Connect with us

Featured

Trailerload of Calabashes of Sacrifice by Satanic Forces Cannot Affect Me, an Anointed Child of God

Published

on

By Prof Mike Ozekhome SAN

I have been laughing in VERNACULAR since this evening when my attention was first drawn to a banal trending story on the social media, titled, “OUTRAGE AS ENTRANCE TO MIKE OZEKHOME’S HOUSE IN IKOTUN-IGANDON IS LITTERED WITH CALABASHES OF SACRIFICE” (news.phxfeeds.com). I would have completely ignored the story, but for the fact that numerous calls have since kept pouring in, all callers worried about my safety. Keep your peace, my loving fellow compatriots, for I am hale, hearty and covered with the blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who fights my battles for me ( Exodus 14:14 ). The said alarmist story is largely baseless, funny and phony. That is why I have never stopped laughing. I am now used to such jejune and insipid stories which I am told is part of the fate of a “celebrity lawyer”, as many are want to regard and call me. I thank God Almighty for making me whom it pleased Him to make me of-a resonating story of “grass-to-grace”. What has the write-up got to do with me, even when the entire contents are laid out bare, completely stripped of the screaming headline? NOTHING!!! It was just tied to my name to make it hot and trend. And in this, it has succeeded, for it has been trending.

The story alleged, amongst others, that “reactions have trailed video of near hundred of clay pots of sacrifices scattered a few meters away from the house of human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria ( SAN), Mike Ozekhome”. Many lies!

THE FACTS:
1. The Church Bus Stop mentioned in the story is situate on Ikotun-Igando road, Igando, well over a quarter of a kilometer far removed from my former residence situate at No 1,Mike Ozekhome Lane, Igando, Alimosho LGA, Lagos.

2. I no longer live in the said premises, having relocated from Igando, Lagos, to Abuja, many years ago. I had subsequently partitioned the huge property into many residential apartments which are on rental to tenants whose identities I do not even know. Nor do I have any personal relationship with the sitting tenants who presently reside in the premises, since the property is being managed by the famous Odudu & Co-Real Estate Agents. God has since enabled me to acquire a personal residence in Ikoyi, Lagos. I am forever grateful to God. How wonderful is thy Holy Name.

3. The dump location of the calabashes of alleged sacrifice is thus not even near my former residence at all by any stretch of the imagination, let alone being “a few metres away from the house of human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria ( SAN),Mike Ozekhome”, as falsely alleged. But, as rightly noted by the writer, the dump spot is also called ” T-junction and notorious for ever-presence of dumps of offerings in clay pots and calabashes to spirit beings”.

4. As a Christian of the Catholic faith ( a proud 4th Degree Knight in St Mulumba-KSM- ),I had seen and passed by this fetish dump for the well over two decades that I lived in that beautiful and peaceful community called Igando; a community that accorded and afforded me accommodation, peace and opportunity to grow during my marriage, children upbringing and the first decade of my legal practice. All I have for and owe the largely Aworis Igando community and its first class monarch, Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi, Orootan 111, the Onigando of Igando, is nothing but love, respect, affection and eternal debt of gratitude for taking me in as their own, at a time I was forced to flee there from my 17 Ajao Road, Surulere residence, to escape from the daily torment and threats to my life by successive military juntas in the days of our struggle in the trenches. The Onigando had even honoured me with the prestigious traditional title of BA’LORO OF IGANDO in September, 1994.Some day, by the grace of God, I will tell my full story in my own biography. But, even with the presence of these fetish objects, I was never affected, afraid of, or terrified by such luciferous and satanic agents of darkness. When you are with and in God (as I am),such impotent lower classes of ethereal “beings” can not faze you ( Rom 8:31).

5. The story also claims that “behind the ( St John’s) Catholic Church is the Mike Ozekhome Street named after popular lawyer and human rights activist whose house is one of the first buildings in that area”. The story is only true to the extent that my house is one of the very first houses in that area of the then sleepy little village, Igando, now a sprawling residential, commercial and government hub. But, it is not correct that my former residence is behind the St John’s Catholic Church. There are many houses behind the church ever before getting to my former residence. Indeed, a long stretch of a street called Osunba Street completely separates the church far away from my said former residence.
6. It is also false that the Oba’s palace is “less than 200 metres” from my then residence. Nothing could be further from the truth. The palace which is situate between two major roads, the Igando-Ikotun Expressway and the Isheri-Lasu Expressway, is nearly one kilometer from my then residence.

