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THE KSA I KNOW By Oloye ’Lekan Alabi, D

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8 years ago

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Oloye ’Lekan Alabi, D. Litt (h.c)

Agba Akin Olubadan of Ibadanland

Juju music maestro and king of World Beats, Dr. Sunday Adeniyi Ishola Adegeye, MFR, popularly known and called “KSA” was 70 years old on Thursday, 22nd September, this year. The talented musician and stage ace, was celebrated in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

Whereas the actual birthday (22nd September, 2016) was, as expected, celebrated in Ondo town, Ondo State, KSA’s hometown and state, pre and post-event celebrations in form of concerts, lectures, dinners, parties etc were held in his honour in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ibadan, Oyo State, Lagos.

As I write this tribute, more KSA’s 70th birthday celebrations are pending within and outside Nigeria between now and December, this year.

KSA continues to receive honour and admiration at home and abroad because of his immense talent as a musician, guitarist and dancer, but moreso due to his business acumen, humility, good cheer and integrity.

I have known and been close to KSA since my years as the entertainment editor of the now-defunct Sunday Sketch, Ibadan in the 1970s. The world’s latest septuagenarian, among his other values, cherishes friendship.

We held the Ibadan-end of the global celebration of the three-time Grammy Award nominee at the Jogor Centre, Oke-Ado, Ibadan on Sunday, 2nd October, this year. The concert titled “KSA The Legend at 70” wherein 15 artistes of different genres of music entertained, attracted the royal presence of Kabiyesi the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1, and his Oloris, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, a former Ambassador of Nigeria to the Philippines and also a former General Manager of the former NTV Ibadan, Africa’s first television station, now called NTA Ibadan Network Centre, the President of the Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN) Evangelist Funmi Aragbaye, the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland and former Special Adviser to former President Sheu Shagari, High Chief (Dr) Femi Olaiya among others.

The good fortune of telling the world who King Sunny Ade, the celebrant is, fell on my shoulder at the Ibadan celebration.

Following is the re-cap of my presentation of the above title at the celebration:

“ Three years before KSA’s crowning as the King of music, I, in 1974, as the entertainment page editor of the Sunday Sketch, had conducted a public opinion survey on the social scene in Nigeria. In my review on Sunday, December 29, 1974 published on page 7 of the Sunday Sketch of the said date the people’s verdict was that the then Sunny Ade was “the best dressed musician and his band, the African Beats, the largest crowd puller.” I shall come to this very shortly, but let me quickly attempt the assignment given to me – that of telling the whole world the KSA I know.”

“BIRTH

Born on 22nd September, 1946 in Ondo to the late Pa Samuel Adeniyi Adegeye and the late Mama Mariam (nee Adesida of Akure). Both parents were from royal families in Ondo & Akure respectively. At birth, KSA was christened Sunday Isola Adeniyi Adegeye.

KSA was the last of 11 children of which only the last three survived. Mama Mariam Adegeye had KSA when she was 50. His birth was predicted by a prophet who told his mother that she would bear a son whose fame would put Ondo, his hometown on the world map for good. But the prediction came with ONE condition – it would only be fulfilled if KSA’s parents raised him outside Ondo. In addition , the prophet said mysterious things would happen to the child of destiny every five years until he turned 45. If he survived these mysterious occurrences, said the prophet, his parents should stop worrying about his safety. Thank God, KSA passed the 45 years mark 25 years ago!.

“ EDUCATION

KSA’s parents took no chances and moved to Osogbo. He started primary school education in 1954 at the African (Church) Primary School where he spent four years before moving to Methodist Primary School, also in Osogbo for two reasons – One, many of his friends at the African Primary School had moved to Methodist. Two, the young Sunny had become fascinated with Catholic priests and wanted to become one. The Methodist School was opposite St Benedict’s School owned by the Catholics.

The youngman wanted to be close to Catholics as much as possible. He wanted to attend St. Benedicts, but was not given admission.

By the time Sunny completed primary school education, he had fallen in love with music and had taught himself to play drums. He was admitted into St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo in 1960. According to him, the admission seemed to be the beginning of some great educational attainment. Hear him: “But, indeed it was the end. After one term, I lost interest, because I had been exposed to the sweet music of Sunday Ariyo (a bandleader) who happened to be our neighbour”.

“To cut a long story short, Sunny dropped out of school, was arrested by music and early in 1963, he had got an offer from a band in Osogbo led by Idowu Owoeye, to go on a playing tour of Abeokuta. Even though Owoeye’s band had not been invited to play at the coronation of the late Alake, Oba Adesina Gbadebo, there was a chance to make money because the trip coincided with Oba Gbadebo’s coronation. The hope was dashed!

“The band got stranded in Abeokuta. After two weeks of frustration, hunger and desperation, Sunny, who had lied at home that he was going on school excursion to Lagos decided to face his destiny by running to Lagos to join, Brother Ayo, who had earlier abandoned the Owoeye band in Abeokuta to join Moses Olaiya ( the famous Baba Sala) in Lagos.

