Femi Ajayi's Outlook

Expectations from any peace loving Nigerian would be for elders in Ogun State to seek peace in the state and beyond. It is not for any group to see the truth and decide to sweep it under the carpet. Iyabo is no stranger to most Ogun citizens, her constituency, and Nigeria as a whole. That is why she is a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Wednesday, December 17, 2008



Dr. Femi Ajayi

ANNOUNCE THIS ARTICLE TO YOUR FRIENDS
TOWARDS PEACE IN OGUN STATE
- READERS REACT: 'FEAR OF GOD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM'

love to debate with people who disagree with me most especially to get my points across to them for balance of opinion on a subject. In effect periodically we publish some of our readers' comments. I do not expect everyone to agree with me anyway, nonetheless, it has to be done with maturity and decorum. I respect people's opinion and they have the right to disagree with me, just like I have the right to respond and make my view point clearer without getting personal. I sincerely appreciate comments on my papers, especially the negative ones which strengthen and keep me going.


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While reasoning on both sides of the argument, let there be peace in Gateway State. Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello should shelve her sword and be a Lady.

Expectations from any peace loving Nigerian would be for elders in Ogun State to seek peace in the state and beyond. It is not for any group to see the truth and decide to sweep it under the carpet. Iyabo is no stranger to most Ogun citizens, her constituency, and Nigeria as a whole. That is why she is a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We all understand that Lawyers, like any other Professionals, should and would make a living, nonetheless, the elders of thought in our communities should continuously work toward peace. It is a serious allegation to accuse anyone of after someone else's life. Whatever is bordering Iyabo must be approached in finding lasting peace, not referencing what happened in Ifo, on April 20, 2003, when the current Governor was not the Chief Security Officer of the State. We should not take it that she is insulating any type of confrontation, using her local supporters, as Jos violence should teach Nigeria n politicians some serious lessons as not a pride road to peace in our communities. No one would want to witness any 'imported' thugery into Abeokuta and Ogun State in general.

There is nothing wrong in petitioning Inspector General of Police (IGP), or Director General, State Security Services (SSS) for a citizen's safety, and nothing is wrong for a legal icon of Chief Afe Babalola caliber, a legal luminary, to be Obasanjo's lawyer. However, both Security agencies and Chief Afe Babalola should toll the path of peace, especially deviating from irrelevancies on the case at hand. Most especially Chief Babalola recently decried the falling standard of legal education in Nigeria. More so the poor handling of Buhari's Appeal case at the Supreme Court on the April 2007 Presidential election.

Senator Folarin Taslim, the Senate Majority Leader, who sat beside Iyabo in the Church, should be honest enough to guide the Senate on what transpired in the Church. Nigeria needs peace and should fight the enemies within.

Please read on.

Yemi: FEAR OF GOD Sir, I have just read your article on Senator Iyabode Obasanjo-Bello. Before I make my comment, I will like to introduce myself to you a bit. I am very far away from home as I have being living in Brazil for eight years and I have not been to Nigeria since 2006. However, I follow events in Nigeria with keen interest through daily reading of newspapers and magazines. I am a native of Ife where I was born and bred. Also, apart from the fact that I hate all politicians in Nigeria because of many reasons, I do know neither Governor Daniel nor Senator Obasanjo-Bello from Adam. Now my comment, your article is to say the least biased against Senator Obasanjo. You are unfair in treating a case that you did not witness. Haba! Even the Bible which you quoted says do not judge... I am sure that you do not have the audacity, the temerity and the effrontery to have written such a piece when she was the first daughter of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Are you an appointee of Governor Daniel or seeking a position from him or want a contract or favour? If not, why are you blindfolded to the facts of the case? Experience of life has shown that even with all the technology, videos and films could be manipulated. You do not see the overzealous of the security man, Governor Daniel holds a post that is transient, he is a human being like you and I if the buba of the Senator was touching his head mere looking back at the woman could have conveyed the message. Your article is a continuation of the role of the women who demonstrated at Abeokuta. When there is a crisis like this, we should look for means of settling it not aggravate the tense situation. You also mentioned the past bad behaviour of the Senator and you close your eyes to the gargantuan mistakes and abuse of power by the Governor in the past.

