Watch the official trailer “Ipe” (The Call), a movie produced by Adesoji Adeoti and packaged by Nollywood movie star, Mercy Aigbe who also played the female lead as a Propphetess.

Jamil MD Abubakar, the easygoing son of the Inspector General of Police(IGP) MD Abubakar, isn’t your regular Lagos Big Boy. He belongs to the ‘premium’ class of Big Boys. Called JamBoi amongst his friends, the Kingston University-trained Computing Information Systems and Multimedia graduate knows how to live a good life that befits his status.

Despite his background, he isn’t one to make noise about it- this is why when people describe him, there’s a common word – humble! With a fantastic job, Jamil, who is in late-20s,  is a commercial pilot for IRS Airlines with type rating for  Boeing 737-NG & F100 . When he isn’t in the pilot uniform, his fashion sense remains tight – he steps out at events looking charming. One of his favourite collections has to be his yellow 18-carat Rolex Sky-Dweller watch!

Fuji music icon, Alhaji Rasak Kolawole Ayinla, better known as General Kollington in a recent interview with ENCOMIUM magazine's Tade Asifa opened up exclusively on so many issues revolving around his life and career, including why he wants to sell part of his mansion, his recent health challenge and much more. Read Below!

What’s the latest from the stable of General Kollington Ayinla? Thank you, my son.  Nothing new now career wise because our government at various levels contributed to the problems of so many people which have in turn led to the decline in businesses including entertainment.  Things are no longer working fine.  Only those in government are enjoying the revenue from our crude oil which is wrong.  Pirates are also worsening the situation for us.  Their fear has become the beginning of wisdom.  They have crippled the business for music marketers and artistes.  Now, marketers are afraid of investing in a new album because of the fear of incurring huge debt.  Even the artiste involved will also find himself in a deep mess at the end of the day. So, what’s the essence of recording a new album?  And our fans would not want to understand the situation.  They may not know we also don’t like what’s happening.  But after releasing an album, and it’s pirated, one will get tired.  And the best is not to venture into it at all so that you can have rest of mind.  Let’s believe that truly, Rome was not built in a day, and if we keep comparing United States of America, United Kingdom and other developed countries with Nigeria, we will be missing it.  Although, they have been in existence for long and have also passed through what we’re also going through, I don’t think their situation was as worse as this before they stabilized.  And the surprising aspect of our situation is that those governing us are elderly people, they are educated.  But shall we say they are not wise enough to know what is good for the people they are ruling?  The truth is that they are selfish.  They have rubbished everything.  Even graduates are roaming the streets, no job.  Those that travel abroad don’t get decent jobs.  All we need is to continue crying to God to intervene in our situation.  But they should understand one thing, there is reward for every human deed, here on earth and thereafter.  Even their children will have a share of the punishment.  The situation we found ourselves in Nigeria now is terrible.  Even during military era, it wasn’t this bad.

You mean Nigerians enjoyed during the military dictatorship… (Cuts in) Yes, things were not this tough.  Even when Shehu Shagari was there, I never heard of all these big and alarming figures – billion naira, this and that to the level of trillion as budget.  How much was the budget of Nigeria when Shagari was the president?  Yet Nigerians were not crying this loud.  Now, they are just too many there, and no dividend of democracy.  Nothing for the poor masses.  If they fight tomorrow, not because of any poor man but their selfish agenda.  Nigeria is running a very expensive system of government.  Their salaries and allowances are in millions, and those they claim they are governing are crying, sleeping with their stomachs empty.  They should have a rethink.  They should stop punishing us.  It’s just too much. Their atrocities are enough to attract God’s wrath on Nigeria as a nation.  Imagine those who could afford three square meals before are now struggling to eat once in a day.  Yet, we’re hearing of billions and trillions every day, and no development in any aspect of our life.  People find it difficult to live but it’s also not easy to die.  We will keep appealing to them, maybe they could change.

You’re known for a kind of music that centres mostly on current affairs, why not release an album again that will reflect the current situation we’re in now? That’s not a difficult thing but if you do it, you’re not going to be the one to market it.  I have told you, marketers are afraid of sponsoring any album at the moment because of the activities of pirates.  People are not ready to take unnecessary risk anymore because they already know the outcome.  Myself as an artiste, will also not want to take the risk because it may end up a big loss.  Not that I don’t know what to sing, we have released more than enough but who is ready to dabble into such a business now?

How would you now be heard by those in government apart from what people like us write? Yes, let it be limited to that. If by now I don’t do any song like that again, the one I had done for so many years are still very fresh.  For instance, since the death of Nelson Mandela, all radio and television stations have been playing the album I dedicated to him years back.  If our leaders have been encouraging us, we musicians can do better. But they just want to ruin everything.

2013 has come and almost run out, how would you access the year? It has not been a rewarding year for me. I only thank God that I am still alive.

What is the cause? It’s the government that has handicapped us.  When government has bastardized the industry due to negligence, everybody is confused.  And I am not a carpenter nor am I a tailor, I am a musician and I can’t do any other thing than music.  But it’s not easy investing in any album now. How do I now survive?

What of engagements and shows, are they not coming as before? They are not regular at all.  You can only be invited for shows and social engagements when your music is aired everywhere.  At times when I perform at an event, people get surprised that I am still hot.  The physically challenged wants to dance but it’s unfortunate, he doesn’t have legs.  I would have loved to do more than that but there is no enabling environment for that again. I have never heard that a musician retired.  He will sing till death.  And that was the case of late Olatunji Yusuf, a.k.a Baba legba, the same thing for Alhaji Haruna Ishola, Ayinla Omowura, I. K. Dairo and others but our government wants to retire us at all costs.  And at my age, I can’t be found singing indecent songs again.  What would I say I am still looking for?  Fame or what?

But does that mean all your addicted fans have also abandoned you? No, I remain their favourite musician forever.  They always invite me to perform at every occasion. I play for them anytime I am invited.

What are your expectations for 2014? We’re aiming at having a wonderful year.  A better 2014.  But everything will depend on the government.  If things turn out for the better, it’s the government.  And if otherwise, it’s still the same government.  So, we all need to be very prayerful so that God can touch the hearts of our leaders.

Do you still wish to release an album later? Yes, if I get a very good marketer and Nigeria’s economy is back to normal.

A couple of months back, it was reported that you’re seriously ill.  They even said it was a strange ailment and that you’re hospitalized in a private hospital and all that.  What’s the truth about the whole thing? What happened was that most of your people don’t do their investigations very well before writing their stories.  I left hospital a long time before they reported that I was sick.  They even said a governor’s wife visited me at the hospital and when she was leaving her car killed somebody along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and many other things that are not true.  I had left the hospital for about two months back.  Even the day the story was out, I was in Osogbo, Osun State performing at an event alongside Musiliu Haruna Ishola.  The effect of this, is that if anybody wanted to invite such an artiste for a show, they would consider meticulously because they may also believe the person was truly sick.  That’s unfair.

