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OPINION: Pasuma, Currency And Super Eagles’ Humiliation (1)

Published

10 months ago

October 18, 2024

Tunde Odesola

Indeed and in deed, I’m not envious of the T-Pain nickname of President Bola Tinubu because I’m T-P, too. But my T-P is not Tunde-Pain. Neither is it the weight loss Tinubu-Pain capsule the President is forcing down the throats of Nigerians.

My T-P, Tunde-Paradox, is the product of my inability to explain why I always manage to sleep off in the cinema, with all the banging noise and lighting effects while I, ironically, wake up at the slightest of sounds when in bed.

Everyone has their kicks in life. I have mine, and media counts among them while others include literature, culture, music, writing and football. Media is the umbrella word for film, video, theatre, radio, television, social media etc.

You wonder why a supposed media enthusiast is unenthusiastic about watching films and television, and hardly listens to the radio? It’s because very few programmes tickle my fancy. Though I enjoy a few programmes on TV and radio, I’m not one to have the days and times of TV or radio programmes tucked in my skull. For anything, however, I love theatre and I love football; in the arms of these two, I never fall asleep. I love literature, culture and music too, though a little toad resides in my voice.

Seriously speaking, however, you won’t but fall asleep when your children choose their Gen-Z films by themselves online and demand your company at the cinema. I keep them company at the cinema while sleep takes away my boredom.

My brain is ageing, I admit. Whose brain isn’t, anyway? Unknotting the motifs and storylines of some foreign-themed films right inside the cinema has never been my forte. So, whenever I’m lured to watch a movie with unfamiliar characters and storylines, I yawn and succumb to sleep. Oh, you don’t know what you’re missing – sleeping in the cinema is sweet; it’s like escorting pounded yam on the mouthward journey with afang or edikang ikong soup while you suck delicately on periwinkles.

“Baba T, did you see that?” an elbow nudges me awake. “Uhn, what, yes, no, what!?” I murmur, praying for the film and its cup to pass over me quickly. “Ah, Baba T is sleeping.” “No, I’m watching with my eyes closed.”

Because of its naturalness and spontaneity, I prefer the theatre to the cinema. I love sitting in the crowd, watching and running mental critiques of plays, comedies, musicals, shows etc. I also love storytelling but I won’t bore you with the well-worn story of how the cock and its fleshy comb became sought-after food for the fox – after the cock told the fox that its comb wasn’t fire, which the fox was hitherto fleeing from, thereby losing the loci of power to the fox forever. The cock lost respect and its fear factor due to its own making.

The cock and fox story is a parable for the mistreatment Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles, suffered at the hands of Libyan authorities when they flew to Libya to honour an AFCON return leg match a few days ago. In Libya, the Eagles were debeaked, defeathered, declawed, detained and disgraced without kicking a ball. If the balls of Nigeria had not been dangling shamelessly to the ridicule of the world, Libya, an oil-rich desert of 7.3m people – lesser than Oyo State population of 7.9m – would not dehumanise the Super Eagles. Libya, a country that’s not among the top 10 list of African countries with the strongest military, would not humiliate Nigeria if it knew Nigeria wasn’t big for nothing. The Muammar Gaddafi country won’t gleefully try that rubbish with Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, without getting a comeuppance from CAF. Why bear the name giant and behave like an ant? Or could the exchange rate of N339.85 Nigerian naira to one Libyan dinar be the reason Libya thinks it can treat the Super Eagles as trash? It’s time Nigeria stopped acting dumb and condemned North Africa’s mistreatment of Black Africa. The Tinubu administration shouldn’t fail at home and fail abroad because ìyà méjì kìí je òkú ìgbé – the unfortunate fellow shouldn’t suffer two misfortunes.

Findings by yours truly showed that the NFF were not complicit in the allegations of mistreatment levelled against Nigeria during the first leg of the AFCON tie in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, by Libyan authorities some days ago. The Eagles won the match 1-0.

Media Officer of the Super Eagles B team and Editor, ExtrasportNigeria, Pius Ayinor, said the Libyan national team landed in Port Harcourt instead of the pre-arranged Uyo airport, adding that Libyan authorities didn’t inform the Nigeria Football Federation of the contingent’s intention to fly to Port Harcourt until the contingent was airborne.

Ayinor said, “The only stadium approved for CAF matches is the Uyo stadium. But the Libyan team went to Port Harcourt instead of Uyo. Because the NFF didn’t prepare Port Harcourt for them, it took some time to make calls to people in Port Harcourt to arrange clearance and transportation for them.

“They even rejected the bus provided by the NFF and arranged for their own bus to take them to Port Harcourt. It was only the security provided for them that they accepted. They also mumbled about other things they said happened without any evidence. That was why they said they were going to retaliate.”

Have you heard the story of the Corn, Beans and Squash? In the days of yore in North America, these plants were three sisters planted together in the same mound because they depended on one another for growth. The Beans weaved her twining stems around the stalk of the corn and the broad leaves of the Squash covering the ground protected the roots of the three plants from sunlight and also preserved moisture.

