Two major events that happened at two different locations in Ekiti State earlier in the month, again laid credence to the primacy of capacity, character and compassion in the leadership style of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji. First was the event at Oke Ako Ekiti, in the north senatorial district, which featured the distribution of cheques totalling N160 million as compensation to land owners whose land were acquired for the commercial farming scheme for young farmers and the flag- off of some newly purchased tractors and other equipment. The second event which came barely 48 hours after was the distribution of cheques totalling N140 million to some young farmers as payment for the farm produce off-taken from them across the six farm clusters.

The gist here is that the chains of activities- the land acquisition, the compensation and the utilisation of the acquired land, the first harvest and the off-taking of the harvested crops as well as the purchase of tractors and other equipment required for the tractorisation policy of the government was completed within the space of six months of the introduction of the scheme, code-named “Bring Back the Youth Into Agriculture” a programme run in partnership with a private investor.

Four weeks earlier, in a move aimed at achieving energy independence and ensuring that his administration’s huge investments in power infrastructure achieve the desired result, Governor Oyebanji had granted operational licence to 14 investors which included three distribution companies, four power generating companies, two mini-grid generation companies and five meter asset providers.

The pace-setting and strategic move is to enhance power generation, ensure efficient distribution and provide reliable metering for residents. The goal is to move the state from the 20-25 mw it gets from the national grid (which falls short of the estimated requirement of 120mw) and move up to 130mw through a robust state grid, reducing dependency on the national supply and promoting sustainable. locally managed energy solutions. Again, the initiative, which aligns with the 2023 Electricity Act, was achieved within the space of a year that also witnessed a massive power upgrade and re-connection of many communities that hitherto were without power supply to the national grid.

Remarkably, Oyebanji is quite intentional about putting smiles on the faces of the people. Moved by the plight of Ekiti pensioners in the face of accumulated gratuities inherited from previous administration, the Governor, had in the last two months paid a total 4.5 billion naira to offset part of the outstanding gratuities. This is outside the regular monthly payment of gratuities. Aside supporting and equipping workers in the state to ensure a more excellent service delivery, the Governor put extra smiles on the faces of Ekiti teachers earlier in the year, when he directed that primary school teachers with degree qualifications should enjoy career progression to level 16 like others. This is in addition to extending car and housing loans to them, thereby bringing them out of an age-long policy that had deprived them.

The community of people with disabilities have also found a champion in Governor Oyebanji, who through his inclusion policy has not only created a government department headed by a cabinet –ranked officials and saddled with their welfare. This has resulted in a greater attention for the welfare and human capital development of PWD, with attendant huge investment in the upgrade of the state special schools and establishment of a trauma centre for children with disabilities.

These, and several other cutting-edge initiatives that authenticate the welfarist approach of his government and underscores his compassionate nature as a leader as well as his sheer determination to create economic opportunities for the people, are what stand Governor Oyebanji out as a true leader of the people, who is happy only when the people are happy and progressing.

And because the people know that “BAO” or “Talk- and- do Governor”, as he is fondly called, is passionate about their welfare and wellbeing, they have chosen to celebrate him not only on his birthday, but on daily basis and with the same level of energy and dexterity with which he serves them.

As the renowned American author and speaker, John C. Maxwell puts it, a leader is someone who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way”. Governor Oyebanji has a clear vision, which he communicates quite eloquently with corresponding actions. He walks the talk and he helps the people achieve their vision and purpose as well. This, many people believe, had provoked critical stakeholders in the state, including all former governors, to endorse him for a second term even before he marked his second anniversary in office.

Those who live by their strength may readily provide an answer to the question bordering on how they surmount obstacles and stay on top of their game. But those who live by the power of the Almighty God and the attendant grace can’t make such boast. Rather, they work hard, they work hand-in- hand with others, and they let God be God over everything- directing each step all the way through the paths that eventually yield boundless rewards. This is the story of the Omoluabi Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji as he clocks fifty-seven years old today.

Those who have followed Oyebanji’s trajectory right from his undergraduate days, know that his political philosophy is built around the social democratic principle of lifting and supporting the weak and the vulnerable in society as well as the biblical injunction of love thy neighbour as yourself. An apostle of soft leadership, BAO’s genuine concerns include how transformational leadership can replace transactional politics; how to build strong institutions that will support growth and development; how to make government wear human face; how to get every citizen to contribute to state and nation building, each utilising his talent, time, platform and resources; and what mechanism should be put in place for genuine and effective empowerment of the citizens towards the attainment of shared prosperity for all.

