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As Biodun hits 50: Tribute to a singing jewel!
As Biodun hits 50: Tribute to a singing jewel!
BY: Idowu Ajanaku
QUOTE:
“Happy is the man who finds a true friend,
and far happier is he who finds
that true friend in his wife”.
– Franz Schubert
She is a rare gem; a priceless pearl, in fact one who is comparable to a piece of dazzling diamond that beams with the brilliant light of an abiding faith in God, to conquer the demons of darkness. Call this some sort of glorification if you like. But truth be told, the subject matter here has been an enduring inspiration to the entire family, beginning of course, with the critical area of her being the symbol of the connecting chord to God, our all-loving maker.
Her name is Mrs. Biodun Elizabeth Ajanaku, popularly known as “Biodun Ajanaku”. She is referred to as “a talented, confident singer and jazzist based in Western Nigeria. Born in December to Nigerian parents, she hails from Ogun state. This energetic female vocalist, who started singing from childhood has worked with other great artistes in Nigeria and abroad, with performances of her tracks in the United states of America and the UK as well. She released her debut single “Joshua”, a classic tune which expresses the fall of the walls of Jericho, some years back to critical acclaim.
As fate would have it, she is the wife of yours truly. And I can tell the world, without qualms that for over the past 20 years that we got married, one has been immensely inspired by her driving passion to excel at whatever she sets her hands to do. That of course, includes rending her soul-lifting gospel songs that stir the spirit from the depths of despair up to the pinnacle of hope and honesty of purpose.
How should I describe her? She is a virtuous woman and as Proverbs Chapter 12 verse 4 aptly explains it: “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband”. As the good Lord God stated: “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him”. One is therefore, grateful to God for the choice He inspired me to make by choosing her as my constant companion, my confidant, my comforter.
As the Greek storyteller, Homer rightly stated: ”There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends”. In fact, a good wife symbolizes LOVE as the harmonious heartbeats of two people, always there for each other through storm or calm. They act in acting in resonance. And as T. S Eliot described it, they are comparable to, “lovers whose bodies smell of each other, which think the same thoughts without the need of speech, without the need of meaning”. So strong is the bond of love that King Solomon stated in the book of Ecclesiastes that: “Love is as strong as death. A thousand waters cannot quench the fire of love”.
That explains why the choice of the woman one would marry as the most sensitive, delicate and life-changing decision in man’s history. A wrong choice and the man is doomed for life. On the flip side, when the right choice is made, especially with the assistance of the Holy Spirit the ‘lucky’ man is destined for greatness. And this is because emotional stability forms the firm foundation for a happy home and businesses to thrive. But why, you may ask? It is all because: “Every single marriage must include complete trust between the husband and wife” as Sarah McMillan highlighted.
As the Holy Bible asks in Proverbs, Chapter 31: “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, and so that he shall have no need to spoil. She will do him good and not evil, all the days of her life”(verses 10-12). In addition,” she looks well to the ways of her household… and her children rise up and call her blessed and her husband also.”(25-28).
Incidentally, I am one of those fortunate few, as God, in His great wisdom and infinite mercy brought the woman of my dreams to cross my path. Accepting the fact that I had given my life to Jesus the Christ before we met, yet she it was who has drawn me closer to God’s throne of glory by her uncommon and exceptional dedication to the all things bright and beautiful in the kingdom of Salvation. Is it fervent prayers (as a lover of God), sharing words of faith (as a knowledge -seeker), spreading the gospel of salvation (as a woman of faith), or frequent fasting(as a virtuous woman) to stay true to righteousness, as the spirit dictates? She is there, for me and our children.
For instance, it is interesting to note, with an uncanny spiritual feature, that ever since we got married over 20 years ago she has always woken up to pray and fervently so, for members of the entire family between the hours of 12 midnight and 3.00 am. And let me restate it –every blessed night!
O, yes, she makes herself available, not just to cook the right meals at the right time, or provide the needed moral and financial support for the acquisition of our children’s quality education but she is the wise counselor and ever dependable pillar in the storm. She is there with her charming smile, her calming, velvety voice and her helping hand; when things do not evolve as expected. My wife has also proved to be the catalyst for positive change and master motivator to show us the sun behind the passing cumulous clouds, that always come down as heavenly rain of tremendous blessings!
One must confess that she has been a mother, a girlfriend and a lover, all rolled into one uncommon woman! So, why do I need another lover in my life? Never! Interestingly, friends and colleagues at work always look at me in utter disbelief and askance, when I boastfully tell them that I have never cheated on her since we got married. They simply find it incredible to believe.
That also explains that while they are out there in pubs drinking and womanizing, Biodun is there with me and my children in the comfort of our home, as a bright beacon showing me the path to righteousness. For her, I cannot thank God enough.
With regards to her phenomenal talent as a gospel singer she boasts of two international nbest-selling albums (‘Thank God’ and ‘Jesus Is Enough For Me’) and some scintillating singles to her credit. She has modeled her music after the late American singer Mahalia Jackson. Both possess powerful contralto voice as she aspires to become the next ‘Queen of Gospel’ like her heroine.
