THE STORY OF KEN SARO-WIWA (1941-1995).

THE STORY OF  KEN SARO-WIWA (1941-1995).

He received the honorary title “Saro,” meaning “eldest son.” 

Kenule, or Ken, Saro-Wiwa was an environmental activist, author, and television producer. He was born in Bori, a small town in the Niger Delta; his father, Jim Wiwa, was a chief of the Ogoni people, an ethnic minority in the Delta region. He received the honorary title “Saro,” meaning “eldest son.” 

In the 1950s, Wiwa witnessed the initial entrance of foreign oil companies and the beginning of the extraction of crude oil in the Niger Delta region. Excelling in school at a young age, he left the Niger Delta to attend the Government College in Umuahia in Eastern Nigeria,on a scholarship to study English. He attended the University of Ibadan, where he received an honors degree in English.

Wiwa was there when the Nigerian Civil War began in 1967 and for the duration of the war he supported the Nigerian opposition to the Biafrans. Despite his opposition to the civil war, Wiwa was appointed administrator of the oil depot at Bonny Island in the Niger Delta in 1968. In 1969, he became the regional commissioner for education in the Rivers State Cabinet but was dismissed from his position in 1973 after he began calling for autonomy for the Ogoni people. His writings became increasingly political, bringing national and international attention to the Ogoni’s struggle.

During the mid 1980s, Wiwa primarily concentrated on writing, publishing, and television production. His first book Sozaboy: A Novel in Rotten English, published in 1985, was a fictionalized account of the corrupt Nigerian army during the civil war. In 1989, he released his war diaries in a book titled On a Darkling Plain. He wrote two novels that explored the position of women in Nigerian society, Adaku and Other Stories, published in 1989 and Lemona’s Tale, published posthumously in 1996. Wiwa additionally tried his hand in television. He produced the popular series Basi & Company that ran from 1985 until 1992, when it was canceled by the military dictatorship.

By the early 1990s, Wiwa shifted his focus from literature and television to issues of human rights and environmental preservation, particularly in his home region Ogoniland, the center of crude oil extraction by multinational corporations operating in Nigeria. 

He established and led the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and relatedly, the campaigns against the Royal Dutch Shell Company, demanding that the company share the profits of oil extraction.

In January 1993, Wiwa and the MOSOP lead a series of peaceful marches in which an estimated 300,000 Ogoni people participated. For the first time the marches drew significant international attention to the plight of the Ogoni. After a series of arrests in 1992 and 1993, Wiwa was among nine Ogoni human rights and environmental activists who were tried in a kangaroo court by the military government of General Sani Abachi and hanged on November 10, 1995.

The Royal Dutch Shell Company was implicated in the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and on June 8, 2009, the company agreed to a settlement of $15.5 million, ending a series of lawsuits that accused it of financing and providing logistical support for the execution.

Despite the settlement, Shell denied any connection to the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa.

OMOLUABI TEAM ALLIANCE SOCIO-CULTURAL GROUP HELD FIRST NEC PHYSICAL MEETING.

OMOLUABI TEAM ALLIANCE SOCIO-CULTURAL GROUP HELD FIRST NEC PHYSICAL MEETING.

...members were encouraged to keep to the tenets of the Omoluabi mantra at all times and in all places.

A popular socio- cultural group known as Omoluabi Team Alliance held her first physical National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State on Saturday, 10th September, 2022. It was a meeting well attended by members of the executive committee hosted at the White Palace Hotel in Oba Ile Akure. The meeting was summoned to allow members discuss and take vital decisions on the official launching of the group which will feature colloquium and award ceremony. 

Members in attendance include the Deputy Convener, Omoluabi Ebiwonjumi Raphael who was designated to preside over the meeting on behalf of the National Convener, Omoluabi Jayeola Afolabi who was unavoidably absent. Also in  attendance are state coordinators of the goup from the Southwest and other members who are key members of the group' s launching central planning committee. 

Members were encouraged to keep to the tenets of the Omoluabi mantra at all times and in all places. Emphasis on the need to show loyalty and commitment to the progress of the group by all (NEC) members was highly encouraged. Reports so far  on the progress recorded with preparation for the big event scheduled for December was presented by the organizing committee members who assured (NEC) that all arrangements are ongoing as the group hope to stage a successful event. 

NEC members expressed happiness at the turn out of executive members for the meeting with the immediate decision taken to have  registered and recognized them as foundation members of the group. 

