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Dele Momodu to Unveil Three Books in Honour of MKO Abiola in Lagos

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Veteran journalist and former Presidential candidate, Chief Dele Momodu is set to launch three separate books in commemoration of twenty-five years of annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential elections and the twenty-year anniversary of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola’s passing on July 7, 1998.

A statement issued by the celebrated publisher of Ovation International on Wednesday disclosed that the launch of the books will take place on Wednesday July 11, 2018 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos.

The first two books, authored by Chief Momodu document his quintessential journalistic works over the past three decades. The first book titled, “PENDULUM: The Writings of Dele Momodu Vol I” is edited by seasoned journalist, Dr. Reuben Abati. The second book titled “PENDULUM: The Writings of Dele Momodu Vol II” is edited by Prince Damola Aderemi. The manuscript for the first book was ready in 1997 and the introduction written by Dr. Abati in the same year. The foreword to the second book was written by Lt. General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, GCON FSS psc (Rtd).

The third book titled “FIGHTING LIONS” is the untold story of the Dele Momodu Presidential campaign. The book is authored by Ohimai Godwin Amaize who was appointed Chief Momodu’s Presidential campaign manager in 2010 at the very young age of 26.

In his introduction to “PENDULUM: The Writings of Dele Momodu Vol I”, Abati gives a compelling narrative on Momodu’s exit from Nigeria to exile in the United Kingdom in the dark days of the Abacha regime. “He had to flee Nigeria in 1995, when the rumours and charges became insistent that he was one of the brains behind Radio Freedom International (later Radio Kudirat), the pro-democracy, underground radio which continues to challenge the annulment of the Presidential elections of June 12 1993, and the detention of its undeclared winner, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola. One of the charges against Momodu was that he was too close to Abiola and too involved in the struggle for June 12. Momodu moved several steps ahead of the intelligence service, and escaped through neighbouring Ghana. The truth, as he later confessed, is that a friendly security agent had advised him to flee. In Nigeria, anything is possible. How Momodu got to this stage in his career is in part the content of this book. How Nigeria became in the 90s a country where the best and the brightest head for the border to escape imprisonment, or frustration or poverty: How the best and the brightest, not wanting this option choose the alternatives of fraud, deception by all means, abandonment of principles, cynicism and anger: How Nigeria in the 90s became a playfield of hate, assassination, murder, power-rage, an atomistic society, adrift, lost, and depleted: that is the focus of this book”, Abati wrote.

On his part, Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd) recognized Momodu’s exceptional contributions to the Nigerian media in his foreword to “PENDULUM: The Writings of Dele Momodu Vol II”. He wrote: “WHEN the story of the revolution that ushered in a new political day in Nigeria is eventually told, none of the main dramatis personae would forget the sterling roles played by the ever-vibrant Nigerian media. But among the largely fair and patriotic reportage and analyses that really made a huge difference, the efforts of few journalists stood out. Dele Momodu’s column, Pendulum, published every Saturday by ThisDay, is among these outstanding few. Not only has this column over the years helped set many a national socio-political agenda, it has become the virtual weekend tonic for millions of Nigerians for its forthright, often unabashed opinions about varied national and international issues.”

The foreword to FIGHTING LIONS was written by Dr. Doyinsola Abiola, Chief Abiola’s wife and Momodu’s former boss. In the foreword, Dr. Abiola wrote; “FIGHTING LIONS, the compendium of DELE MOMODU’s unique presidential campaign brings back memories of another, closer to home, presidential campaign of MOSHOOD KASHIMAWO ABIOLA’s titanic HOPE ’93 presidential campaign. The major difference is that Dele lives to fight another day while KASHIMAWO, the 13th, AARE ONAKAKANFO of Yorubaland, who, true to his chieftaincy legend, died in the fray. But history will treat both friends kindly because they dared to fight lions even in their dens. They will not be classified as “those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat”. They fought a good battle, with the help of equally unsung campaign teams which gave their all to their respective campaigns.”

Celebrated author and Chairman of the Editorial Board of Thisday Newspapers, Olusegun Adeniyi will deliver a review of “PENDULUM: The Writings of Dele Momodu Vol I” at the book launch in July. Respected columnist and Publisher of TheCable, Simon Kolawole will review the second volume of the book while the Managing Director of Arise News Channel, Mrs. Ijeoma Nwogwugwu will review FIGHTING LIONS.

The celebrated vocal preacher and Serving Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, will deliver the key note address at the occasion.

The event is expected to be attended by notable individuals in the country including serving and former governors, state and Federal legislators, first class industrialists, academics, bankers and financial experts, influential politicians, members of the fourth realm and the general public.

