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In Defense of Chief Obasanjo By Rev Dr John Adebayo Abolarin

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In Defense of Chief Obasanjo By Rev Dr John Adebayo Abolarin

In Defense of Chief Obasanjo By Rev Dr John Adebayo Abolarin

 

 

 

In my opinion, l cannot see why Chief Obasanjo would publicly berate twenty or more prominent Yoruba Obas just because one Oba or a few Obas offended him in the past.

 

 

 

 

 

The first video clip about the memorable encounter Chief Obasanjo had with the Oyo State traditional rulers, which first went viral yesterday lasted only for about 30 seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

The video clip only gave us the picture of the point when Chief Obasanjo ordered the Obas to stand up, but not more than that.

 

In Defense of Chief Obasanjo By Rev Dr John Adebayo Abolarin

 

 

 

Much later, however, a longer version of the same video clip came out. The later video added context to what happened during the occasion.

 

 

 

 

Except if anyone wants to read meanings to the video other than what ordinarily meets the eye, the incident happened spontaneously, at the spur of the moment.

 

 

 

 

 

It was not a preplanned matter at all. How would Chief Obasanjo have known that Governor Makinde would come into an event and the Obas in attendance would remain seated in breach of protocol?

 

 

 

 

 

The event planners duly arranged the seating order and timing of entrance of distinguished guests.

 

 

 

 

The normal arrangement is that the most senior attendee should be the one to come in last.

 

 

 

 

 

On that occasion, Governor Makinde was the Chief guest. He came into the event venue after their Royal Majesties were already seated.

 

 

 

 

 

The Governor may be a “Small boy” in relative terms and when compared with the other older temporal leaders on that occasion, it is a good practice and a matter of protocol for the Obas to rise to welcome the Governor.

 

 

 

 

If it was the other way round so that the Governor was seated before the arrival of a traditional ruler, naturally, the Governor would not have hesitated to honor a traditional ruler by standing up to welcome him.

 

 

 

 

 

It is not a matter of flexing muscle to show who has more power or authority, it is a matter of reciprocated honor.

 

 

 

 

 

It does not matter who the Governor is, whether an old man or a young boy, he is the boss and should be respected.

 

 

 

 

 

We may not like it, in which case we can change the constitution to reflect our wishes, but until then, the Governor has the power to hire and fire, including the removal of a King regardless of his status.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sanusi the Emir of Kano was removed, heaven did not fall. This is not an argument about whether or not it was right to remove the formal Emir, but just to demonstrate that a Governor has a formal authority to do so.

 

 

 

 

 

Although the approach adopted by Chief Obasanjo may be seen as offensive, he was the most able personality to correct the wrong on that occasion.

 

 

 

 

While most people believed that the Obas were humiliated, the truth is that the person who was humiliated on that occasion was the Governor.

 

 

 

 

When we saw the earlier version of the video clip yesterday, what most of us thought was that Chief Obasanjo chastised the Obas because they failed to honor him as a former Nigeria President for their failure to rise to their feet when he came in, but that was not the case.

 

 

 

 

Chief Obasanjo was not fighting for himself but defended the young political ruler, Governor Makinde of Oyo State.

 

 

 

 

If not Chief Obasanjo, there was probably no other person bold, courageous, and competent enough to correct the wrong inflicted on Governor Makinde on that occasion.

 

 

 

 

 

Therefore, given all the circumstances of the case, l hope the public will find a place in their hearts to forgive Chief Obasanjo for the approach he adopted in correcting the error in the house. On the other hand, we should see beyond that error and commend Chief Obasanjo for his boldness in righting a wrong.

Rev Dr John Adebayo Abolarin

16/09/2023

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General Buratai to deliver University of Ilorin’s distinguished personality lecture

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Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda: General Buratai Remains Loyal, Rebuffs Misinformation – Engr Hassan

General Buratai to deliver University of Ilorin’s distinguished personality lecture

 

​The Department of Criminology and Security Studies at the University of Ilorin has announced that a former Chief of Army Staff and former Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Ambassador Lt. General (Rtd) Tukur Buratai (CFR), will deliver its prestigious Distinguished Personality Lecture.

 

​The lecture is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 23rd May 2026, at the University Auditorium by 10:00 a.m. The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), is expected to be the Chief Host, while Dr. Monsurat Isiaka (Ph.D.), Head of the Department, will serve as Host.

 

​Buratai, who brings a wealth of unmatched experience from his military and diplomatic service, will be speaking on the critical theme: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria and National Security: The Youth and National Aspirations.”

 

​The lecture aims to foster critical conversation about Nigeria’s future security landscape, the pivotal role of the armed forces in national stability, and the interplay between national aspirations and the country’s youth population.