To add glamour to the meeting was the unveiling of the group's muffler which have been approved as part of the official uniform of the group henceforth. Members are however encouraged to be proud to wear these recognized uniforms as ocassions demand. The meeting was brought to an end with entertainment and group photographs even as NEC members hope are rekindkled on the actualization of the vision of a  formidable group that parades intellects, professionals who are committed to the call of nation building and promotion of the socio- cultural and political heritage of the southwestern states including Kwara and kogi states where we have the yorubas.

Long Live Omoluabi

DAYO ISREAL HEADS FORUM OF NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERS.

DAYO ISREAL HEADS FORUM OF NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERS. 

 ..the forum brings together National Youth leaders of all political parties in Nigeria to promote youth inclusion, peace education and tolerance amongst Nigerian youths. 

THE APC NATIONAL YOUTH LEADER, Hon. Erinjogunola Dayo Israel was yesterday elected chairperson of the Forum of National Youth Leaders of Political Parties in Nigeria. 

His nomination which was made at the August meeting of the Forum was reaffirmed yesterday at their September meeting. The forum brings together National Youth leaders of all political parties in Nigeria to promote youth inclusion, peace education and tolerance amongst Nigerian youths. 

His

🩰PDP counterpart emerged as the Deputy Chairman, while the Labour Party National Youth Leader emerged the Spokesperson of the W2Forum at the event held in Abuja. 

The PRP unwj   National Youth Leader emerged the Secretary while the YPP National Youth Leader will serve as Director of Strategy. ADP NYL will serve as Director of Mobilisation, ADP as Director of Legal and Compliance.

 

11th September 2022.

#SpreadingGreatness

THE STORY OF SHINA RAMBO – ONE OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS ARMED ROBBER IN NIGERIA HISTORY.

THE STORY OF SHINA RAMBO – ONE OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS ARMED ROBBER IN NIGERIA HISTORY.

...I was rich, but anything the devil gives you never lasts, he will collect more from you.

Shina Rambo is a former bandit who terrorised South-West Nigeria in the 1990s. After serving jail-time for his crimes, he was converted by an evangelist and became a Christian evangelical pastor. Shina Rambo now Mathew Oluwanifemi was a name that sent shivers down the spine of people who lived in the South West of Nigeria and even outside Nigeria, like Benin Republic and neighborhood, in the 1990s.

He was a hardened criminal, a terror and killer, one whom men of the security agencies will never forget in a haste.

A man mountain, towering about 6 ft 5inch, well built, dark skinned and sweltering eyes, he carried out his operations, like a movie, in the broad day light, with sophisticated weapons, and bullet belts and explosives strapped roundabout him. He specialized in robbing exotic cars on highways and robbing banks. Nothing could stop him, not even security operatives, he was totally invincible. He was Shina Rambo!

He was born in the year 1958 to a military man who was a bad egg in the service. His father was from Abeokuta in Ogun state, but his mother was a native of Sabongida–Ora in Edo state. His father had over 18 wives, as was the norm for soldiers to impregnate virtually every woman they met where they were posted to. His father used his military influence to rob innocent citizens, and always brought huge amount of money home. This used to entice little Shina. He recalls, “I remembered when I was about 7 years old, my father came home with a lot of money, foreign currencies, with blood on it, and they were using something like a woman’s scarf to wipe it, then I asked him, is this an animal’s blood, or human blood? But he wouldn’t answer me, they were just drinking, smoking, and merry making.

”Shina was already indoctrinated into the underworld by his father at a tender age of 7 without him knowing it, as he would sit in front of his son, to dismantle and assemble all sorts of weapons and then polishing them in preparation for an operation. This went on for so long till one day, little Shina, entered into his father’s room while he had stepped into the toilet, and saw a dismembered gun on the floor. He sat down in front of it, and bit by bit, he had assembled it effortlessly in no time at all. His father came out of the toilet, and saw his son, with a loaded gun in his hands. Shina flashed back and said, “That day my father was so disappointed, that he wanted to kill me, he grabbed the gun from my hand and shot straight at me, but I miraculously escaped out of the room. Then he waited for me to be less alert at night he came to my room with a machete and tried to behead me, but once again, I escaped, but the machete caught my left leg (he rolled up his trouser to show us the large scar, that made everyone sighed in pity). It cut me so deep I thought I was never going to walk again.

That day I knew I had graduated, all that was left was to pull the trigger, and I was so eager. Shina Rambo became so notorious in no time, and was hell bent on succeeding in his career as an armed robber, that he went through any length to secure spiritual powers for fortification.