It is not surprising therefore, that her performances at international gospel music events in South Africa, Maryland and New York(USA) as well as London(UK) have drawn global attention to her brand of music. Why would one not be proud of such ‘a jewel of inestimable value’, to quote the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo while describing his wife.
Good enough, I have found all these virtues in my delectable damsel, my precious jewel, the one I call “ the daughter of grace”. She has matched the words of Martin Luther King Jnr when he stated that: “Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave”.
Oh yes, Biodiun has done that and more! So, we heartily celebrate her at 50, with full gratitude to God, wishing her more divine blessings and grace in the years to come.
Ajanaku Idowu writes from Lagos.
TINUBU IS THE WISEST MAN EARTH -PROPHET IKURU.
by Collins Nkwocha
Nigerian prophet, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry, Lagos magnetized everyone’s attention when he referred to the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the wisest man on earth regarding the appointment of Daniel Bwala as special Adviser on policy communications.
Speaking to reporters today in Lagos,
Prophet Ikuru applauded the president for choosing him and enunciated that he’s capable of delivering effectively and marketing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president and urged Nigerians to stop the criticism because of what he said in the past “I’m personally happy with his appointment and I urge Nigerians to forget about the past, forget about what he must have said about the president some years ago which people are now disseminating on the social and taunting him a betrayal that lacks integrity, Nigerians should forget his past because he’s the best choice”.
Prophet Ikuru insisted that Bwala saw the sincerity and genuity of the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda and he decided to partake in it “even if he criticized the president, it was in the past, he saw the sincerity in the Renewed Hope Agenda and decided to join in nation building ,the president is ready to unite everyone in order to build Nigeria,that’s why someone like Wike is in his government,Bwala has what it’s required to be successful under Mr.president, as a wise man, the president saw it and decided to harness it ”
Finally, he praised Tinubu and referred to him as a great leader who is ready to involve everyone in his government, he maintained that his wisdom is magnanimous ,Baba is truly the wisest man on earth.
U.S. Courtroom Shock: Funke Ashekun, Husband Collapse as MFM Wins
Had FFK Faced Mehdi Hassan, Nigeria Would Have Spoken With Fire
By Mohammed Bello Doka
In politics, timing is everything. In diplomacy, character is everything. And in moments of national importance, leadership must be entrusted to individuals who possess not only experience but courage, intellect and an unshakable commitment to the nation they represent.
It is for this reason that the appointment of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode as Nigeria’s Ambassador to a foreign nation stands out as one of the most consequential diplomatic decisions in recent years.
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, better known in the South as “FFK” and in the North as “Sadauki”, is one of the most brilliant, experienced, accomplished, vocal, respected, educated, profound, intellectual, patriotic, disciplined, well-read, historically literate, versatile, forceful, persuasive, sophisticated, cosmopolitan, charming, eloquent, courageous and resilient men in Nigerian politics and he has paid his dues and proved his worth over the last 35 years in politics and political discourse.
In each role he has played he has excelled and succeeded even when he was in opposition.
His friends value him as a great and loyal defender and his traducers and political adversaries fear and respect him because when he goes to war he is utterly relentless, takes no prisoners and literally spits fire.
How I wish it was him that was interviewed by Mehdi Hassan of Al Jazeera and not the young and inexperienced Daniel Bwala because he would have not only humbled Hassan but also done Nigeria proud.
He played Bwala’s present role in the Presidential Villa 23 years ago as President Olusegun Obasanjo’s spokesman and not only brought the then President’s domestic enemies to their knees but also had a series of very hot exchanges with foreign Government officials like America’s Under-Secreatary of State for Africa Jendaye Fraser and the White House over the Charles Taylor issue and Liberia.
Tinubu decision to appoint him as an Ambassador for our nation was a wise one because he will fight for and protect the interests of Nigeria and the Nigerian community whetever he goes and will never sell his soul or bow to foreign imperialist interests.
His appointment is not about just rewarding loyalty for the key role he played in Tinubu’s presidentiel campaign organisation as Director of New Media and Special Operations in 2023 and the staunch support he has given the President over the last three years but also about putting a square peg in a square hole.
If you want to put Nigeria first Sadauki is the one to do it.
If he runs the Nigerian Mission in the country that he is sent to in the same way he ran the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Aviation when he was Minister to each of them one after the other twenty years ago he will do very well and both our nation and whichever nation he is posted to itself will benefit from his efforts.
History teaches that diplomacy is most effective when nations deploy individuals who possess both intellect and courage.
As the American statesman Henry Kissinger once noted, “Diplomacy is the art of restraining power.”
To do so successfully requires deep historical awareness and strategic clarity—qualities that have long defined Fani-Kayode’s political career.
Sending a politically seasoned voice like FFK to any nation that is a key partner to Nigeria signals that Bola Ahmed Tinubu intends to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic posture with confidence.
Throughout more than three decades in the political arena, Fani-Kayode has remained one of the most resilient and outspoken figures in Nigerian public life despite numerous challenges which would have broken and destroyed lesser men.
Regardless of all that was thrown at him he continues to pull through and come out victorious which is why many refer to him as the “Akanda Eledumare” and the “Ayanfe Oluwa” which mean “the strange one of God” and “the beloved of the Lord”.
