News

OPINION: Mike Ejeagha And The Power Of Music

Published

1 year ago

August 2, 2024

Tunde Odesola

I grew up hating my name, Isaac, after listening to Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s song, Upside Down, which he did with his American soulmate, Sandra Isidore, in 1976. Apart from his mother, the king-dethroning Madam Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Sandra was a major influence in the radicalisation of Fela, burnishing his art and heart with the socio-political wildfires called Blackness and Africanness spreading across the US, Europe and Africa to other parts of the world at the time.

Harnessing the genius of multi-talented designer, artist, painter and illustrator, Lemi Ghariokwu, whose brush drenched the sleeves of Fela’s albums in rainbowy colours, the Afrobeat god granted Ghariokwu the artistic licence to design and write the lyrics of his songs on his album sleeves. Ghariokwu made the best of the opportunity presented by Fela, soaring to world acclaim. The sleeve designs of ‘Yellow Fever’, ‘Zombie’ and ‘Beasts of No Nation’ are still vividly etched in my memory.

Not novel to the Nigerian music industry, the illustrations and lyrics on Fela’s album sleeves made it easy for his lovers and haters to understand the anger in his protest songs. Personally, the illustrations and lyrics made me internalise his gospel, though I was young.

Despite being a consummate Christian, my father, who was his fan, didn’t know he was planting the seeds of Black African consciousness in me by buying Fela’s albums. I remember my mother also bought the 1973 album of St Gregory’s College teenage students’ group, Ofege, titled ‘Try and Love’.

Leader of the group, Melvin Ukachi, revealed that Ofege was an abridged form of ‘O fo gate’, which means ‘he jumped the gate,’ a term used for Army deserters on French leave aka AWOL or students who left the dormitory without permission.

Isaac!? “No, I’m not sick,” I would say – in derision of my name – and would tell whoever cared to listen how wrong it was for me, a Yoruba, to bear a Jewish name when Jews don’t bear Yoruba names. In my fledgling ideological radicalism, I saw reason in Fela and Sandra, who sang in ‘Upside Down’ that, “Englishman get English name, American man get American name, German man get German name, Russian man get Russian name, Chinese man get Chinese name, but African man no dey get African name…everything disorganise, patapata…”

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: OPINION: Does Sparing The Rod Spoil The Child?

As a youngster, I never plucked up the courage to tell my parents how much I disliked the Isaac name. Who born me? But when I came of age, I did tell my father how kobo-wise and naira-foolish I think it was for anyone to go to Jerusalem or Mecca on pilgrimage in the hope of making it to Paradise. I also told him how illogical I think it was for Nigerians to communicate with God in foreign languages such as Arabic, Italian, Hebrew etc when God understands all languages.

Fela intended his songs as a tool for social change. With the cult following he enjoyed, Fela knew his songs would sprout disciples in many nations. Though I didn’t smoke marijuana, I became a disciple of Fela’s gospel, always leaving my shirt unbuttoned at the chest, a behaviour which often fetched my mother’s swift ‘ifakun’ slap on my flat-screen chest, ‘twai’; ‘it’s not in this house you will become a Fela disciple! Button up, you goat!’

Just 18 when he met Fela, Ghariokwu had done a portrait of the Abami Eda and went to present the work to him. Fela reportedly offered Ghariokwu four times the worth of the painting but the creative turned down the money, thus earning a lifetime ticket to Kalakuta Republic.

As a result of his diligence with Fela, self-taught Ghariokwu achieved international repute, exhibiting in major museums across the globe, granting interviews to global media organisations, including CNN and designing album covers for Bob Marley, Osita Osadebe, Kris Okotie, Lucky Dube, Miriam Makeba etc. Also, he designed album covers for 2Face, Lagbaja, Sound Sultan, Falz, Brymo and record labels such as EMI, CBS and Ivory Music. He also recorded a song, Omolakeji, in 1992, featuring Daniel Wilson aka Mr Ragamuffin.