Governor Oyebanji is disarmingly humble. He proudly wears humility like a garment. He possesses an insatiable appetite for championing good causes. In a recent interviews with state correspondents, he told them the secret of his calmness. According to him, he has committed the state into God’s hands, hence he is not under any pressure. Those who have come in contact with him, and, indeed a vast majority of Ekiti people believe humility remains his greatest asset, and gratitude the most potent weapon in his arsenal. This year alone, he has caused the office of the Secretary to the State Government to issue letters of commendation to no fewer than three members of his cabinet, as well as the chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service, appreciating them on behalf of the government and people of the state for their superlative performances.

As a change agent, BAO believes a leader must live in the hearts of the people by serving them diligently and faithfully, knowing he is accountable to the people and would give account of his stewardship to God one day. He believes trust is a public good without which no great thing can be achieved collectively. Hence, he believes trust has to be earned. As a leader, he embodies creativity, character, competence, and compassion with passion for excellence.

Born on December 21, 1967, in Ikogosi-Ekiti, Oyebanji had his early education in his home state. He bagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti) in 1989 and Masters’ degree in Political Science (International Relations and Strategic Studies), from the University of Ibadan in 1992.
He started his career as a Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, between 1993 – 1997 . He later proceeded to work as Manager, Treasury, and Financial Services at the defunct Omega Bank Plc (now Heritage Bank) till May 1999, when he commenced an illustrious career in politics and governance.

Since embracing public service in 1999, Oyebanji has served in various capacities with different administrations. He also served as Secretary to Ekiti State Government between October 2018 to December 2021, when he resigned his appointment to join the governorship race, which he won on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June 22, 2022. He was inaugurated Governor of Ekiti State on October 16, 2022.

A devout Christian, Oyebanji sees his career in politics and governance as a divine calling. This philosophy remains his guiding light as he continues to serve God and country diligently as a loyal party man and conscientious public servant.

In recognition of his inspirational life journey, BAO has received many awards and recognitions. He was named Governor of the Year (2023) by Daily Independent Newspaper and Marketing Edge Magazine. He is also a recipient of the Ekiti Exceptional Achievers (MEEA) Award, granted in recognition of his contributions to the creation of Ekiti State as Secretary, State Creation Committee and Secretary, Ekiti State Development Fund.

Oyebanji is married to Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, an Associate Professor of Educational Management, University of Ibadan. They are blessed with three children.

As he celebrates another year of impact, Oyebanji remains an inspiration to both existing and aspiring leaders and a symbol of boundless grace. At 57, his legacy of integrity, innovation, loyalty, diligence and generosity of spirit continues to shape political narratives and inspire generations to come.

* Olayinka Oyebode is Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Ekiti State

Penultimate Monday, further to his sustained effort to develop a transportation hub in Ogun State to facilitate cargo movement and boost industrial growth, the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun received the outlined “Certificate of Compliance” on the Inland Dry Port located in the Papalanto, Ewekoro area of the state. Among other benefits, the dry port will facilitate trade and promote economic development in inland regions. Dry ports, like normal seaports, handle cargo and provide storage facilities, warehousing, logistics services, customs clearance, and inspection services. The project was recently flagged off by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola.

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Ukeyima Akutah, while making the presentation to the Governor at his Oke-Mosan office in Abeokuta, along with a delegation of directors and other top officials, made an inspiring remark about the administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for economic growth. He said the emergence of Ogun State as the leading industrial economy in Nigeria was due to the Ease-of-Doing-Business Index achieved under the present administration of Governor Abiodun.

The remark lends credence to the Abiodun administration’s commitment to make Ogun State an investment destination of choice in the West African sub-region, leveraging on the combined advantages of its geographical location and oceanic plentitude of land. To realize the objective, the Governor has developed the plan, the strategy and the modality for the implementation, focusing on the creation of an enabling environment to attract local and foreign direct investments into the State.

Apart from the network of road infrastructure across the three senatorial districts, continuous improvement in the Ease-of-Doing-Business and land reform initiative provide a good attraction for investors. The administration has also created four economic zones in addition to the Agbara Industrial Zone, which includes the Ota (Ogun West) and Kajola (Ogun Central) axes.

