Personality in Focus
Tribute: OBJ, Please, Remain OBJ
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By Mike Ozekhome
I celebrate you, a living legend and uncommon African icon, Chief (Dr) Olusegun Mathew Okikiola Obasanjo (OBJ), on your 87th birthday, which took place on March 5, 2024.
On paper, you are 87, having been born on March 5, 1937. But, you have maintained to me and all who cared to listen, again and again, that your age was merely an assumed approximation on paper, because some of your classmates have already died or celebrated their 90th, 92nd and 93rd birthdays. I believe the latter more, for it comes straight from the horse’s mouth. For example, one of your classmates, Dr Onaolapa Soleye (born 11th November, 1933), who was former Minister of Finance, just died four days after he turned 90 years. He has only just been buried.
Whatever be the case; whether you are an octogenarian (in your 80s), or nonagenarian (in your 90s), no one can dispute your imperishable contributions to the development of the Nigerian nation in particular, and the African continent in general. This is why, even as you have lovers and traducers across the world (because of your “My Command”, which is “Not (your) My Will”), no one can ignore you and your looming presence. Like the stubborn scar, you have refused to go away. You always leave your marks even after the healing of the sore.
So, hate him or love him, OBJ have become a recurring decimal in our national discourse and conversation. You, Obasanjo, easily stir the hornet’s nest with effortless éclat. When you speak, you generate national uproar. You write fiercely, fearlessly and ceaselessly. You still wield your mighty pen in a more menacing and devastating manner than you once wielded the gun when you took over control of the 3rd Marine Commando from Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle during the better-forgotten three years bloody fratricidal Civil War in Nigeria. You had also accepted the mantle of surrender on behalf of Nigeria from General Phillip Effiong who did so on behalf of Biafra at Dodan Barracks, Lagos. This was on 15th January, 1970 (Armed Forces Day), though you told me this was a mere formality as the handover agreement had already earlier been signed some days earlier. For these historic acts, your name had already entered our history books. And for many more positive reasons too.
When you write your usual probing and inquiring letters (an art and pastime for which you have since become accustomed and famous), you cause national ruckus. You ruffle feathers, bruise toes and figuratively draw blood. But, those sitting leaders or rulers that ignored your message in those piercing, intellectually-grounded letters that drip with rare vision and wisdom in their full length, breadth and erudition, and preferred to go for the messenger, rather than the message, had always done so at their own peril.
You were first arrested on the orders of then military dictator, General Sani Abacha on March 13, 1995, over a phantom coup attempt. You were initially released on the intervention of ex-American President, Jimmy Carter; and again re-arrested in the night of June 13, 1995, and taken to an unknown destination. You were tried in company of your military Deputy Head of State, Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Col Lawan Gwadabe and Chris Anyanwu, a magazine publisher. You were initially sentenced to death after the phantom coup trials before another panel set up by Abacha reduced the sentence to 30 years, and again to 15 years imprisonment.
We, in the human rights community picked up the gauntlet, marched, protested and rallied daily on the streets of Lagos and elsewhere. We forced the then military junta led by Gen. Sani Abacha to commute your death sentence to mere imprisonment. You were still serving in Yola Prisons when Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar ordered your release. Yar’Adua was not so lucky. He died at Abakaliki prison where he was serving on 8th December, 1997. Little did we, or you ever know, that you are a child of destiny and like the phoenix, you would rise once again from your ashes and become President of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007.
This was after you had emerged Head of State (1976-1979), succeeding then Head of State, General Muritala Mohammed, who was mindlessly slain during the Col Buka Suka Dimka-led military coup on 13th February, 1976.
Make no mistake about this sir, I was also one of the leading lights who valiantly led the fiery battle of opposition against your third term agenda bid. I had wondered then why you desired to. I spoke piercingly against it at the Niger State Government Lodge where we had gathered to puncture your perceived inordinate ambition for self transmutation and succession. I believe in retrospect now, you would also have been wondering what you had indeed forgotten in Aso Villa that you were going back for, having already etched your name in the sands of time and got elevated into the pantheon of Nigerian heroes in less than 70 years on mother earth.
Two years ago sir, you greatly honoured me by singing my happy birthday song and cutting my birthday cake, assisted by another living nonagenarian legend and quality University education Czar, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, CON, LL.D, at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti ( ABUAD). This was after I had delivered the 10th convocation lecture of this arguably numero uno African University, and one of the very 400 leading Universities in the world. I am, very proudly, a Visiting Professor of Law at this great University that just made one of the best results (over 16 First Class and about 69 Second Class Upper Division) at the Nigerian Law School. I was greatly humbled because I had, as a little boy in the sixties, heard about your war time exploits whenever we gathered around a little transistor radio. I was then in St Mary’s Primary School in my then little rustic village of Iviukwe, near Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Remain who, whom and what you are sir. Don’t ever change, for you are far too old now to change and learn how to become left-handed. Remain OBJ. Continue to play football as you do always. Continue to enjoy another passion of yours – singing and dancing – (even if your vocals fall far short of Nightingale’s, and your shuffles not Michael Jackson’s). Continue to do more research and write more books and letters.