But were you not truly sick then? Nobody is above sickness.  And the body also needs rest.  Anybody can fall sick at anytime, including the doctors taking care of the sick.  So, what are we saying?  I was sick but I was already out of the hospital, going about my normal duties as a musician before they reported that I was not feeling fine.  Do I look sick?  Definitely, no.

What was the nature of the sickness? I had ulcer and typhoid.

How many days did you spend in the hospital? I spent up to two weeks.

Which hospital was that? That’s Hamkad Hospital, Abule Egba, Lagos.

Who were the people that came to your aid? A lot of people. I am using this medium to say a big thank you to them all.  But I must specially thank Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola for his support.  He was the first person Wasiu Ayinde (K1 de Ultiamte) rushed to and informed him of my health situation.  And immediately, the governor responded very well.  K1 also called on Governor Rauf Aregbesola in Osun State.  Immediately, the governor was told about my condition, he quickly sent money to me. I really appreciate what Governor Fashol and his counterpart in Osun, Aregbesola did for me.  May God continue to be with them.  And equally, K1 de Ultimate really tried for me. If not for his effort, these two governors wouldn’t have known anything.  He called and told them that I must not die.  They should do everything within their means to rescue me, and they surprised me.  I pray God will be with Wasiu Ayinde as well in all his endeavours.

But we learnt it was a strange ailment and not all that medical… (Cuts in) Yes, it’s a strange ailment.  It’s spiritual.  That’s the best way of describing it.  But I thank God I am still alive.  My health condition then was worsened by the poor economic situation of Nigeria, nothing is working.  Everything is paralysed. I kept thinking to the extent that I wanted to sell my property.  If the government had not turned everything upside down, people like myself are not supposed to be suffering like this.  And the irony is that most of these people in government were not that bad before coming to power.  It’s only after getting there that they turned otherwise.  We pray that they change and remember the day of accountability.  At times, I wonder if this wasn’t the same Nigeria.  Even when Babangida was there, things were very much better.  I released a lot of albums to inform Nigerians about the happenings in the country and even beyond.  In an ideal society, the government owes people like us a great responsibility.

It was reported days back that you have put this mansion for sale, how true is it? It’s true.  When you don’t have money, you use whatever you have to get what you want.  I don’t have money, and I need money.  I can’t just be looking at the building, I can’t eat it.  I need to convert it to money. But not the whole property that I want to sell.  It’s just this uncompleted structure directly opposite us (shows reporter the building).  I need to make that clarification so that people out there won’t be misinformed.  I am only selling part and not all the property here.  This is where I live.

How long have you been working on the house before you decided to sell it? I have been building it for about 14 years.  Had it been I am financially okay, I should have finished it. I am tired of falling sick all the time.  Let me sell my property and have money to do other things.  I also want government to assist me, I don’t want to be suffering in silence.

So, you’re still interested in selling it? Yes, if I see a correct buyer.

What’s the worth of the building? It’s worth N80 million now.

What do you intend to do with the money? I will use part of the money to build another small bungalow within this compound. I will demarcate the place.  Also, I will invest the rest of the money in a business that will be generating more money for me. If you can recall, in 1984, I established Kollington Fish Depot, at Adura Bus Stop, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos.  Everything was okay then but later I took ill.  It was so bad that I had to sell the depot to take care of my health then.  May God save us from domestic antagonism.

Let’s agree that your sickness has been spiritual all this while, what have you been doing to address it? I put everything in the Hands of God.  Also, I don’t relent because if you’re being chased by a masquerade, you keep running.  That’s why I am crying out loud and clear so that whoever God has sent to me can help me.  I can’t continue to be hiding my broken hand.

Did you inform your children of the decision to sell the property? Yes, they are aware of my decision but there is nothing they can do about it.  Most of them are in the United States of America.  They are all in school. It’s after their education that they can start working.  They all supported that I should sell it and spend the money on whatever I like.  There is problem all over. It’s because I voiced out, that’s why you have the privilege of knowing all these.  A lot of people face tougher times than I do but they don’t want their situation known to the public.  As for me, I can’t be suffering and smiling at the same time. Whatever people like, let them say.

2013

His Excellency,
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR
Agbe L’Oba House, Quarry Road,
Ibara, Abeokuta.

RE: BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

I wish to formally acknowledge your letter dated December 2, 2013 and other previous correspondence similar to it.

You will recall that all the letters were brought to me by hand. Although both of us discussed some of the issues in those letters, I had not, before now, seen the need for any formal reply since, to me, they contained advice from a former President to a serving President. Obviously, you felt differently because in your last letter, you complained about my not acknowledging or replying your previous letters.

It is with the greatest possible reluctance that I now write this reply. I am most uneasy about embarking on this unprecedented and unconventional form of open communication between me and a former leader of our country because I know that there are more acceptable and dignified means of doing so.

But I feel obliged to reply your letter for a number of reasons: one, you formally requested for a reply and not sending you one will be interpreted as ignoring a former President.

Secondly, Nigerians know the role you have played in my political life and given the unfortunate tone of your letter, clearly, the grapes have gone sour.  Therefore, my side of the story also needs to be told.

The third reason why I must reply you in writing is that your letter is clearly a threat to national security as it may deliberately or inadvertently set the stage for subversion.

The fourth reason for this reply is that you raised very weighty issues, and since the letter has been made public, Nigerians are expressing legitimate concerns. A response from me therefore, becomes very necessary.

The fifth reason is that this letter may appear in biographies and other books which political commentators on Nigeria’s contemporary politics may write. It is only proper for such publications to include my comments on the issues raised in your letter.

Sixthly, you are very unique in terms of the governance of this country. You were a military Head of State for three years and eight months, and an elected President for eight years. That means you have been the Head of Government of Nigeria for about twelve years. This must have, presumably, exposed you to a lot of information. Thus when you make a statement, there is the tendency for people to take it seriously.

The seventh reason is that the timing of your letter coincided with other vicious releases. The Speaker of the House of Representatives spoke of my “body language” encouraging corruption. A letter written to me by the CBN Governor alleging that NNPC, within a period of 19 months did not remit the sum of USD49.8 billion to the federation account, was also deliberately leaked to the public.

The eighth reason is that it appears that your letter was designed to incite Nigerians from other geopolitical zones against me and also calculated to promote ethnic disharmony. Worse still, your letter was designed to instigate members of our Party, the PDP, against me.

The ninth reason is that your letter conveys to me the feeling that landmines have been laid for me. Therefore, Nigerians need to have my response to the issues raised before the mines explode.

The tenth and final reason why my reply is inevitable is that you have written similar letters and made public comments in reference to all former Presidents and Heads of Government starting from Alhaji Shehu Shagari and these have instigated different actions and reactions. The purpose and direction of your letter is distinctly ominous, and before it is too late, my clarifications on the issues need to be placed on record.

Let me now comment on the issues you raised. In commenting I wish to crave your indulgence to compare what is happening now to what took place before.  This, I believe, will enable Nigerians see things in better perspective because we must know where we are coming from so as to appreciate where we now are, and to allow us clearly map out where we are going.

