society
HRM Oba Dr Sunday Aikuirawo Aniyi: it’s a new day in Erinmope-Ekiti
HRM Oba Dr Sunday Aikuirawo Aniyi: it’s a new day in Erinmope-Ekiti
By Yinka Oyebode
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice…. (Proverbs 29 v 2)
“Eniyan lo n muni mo’niyan”, that Yoruba song commonly sung during engagement ceremonies is apt in my relationship with HRM Oba Dr Sunday Aikuirawo Aniyi, who I met in person for the very first time during the build up to the June 22, 2018 Governorship election in Ekiti State. My principal, His Excellency, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, then, the Honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development, had given me names of two individuals he wanted me to liaise with, and explore the possibility of working with ahead of the governorship contest. I met the two gentlemen- Dr Sunday Aniyi and Mr Gboyega Ajayi at different locations in Ado-Ekiti and struck a working relationship with them.
Prior to that meeting however, I have had a prior contact with Dr Aniyi sometimes in 2017 after he bagged his doctorate degree from the University of Ibadan. Dr Fayemi, renowned for his ability to discover and nurture talents, had sent me to deliver his congratulatory message to him, which I conveyed via the telephone. While attempting to describe Dr Aniyi to me, Dr Fayemi had alluded to his (Dr Aniyi’s) writings, especially his social media posts, which he said were usually issue-based and done in very dignified language.
When we eventually met at the agreed location in Ado- Ekiti, weeks before the Governorship primaries sometimes around April 2018, one thing that immediately struck me about Kabiyesi was his simplicity, forthrightness and the richness of his thoughts. Aside agreeing to work with the media team, he equally advised that I reach out to a few younger chaps, who then were apparently opposed to Dr Fayemi’s aspiration and were waging war against him on the social media. He gave his reason: “Some of these chaps do not really hate your oga, they just want to be recognised and I am sure you can win them to your side, if you do as much as talk to them”, he had advised.
Considering the sincerity of his counsel, even though, reaching out to those guys was not part of my brief, I decided to give it a shot and as predicted by Dr Aniyi, I got favourable response from them. A Few weeks after that first encounter, Kabiyesi, Gboyega and I together with a few others were holed up in my make shift ‘media centre’ for a whole day, in what turned out my first working relationship with him. Like a gold fish, his calmness, proficiency, meticulousness and professionalism can hardly be hidden, same for the pristine values he wears like a badge of honour. It is quite evident, he draws, howbeit, unassumingly from the well of wisdom each time he shares his views on any topic. Kabiyesi is ever so philosophical, analytical and forthright in his discussions. He possess a rare ability to present his case with a touch of brilliance, logic, candour and wit.
These attributes were served in large dosage when he was appointed Senior Special Assistant (Special Projects) and later Principal Private Secretary (PPS) to the Governor by Dr Kayode Fayemi shortly after assuming office in his second term. As PPS, Dr Aniyi also had a role carved for him as a member of the Governor’s media and communication team.
It was through working together with other colleagues in the media and communication team that I had a full understanding and appreciation of Kabiyesi Aniyi’s work ethics as well as the driving force behind his amiable personality. Within a short space of time, he distinguished himself as a thoroughbred professional, a diligent worker, highly cerebral and creative mind, a team player and strategic thinker. His contributions to the weekly strategic sessions were top notch, just as his public conduct were pristine. Like one of his favourite novelists, Chinua Achebe, wrote: “proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten”, Dr Aniyi’s language is rich in figurative expressions, allegories and historical allusions. He ‘eats’ words intelligently, cautiously and persuasively, yet, he does not suffer fool gladly.
Kabiyesi’s positive disposition to life and the seriousness he attaches to his role as PPS made it easy for me to relate with him as a friend, brother and colleague. Aside his outstanding contributions to the activities of the Media and Communications team as a writer, editor, content creator and innovator, Dr Aniyi was also drafted by the Governor to develop a system of institutionalising Ekiti Values which was a principal focus of the JKF2 administration. Oba Aniyi therefore had the privilege of coordinating the development of Ekiti Values Education into a subject of study. He and his team produced the curriculum and midwifed the production of textbooks as well as the commencement of the subject in Ekiti schools.