You have just written a new book titled, “The Art of Leading: Unconventional Wisdom from Biblical Leaders “. Before this, you had already written tons of books, including the following, perhaps more than any living African leader ever did: My Watch (Vols. 1-3, which is your memoir); Not My Will; Call to Duty; A March of Progress: Collected Speeches of His Excellency Lt. General Olusegun Obansanjo; Forging a Compact in U.S. – African Relations; Nigeria and International Trade Address; The Head of State’s Broadcast to the Nation, Wednesday, 29th March, 1978, Embodying the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978; Nzeogwu: An Intimate Portrait of Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu; Women of Virtue: Stories of Outstanding Women in the Bible; My Command: An Account of the Nigerian Civil War, 1967 – 1970; Guides to Effective Prayer; The Leadership Challenge of Economic Reforms in Africa; Africa in Perspective: Myths and Realities (The Russell C. Leffingwell Lectures); Africa Embattled: Selected Essays on Contemporary African Development; A New Dawn: A Collection of Speeches of President Olusegun Obasanjo; Hope for Africa: Selected Speeches of Olusegun Obasanjo; The Challenges of Agricultural Production and Food Security in Africa; Work of Earth; Democracy Works: Turning Politics to Africa’s Advantage; Making Africa Work; This Animal Called Man; Addressing Africa’s Youth Employment and Food Security Crisis: The Role of African Agriculture in Job Creation; Constitution for National Integration and Development; Women of Virtue; Africa Through the Eyes of a Patriot; Before It Is Too Late…and the Reactions that Followed; Years of Reconstruction: Selected Foreign Policy Speeches of Olusegun Obasanjo; I See Hope; Hope For Africa; Sermons From Prison; Standing Tall: Selected Speeches of Olusegun Obasanjo; Management in Agriculture and Rural Development: A Practitioner’s View; The Asian Aspiration: Why and How Africa Should Emulate Asia—and What it Should Avoid; Before I Die; Africa, Rise to Challenge: Towards a Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa (CSSDCA) and more.
So, write, write and write. Don’t stop. After all, you didn’t go back to the University after your presidency in 2007 to bag a Ph.D by thesis for the fun of it. So, you have been sharing your thoughts on many issues. Don’t stop now. We are not tired of reading you. We are hungry for more. Remain consistently consistent, blunt and unapologetic about it. Make no mistakes, some surely hate you for this. But, more adore you for it. I am one of them. Because, the truth, especially naked truth, is always very bitter. But truth is about conscience. Like Uthman Dan Fodio once declared, ‘Conscience is an open wound; only the truth can heal it”. This is why the Holy Bible tells us, “…and thou shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32).
Baba, continue to ask the right questions. And where possible, go ahead and question the answers also. Don’t ever drop your humour that makes standup comedians green with envy. Enjoy peace that passeth all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Above all sir, don’t die yet. Don’t even think about it. Shun death and its monstrous visage with all your heart and soul. Mock it. Grab and hold on to Gen 6:3 (120 years on earth).
Nigeria, Africa and indeed the black world still need you and your gargantuan services and contributions. Happy birthday sir, and many happy returns of the day. It is well you, baba.
In all, please, OBJ, remain OBJ.
Mike Ozekhome, SAN, CON, OFR, Ph.D, LL.D, D.Litt, D.Sc., is a legal practitioner, teacher and human capacity developer, and writes from Lagos.
Yomi Duroladipo, popularly known as Arole Asa and Oba, is stepping into a new phase of leadership in Nigeria’s entertainment industry as Governor of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Oyo State chapter. The son of legendary Yoruba theatre icon, Chief Duro Ladipo, Yomi brings a rich cultural heritage, years of experience in the performing arts and a vision to reposition the association for greater relevance.
Born into a family deeply rooted in Yoruba culture and traditional theatre, Yomi grew up surrounded by the performing arts. His father, the legendary Chief Duro Ladipo, popularly known as Sango, was one of the most celebrated figures in Yoruba theatre, while his mother is popularly identified with the cultural identities of Oya and Moremi Ajansoro.
For Yomi, inheriting such a distinguished family name is both a privilege and a responsibility. He acknowledges that maintaining his father’s legacy requires discipline, caution and a conscious commitment to upholding the values associated with the name.
However, rather than rely solely on his father’s reputation, he has worked towards establishing his own identity in the entertainment industry.
