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City People Lecture: Scraps Of ODIA OFEIMUN “How To Restructure NIGERIA Without Tears”
The City People Magazine held its founders day lecture last week Thursday, 22nd September 2016 at the White House Event Centre along Toyin Street in Lagos.
Internationally celebrated writer and poet, Odia Ofeimun was the Guest Speaker and trust the Edo born writer he held his listeners spell bound as he delivered his well researched paper on How To Restructure The Nigerian Federation which earned him a standing ovation.
His speech last week really showed Odia at his best as he dropped his bombshell on the need to restructure the Nigerian federation which he says is inevitable.
According to him, unless Nigeria is restructured not much can be achieved in the country. In his lecture he surveyed the history of Nigeria and concluded that the damage wrought by British colonialism needs to be corrected through restructuring so that all the various ethnic nationalities may become genuinely self-governing and ready to exercise the creativity that is so much part of the national character.
Odia says the real issue, as he sees it is not Regionalism or Ethnicity. He says it is a refusal to accept that Ethnicity is an important status in the life of all human beings irrespective of where they live, whether it is in Britain, America, Russia, wherever and those who are denying the embrace of their own nationality are been denied a way of having wholesomeness as human beings, and as spiritual beings and as human beings in the life that they live. “If you remove from a people, their sense of engagements with their close neighbours you are actually removing from them a sense of self. We all need it. And the idea that Tribalism necessarily distorts a sense of national unity is not true at all. In those days, a group in the North opposed Free Education for children in the North. But Awolowo didn’t quite understand why they would oppose free education since their kids are supposed to benefit more. But the Northern group argued that if they implemented Free Education, more money will be spent in the South than in the North because there are more children in schools in the South than in the North.
Awolowo’s arguments was straight forward. If it is true that the population of the North is more than that of the South, if more children are in school, it will follow that the total in this period will outstrip the South, in the monies they collect. What this people want is for the North to continue to be the determinent of events in Nigeria.
Odia revealed in his lecture how the British colonialist prepared Northerners to rule by putting them ahead of other groups by the size of population, the land and by military power. Northerners were specially drafted into the Army to prepare for the day when soldiers will be the deciders of who to rule, he explained.
He also explained how to bring about and ensure True federalism via motions to be passed by all the Houses of Assemblies in Nigeria. He says Nigerians need to be mobilised to understnad how aspects of the National Conference recommendations can be implemented. He advocated that Nigerian political leaders should go back and read Awolowo’s recommendations on how to restructure Nigeria.
He says some of what is wrong with Nigeria is the absence of vibrant political parties that functioned in the way political parties functioned in the 1st Republic. He advocated for parties to have functional party offices.
He frowned at the budget padding scandal currently rocking the National Assembly. He wondered why although Buhari came in saying he wants to fight corruption but the minders of the National Assembly seemed uninterested in having an income policy that is of any value even to themselves or anyone else.
They just want to continue to make demands on the system and get away with it. There is nowhere in the world where a legislator who pads a budget will not be considered a thief and treated as such within the Law. It won’t happen in Britain because the process of putting your own special demands in the budget will pass through process which means you have proper bureaucracy that deals with it.
Odia advocated for the setting up strong and proper political parties that are based on subscription. What we have just experienced today tells you why it has been impossible. In the days of the Unity Party of Nigeria we never gave money to people to attend meetings. They actually come to the meetings and drop something if you call a senatorial meeting now and people know there will be no envelopes to be given out or money to be shared, you won’t see anybody. At some level you will actually find people who would actually meet people who would like to work for the party but they don’t have money of their own. These days’ people will do anything to collect money from the candidate.
Some people suggest a return to military rule as a way out. From what we have known from Military rule that is not an option. What people must remember is that the soldiers who took over in 1966, even within the army, were already more tribalistic and more corrupt than the civilians that they toppled.
The story of the Nigerian Army before that coup was the story of corruption and tribalism edged on by the system because, don’t forget, you have to have a quota to enter an army And if you are going to have a quota to enter an army, it means you are been told that you have to be a member of a proper ethnic group recognised before you could join the Nigerian Army.
There must be somebody one day who will come to fix all these and knock it together. I always knew that Buhari won’t have the spine to do it. To be able to do a thing like that you must be genuinely knowledge many of our leaders do not know Nigeria.
And they don’t seem to care enough about the country to be able to draw up programmes that will ensure commitment to goals. It was a good example when APC appeared to believe a social welfare programme that maybe could create a critical mass of people who are educated enough to be consciencetised and made to work for party subscription.
For those who don’t know this 66 year old scholar and researcher well, let’s quickly tell you about him and why everyone usually likes to listen to him speak on topical issues. It is because of his deep knowledge of Nigerian history and politics, so also the personalities who have shaped our public policy.
