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Godfathers of Today’s Gubernatorial Election

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By Eric Elezuo

The philosophy of godfatherism has remained a recurring decimal in Nigeria’s political terrain, and there is nothing in the offing that shows its end is near.

As the country goes to the polls to elect new governors and attempt to renew the mandate of quite a good number of others, it is imperative to note that political godfathers are playing prominent roles in the system.

It is worthy of note that most godfathers of this dispensation are mostly ex-governors, and in some instances a few of them are serving governors whose tenures will end on May 29, 2019.

It has become a culture for governors to plant their stooges in office while leaving – a move political observers have said is meant to keep their secrets secret. However, some of the governors, who are cut in this web, have maintained that the essence is to keep the ‘good works’ they started going. They reasoned that it would be best to let someone who will hear instruction to take over from them for sustainability.

In 2019, here is a roll call of godfathers who have direct impact in the governorship elections:

ROCHAS OKOROCHA

Okorocha is the outgoing Governor of Imo State, and a senator-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is successfully completing a two terms of eight years in office. He is presenting to the Imo people his son-in-law, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu as his replacement. Okorocha is not making a drama of his choice, and is almost forcing the Imo people to take his choice hook line and sinker.
Nwosu was former the Chief of Staff of the Rachas Okorocha Foundation and a former commissioner in the state. He is married to Okorocha’s daughter.

BUKOLA SARAKI

A medical doctor by training, Dr. Saraki has an intimidating political profile. In the first instance, he is the son of the former strongman of Kwara politics, Chief Olusola Saraki, and practically continued from where his father stopped.

Saraki was a two terms former governor of Kwara State, two terms senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, one of which he served as the Senate President among other intimidating political assignments he had undertaken.

In the Kwara guber election, Saraki is frontally backing Mr. Razak Atunwa under the PDP umbrella. He single handedly brought Ahmed Abdulfatah on board as the governor.

Saraki’s lordship over Kwara State may suffer a huge blow if he fails in his quest to make Atunwa governor as he has lost his seat in the senate following electoral defeat.

GODSWILL AKPABIO

Akpabio is a two terms former Governor of Akwa Ibom State. He defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in August 2018. His defection did notgo down well with his people, who rejected him at the polls as he also lost his seat in the senate to his elsewhile deputy, Chris Ekpeyong.

Akpabio is backing a former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere.

In 2015, he supported the incumbent governor, Udom Emmanuel to become governor, but the two fell apart following Akpabio’s defection to the APC. and Emmanuel’s refusal to join him.

RABIU KWANKWASO

He is the leader of the group, Kwankwasiyya Movement and a former two terms governor of Kano State. He supported and installed his deputy, Abdullahi Ganduje as governor in 2015. The duo has since fallen apart with each other following irreconcilable differences, leading to the defection of Kwankwaso to the Peoples Democratic Party.

In the 2019 election, Kwankwaso is backing Abba Kabir Yusuf of the PDP, and hopes to clip the wings of the incumbent governor, Ganduje, as far as Kano politics is concerned.

BOLA AHMED TINUBU

He is probably the longest serving godfather who bestows the politics of Lagos State like a Collosus. Tinubu, like those above, is also a two term governor, who ruled Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. Ever since he left office, Tinubu had not only had a hand in choosing who becomes the governor of the state, but is the sole decider of what whatever happens in Lagos politically.

Verifiable proof says he handpicked Mr. Babatunde Fashola who ruled after him as well as the outgoing governor who he also denied second term in office, Akinwunmi Ambode.

The choice of Babajide Sanwo-Olu was strictly his to make after he pulled the carpet off Ambode’s feet. Though today, a lot of people are challenging his lordship, he still remains the be all and end all of Lagos politics.

IBIKUNLE AMOSUN

Senator Amosun is also a two term governor of Ogun State, and has been elected senator for the nineth assembly. He has as his anointed a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon Adekunle Akinlade. A member of the sixth assembly, Amosun is bent on ensuring that his candidate becomes governor after even to the extent of supporting him to another party when his party failed to give him ticket following an election loss.

OLUSEGUN OSOBA

Also a former governor of Ogun State, Osoba is solidly giving his support to millionaire oil magnate, Mr. Dapo Abiodun. He is pitched against the incumbent govenor Amosun whose tent is pitched with Akinlade.

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KFC Reacts As FAAN Shuts Down Its Operations in Lagos Airport

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The Management of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has reacted to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s move to shut down its branch at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, for violating laws protecting the rights of people with special needs.

The action was confirmed through a statement released on Thursday by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah.

The official statement, titled ‘FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA,’ highlighted that the closure was in response to the outlet’s breach of the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, specifically referencing Part C, Section 55 of the General Provisions on Discrimination.

Responding to the development, KFC posted on its official X account that it opposes bias and discrimination, stressing that the incident did not reflect its standards.

The organisation disclosed that it had embarked on efforts to address the situation and urgently implemented sensitivity training for all its employees.

The statement read, “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values.

“However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.

“In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.