FA: My dear Yemi Wole Thanks for the introduction. We should get pass this blind rebuke of everyone in politics. Please go through my numerous articles on the Nigerian Politicians. I based my argument on what I saw. You mentioned something that disturbs me that is reminding us that Iyabo is the daughter of the former Nigerian President. That does not give her the license to misbehave in the House of prayer. Please go over the article and read in-between lines very well. My focus was the site she chose to vent her anger. Please go over it again Sir. You dare not misbehave at the Ooni's Palace during one of the Traditional Religious festivities while Ooni is on his seat. Would you do that? If she has a score with the Governor, the House of Prayer is not the right place to do that. You know what, those of us that have lived outside Nigeria for sometimes have been hypnotized with the made-believe movies with some special technical effects. Somebody jumping from a moving plane, crashing it in the desert; robot cops that you shoot and you could see through his body to other side of where he is standing, to think that the moving video would be edited to make Iyabo punched the Security agent on the chest. So the role of women in Abeokuta is to misbehave in the public as Iyabo always do, even at the National Assembly. Someone needs to tame her to caution her behavior in the public. You are not even sure where I was during the ceremony or if I have the access to the whole video or not. I appreciate your contributions to this debate. Let us be very objective in our comments. We could disagree without getting personal. God bless. Dr. Femi Ajayi.

Oladeinde: I laughed loudly and seriously in the office today when I was reading your article on Iyabo Obasanjo. If you read the article of her mother very well, you will agree with me that Iyabo inherited some behavior problems from her father. (Everybody inherited one thing or the other from our parents). She was possibly born after the war (I don't know the year). That was the effect of the military injections given to Obasanjo on or after the war that is still working in her. Secondly, if you also read about ESU (devil) in Yoruba Culture; Esu always wants to cause trouble everywhere. If she is in America now, we need to refer her for behavioral counseling, weekly therapy. First she should do psychosocial evaluation before we know the type of medication to give her. This is my job, please doctor, refer her to me for counseling. We need this in Nigeria now. Finally, the latest news is that GOD wanted to organize "Paradise WWE diva champion" very soon and it will start from Nigeria. The winner will stay in Dubai for two weeks, which was why she wanted to stage her WWE Diva competition in the Church. D O K I T A, you make me laugh today. You are always funny. Bye. Oladeinde

FA: Thank you very much Oladeinde. At least I took some pressure off you at work. I would see if I can load that clip on the Internet for people to see what I am taking about. Be good. God bless. Femi.

Oladeinde: Happy Thanksgiving, The woman needs emotional and behavioral counseling. That is the simple medication I have for her.

FA: Thanks. Same to you. God bless.

Moses - Dear Dr. Ajayi, It appalled me to read this your piece and the way you portray it show that you have a personal axe to grind with the party you are writing on. Despite the fact that church is the holiest place just like a mosque any act that disturbs the peace is not condoned and as well it is not a burial place where it is all silence. It is a place to praise and glorify the greatness God for his goodness - That was why King David with all his greatness never looks back when he brought the ark back into Jerusalem with all instrument of praises and dancing like anybody else which his wife the daughter of his former adversary shamed him on. Myself reading the article and not privy to the video as you are do not appreciate why it got that attention. Anybody can do that and it was not intentional rather an accident if we can all see it that way and we brought it to that person attention for correction it would have ended just like that. Personally I don't think all this hoopla would warrant because it has been nip at the bud. You have been silence all this time, but here come for the payback to Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello and you jump at it when there other development of more importance like that of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu the former chairman of EFCC that you never venture into ever since it raise its head. It appalled me that you did not despite what the man did for the country. I would advice you to please use your medium to appease situation rather than adding fuel to the fire. Thanks for your reading and looking forward to your response as regard.

