Metro
Tribute to Nigeria’s Unsung Heroes
By Ayo Oyoze Baje
“A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart” – Hercules
They are out there sacrificing their sweat, valuable time, boundless energy and precious resources to make a positive impact on the quality of life of fellow citizens, virtually on daily basis.They are diligent at their duties; exhibiting promptitude, passion and perseverance, not counting the cost, if only to put a smile on other people’s faces. But they are hardly recognized at high class award ceremonies, all because they are not the Dangotes, the Otedolas, the Jim Ovias and the Alakijas, or even the wave-making entertainers and so called celebrities. Yet, we clamour for a better country and a brighter world. What a life of contradictions!
Mind you, their professional spectrum spans different fields of human endeavor – from teachers, nurses, office assistants, through skillful artisans, security personnel to commited caregivers. But what marks them out is their avowed commitment to duty and the selfless service to humanity. Their moving mantra, or propelling philosophy is to bring out the best in them for the good of others. That is true leadership for you, all because you do not need to wear a title to be a leader, as the world- acclaimed author, Mark Sanborn rightly highlighted in his bestselling book of the same title.
Of great significance therefore, is the increasing need for Nigeria’s mass media to begin to identify, project and promote such unique and rare individuals as the society’s enduring heroes. They should be projected as our moral compass, more so in this strange era of overt focus on maddening money and mindless materialism, irrespective of their sources of inflow. Indeed, this is also the right moment to understand such individuals as the beacon bearers the younger generation of Nigerians need to guide them forward through the long, dark tunnel of ignorance and poverty. A few examples would shed more light on the purpose of this clarion call.
In fact, a personal experience evolved between the subject of the matter and my humble self back in 2018. We became friends on Facebook and yours truly always appreciated his prayers. To hit the nail on the head, he confessed that he was attracted to my person because reading through my weekly opinion essays as published by different newspapers, magazines and online portals, clearly convinced him that I have passion for good governance in Nigeria.By November of that year he invited me as one of the members of his Foundation- the Ibiyinka Macaulay Foundation with the mission of giving a helping hand to the needy. Worthy of note is that the United Kingdom -based Ibiyinka Macaulay happens to be of the Fourth generation in the lineage of the late political icon, Herbert Macaulay.
Fast forward to Saturday May 18, 2019 and yours truly was the Media Consultant to the Foundation which kick- started the provision of different gift items such as food, drugs as well as cash for the needy Nigerians at different parts of Lagos. These included the Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home at Akoka, the Lagos Cheshire Home,Mushin and the Tower of Refuge Orphanage/ Motherless Babies Home, Aguda, Surulere. But that was not all there was to his uncommon spirit of generosity.
In addition to these the Macaulay Foundation also commissioned boreholes, renovated toilets and presented electric generators and television sets to schools at Iyu Road, Surulere. And after that he led the program of feeding the underprivileged people at the close of their fasting at Ebute Meta axis of Lagos state. But have you heard about Ibiyinka Macaulay before now? That is the million- naira question. Yet, there are several other unsung heroes making their mark in Nigeria’s socio– economic landscape.
Mr. Solomon Folorunsho is another of such precious pearls of humanity. As a pastor who practices what he preaches he is the Coordinator of the Internally Displaced Persons( IDP) camp at Uhogua, Benin, Edo state. He and members of his able team have been at the forefront of the provision of various food items, drugs, clothing materials and the payment of school fees for the children there in the camp. Good enough, some of them have maximized the opportunities provided to improve on their skills and learning, moving from there to some tertiary institutions.
It was therefore, a piece of heart-warming news that in November 2024 the Benin branch of the Nigeria Society of Engineers ( NSE ) provided food items at the camp. Perhaps, some other concerned Nigerians would reach out to the IDP camp to provide solar-powered boreholes,solar lights and more hostels that they are requesting for. It is big kudos to Pastor Folorunsho for beaming his God-given light of hope for survival for the needy in the darkness of hunger and poverty, as one of the country ‘s unsung heroes.
As a way forward in recognizing our history- making change makers, across various fields of human endeavor different organizations that give awards should take a cue from Cadbury Schweppes company. It established the Bournvita Teachers’ Awards in 2002. The noble and praise -worthy aim of course, is to celebrate excellence in the long-forgotten field of quality education delivery. The award which comes with a plaque,a GSM phone with sim card, N100,000 cash and one-year supply of Bournvita is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR ). The award which had Mrs. Philomena Igweze and Mr. John Ukaonu as the best teachers in both primary and secondary schools across the country back in 2002 has since transformed in scale and style. Laudable, is it not?
Of course, it is.
So, to guide the society right on the solid path to moral and professional rejuvenation, this is the time to change the narrative from the base sentiments of thinking that only the celebrities and politicians, who are supposed to be our servants are the only important people around. No! “Real leadership is that of leaders recognizing that they serve the people, that they lead”. That is according to Pete Hoekstra and it should serve as food – for – thought for us all.
Operatives of the Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan Lagos under the leadership of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Adegoke M. Fayoade, have arrested a suspected cult member and members of a human trafficking syndicate.
A statement by the Zonal Public Relations Officer, CSP Ayuba Ummah, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), stated that intelligence at the disposal of the AIG about the criminal activities, hideout and plans of suspected members of EIYE FRATERNITY terrorizing Ijebu-Ife axis of Ogun State led to the deployment of the Officer-in-charge of Zonal Dragon Squad II (ZDS-II) led by DSP Akeem Adeyemi and team for a discrete operation.