There appears to be a divine dimension to his life that makes him unstoppable and irrepressible even though his enemies are legion.
One wonders what sets him apart and makes him so different.
There is no doubt that his education played a part in it and this set him apart from most.
He never went to school in Nigeria but was educated from the age of eight in England starting off at Holmewood House School in Kent, one of the UK’s best and most famous Preparatory schools, after which he attended the famous Harrow School just outside London which is, together with Eton College, an institution that is the exclusive preserve of high society in the UK, one of the two best private schools in that country where only the ruling elite, the rich, the well-to-do, the famous and only a tiny proportion of those in British high society can afford or even qualify to attend.
No less than eight British Prime Ministers, including the great Sir Winston Churchill, and countless British cabinet ministers attended Harrow and so did many leaders, diplomats and top politicians from many foreign countries.
After finishing at Harrow he attended some of the top universities in the world, including London University (SOAS) and Cambridge University (Pembroke College) where he did so well.
As a matter of fact his great grandfather, Rev. Emmanuel Adelabi Kayode, attended Furrough Bay College which at that time was part of Durham University and graduated with an MA (Hons.) in Theology in 1893. His grandfather Justice Adedapo Kayode attended Cambridge University (Selwyn College) where he studied law and graduated in 1922. His father Chief Remilekun Fani-Kayode attended Cambridge University (Downing College) where he studied law and graduated in 1943. Sadauki himself graduated in law at Cambridge University (Pembroke College) in 1984 whilst his daughter Folake Fani-Kayode graduated from Durham University in 2009.
No African family has an uninterrupted streak of 116 years of Oxbridge-level university graduates except for the Fani-Kayode’s which is something that both his family and every patriotic Nigerian should be proud of.
It therefore makes perfect sense that a man from such a distinguished pedigree and intimidating lineage and that has such an extraordinary intellectual heritage should represent Nigeria on the international stage.
There is also his role in the debate on Gaza which made him a hero in the eyes of millions of people in the Global South both amongst Christians and Muslims.
He spoke out consistently about what he described as the genocide being committed against the Palestinians and he was prepared to put his life and career on the line for this cause even though most Nigerian leaders and politicians refused to say what he was saying publicly out of fear of the Zionist lobby and the Jewish state.
His sense of patriotism is unquestionable and nothing reflects this better than his series of essays written against Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Opposition Conservative Party and his write up against one Ben Llewelyn-Jones, who at that time was the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, when the former consistently sought to insult and denigrate Nigeria and the Nigerian people and the latter attempted to interfere in our internal affairs by making statements in support of Peter Obi and his Obidients in the 2023 presidential elections.
Sadauki successfully put them both in their place and when American Senator Ted Cruz, President Donald Trump, Congressman Tim Riley and other American politicians began to peddle the false narrative and fake gospel of Christian genocide and persecution in Nigeria Sadauki, a devout Christian himself, rose to the challenge and more than any other Nigerian wrote about the issue in a series of essays pointing out the fact that as many Muslims were being killed as Christians by the terrorists in our country and that Christians were not being persecuted by our Government and are in fact faring better when it comes to positions in the security apparatus and governance under Tinubu than they did in the previous administration.
He also spoke out boldly against President Trump and his administration when they accused the Government of South Africa of indulging in genocide against the white minority population in their country and pointed out the fact that South Africa, like Brazil, was a shining example of a successful multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation that was treating its white minority population with the greatest respect. Few Africans said a word to defend South Africa at the time even though they knew that Trump was wrong but Sadauki did so without thinking twice.
He is clearly a strong Pan-Africanist and a believer in the importance of the African Union, African solidarity, the BRICS coalition and the Global South alliance comprising of China, Russia, South Africa, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and other emerging world powers.
This is commendable and it reflects his courage and disdain for those that display ignorance, disdain and contempt for our nation and people and that seek to denigrate and misrepresent us.
Sadauki is not the type that bows and quivers before Westerners like so many other Nigerian leaders and politicians but rather takes pride in his Nigerian culture, race, heritage and identity and is prepared to defend us and speak for us no matter whose ox is gored and who is involved.
In an increasingly competitive global environment, Nigeria requires diplomats capable not only of negotiation but also of defending national interests with conviction.
If the energy, eloquence and intellectual fire that have defined Fani-Kayode’s political life accompany him to the country to which he has been posted, his tenure may well become one of the most consequential chapters in Nigeria’s modern diplomatic engagements.
I wish him well and I thank God that he is back in the saddle of public office after so many years.
What more could any of us ask of this great and noble son of Nigeria?
This is undoubtedly the quality of personnel and leaders that we need on the international stage.
I hope and pray that in his endeavours and during the course of his work he meets with Mehdi Hassan in a debate and prove to him and the rest of the world that Nigeria still has men that can not only match them but that can also remove their trousers in any verbal encounter. Bwala put us to shame but FFK can redeem us before the eyes of the world.
(Mohammed Bello Doka, the author of this essay, is the publisher of Abuja Network News and can be reached via [email protected])
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