

An Honourable  who begs for anonymity also lamented on how some notable and influential people connive with the natives and loot their precious stones.

 

How Olowo of Owo was elected

   Tension was   high. Peace was fragile. Eyes   widely opened.  Ears kept  to the ground .  It was like a vigil. Nobody   slept. It   was   a world of gloomy and uncertainty. Some who would have loved to stay neutral or aloof  could not for it was not this time  . It is like watching the World  Cup, no, it was like Barrack   Obama’s   first election   when the First Black man contested for the America   Presidency, the election was watched by the whole world with rapt attention and pumping hearts. Yes , it was  like when President  Barrack Obama and his men were watching how America SEAL Team Six  bombarded  Osama Bin Laden’s house in Abbottabad , Pakistan on May 2, 2011.Tension filled the air!.Back home, it was like the June 12 presidential election.

 

Olowo of Owo -elect addressing the Chiefs and crowd

    The Olowo of Owo’s  Palace was full. Some came to watch  how the election would go while some were there to start the joyful mood when announced while others were ready to ….. if there is any magomago or wuruwuru.

       Yet,   it is like sitting on a keg of gun powder. Time  bomb. Many had their blood pressure shot up. All kinds of   rumors  and gossips  went  round the town. Text messages were flying like kite .

     All hands were on deck.      Hmmnn , Owo  a town honoured and respected in Yoruba land . Owo  whose   name is in the Bible , known as the   land of Honour . A town  blessed  with erudite scholars, political juggernauts , successful business men and business women .A town that has its natives in Diaspora .

 Owo is  one of the most sensitive towns in terms of politics and chieftaincy titles. Owo indigenes   hate  cheating.  Don’t toy with Owo when it comes to politics and chieftaincy titles . No wonder Socrates said ”Wonder is the beginning of Wisdom’’.Owo will perform ‘’wonder’’ if anything contrary to their wishes happens.

 Olowo-elect waving to his supporters

Who will become the next Olowo of Owo ?. Who will become the King and be addressed as  Kabiyesi oooo?. Who will be greeted thus : Okun Aragbarigbi , akata ila  bori Ogho male, ogede so too too?(the mighty expansive ocean , the great white umbrella –like shelter of Owo. The prolific banana tree that bears so much fruits-Courtesy Prof . Rowland Abiodun).

 Who will occupy the highly revered  throne  in Yoruba land? .Who will fit into the late Olowo of Owo  HIM Oba David Folagbade’s  shoe? . From Owo, Lagos, United Kingdom , Canada , France and  America  different  news flew round.

OWO IN SEARCH OF A KING

    Immediately the late  Olowo of  Owo Oba David Victor  Folagbade Olagbegi III joined his ancestors  on the 16th of April  there were speculations of who is qualified and  not qualified to be the King .When Pastor Enoch  Adeboye , the Spiritual Leader of The Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG) came to the town to commiserate with the family and kinsmen , he prayed that God should provide another King  that would bring peace and development to the ancient town. He also prayed that God will give the town a King that would be after His heart.

PRAYERS, PRAYERS

 Christians prayed while the Moslems were not left out. Infact according to rumour the Chiefs  and Ifa Diviners went as far as to another town  to consult oracles like the Oracle in Delphi. Then a shock that almost threw everybody off balance landed as  a man who claimed to have come from an area released  a video that went viral . He came out  with  shocking messages  that  some traditional title holders would die before the town can enjoy peace. Yes, the man goofed as Owo became peaceful without the death of those he mentioned. I wish the man is  fished out  to tell us where he got the message!.

Who will Ifa Oracle  pick that would not cause problem? .Who will God chose among these Princes? Oro nla!.

Many contestants came out , pulling their weights. We need to thank Ojomo Oluda and the Omolowos for their wisdom and boldness to do the job as the town did not go into crisis.

Arguments flowed freely as questions were asked: How can someone who lives far away from home come back home to  contest  for the throne? .Did these contestants have   investment that will  benefit   Owo?. Who should be the next ruling house to contest?. We don’t want old people to be King. Haa! You should allow another ruling House to contest.  We don’t want this and that ruling house again, all these arguments and counter arguments were raised and  debated upon by many but having forgotten that the choice lies in Omolowos who are Kingmakers headed by Oba Kofoworola Oladoyinbo the Ojomo Oluda of Ijebu Owo.

      The envious  seat became  hot cake and big debate of all as some members of the three  ruling houses  viz; Olateru- Olagbegi, Ajike and  Ogunoye came up. Arguments heated up , some said they are all from same Elewuokun ruling House and anybody among them could vie for it.    There were about 18 contestants   vying  for  one position. These contestants  flexed muscles as nobody wanted to step down,  those begged to step down did not oblige. Haaa!, Kilode? -Only one position. Social media was  awash with stories and references  .

