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My Father Was Framed and His Accusers Apologised to Him – Kemi Oredein

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I’ve read it thoroughly and All I can say this. “One day, Taiwo’s story would be rewritten. A man was jailed for life, yet his business flourished and while in prison, he educated 36 children and even died a rich man leaving vast Estate. How many Nigerian politicians encountered such problems and still died rich?

Well, there’s much people don’t understand and would never understand. There was never a time my father begged for leniency. He told that court back then that if he had a hand in the robbery, he would die in prison and if not, he would return and HE DID RETURN.

He went into politics a wealthy man and of course he was a very intelligent and brilliant man nobody could beat. A political strategist that is yet to be equalled in Nigeria.

In his words “I thought it was a big joke. While in detention, the opposition party promised me freedom if I denounced Awolowo and I told them over my dead body. I had a bargain with them which of course they suspected I would not keep to cos they knew I was principled. I was shocked when I was jailed but I knew it was not over”.

A cabal wanted him out of the way at all cost. That’s a story for another day.

Once I watched a TV programme where one Olaifa, a veteran journalist, was interviewed and he was asked if he ever encountered any ordeal in the course of discharging his duty and his answer was “During Oredein’s Robbery case, I was a young journalist and I was very keen on getting to the root of the case. I was privileged to know that the prosecuting attorney was visiting Oredein and I wondered why. Of course, when I was found out, the authority was after me and I had to go into hiding for a while. Of course we, all knew what happened to Oredein”. I do not have anything against the writer, he only rewrote the history he has access to but the people who jailed my father knew he was innocent and GOD vindicated him.

One thing people don’t know however, is that the sugar company that was robbed belonged to him. He was a major shareholder and Partner. More than 40 Tate and Lyle Bicycles were parked in my compound when I was a child and we had the riders deliver proceeds of the day’s sales. How would a man rob himself? Laughable isn’t it? My father was an accomplished businessman and he abhorred crime. He built most of the buildings in The University of Ife with his foreign partner, Gougard, a German. These are facts that can be crosschecked. He was stupendously rich, he was well read, and he was powerful and was a power broker. He single handedly registered AG and others refunded his money later.

Samuel Taiwo Oredein was getting too powerful for them. His words were fire and when he moved, people moved. (According to Odemo of Isara) If only he had betrayed Awolowo, may be his story would be different. Out of all the founders of Action Group, only Oredein has a surviving “First child”. A son, who is going to be 80 yrs old next year. He refused to swear to an oath of allegiance and he never joined any cult. He was a High Chief of Ogere Land and the costume he wore back then “saki” was just honorary. He was a Christian to the core and his success was beyond them all.

He was a man after God’s heart and he came out of it all stronger. He was in prison for 10 yrs and he was still being wooed and was funding politics from there. Were people robbing for him while in prison? May GOD open our eyes of understanding. Once, Pa Jakande, said “Oredein was too open minded…that was what ruined him”. Baba Alayande had this to say “Your father had the Midas touch; he was a mirror they wanted to break at all cost”. Pa Alayande was a clergy. He stood with my father throughout his ordeal and had lunch with him every Sunday after his release till he died. Taiwo was just a big threat. He was too big a bone for their dogs. One day, some day, his story would be rewritten. A man who refused to swear with the life of his son, would swear with common robbers? The robbers even denied knowing him but of course when the state wants you the state gets you. I am very proud of my father and He remains my Hero. He looked at me once and said: “Never ever go into politics and don’t ever be in the company of politicians!”

While he was in prison, we went to the best of schools and had the best of life. He may be their kingpin. He is my Hero, my father, my everything. The man who sacrificed it all for his children. My prayer however is that anyone who judges my father would by GOD’S GRACE find himself in his shoes. They will be wrongly accused and feel the taste of his swear. His accusers apologised and even offered him political posts on his return from prison. They were scared. In their minds, they were like… jagunlabi tun ti de… Awon asiwere.

The man declined all offers and still lived and died in affluence. He bore his cross gallantly. I will walk with my shoulder and head high up and be proud to be an OREDEIN. A man who was predefined but demonized!

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Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Oyebanji, Obasa to Be Honoured at Awo-UK

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Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Abayomi Oyebanji and Dapo Abiodun of Lagos, Ekiti and Ogun states respectively, will, in addition with the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudasiru Obasa, be given Special recognitions for their roles in supporting the creative industry and leveraging on it as a strong vehicle for socio-polictal development.

The Honours would be presented to the deserving awardees at the premium show of Awo, the Musical, which would be taking place at The Shaw Theatre in Euston London in May, 2024.

In a statement, made available to The Boss, the Executive Producer of the Play, Mr Joseph Edgar, who doubles as the Chairman of the Duke of Shomolu Productions, opined that the awardees through a very well thought out policy initiatives, continue to explore the full potentials of the Creative industry in achieving significant milestones, especially in the areas of job creation, infrastructural development, education, tourism among others.