“After scaling many hurdles, luck smiled on him and he finally joined Brother Ayo and eventually the Moses Olaiya band in Idi Oro, Lagos from where he received the blessing of his boss, Moses Olaiya to form his own band, the former Green Spot band. The rest is history.

“In capturing my relationship with the King of World Beats, KSA, let me state that it started in the late 1960s, when he released the chart – bursting single play titled “1966 Challenge Cup”. In 1963, my late father bought me my first transistor radio set. It became my inseparable companion and an outlet to local and world affairs, especially music. Those were the years of Nigeria’s most- listened-to radio station, the defunct Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service (WNBS) and its sister station, the Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) – Africa’s first television station, opened in 1959. The station was star-studded with giants like Yinka Johnson, Tunji Marquis, Kunle Olasope, Toun Adeyemi, Yomi Onabolu, Anike Agbaje-Williams, Julie Cker, Victor Adeniyi, Adebayo Faleti, George Jobartech, Bola Alo, Bola Barber (now Mrs Ogunlade).

“As a proud member of the “King of Boys Circle” led by our irresistible impessario, the late Chief Afolabi Majekodunmi alias “ King of Boys” ., in the late 1960s, one was a regular attendee of WNTV’s highbrow programme “Come, let’s dance” featuring top bands including Sunny Ade’s Green Spot Band which Later became the African Beats and compered by the late screen goddess-turned-lawyer, Auntie Toun Adeyemi. May her soul rest in peace. I came in contact with KSA then known as Sunny Ade and others like Obey, Okonta, Animashaun, Olorode, Suberu Oni, etc. By 1974, when I had become the entertainment page editor of the defunct Sunday Sketch and writer of the weekly column, “It’s What’s Happening”, my relationship with Obey & KSA notched up.

“The KSA I know possesses some virtues which I now proceed to highlight. He is godly, philosophical, humble, loyal, creative, generous, humorous, disciplined, a teetotaler and non-smoker, natty and wealthy.

In summary, this is the KSA I know. Kabiyesi the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Oloris, High Chiefs, invited guests, it is my great pleasure to congratulate KSA on his 70th birthday, as I wish him many more seasons of wellness, joy, creativity and contentment. Thank you

***Text of the paper, “The KSA I know” presented by Oloye ‘Lekan Alabi in Ibadan, Oyo State at the concert to honour KSA on his 70 birthday on Sunday, 2nd October, 2016.

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Rotary International District 9112 launches its coastal restoration initiative by planting 1,000 coconut trees in Lagos

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1 day ago

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July 26, 2024

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In a bid to promote its mission of improving the environment, Rotary international District 9112 on Sunday kicked off an environment-saving intervention tagged: Coastal Restoration Initiative at Westside Beach, Okun, Ajah, Lagos, where 1000 coconut trees were planted along the coastal shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

 

Speaking at the event, the Governor of Rotary International, District 9112 Rotarian Femi Adenekan said the “initiative is conceived to save the environment as well as reduce the adverse effect of the climate change.”

 

According to him; “the environment is one of the main focus areas of Rotary International. We need to consciously come to the realization that we need to save our environment. We need to save ourselves. So that in the future, those that will come after us will have life.”

“People assume that the world belongs to them. They have forgotten that they are just tenants on the surface of the earth. If you try to change nature, nature will react, which is the reason we are having a lot of environmental damage in the world. Some of wrong human activities, such as throwing plastics and other items into water or where it ought not to be is causing us environmental challenges. If we don’t take care of our environment, the environment will react and take us out of the surface of the earth,” He said.

 

 

The chairman of the District 9112 Tree Planting Committee, Rtn. Gboyega Bada recommended the adoption of an “Every Rotarian Plant a Tree Every Year” policy and also indicated plans for Rotary International District 9112 to propose a Private Bill to the Lagos State House of Assembly to enable all Lagos Residents plant a tree every year for the next five years to address the challenges of climate change.

 

Rtn Bada stated that the vision of Rotary District 9112 on Tree Planting is to achieve a safer and cleaner environment by planting 10,000 seedlings of Coconut, Mango, Breadfruit, Avocado and other ralated crops that have economic, health and environmental benefits.

 

The event was well attended by Stakeholders in the Private and Public Sectors. Pan African Towers Ltd, Tolaram Group, Azeez Amida Foundation, Telenoetica Ltd, amongst others were well represented. Past District Governor Tunji Funsho led other Rotary Leaders to give their support. The DG’s wife Rtn Tayo Adenekan, the District Governor elect Rtn Lanre Adedoyin, General Manager of Lagos State Coconut Development Authority, Dapo Olakulehim and Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, Club Presidents and Rotarians from the 73 Clubs graced the occasion.

 

 

Also speaking at the event, one of the Guest Speakers, the world acclaimed horticulturist, Mr. Andrew Vale of Tolaram Group and The Lagos Free Zone, highlighted the importance of trees, saying; “planting trees improves air quality, reduces air pollution, and illnesses from air pollution. More so, plants produce oxygen and provide shelter, medicine, and many more.”