One day, the Corn, in arrogance, broke out of the bond and chose to stand alone, thinking the Beans and Squash contributed nothing. The Corn withered without Squash leaves protecting the soil and Bean’s stem acting as support.

The ongoing commotion in the Fuji music fraternity in Nigeria is somewhat reminiscent of The Tale of the Three Sisters. There are three major characters and a handful of minor characters in the ongoing Fuji House of Commotion play set in Ibadan. The three major characters are Oga Nla Fuji, Ajibola Alabi Pasuma, and two of his proteges, Taye Currency and Tiri Leather.

After his demise, I fell in love with the music of Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, the Fuji missionary. I used to love the music of General Kollington Ayinla. I enjoy King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, Dr Adewale Ayuba, Osupa Saheed and Pasuma. I like the comic value of Obesere music.

I spoke about music and culture earlier on. Music is an intrinsic part of culture. Music promotes language and expands the frontiers of knowledge by disseminating information. Oral and recorded music are tools for researchers to shed light on historic events.

It’s in this light I see and listen to Fuji music. Barrister’s music, arguably more than any other indigenous Yoruba musician, is richer in proverbs and lore. In many years to come, his songs would be a reference point in unearthing some of the socio-political and economic events that happened in his time. This is not to say that musicians like Portable and St Janet won’t be remembered in history for what their songs stood for. Every creative artist, musician, writer, sculptor, painter, carver, smith etc mirror their societies.

Fuji music, in particular, is the biggest Made-in-Nigeria music after Fela’s Afrobeats. While Juju, Apala, Sakara and other indigenous Yoruba music are shrinking, Fuji is growing in size and form.

During a live show in Ibadan, Taye Currency said Pasuma, his mentor, once sang like the Asakasa exponent, Obesere, when he (Pasuma) was starting out on his musical journey. This didn’t go down well with the teeming fans of Pasuma who felt such a reference was untrue and shouldn’t have come from Taye, who’s considered the biggest benefactor of Pasuma’s support musically.

To be continued.

Email: tundeodes2003@yahoo.com

Facebook: @Tunde Odesola

X: @Tunde_Odesola

News

Go And Sin No More, CAC Tells Pastor Fatoyinbo After Gaffe

Published

17 minutes ago

August 16, 2025

Editor

The Christ Apostolic Church has accepted the apology of the Global Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Biodun Fatoyinbo, after his recent remarks about the CAC’s late founder, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, stirred outrage.

Speaking on behalf of the church, the Director of Publicity for CAC, Pastor Aderinsoye Alawode, said the apology was received in good faith, noting that it reflected remorse and a willingness to make amends.

Fatoyinbo, while delivering a sermon, had said Apostle Babalola was anointed but had no money.

He also said Babalola died poor and questioned the whereabouts of his children.

“I was studying recently about what Apostle Babalola did. I stand to be corrected. What God did through Smith Wigglesworth, if they had documented what God did in the life of that man (Babalola), people would be coming here for pilgrimage. He was anointed. So anointed. Anointed man. Heavy-duty grace, but no money. So, all the grace just went like that,” Fatoyinbo said.

But reacting, the CAC, in a statement on Thursday, signed by Alawode, accused Fatoyinbo of promoting a misleading link between ministerial success and material wealth.

“Ordinarily, we do not respond to social media commentaries or controversies. However, we consider it necessary to address your recent statements, which have been widely circulated on your social media platforms.

“In one of your trending messages on YouTube, you acknowledged that Apostle Babalola was highly anointed but ‘had no money,’ and then went on to ask sarcastically, ‘Where are his children?’ — a question that was both insensitive and ill-informed.

“To equate anointing or ministerial success with material wealth is biblically flawed. The words of Jesus are clear: Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses — Luke 12:15,” the church said.

Also reacting, the first daughter of Apostle Babalola, Deaconess Eunice Ogini, said her father lived a life of service to God and humanity, and that his children continued in his footsteps.

She rejected the claim that he died poor or left no tangible legacy, stressing that both she and her sister were blessed and lived comfortable lives as a result of his values and generosity.

Following the backlash, Pastor Fatoyinbo in a statement on Thursday, apologised to CAC and the children of Apostle Babalola.

He insisted that he did not speak ill of Babalola’s children and maintained that his church was “a place of honour.”

“Let me state however, that at no time in the sermon did I refer to the children of the late Apostle and Father of faith in bad light. I would never do that. The raw copy of the message is online, and this can be verified.

“I would never in any way or manner take lightly the grace over Apostle Babalola, his children or his ministry for granted or speak lightly of the same.

“I apologise if any other statement made by me has caused any form of distress, hurt or discontentment to the CAC, the family of the late Apostle Babalola or his associates,” Fatoyinbo said.

