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OPINION: Pasuma, Currency And Super Eagles’ Humiliation (2)

Published

9 months ago

October 25, 2024

Tunde Odesola

From the bottomless depth of Yoruba divinity, I fetch the myth of Ajala, whose popular name is Obatala. Ajala is the heavenly Potter tasked with the duty of moulding human heads. Ori is the Yoruba word for head. Ori encases destiny. In Igbo cosmology, a person’s Chi, like Ori, is a personal spiritual force that shapes an individual’s life experiences and destiny.

In two of my published articles, “Mike Ejeagha and the power of Music,” and “Yoruba rascals and Igbo idiots (1&2),” I affirmed the conclusion among researchers which suggests that the Yoruba and Igbo languages lived in the same community at a time and that both ethnic groups are from the same ancestral stock. And I frowned on the needless suspicion and bickering between both ethnicities.

Ajala is not a saint. He is an agile drunkard, who abhors palm wine but loves sèkèté, the corn beer. He probably loves otíkà, the beer brewed from millet, too.

As told by the world-renowned Ifa scholar and Araba of Osogbo, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, in a telephone chat with me, here goes the tale of destiny, humility, perseverance and obedience.

Once upon a time, three neonates set out from Ìkòlé Orún, the Heavenly Realm, on the journey to Ìkòlé Ayé, the Earthly Realm. The names of the three infants are Orísánkú, the child of Ògún; Ìlémèrè, the child of Ìjà, who is also known as Òṣówùsì, and Afùwàpé, the child of Òrúnmìlà.

Ready to embark on his earthly journey, Orísánkú went to the House of Àjàlá but the potter was abroad. Orísánkú wasn’t ready to wait for the potter, so, among the numerous heads Àjàlá had made with clay, he picked a head and headed out.

No sooner had Orísánkú left the habitat of Àjàlá than Ìlémèrè came calling. Àjàlá was still nowhere in sight. Ìlémèrè walked around the dwelling, looking at various heads. Some were still wet, some were dry. Some heads were big, some were small; Ìlémèrè looked for a good head. One good head, he thought, is better than two.

Everywhere he turned, a head stared at him. One head was big for nothing, another head was too small for something. Ìlémèrè continued to examine the heads; he saw a medium head, liked it, and was going to pick it when he discovered a crack from its front to the back. He dropped it quickly.

Ìlémèrè was in a hurry. He wanted to go and explore the earth. Eventually, he picked a heavy head and headed into the Odd World called Ayé Akámarà.

But before Òrúnmìlà allowed his son, Afùwàpé, go into the world, he consulted Ifa for guidance. Ifa told Òrúnmìlà to give his son some salt and 10,000 cowries.

So, Afùwàpé set out with (íyò) salt and (egbàá) 10,000 cowries. On getting to a crossroads, Afùwàpé became lost and had to ask for directions to the house of Àjàlá. To a man cooking in a hut by the roadside, Afùwàpé went. “You turn right by that iroko tree and go straight downhill. You will see a mud hut overlooking a stream. That’s Àjàlá’s house.”

Strangely, Afùwàpé noticed the man was cooking with ashes. So, he asked, “Why are you cooking with ashes? I have salt, do you want some?” The roadside man was profusely grateful.

By the time Afùwàpé got to Àjàlá’s house, the potter wasn’t home still. Afùwàpé was ready to wait till Àjàlá came back. While waiting, a furious woman came asking for Àjàlá. She had sold some corn beer to Àjàlá who had defaulted in payment.

Afùwàpé calmed the angry woman down and asked her how much Àjàlá owed. “I’ll not leave here today!” she wailed. “How much does he owe?” Afùwàpé apologised to her, paid her off and continued to wait.

Àjàlá saw everything from where he hid in the ceiling. He climbed down and thanked Afùwàpé, asking the stranger what brought him to his house. “I have come to choose a head, baba.”

Àjàlá took Afùwàpé around the house, explaining in detail the compositions of each head. With his rod, he touched a particular head which looked very beautiful, but he said, “That head is not good. Anyone who picks that head will not succeed. Many people in the world have the wrong heads because they chose heads according to their fancy,” Àjàlá continued, “To succeed, everyone needs good character to go with a good head.”