“We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”

KFC had during the week, denied Adebola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, access to their facility at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport  because of his disability.

Daniel had recounted his experience at the KFC outlet of the airport in a series of tweets posted on Wednesday via his X handle, @DebolaDaniel.

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Ezekiel Bolarinwa Ajayi: Mentor, Philanthropist Revels at 80

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By Eric Elezuo

The ancient town of Ile-Ife was agog weekend, when Professor Ezekiel Bolarinwa Oladele Ajayi, a renowned educationist, accomplished mentor and elder brother of veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, pulled all the stops to mark a resounding entry into the octogenarian club, celebrating his 80th birthday with fanfare, pomp and class.

The event, which attracted family members, colleagues in the academic world, friends and well wishers, was another testament in the expression of influence, clout and connection.

Held at the Rock Rehoboth Cathedral in the centre of Ile-Ife, the event brought out the best in the Stanford trained PHD holder, as beamed with contagious smiles, absorbing accolades from a crowd of well wishers and dignitaries, most of whom traveled half  way across the world to felicitate with the newest octogenarian.

A lavished reception followed after heartfelt prayers were said for the celebrant flanked by his wife of many years, children and grandchildren. The reception witnessed guests savoring the best of continental and local delicacies as well as dancing happily to the old school tunes.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the gigantic cake by the birthday boy around whom were dotting family members.

As guests expressed their profound, hearty and sincere congratulations towards the octogenarian, whose event changed the landscape of Ife, many recalled how they have come a long way from their very humble beginning in Gbongan Olufi.

Fondly called Ladele, Prof Ajayi was born on March 23, 1944 in Gbongan, Osun State, where he had his earliest beginnings.

He statted his education at the Saint Paul’s School Gbongan, before moving on to Saint Judes School, Ebute Metta, and later to Saint Stephens School, Ile-Ife, where he completed his primary education.

After his elementary education, he was admitted into the Government College lbadan, where he was described as having  ‘passed out in exceedingly bright colours’. As many that knows him has confirmed that Prof Ajayi was a walking encyclopedia, and vibrated with intelligence while at school.

It was not therefore, surprising that he later proceeded to the United States of America, after his secondary education, where he attended various prestigious Universities including Stanford University. It is worthy of note that all his appearances for university education were on different scholarships. It was also at Stanford that he bagged his PhD honours.

On the completion of his PhD programme in Stanford, Prof Ajayi was recruited by the University of Ife, as it was then known, before its transmutation to Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later became a Professor of Physics, a position he jealousy guarded until retirement from active classroom duties.

According to a very close family member and confidant, Bola Adeyemo, who spoke glowingly about their fond relationship, Prof Ajayi “also became active in things of God. Like a proverbial gold fish, he has been recognized as a Pastor. Ladele played a mentoring role in the final years of school for my twin daughters who both graduated from the medicine program in the same University.

“The mutual fondness between Ladele and I remains very much intact. Ladele and l share common ancestry. His father who was the Otun Olufi of Gɓongan was a much older cousin to my mother and was fondly referred to as baba mi ile ASORO. They both had the same tribal marks. Ladele can be classified as belonging to the royal class as his father was the OTUN OLUFI while his mother was the daughter of the ÒOSA, first class chief in Gbongan.”

A life of Prof Ajayi without a mention of prolific publisher of the Ovation brands,  Chief Momodu, remains incomplete. It is worthy of note that apart from both sharing the same mum as siblings, the Prof was instrumental in shaping and mentally mentoring Momodu on the path of education. His 80th birthday was a reminder of how it used to be in times past as it marks a form of reunion for the Ajayi extended household.

Among those who attended were his daughter, Kemi Ajayi-Ingram, who flew in all the way from the United States of America, with her entire family; his niece, Yejide Ajayi among a host of others.

We wish the ebullient octogenarian a splendid birthday, and many ore years of splendid celebrations.

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Easter, Ramadan: Adeleke Releases March Salaries, Pension, Palliatives, Approves Promotion for Personnel

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the release of salaries, pensions and palliatives for the month of March for all public servants in the state, as well as approved the promotion of service personnel due for promotion from 2023.

Adeleke’s show of love for the entire workforce, is in spite of the fact that the State allocation from the Federation account is yet to be released, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina confirmed the approval of the March salaries, pension and palliatives, noting that the fast tracked approval covered all categories of state and local government employees including tertiary institutions in the State.

“I can confirm that Mr Governor has approved the March salaries, pension and palliative wage awards, including the usual payment of the outstanding half salary for retirees under the contributory pension scheme yet to obtain their bonds. Mr Governor requested for the file and granted immediate approval.

“Any moment from now, alerts will be landing in our peoples’ accounts. This is a preemptive step on the part of Mr Governor to meet the needs of our people”, the Head of Service explained.

Governor Adeleke who has been hosting inter faith leaders at the Government House said he approved the early payment to ease the burden of the workers ahead of the Easter period.

“As I wish muslim and christian faithfuls blessed fasting season, the early payment is a gesture of support for workers whose welfare remains the number one priority of our administration”, the Governor noted.

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