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Celebrating A Father, Uncle, Preacher @ 85

Published

3 years ago

December 22, 2022

Editor

Pa (Envg.) Emmanuel Odushu

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

He is a teacher, a preacher, a politician per excellence, a husband, a father, a grandfather and uncle.

I grew up as a boy to hear his name in the late 80s as a preacher and later in the early 90s as a politician, a period his name became more prominent and announced in Ebijaw Ward 6, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. His name was not only prominent in the ward alone at this period but in the local government council and Ondo State at large. Reason for his popularity as a politician was not far fetched. He contested, perhaps in the history of Ebijaw Ward, one of the most keenly contested and toughest councilorship elections on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the ward and won.

There is this belief in Nigeria that any genuine Christian who goes into politics in Nigeria will be corrupted, but Pa (Evangelist) Emmanuel Odushu’s case was not so; he proved this cliche wrong. Like I said earlier, I first heard of his name as a preacher of the Gospel before I later heard of it in the Nigeria politics. Pa Odushu was already a preacher of the Gospel at Church of Christ before he contested the election and won. And to the best of my knowledge, he did not spoil his Christianity identity throughout his stay in the mulky and dirty water of Nigeria politics, neither have I, till date, hear any misdeed by Pa Odushu during his tenure in Odigbo council. Permit me to use this Yoruba cliche – Pa Odushu o ba omo je (Pa Odushu did not stain his family name). After his tenure as councilor, he went back to his calling (preaching) in full.

Pa Emmanuel Odushu

As a boy then, I never knew this man was a father to me; all what I knew was there’s a man call Emmanuel Odushu who comes to the village to preach.

Pa Odushu exemplifies the true grass to grace story. I am not here to write his biography so I will not go deep into his journey in life, but despite losing his parents in his tender age in the early 60s, Pa Odushu was, through the help of his sister, able to acquire formal education. His queen English is enviable. His brilliancy and sharp brain despite the old age is second to none. Whenever I call him on phone with a strange number, I do not need to introduce myself before he identifies me through my voice – Jona, he would exclaimed.

In my interview with him three years ago, he narrated how his desire and love for education made him to struggle through life and eventually bagged a certificate in Business English from the Manchester University, London. Today, Pa Odushu is a successful and blessed man; a teacher and preacher. His seeds too are doing great in life.

During the course of my interview with him, he expressed his displeasure at happenings in his clan and the Ijaw nation at large and passionately told me his heart desire for the Ijaw nation and Furupagha, where he hails from. To Pa Odushu, the unity of the Ijaw nation and Furupagha is paramount
” I want my people to come and reason together because we are so few yet we are divided and scattered,” he passionately said.

When I called him last week to wish him happy birthday in advance, he thanked me and said “you my children should pray for me so that I live more years.” It is already a done deal because he has not fully accomplish his mission statement when I asked what he would want to do more if he had another 50 years to live during my interview with him. Unity among his people is paramount in the heart of Evangelist Odushu.

Pa (Evangelist) Emmanuel Odushu

“I will make sure I work out the unity of my people and the Ijaw nation at large. I will want to see that we speak in unison. One thing is, if I am able to put my side aright, the Ijaw nation will welcome us. Let’s not talk about 50 years, if I am given opportunity to stay for the next 10 years, I will do more. I will make sure my people are united. It is when we as a clan and as Ijaw nation unite that the deserved recognition will be given to us. My priority for the Ijaw nation is that we should be known as being in the forefront of the decision making of this nation,” he declared.

Papa, I am too young to pray for you but as the grace of Christ exist and He lives, may you live to accomplish all what you desired in the last paragraph. I wish you sound health and more strength, wisdom to go about some of these your heart desires.

Happy 85th birthday day sir.

Joseph Ebi Kanjo is a Benin-based journalist and son to the celebrant.

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

6 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

22 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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