    While all these contestants   were greeted in the public as Oba l’ola (Future king ) . Then  the political  song of 1960s  Bi o r’owo mi oo r’inu mi Demo ni mo wa …. came to mind . Some of these contestants were supported publicly but not supported privately. Speculations went round that some of the contestants  promised cars,promised  to  bring business to Owo, and to turn the ancient town to Eldorado, and many more if elected .

ELECTION DAY

Contacts were made as  everybody was battle -ready . The town was guarded  by  armed- to- the teeth Mobile Policemen in order   to forestall break down of   law and order. Yes , the governor has to do this  because the ancient town has  records of  violence in politics  and  chieftaincy matters .Unconfirmed rumour has it that  some of the town’s boys too were ready to strike in case the people’s wish was not accepted .Filling stations were shut down as no one knows what will be the outcome  of the election.  Only few went to the market and they closed early. Mark you, Owo does not tolerate cheating , no matter how simple it is.

 

D-DAY

Day was Friday. Time ticked. The day seemed to be too  slow  and  before you knew it  the appointed time came : 3pm on the dot for the voting .

Eyes were blood shot. Some had their blood pressure high .And the questions on everybody’s mouth is  ”Who will support who?’’

Votes were cast , Prince Suyi Olagbegi scored one vote , he came second  while some scored zero but at least they were present to mark register and added to the number of the people who came   to witness the heroic occasion .Then came the result and  announcement , Prince Gbadegesin Ajibade Ogunoye scored 14 out of 15 votes. There was public cries of joy, shouts of hallelujah rent the air. The result was signed by those that mattered while Kabiyesi Ojomo Oluda Kofoworola signed .

Like a heavily pregnant woman who had just delivered in the  labour room . Tension died down. .Jubilation filled everywhere . The townsmen jubilated . Everywhere went frenzy .Beer parlous gave free drinks. Many declared free drinks. It was the first time Owo spoke in one voice, said Honurable Murtala Ahmed.

 Mr.Matthew Obajuluwa said ”this is the first time Owo will  elect their king without any crisis and we  are happy’’, Obajuluwa said on phone, he added ” the Oba -elect Ajibade is loved by the old and the young .This is a new beginning in Owo,Imagine , there is no trouble of any kind as everything went peacefully”.

 

 Vox Populi , Vox Dei

Phones rang everywhere and the voice heard  or the message was ”Ajibade has won! Ajibade has won!!Ajibade has won!!!God has taken control”. This was from Nigeria , then from the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, France .There was celebration all over the world . Lobo Agaun far away in Missouri celebrated the victory, he said ” that is what we want , the young and ebullient Prince has become the King.The man has charisma, loved by all and is very accommodating and humble .No arguments and no story ”, he said joyfully .The good news spread like wildfire and the following story went like this ;

”Ajike was the first to  embrace Ajibade then Leke while  others followed suit. According to information gathered all the contestants had been made to sign a treaty that whoever won the election should be accepted by all and there should not be fight over this”, Jide Tububo said.

THE LAST PROSTRATION

 The chiefs asked the Oba- elect to prostrate for the last time  and greet them all. He obeyed as he prostrated and greeted Kabiyesi  Ojomo Oluda   Ojomo , the Omolowos and  other chiefs.

The new Oba -elect  who wore an immaculate white agbada  with a white cap to match  addressed the crowd  as the shout of Olowo  Baba O! rent the air. He   entered an open roof Jeep and   started waving ,  and thanking his supporters and   the kinsmen for their support.

Investigation revealed that some sacrifices and rituals had commenced since then.

”Immediately they start the  other sacrifices the marketers  will  leave Ogwata  and go back to  the King’s Market which had been shut since the demise of the Olowo Olateru Olagbegi III”, a source dislosed.

 

TALE  OF THREE LAWYERS

Olowo throne is significant because it has become a tale of three lawyers .A lawyer succeeded  a lawyer  and a lawyer  will  give staff of office  .The late Olowo of Owo was a Lawyer while the Oba -elect is also a lawyer and Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu the Ondo State governor who will give the royal staff of office to the new -elect Oba is also a lawyer.What a coincidence!.

The late Olateru -Olagbegi III assumed his reign  in his 50s while Ajibade assumes in his 50s too.

The late Olateru -Olagbegi III was as gentle as a dove ditto Ajibade who is simple and humble too

The two became  the third (Olagbegi -Olagbegi III and Ogunoye III). The two royal fathers served the government too.In Missouri , America the rhythm continues

Bade de ade

A o baa dee,

Bade de ade Oba,

Haa , e wo bi t’omode t’agba ti nwariri fun Bade ,

Bade ti di Oba