While Dr Aniyi’s many virtues are strikingly visible, I must confess that his royal background was quite unknown to me and many of our colleagues. His name does not even suggest it, at best it indicates his Christian background. So, I was pleasantly surprised when the issue of obaship came up, apparently in oblivion of the age-long saying “ a njorin a o mori olowo”. I must have assumed that Dr Aniyi’s impeccable character and the excellent touch he brings to every assignment were a reflection of his well- groomed childhood which has resulted in excellent adulthood. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, it won’t be out of place to say that Dr Aniyi’s demonstrated excellent spirit and native intelligence were gifted him by Olodumare to make his royalty remarkable.
So, what the media and communications team of Governor Kayode Fayemi and indeed the field of communications as well as the academia lost, has become the gains of the good people of Erinmope Ekiti, who in their collective wisdom opted to put the crown on the fitting head of HRM Oba (Dr) Sunday Aikuirawo Aniyi, Amoyinmade Atayese 1, the Obaleo of Erinmope Ekiti.
For Kabiyesi Aniyi, his past has adequately prepared him for the present and the future. He started his elementary education at St. John’s Anglican School, Erinmope-Ekiti between 1982-88. He thereafter proceeded to Erinmope High School, Erinmope-Ekiti between 1989-95. He studied English at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko and graduated with a second class upper division in 2004. He bagged his Masters of Art degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 2009 and a doctorate in Communication Studies, (specializing in Media & International Communication) from the University of Ibadan in 2017. He has worked meritoriously as a journalist, teacher, consultant, lecturer and a public servant before ascending the throne of his fore bearers.
As the entire sons and daughters of Erinmope-Ekiti converge on the ancient town to celebrate the coronation activities of this God-fearing and imaginative leader, “ the philosopher king” today, I can only pray and wish my brother, friend, colleague and, now, my king a most peaceful and prosperous reign. May the people have good reasons to rejoice exceedingly during your reign, kabiyesi. E je ju ara iwaju lo!
• Oyebode is Chief Press secretary to the Governor of Ekiti State
society
BURATAI, COAS, GOVERNOR, ZAMFARA EMIR ATTEND 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF EMIR OF KAURA NAMODA, ORGANIZE FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH
BURATAI, COAS, GOVERNOR, ZAMFARA EMIR ATTEND 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF EMIR OF KAURA NAMODA, ORGANIZE FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH
Prominent figures, including former Chief of Army Staff, His Excellency Ambassador Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai CFR (Rtd), gathered on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of HRH Major (Dr) Sanusi Muhammad Ahmad Asha (Rtd), Sarkin Kiyawa and Emir of Kaura Namoda. The event took place at the Emir’s Palace and attracted a host of dignitaries, including the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Dauda Lawal Dare, who was represented by the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Hon. Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, was represented by Brigadier General A Babatunde Chief of Staff Operation Fansan Yamma Theatre Command in Zamfara State, while the Emir of Anka and Chairman of the Zamfara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad, led a delegation of emirs from the state.
A distinguished delegation representing General Buratai was led by Colonel Haruna Idris Zaria (Rtd), Chairman of the Tukur and Tukur Foundation, alongside Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, Chairman of the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation. The two foundations collaborated to organize a free medical outreach in honor of the Emir’s anniversary.
The medical outreach provided essential health services to over 500 individuals from the local community, addressing a variety of medical conditions. Services included diagnosis and treatment for malaria and typhoid fever, general body pain and weakness, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and various minor eye problems such as conjunctivitis and eye pain. The outreach also tackled skin rashes, cough and catarrh, fungal infections, treatment of worms, diarrhea, cholera, and ulcers.
This initiative underscores the commitment of the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation and the Tukur and Tukur Foundation to enhance healthcare access and promote wellness in underserved communities. The event not only celebrated the Emir’s leadership but also emphasized the critical role of community health initiatives in improving the quality of life for residents of Kaura Namoda.
As the Grand Patron of both foundations, His Excellency Ambassador Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai CFR (Rtd) continues to play a pivotal role in philanthropic efforts aimed at uplifting the lives of Nigerians through healthcare and social support. The successful organization of this outreach serves as a testament to his enduring dedication to the welfare of the community.