So, we are not even near each other at all as falsely alleged. What did the writer of this story hope to achieve at the end of the day? I would not ascribe his intentions to mischief or an attempt to run me down or unduly disparage me. I think it was simply a sensational, transactional and merchantilistic write-up meant to enable the blogger make huge sums of money by linking my God-given name to the story. It could have been published and still retained its message and essence without mentioning me. And in this, I think, using Machiavelli’s well known philosophy ( I do not agree with him ) of “the end justifies the means”, the blogger roundly succeeded. Otherwise, why would such a simple and innocuous story be linked to me and start trending? I have now changed my laughter to a guffaw. By God’s grace, I am covered with the blood of Jesus. My portion is Psalm 105:15. And to some known and unknown enemies of progress, let them read what the good Lord says of me: ” Yea, though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 231-6 ).AMEN, AMEN AND AMEN.

Mike Ozekhome, SAN, CON, OFR, FCIArb, LL.M, Ph.D, LL.D, D.Litt.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Featured

Health Challenge: King Charles May Relinquish Throne to Prince William

Published

on

By

Prince William and Kate Middleton are said to be secretly preparing for wearing the crowns as King Charles has reportedly decided to leave the throne for his eldest son amid worsening health challenge.

The Prince of Wales, heir to the throne, is ‘quietly preparing’ to become the new king as the monarch’s increasingly ailing condition is causing huge alarm inside the Palace, according to a news report.

The King is being asked to delegate more responsibility to Prince William, the local media reported.

“William is just as worried about his father and wants to take as much pressure off him as he can. Kate’s still being eased in, but she’s made it clear she’s keen to step up as much as possible,” according to the insider.

“It’s clear to everyone that William and Kate are quietly preparing to be king and queen themselves, and it’s only a matter of time before Charles formally hands it all over.”

“He’s already started the process and is delegating a lot more, which is why you’re seeing William’s schedule getting a lot busier.”

The Palace insider claimed: “Queen Camilla is convinced Charles is a workaholic and she’s pushing him to slow down and focus on his health.”

King Charles, who had been put on light duty following the diagnosis, has returned to his royal engagements and in September.

Queen Camilla reportedly said her husband “is doing very well,” while attending the opening of the new state-of-the-art Dyson Cancer Center at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, England.

While the King and Queen are putting on a brave face, a second insider previously told the outlet things may be more grim behind the scenes, adding: “The palace is giving the impression that Charles is on the mend, but he’s still very sick.”

William has been slowly stepping up and preparing himself to replace dad, even as Princess Kate recovers from cancer too as she announced on September 9 that she has completed preventative chemotherapy.

Continue Reading

Featured

PDP Has Tolerated Wike for Too Long, Says Party’s Ex-Auditor Nnaji

Published

on

By

A former National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP,) Barr Ray Nnaji, has warned that the party has tolerated the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for too long.

Nnaji stated this during a media interview, while offering his view on the crisis plaguing the party.

This comes amid the challenge from Wike daring any governor or leader of the PDP to publicly call him a mole.

The minister threw the challenge when he appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

He had previously dared State governors elected under the platform of the PDP over his threat that he will put fire in their states.

Wike said he had no apology to anybody, insisting that heaven will not fall.

However, lamenting on what has become of the party, the former auditor stated that no right member of the PDP will commend what’s happening in the party, saying he doesn’t see Wike being in APC and the PDP at the same time.

Nnaji also said that the PDP wasted time in replacing its former National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, insisting that the vacuum created room for the crisis.

He said: “No right member of the PDP will commend what’s happening in the party.

“I don’t see Wike being in APC and the PDP at the same time. It’s the soul of Rivers State they are pursuing for the purposes of 2027.

“You know quite well that Wike used his power as a former governor to make sure that APC was assisted to come to power, that was why he was compensated with a ministerial appointment.

“He (Wike) wanted to pull the structure he had then into the APC. That explains why the APC dissolved its Rivers state executives, which prompted the members to go to the court.

“Wike himself, and those 25 State House of Assembly members who defected, when they found out that others weren’t following them, the problem in the state started.

“The main fact is that the acting Chairman failed to do what he ought to do. It cannot be blamed on the acting Chairman alone, it should be blamed on the Party entirely because the constitution is very clear.

“When a vacancy exists, what do you do? Of course, the constitution provided answers to all those things, but they failed to do it.

“Iyorchia Ayu was from North Central, when he left the position, Damagun came just to fill the gap.

“The party shouldn’t have wasted time in replacing Iyorchia Ayu. The party would have replaced Ayu with another person from that zone. If that would have been done, I don’t think we would have entered into this crisis.

“I don’t think it is as difficult with the party as it was with Amodu Sheriff, which ended up in the Supreme Court before the 2019 election.

“I still believe that the party will still come out of it, even though they didn’t do what they ought to have done early enough.”

On setting up a reconciliation committee, Nnaji had this to say: “I don’t know who they are reconciling with. Is it Wike or the governor?

“From the look of things, the government is not ready to play ball, when Wike wants the structure. And if you give Wike the structure, the governor becomes a follower of Wike.

“That is not what the governor wants, he’s supposed to be the leader of the party in the State and take charge.

“Wike, seeing what’s happening, believes he has done his parallel congress and produced a structure. Of course, the governor has his own structure, who the national picks will be another issue.