To the extent of pounding over 27 live new born babies in the mortar with a pestle, cutting off about 100 human tongues and cooking them to eat, visiting the spiritual river called river of life in Ogoja, Cross Rivers State, living in an Iroko tree for days, and sleeping in the cemetery.

He was given a spiritual wife who always followed him for any operation, she dressed like an Alhaja, people thought she was human, but she was a spirit, that was why they never saw her face. He said she was his personal driver, that she could drive from Nigeria to Cotonou, in the speed of light.

Hear him. ”I was involved in so many rituals, that I can’t start naming them now, I was so powerful, I went underground, inside trees that looked like a city, a lot of beautiful houses inside the tree, I had my own too. I went into a river called River of life in Ogoja, where a lot of politicians and wealthy men used to come. I had several personalities, I could change my form whenever I wanted to, that’s why the police were busy killing innocent people, and thought they were killing Shina Rambo.

The 9 herbalists that gave me that power, I became stronger than them, one day I went to their shrines, and killed all of them, so that they don’t reveal my secrets. I had too many powers; my spiritual wife could drive any car in this world or out of it, no police vehicle, or anyone for that matter, could ever chase and catch me during an operation. She was out of this world, and when she had completed her operation, they took her away from me. I could give anything to get powers, and the elders knew, so they also gave me anything I wanted. I once beheaded hundred men, and gave them the heads fresh, they were so happy with me that they made me invincible.

No matter the kind of bullet you shot at me, it was just like pure water on my body. I could give anything to get power, but of all the things I did to get power, the one that still breaks my heart the most, is sleeping with my mother. My father is dead now, but my mother is still alive, and she lives with me she is 85 years old. Whenever I set my eyes on her, I just start crying. I can’t bear it.

Shina Rambo was a raging terror, he was infallibly dangerous, the police dreaded him, both in Nigeria, and Benin Republic, his place of interest for business. He would go to police stations, in broad daylight and kill every policeman there, drive to check points and open fire on every policeman on duty, he didn’t like the police at all, and was never afraid of them, he operated in broad day light armed to the teeth looking like Johny Rambo, in the popular Sylvester Stalone movie, “First Blood”.

He once robbed 40 exotic cars in one day and drove all of them in a convoy, from Lagos to Cotonou, unstopped. He was powerful; he was wealthy, and impenetrable. He was a tin god, apparently belched from the very arroyo hell, we all dreaded him. He had a wife and three children, but he lost all of them in one day during a bloody police raid whilst he was away on operation. His wife was his stabilizing factor his life changed afterwards. He says “my wife was everything to me, I was forbidden by the elders to sleep with any other woman apart from her. I could gather about 50 women around me in a hotel, and they will just be playing with me. We would smoke, drink, and sniff cocaine, I will give them money but I will never sleep with them. I will go back home to my wife and sleep with her. That was why the police never caught me. She knew my job, she knew what I was and I never left them alone at night, I operated in the day time and go back home to my family at night. 

I had everything, I was very wealthy, I sometimes spent 50 million naira in a day, I did that a lot. There was one day that we were coming from an operation and it seemed as if my powers were going to fail me, the police and the army were almost closing in on us, so we had to drive into a crowd and threw millions of naira in the air, there was commotion, everybody was busy picking naira notes even the police, until we escaped.

I was too rich, but anything the devil gives you never lasts, he will collect more from you, it’s only the devil that will give you Fila, (cap) and ask for Iro and Buba (wrapper and top). I lost everything, all the money, my family; I was so powerful the police couldn’t catch me but I lost it all. I had to surrender myself to the police and I was arrested and jailed for 11 years. While I was serving my jail term in Agodi prisons, Ibadan, Prophet T.O Obadare came visiting, and having been encouraged several times by the Christian brothers and sisters in the prison to give my life to Christ, he prayed for me and converted me, and changed my name to Oluwanifemi, and it was so miraculous, the next day I woke up and started speaking in tongues. It was during the time of President Olusegun Obasanjo, that we were granted freedom.

I was rich, but anything the devil gives you never lasts, he will collect more from you, he said. 

IDSG Delta State Chapter inaugurates New Executives.

IDSG Delta State Chapter inaugurates New Executives.

...as IDSG Executive Administrator, Rev. Sola Adebawo, urged new executives to abide by all rules and regulations guiding the association.

By: Olamide Akinwumi 

L- IDSG Executive Administrator, Rev. Sola Adebawo, R- the newly Chairman of the association; High Chief Eko Isinmi Okolo.