PERSUASION, Not Manipulation: The Noble Art of Moving People with Integrity
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In an age defined by information overload, attention scarcity and growing skepticism, the ability to “PERSUADE not MANIPULATE” has never been more vital. Whether in leadership, business, politics, education or personal relationships, persuasion is the ethical superpower that separates the great from the mediocre. Unlike manipulation, which is rooted in deceit and coercion, persuasion is built on empathy, respect, trust and a deep understanding of human nature. It is the art of connection, not control.
Understanding the Foundation of Persuasion
Mastering persuasion begins with understanding people, their fears, desires, values and unspoken needs. The legendary psychologist Abraham Maslow, in his hierarchy of needs, emphasized that human behavior is largely motivated by the pursuit of safety, belonging, esteem and self-actualization. Any message or idea that aligns with these core human motivations gains immediate traction.
In Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Dr. Robert Cialdini outlines six universal principles of ethical persuasion: RECIPROCITY, COMMITMENT and CONSISTENCY, SOCIAL PROOF, AUTHORITY, LIKING and SCARCITY. These principles are not manipulative when applied with honesty and respect. They simply reflect how people naturally make decisions.
Persuasion Begins With Listening, Not Speaking
Contrary to popular belief, persuasion isn’t about who speaks the loudest or uses the fanciest words. It begins with active listening. Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, famously wrote: “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” But persuasive leaders do the opposite. They seek first to understand, then to be understood.
Empathy is the cornerstone of ethical influence. When you genuinely understand your audience’s fears and hopes, your message becomes a mirror of their inner world, not a foreign concept to be resisted. According to a study by Harvard Business Review (2016), leaders who demonstrate empathy drive greater employee engagement, loyalty and performance. The same applies to clients, voters and partners.
Stories Over Statistics, Questions Over Commands
One of the gravest mistakes in communication is relying too heavily on data. While facts are essential, they rarely change minds or hearts on their own. People are not calculators, they are storytellers. Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor and storyteller herself, explains that “stories are just data with a soul.” In other words, stories give life to facts.
Research from Stanford University found that people are 22 times more likely to remember a fact when it’s presented in a story than when it’s shared alone. This is why persuasive communicators use narrative to evoke emotion, visualize transformation and connect with the audience on a human level. Whether it’s Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream,” or Steve Jobs unveiling the iPhone, the most influential figures in history have understood the power of storytelling.
Similarly, great persuaders ask questions more than they give commands. Socrates built an entire philosophy of influence through inquiry. By asking questions, you invite collaboration instead of confrontation. Questions show humility and curiosity, both of which invite trust.
Confidence Over Pressure, Trust Over Fear
Manipulators pressure people. Persuaders project confidence. These are not the same. Confidence comes from clarity, competence and conviction. It is grounded in truth, not theatrics.
Fear may yield short-term compliance, but it breeds long-term resistance. In contrast, trust opens the door to lasting influence. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer (2024), 71% of people say they are more likely to follow a leader they trust, even when they disagree with them. That’s the power of credibility.
Dr. Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Persuasion, done right, leaves people feeling respected not exploited.
In Business and Leadership: Persuasion is Currency
In the corporate world, persuasion is more valuable than any resume or technical skill. Harvard Business School professors John P. Kotter and Dan S. Cohen found in their seminal study that 70% of organizational change efforts fail because leaders rely on logic rather than emotional persuasion. The most successful leaders are those who paint a compelling vision and rally people behind it, not those who issue mandates from a corner office.
Consider the case of Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, who revitalized a stagnant tech giant not by issuing top-down directives, but by building trust, communicating empathy and persuading employees to embrace a new culture of collaboration and innovation. The results speak for themselves, microsoft’s market value has more than tripled under his leadership.
In marketing, companies like Apple and Nike have mastered the art of persuasive branding by aligning with their customers’ identities and aspirations. They don’t just sell products; they sell belonging, empowerment and transformation.
Persuasion in Everyday Life
You don’t have to be a CEO or politician to harness the power of persuasion. Every parent trying to guide a child, every teacher inspiring students, every activist seeking justice and every partner seeking understanding relies on this skill.
A study by Dr. Robert Feldman at the University of Massachusetts found that most people lie in one out of every five interactions to avoid conflict or gain approval. This shows a dangerous tendency toward manipulation, which corrodes relationships over time. In contrast, persuasive individuals build bridges by being authentic, transparent and emotionally intelligent.