But Afùwàpé had to choose his own head because it is his destiny, his àkúnlèyàn, his chi. So, with the guidance of Àjàlá, Afùwàpé chose a good head and left to explore the world.

Afùwàpé succeeded greatly in life. But Orísánkú and Ìlémèrè failed woefully. One day, the three of them met, and the two unsuccessful men bemoaned their tragedies as they recounted how they separately journeyed to the house of Àjàlá and how they picked their destinies. Afùwàpé told them his own story and they realised how water entered into the shell of the snail.

Generally, life’s struggles should recognise the place of destiny, ori, chi, àkúnlèyàn, though this doesn’t mean that arms should be folded akimbo while time flies away, but haste and patience should be equally measured; ìkánjú pèlú sùúrù, ogboogba lójé. When you run ahead of your destiny, disaster runs faster ahead.

The tortoise in Taye Currency wanted some honey, so he headed up to the beehive, against advice. But when he saw the swarm of angry bees, nobody told the tortoise to recoil into its shell.

In a live show, Currency stirred the hornet’s nest, throwing three stones; one at Pasuma, his benefactor, one at Sefiu Alao aka Baba Oko, who’s by far his senior, and another one at Sunny T, aka Idan Armani, saying that Pasuma once copied the style of Obesere aka Ológbojò and that the late Igbo man that sang Fuji, Sunny T, once copied King Wasiu Ayinde’s style while Alao allegedly copied Aare Shina Akanni aka Scorpido.

After the three-pronged salvo, Currency threw yet another stone, saying Pasuma could only pass for his elder brother and not his father, warning fans not to cause katakátá between him and Pasuma, his ògá, prompting watchers to ask if it was fans that made him open his mouth to defy Pasuma. Here, Currency spoke like the Nigerian politician, who blames everyone around for their own errors.

There are undercurrents to Currency’s outburst, no doubt – the water bug dancing on the surface of the stream has its drummer below the surface. The foundation of Fuji music was laid with acrimony, declares General Kollington Ayinla, the sidekick to Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, the late Fuji pioneer, with whom Ayinla fought bitterly over supremacy. I disagree with Baba Alatika’s submission because Adewale Ayuba, the Bonsue Fuji king, has remained a shining exemplar of finesse, respect, dignity and honour.

In Nigeria, bitter fights often ensue whenever a music mentee breaks away from a mentor, like in the case of Mohbad and Naira Marley, just as political fights ensue between presidents and their deputies – like the Obasanjo-Atiku enmity; and between governors and their deputies as Lagos witnessed in the Tinubu Vs Bucknor-Akerele rumble, etc.

Asked in an interview why there was so much bad blood between him and Osupa Saheed, the Olufimo 1 of Fuji, Pasuma attributed exuberance to their past feuds, adding, “But we are both over 50 now, our children are now parents; what else are we looking for? We now have a solid relationship.”

Remarkably, Pasuma has remained silent over the issue even as Currency, who publicly apologised for his utterance, spoke from both sides of his mouth, admitting his utterance was a mistake and at the same time maintaining he had done nothing wrong.

Advisedly, Pasuma should just let this matter slide because when the world rises in your defence during a fight, you utter no word. Oga Nla has his palm kernels cracked for him by benevolent spirits, he should be grateful. The overwhelming outpouring of solidarity Alabi Amama received in this matter is uncommon on the Nigerian music scene, where opinions and fan support on contentious issues are fairly divided between contending forces.

The last time there was lopsidedness in opinion and fan support over a contentious Fuji music issue was when KWAM 1 gave his personal opinion on the origin of Fuji in the song, “Orin Dowo,” which saw an overwhelming percentage of Fuji lovers reaching for Ayinde’s jugular. But I see Fuji GOAT, Barrister, as the visioner of Fuji, and not essentially as someone who created Fuji out of void because music evolves from music. The Fuji music Barusati envisioned is bigger than him today. That was his prayer. Music has no end. So, I love the historicity in ‘Orin Dowo’ and I see it as a peep into the origin of Fuji. ‘Orin Dowo’ will outgrow the intent that birthed it.

