A TRIBUTE TO IYA IBADAN!

As I type this write up, tears stream down...from my eyes, over my nose and down my mouth. As I remember that my grand mum, the final one, the only one I can make any claim to knowing or having a relationship with is no more I can't help but cry, I can't help the tears. My colleague sited right beside me just noticed my change in demeanour, I do not know how to explain the feeling, I wouldn't know the right words to use. Typing just got harder, tears free flowing.

I had a relationship with Iya Ibadan, she brought me up, rocked and cuddled me from infancy through my early years till my late teens. I remember her meekness, her generosity (her greatest fault). I remember the amala, the free drinks...I remember how much she longed for me to be well, to grow up and take care of her.

Iya Ibadan was from Sagamu, she got the name from the fact that she lived most of her adult life in Ibadan. She met her 2nd husband there (my step-grandfather) and settled in Apata Gangan where the husband was Baale. There were not too many Alhajas more popular than Alhaja Amole, iyawo Baale, Iya Oye in that area. She was popular as she ran a little beer parlour in front of her residence, I will never forget my post SSCE vacation in Ibadan back in 1995 (December).

It was during this particular vacation at Iya Ibadan's house that I perfected by smoking, toasting and snooker playing skills. Her house could have been a far cry from the comfort of my parents luxury apartment but with the prospect of a bottomless drink for free (anyone that has had a stint with MacDonald's and British Chinese restaurants would know what bottomless means), a very deep pocket (from sales proceeds) and a daily supply of home made & original local amala and ewedu, who needs a generator or sofa.

I loved her, she always reminded me to have a child for her to nurture before it became too late, I never though it did happen so fast, never thought death did come calling so soon. I have offended her, I deprived her of something she so much longed for!!! IYA IBADAN, I AM TRULY SORRY, PLEASE FORGIVE ME! I know I cannot turn back the hands of time, I don't even want to, I am not in a position to contend with God's will. I can only wish...I actually do wish seriously.

She has left this world for a better place, as Muslims would say, MAY GOD GRANT HER ETERNAL FIDAU... AMIN.

Iya Ibadan, SUN RE O!!!برحمته,

NIGERIA...some great people, an 'ex' great nation! - Part 2

Wow...Nigeria hasn't changed much since I started this right up, has it? Well, one thing did change, the CBN governor. I have been part of a very long discourse (comments) on FB on this particular change...the Northern Agenda was what somewhat described it. Whilst I am not a subscriber to religious or ethnic sentiments, I cannot but frown and show my disgust and disappointment at the total bias and insincerity defined in the new governor's appointment.

Whilst some would lay claim to Lamido Sanusi being qualified given the fact that he was at the head of perhaps the biggest bank in Nigeria prior to his appointment, I did remind them that he was there for barely six months. I ma also likely to remind the supporters of the appointment that Sanusi's pedigree and vitae is not the most impressive with perhaps his biggest achievement being Risk and Credit control head at UBA. You may want to compare this to the history of past governors of the CBN, more importantly, those of them that have left an indelible mark on the face of the financial industry in our darling country.

In a country as sensitive, diverse, disgruntled and differential as Nigeria, in an environment streaming with excessive intellectual talent, I cannot explain a situation whereby the head of the Economic team, Finance Minister and CBN governor are from a single state. Whilst I am not very open to tribal or religious sentiments, I am a full-breed student of the realism school of thought. How do I explain this kind of executive recklessness, or do I say carelessness, it can only be defined as a definite maneuver by the high echelons of Arewa leadership.

I am passionate about this country, extremely so, I believe Nigeria remains a land of opportunities...a blessed country. Therefore, I cry out to the executive to stop the blantant political rape and abuse of the polity.