Ofeimum is an institution, a moving library. He is prodigious, profound and practical. He is the author of over 40 books and he has given himself a fresh target of writing 15 new books between now and when he is 70. He is modest, sociable, fervent and a conversationalist with empathy for all. Interestingly, his books cover so many issues dealing with the Nigerian situation with some of them reaching back to Edo kingdom of the 15th century, which he so deftly links to addressing present day challenges in the State.
Recall it was Odia that settled the dust raised about Obas ranking, in his highly famous essay: “Why Oba Of Benin Is Number One”. Odia Ofeimun is not just a literary icon; quite frankly, his credentials are intimidating. Or what do you make of someone who is an author of over 40 books, Fellowship from Oxford University, Graduate of Political Science, University of Ibadan, where his poem won 1st prize as a student, former Private (political) Secretary to the late sage and foremost political figure in Nigeria, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Recipient of Fonlon Nichols Award for literary excellence and propagation of Human Rights by the African Literature Association.
Former member of Editorial Board of Guardian Newspapers Former Chairman, Editorial Board, AM News, The News and Tempo Magazines in the era of Guerrilla Journalism, former Publicity Secretary, General Secretary and President of Association of Nigerian Authors, founding Member PAN Africa Writers Association, former Administrative Officer in the Federal Public Service Commission, Assistant Divisional Officer (A.D.O) Kankia, old Kaduna State, a teacher at Ansarul Islam Grammar School, Ijomu Oro,
News reporter at Midwest Echo in Benin City, Factory Labourer at West African Thread Company, Apapa.
As a writer he is definitively a commanding polemicist.
His seminal books on Politics and Culture include Taking Nigeria Seriously, when does a Civil War come to an end, Remaking the Nigerian Project, a House of Many Mansions, in Search of Ogun: Soyinka Inspite of Nietzche and an Agenda for a Progressive Nigeria.
Apart from being a poet and journalist, Odia is also a politician who is interested in the politics of Nigeria and Edo, his homestate which explains why in April he joined the governorship race in Edo on the platform of Labour Party, making 7 key promises, namely (1) To Wipe Out Illiteracy For All Citizens From Age 5 To 60 (2) To Replan And Rebuild Every Village, Town And City (3) To Build A Super Dome Underground Railway Station At Oba Square In Benin City (4) To Create Full Employment By Producing In The First Instance 60% And More, Of The Goods And 80% More Of The Foods Consumed In Edo State (5) To Establish A Health Care System, Free For Majority Of Citizens (6) To Mobilise An Aggressive And (7) His Promises To Make Edo State A Proper House Of Culture.
Odia Ofeimum learnt a lot from the late sage, Awo who he worked with closely. He was a former Private (Political) Secretary to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nigeria’s foremost political philosopher and leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria.
Why Babangida’s Hilltop Home Became Nigeria’s Political “Mecca”.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s birthday visit to Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) in Minna (where he hailed the octogenarian as a patriotic leader committed to national unity) was more than a courtesy call. It was a reminder of a peculiar constant in Nigerian politics: the steady pilgrimage of power-seekers, bridge-builders and crisis-managers to the Hilltop mansion. Jonathan’s own words captured it bluntly: IBB’s residence “is like a Mecca of sorts” because of the former military president’s enduring relevance and perceived nation-first posture.
Babangida turned 84 on 17 August 2025. That alone invites reflection on a career that has shaped Nigeria’s political architecture for four decades; admired by some for audacious statecraft, condemned by others for controversies that still shadow the republic. Born on 17 August 1941 in Minna, he ruled as military president from 1985 to 1993, presiding over transformative and turbulent chapters: the relocation of the national capital to Abuja in 1991; the creation of political institutions for a long, complex transition; economic liberalisation that cut both ways; and the fateful annulment of the 12 June 1993 election. Each of these choices helps explain why the Hilltop remains a magnet for Nigerians who need counsel, cover or calibration.
A house built on influence; why the visits never stop.
Let’s start with the obvious: access. Nigeria’s political class prizes proximity to the men and women who can open doors, soften opposition, broker peace and read the hidden currents. In that calculus, IBB’s network is unmatched. He cultivated a reputation for “political engineering,” the reason the press christened him “Maradona” (for deft dribbling through complexity) and “Evil Genius” (for the strategic cunning his critics decried). Whether one embraces or rejects those labels, they reflect a reality: Babangida is still the place where many politicians go to test ideas, seek endorsements or secure introductions. Even the mainstream press has described him as a consultant of sorts to desperate or ambitious politicians, an uncomfortable description that nevertheless underlines his gravitational pull.
Though it isn’t only political tact that draws visitors; it’s statecraft with lasting fingerprints. Moving the seat of government from Lagos to Abuja in December 1991 was not a cosmetic relocation, it re-centred the federation and signaled a symbolic neutrality in a country fractured by regional suspicion. Abuja’s founding logic (GEOGRAPHIC CENTRALITY and ETHNIC NEUTRALITY) continues to stabilise the national imagination. This is part of the reason many leaders, across party lines, still defer to IBB: he didn’t just rule; he rearranged the map of power.