You raised concerns about the security situation in the country. I assure you that I am fully aware of the responsibility of government for ensuring the security of the lives and property of citizens. My Administration is working assiduously to overcome current national security challenges, the seeds of which were sown under previous administrations.  There have been some setbacks; but certainly there have also been great successes in our efforts to overcome terrorism and insurgency.

Those who continue to down-play our successes in this regard, amongst whom you must now be numbered, appear to have conveniently forgotten the depths to which security in our country had plunged before now.

At a stage, almost the entire North-East of Nigeria was under siege by insurgents. Bombings of churches and public buildings in the North and the federal capital became an almost weekly occurrence. Our entire national security apparatus seemed nonplussed and unable to come to grips with the new threat posed by the berthing of terrorism on our shores.

But my administration has since brought that very unacceptable situation under significant control. We have overhauled our entire national security architecture, improved intelligence gathering, training, funding, logistical support to our armed forces and security agencies, and security collaboration with friendly countries with very visible and positive results.

The scope and impact of terrorist operations have been significantly reduced and efforts are underway to restore full normalcy to the most affected North Eastern region and initiate a post-crisis development agenda, including a special intervention programme to boost the region’s socio-economic progress.

In doing all this, we have kept our doors open for dialogue with the insurgents and their supporters through efforts such as the work of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and the Peaceful Resolution of the Security Challenges in the North-East. You also know that the Governor of Borno State provided the items you mentioned to me as carrots. Having done all this and more, it is interesting that you still accuse me of not acting on your hardly original recommendation that the carrot and stick option be deployed to solve the Boko Haram problem.

Your suggestion that we are pursuing a “war against violence without understanding the root causes of the violence and applying solutions to deal with all the underlying factors” is definitely misplaced because from the onset of this administration, we have been implementing a multifaceted strategy against militancy, insurgency and terrorism that includes poverty alleviation, economic development, education and social reforms.

Even though basic education is the constitutional responsibility of States, my administration has, as part of its efforts to address ignorance and poor education which have been identified as two of the factors responsible for making some of our youth easily available for use as cannon fodder by insurgents and terrorists, committed huge funds to the provision of modern basic education schools for the Almajiri in several Northern States. The Federal Government under my leadership has also set up nine additional universities in the Northern States and three in the Southern States in keeping with my belief that proper education is the surest way of emancipating and empowering our people.

More uncharitable persons may even see a touch of sanctimoniousness in your new belief in the carrot and stick approach to overcoming militancy and insurgency. You have always referred to how you hit Odi in Bayelsa State to curb militancy in the Niger Delta.  If the invasion of Odi by the Army was the stick, I did not see the corresponding carrot.  I was the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State then, and as I have always told you, the invasion of Odi did not solve any militancy problem but, to some extent, escalated it. If it had solved it, late President Yar’Adua would not have had to come up with the amnesty program. And while some elements of the problem may still be there, in general, the situation is reasonably better.

In terms of general insecurity in the country and particularly the crisis in the Niger Delta, 2007 was one of the worst periods in our history. You will recall three incidents that happened in 2007 which seemed to have been orchestrated to achieve sinister objectives.  Here in Abuja, a petrol tanker loaded with explosives was to be rammed into the INEC building. But luckily for the country, an electric pole stopped the tanker from hitting the INEC building.  It is clear that this incident was meant to exploit the general sense of insecurity in the nation at the time to achieve the aim of stopping the 2007 elections.  It is instructive that you, on a number of occasions, alluded to this fact.

When that incident failed, an armed group invaded Yenagoa one evening with the intent to assassinate me.  Luckily for me, they could not.  They again attacked and bombed my country home on a night when I was expected in the village. Fortunately, as God would have it, I did not make the trip.

I recall that immediately after both incidents, I got calls expressing the concern of Abuja.  But Baba, you know that despite the apparent concern of Abuja, no single arrest was ever made. I was then the Governor of Bayelsa State and the PDP Vice-Presidential candidate. The security people ordinarily should have unraveled the assassination attempt on me.

You also raised the issues of kidnapping, piracy and armed robbery. These are issues all Nigerians, including me are very concerned about. While we will continue to do our utmost best to reduce all forms of criminality to the barest minimum in our country, it is just as well to remind you that the first major case of kidnapping for ransom took place around 2006. And the Boko Haram crisis dates back to 2002. Goodluck Jonathan was not the President of the country then. Also, armed robbery started in this country immediately after the civil war and since then, it has been a problem to all succeeding governments.  For a former Head of Government, who should know better, to present these problems as if they were creations of the Jonathan Administration is most uncharitable.

Having said that, let me remind you of some of the things we have done to curb violent crime in the country. We have reorganized the Nigerian Police Force and appointed a more dynamic leadership to oversee its affairs. We have also improved its manpower levels as well as funding, training and logistical support.

We have also increased the surveillance capabilities of the Police and provided its air-wing with thrice the number of helicopters it had before the inception of the present administration. The National Civil Defence and Security Corps has been armed to make it a much more effective ally of the police and other security agencies in the war against violent crime. At both domestic and international levels, we are doing everything possible to curb the proliferation of the small arms and light weapons with which armed robberies, kidnappings and piracy are perpetrated. We have also enhanced security at our borders to curb cross-border crimes.

 We are aggressively addressing the challenge of crude oil theft in collaboration with the state Governors. In addition, the Federal Government has engaged the British and US governments for their support in the tracking of the proceeds from the purchase of stolen crude. Similarly, a regional Gulf of Guinea security strategy has been initiated to curb crude oil theft and piracy.

Perhaps the most invidious accusation in your letter is the allegation that I have placed over one thousand Nigerians on a political watch list, and that I am training snipers and other militia to assassinate people. Baba, I don’t know where you got that from but you do me grave injustice in not only lending credence to such baseless rumours, but also publicizing it. You mentioned God seventeen times in your letter. Can you as a Christian hold the Bible and say that you truly believe this allegation?

The allegation of training snipers to assassinate political opponents is particularly incomprehensible to me. Since I started my political career as a Deputy Governor, I have never been associated with any form of political violence. I have been a President for over three years now, with a lot of challenges and opposition mainly from the high and mighty. There have certainly been cases of political assassination since the advent of our Fourth Republic, but as you well know, none of them occurred under my leadership.

Regarding the over one thousand people you say are on a political watch list, I urge you to kindly tell Nigerians who they are and what agencies of government are “watching” them. Your allegation that I am using security operatives to harass people is also baseless. Nigerians are waiting for your evidence of proof. That was an accusation made against previous administrations, including yours, but it is certainly not my style and will never be. Again, if you insist on the spurious claim that some of your relatives and friends are being harassed, I urge you to name them and tell Nigerians what agencies of my administration are harassing them.