At 94, folklorist and master guitarist – Gentleman Mike Ejeagha – is at the Departure Lounge of Life International Airport, awaiting his last flight. A soft female voice wafted through the airport’s Public Address System, saying: “Passenger No 01-08-1932, Pa Mike Ejeagha, your attention is needed. You are about to board the wrong flight. Please, go back to the Arrival Lounge, a convoy is waiting to take you back home, courtesy of popular comedian, Brain Jotter.”

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: OPINION: How I Quit Smoking (1)

And Gentleman Ejeagha burst into tears.

In music, folderol is a refrain with no meaning though it may be rhythmic. ‘Gwo, gwo, gwo, ngwo’ is a folderol, just as ‘Eweku ewele’, the Yoruba version of ‘Gwo, gwo, gwo, ngwo’ is. ‘Gwo, gwo, gwo, ngwo’ and ‘Ewku ewele’ are refrains in the Igbo and Yoruba folktales that showcase how little Tortoise differently tricked the almighty Elephant. ‘A o m’erin j’oba’ is the Yoruba version of the folktale. At best, both refrains signify the footfalls of the Elephant: ‘Gwo, gwo, gwo, ngwo’, ‘Eweku ewele’.

Ejeagha had only been known within the resilient Biafra enclave until fate blew fame his way recently, after his 1983 song, Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche, became the 14th most searched song in the world because the song went viral when Brain Jotter created a funny dance step and used the song in his comic skit.

In Igbo land, the name Mike Ejegbha is synonymous with storytelling such that whenever someone is engaging in a long speech, the audience would say, ‘Akuko Mike Ejeagha,’ meaning ‘Storytelling like Mike Ejeagha’.

Ejeagha simply means ‘Safe journey’. As a nonagenarian, one of the prayers of the Imezi Owa-born indigene of Enugu State would include a safe journey back home to his Maker for he had run a good race, fought a good fight and was waiting on his Lord before Brain Jotter appeared in the sky to give him fresh wings to fly, once again, among stars. It’s destined that Ejeagha’s song would be sung by this generation.

You can’t enjoy Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche if you play it on mobile devices. Get the music on a stereo and hear the booming ‘udu’ tempering the classic guitar work played on D major scale. It’s crazy.

Over the years, degeneration in moral values has seen Nigerian society abandon didactic musical messages for the current hurricane of irritatingly noisy music full of fury, materialism, sex, ritualism and outright stupidity.

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: OPINION: How I Quit Smoking (2)

Music is powerful. I should add ‘very’ to the power of music. The walls of Jericho fell to music. David won the heart of God with music. Music is the food of love. It’s also the fuel for war. Music made me hate Isaac till tomorrow. Music is very powerful. Music is making Gentleman Ejeagha float on cottony clouds in the evening of his life, fulfilling the prayer of Everyman – to finish well in life; to not wear rags after donning coats of many colours, to not eat bone after eating choice meat.

By the way, who invented music? Who invented dance? There’s no historical evidence as to who invented music but dance, one of the most expressive physical art forms, evolved from prehistoric times as a celebratory worship form in spiritual rituals, creating family and communal bonds. Egypt and India are believed to be the earliest roots of dance.

There’s an unmistakable affinity between Igbo and Yoruba languages despite the political wedge being driven between the two great peoples. The Igbo call the elephant ‘enyi’ while the Yoruba call it ‘erin’. The mouth is ‘onu’ in Igbo, it’s ‘enu’ in Yoruba just as the ear, called ‘nti’ in Igbo, bears ‘eti’ in Yoruba. The hand is ‘aka’ in Igbo and goes by ‘apa’ in Yoruba while the nose is ‘imi’ in Igbo and ‘imu’ in Yoruba. Torotoro is turkey in Igbo while it’s tolotolo in Yoruba. Goat, ‘ewu’ in Igbo, is ‘ewure’ in Yoruba. Corn is ‘oka’ in both languages just as fever is ‘iba’ in both.

