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Col. Gabriel Ajayi: Tortured to impotence

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Sixteen years after General Sani Abacha’s death, a Swiss delegation led by the country’s Federal Councillor and Head of its Foreign Affairs Department, Mr. Didier Burkhalter, and the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Eric Mayoruz were with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo last Tuesday to sign a  memorandum on the return of another $321m  loot by the dark  goggled general.

It was a paradox of some sort that the same Sani Abacha had the temerity to engage in anti-corruption fight  at some point in the sorry story of this funny country called Nigeria.

He hounded a  number of bank chiefs to jail under the Failed Banks Decree in what would now appear to be that Abacha in his era had monopoly over stealing and whoever stole apart from him committed a grievous  offense a gainst him-not the state.

A day after the signing of the agreement that reminded us of the evil general’s rapacity, I met with a gentleman whose ordeal in the hands of Abacha paints the grimmest picture of man’s inhumanity to man and the excruciating pains of irreparable damage far beyond stolen funds that can be repatriated years after.

Hausa as lingua franca His name is Col. Gabriel Ajayi  who was retired from the Nigerian Army he joined in 1971 under controversial circumstances.

Ajayi left Secondary school in 1969 under the tutelage of the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati burning with a lot of passion. He was offered a job at the Nigerian Tribune where he honed his journalistic zeal before he joined the army in 1971with a hope of re-enacting the warrior streak of his ancestry.

Three years into his career in the army in 1974, he encountered his first shock of innocence at the army barracks in Ibadan where the Hausa Language was “official” language of communications.

Young Ajayi felt that was not right. He voiced out that this was supposed to be Nigerian Army barracks in Ibadan and there was no reason Hausa language should be lingua franca. His gut to say that earned him 15 days in the guardroom in the hands of a fellow Yoruba commander who was loyal to the iniquitous arrangement.

The said officer was to later apologise to him later in life after he was dealt a fatal blow by the very system he tried to protect. Col. Gabriel Ajayi (rtd) continued his career with spartan discipline and rose to become Colonel Administration and Quartermaster General, Lagos Garrison Command.

By his appointment at the Garrison Command, he was second-in-command to the then General Officer  Commanding, GOC, Major  Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, whose hands  infantry officer alleged were apparent in his travails over the alleged 1995 coup. Ajayi along other officers was accused of planning to overthrow General Sani Abacha. He was arrested after taking Holy Communion in a church with Bamaiyi, tried and sentenced to death alongside former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the late Major Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, among others.

In the course of being tortured for an offense he insists till date he did not committed, Ajayi lost his manhood in the hands of deranged soldiers.

He was sentenced to death on July 14, 1995 by the Brigadier General Patrick Aziza’s Special Military Tribunal (SMT) before it was commuted to 25 years jail term. He spent four years in Minna prison before he was compulsorily retired in 1999 when co-convict Obasanjo became President.

Ajayi holds till date that his travail was over his insistence for justice and that he was roped into a coup because he objected to the annulment of June 12 elections and the murder of hundreds of protesters in Lagos on June 23rd 1993 when Abacha drove through protesters. He recalls vividly how his boss, Bamaiyi, once boasted in an army conference that he had only pity for Yoruba women and children whose husbands and fathers would be gone when the shooting would commence.

The shootings indeed commenced and quite a number of Yoruba women became widows while a lot of children became either fatherless or motherless. I see Aliu and Kazeem Abiola every now and then with reminiscences of the unlimited ramifications of evil.

Col. Ajayi carries eternal scars of the physical and emotional violence done to him and others by mindless fellows who went to Oputa panel to brag that they would repeat the evil they did if they had the chance again. He carries with him the library of iniquities perpetrated under that dark era.

He reminded me of Prof. Agboluaje who left America in 1997 and was to have arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and has not been seen till date. Anger wells in you when you see men like Ajayi who have been deeply hurt by Nigeria’s machinery of injustice without any remorse.

You are annoyed the more to see prominent men of that evil era occupying prime offices in our affairs today.   And Nigeria thinks it can make progress in the midst of such injustice? I doubt it!

 

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Egbaliganza: IWA Urges Youths to Play a Greater Role in Promoting Culture and Heritage

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Egbaliganza: IWA Urges Youths to Play a Greater Role in Promoting Culture and Heritage

By Adeyemi Obadimu

In a powerful call to action, the Ogun State lawmaker representing Abeokuta South Constituency II, Hon. Wasiu Sunday Ayodele, popularly known as IWA, has urged Egba sons and daughters, particularly the youth, to actively engage in the cultural practices that define the rich heritage of Egba land.

His remarks followed the successful conclusion of the 2025 Lisabi Day Festival, a significant cultural event that celebrated the traditions and history of the Egba people.

Hon. IWA, who is the Balogun Woro Of Ijeja Land at the just concluded festival is an advocate for preserving and promoting cultural identity, he praised the organizers of the festival for their exceptional work in bringing together the community to celebrate Egba culture.

“According to IWA, the Lisabi Day Festival serves as a crucial platform for showcasing the unity, values, and customs that have been passed down through generations.