The Ilaje Development Summit Group(IDSG), Delta State Chapter, has inaugurated new executive's members that will pilot the affairs of the association.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Warri Delta State, the IDSG Executive Administrator, Rev. Sola Adebawo, urged the new executives to abide by all rules and regulations of the association and work synergy to promote cultural integration, unity and progress of Ilaje Development Summit Group, (IDSG).

He said, "Although this is not Ondo State nevertheless, there is a reasonable number of Ilaje residing here which called for need of promoting our cultural heritage. I believe this set of gallant Comrades will work assiduously to make the IDSG proud, he explained."

On his part, the swear-in Chairman of the association; High Chief Eko Isinmi Okolo, said it was important that they worked in the best interest of their members and to promote the image of their home 'Ilaje'.

"I really thank the association for finding me worthy to be the new branch chairman and I promised to work hard with all members to justify the confidence reposed in me."

The Branch Chairman further stated that the Association has series of programmes of mutual benefits towards their members. 

 "I can assured you that the association have lots of beneficial programmes and projects in blueprint to deliver. 

"Let me use this beautiful opportunity to express my overwhelming appreciation to His Majesty Ogiawe Atuwatse III Olu of Warri for his fatherly love and support.  I thanked all our invited guests and dignitaries for gracing today occasion. We're blessed to have you all in our mist today, thanks for honouring our invitation."

As part of the programme, Ilaje Development Summit Group(IDSG), women Cooperative was Launched to render quantitative advised and financial support to the association women.

The inaugurated executives council to pilot the affairs of the Branch include the Chairman; High Chief Eko Isinmi Okoli, Deputy Executive (Admin); Mr. Omabuwa Tony, Secretary; Mr. Majofodun Harrison Emimimo, Financial Secretary; Mr. Ademola Iwatan, Publicity Secretary; Engr. Aletile E. Harrison, Legal Adviser; Barr. Clement Ade Omotoye, while, members includes; Prince Ikuesan Ademola, Mr. Meduoye Afani, Mr. Akintimehin Ilesanmi, Mr. Akingboye Agbounmi, Mr. Oriretan Abayomi Gene, Mr. Monday Metelewawon, Mrs. Ayemoro Olawoye Julie, also among the members are: Mrs. Ayomikun Joy Okuntade, Mrs Ashake Maku, Mrs Funmilayo Oluremi Ajijo and Mr. Ihinrere Ayowale Omomehin. 

In action as the newly inaugurated executive's taken oath of office.

In attendance were; Prof. Aderibigbe Olomola, the Arapanata of Itebu-Kunmi land, representing the Ilaje Traditional council of Obas, Chief Richard Akaighe President, WACCIMA Chairman of the occasions, Mr. Nicholas Odemigbo, the Yewuren of Ugbuwangue Town, Dr. Michael Tide, the Chairman of Warri South among others graced the occasion.

THE STORY OF NIGERIA’S FIRST MILLIONAIRE, CANDIDO DA ROCHA.

THE STORY OF NIGERIA’S FIRST MILLIONAIRE, CANDIDO DA ROCHA.
...He held the chieftaincy title of the Lodifi of Ilesa.

Chief Candido Joao Da Rocha ( 1860 – March 11, 1959) was a Nigerian businessman, landowner and creditor who owned Water House on Kakawa Street, Lagos Island,
and was the proprietor of the now defunct Bonanza Hotel in Lagos. He held the chieftaincy title of the Lodifi of Ilesa.

Da Rocha, a native of Ilesha, was born to the family of Joao Esan Da Rocha, a former slave; his father was 10 years old when he was captured as a slave in about 1840 and Candido was born in the Bahia region of Brazil.

Candido attended CMS Grammar School, Lagos where he was peers with Isaac Oluwole and Herbert Macaulay.

Left is Joao Esan and right is Candido as a young boy with his mother, Angelica Candido is the brother of Moses Da Rocha, one of the earliest Western-trained Nigerian doctors. He lived in Water House on Kakawa Street, Lagos, a house built by his father. The home was commemorated in literature by a novel, The Water House, written by Antonio Olinto.

The house had a borehole and the first water fountain in Lagos Island; water was sold from his house to consumers. Some of his business interests included a restaurant called The Restaurant Da Rocha and Sierra Leone Deep Sea Fishing Industries Ltd.

He collaborated with Lagos businessmen J. H. Doherty and Sedu Williams on a money lending business established under the name of the Lagos Native Bank.

He was a founding member of the Lagos auxiliary to the Anti Slavery and Aborigines Right Society which was headed by James Johnson and had Samuel Pearse and Sapara Williams as members.