How to Cultivate Persuasive Power With Integrity
Know Your Audience: Do your homework. What are their values, fears, goals? What language do they use?
Earn Trust First: Show up consistently. Be credible. Follow through on promises.
Use Clear and Emotionally Resonant Language: Avoid jargon. Speak like a human, not a robot.
Tell Stories That Reflect Shared Values: Make your message feel personal, not transactional.
Ask, Don’t Tell: Use questions to involve, not exclude.
Project Calm Confidence: Panic repels. Poise attracts.
Be Ethical: Always aim for mutual benefit. Leave people better off, not deceived.
Final Thoughts: Lead, Don’t Push
Persuasion is not a dirty word; it is the heartbeat of progress. Great leaders throughout history have used it to rally nations, inspire movements and forge peace. From Nelson Mandela to Barack Obama, from Oprah Winfrey to Malala Yousafzai, the power of persuasion lies not in overpowering others but in uplifting them.
“The greatest ability in business is to get along with others and to influence their actions,” said John Hancock. But influence that lasts is influence that is earned and not demanded.
So in a world hungry for authenticity and meaning, choose to persuade with truth, empathy and conviction. Don’t manipulate, connect. Don’t command, lead. Don’t shout, listen.
When used with integrity, persuasion is not just a skill. It is a force for good. It is how we change minds, touch hearts and move people toward a better future.
Dissent in Chains: The VeryDarkMan Saga and Nigeria’s March Toward Totalitarianism
By George O Sylvester
The arrest and continued detention of Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is a stark manifestation of the Tinubu administration’s escalating authoritarianism. This incident not only infringes upon constitutional rights but also exemplifies a broader pattern of political repression and suppression of dissenting voices in Nigeria.
A Disturbing Pattern of Repression
VDM’s apprehension on May 2, 2025, shortly after visiting a GTBank branch in Abuja, has been met with widespread condemnation. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar labeled the arrest as a “blatant abuse of power” and a violation of fundamental human rights, urging Nigerians to resist oppression under the current administration . Despite the EFCC’s claim of multiple petitions against VDM, the lack of transparency and due process in his detention raises serious concerns about the agency’s motives.
This incident is not isolated. Across Africa, there is a troubling trend of governments employing state apparatus to silence critics. In Uganda, Eddie Mutwe, an opposition member, was allegedly tortured while in custody, with visible signs of abuse upon his court appearance . Similarly, in Kenya, young activists have faced abductions and torture for their online expressions against the government .
The Weaponization of Legal Institutions
The EFCC, established to combat financial crimes, appears to be increasingly utilized as a tool for political persecution. The lack of formal charges against VDM and the opacity surrounding his detention suggest a misuse of legal institutions to intimidate and suppress dissent. Such actions erode public trust in the justice system and undermine the rule of law.
This phenomenon is not unique to Nigeria. In Ethiopia, the government has been accused of using anti-terrorism and hate speech laws to detain journalists and suppress critical coverage, leading to a significant decline in press freedom.
The Erosion of Democratic Norms
The suppression of dissenting voices like VDM’s is indicative of a broader erosion of democratic norms in Nigeria. The Tinubu administration’s actions mirror those of other authoritarian regimes that prioritize political survival over democratic principles. This trend threatens the very fabric of Nigeria’s democracy and sets a dangerous precedent for the treatment of political opponents and critics.
As Nelson Mandela aptly stated, “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity”. The continued detention of VDM without due process is a direct affront to these rights and undermines the democratic ideals that Nigeria purports to uphold.
A Call to Action
The international community, civil society organizations and Nigerian citizens must collectively condemn the arbitrary detention of VDM and demand his immediate release. There is an urgent need to hold the Tinubu administration accountable for its actions and to safeguard the fundamental rights of all Nigerians.
In the words of Oliver Tambo, “We are not fighting against people, we are fighting against a system” . It is imperative to challenge and dismantle systems of oppression that threaten the democratic integrity of Nigeria.
The arrest of VDM is not just an isolated incident; it is a symptom of a deeper malaise afflicting Nigeria’s democracy. Addressing this issue requires a concerted effort to uphold the rule of law, protect human rights, and ensure that democratic institutions serve the people rather than political interests.
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