I also find it difficult to believe that you will accuse me of assisting murderers, or assigning a presidential delegation to welcome a murderer. This is a most unconscionable and untrue allegation. It is incumbent on me to remind you that I am fully conscious of the dictates of my responsibilities to God and our dear nation. It is my hope that devious elements will not take advantage of your baseless allegation to engage in brazen and wanton assassination of high profile politicians as before, hiding under the alibi your “open letter” has provided for them.

Nevertheless, I have directed the security agencies and requested the National Human Rights Commission to carry out a thorough investigation of these criminal allegations and make their findings public.

That corruption is an issue in Nigeria is indisputable.  It has been with us for many years. You will recall that your kinsman, the renowned afro-beat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti famously sang about it during your first stint as Head of State. Sonny Okosun also sang about corruption. And as you may recall, a number of Army Generals were to be retired because of corruption before the Dimka coup.  Also, the late General Murtala Mohammed himself wanted to retire some top people in his cabinet on corruption-related issues before he was assassinated.  Even in this Fourth Republic, the Siemens and Halliburton scandals are well known.

The seed of corruption in this country was planted a long time ago, but we are doing all that we can to drastically reduce its debilitating effects on national development and progress. I have been strengthening the institutions established to fight corruption. I will not shield any government official or private individual involved in corruption, but I must follow due process in all that I do. And whenever clear cases of corruption or fraud have been established, my administration has always taken prompt action in keeping with the dictates of extant laws and procedures. You cannot claim to be unaware of the fact that several highly placed persons in our country, including sons of some of our party leaders are currently facing trial for their involvement in the celebrated subsidy scam affair. I can hardly be blamed if the wheels of justice still grind very slowly in our country, but we are doing our best to support and encourage the judiciary to quicken the pace of adjudication in cases of corruption.

Baba, I am amazed that with all the knowledge garnered from your many years at the highest level of governance in our country, you could still believe the spurious allegation contained in a letter written to me by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and surreptitiously obtained by you, alleging that USD49.8 billion, a sum equal to our entire national budget for two years, is “unaccounted for” by the NNPC. Since, as President, you also served for many years as Minister of Petroleum Resources, you very well know the workings of the corporation. It is therefore intriguing that you have made such an assertion. You made a lot of insinuations about oil theft, shady dealings at the NNPC and the NNPC not remitting the full proceeds of oil sales to the of CBN. Now that the main source of the allegations which you rehashed has publicly stated that he was “misconstrued”, perhaps you will find it in your heart to apologize for misleading unwary Nigerians and impugning the integrity of my administration on that score.

Your claim of “Atlantic Oil loading about 130, 000 barrels sold by Shell and managed on behalf of NPDC with no sale proceeds paid into the NPDC account” is also disjointed and baseless because no such arrangement as you described exists between Atlantic Oil and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company. NPDC currently produces about 138, 000 barrels of oil per day from over 7 producing assets. The Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD) of the NNPC markets all of this production on behalf of NPDC with proceeds paid into NPDC account.

I am really shocked that with all avenues open to you as a former Head of State for the verification of any information you have received about state affairs, you chose to go public with allegations of “high corruption” without offering a shred of supporting evidence. One of your political “sons” similarly alleged recently that he told me of a minister who received a bribe of $250 Million from an oil company and I did nothing about it. He may have been playing from a shared script, but we have not heard from him again since he was challenged to name the minister involved and provide the evidence   to back his claim.  I urge you, in the same vein, to furnish me with the names, facts and figures of a single verifiable case of the “high corruption” which you say stinks all around my administration and see whether the corrective action you advocate does not follow promptly. And while you are at it, you may also wish to tell Nigerians the true story of questionable waivers of signature bonuses between 2000 and 2007.

While, by the Grace of God Almighty, I am the first President from a minority group, I am never unmindful of the fact that I was elected leader of the whole of Nigeria and I have always acted in the best interest of all Nigerians. You referred to the divisive actions and inflammatory utterances of some individuals from the South-South and asserted that I have done nothing to call them to order or distance myself from their ethnic chauvinism. Again that is very untrue. I am as committed to the unity of this country as any patriot can be and I have publicly declared on many occasions that no person who threatens other Nigerians or parts of the country is acting on my behalf.

It is very regrettable that in your letter, you seem to place sole responsibility for the ongoing intrigues and tensions in the PDP at my doorstep, and going on from that position, you direct all your appeals for a resolution at me. Baba, let us all be truthful to ourselves, God and posterity. At the heart of all the current troubles in our party and the larger polity is the unbridled jostling and positioning for personal or group advantage ahead of the 2015 general elections. The “bitterness, anger, mistrust, fear and deep suspicion” you wrote about all flow from this singular factor.

It is indeed very unfortunate that the seeming crisis in the party was instigated by a few senior members of the party, including you. But, as leader of the party, I will continue to do my best to unite it so that we can move forward with strength and unity of purpose. The PDP has always recovered from previous crises with renewed vigour and vitality. I am very optimistic that that will be the case again this time. The PDP will overcome any temporary setback, remain a strong party and even grow stronger.

Instigating people to cause problems and disaffection within the party is something that you are certainly familiar with. You will recall that founding fathers of the Party were frustrated out of the Party at a time.  Late Chief Sunday Awoniyi was pushed out, Late Chief Solomon Lar left and later came back, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Chief Tom Ikimi also left. Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo left and later came back. In 2005/2006, link-men were sent to take over party structures from PDP Governors in an unveiled attempt to undermine the state governors. In spite of that, the Governors did not leave the Party because nobody instigated and encouraged them to do so.

The charge that I was involved in anti-party activities in governorship elections in Edo, Ondo, Lagos, and Anambra States is also very unfortunate. I relate with all Governors irrespective of political party affiliation but I have not worked against the interest of the PDP.  What I have not done is to influence the electoral process to favour our Party. You were definitely never so inclined, since you openly boasted in your letter of how you supported Alhaji Shehu Shagari against Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe and others in the 1979 presidential elections while serving as a military Head of State. You and I clearly differ in this regard, because as the President of Nigeria, I believe it is my duty and responsibility to create a level playing field for all parties and all candidates.

Recalling how the PDP lost in states where we were very strong in 2003 and 2007 such as Edo, Ondo, Imo, Bauchi, Anambra, and Borno, longstanding members of our great party with good memory will also consider the charge of anti-party activities you made against me as misdirected and hugely hypocritical. It certainly was not Goodluck Jonathan’s “personal ambition or selfish interest” that caused the PDP to lose the governorship of Ogun State and all its senatorial seats in the last general elections.

You quoted me as saying that I have not told anybody that I will seek another term in office in 2015. You and your ambitious acolytes within the party have clearly decided to act on your conclusion that “only a fool will believe that statement” and embark on a virulent campaign to harass me out of an undeclared candidature for the 2015 presidential elections so as to pave the way for a successor anointed by you.

You will recall that you serially advised me that we should refrain from discussing the 2015 general elections for now so as not to distract elected public officials from urgent task of governance. While you have apparently moved away from that position, I am still of the considered opinion that it would have been best for us to do all that is necessary to refrain from heating up the polity at this time. Accordingly, I have already informed Nigerians that I will only speak on whether or not I will seek a second term when it is time for such declarations. Your claims about discussions I had with you, Governor Gabriel Suswam and others are wrong, but in keeping with my declared stance, I will reserve further comments until the appropriate time.