Currently, the Agbara Industrial Zone is arguably the largest industrial zone in Nigeria and probably one of the largest on the continent. It is the zone that makes Ogun State the industrial capital of Nigeria. 

The decision by the present government to create additional zones is not only to expand economic opportunities that abound in the State but also make it investor-friendly. As of today, investors can conveniently choose any zone that suits them. The importance of economic zones cannot be over-emphasized. Among other benefits, a high-performing zone with strong foreign investment can create thousands of jobs while also building the capabilities of the local workforce as outside investors share expertise and know-how.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council boss, Akutah, noted that the initiatives aligned with the policy statement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at unleashing the country’s potential for industrial growth, prosperity, and job creation.

According to Akutah, the sustained effort of the Ogun State Government towards infrastructural development has enhanced industrial growth, thereby complementing the strides of the Federal Government to achieve sustainable transformation and industrialization.

He further commended the Governor for his determination to raise the bar of business activities in the state and develop critical infrastructure as a way of opening the state for an array of productive activities.

His words: “Your Excellency, we believe that the industrial revolution in Nigeria has already commenced in Ogun State under your watch, and we are very grateful for what you are doing.

“All the transport infrastructures you are developing, including the cargo airport which is at an advanced stage to commence operations, complement the efforts of Mr. President in terms of the industrial revolution in Nigeria, and this is quite commendable.

“We are also grateful to Your Excellency for the transit area which we are working together with our partners to develop in your State and also the land-a 20-hectare plot of land-which you graciously have provided to us to develop into a vehicle transit area.

“We commend you and your team for being consistent with infrastructural development in all sectors of the state’s economy. One of those infrastructures is the Gateway International Agro-cargo Airport, as well as the Inland Dry Port for which we are presenting its “Certificate of Compliance” to you today.

“Obviously, you have demonstrated capacity and quality leadership by all standards, and your state is piloting the ongoing industrial revolution in Nigeria as conceived by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Akutah noted that the provision of a good road network, the construction of an airport, and a conducive business environment had led to the influx of companies to the state, signaling the industrial revolution in the country.

In his response, the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, commended the delegation for the visit and for granting the “Certificate of Compliance” for the take-off of the Papalanto Inland Dry Port, saying it was a significant step in the quest for the establishment of the port.

The Governor described the Papalanto Inland Dry Port as a strategic port of operation aimed at decongesting the Lagos Ports and boosting industrial activities in Ogun State. He explained that through the concept of the Multi-modal Transportation System adopted by his administration upon assumption of office on May 29, 2019, the Inland Dry Port would be an efficient mechanism for the industrial revolution embarked upon by the Federal Government.

Governor Abiodun stated that his administration conceived the Kajola Inland Dry Port project in alignment with the Federal Government’s initiative to strengthen rail lines across the country to take pressure off the Apapa and Tin Can ports, both in Lagos, and make the clearance of raw materials seamless.

Abiodun said: “Ogun State has a lot of federal roads that traverse the North, East, and other parts of the country, which explains why many manufacturers have found us a convenient location to set up their concerns.

“We have the advantage of proximity to Lagos, Nigeria’s busiest seaports and airport. We also have the advantage of extensive gas reticulation in terms of pipelines, which allows for energy and gas to power industries.

“These two factors have made us the industrial capital, and naturally, you will find that a lot of raw materials are coming in by sea, and once processed, they are coming in through Lagos to our State.

“This initiative is supported by the strong case that if we were able to establish an Inland Port here, it would align with the federal government’s initiative of strengthening the rail line since this line connects Lagos to Ogun, Oyo, Osun, and Ondo states.

“The volume of traffic at Tincan and Apapa seaports is overwhelming, and these ports have become extremely inefficient as containers remain there for upwards of 30-60 days, accruing demurrage. By the time they are cleared and brought down to our state, a lot of demurrage and added costs have been incurred.

“In a strong business case, we say if we set up the Inland Dry Port, when the containers arrive, they don’t need to be cleared in Lagos; they will be put onto trains, and all the processes will be done here. This means that containers destined for Oyo, Osun, and Ondo states will be cleared here.”