In 2019, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and Ohaneze Ndigbo agreed that the Igbo once lived in Ife. The Ooni, who said the Yoruba were aborigines of Ile-Ife, added, “We have to say the truth and the truth must set us all free, we (Yoruba and Igbo) are blood brothers.” But the National Deputy Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu, said the Igbo were the original occupants and owners of Ife before the arrival of the Yoruba. Historians should shed light on the issue.

A retired Associate Professor of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, Bolaji Aremo, whose research affirmed both Igbo and Yoruba languages were from the same parent language, said the similarities suggest that both languages lived in the same community at a time and that both ethnic groups were of the same ancestral stock.

Ejeagha is Igbo, yet the Yoruba dance ‘Gwo, gwo, gwo, ngwo’. The Igbo danced to Sina Peters’ ‘Ace’. Music is the powerful food of love.

Email: tundeodes2003@yahoo.com

Facebook: @Tunde Odesola

X: @Tunde_Odesola

News

FULL TEXT: Gen Musa’s Inaugural Speech As Defence Minister

Published

4 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

Newly appointed Defence Minister, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), on Friday, delivered his inaugural speech as he assumed office, pledging to end the shedding of innocent blood and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

Here is the full speech:

FULL SPEECH: ADDRESS BY GENERAL CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA (RTD), ON HIS ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE AS MINISTER OF DEFENCE.

December 5, 2025

It is with profound humility and a deep sense of responsibility that I address you today in my new capacity as the Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Six weeks ago, I was in Kaki. Now, I am coming as the Minister. It can only be God. I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the trust and confidence you have shown in me.

I take that very seriously. For me, it is indeed a privilege and an honour, after serving 39 years in service, to come in and now be the Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The love Nigerians have shown us reflects that people believe we can turn the tide.

But it is not rhetoric. It is by action. We must, firstly as Nigerians, take ownership of the responsibilities and challenges we face in our country.

It is only us who can solve the problem. It is when we agree within ourselves that we can deal with this, that we will succeed. God is with us, and He has always given us the responsibility to succeed.

This responsibility is one I accept with solemn reverence and unwavering commitment to the safety and security of our great nation, Nigeria. Let me also acknowledge the dedicated leadership of my predecessor and the relentless efforts of every one of you in this room.

When I was the Chief of Defence Staff, you gave me all the support, and I truly appreciate it. I want to assure you that coming back as Minister, we want to do more for your welfare, well-being, and the administration of the Ministry. I strongly believe in reward and accountability. You do well, you are rewarded. We take corrective measures to ensure we succeed. I don’t believe in “na so we dey do am.”

We must assess everything that we are doing and see whether we can improve it. I believe in fostering a positive workforce. We are going to listen to your challenges, and whatever we can do to address them, we will. But I count on you also to put in your best. You know your task ahead. You don’t have to wait until somebody calls you or asks you a question. Do what you are supposed to do, and that will make it easier for us as a nation.

The task of securing the nation is continuous, and I am aware that you have been holding the line with dedication. I commend you all. For decades, my life has been defined by uniform, by the ethos of service, and by sacred covenants to defend the territorial integrity and citizens of Nigeria. I therefore come to this role not as a stranger to our security challenges, but as a comrade who has been in the trenches both literally and figuratively. I’ve seen firsthand the bravery of our troops, the complexity of our threats, and the role of strategic coordination. Like I always say, no single individual can achieve this alone. No single service operator can do it. We must work as Nigerians, making Nigeria better.

Consequently, my core philosophy in ensuring the affairs of this ministry is simple: operational effectiveness through unified action and strategic foresight. Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot afford to operate in silos.

We cannot tolerate gaps between policy and execution, or between the ministry and the services. This ministry will be a powerhouse of strategic direction, enabling support, and relentless accountability. We must provide that support for our troops to continue to succeed. They are sacrificing their lives out there in the field—day and night, thunderstorm or windstorm—whatever the situation, to ensure that we, Nigerians, can go to bed and sleep well. We must continue to pray for them. We must continue to provide the necessary support.