As it is with music generally, rivalry won’t cease in Fuji; there was the Obey-Sunny rivalry, Ayinla Omowura-Fatai Olowonyo hostility, the ongoing Wiz Kid-Davido feud, etc. Freedom to dissent is a mechanism for growth. Man is naughty by nature.

* Concluded.

Email: tundeodes2003@yahoo.com

Facebook: @Tunde Odesola

X: @Tunde_Odesola

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Step Aside If You Won’t Accept, Practice Tradition, Olowo Tells Monarchs

Published

4 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Editor

Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, has kicked against traditional rulers who abandon traditional practices after ascending the throne.

Oba Ogunoye declared that they should either uphold the institution’s customs or vacate their positions.

He said in Akure, the state capital, during a colloquium held to mark the 10th coronation anniversary of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi.

The monarch was responding to a critique by one of the discussants during the event, Dr. Festus Adedayo, who submitted that the traditional institution had lost many of its defining myths and cultural values.

Dr Adedayo, a journalist and scholar, had traced the historical significance of traditional institutions from the pre-colonial era to modern times.

He said that the current generation of monarchs has, in many cases, diluted the institution’s sacredness and public perception.

According to him “The traditional institution must redeem itself if it wants to be taken seriously. It can do this by upholding the myths and comportment passed down from ancient times, including burial rites, sacred appearances, and dignified conduct.”

Reacting, Oba Ogunoye, urged that there must not be a sweeping categorization of kings but specific references to the ones that go out of the bounds of the institution.

He said that “You must identify specific individuals who have violated traditional norms rather than make sweeping generalizations.

“Personally, I am a traditionalist to the core. Before becoming Olowo of Owo, I lived in the palace with my father for 25 years and fully understood the requirements.

“Tradition is not repugnant, it is a sacred heritage that must be preserved.”

Oba Ogunoye added “that taking up the role of a monarch is a matter of choice, not by compulsion.

“If you want to be an Oba, be prepared to abide by the customs. If you cannot, then don’t accept the position. It is not by force. Let us embrace our traditions, they are not in conflict with dignity or modernity.”

Oba Ogunoye however, lauded the Oyo State Government for preserving tradition in the recent selection of the new Alaafin of Oyo

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who delivered the keynote address titled “Role of Nigeria’s Traditional Institution in Nation Building: Impediments and Prospects,” described the monarchy as a fundamental part of Nigeria’s heritage, older than oil discovery and even colonial rule.

Makinde maintained that traditional rulers remain pillars of identity, legitimacy, and social cohesion, and called on governments to invest in cultural institutions as part of strategic governance

The colloquium also had in attendance the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Oba of Ilu-Abo, Oba Olu Falae, who was chairman of the event; Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by his SSG, Dr. Taiye Fasoranti; representative of the Vice President, Dr. Tope Fasua; Ondo State Attorney General, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, Professor Adedayo Afe, the celebrant, Deji of Akure, among others.

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Bayelsa Warns LG Officials Against Pension Payment Delays

Published

17 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Editor

The Bayelsa State Government has warned principal officers of local government councils in the state to desist from delay in presentation of names of prospective retirees in good time for processing and payment of pension benefits.

The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, handed down the warning on Wednesday at a meeting with the chairmen and principal officers of the eight local government councils in Government House, Yenagoa.

Ewhrudjakpo directed that the names of retiring workers should be submitted at the latest by the 18th of every month to the office of the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Treasury and Accounts, Mr Timipre Seipulou, for processing.

According to him, anyone found culpable of sabotaging the policy which is aimed at achieving seamless payment of retirees’ benefits, would be sanctioned.

He said he was desirous of bequeathing an effective and efficient local government system where his successor would not grapple with the issue of delayed payment of pensions and gratuities.

Ewhrudjakpo, who decried the backlog of unpaid pensions, said the government will work out modalities to ensure that retirees receive their pensions a month after retirement from service.