Governor Abiodun assured that his administration would cooperate and work with the Shippers’ Council for the benefit of all.

Akutah’s commendation confirms the ongoing effort by the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun to make Ogun State an investment destination of choice. From all available indices, the administration has brought far more remarkable achievements than any other time in the recent past. None of his predecessors has achieved the level of success the present government has recorded within the five and a half years of its inception. For three consecutive sessions under his administration, the state has routinely maintained its competitive edge over the rest parts of the country.

Having created the pathway for sustainable economic growth, the challenge is to continue to strive to forge ahead in the drive to sustain the state’s leading position as the nation’s industrial capital.

However, because the desire for a higher goal of economic prosperity for all is forever a work in progress, all the stakeholders must come together as a collective group to join hands with the government and take ownership of the process.

Governor Abiodun has promised not to let the guard down. Already, there are plans in the pipeline to create more economic zones for further industrial development. These include the construction of a deep Seaport at Olokola, the Sea Port in the Ijebu Economic Zone, and the Remo Economic Zone.

All these Economic Zones are to ensure that cargos produced in the State are conveniently processed and exported through the Ogun International Cargo Airport as well as Sea Port.

The establishment of Kajola dry port, Akutah said, underscored the collective dedication to improving Nigeria’s trade and logistics infrastructure, expressing optimism that it would play a vital role in national transformation.

•Ogbonnikan writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State capital

The highlight of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Authority of Heads of State and Government Summit of December 15, 2024, was the formalisation of its break up. Three of the 15-Member countries, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic which are now ruled by  military regimes, had given notice of withdrawal.

Some of us had hoped that while ECOWAS would acknowledge the three countries’ notice, it would stall for a political solution. It should be a very serious issue for even one country to leave, not to talk of three which is one fifth of the entire membership.

Unfortunately, the Heads of State went technical and formalised the withdrawal. They ruled that in accordance with Article 91 of ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993: “The three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from 29th January 2025.”

The fact that only seven of the 15 Heads of State attended the summit, did not dissuade it. Apart from the three, Guinea, another country ruled by the military, did not attend, Sierra Leone was represented by its Vice President, Togo and Benin sent Ministers, while Cape Verde sent its ambassador in host country, Nigeria.

To concretise the break up, the summit directed the ECOWAS President “to launch the withdrawal formalities after the deadline of 29th January…”

It then directed the ECOWAS Council of Ministers to convene an Extraordinary Session during the second quarter of 2025 “to consider and adopt both the separation modalities and the contingency plan covering political and economic relations between ECOWAS and the Republic of Mali, the Republic of Niger and Burkina Faso.”

After taking these definitive and far- reaching decisions, the Heads of State added an interesting resolution: “The Authority decides to set the period from 29th January 2025 to 29th July 2025 as a transitional period and keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries.” 

 So why shut the windows and doors in the first place? Why didn’t the Presidents delay their decision to formalise the break up by this six-month period? Is this decision an indication of confusion, a revelation of internal contradictions or a tacit admission of guilt by ECOWAS for pushing these countries to the exit door by making the military invasion of Niger its first option rather than dialogue?

 The reality is that the decision of the three countries to exit the ECOWAS  is primarily due to its  gross mismanagement of the July 26, 2023 coup in Niger Republic. Rather than dialogue with the coup plotters, ECOWAS, buoyed by Western  powers, immediately declared war.

At its extra ordinary summit on July 30, 2023, that is four days after  the coup, ECOWAS Heads of State read the riot act to the new leaders in Niger.

 They ordered the immediate surrender of power and reinstatement of former President Mohammed Bazoum,  closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger; institution of ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger; suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger. They also ordered a freeze of utility services,  assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and  commercial banks, and suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions.

Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to cease membership in ECOWAS by 2025Tinubu to ECOWAS leaders: Let's learn from Ghana's democratic example

The ECOWAS leaders gave Niger one week within which to comply or they would “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force…”. They then ordered the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force to “restore constitutional order  in Niger”.

Four days later, the ECOWAS Defence Chiefs met to work out invasion plans which they approved at their August 17, 2023  meeting in Accra, Ghana.

Western powers openly revealed that they were behind the planned invasion. The German Foreign Ministry in a statement declared: “Our goal is to restore the constitutional order.” French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna also gave Niger an order to either handover power or face invasion by ECOWAS.

However, Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso rejected the invasion plans. The last two  on August 18, 2023  issued a statement that: “Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.” The groundswell of opposition, including by the Nigerian people which shares borders with Niger and whose government was leading the invasion plan, led to its abortion. The three countries  mainly out of protest, then gave notice of their withdrawal from ECOWAS.

Given this background, ECOWAS was this week, too  quick to formalise the separation. This is more so when behind the powdered face it displayed at its summit, the regional body is all battered. Apart from the three that are leaving, another member, Guinea, also run by the military, is clearly in bed with them. This may have been responsible for its absence at the ECOWAS Summit.

Three of the remaining eleven- member countries are run by civilian coup plotters who have subverted the constitutions of their countries and are running authoritarian regimes no different  from military regimes except that they wear suits rather than military fatigue.

In Guinea Bissau, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, a retired General, in May 2022 carried out a coup and dissolved parliament. In new parliamentary elections on June 4, 2023, he again lost. So, on December 4, 2023 he executed a second coup, dissolving parliament and subordinating the judiciary to his rule. This remains the situation.

President Alssane Dramane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire after exhausting his two terms in office, illegally awarded himself an unconstitutional third term. Ivoriens who protested this illegality were murdered on the streets.

President Faure Gnassingbe organised his first coup in 2005 after his father, Eyadema, a veteran coup plotter, died. After serving three terms in office, he got the Togolese constitution changed in order to have two extra terms in office which would end in 2030 by which time he would have been Togolese President for 25 years. Who knows, he may yet try to equal his father‘s record who imposed himself as president for 38 years.

So, today, seven of the 15 ECOWAS Heads of State, are coup plotters. Therefore, a primary task of ECOWAS is not to decide which coup plotters are acceptable and which are not. Rather, it needs a general restructuring in favour of democracy and a people-oriented regional body.

ECOWAS also needs to align itself with the basic principles of sovereignty. It should know that its  endorsement of the West African Gas Pipeline Project otherwise called the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, is criminally illegal as the pipeline passes through Western Sahara without the consent of that country which is a brother country of the African Union, AU. At 49, ECOWAS is no longer a baby.

A uniquely memorable aspect of my youth was spending Xmas at Okemesi. There was the harmattan weather whose chill effect sometimes ran to a quale drizzling 17 degrees. 

A compact close knit community, it lies between latitude 4.910E to 4.935 0 E and longitude 7.8150N to 7.860N. The borders are contiguous in relative equidistance of about ten kilometres radius with Imesi-Ile to the East, with Ikoro-Ekiti to the West, with Esa-Oke, to to the North East. 

The complement of a clement weather all year long, culminating in a social intimacy inducing harmattan chill- in sync with the celebratory mood of Xmas, is a big predisposing incentive to the indigenes fixation with spending the yuletide season at the town. 

Across the country, social activities culminated in the December end of year season. The consequential  mass retreat to the countryside resulted in a concomitant desertion of the cosmopolitan cities. 

It was the time for sparkling and  initiating tender love relationships which often get consummated in marriage. Openly conducting the orchestra with a not too subtle (match-making) push were the expectant Dads and Moms in the mission of reproducing their all  Okemesiwedlock.

The culture remains in vogue and It happened to me even though I was under no pressure to follow suit. 

I left Nigeria in October 1994 for a three months journalism fellowship at the radio voice of Germany, Deutsche Welle, I left a broken hearted girlfriend behind who was looking forward to marriage.

On my return from Germany three months later I equally left a sorrowful German fraulein behind. No way I was going to marry òyìnbó anyway. 

I decided that would be the last time I was going to abandon a girlfriend. At the age of 32 years I was already an old bachelor. 

To tie my hands, I entered into a solemn covenant with God that whoever next captures my fancy as girlfriend would be God’s choice for me. And so it transpired. 

Landing in Nigeria in December I headed for Okemesi to spend the Xmas break. At a random party, my junior sister introduced her friend, whom I had never met before to me. I fell for her and that was it. 

The likelihood is that without bringing God into it, I would most likely lapse into cynical bachelorhood all over again.

I hardly swear. By nature I’m a conscientious person and ordinarily I would  loathe to renege on any pledge I make. So it is near impossible for me to swear by the name of God and not fulfil my end of the bargain.