While noting that investigation is on-going and suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation, the statement detailed the situation and the process of arrest as follows:
“On 19/03/2025, the hideout of the said cult group was raided while planning an attack where one Orekoya Abayomi ‘m’ aged 54yrs was arrested as others escaped through nearby bush. He led the team to his residence where the following items were recovered:
1. One (1) locally made Single Barrel Pistol,
2. Six (6) Live Cartridges,
3. Twenty-One (21) Voter’s Cards with different names (suspected to be fake) and
4. One (1) Emerald Pump Action Gun with Breach No. 1335.
“Subsequently, a syndicate of human traffickers led by one Stella Edem operating in Ipaja/Ayobo area of Lagos State was bursted on the 22/3/2025, by Operatives of Zonal Intelligence Response Squad (ZIRS) led by SP Francis Kpoughul as they stormed their base at Command Meran Area of Lagos, where one Stella Edem ‘f’ and Susan Michael ‘f’ were arrested.
“Stella Edem ‘f’ confessed to the crime adding that she was introduced to one Anabel ‘f’ who is based in Mauritania by Rosemary Isaiah Otobong ‘f’ who has been prosecuted for the same offense and is currently serving jail term in the Nigeria Correctional Facility. She added that Anabel contracted her to recruit young girls below the age of 22yrs to be used as sex workers in Mauritania and that she is being paid *Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000.00k) as commission on each young girl sent to Mauritania. She confessed that among other girls she recruited is her 19 year old daughter citing that she has so far recieved over a total of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦500,000.00k) from Anabel.
“Her accomplice Susan Michael ‘f’ confessed to have being contracted by Stella Edem to recruit young girls to serve as domestic staff in Mauritania but upon questioning and further inquiries she discovered the girls were to be used as sex workers hence she withdrew from the said bussiness adding that the only girl she sent to Stella Edem was rejected due to age and body size and it was at that point she felt something wasn’t right.”
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has congratulated the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast, and called for sustenance of the spirit of sacrifice, which was exhibited during the holy month for Allah’s intervention in the affairs of the nation.
The Corps Marshal, according to a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), stated this in his Sallah goodwill message to mark the end of the 2025 Ramadan fast.
Corps Marshal Mohammed maintained that Ramadan fast is one of the pillars of Islamic religion and a period of spiritual rejuvenation which makes it mandatory for Muslims to abstain from food and drinks during the daytime from dusk to dawn throughout the month. This he said nurtures the spirit of love, sacrifice and good neighborliness which should be sustained beyond the festivity in order to attain greater national cohesion, patriotic spirit and peaceful coexistence among the diverse people of the country.
While advising Nigerians to celebrate with care, the Corps Marshal stressed the need for motorists to display great patience, love and compassion for one another, not only during the Sallah celebration but beyond the festivity. He restated the commitment of the FRSC to provide safer road environment during the festive period, saying the massive deployment of officers and men across the commands to manage traffic along the major corridors, especially at the identified black spots is geared toward ensuring free and safe movement during the celebration and everyone must adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations.
“I call on all Nigerians to join the campaign to make our roads free and safe not only during the celebration, but beyond it by avoiding speeding, overloading and use of one way,” the Corps Marshal stated
Shehu commended the personnel of the FRSC for the initiative and sacrifice they make in creating safer road environment despite the challenges posed by recalcitrant drivers who disobey traffic rules and regulations without consideration to others, reassuring them of Management’s commitment to initiating policies and programs that could address their welfare needs, especially in the area of improved working and living conditions; capacity development and regular promotion exercises in rewarding excellence.The Corps Marshal further expressed appreciation to the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the necessary logistics and moral support to inspire sacrifices among the personnel, saying Management will not rest in its oars in reciprocating the gestures through increased productivity and improved service delivery by the Corps,” he added
While praying Allah to guide and protect this nation towards peace, stability and development, the Corps Marshal enjoined all Nigerians to embrace the lessons of the Ramadan fast and work towards making the nation’s highways safe for all for enhanced socioeconomic activities.
“As the lead agency for road traffic management and safety administration in the country, the FRSC will continue to improve on its technological innovations for improved traffic management system in the country and everyone must recommit to the campaign to restore sanity to our roads,” the Corps Marshal said.
It would recalled that Eid el fitri celebration is the festival to mark the end of the Ramadan fast by Muslims who embarked on the one month spiritual exercise during which they abstained from food and drinks as well as sexual intimacy from dusk to dawn. It’s also one of the periods of the year with heightened human and vehicular movements which necessitate special operations by the FRSC to ensure free and safe road environment for all road travelers throughout the holiday period.
In the event of a crash or any emergencies, members of the public are enjoined to call the National Emergency line: 122 or report directly to the studio of the FRSC National Traffic Radio, 107.1fm for prompt response.
Adron Homes and Properties extends warm greetings to the Muslim community across Nigeria and beyond as we celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid-al-Fitr.
As we mark the end of Ramadan, a season of faith, sacrifice, and devotion, we reflect on the values of unity, gratitude, and generosity that define this celebration. The blessings of fasting and prayers bring peace, progress, and abundance to our beloved nation, and we pray for continued harmony, stability, and prosperity for Nigeria and its people.
At Adron Homes, this season is also a time to express our heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed customers. Your trust, loyalty, and commitment to choosing Adron Homes as your partner in the journey to homeownership mean everything to us. Your belief in our vision inspires us to continue providing affordable, luxurious, and accessible housing solutions, making homeownership a reality for all.
As you celebrate Eid with your loved ones, may your homes be filled with peace, joy, and countless blessings. We remain dedicated to building vibrant communities where families can thrive and create lasting memories.
Eid Mubarak! Thank you for being part of the Adron Homes family.