FA: You might have not been reading my articles for a while. I have been publishing. Regardless how you took it, that is not a place where Iyabo should display her displeasure with her Governor. That is a wrong place to do that. I sincerely respect your opinion. God bless. Dr. Femi Ajayi.

Moses: Dear Dr. Femi, {On Ribadu Article published after Iyabo's} I didn't know you have it cooking on the burner before that of Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello. I have nothing to say but a big Thank You for a well thought out article on the subject {Nuhu Ribadu}. As earlier said I may not be commenting on all articles it all depends on relevancy and its importance. I frequent the site all the time and each articles read because of the love for reading and feels for other people's opinion. Most importantly the love of my country Nigeria. Again Thanks.

FA: Thanks for your kind words. We love our dear country, God helps us. Acquit yourself with my articles. God bless. Femi.

Emmanuel: Doctor, I am sorry to say that this article failed woefully. The article was full of anti-Iyabo Obasanjo venom and is seriously biased and in some aspects could be libelous. I have no clue who all the players in your narrative are and personally I don't care to know any Nigerian politician. Same difference. However, if you are going to be a pundit on Nigerian Affairs, please make sure your articles are objective and unbiased. It would be a shame for everyone to use the pages of this website for personal attacks on others. Regards. Emmanuel Omololu Adesioye

FA: Dear Sir, I appreciate your comments and your contributions to this piece. Please read over it again. Where Iyabo picked her fight in the House of Prayers is wrong. That is my message. God bless. Femi.

Olu: Re: Do yourself some good: Dear Dr. Femi Ajayi, It is with great disgust and disappointment that I am writing you this mail. I don't know how much you are been paid by Ogun State government, your columns are so biased and does not sound like its coming from an informed person. You have been compromised to a level that you see nothing good in anybody opposing Otunba Gbenga Daniel. Your missteps as I think are listed below: Medical mission to Ogun State. If the government is doing well as you want us to believe, why the medical mission. You have exploited the people of the state with your mission in form of publicity you gained and God knows what the state gave you behind the door. The medical visit your team gave, any follow up on your patients. I expect knowledgeable people like you to write against medical mission and instead use your connections to get good facilities down to Nigeria. Daniel/Iyabo. Why did you believe in the video, you live in this part of the world and you know well that video can be doctored/edited? Seeing the edited video is your evidence to cast aspersions on Iyabo - I am sorry for you. Pause the video and look at where you said she looked left then right sharply, don't you think that is edited? Otunba Daniel has 3 more years as executive Gov. Do not mess up your name as Kings come and go as it is happening to Baba Iyabo currently, but people don't forget sycophants. Why not concentrate your efforts to Kogi/Kwara that you know very well as confessed by you - you have only being to Ogun state once before your medical mission. Ogun state was developed before Daniel and will continue to be during and after Daniel administration. The state is no Kogi/Kwara. Olu Lekuti