Your allegation that I asked half a dozen African Presidents to speak to you about my alleged ambition for 2015, is also untrue.  I have never requested any African President to discuss with you on my behalf.  In our discussion, I mentioned to you that four Presidents told me that they were concerned about the political situation in Nigeria and intended to talk to you about it.  So far, only three of them have confirmed to me that they have had any discussion with you. If I made such a request, why would I deny it?

The issue of Buruji Kashamu is one of those lies that should not be associated with a former President.  The allegation that I am imposing Kashamu on the South-West is most unfortunate and regrettable.  I do not even impose Party officials in my home state of Bayelsa and there is no zone in this country where I have imposed officials.  So why would I do so in the South West?  Baba, in the light of Buruji’s detailed public response to your “open letter”, it will be charitable for you to render an apology to Nigerians and I.

On the issue of investors being scared to come to Nigeria, economic dormancy, and stagnation, I will just refer you to FDI statistics from 2000 to 2013. Within the last three years, Nigeria has emerged as the preferred destination for investments in Africa, driven by successful government policies to attract foreign investors. For the second year running, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Investments (UNCTAD) has ranked Nigeria as the number one destination for investments in Africa, and as having the fourth highest returns in the world.

Today, Nigeria is holding 18 percent of all foreign investments in Africa and 60 percent of all foreign investments in the ECOWAS Sub-Region. Kindly note also that in the seven years between 2000 and 2007 when you were President, Nigeria attracted a total of $24.9 Billion in FDI.  As a result of our efforts which you disparage, the country has seen an FDI inflow of $25.7 Billion in just three years which is more than double the FDI that has gone to the second highest African destination. We have also maintained an annual national economic growth rate of close to seven per cent since the inception of this administration. What then, is the justification for your allegation of scared investors and economic dormancy?

Although it was not emphasized in your letter of December 2, 2013, you also conveyed, in previous correspondence, the impression that you were ignorant of the very notable achievements of my administration in the area of foreign relations. It is on record that under my leadership, Nigeria has played a key role in resolving the conflicts in Niger, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Guinea Bissau and others.

The unproductive rivalry that existed between Nigeria and some ECOWAS countries has also been ended under my watch and Nigeria now has better relations with all the ECOWAS countries.  At the African Union, we now have a Commissioner at the AU Commission after being without one for so long. We were in the United Nations Security Council for the 2010/2011 Session and we have been voted in again for the 2014/2015 Session. From independence to 2010, we were in the U.N. Security Council only three times but from 2010 to 2015, we will be there two times.
  
This did not happen by chance.  My Administration worked hard for it and we continue to maintain the best possible relations with all centres of global political and economic power. I find it hard therefore, to believe your assertions of untoward concern in the international community over the state of governance in Nigeria

With respect to the Brass and Olokola LNG projects, you may have forgotten that though you started these projects, Final Investment Decisions were never reached.  For your information, NNPC has not withdrawn from either the Olokola or the Brass LNG projects.

On the Rivers State Water Project, you were misled by your informant. The Federal Government under my watch has never directed or instructed the Africa Development Bank to put on hold any project to be executed in Rivers state or any other State within the Federation. The Rivers Water Project was not originally in the borrowing plan but it was included in April 2013 and appraised in May. Negotiations are ongoing with the AfDB.  I have no doubt that you are familiar with the entire process that prefaces the signing of a Subsidiary Loan Agreement as in this instance.

 Let me assure you and all Nigerians that I do not engage in negative political actions and will never, as President, oppress the people of a State or deprive them of much needed public services as a result of political disagreement

I have noted your comments on the proposed National Conference. Contrary to the insinuation in your letter, the proposed conference is aimed at bringing Nigerians together to resolve contentious national issues in a formal setting. This is a sure way of promoting greater national consensus and unity, and not a recipe for “disunity, confusion and chaos” as you alleged in your letter.

Having twice held the high office of President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I trust that you will understand that I cannot possibly find the time to offer a line-by-line response to all the accusations and allegations made in your letter while dealing with other pressing demands of office and more urgent affairs of state.

I have tried, however, to respond to only the most serious of the charges which question my sincerity, personal honour, and commitment to the oath which I have sworn, to always uphold and protect the interests of all Nigerians, and promote their well-being.

In closing, let me state that you have done me grave injustice with your public letter in which you wrongfully accused me of deceit, deception, dishonesty, incompetence, clannishness, divisiveness and insincerity, amongst other ills.

I have not, myself, ever claimed to be all-knowing or infallible, but I have never taken Nigeria or Nigerians for granted as you implied, and I will continue to do my utmost to steer our ship of state towards the brighter future to which we all aspire.

Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration and warm regards.

GOODLUCK  EBELE JONATHAN

Back in 2009, when Imtiaz Ali cast Deepika Padukone in Love Aaj Kal over Kareena Kapoor Khan (who had starred in his last film, Jab We Met; 2007), it marked the beginning of an alleged rivalry between the two actresses. However, this rumour was quashed soon after.

Then, earlier this year, both the stars were in the news again when Deepika replaced Kareena in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela.

Although Deepika bagged the part, and later, a lot of praise from critics, Kareena remains unperturbed. In fact, she's full of praise for the young star. "Deepika is talented, and she continues to do good work. I have seen her work. She is a brave actress, and that's a good sign because I like brave actors," says Kareena, who has "never regretted" not doing Ram-Leela.

"In fact, I have never regretted not doing any film. Deepika deserves every bit of this success… she has worked really hard to get where she is. My only advice (to her) would be, 'Enjoy every moment,' because that's just the way it goes."

Clearing the air over a report from last week that claimed that Deepika had replaced Kareena in Shuddhi, she says, "I think Karan Johar (producer) clarified it immediately. I have no idea where that came from. There's no truth to it at all. The film has just been delayed due to (co-star) Hrithik Roshan's illness."

Although Kareena feels that the "delay has only given me time to work on other films" and that "Hrithik's health is more important than a film", rumours suggest that she called up Karan angrily when she read the story about being replaced by Deepika. However, Kareena laughs it off, saying, "I didn't call Karan; he called me up because I don't even read (these stories). I am like, 'Let people write.' But he said, 'No, let me tweet.' I said, 'Whatever you want.'"

Culled from Hindustantimes

Star actress Mercy Aigbe was spotted rocking the very famous and controversial $10,000 chanel lego clutch & bracelet at the Encomium Magazine White Gig event, held yesterday Sunday December 22, 2013 in Lagos, Nigeria. Also spotted a the event were Doris Simeon, Iyabo Ojo, Ngozi Ezeonu and Kunle Afolayan. See more photos below.

One of the most creative video director in Africa, Sesan Ogunro and his Beat FM OAP sister, Fade Ogunro lost their dad, Sesan Ogunro Snr in the early hours of this morning Monday Dec. 23rd.