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From Global Stages to Public Service: Media Mogul Fidelis Duker Officially Joins House of Reps Race for Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South

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From Global Stages to Public Service: Media Mogul Fidelis Duker Officially Joins House of Reps Race for Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South

 

CALABAR, NIGERIA – Renowned media practitioner, veteran filmmaker, and global cultural ambassador, Fidelis Duker, has officially declared his intention to run for the Federal House of Representatives, representing the Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency.

In a definitive move that bridges the gap between international enterprise and grassroots governance, the Henshaw Town-born pioneer has successfully picked up his Expression of Interest (EOI) form under the platform of the NNigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Duker’s entry into the legislative race brings an unprecedented level of global exposure and professional pedigree to Cross River State’s political landscape. For over three decades, he has stood as a towering figure in Africa’s creative economy.

As the founder of the Abuja International Film Festival West Africa’s longest-running film festival, and the Regional Secretary General for the Federation of Pan African Filmmakers (FEPACI), Duker has consistently flown Nigeria’s flag at prestigious international fora worldwide. From presenting the brilliance of African storytelling at the legendary Cannes Film Festival in France to driving strategic industry dialogues across Europe and Africa, his extensive global travels have positioned him as a master of international relations and resource mobilization.

“Our constituency does not suffer from a lack of potential; it suffers from a lack of structured, globally competitive representation,” Duker stated following the collection of his nomination documents. “My career has been defined by creating wealth, building platforms, and placing Nigerian talent on the world map. I am stepping into this race to deploy that exact same global network, corporate discipline, and innovative leadership to bring sustainable development, youth empowerment, and infrastructure to Akpabuyo, Bakassi, and Calabar South.”

Duker’s visionary campaign is backed by an elite, multi-disciplinary educational background curated from top-tier local and international institutions. He holds credentials from the prestigious Nigerian Institute of Journalism and Crawford University, alongside advanced professional training from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His world-class expertise in broadcasting and mass communications was further sharpened at the globally acclaimed BBC Training Academy and the Deutsche Welle Training Akademie, complementing his academic roots at the Cross River University of Technology.

As the Chief Executive Officer of FAD Media Productions—the powerhouse behind FAD 93.1 FM Calabar, FAD FM 101.3 Abuja and FAD 360 TV, Duker is already one of the largest private-sector employers of youth in Cross River State. His legislative blueprint vows to replicate this success on a macro scale by introducing bills that will be tech-driven youth development projects, positioning bills that will attract foreign direct investment to the constituency’s coastal assets, and ensuring uncompromising transparency in the execution of constituency projects.

The NDC leadership and various community support groups have warmly received his candidacy, describing it as a breath of fresh air and a critical step toward elevating the constituency to international standards of governance and economic growth.

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Ileya Tonic : King Saheed Osupa Announces New 2-in-1 Album, Acapella & Metamorphosis

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Ileya Tonic : King Saheed Osupa Announces New 2-in-1 Album, Acapella & Metamorphosis

By Alhaji Arems (Baba Fuji)

 

 

Veteran Fuji musician King Saheed Osupa is set to release a new 2-in-1 album titled Acapella & Metamorphosis on May 26, 2026.

The announcement was revealed through promotional materials shared across the singer’s official social media pages, where anticipation has already started building among longtime fans of the Fuji icon. The artwork for the project presents Osupa in a calm and regal setting, matching the mature image he has maintained throughout his career.

While full details about the tracklist and featured artists are yet to be officially released, the title of the project has already sparked conversations online. “Metamorphosis” suggests a new phase or evolution, while “Acapella” hints at a more raw or expressive musical direction. Together, both titles point toward a project that may combine classic Fuji elements with a refreshed sound and message.

Over the years, Osupa has remained one of the most respected voices in Fuji music, known for his deep lyrical style, cultural storytelling, and loyal fanbase across Nigeria and beyond. Even as the music industry continues to evolve, the singer has maintained strong relevance, especially among audiences who appreciate traditional Yoruba-rooted sounds blended with contemporary production.

The decision to release a 2-in-1 album also stands out at a time when many artists are focusing on shorter projects and singles. For established acts like Osupa, larger releases often serve as a statement of longevity, consistency, and artistic confidence.

Fans have continued to react positively to the announcement online, with many already counting down to the release date. The project is expected to arrive on major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Audiomack, Boomplay, YouTube Music, TIDAL, and Deezer.

With the official release now scheduled for May 26, listeners will be watching closely to see what King Saheed Osupa delivers on Acapella & Metamorphosis and whether the project marks another defining moment in his long-running career.

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