He further stated that Governor Sanwo-Olu has remained a strong driving force for theatre in Lagos.

“Gov Sanwo-Olu has remained a main backer of theatrical productions, and even attended a few including the debut showing of Awo at the Glover Hall in Central Lagos.

Prince Dapo Abiodun, on his own part, has also remained a driving force in the artistic renaissance Arts and culture is receiving in Ogun State.

Governor Oyebanji of Ekiti State was the main backer of the phenomenally successful play – Fajuyi, which depicted the life of the late Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. Under his administration, Ekiti State has won several international laurels in arts and culture which could be traced to his administrations direct involvement in the sector.

Rt. Hon. Obasa also leads the most visionary sub-national legislative house, providing secure legislative framework for the continued delivery of cohesive dividend of democracy to the people of Lagos.

Awo is a descriptive musical that traces the life of the great Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, through the eyes of his beloved wife, the divine Chief (Mrs.) HID Awolowo. In very well curated song and dance sequences, the Play takes audiences through the life of one of the greatest African political stories.

Awo has been shown twice in Lagos and was recently unveiled in Ikenne during celebrations to mark the 115th post houmous birthday of the late Sage.

Dr. Mrs Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, the last surviving daughter of Chief Awolowo and Executive Director of the Awo Foundation, was in attendance with other dignitaries like Mr Kunle Soname of BLFA Football Academy.

Other dignitaries expected at the London showing include Khalifa Mohammad Sanusi II, Chairman, Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Segun Awolowo among others.

Awo is written by influential theatre director, Makinde Adeniran fta, but will be produced for the London market with an all Nigerian cast by Dr Lookman Sanusi’s Heavy winds Media Limited under franchise from the Duke of Shomolu Foundation.

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Adeleke Unveils Rehabilitated Govt House, Says Upgrading State Assets’ a Policy

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Saturday opened the newly rehabilitated Government House at Osogbo with top officials and dignitaries joining the Governor for inspection of the facilities, prayers and commissioning.

The rehabilitation, according to a statement signed by the governors spokesperson Rasheed Olawale, covers the main house, the completion of an abandoned multi-bedroom Guest House, remodeling of many of the structures, refixing of many derelict facilities and facelift of the entire Government House.

Accompanied by the *Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; the House Speaker, Hon Adewale Egbedun; the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Igbalaye Teslim; the Chief of Staff, Alh Kazeem Akinleye and members of the State Executive Council*, Governor Adeleke officially moved into the Government House amidst prayers and heavy rain across Osogbo yesterday.

Clerics across the faiths were on ground to offer prayers and bless the House while top leaders presented goodwill messages.

Addressing the dignitaries in a short programme, the Governor said his administration is committed to upgrading state assets irrespective of whether such programmes are inherited or commenced by him.

“I have upgraded the Government House just as I rehabilitated the Governor’s office. We ensured the Government House is rescued from the open neglect we inherited. You can all see the upgraded facilities which now places our state in good stead in the comity of states.

“I met an abandoned Guest House where top dignitaries can be hosted instead of huge bills on outside accommodation. I ordered its rehabilitation and today it is completed. The presidential Lodge I met on the ground was in a terrible state. Our team fixed it.

“Our administration is passionate about upgrading state assets because they are for generations even yet unborn. We must act genuinely on the mantra that government is a continuum. Abandoning projects or state assets as Osun witnessed in recent past is a sign of bad leadership

“As our government is completing old projects and initiating new ones, we are also maintaining and upgrading the old structures, refixing them for effective usage of the state.

“To the good people of Osun state, your Governor has moved into the Government House. I pledge to redouble our efforts at delivering on the five point agenda. We are truly fixated on sustaining the delivery of good governance,” the Governor was quoted as saying.

The Orangun of Oke Ila, HRH, Oba Dokun Abolarin was present to give royal blessings.

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Residents Flee As Community Where 16 Soldiers Were Killed is Razed

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According to a report on Channels Television, the Delta community where 16 soldiers were killed on Thursday has been razed.

The military on Saturday confirmed the killing, and said inveatigation is on to unravel the perpetrators. The slain officers include the commanding officer, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers.

Tukur Gusau, a brigadier general and Deputy Director, Information, of the Nigerian military, had in his Saturday statement said the military would investigate and bring the culprits to book.

The troops were deployed to restore order between two warring communities: Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State.

According to Channels Television, the Okuama coastal community where the killing of the soldiers took place was razed Sunday morning.

It is not clear who razed the houses in the community or if anyone died from it but the television station reported that residents have fled to the neighbouring Ughelli community for fear of reprisals by soldiers.

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