Working as a team with other MDAs, Mr. President has made it very clear he will give us all the support we require and demands that we achieve success, which we have promised him. Within the first few weeks, we must show that we are committed: the ministry working inside, the troops working outside.

To translate this philosophy into action, my initial focus will rest on three interconnected pillars: enhancing joint operational strategy synergy. We will immediately begin a rigorous review of all theatre commands and inter-service operations. My door will be open, as always, to the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for frank discussions on equipment, training, welfare, and strategy. Mr. President wants us to present our challenges, with the promise that they will be addressed. So it is left for us to do the needful.
Our goal is to overwhelm the adversaries with seamless jointness, not just cognition.

Welfare and Morale as a Force Multiplier

We all understand the importance of morale to our personnel and staff. We must therefore prioritise the timely provision of all necessary kits, ensure prompt payment of operational allowances, and vigorously address accommodation and medical care for our personnel and their families. Those not injured are watching how we treat the injured. If they are not taken care of properly, they will not give their best, because they will be apprehensive. Especially those who have lost their loved ones—the families want to know what will happen.

It is our responsibility to take care of them. The aspect of actions that impugn their integrity is not acceptable. We must make payments seamless. We must treat them with respect. Anybody who is laying down their life for their country deserves the highest respect, and that is what we offer. I will be very critical about that.

Intelligence-Driven and Technology-Enabled Defence

The Ministry of Defence is the strategic brain of our national defence architecture. We must therefore leverage technology for intelligence, surveillance, and recurring service. We have partners and allies ready to support us. We will reach out to them to work as a team. We will also collaborate with other security agencies. Every Nigerian is vital to the success of Nigeria. We will foster a culture where data and intelligence drive our decisions, not just experience alone. I charge the Ministry to be a catalyst for innovation and efficient resource management.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I expect the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and urgency from all of us. We do not have time to waste. We will continue to hit the ground running. We must respect the human rights of Nigerians. If we make mistakes, we must take necessary action to make amends. I will always encourage candid advice and robust debates. But once a decision is taken, we must move as one united team.

There will be zero tolerance for corruption, indiscipline, or indolence. Our loyalty is to Nigeria and the Nigerian people. The President is the Commander-in-Chief; the bulk stops on his table. We must provide the support required to make Nigeria peaceful.

Shedding of innocent blood is over. Our children should go back to school. Our farmers should go back to their farms. Most of the challenges we face are not military solutions—they are issues of good governance, justice, equity, and fairness, which we will encourage. Both non-kinetic and kinetic solutions must work hand in hand. We cannot afford to fail Nigerians. Charity begins at home; if we have the mindset that we will succeed, we will.

To the Service Chiefs, I offer my full support and expect your utmost cooperation to move the Armed Forces to greater heights. To the Department Secretary and the Civil Service cadre, you are the institutional memory and the framework for our sustainability. I value your expertise and count on your diligence to translate our military objectives into actionable administrative and budgetary policies.

The road ahead is demanding and will be tough. Let us not take it for granted. But because we are Nigerians, we shall overcome. The threats we face are adaptive and complex, but I have absolute faith in the indomitable spirit of our Armed Forces and the capable minds within the Ministry. With the support and prayers we are receiving from all Nigerians, we cannot fail.

In closing, let me once again reaffirm my commitment to lead with fairness, firmness, and loyalty to our Constitution. The President is doing everything possible to ensure our success. We must play our part. The task ahead is enormous, but surmountable. We can win. We will win. The good people of Nigeria are looking up to us for results, and we must deliver immediately. I am not here to preside; I am here to lead, to walk, and to deliver alongside you. I cannot do it alone. I thank you all as I look forward to our detailed work and the tasks ahead.

God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you.

— General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd)
Minister of Defence, Federal Republic of Nigeria

News

Malami Breaks Silence On Alleged Terrorism Financing

Published

6 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has broken his silence on allegations linking him to terrorism financing, dismissing the claims as baseless, misleading and politically motivated.