“I urge all Egba youths to participate more in the cultural activities of our land,” Hon. IWA said. “The just concluded Lisabi festival was a clear reminder that our culture is an invaluable asset that binds us together as a people. It is important that we, as the younger generation, take pride in our traditions and continue to carry them forward. By participating in these cultural events, we strengthen our identity and ensure that our legacy endures.”

He said Culture plays a pivotal role in the development of any community. It shapes our values, beliefs, and way of life, serving as the foundation of our social cohesion and unity. In Egba land, culture is not only a reflection of our past but a living, evolving part of our present and future.

Culture acts as a repository for the history, stories, and values of a people. Festivals like Lisabi Day provide an opportunity to pass down knowledge and traditions to younger generations, ensuring that Egba history remains vibrant and relevant.

Hon. IWA emphasized that the youth are the future custodians of Egba culture, and their involvement in activities like the Lisabi Day Festival is crucial in ensuring that these traditions continue to thrive for generations to come.

“The future of Egba culture lies in the hands of our youth. By actively participating in cultural events and promoting our traditions, we are ensuring that the Egba legacy remains strong and proud,” he concluded.

As the Egba people look forward to more celebrations of their heritage, Hon. IWA called on all stakeholders, including government agencies, community leaders, and the youth, to work together in fostering a stronger, more vibrant cultural community.

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Afrobeats Icon Davido Gets Real About Cheating, Fatherhood & Regret

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“No More Wahala!” — Davido Vows to Quit Cheating, Says He’s Sticking to One Woman

Afrobeats sensation and Grammy-nominated superstar Davido has stunned fans with a public vow to put an end to his past philandering ways, declaring that he’s officially off the cheating train — for good.

Afrobeats Icon Davido Gets Real About Cheating, Fatherhood & Regret

In a candid interview on The Breakfast Club, the “Feel” hitmaker opened up about his personal life, relationships, and the lessons he’s learned after fathering five children with four different women.

“I don’t want any wahala. I have five kids with four women. I am not cheating again,” Davido stated firmly, sending shockwaves through social media and the entertainment space.

The music star, who is married to longtime partner Chioma Rowland, admitted that his past choices came with heavy consequences — emotionally and reputationally — and he’s now choosing peace and commitment over chaos.

“Maybe I’ve had a bad experience. Sometimes experience is the best teacher. It’s not worth it,” he confessed, as he recounted turbulent moments from his past.

While many in his family have embraced polygamy — with some uncles married to multiple wives living under the same roof — Davido made it clear that such a path isn’t for him.

“In my family, a lot of my uncles have two, three wives and they’re all living together. But me, I no fit. I no want stress,” he said with a laugh.

Davido shares his first daughter, Imade Adeleke, with businesswoman Sophia Momodu; his second daughter, Hailey Veronica Adeleke, with Amanda; a son, Dawson, with UK-based model Larissa London; and recently welcomed twins with Chioma, his wife.

Despite being frequently in the spotlight for both his musical genius and romantic entanglements, Davido’s declaration marks a notable shift in public perception — from Afrobeats’ wild child to a man choosing stability.

Whether fans believe the transformation or not, one thing’s clear: Davido is rewriting the script — and this time, he’s not sharing the lead role.

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No Bad Blood? Davido Softens Tone on Tiwa Savage Fallout

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No Bad Blood? Davido Softens Tone on Tiwa Savage Fallout

“It Was Like Sibling Drama” — Davido Breaks Silence on Tiwa Savage Feud After Months of Tension

Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has finally addressed the months-long rift between him and fellow music icon Tiwa Savage — a feud that had taken fans and the industry by storm.

Speaking during a recent interview on The Breakfast Club, Davido downplayed the incident that led to Tiwa Savage filing a formal complaint against him with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, following reports that the “Unavailable” crooner allegedly sent threatening messages to the singer.

The tension reportedly erupted after Tiwa Savage was seen hanging out with Sophia Momodu, Davido’s estranged baby mama. According to sources close to the matter, Davido took offense and warned Tiwa to “be careful in Lagos” — a comment she interpreted as a threat to her safety.

However, in his first public comment on the issue, Davido described the altercation as a “minor misunderstanding,” comparing it to typical arguments between siblings.

“Me and Tiwa used to stay in the same house. It was like brothers and sisters arguing. It was nothing,” Davido said, brushing off any insinuations of a lasting grudge.

Though the two stars have not seen each other since the clash, Davido revealed that Tiwa Savage had reached out to him, leaving the door open for a future reconciliation.

“If the link-up happens, it happens,” he added.

The controversy had previously sparked a firestorm on social media, with fans of both artistes taking sides and speculating over the possible fallout between two of Afrobeats’ most celebrated voices.

While neither party has gone into full detail about the content of their exchanges, Tiwa Savage’s decision to involve law enforcement had raised serious questions about safety, loyalty, and personal boundaries in the ever-intertwined Nigerian music scene.

With Davido’s latest remarks, however, it appears the dust may finally be settling — or at least paused — as fans await what could be an eventual public reunion of the Afrobeats giants.

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