The books are publications of Ovation Books Publishing.

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Again, DStv, Gotv Jack Up Subscription Rates

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Broadcasting company Multichoice has jacked up the prices of its offerings in Nigeria four months after its last increment.

The company reviewed prices in its packages across the board. The new prices will take effect from May 1, 2024.

With the latest price hike, the DStv Premium package increased from N29,500 to N37,000. Similarly, the DStv Compact+ went up from N19,800 to N25,000 while the Compact package increased from N12,500 to N15,700.

The Comfam package moved from N7,400 to N9,300. Yanga package moved up from 4,200 to N5,100 while Padi package increased from N2,950 to N3,600. HDPVR was increased from N4,000 to N5,000, the Access Fees package from N4,000 to N5,000, and XtraView moved from N4,000 to N5,000.

Meanwhile, the Gotv Supa+ package moved from N12,500 to N15,700, Supa package from N7,600 to N9,600, and Max package from N5,700 to N7,200.

While the Jolli package was jacked up from N3,950 to N4,850, the Jinja package moved from N2,700 to N3,300, and Smallie package from N1,300 to N1,575.

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It will be recalled that the company implemented an upward review of prices in December 2023, days after announcing a $72m loss in its financial statement for the third quarter of the year.

Checks on the company’s reviewed price list then showed a 20 per cent per cent hike in the company’s packages across the board.

 

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I’ll Resign If Yaya Bello Eacapes Prosecution, EFCC Chair Vows

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Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has sworn to follow the prosecution of the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to a logical conclusion.

In a chat with journalists at the EFCC Headquarters in the Jabi area of Abuja on Tuesday, the anti-graft crusader vowed to resign as EFCC chairman if Bello is not prosecuted.

He added that all those who obstructed the arrest of the former governor would be brought to justice.

The EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello on 19 counts bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion.

He said that no matter what anyone does or the amount of attack against the anti-graft agency, he and his men will not relent in helping to sanitise the country.

Olukoyede said the EFCC needs the support of Nigerians to succeed, emphasizing that if the agency fails, Nigeria fails. He stated that the efforts made currently have helped the value of the Naira and the foreign market.

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Kwibuka 30: Nigerian Community In Rwanda Visits Kigali Genocide Memorial