“I learnt Wike was invited to the disciplinary committee, I don’t know the outcome of the invitation but they waited too long to allow Wike to this point.

“He was not part of the formation of the party but he’s the most beneficiary of the PDP. Going ahead to seek the destruction of the party he has benefited a lot from doesn’t augur well for him, especially in the future.

“If he destroys PDP, who’s sure the APC will be a comfortable place for him to stay?

“I don’t think he’s thinking from that angle. It is his personal interest that matters most for him now.

“The PDP has to make sure it puts its house in order to see if it can liberate the country come 2027.”

Continue Reading

Featured

Dele Momodu Makes Case for Osun As a Strong Investment Destination

Published

on

By

By Eric Elezuo

Notable media entrepreneur and Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Aare Dele Momodu, has declared Osun State as a strong investment destination, with evidential circumstances that set it apart among a comity of states.

The veteran journalist made the revelation at the just concluded Osun Industrial Investment Summit, held in Osogbo, the state capital, where he was the guest speaker.

He eulogised the state as the cradle of the Yoruba nation as well as the heartland of South Western Nigeria, blessed economically and academically amongst other natural and developmental advantages.

Momodu further informed that the state “possesses a rich investment landscape across the sectors. From agricultural to mining processing to digital economy, the state of the living spring confronts potential investors with enticing possibilities. From the richly, European like Owalla dam for inland beach resorts to the mesmerizing Erin Ijesa waterfalls to the multi-billion dollar cultural assets, there is no better place to invest than Osun.”

Here’s a text of his full speech at the event, which had the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and other notable state officials in attendance.

“Osun State is the cradle of Yoruba nation, the heartland of South Western Nigeria. This is the cultural capital of highly developed Yoruba people with descendants in South and North America;

“Osun State is an economically and educationally rich state, boasting of huge solid mineral resources, highly literate  population, heavy multiple University presences, varied agricultural potentials and a billion dollar developing cultural industry;

“Osun is an unusually peaceful state within a turbulent but extremely great nation, a state that accepts non-indigene with open arms and support non-native business ventures and activities with native hospitality and patronage;

“Osun is a natural tech hub of the Federation as its sons and daughters dominate the tech innovation world and with the state already building a digital economy to tap into the acknowledged talents of young Osun tech enthusiasts;

“We are all gathered here to drum up support for inflow of investment into a state with an ambitious Governor, a widely traveled leader and a 21st century manager who is positioning the state as investors’ first choice within the comity of states;

“My pitching Osun today is not out of mere filial affiliation. I am Osun and Osun is me. But it is more than that. The case for Osun as an investment destination is strong and evidence based;

“The state possesses a rich investment landscape across the sectors. From agricultural to mining processing to digital economy, the state of the living spring confronts potential investors with enticing possibilities. From the richly, European like Owalla dam for inland beach resorts to the mesmerizing Erin Ijesa waterfalls to the multi-billion dollar cultural assets, there is no better place to invest that Osun;

“Beyond the natural investment potentials, I review trade logistics and I am confronted with appealing reality. One is the national railway line that traversed the heartland of the state. Then I saw the government masterplan for an international airport with a cargo terminal integrated alongside a free trade zone;

“Free trade zone? Yes. Airport of international standard?  Yes. Railway link directly to Apapa port in Lagos? Yes. Trade logistics and connectivity are top notch;

“What of internal infrastructure? Osun as a highly urbanized city is implementing a multi-sectoral , multi-billion naira infra upgrade across health, education, roads , water and environmental sectors. The major towns are construction sites alongside huge construction ongoing across the local governments to enhance rural – urban connectivity;

“As an investor, the destination is not ripe by possessing all the above. There must be something else which can actually tip the balance of decision making;

“Are there legal frameworks? Are there policy frameworks for the various sectors?

“Again, Osun beats all limitations with the state Governor running a battle of policy coverage for the state economy. From November 2022 to date, my investigation showed that the state has successfully established state policies covering several critical sectors;

“Aside the state Industrial Development Policy, Osun now has a state ICT policy, State Tech Innovation Policy, State Electricity Market policy, State Transport policy, State Mining policy among others;

“Investors thus have nothing to worry about in the area of policy frameworks. In many cases, the policies are being transformed into actual state legislations. This deepens assurance frameworks for investors;

“One of the biggest unique selling points for the state aside from all the above rare features is the Adeleke family, a dynasty with entrenched interest in the national economy and the entertainment world. The Governor and his family are in reality one of the biggest insurance and magnet for investors;

“To the diaspora population,  my charge is to make hay while the sun shines. Rush to Osun to take a piece of the pie;

“To the global investment community, Osun is a goldmine that has more than gold. As a globally traveled serial entrepreneur myself, Osun represents the first choice. No investor will regret putting his money into such a potentially buoyant state economy.

Continue Reading

Trending