His distinctive appearance in traditional Yoruba attire and his trademark cap have become part of his personal brand. He has also developed a unique performance style by blending Western musical instruments with traditional Yoruba instruments, creating a fusion that distinguishes him from other cultural entertainers.
His passion for entertainment dates back to childhood, when he developed an interest in bringing people together through music, dance, drama and creative performances. His acting talent began taking shape during his primary school days, when he represented his school in a stage performance for the late educationist and founder of Mayflower School, Tai Solarin, in Ikenne, Ogun State.
That early exposure further strengthened his passion for the creative industry and eventually inspired him to establish Yomi Duroladipo Arts and Entertainment Company, popularly known as Y.DAD Entertainment.
Although he studied Mechanical Engineering, Yomi has built a career across different areas of entertainment. He is an actor, musician, dancer, stage director and movie director. He also plays the saxophone, which he creatively combines with traditional Yoruba drums during cultural performances.
His artistic philosophy revolves around creativity, innovation and the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage, particularly through the fusion of traditional and contemporary entertainment.
Having been exposed to theatre and filmmaking from birth, Yomi describes his journey as a lifelong commitment to the arts, marked by continuous learning, experience and the desire to contribute to the development of the entertainment industry.
His emergence as Governor of TAMPAN Oyo State signals a new chapter in his professional journey, shifting part of his attention from individual artistic achievements to institutional leadership and the development of fellow practitioners.
TAMPAN, the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, is one of the major professional associations representing practitioners in Nigeria’s theatre and motion picture industry.
Yomi believes that the association requires renewed commitment to institutional development, structural reforms and improved opportunities for its members.
His administration is expected to focus on upgrading, reformation, rebuilding and transforming the Oyo State chapter.
Talent discovery and development will also form a major part of his agenda, with plans to identify emerging talents, encourage young practitioners and create opportunities for creative professionals to showcase their abilities.
Beyond these priorities, Oba ASA vision is to strengthen the association, promote professionalism, improve its relevance and establish a more productive environment for members to thrive.
For a man born into the legacy of one of Yoruba theatre’s greatest icons, the new responsibility presents another opportunity to demonstrate that preserving a great heritage is not only about celebrating the achievements of the past but also building institutions and creating opportunities for the next generation.
As Yomi Duroladipo begins this new chapter as Governor of TAMPAN Oyo State, expectations are high that his cultural background, creative experience and leadership ambitions will translate into meaningful reforms and a renewed direction for the association.
Today is one of those days children of the next generation will remember because a great man was born on October 25, 1964. Today, I choose to celebrate a great man, grandfather, father, uncle, friend, and mentor who has been an inspiration and blessing to my life.
I would like to begin by saying a belated happy birthday to Dr. Joe Abah, though I wished him happy birthday on X on his birthday. To me, this is my little sacrifice to show him how I revere him.
During my formative years, I would have said “happy belated birthday”; that’s simply because I haven’t met Dr. Joe, the technical teacher. That word “Happy Belated birthday” is grammatically wrong.
As an intentional man, let me say this: I have many mentors, and each of them plays a unique role in my life. One of the endearing unique qualities of Dr. Joe is his unique selflessness.
A sage once said, ” The joy of life is not how happy one can be but how happy one can be because of you. Dr. Joe, please bear with me; I will do my best to make this article a little bit personal. One might be wondering why I am writing about Dr. Joe like I have known him for ages; well, the answer is not far-fetched: life is not about quantity, but quality. I don’t have to know someone for a decade or more to put my thoughts together about them. One encounter can change a lot, and that’s exactly what Dr. Joe has done.
A little background information about how I randomly got to know Dr. Joe Abah. I met with Dr. Joe on X (formerly Twitter), and we connected on a social media platform, and I was attracted to his posts. His posts usually come across as intellectually stimulating, nourishing, and entertaining. On X, he is known as Ezemmuo (King of the Spirits). Some people call him the oracle and mouthpiece of the gods because of his uncanny and clairvoyant way of predicting the future, and most of the time, his predictions are 90% true.
My friendship and relationship began to grow when in April 2021 requesting his followers to give him a reason why they would like to partake in a Leadership training to celebrate his friend, Benjamin Akande. When I saw this tweet, I reluctantly applied and forgot about it. I was surprised that after about a week or two weeks, I was selected. Not only did he select me, but he also followed me on X. That, to me, was the beginning of our friendship.
I was able to nurture this friendship, and today, we have grown to the extent that he has invited me for lunch. Our bond strengthened when I reached out to him to write the foreword to my foreword for my third book and he was gracious to not only write the foreword but endorse the manuscript as “excellently written” after he must have read the manuscript.
Dr. Joe has many endearing qualities that attracted me to him, but none stood out for me like his humility, tolerance, and wisdom. Here is a man who has achieved success by any standard one can measure, depending on the rubric one chooses to measure success.