Then there’s the regional dimension. Under his watch, Nigeria led the creation and deployment of ECOMOG in 1990 to staunch Liberia’s bloody civil war, a bold move that announced Abuja as a regional security anchor. The intervention was imperfect, contested and costly, but it helped define West Africa’s collective security posture and Nigeria’s leadership brand. When neighboring states now face crises, the memory of that precedent still echoes in diplomatic corridors and Babangida’s counsel retains currency among those who remember how decisions were made.
Jonathan’s praise and the unity argument.
Jonathan’s tribute (stressing Babangida’s non-sectional outlook and commitment to unity) goes to the heart of the Hilltop mystique. For a multi-ethnic federation straining under distrust, figures who can speak across divides are prized. Jonathan’s point wasn’t nostalgia; it was a live assessment of a man many still call when Nigeria’s seams fray. That’s why the parade to Minna continues: the anxious, the ambitious and the statesmanlike alike seek an elder who can convene rivals and cool temperatures.
The unresolved shadow: June 12 and the ethics of influence.
No honest appraisal can skip the hardest chapter: the annulment of the 12 June 1993 election (judged widely as free and fair) was a rupture that delegitimised the transition and scarred Nigeria’s democratic journey. Political scientist Larry Diamond has repeatedly identified June 12 as a prime example of how authoritarian reversals corrode democratic legitimacy and public trust. His larger warning (“few developments are more destructive to the legitimacy of new democracies than blatant and pervasive political corruption”) captures the moral crater that followed the annulment and the years of drift that ensued. Those wounds are part of the Babangida legacy too and they complicate the reverence that a steady stream of visitors displays.
Max Siollun, a leading historian of Nigeria’s military era, has observed (provocatively) that the military’s “greatest contribution” to democracy may have been to rule “long and badly enough” that Nigerians lost appetite for soldiers in power. It’s a stinging line, yet it helps explain the paradox of IBB’s status: the same system he personified taught Nigeria costly lessons that hardened its democratic reflexes. Today’s generation visits the Hilltop not to revive militarism but to harvest hard-won insights about managing a fragile federation.
What sustains the pilgrimage.
1) Institutional memory: Nigeria’s politics often suffers amnesia. Babangida offers a living archive of security crises navigated, regional diplomacy attempted, volatile markets tempered and power-sharing experiments designed. Whether one applauds or condemns specific choices, the muscle memory of governing a complex federation is rare and urgently sought.
2) Convening power: In a season of polarisation, the ability to sit warring factions in the same room is not small capital. Babangida’s imprimatur remains a safe invitation card few refuse it, fewer ignore it. That convening power explains why movements, parties and would-be presidents keep filing up the long driveway. Recent delegations have explicitly cast their courtesy calls in the language of unity, loyalty and patriotism ahead of pivotal elections.
3) Signals to the base: Visiting Minna telegraphs seriousness to party structures and funders. It says: “I have sought counsel where history meets experience.” In Nigeria’s coded political theatre, that signal still matters. Outlets have reported for years that many aspirants treat the Hilltop as an obligatory stop an unflattering reality, perhaps, but a revealing one.
4) The man and the myth: The mansion itself, with its opulence and aura, has become a set piece in Nigeria’s story of power, admired by some, resented by others, but always discussed. The myth feeds the pilgrimage; the pilgrimage feeds the myth.
The balance sheet at 84.
To treat Babangida solely as a sage is to forget the costs of his era; to treat him only as a villain is to ignore the architecture that still holds parts of Nigeria together. Abuja’s relocation stands as a stabilising bet that paid off. ECOMOG, for all its flaws, seeded a habit of regional responsibility. Conversely, June 12 remains a national cautionary tale about elite manipulation, civilian marginalisation and the brittleness of transitions managed from above. These are not contradictory truths; they are the double helix of Babangida’s place in Nigerian memory.
Jonathan’s homage tried to distill the better angel of IBB’s record: MENTORSHIP, BRIDGE-BUILDING and a POSTURE that (at least in his telling) RESISTS SECTIONAL ISM. “That is why today, his house is like a Mecca of sorts,” he said, praying that the GENERAL continues to “mentor the younger ones.” Whether one agrees with the full sentiment, it accurately describes the lived politics of Nigeria today: Minna remains a checkpoint on the road to relevance.
The scholar’s verdict and a citizen’s challenge.
If Diamond warns about legitimacy and Siollun warns about the perils of soldier-politics, what should Nigerians demand from the Hilltop effect? Three things.
First, use influence to open space, not close it. Counsel should tilt toward rules, institutions and credible elections not kingmaking for its own sake. The lesson of 1993 is that subverting a valid vote haunts a nation for decades.