Reacting to the development in an interview with The PUNCH, Alawode commended Fatoyinbo for taking steps to address the matter, saying his apology showed humility and a willingness to make amends.

“He (Fatoyinbo) realised that the statement he made evoked some feelings in some people, and he took steps to correct himself. That is what is needed; it means he has shown remorse.

“Maybe he made the statement in error and once he has (Fatoyinbo) realised that and corrected himself, that is alright,” Alawode said.

He noted that CAC’s concern was not to accuse Fatoyinbo of malicious intent, but to clarify public misconceptions his remarks might have created.

“We too did not say he spoke of them (Apostle Babalola and his children) in bad light, but we just wanted to correct the impression given that maybe Baba did not even have any children at all. The children are alive and all of them are doing well in their various fields of endeavour. They have already retired from government service, and they are church leaders in their own right,” he added.

News

Cleric Warns African Leaders Against Oppressing Christians

Published

17 minutes ago

August 16, 2025

Editor

The Apostolic Church has advised African leaders to shun “oppressive policies” against Christians, asking them to prioritise the welfare of the people in their countries.

It also appealed to churches embroiled in legal disputes between leaders and members to withdraw such cases from the courts and resolve their differences amicably.

The National President of TAC Nigeria, Pastor Lawrence Oladele, said this during the church’s African Leaders’ Conference held at the church’s National Temple in Ketu, Lagos, on Friday.

Oladele also admonished politicians to rule with the fear of God for the African continent to prosper in human and material resources.

“They should stop oppressive policies against Christians; persecutions, and even killings of Christians directly and indirectly by known and unknown bandits without justice for the victims,” Oladele said.

Also speaking, the Coordinator of the conference and President of TAC Ghana, Pastor Aaron Ami-Narh, called the church leaders to embrace youths and empower them with the Apostolic doctrines for a better African society.

“You’re responsible for your life. The church must be a good example for African nations so as to have a greater future. We must also pray for the leaders,” Ami-Narh said.

News

FG To Disburse Interest-free Loans To Farmers, Small Businesses – GEEP

Published

47 minutes ago

August 16, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government will soon commence disbursement of interest-free loans to smallholder farmers and businesses across the country before the end of 2025, the National Programme Manager of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, Hamza Ibrahim Baba, has said.

Baba made this known on Friday in Kaduna during an engagement with representatives of the traders’ associations and other stakeholders in the state’s informal business sector.

He said the loans, up to N100,000 per beneficiary, were part of the FarmerMoni scheme under GEEP, which aims to support small-scale farmers involved in poultry, aquaculture, livestock rearing, and crop production.

“This pilot phase will support farmers nationwide, small-scale business owners including Kaduna State.

“Beneficiaries will enjoy a six-month moratorium to enable them to produce before beginning repayment.

“The funds will help them acquire inputs such as fertilisers, livestock, veterinary drugs, and other critical tools,” Baba said.

Baba said that the programme, domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, was one of the flagship initiatives under the National Social Investment Programme.

According to him, GEEP provides collateral-free, interest-free loans to micro-enterprises, petty traders, artisans, youth entrepreneurs, and farmers to help scale up their businesses and ensure financial inclusion.

He explained that GEEP operates three schemes: TraderMoni, targeting youths aged 18 to 45 involved in petty trades; MarketMoni, focused on women in small-scale trading; and FarmerMoni, for rural farmers.

Baba added, “These are not grants. They are loans but interest-free.

“The goal is to help Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid improve their businesses, become part of the formal financial system, and eventually create jobs.”

The co-ordinator said the loans ranged from N5,000 to N100,000, depending on the scheme, and were structured to promote sustainability through monitoring and evaluation.

He urged traders’ associations and cooperatives to work closely with GEEP Desk Officers and field enumerators across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to ensure that only deserving beneficiaries were selected.

“The success of this programme depends on transparency and proper targeting.
$We want to reach those who truly need support, not those looking to take advantage of the system,” he added.

Baba assured that the Tinubu administration was committed to expanding the reach of all GEEP schemes, stressing that the pilot farmer intervention would lay the foundation for broader rollout in 2026.

He acknowledged the contributions of previous administrations and Ministers to GEEP’s development since its inception in 2016 and extolled ongoing reforms aimed at improving delivery and accountability.

He said, “GEEP also works in synergy with other NSIP components, including the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer, and Grants for Vulnerable Groups.

“These are all aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods across Nigeria.”

In an interview, one of the beneficiaries, Hauwa Musa, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the gesture, stating that the support had significantly impacted her life and helped expand her business.

Another respondent, Mallam Umar Usman, said he had not benefited from the programme yet but expressed hope of being included in the upcoming GEEP 3.0 phase, whose disbursement was expected to commence soon.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the market leaders and stakeholders also commended the Federal Government for supporting business owners with interest-free loans.

They assured that they would work closely with the GEEP Desk Officers to ensure fair distribution and that the support reached those who genuinely needed it.