 

In his own special remarks, Chairman, LUFASI Park and DG Coconut Naija, Dr. Desmond Majekodunmi, said; “the basic fact about the environment is that whatever you sow, you shall reap. The environment will always treat you, the way you treat it.”

 

It is of note that the vision of District 9112 on tree planting for this year is to achieve a safer and cleaner environment through the planting of 10,000 seedlings of coconut, mango, breadfruit, avocado and other related crops that have economic, health and environmental benefits.

 

The event was witnessed and supported by main stakeholders in the industry, agencies and partners which included, Mr Dapo Olakulehin, General Manager, Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA), Mr Andrew Vale of Tolaram Group, Channel Scott from Pan African Towers, Azeez Amida Foundation, Telenoetica, The Legend Lifeskills Foundation, Etam Avitat, Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) , presidents and members of various Rotary Clubs in District 9112 amongst others.

 

Rotary leaders who witnessed the event are PDG Tunji Funsho, PDG Kamoru Omotosho, PDG Omotunde Lawson amongst others.

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Ohanaeze President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Is Dead

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July 25, 2024

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The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is dead.

 

The Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Alex Ogbonnia confirmed the death to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Enugu.

 

“Today is a bad day for Ndigbo. It’s true! Ahaeji aga Mba is gone.

 

“Ohaneze is yet to issue an official statement on the demise of our President General, Chief Iwuanyanwu, but he is gone.

 

Aged 82, Iwuanyanwu was elected the President General of the apex Igbo cultural organisation on April 20, 2023 following the sudden death of his predecessor, Prof George Obiozor.

 

An unconfirmed report said that the octogenarian died in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja on Thursday, July 25.

 

NAN reports that Iwuanyanwu is the second President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to die in office after his predecessor, Prof. George Obiozor, who also died in office.

 

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is a prominent Nigerian businessman, politician, and philanthropist known for his significant contributions to various sectors, particularly in the Igbo community

and beyond. (NAN)

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How Top Immigration Officer, Akomolafe Gbenga Michael, Was Arrested, Arraigned For Alleged Drug Trafficking

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2 days ago

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July 25, 2024

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Few years after a top police officer, Abba Kyari, was arrested for alleged drug deals, another top uniform man, Akomolafe Gbenga Michael

has been arrested and charged for alleged drug trafficking.

 

Akomolafe, an Immigration officer serving at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja in Lagos was arraigned alongside three others before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a nine-count charge of alleged conspiracy, unlawful possession, import, and dealing in the prohibited substances.

 

He was specifically alleged to have been involved in trafficking eight kilograms of Methamphetamine and 7.60 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, also known as marijuana.

 

Others arraigned on the alleged offences alongside the Immigration officer are; Babatunde Micheal Olufemi said to be a staff of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nwadozie Chris Amaechi, and Nwosu Chinedu Cyril.

 

The prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the four who belonged to a hard drug syndicate were arrested on May 21, 2024, while attempting to smuggle the prohibited substances out of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport Ikeja, Lagos.

 

Ibrahim also told the court that the four men conspired to commit the alleged crimes alongside the duo of Nwadozie Sunday and Echezona Nwosu, based in South Africa.

 

Specifically, the Immigration officer, Akomolafe was slammed with a six-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful import, unlawful possession, and trafficking in the banned substances while the trio of Olufemi said to be a staff of FAAN, Nwadozie, and Nwosu, was slammed with three counts of conspiracy and unlawful importation and possession of the banned drugs.

 

The prosecutor told the court that the alleged criminal act of the four men contravened sections 14 (b), 21 (2)(d), and 20 (1)(c) punishable under sections 11(b) and 20 (2)(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

 

However, while the other three members of the gang pleaded guilty to the charges, the Immigration officer denied the offences and pleaded not guilty to all the counts of the charge.

 

Based on the not-guilty plea of the Immigration officer, his lawyer, Benson Ndakara, pleaded with the court to admit him to bail in the most liberal terms.

 

In his ruling, Justice Osiagor admitted Akomolafe to bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety.

 

The judge also ordered that the surety must be a civil servant of an assistant director cadre in the employment of Lagos State or the Federal Government.

 

The trial was then adjourned to November 7, 2024. Based on their guilty plea, the court convicted and sentenced the trio of Babatunde Micheal Olufemi, Nwadozie Chris Amaechi, and Nwosu Chinedu Cyril, to four years on each count. The sentence is to run concurrently.

 

The three convicts were also given the option of paying a fine of N2 million each on each count.

 

In a related development, The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has suspended Akomolafe over his alleged involvement in multiple drug trafficking offences and his arraignment before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

 

A press statement on Wednesday by the spokesperson of NIS, Kenneth Udo, said the suspension was imposed on the erring officer as the Service awaited the judgement

of the court for further action..

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