Mr Sesan Ogunro Snr, who was an advertising guru and the MD of Eminent Communications in Lagos, an advertising company based on 14 Ezekiel street off Toyin Street Ikeja, was returning from his church Christmas Carol with members of his family, including his children and grand children when they were attacked by armed robbers last night around 10pm in front of their church at the back of Marwa Garden in Alausa Ikeja.

Mr Ogunro was shot point blank by the robbers. He was rushed to the hospital where he died around 12.45am early this morning. He was in his sixties. May his soul RIP.

After the sad news of first singer Davido's Skelewu official video director, Sesan Ogunro loosing his dad, Sesan Ogunro Snr in the early hours of this morning Monday December 23rd, went viral on social networking sites, another music video director Moe Musa who shot the second Skelewu official video also took to Instagram to announce the passing of his father. He lost his dad yesterday December 22nd in a horrific fire accident in his home in Lagos. According to source the gas exploded in the kitchen ... May his soul RIP.

After achieving so much success in Bollywood the failure of a film at this point of her career doesn't bother Kareena.

"The failure of a film doesn't bother me much today. It is like you become immune to success and failure. It is like a balance. I have seen too much of that in the industry. But that is how it works, it happens with everyone. You get success, failure equally in same line... so it's okay," the 33-year-old star said.

Meanwhile, Kareena is happy to associate with an initiative by Star network to highlight the issue of women safety. She will champion the use of Channel V's 'VithU' app for this.

"When my PR team was talking to me about this app that time Star network was thinking about it... I felt this is the app I want to support. It has to come from within... it is something you should feel. Actors have a voice that does reach a lot of people and if we can use it for a cause it is great.

I think women safety in India is important today... I have a young niece at home, have a sister," Kareena said.

"By March 2014, they are going to start another app where you can click a picture and send to the four guardians you have put on your app, on phone. They will be able to trace your location. So that is another feature, which will help benefit further," she added.

Kareena reveals the eventual plan is to get the government involved and work towards women safety. But she does feel there is a long way to go.

"The way men and women are standing up for their rights together... I think we are moving towards a more democratic space. I feel it can get better. The laws are being re-assessed which is a good thing," she added.

Superstar singer Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo a.k.a D'banj a.k.a the Kokomaster a.k.a Eja Nla a.k.a Bangalee has once again announced as Glo ambassador. D'banj who used to be a Glo ambassador - from 2008 to 2009, was officially announced today at Glo office at Mike Adenuga's Towers in VI. There's also a Glo line/Nokia Asha phone autographed by D'banj which has 50 of his mega hit songs pre-loaded in the phone. See more photos below.

A housewife who cheated on her husband and got pregnant has been arrested by the police at Ajegunle Divisional Headquarters, Mile 12, Lagos, western Nigeria, after she delivered a baby and attempted to throw it into a soak-away pit.

The housewife, Fatimoh Adekoya, 29, was caught by her husband on Saturday, 21 December, after placing the baby together with the placenta beside a soak-away in front of their house at 27, Ifelodun Street, Weighbridge, Owode-Onirin, Mile 12, Lagos.

Fatimoh, a mother of three, delivered the baby herself around 4 a.m. on Saturday and wrapped it with a cloth along with the placenta and placed it beside the soak-away.

Her husband, Quadri Mayowa Adekoya, who claimed he did not know that his wife was pregnant, said he saw blood all over her and also on the floor in the house.

Apart from the blood, he also heard a baby crying outside. He later traced the blood from his room to a Bagco sack placed beside the soak-away. The baby and placenta were wrapped with a cloth.

“I saw my wife dripping with blood and while still wondering what was wrong, I heard cries of a baby outside. I traced the blood and discovered that the cries were coming from a baby inside a Bagco sack placed beside the soak-away. I knew instantly it was my wife who dumped the baby there,” he narrated.

He said that he was surprised by the findings, adding that his wife never told him she was pregnant. ”Moreover, we’ve not had sex in the last one year because we were living like a cat and mouse in the house,” he said.

According to him, he leaves home 5 a.m. and return 9 p.m. everyday and this made it difficult for him to notice that she was pregnant.

“We are just living under the same roof without any intimacy. We did not have sex. We have been fighting because she failed to perform her responsibilities as a wife. She does not take care of my children and does not cook or wash my clothes. So, I let her be,” he said.

After much persuasion at the police station, Fatimoh Adekoya was forced to confess her sins. She confessed that she had an affair with one Moshood Agbaje, a bricklayer, living around the area. According to her, he slept with her only once and did not know that it would lead to pregnancy. She described her action as a mistake and begged for forgiveness. She believed that Moshood must have used a charm on her.

“I only did it once with Moshood. He was a bricklayer close to our house, I never knew it would turned out like this. I know he must have charmed me,” she said.

When asked her reasons for engaging in illicit affairs, she blamed it all on her husband, Quadri. She described him as irresponsible, adding that he doesn’t give her the necessary attention.

Asked to respond to his wife’s claim of neglect, Quadri denied vehemently that he does not take care of his wife.

The wife’s mother, Mrs. Taiwo Abass, who was also present at the station, admitted that her daughter made a mistake, adding that by her action, she has brought shame and disgrace to her family.

“I don’t want to discuss this matter any further. My daughter made a big mistake and she has brought shame and disgrace to the family,” she said.

A neighbour, Mrs. Bola Bamidele, who was also present at the scene, said she was touched by the development. She described Fatimoh as heartless. She commended her husband for calling a nurse to stop Fatimoh’s bleeding and rescue the baby.

“I am deeply touched by this situation. How can a mother be this heartless. Her husband is a good man to have called the nurse to rescue both mother and child, knowing the situation surrounding the birth of the child.

“The baby needs to be properly taken care of. I will advise that the government should be involved in this matter. The baby should be taken into custody, if not, a woman that can do this, can definitely kill the child later and this will be bad,” she said.

A friend to the husband who did not want his name in print, also condemned Fatimoh’s action, describing her as greedy and self centred. “She does not have any reason to be involved in illicit affairs. She can make do with the little amount given her by the man. The man is a labourer. She also collects salary from her workplace. She can add them together to make a living and not engage in extra-marital affairs.

After her confessions, the Divisional Crime Officer at the station, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Emmauel Ugwujja, released her, considering her condition.

 P.M.NEWS gathered that efforts are being made to contact the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), to wade into the matter.

The police officer said government should wade into the matter  to save the baby from the callous mother.

P.M.NEWS also went the extra mile of identifying Moshood Agbaje, the bricklayer who impregnated Fatimoh. He was found at a building site working. He admitted sleeping with the woman but said he did not know that sleeping with her once could have led to pregnancy. He said he was not informed that she was pregnant until this moment.

“I slept with her once. She is always coming to beg for money from me. One day, I told her she should let us play, so, we did and that was the last time I saw her. She did not tell me that she was pregnant, so why should I accept the baby nine months after?” he asked.