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By Dolapo Aina

The 30th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against The Tutsi commenced in Rwanda on Sunday, April 7, 2024. The commemoration is called Kwibuka which in Kinyarwanda means “to remember.”
For clarity and context, April 7th 2024 marked the start of Kwibuka 30, the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, which began on April 7th 1994. As with other commemorations, the Kigali Genocide Memorial was a focal point as the flame of remembrance was lit and global dignitaries placed wreaths at the mass graves. The memorial is normally closed to the public for part of the day on April 7th, with attendance at the lighting of the flame by invitation only.
In and around Kigali during the first week of the commemoration, a plethora of commemorations took place to mark Kwibuka 30 and different events took place during its first week in particular. Bars, clubs and public leisure facilities are usually closed for the week and this was so, this year.
The Nigerian Community in Rwanda marked Kwibuka 30 with a walk to the Kigali Genocide Memorial on Saturday, the 13th of April 2024. The walk had members (old, new and friends) of the Nigerian Community who gathered in the rain and walked to the location of the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi where the remains of over 250,000 people are interred.
A tour of the memorial complex ensued and the members of the Nigerian community watched a documentary in the viewing room. The documentary featured survivors of the 1994 Genocide Against The Tutsi who usually visit the memorial to pay their silent respect and reflections to loved ones who are buried in the burial grounds of the Genocide Memorial.
Walking through the hallways and rooms, Nigerians read the stories on the hallways and discussed amongst themselves. For some, it was their first time at the memorial, for others, it was the umpteenth visit. For Dolapo Aina, I have been visiting the memorial since April 2014 and for each visit (numbering close to 70 visits), I come out with a newer and clearer understanding. It was a sombre period going through the hallways and rooms as some people could not go through the emotions of going into the children’s room. Wreaths were laid at the grave site section and the members of the Nigerian community proceeded to a serene area of the complex facing the amphitheatre where there was a deep hour conversation with one of the officials of the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Mr Jean Claude Mugisha (an official of the memorial in Gisozi) practically took the Nigerian community through the genesis of the history of Rwanda and the beginning of pogroms from the 1950s culminating in the 1994 Genocide Against The Tutsi. In Mr Mugabe words; “I have been able to forgive. Also, I am involved in unity and reconciliation activities and learning from the power of forgiveness.” Discussions also centred on justice systems, the role of Gacaca court system, reconciliation and nation building. Members of the Nigerian Community asked questions which were answered. Some of the questions triggered areas of collaboration.
Dolapo Aina got the thoughts of some Nigerians resident in Rwanda and who took part in the walk to the Genocide Memorial. Their responses were based on the following questions. Why did you partake in the walk organised by the Nigerian Community in Rwanda to commemorate Kwibuka 30? What was the experience like? Do describe your thoughts when you visited the Genocide Memorial? What stood out to you from the conversation the Nigerian Community had with officials of the Kigali Genocide Memorial? What lessons did you learn from the visit of the Nigerian Community to the Genocide Memorial?
Mr David Oboh in his words; “I partook in the walk to identify with a nation that experienced one of the worst crimes to humanity but today has become a beacon of hope to African nations that things can actually turn around for the better if you decide to. It was heart-wrenching seeing the bones and pictures of the victims murdered in cold blood by family members, neighbours and long-time friends.” On the third question about what stood out during the conversation, Mr Oboh said; “That a man after 15 years in jail came out and still committed murder because he thought he had killed everyone in a family. His mind had not left the past.” He also stated that; “The memorial is a reminder to all that history not forgotten cannot be repeated.”
In Ms. Mercy Odebode’s words: “It not my first time visiting the memorial but this was a different experience for me because it made me realise why Rwandans tend to certain things and also don’t do certain things. For example, viewing religions especially religious institutions like the church differently from the way Nigerians would view it.” She stated that what stood out for her was: “The peace education stood out for me.” On lessons learnt from the visit by the Nigerian community; “First spread peace and not hate. Secondly, forgiveness is not an obligation, you choose to forgive. However, it is good to educate people about forgiveness, educate to forgive and then you proceed with reconciliation.”
Mr. Ogah Ogbole stated that: “The walk by the Nigerian community is something I would not want to miss anytime. I have the opportunity to do so with my fellow countrymen. My experience visiting the memorial and my thoughts can be summed up as ⁠heartbreaking to see fellow Africans killed in cold blood, by their own brothers. Something must have gone wrong somewhere. What stood out for me during the conversation with the officials of the memorial was that Rwandans understand history; they know how to resolve conflict and they know how to move forward. And I learnt to love my brother and my neighbour. More especially, seeing the Rwandans committed to remain one despite the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi blows my mind.”
Another Nigerian, Mr Kelechi Anyanwu stated that: “Partaking in the walk organised by Nigerian Community in Rwanda to commemorate Kwibuka 30 is a civic responsibility which I owe the host country; to stand in solidarity with them at this time of remembrance and in all times. I have visited the genocide memorial site more than 20 times within the short period that I’ve lived here in Rwanda. And every time I visit, I weep. Never will I stop visiting because it offers and brings me close to the reality of sober reflection that one day we shall all be gone and will only be remembered by those we left behind and how we left, will matter. Did we impact their lives positively or negatively? What will you be remembered for?”
On the experience and thoughts about visiting, Mr Anyanwu went thus: “It is also a constant reminder of how desperately wicked people’s hearts can be. With few exceptions. Lions, the king of the jungle don’t kill lions even as animals. Howbeit human beings with 6th sense got to the level of committing such crime against humanity! Therefore, visiting the Genocide memorial site is to provoke the whys and hows and arrive at a conclusion of never again should we condole or tolerate the killing of each other. Let’s love and not hate. The tour and the speech by the officials were quite insightful and significant as it left us with a better understanding of the effects of genocidal damage to humanity. The process of restoration. restitution, rehabilitation and reuniting to rebuild a nation for all; are the testaments of genocide survivors.”

Another Nigerian, Mr Cosmas Anakwue stated; “I took part in the walk to support the Nigerian community and to support Rwanda’s commemoration of Kwibuka 30. My experience at the memorial was good as it was an eye opener; it was informative and educational. What stood out for me was the attention given to the Genocide events and how we can relate it to our history as Nigerians. And one of the lessons I learnt was that we should use our bad history as a building block for our various nations in unity, peace and progress.
According to Kwibuka Rwanda, Kwibuka marks a generational cycle since The Genocide Against The Tutsi was put to an end. And it is a time to reflect on Rwanda’s journey of rebuilding strength, resilience, and unity. It now falls to new generations to sustain and carry forward this progress, adapting to today’s global challenges to achieve Rwanda’s aspirations.
The Nigerian Community in Rwanda commenced commemorating Kwibuka with a walk to the Genocide memorial in 2019.

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