Second, mentor for unity, but insist on accountability. Unity cannot be a euphemism for silence. A truly patriotic elder statesman sets a high bar for conduct and condemns the shortcuts that tempt new actors in old ways. Diamond’s admonition on corruption is not an abstraction; it’s a roadmap for rebuilding trust.
Third, convert nostalgia into institutional memory. If Babangida’s house is a classroom, then Nigeria should capture, publish and debate its lessons in the open: on peace operations (what worked, what failed), on capital relocation (how to plan at scale), and on transitions (how not to repeat 1993). Only then does the pilgrimage serve the republic rather than personalities.
At 84, Ibrahim Babangida remains a paradox that Nigeria cannot ignore: a man whose legacy straddles NATION-BUILDING and NATION-BRUISING, whose doors remain open to those seeking power and those seeking peace. Jonathan’s visit (and his striking “Mecca” metaphor) reveals a simple, stubborn fact: in a country still searching for steady hands, the Hilltop’s shadow is long. The task before Nigeria is to ensure that the shadow points toward a brighter constitutional daybreak, where influence is finally subordinated to institutions and where mentorship hardens into norms that no single mansion can monopolise. That is the only pilgrimage worth making.
Ajadi Celebrates Juju Legend Femolancaster’s 50th Birthday in the UK
Nigerian Juju music legend, Otunba Femi Fadipe, popularly known as FemoLancaster, is being celebrated today in London as he clocks 50 years of age.
Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a frontline politician and businessman, led tributes to the Ilesa-born maestro, describing him as a timeless cultural icon whose artistry has enriched both Nigeria and the world.
“FemoLancaster is not just a musician, he is a legend,” Ambassador Ajadi said in his birthday message. “For decades, his classical Juju sound has remained a reminder of the beauty of Yoruba heritage. Today, as he turns 50, I celebrate a cultural ambassador whose music bridges generations and continents.”
While FemoLancaster is highly dominant in Oyo State and across the South-West, his craft has also taken him beyond Nigeria’s borders.
FemoLancaster’s illustrious career has seen him thrill audiences across Nigeria and beyond, with performances in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States of America, and other parts of the world. His dedication to Juju music has projected Yoruba traditional sounds to international stages, keeping alive the legacy of icons like King Sunny Ade and Chief Ebenezer Obey while infusing fresh energy for younger audiences
He further stressed the significance of honoring artistes who have remained faithful to indigenous music while taking it global. “In an era where modern sounds often overshadow tradition, FemoLancaster stands as a beacon of continuity and resilience. He has carried Yoruba Juju music into the global space with dignity, passion, and excellence,” he added.
The golden jubilee celebration in London has drawn fans, friends, and colleagues, who all describe FemoLancaster as a gifted artist whose contributions over decades have earned him a revered place in the pantheon of Nigerian music legends.
“As FemoLancaster marks this milestone,” Ajadi concluded, “I wish him many more years of good health, wisdom, and global recognition. May his music continue to echo across generations and continents.”
celebrity radar - gossips
Gospel Songstress Esther Igbekele Marks Birthday with Gratitude and Celebration
Gospel Songstress Esther Igbekele Marks Birthday with Gratitude and Celebration
By Aderounmu Kazeem Lagos
Lagos, Nigeria — The gospel music scene is aglow today as the “Duchess of Gospel Music,” Esther Igbekele, marks another milestone in her life, celebrating her birthday on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
Known for her powerful voice, inspirational lyrics, and unwavering dedication to spreading the gospel through music, Esther Igbekele has become one of Nigeria’s most respected and beloved gospel artistes. Over the years, she has graced countless stages, released hit albums, and inspired audiences across the world with her uplifting songs.
Today’s celebration is expected to be a joyful blend of music, prayers, and heartfelt tributes from family, friends, fans, and fellow artistes. Sources close to the singer revealed that plans are in place for a special praise gathering in Lagos, where she will be joined by notable figures in the gospel industry, church leaders, and admirers from home and abroad.
Speaking ahead of the day, Igbekele expressed deep gratitude to God for His mercy and the opportunity to use her gift to touch lives. “Every birthday is a reminder of God’s faithfulness in my journey. I am thankful for life, for my fans, and for the privilege to keep ministering through music,” she said.
From her early beginnings in the Yoruba gospel music scene to her rise as a celebrated recording artiste with a unique fusion of contemporary and traditional sounds, Esther Igbekele’s career has been marked by consistency, excellence, and a strong message of hope.
As she adds another year today, her fans have flooded social media with messages of love, appreciation, and prayers — a testament to the profound impact she continues to make in the gospel music ministry.
For many, this birthday is not just a celebration of Esther Igbekele’s life, but also of the divine inspiration she brings to the Nigerian gospel music landscape.
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