Candido was so rich that he was  said to have been so rich, he sent his dirty clothes to Britain for laundry.

Da Rocha died in 1959 and is buried at Ikoyi Cemetery. Among his children were Alexander Da Rocha, Adenike Afodu, Angelica Folashade Thomas and Louissa Turton.

Fayemi lifts three technical schools with over N300 million in World Bank –assisted IDEAS project.

Fayemi lifts three technical schools with over N300 million in World Bank –assisted IDEAS project.

...the Governor assured the people that his administration is more committed to providing enabling environment for developmental projects in the State.

Three Technical Colleges in Ekiti State have benefitted from the World Bank assisted IDEAS project to the tune of over $250,000 (over 105 million naira) each to enhance the capacity of the Nigerian skills development system to produce relevant skills for the formal and informal sectors.

Presenting the cheques to the benefitting colleges at an elaborate ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who, noted that the success of the project depends largely on the perception of all Ekiti people, especially the three host communities, implored everyone to embrace it and partake in the activities so that many people can benefit from the intervention. 

The benefitting colleges were Government Technical Colleges, Otun, Government Technical College, Ijero and Government technical College, Igbara Odo, They got $250,000 each. 

The Governor who made the presentation further assured the people that his administration is more committed to providing enabling environment for developmental projects in the State hence charged all partakers to adhere strictly to all the Bank’s guidelines in the course of project implementation.  

Dr Fayemi who was elated at the World Bank IDEAS project which he said would assist his government to accelerate programmes targeted at youth empowerment, said the project would focus on collaborating with the state in the training of teachers to impact technical education knowledge which he said could not be driven by government alone but through collaboration with the private sector.

While reassuring the people of the state that he would live the state better than he met it in 2018, Dr Fayemi said he was glad that enrolment in all the six Technical Colleges in the state, which was barely 700 in 2018 is currently put at about 2,500, adding that this was achieved through constant sensitization and all round improvement in the colleges.

He also noted that the state would continue to promote sustainable development through the use of “our brilliant hands to keep pace with the dynamic technological trend in the world by helping to reduce the saturated labour market and escalated poverty rate of citizens.”

The Governor expressed his appreciation to the officials of the World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria for much of their developmental projects from which Ekiti State is a prime beneficiary.

Ekiti was one of the six states in Nigeria and the only state in the Southwest that is participating in the project.

“IDEAS is a World Bank assisted project that is designed to fill skill gaps at both the public and private sectors. Ekiti State is one of the six benefitting states. The facilities at the Government Technical Colleges at Igbara Odo, Ijero and Otun will be upgraded and modernised. In addition, all the teachers and instructors will be adequately trained, so also in the private sector, skills of Master Craft Persons and their apprentices will be enhanced. 

“Many will recall that we launched the concept of Life Academics during my first term in office. We started the revamping of the Technical Colleges with the total reconstruction and equipping of the Government Technical College, Ado-Ekiti. 

“In a bid to improve the state technical colleges, Ekiti State Government recruited seventy (70) teaching staff and fifty-five (55) non-teaching staff to improve productivity. Perimeter fencing of the colleges is ongoing. Attention must be drawn to the fact that the state has experienced over 300% increase in students’ enrolment into our technical colleges; from 700 in 2018 to 2505 in 2022. This was made possible through constant sensitization and motivational programmes of the government. 

“In fulfilment of the promise I made to Ekiti-kete at the beginning of this year, precisely on January 1, that I will work for you till the last day of this administration. I am keeping faith with that sacred pact, even with renewed vigour.  From now till October 16, when I gracefully hand over the baton  to our Governor-elect, events like this will be commonplace as we continue in our quest to make life better for the generality of our people, and bequeath a formidable foundation for our growth and economic stability.” The Governor said.

The Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Dr Bimpe Aderiye commended the Governor for his tireless efforts at developing the state especially, the education sector.

Dr Aderiye congratulated the benefitting institutions and urged them to make proper use of the fund.

Chairman, Board for Technical and Vocational Education, Hon. Kayode Babade commended Governor Fayemi for the remarkable improvement his administration brought to the Technical education sub- sector through prompt release of funds for the avalanche of ideas that has brought landmark achievements to the sector.

Babade also disclosed that it was during Governor Fayemi administration that payment of school fees was abolished, payment of about #540 million debt owed by the Technical College, Ado Ekiti as well as facilitating training and empowerment of 200 Ekiti youths in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with equipment relevant to their trades.