FA: Olu Lekuti, I do not expect every reader of my articles to agree with my views always. However, we do not have to get personal and we have to get ourselves out from reacting on emotions. You know with those of us who reside abroad, we always jump into conclusion on some issues subjectively. There must be some impact of what we gain in foreign land to objectively analyze what is happening in Nigeria. I doubt if you read that article in-between-lines as to see where I rebuked Otunba Gbenga Daniel if he were responsible for advising the Alake against crowning Iyabo with Iyaniwura of Egbaland. I wish we should just take out emotions from such issues like this. How could a rolling camera be edited for Iyabo to punch the young man who was about telling her something in the HOUSE OF PRAYERS for God's sake. Whichever religion you believe in, you dare not do that in any of the Tradition Religious assemblies. The gods of the land would react immediately. We should be honest with ourselves in whatever we do. I will definitely bring my International connections firstly to Ogun State before thinking of Kwara if Ogun State is ready for me to do that. Medical Missions are done all over the world. Even in the United States, have you heard of Health fairs? That is it. There are no self-sufficient countries in this world, when it comes to medical services, even in all areas. Mind you I do the same for Kwara State and I cannot cover all States in Nigeria. I have personally encouraged some of my friends to do the same thing in any State of their comfort. I refused to accept such request from some States. Americans go to the Caribbean every year; they go to Asia annually and Africa, even in Nigeria to all other States. This is one of the concepts I championed and the ANPA, Association of Nigerian Physicians have joined me on that. Based on my advice to the ANPA they are bringing their annual conference to Nigeria 2009. Let us get real; Iyabo is wrong to wage a fight in the Church. It is fundamentally and absolutely wrong. If you love that lady, you should be one of those that would counsel her to control herself in the public. No one cares what she does in her privacy. My friend, I respect your opinion without getting personal. God bless. Dr. Femi Ajayi.

Titi: Good day Sir, I am a regular reader of your column and I must tell you I appreciate the good work you're doing, my name is �a Nigerian that resides in ... I read carefully through your article on the above subject and as a neutral person (not a friend to Iyabo Obasanjo's hussy like you are) or related to anyone of this people in this context; however I'm of the opinion that you're being too judgmental on Iyabo Obasanjo's person. Your article sounded to me and some other people I asked to read and give me a feedback like you have personal HATRED for this lady. As Christians, I know that God is the supreme judge and for our relatives, friends, families and neighbors all corrections should be made in love not condemning them in strong words like no good can come out of them. This is my sincere opinion on this article. Best regards. Titi

FA: Titi, I appreciate your contribution to this debate, and for reading my columns always. Please keep it up. In all honesty I do not HATE Iyabo. That is a very strong pill for me to swallow. My point, which you missed, is that, what she did in the House of Prayers is wrong. She could have curtailed her anger till after the service. Titi sounds like a Yoruba name where we respect our elders, and secondly, there is nowhere in the world especially in our African culture, or come down to Yorubaland that no one dare behave like that when they are celebrating the real tradition religion festivities. You know what, the elders and traditionalist would frown at it and could lead to some serious repercussions. For your information here is a piece I wrote about Iyabo sometimes ago, posted on www.nigeriaworld.com: 07/15/2006: That Iyabo's interview, Nigerian women, and 2007 Nigerian elections. I like her though. Unfortunately she has an uncontrollable temper as a lady, that is not good. Check it out. I do not hate her please. I like her for real. But she has to control her temper not in the house of worship. That is my message. God bless. Femi.

Fashina: Dear Femi Ajayi, Greetings, I read your piece on the above subject and I wish to disagree with you a lot, first while am not in support of Iyabo Obasanjo to have engaged in a dance that touch the head of the governor and vice-versa, relaying on video tape to adjudicate on the matters shows that in the era of hi-tech manipulations anything can happen. First, let us examine the activities of the governor himself, remember just a month ago he was having problems with Alake over mundane issue of the Oba saying that some roads within Abeokuta is bad, you need to see the amount of threats and media war that the so call governor deployed, another pointer is when the former (Iyabo Obasanjo) was to be installed as Iyaniwura of Egbaland, again the hands of the governor and his cohort is at work, thirdly, the zoning of 2011 governorship slot to a section of the state, etc. etc. The governor need to re-examine himself, his attitude these days shows a drunk man dancing nakedly on the street, how do you think you are above others and that your wish must be divine, I am not surprised at this attitude but blame our people for glorifying a man for doing his work during his first term, his recent show of shame by his commissioners demonstrating against Iyabo shows a group of hungry people trying to please their paymasters, a governor that want peace and yet go opposite direction courting troubles. I personally await him to have removed Alake or at least carry out his one of the numerous threats to know who is superior. The crisis currently being experienced in Ogun is due to one man trying to lord himself over everybody. I remain. M. A. Fashina