In a statement issued on Friday, Malami said he was compelled to respond after a publication suggested that he and several others had connections to persons described as terror suspects or alleged financiers.

Malami described the claims as “unfounded, unfair and contrary to both my record in public office and objective facts.”

The former minister stressed that he had never been accused, invited, interrogated or investigated by any security, law-enforcement or intelligence agency within or outside Nigeria for terrorism financing or any related offence.

He said: “I state clearly and unequivocally that I have never at any time been accused, invited, interrogated, investigated or charged by any security, law-enforcement, regulatory or intelligence agency—within or outside Nigeria—in respect of terrorism financing or any related offence.”

Malami noted that even the retired military officer cited as the principal source of the publication admitted that he did not accuse Malami or the other individuals of financing terrorism, but merely referenced vague “business” or “institutional” connections allegedly linked to some suspects.

He said the publication misrepresented this clarification and was politically exploited to create damaging insinuations about him.

Malami warned that normal professional or institutional engagements must not be misconstrued as evidence of supporting terrorism.

“To suggest that lawful professional or institutional engagements can be read as evidence of terrorism financing is both mischievous and unjust,” he said.

Highlighting his record, Malami listed several anti–money laundering and counter-terrorism reforms spearheaded during his tenure, including:

Establishment of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) as an independent entity

Enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022

Enactment of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022

He noted that improved inter-agency coordination under these laws contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

“During my tenure, I worked to strengthen—not weaken—Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework against money laundering and the financing of terrorism,” he said.

Malami urged the media to exercise caution when reporting on sensitive national security issues, warning that careless publications can damage reputations and undermine confidence in state institutions.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law and Nigeria’s international obligations, adding that he reserves the right to seek redress against any publication that misrepresents his role in the fight against terrorism financing.

News

Otuaro Pledges To Expand PAP Scholarship As Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities

Published

16 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Editor

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has expressed his unwavering commitment to expanding the PAP scholarship scheme.

The PAP boss made the pledge at a graduation reception for nine students who were awarded foreign post-graduate scholarships by PAP in universities in the United Kingdom.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, said the successful scholars are the first graduates in the offshore post-graduate scholarship deployment to UK institutions by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic session.

According to the statement, they graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University, University of Dundee and The University of Law with master’s degrees in cyber security, data science and engineering, law, construction and civil engineering management, project management, and ICT.

Otuaro disclosed in the statement that 711 undergraduate and post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries are expected to graduate from universities within Nigeria this year.

According to Otuaro, the expansion of the scholarship scheme is aimed at creating more opportunities for indigent students of Niger Delta extraction to access higher education with a view to closing the human capital development gap in the region.

Otuaro said it was for this reason he deployed 3800 beneficiaries in-country in the 2024-2025 academic year, and increased the figure to 3900 in the 2025-2026 academic session with 200 for foreign scholarships.

He said under his administration, 7700 students have been so far deployed for the PAP scholarship scheme within Nigeria in less than two years.

According to him, aince he took over, he has deployed 162 students from the region for post-graduate programmes in targeted disciplines in the UK universities.

According to him, this is in conformity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu for the Niger Delta, who has given unprecedented support to the PAP because of his sincere love for the area.

The PAP boss said, “Our decision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Niger Delta. We will continue to create more higher educational opportunities for students from indigent backgrounds in our region.

“We are also deepening the implementation of the programme’s mandate in informal education and other areas for the sustainable peace and socio-economic advancement of the region.”

Otuaro, who congratulated the master’s graduates on their successful graduation, stressed that they completed their programmes in record time which shows the seriousness they had put into their studies.

He said they have justified the Federal Government’s investment in their education with their successful graduation, and urged other beneficiaries not to be distracted in their academic pursuits.

“We congratulate these scholars on their successful graduation. It shows that they took their studies seriously. That is what we demand of every scholarship beneficiary, whether at the undergraduate or post-graduate level”, Otuaro said.