Culled from P.M.News

When Akshay Kumar returned to Mumbai from a brief holiday in Casablanca last week, he heard from his staff about a young lad staying outside his building for the last few days. He learnt that the chap came to meet him from outside Mumbai and had refused to leave when told that he was not in the country. He slept on the road outside the Khiladi’s building and made it clear he had no intention of leaving till he had accomplished his mission of meeting the actor.

He spoke to the security guards outside the house who informed the residents of the building when they inquired about the homeless person sleeping outside the private propety. Soon everyone in the area was talking about the man who walked all the way from Haryana (it took him 42 days) to Mumbai to meet AK. He didn’t have any money or a place to stay in the city so he decided to stay outside the apartment complex gate till he got the darshan of his screen idol.

Then through the network of  the drivers of the building residents, the memsaabs and madams heard about this fan, and some homes began sending him food. One neighbour gave him a blanket, while another made an offer to him to share their driver’s accomodation. When Akshay’s mom who lives in the same building heard about him, she met him and promised to make him meet her son when he returned to the city. Says a source close to Akshay, “On his return, Akki learnt that a 21-year-old boy had been camping outside his house for a week only to meet him.

The next morning, Akshay walked out and met him. He was shocked and bewildered yet humbled by the fact that someone had so much love and devotion for him and had gone to such lengths just to meet him.”

When Akshay asked the boy how he reached so far he told him that he came from a poor family in Haryana and couldn’t afford a train ticket to Mumbai. The source adds, “One day he just got up and started walking. He walked 42 km every day. He would sleep at roadside dhabas, work there for some food and then start walking again.” According to the source, the boy wanted to spend some more time with Akshay but the actor was adamant that he had to return to his anxious family. “Akshay told him that he should go back and serve his parents and reassure them that he was fine. He told him he must never come back again as his parents would be worried.” The star gave him some money and asked him to take the train back home.” The boy took back a picture of him (inset) and the star together saying, gaonwale dekhenge toh vishwas karenge ki main aapse mila hoon.”

Culled from DNA India

Former President Obasanjo released a media statement today through his Media aide, Tunde Oladunjoye, saying he has accomplished his aim of bringing President Jonathan's attention to important national issues and has nothing else to say to him. Read statement below.

“Since the publication of the letter written by the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, which was in response to the letter earlier written by revered former President Olusegun Obasanjo; we have received several requests from local & international media asking to know Chief Obasanjo’s reaction to Mr. President’s response.

Kareena Kapoor is signed as the brand ambassador of Pakistani mobile brand 'QMobile'. Kareena Kapoor is endorsing QMobile's flagship 'Noir Quadcore Z4' that has 13MP rear and 5MP front camera, 32 GB internal memory, 2GB RAM. See another photo of hers with the chief marketing head of QMobile, Zeeshan Qureshi, below.

It seems the ongoing struggle to bring awareness to the plight of same sex persons in the African region is increasingly being fraught with increased disarray.

Point in case the latest photo to make social media rounds, this time first appearing on imgur of that of what the posting individual has termed gay person burned alive by anti gay mob in Uganda.

The harrowing image involves that of an individual, one assumes a gay person who has literally been burned alive. How or why the circumstances have come to be are not known.

As the deceased lies forlorn near railway tracks, onlookers, including children look on, one imagines resigned, elated that yet another individual has been ‘appropriately punished’ for having gone against the grain of society.

The image comes off the back of a purported video that made the rounds last week including that of two gay men beaten to death by an angry mob with planks of wood. In that video image, police are seen abiding by the crowd as they continually to mercilessly beat the two men to death. In the background an ambulance is sent back on its way.

Told recently, Akinyi Ocholla, a self confessed lesbian from Nairobi who works for Minority Women in Action and is a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Association: ”Being gay in this country isn’t exactly easy. It’s not as bad as in Uganda, but it’s still not easy. But you can actually pass. If you don’t make too much noise or stand out too much, then you can live comfortably — that is, until the neighborhood finds out. Then you can’t really know what’s going to happen.”

Over the weekend Uganga lawmakers passed new laws in relation to those persons engaging in same sex. Tells the BBC:  Uganda’s parliament has passed a bill to toughen the punishment for homosexual acts to include life imprisonment in some cases.

The anti-homosexuality bill also makes it a crime punishable by a prison sentence not to report gay people.

The prime minister opposed the vote, saying not enough MPs were present.

May we ask when will these atrocities stop once and for all and why do they continue to happen and why to date has the United Nations allowed such action to persist? Surely it must be time to put a stop to such inappropriate treatment of other human beings, even if their lifestyles are not condoned by various cultural or religious imperatives in the region. Which begs the question why they are so violently condemned in the first place?

Culled from S&V News

Culled from Punch

The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Eminent Communications Limited, one of the biggest advertising agencies in the country, Mr. Sesan Ogunro, was shot and killed in the Alausa area of Lagos State on Sunday.

Ogunro was also the Chairman of the Board of Broadcasting Services of Ekiti State before his untimely death.

His son, Sesan Ogunro (jnr.), is a popular video director, who directed popular musical videos, including Jayejaye by Wizkid.

According to police authorities, the victim was shot on Jobi Felle Way, Alausa, around 10.40pm by a four-man robbery gang.

The victim was said to have been returning from a church programme with members of his family, who were in a separate car, when they were accosted by the robbers in a Honda minivan.

The robbers were said to have attempted to snatch the victim’s Mercedes Benz Sports Utility Vehicle, but he was said to have refused to cooperate with them.

PUNCH Metro learnt that after shooting the deceased, the robbers snatched his wife’s Toyota car and sped off.

A police source at the Alausa Police Division, said, “Around 11.24pm, on Sunday, we received a distress call that about four armed men, operating in one Honda Odyssey beside Regency Hall, attempted snatching a Mercedes jeep from one Mr. Ogunro. We were told that Ogunro resisted and the armed men shot him.

“The robbers abandoned the Honda Oddsey and escaped with a red Toyota Yaris car, belonging to the wife of the victim who was also at the scene. We visited the scene and the Divisional Police Officer visited Lagoon Hospital where the victim was receiving treatment.”

Our correspondent learnt that Ogunro, however, died two hours after being rushed to the hospital.

Police authorities said preliminary investigations revealed that the Honda vehicle, which the robbers used for the operation, was stolen from one Ali Balogun in the Ebute Meta area of the state two hours before Ogunro was attacked.

A family friend, who wished to remain anonymous because he had no authority to speak on behalf of the family, said the family did not understand why the robbers shot the deceased.

“I was not at the scene, but I was told that he (Ogunro) did not do anything to annoy the robbers. In fact, they stole all their valuables as well. We are all in shock as he was killed in the presence of his family during the Christmas period.

“This is a trying time for all of us and all we want is prayers.”

Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, told our correspondent that investigations were ongoing.