FA: Dear Sir, I appreciate communicating with me on the article on www.nigeriaworld.com, regarding the unholy acts of Iyabo in the House of Prayers. You have the right to disagree with my views and you have the right to express yours. Watching that video, caught LIVE, there was no manipulations like you cut someone's head and paste it on another person's body on pictures is not the case here. LIVE video would not lie. Regardless the 'manipulation', it will still capture the act. I hate to engage you on the activities of the Governor regarding the issue with Alake. My friend let us be very clear and objective about it. I am one of the advocates of the highest respect for our Traditional Rulers, who are supposed to be the father to all regardless our political party inclinations. I would be one of those who would tell any traditional rulers to halt any of their behaviors or acts that are untraditional. Go back and read what I have written about the Olateru and Emir of Ilorin on different issues for and against. Sir, there is Traditional Rulers Forum in Ogun State, with their Council Meeting offices next to the State Governor's Office, where they discuss, not only issues related to traditional matters in Ogun State, but all other matters that affect their subjects. I bet you, there will be another forum where the Traditional Rulers would present whatever they discussed at their meetings with the Governor. If such is available, Sir, that should be the forum where Alake should make sure the appalling road known to the Governor not at the public gathering, if and when Alake meant well for the State. None of the Traditional Rulers should fall to the politician games. Governor comes Governor goes, Traditional Rulers stay, but they have to be upright in their thinking and actions. We all know Iyabo very well if we are going to be honest with ourselves. I love that girl, no question about that. However, someone has to tame her wherever she is in the public. More important though Sir, not in the House of Prayers. It could be in the Mosque. I bet you if she has the opportunity to be at any of the traditional religious houses, she dare not do what she did in that Church that day. She actually punched that young man who was about telling her something. That is wrong. This is beside what the Governor is or not doing. Don't let us get carried away by our emotions without working through the issue. I doubt if the Governor ever thought of removing Alake. Without debating about the rotation of the Governorship among the people of Ogun, I hope we are learning from Obama's success stories in this point in life. There is no perfect man in this world. But we should stand up for some principles. I stand against Iyabo's public acts in all its ramifications, not even in the House of Prayers. God bless. Dr. Femi Ajayi.

Fashina: Dear Mr. Femi Ajayi, Many thanks for your response to my rejoinder on the above subject, however, I wish to emphasis that at no time I ever supported Iyabo Obasanjo or anyone insulting the Governor, be that as it may, I beg your indulgence to please forward to my email address your write-up on Messrs Olateru and Emir of Ilorin (I hope it will not be an imposition). However, some of us who have being a close admirer of OGD until of recent, his attitude has began to raise some moral questions, especially on the issue of his successor, first his information commissioner and those charged with this responsibilities are not helping matters, their utterances leave much to be desired, how do you interpret a governor wishing someone from Awori/Yewa to be the next governor and at the same time fighting all would be candidate especially from Ogun Central knowing fully that Ogun Central are eyeing same slot, the governor is seen fighting all Egba sons who are perceived to eyeing the slot, example with the Amosun and Bankole saga, do you know that ex-minister for mines and power exit from ministerial appointment was celebrated by OGD? Has the governor forgot that going by population and other statistics he will need the support of Egba people, does he think the issue of how he secured the second term through the back door has been forgotten by others. Haba, why must he through decency and diplomacy to the winds in actualizing his dreams. What else do some expect from a governor who hired a crowd to protest against a senator from same state, you need to see government appointee in the crowd, e.g. information commissioner and other bread and butter political appointees, again Nigerian newspapers reported this. (It is shameful to say the lease). This is a government that cannot found {fund}his electronic media adequately, do you know that OGBC1 on AM band has been in comatose for many years now. On my claim that OGD is planning to dethrone Alake, various Nigerian newspapers widely reported this, notably his megaphone paper, Compass Newspapers, if he believes he is above criticism and he feels beyond constructive criticism then what business is he doing with public positions especially being a state chief executive. Some of us who are home based knows full well the situation on the ground, my experience in and out of country most often makes me wonder if Nigeria is in different planet. Sir, I really enjoy your piece, pls keep writing, may the almighty God continue to replenish your knowledge, my warmest regard to your good self and family. M. A. Fashina (0802��.)