He specifically directed the chairmen to work closely with the technical adviser on treasury and accounts to come up with a model for the payment, as available funds cannot be used to clear all outstanding gratuities amounting to about five billion naira at once.

The Deputy Governor equally advised local government administrators to make provisions for annual leave for employees to serve as motivation.

He used the opportunity to thank all eight local government chairmen for their cooperation and suggestions that have so far contributed towards the achievements recorded in the various councils.

Hw said, “Our reason for calling this meeting is to give information, a directive, and a warning. One thing that I have is that I don’t know how to spare indolence, docility, laziness, incompetence, and deliberate obstruction of the wheel of progress.

“We have taken a decision that all those who are retiring every month must be paid their pensions. That decision has come to stay. But the report I am having is that some of you in the local government system are trying to frustrate it by not volunteering the necessary information.

“You were told to timely furnish the Technical Adviser on Treasury and Accounts, Mr Seipulou’s office, with your monthly reports concerning retirees.

“I am not happy that local government officers are frustrating the process.

“Chairmen, take note: every local government must submit its report by the 18th of every month, provided it is not a Sunday or Saturday. Even if it is a Saturday or Sunday, we will give you the benefit of submitting on the 20th.

“Any local government that does not do that, next month, I will transfer the treasurer and anybody that is involved in the process.

“Our brothers and sisters who have been on the queue are complaining that those who are going out now are being paid. So, every hand must be on deck to ensure we pay up the backlog.

“We are desirous of paying up pensions. We believe that by the end of this month, as we work round the clock, we are going to see the best way to put it behind us.

“What I want to do, by the grace of God, before I step out of this place, is that I don’t want to leave behind liabilities such as a backlog of unpaid pensions and gratuities for anybody.”

In their separate remarks, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Local Government Chapter, Mr Noel Itade, and the Head of Brass Local Government Council, Comrade Clement Etifa, commended Ewhrudjakpo for his effective supervision and initiatives that have repositioned the local councils for efficient service and project delivery.

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Access To Sexual, Reproductive Health, Key To Sustainable Societies – UNFPA

Published

17 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Editor

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has said that ensuring access to sexual, reproductive health and rights is a cornerstone for sustainable, inclusive societies.

Dr. Natalia Kanem, the UNFPA Executive Director, stated this in Bauchi on Thursday during the commemoration of the 2025 World Population Day organised by the state government.

According to her, it is imperative for governments at all levels to also create an avenue where people who wanted to experience the joys and rewards of parenting could meet their fertility goals.

This, she said, would give them the hope for a better tomorrow supportive of their choices and protective of their rights and where they, and their children would thrive.

Represented by Deborah Tabara, the Gender, Reproductive Health Analyst of UNFPA in Bauchi, Kanem reiterated the commitment of the fund in partnering with the state government.

She said the partnership would harness the dividend of the state’s youthful population in developing programmes, strategies, plans, and budgets that promote inclusivity and equality.

“UNFPA remains an agency for reproductive Health and our mission is to deliver a world where all pregnancy is wanted, all maternal birth safe and all young persons achieve their potentials.

“Family-friendly policies including affordable and accessible childcare, generous and flexible parental leave, and promotion of fathers’ participation in care-giving can help prospective parents balance career and family goals.

“Investing in comprehensive sexuality education is another imperative that supports informed choices.

“Intergenerational understanding is crucial to build trust and strengthen solidarity and fairness across generations,” she said.

Also speaking, Hajiya Amina Katagum, Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, said this year’s theme called for considerations on the crucial role young people play globally, in Nigeria and in Bauchi state.

Represented by Barr. Abubakar Bununu, Special Adviser to Gov. Bala Mohammed on multilateral coordination, Katagum added that it recommended that government and stakeholders listen to young people and respond to their needs and desires.

She explained that this would contribute positively to the development of their societies and create the families they want.

“It is our responsibility as governments, the Private Sector and other key stakeholders to build a more equitable, sustainable and caring world where young people are empowered to pursue the lives they want for themselves and their families,” she said.

The theme of the 2025 world population day is ‘empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world’.