As a matter of fact, it was his humility that made me reach out to him to write the foreword to my third book, “The Six Pillars of Success. Before I reached out to him, I took my time to read every available piece of information I could find about him online, especially since I’m writing a book that is personal to me because I figured out I must have a name that resonates with the six pillars of success: (Purpose and personal Development, Career and vocational excellence, financial independence and freedom, Health and wellbeing, Healthy family and social relationships, and Spirituality and Inner Grounding).
If you know Dr. Joe, you’ll agree with me that he matches all these pillars. It’s instructive to note that before I published the book, some of my friends advised me to use some of the big names I know, and I asked them, ” What’s the definition of a big name? It was at that moment I understood the mindset and maturity of some people. How do you rate a human being just because he has “questionable money” or has attained a political position through fraudulent or illegal means? I have always believed that if the only thing one has is money, that person is poor.
As a very intentional person, I’m very particular with the people I associate and relate closely with; I always asked myself what kind of life would I want to live, what kind of life do I want my children and humanity to remember me for? These and many more are what led me to revere Dr. Joe as a revered mentor.
Permit me to share some of the distinguishing traits of Dr. Joe. He’s an academic scholar. He has occasionally used this knowledge, wisdom and understanding to educate everyone on his platform, especially men, this singular act made me coin a nickname for his “KING OF THE BOYS” due to his uncanny way of speaking. He has also continually stated that he doesn’t advise women on X, and he doesn’t like politics nor engage in it. No wonder he has been taunted as Ezemmuo
Dr. Joe is blessed with a rational temperament. Despite the detractors and sophisticated level of jealousy on X, he has managed to control his emotions in a country where many people would have lost it. The level of criticism I see against him online makes me ask: what sin has Dr. Joe committed? There is nothing I found except that he has truly discovered himself, developed himself, and evolved in such a way his detractors couldn’t imagine.
Dr. Joe is a fitness enthusiast; remember I said earlier, Dr. Joe perfectly fits into an ideal man whose personality radiates more with books. Occasionally, Dr. Joe organizes Fit September on X to keep fit. That exercise has literally helped many people. On a personal note, I have grown six-pack abs, broad shoulders, and big arms all because of my intentional exercise. As a matter of fact, I have not missed a single day of exercise. Here are two excerpts from Dr. Joe in my box: “According to Dr. Joe Abaha, a governance expert, “I try to do 3 exercises daily: 1. Exercise my body for at least 30 minutes every day. 2. Exercise my brain by reading at least a page of non-fiction every day. 3. Exercise my spirit by praying every day”.
Finally, not least, Dr. Joe is an extremely humble man. His simplicity is so endearing and charming to the heart. It was through Dr. Joe that I learnt that the higher you go, the humbler one should become. Despite the height he has attained in life, he still condescends to the level of a teenager just to communicate the desired message.
I can go on, but as the sage will say, a word is enough for the wise.
Sir, as you celebrate your new age, I pray that whatever has not worked in your life will manifest and be accomplished this year. Amen.
Remain blessed for being a blessing.
Professor Kamene Okonjo, a renowned sociologist, women’s rights advocate and mother of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has passed on at the age of 96.
Okonjo, who was also the matriarch of the Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in Delta State, died on Friday.
Her death was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by the Palace Secretary of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, on behalf of the royal family.
The late professor was the wife of the immediate past traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku, Obi (Professor) Chukwuka Okonjo, with whom she was married for 66 years.
She was also the mother of the reigning monarch, Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Anishi Okonjo II, and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The royal family described her death as a significant loss to the kingdom, citing her contributions to academic scholarship, women’s rights and social development.
An internationally recognised sociologist, Okonjo devoted much of her professional life to academic research and advocacy for women’s empowerment, earning recognition within and beyond Nigeria.
“An internationally recognised and foremost sociologist, Professor Kamene Okonjo distinguished herself through her outstanding academic accomplishments, intellectual contributions and lifelong advocacy for women’s rights and empowerment,” the statement said.
The family noted that her influence extended beyond academia, particularly through her commitment to advancing opportunities for women and promoting education.
It also acknowledged her role within the traditional institution of Ogwashi-Uku, where she remained an influential member of the royal household.
Beyond her academic career, Okonjo was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose family ties spanned several generations.
“While we mourn her passing, we celebrate a life exceptionally well lived,” the royal family stated.
The statement extended condolences to the reigning monarch, Okonjo-Iweala and other surviving children, including Dr. Njideka Okonjo-Udochi, Prince Onyema Okonjo and Prince Chichi Okonjo.
It also acknowledged the deceased’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other members of the extended royal family.
The family urged residents of Ogwashi-Uku to honour her memory and reflect on her contributions to scholarship, women’s advancement and the community.
Details of her funeral arrangements were not disclosed in the statement.
