Abiola: Filial dishonour By Femi Macaulay

Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, or MKO for short, was known for his amazing prosperity as well as his amazing generosity.  Indeed, the late businessman and politician was a generous soul with a generous spirit.  This is why it is amazing that his children are ironically divided over his assets, which is a sad sign that perhaps they did not inherit MKO’s legendary generosity of spirit.

A January 12 statement by one of MKO’s children, AbdulMumuni Abiola, painted a thought-provoking picture of sibling conflict:  “My brothers, sisters

Aregbesola’s free train ride By Femi Macaulay

As expected, a few days to Eid-el-Kabir, the Osun State Government announced the schedule for its free train ride from Lagos to Osogbo, the state capital.  A statement by the Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, Ismail Jayeoba-Alagbada, on August 27 explained that the arrangement was

The rich are also poor By Femi Macaulay

It was the kind of news that was no news.  What the Oxfam International’s Inequality report said was not news to many Nigerians. The report, released on May 17, stated that the combined wealth of five richest Nigerians, put at $29.9 billion, could end extreme poverty in the country. The report, titled ‘Inequality in Nigeria, Exploring the Drivers,’ highlighted the immense and increasing gap between the stinking rich and the stinking poor in Nigeria. Oxfam is “an international confederation of charitable organisations focused on

An agreement is an agreement By Femi Macaulay

Osuofia Dancing to his music, Agreement is Agreement

 It was a time to look back, and then look forward. The 10th anniversary of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Lagos, was not just about the past. More importantly, it was also about the future.

Talking of the past, it would appear that airport terminal operator Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) has had a difficult experience concerning the concession agreement it signed with the Federal Government. The anniversary was a fitting time to highlight the minuses that dampened the celebration.
The company’s chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin, shed light on the negatives when he spoke to reporters about the government’s contractual infidelity. Babalakin stated: “We got approval since 2007 to operate regional flights from MMA2, but the relevant authorities are

Uniform question By Femi Macaulay

 It isn’t trivial that the controversial Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Colonel Hameed Ali (retd), continues to trivialise the uniform of the agency by his unyielding refusal to wear it.  From the look of things, Ali is unlikely to wear the relevant uniform during his time as Customs chief. He enjoys the status, but it would appear that he is contemptuous of the uniform that reflects the status.

Ali seems to have come to the job with a superiority complex, thinking and believing that his background as a retired army officer means it is beneath him to wear the uniform of

Thanksgiving and thanksgiver By Femi Macaulay

When a thankful thanksgiver with a heart full of thanks organises a thanksgiving service, it should be expected that he would give a testimony. Former Delta State Governor James Ibori, who returned to Nigeria after serving time in the United Kingdom for corruption–related crime, gave a curious testimony at the First Baptist Church, Oghara, Delta State, on February 12, prompting reflections on thanksgiving.
When is a thanksgiving service a thanksgiving service, properly so called? Ibori’s testimony was a testimony to the elasticity of the idea of thanksgiving. Ibori said: “Today, I have decided to speak for myself. I am not a thief; I cannot be a thief. Today is the day they

Sound and silence by Femi Macaulay

There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. When former President Olusegun Obasanjo spoke about what was said about him in a 2010 book, it was clear that he considered silence inappropriate.
It is intriguing that his reaction to the contents of the book came after six years, but this in no way weakened the significance of his strongly worded response. It is thought-provoking that the hot aspects of the autobiography were not publicised until now. This may be a reflection of Philistinism, particularly among the country’s media workers who are supposed to be knowledge workers.
Obasanjo said in his statement: “Kabiyesi, I believe that I should set the record straight for posterity and to caution you from engaging in unedifying rumour-mongering and untruth.” His reaction to

Excesses and excuses by Femi Macaulayon

 It is ironic that what was designed as a medal of honour is attracting dishonour. After two four-year terms in office and an initial applause, former Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and his former deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, are on the receiving end of applaudable boos. At the heart of the matter is an unfeeling move by the Edo State House of Assembly.
News that the state’s lawmakers amended the “2007 Pension Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor Law” to favour Oshiomhole and Odubu was particularly striking because of its curious complexion.  There was only one amendment to

Positive terrorism by FEMI MACAULAY

OF all the arguments to redeem the image of the Nigerian military as it battles unimpressively and unconvincingly against terrorism, the most mystifying must be the illogic that blames media treatment of the anti-terror war for the continuing demystification of the country’s armed forces. The signs of a possible prolongation of the already protracted defiance of state capacity by the Islamist militia Boko Haram are observable, despite oft-repeated assurances from official quarters that the insurrectionists are doomed.

Media blaming was discernible when the Director of Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, launched his two books in Abuja on June 30. The title of one of the books in particular, Issues in the mobilization of public support for military operations in Nigeria, was suggestive enough.  The other book was called The Voice

Burden of blessing by FEMI MACAULAY

 FeMI MACAULAY

When the filthy rich do not enrich the filthy poor, they make themselves filthy and impoverished. It cannot be enough to enrich the imagination of the poor by a display of the possibilities of prosperity without offering the enrichment that can make them prosper.

The death of Chief Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez in Brussels, Belgium, on September 1, prompted reflections on not only the burden of blessing but also the burden of the blessed. Fernandez enjoyed the awesome distinction of a billionaire brand, and less generous descriptions painted him as a multi-millionaire. Whether he was a billionaire or a multi-millionaire, there was no question that he was one of the richest Africans before the great leveller struck. His daughter, Mrs. Teju Phillips, a former Lagos State commissioner for commerce, said he was 86, contrary to media reports that he died at 79.

It is food for thought that Fernandez’s life exemplified an interesting definition highlighted by  “The Richest Man in Babylon”, a bestseller by George Samuel Clason: “Money is the medium by which earthly success is measured.” What is the