Braide added that efforts were on to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“None of his relations could volunteer any statement yet. The Honda which the robbers used was confirmed to have been snatched from one Ali Balogun at Ebute Meta around 8pm on Sunday. She was dropped at Jobi Felle way, Alausa, where she was rescued and taken to the station. Efforts are on to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”

Meanwhile, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, expressed shock at the killing, saying Ogunro’s (Snr) murder had broken the hearts of the people of the state whom he served diligently in his lifetime.

Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, urged security agencies to work hard and ensure that the killers were brought to justice within the shortest possible time.

The name Charles Thurstan Shaw may not strike a resemblance of an important personality to the current generation of Nigerians, but in the world of archaeology, the name is highly venerated. This assertion stems from the fact that Prof. Shaw from the 50s single handed through archaeology, began a process of re-examining and re-evaluating the African past with colleagues in the field of history to assert that the African continent possessed an enviable past as against the arguments by Eurocentric scholars who in their irrational prognosis claimed Africa was only a society of savage peoples who had contributed nothing significant to civilization.


What Prof. Shaw did was novel in the sense that he brought to bear his knowledge of archaeology to prove to the world that West Africa, alongside other parts of the continent, was an early centre of civilization. By exposing the Igbo Ukwu to the world through careful excavation of the area was one achievement Prof. Shaw will never be forgotten for.


Prof. Shaw was born in Devon, England on 27 June 1924, and educated at Blundell’s School, Tiverton and Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge where he read Classics in his first year and later changed to archaeology and anthropology. At the end of his studies in 1936, he graduated with a First Class degree and a year after, moved to the Gold Coast (now Ghana) to teach at Achimota College in Accra. While in Achimota, he was in charge of the Anthropology Museum and spent virtually all vacations conducting archaeological investigations and organizing and keeping sites and finds register. He conducted his first excavation in Africa in 1937 when he carried out a rescue excavation on the Achimota College farm at a spot where a scatter of iron slag and pieces of furnace wall and tuyeres had been found. In 1940, his excavation at the Bosumpra rockshelter at Abetifi served as a watershed as it marked commencement of the reconstruction of the cultural sequence and chronological framework of West African prehistoric materials. In 1942, he excavated a large mound at Dawu, in north-eastern Akwapem, not far from Achimota, a site with more than eight metres of stratified deposits. For the first time, he demonstrated how locally made smoking pipes could be useful as a dating marker in West Africa.


Having helped to found the Ghana National Museum and the archaeology department at the University of Ghana, he was invited by the Antiquities Department of the University of Ibadan in 1958, to embark on an archaeological excavation at Igbo-Ukwu, a south-eastern town in Onitsha. At Igbo-Ukwu, several local artefacts which consisted of jewellery, ceramics and glass beads, coupled with highly sophisticated and elaborate cast bronze vases, bowls and ornaments made with the lost wax technique which was among the earliest cast bronzes in sub-Saharan Africa, were discovered.


Prof. Shaw’s excavation was a massive discovery because Igbo-Ukwu, from the history of the people, was a 9th-century site which formed part of the Nri kingdom. It served as a medieval state whose leaders exercised little or no military power over their subjects. The Nri kingdom existed as a sphere of religious and political influence and was administered by a priest-king called the Eze Nri. Igbo-Ukwu was a burial place for the Nri elite, who were interred with large quantities of grave goods, hence the rich artefacts discovered by Prof. Shaw.


With this monumental discovery, Prof. Shaw went into work by documenting all he saw. In 1970, he wrote a two-volume monograph on the site and added that with two books published in 1975 and 1977 titled ‘Discovering Nigeria’s Past’ and Unearthing Igbo-Ukwu respectively. These books provided the platform for many in understanding the historical past of the country and people. Prof Shaw wrote extensively about archaeology and continued to do so even after he retired.


Having joined in the early 60s the Institute of African Studies of the University of Ibadan as a Research Professor of Archaeology, he created the Archaeology Research Unit of the Institute which initiated the collections for a teaching museum. He also went on to establish a teaching department of archaeology, becoming the founding Head of Department where, over the next 14 years, he helped to provide the country with the best-trained archaeologists of any of the newly independent African states. Prof. Shaw nurtured the department and was noted to have been pleased with the department’s laboratory, photographic and draughting facilities, teaching collections and well-utilised field equipment which made Ibadan one of the best centres for archaeology in Africa. He was known to have been instrumental to the design of the Archaeology Department building complex which was commissioned on the occasion of his 75th birthday celebration at Ibadan in 1989.



Prof. Shaw did not stop at Igbo Ukwu, as he also in 1965 excavated the Iwo Eleru rock shelter, located at about 24 kilometres from Akure in Ondo State of Nigeria, which produced evidence of human occupation of the forest fringes of West Africa during the Late Stone Age and the skeletal remains which show Negroid characteristics had been dated 11,200 ± 200 BP, the oldest known specimen in the West African region at that time. Between his time as a Professor of Archaeology in 1963 and his retirement in 1974, Prof. Shaw founded the West African Archaeological Newsletter (WAAN) and was also the founding editor of the West African Journal of Archaeology (WAJA) which replaced WAAN in 1971. Having retired from the University of Ibadan in 1974, he went farther North as a visiting professor to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria between 1975 and 1978.

For his keen love of the African people and unbridled exposure of the Igbo civilization and their world view to the world, he was very much loved by them and in 1972, was awarded the traditional chieftaincy title of Onu n'ekwulu ora (the man through whom the history of the Igbo people speaks). Prof. Shaw was married first in 1939 to Ione Magor, who died in 1992 and in 2004 married again Pamela Smith, a historian of archaeology, who survives him with the two sons and three daughters of his first marriage.

Prof. Shaw’s contribution to archaeology did not only provide a platform for other disciplines in the sciences, arts and humanities to grow and be known widely, but also led to a synthesis and cross-fertilization of ideas in academic scholarship. Those in the field of history, geography, philosophy, anthropology to mention a few, owe a lot to the archaeology discipline and vice-versa. Without his pioneering efforts, it would have been much more difficult to understand and come up with a very tenable exposition of the very distant past of the African people. Therefore, for those Prof. Shaw impacted their lives positively with his ostensible ingenuity, we owe him much by also ensuring that we train today’s students for the future like he did and would have always. His legacies must not be forgotten and it is hoped many will learn from his kind heart and devoted love for the African continent even as he lived a fulfilled and happy life. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Written RAHEEM OLUWAFUNMINIYI
creativitysells@gmail.com

OAP personality Fade Ogunro who lost her father, Sesan Ogunro Sr in the early hours of yesterday morning says her dad prayed for forgiveness for the robbers who shot him before he passed away. Read what she wrote below...

"In all situations give thanks. I've lost my father and its hard for me to be thankful. But dad when I heard that even as you were dying you prayed for forgiveness for the robbers that shot you. I know you are in heaven. For that I give thanks. Thank you Jesus for looking after my father, heaven needs him. I love you dad.

Sesan Ogunro Sr was shot dead by armed robbers as he left his Church Christmas Carol service at Marwa Garden in Ikeja ... May his soul RIP.