FA: Oga Fashina, I really appreciate the communication and your good words about my writings. I stand by what I put on the Internet to the last dot. I don't mind going to any length to get my points across to my readers in a civilized manner. Go to www.nigeriaworld.com, Femi Ajayi's Outlook, click on other articles, all of my articles will come out. Some of the ones you are interested at are: 06/07/2002: Dramatic changes in the Palaces: An expired tradition in Yoruba Nation; 12/30/2003: What is it going to take to respect and honor our Traditional Institution?; 11/01/2005: Traditional rulership in Kwara State: An uphill task for Saraki's administration. Here is what I wrote about Iyabo at one time. 07/15/2006: That Iyabo's interview, Nigerian women, and 2007 Nigerian elections. I like her though. Unfortunately she has an uncontrollable temper as a lady, which is not good. You have to continue to be a close admirer of Otunba Daniel considering what he is doing for Ogun State compared to other neighboring States. I doubt if he says that he is a Saint, neither you, nor being a perfect man, and no human being is perfect. We are talking about successor in Nigeria; I believe he has the right to encourage any good person who would not destabilize what he has done, just like you have the right to bring up your children that will give you good name in future. We always pray to have good Children to succeed us as parents. If people tell you that your mouth stinks, no one is going to clean your mouth for you. That is a task for you to do. If no one is going to sing your praise you have to find a means of doing that. I am one of the admirers of Otunba as you can tell, just the way he carries himself and the most importantly on what he is doing in the State in all areas, compared with other States. He is not perfect, he makes mistakes; however, he has listening ears, if those that surround him would tell him the truth. Look at Obasanjo, this is not to say that he did nothing for Nigeria, but his attitude, sometimes needed for Nigeria, and those that surrounded him, especially with the Third Term palaver, killed the respect people had for him. Please keep on reading my articles in-between-lines for clearer understanding of my points. Iyabo is wrong to pick a fight in the House of Prayers. It would NEVER happen in any of the Yoruba Traditional rites ceremonies. And you know what, Yoruba believes and worship RESPECT for our elders. God bless. Femi.

Fashina: Dear Mr. Ajayi. Many thanks for the articles mailed to me, I shall find time to read them, your last letter in respect of Daniel however has clearly showed how you choose to perceive issues, anyway, there is time to speak up and there is time to keep silent. I have decided to choose the later for now. The best thing you can do for those you dearly admire/love is to speak up when things started going wrong, but if you choose to ignore facts, it is just too bad. (Please no insult intended). Have a lovely week ahead. Bye

FA: Possibly the more you get closer to me the better you would understand me. Those that I am very close with, including Daniel, respect me for that. I tell them the way I see it with respect. God bless. Dr. Femi Ajayi.

Ahmed: Good day Sir, I must confess that this is, to the best of my knowledge, the longest of the pieces you have been sending to me. I hope by the time you will be compiling your pieces, you do not forget this particular one. Once again, it talks volumes about the happenings in the socio-political circle in the country. Thanks Sir and as usual my regards to the family and Barka De Sallah.

FA: Thanks. I'll surely consider your suggestion. Barka De Sallah to you as well. God bless.

We appreciate our readers' patronage and their candid opinion on my articles, most especially. I believe the elders in Ogun State, including the highly respected law icon, Chief Afe Babalola, including this writer, should get together and resolve this matter amicably before it degenerates into a prolonged dent in human relations. Some of us admire the progress in that State, all the key players in Ogun State and in Nigeria generally should give peace a chance.