My peers and I always looked forward to spending Xmas at Okemesi. It was the occasion for annual family reunion and ours was quite large. My generation alone numbered in the 40s

How we managed to squeeze ourselves in one or two rooms remained a mystery to me. It was not that there was insufficient accommodation. We all just chose to sleep together in one spot.

It was the moment we witnessed our dads, uncles and aunties let down their guards.There regularly ensued a drama orchestrated by one of my uncles. He would summon this elderly relative (Baba Ogidi) who loves the bottle. Don’t we all?.

Ogidi was short of hearing.To have conversation with him you would need to substantially raise your decibels and to respond he would equally constrained to shout even if he didn’t realise he was shouting. 

Soon enough the compound would erupt in the contrived shouting match and raucous merry making. It was the occasion to see my father dance to the drumbeat that heralded his grandfather to battle fronts. He was an excellent dancer. 

With little to show for it, I sought to emulate him. He would be greatly pleased and amused that I bagged the ultimate warlord title, Balogun, same as the famous Ekitiparapo warrior, Fabunmi, who was the first and I’m the fourth in the line of succession.

My illustrious predecessors include Chief T.A Oni of the Oni&sons fame who was probably the richest Yoruba of his times. Being named Akintola, at the peak of the demonisation of the late Premier of Western region Ladoke Akintola), he took delight in taunting and loudly hailing me Akintola! I would then break down in tears remonstrating he should desist from calling me by that name. He would assuage me with a bottle of mirinda, fanta or Pepsi cola. 

One of the futile steps I took as a six year old was the unilateral declaration of change of name to Akinjide. 

There was my wise ebullient grandmother(Otoola) who would relentlessly treat us to the chant of our family panegyric (lineage praise poem called Oriki) and regale us with nightly rendition of vintage folklores. 

The following morning, she would embark on marathon intercession prayers for all her descendants beginning with my dad who was her first child to the latest grandchild.The hours-long prayers provoked my father’s heckling that his mum was monopolising God’s attention to the detriment of others.

Variants of the same scenario would unfold in several households across the community. But we were particularly aligned with the Oni, Adedeji, Omidiran, Okunlola, Durotoye and Fapohunda families. 

We packed ourselves in convoys that took us on impromptu excursions around Ekiti. I remember we particularly loved to drop in on Pa Arokodare at Ijero to pick white guava. Our favourite spot was the warm springs resort at Ikogosi. 

We embarked on mountain climbing to the scenic hills that completely enveloped Okemesi. It is a scenic beauty to behold.

Until 1973, one notable intervening variable was the tradition of yearly termination of the academic calendar in late December. It is the month in which your academic capability to proceed on the ladder of education is determined. 

Your promotion examination results will determine whether you progress to the next class or not. More consequential, it is the month in which graduating secondary students sit for Western African School Examination Council, WASCE. It was the examination that determines your eligibility for higher education. 

It was therefore a season for joy or sadness for primary and secondary school students who succeeded or failed in their examinations. The academic stars were pampered while the failures were made to feel like second citizens 

On the reports of surpassing blissful celebration in the Igbo heartland, it remains my abiding wish to spend Xmas in the community. The massive movement of the Igbo from all over the country to their homeland is an indication of its unparalleled social significance. 

Not even the trauma of being snared in the predictable traffic gridlock on the road for days would dissuade the massive retreat. In this regard, this year is positively unique for them.The celebration is bound to go several notches higher thanks to the completion of the life saving second Niger bridge that eases traffic movements. 

This hacks back to the differential incorporation of colonialism in its various manifestations in Nigeria. 

At the request of the leaders of the Sokoto caliphate, the British colonialists assured the insulation of the far North against the propagation of Christianity. 

In the formation of the culture of the colonial and post colonialWAZOBIA the imperialist religions of Christianity and Islam have exerted varying influence on the cultural language groups. 

In the Pan Islamic North, the theocratic rulers successfully negotiated the insulation of the region from Christian proselytization and evangelism. The latter readily granted the concession because it roundly suited the deployment of the indirect rule and his innate bias for the region. This provided the North an ample opportunity to preserve their Pan Arabic culture and language in opposition to Westernization/ Modernisation.

This corresponded to a contrary preponderance of Christian acculturation of the South East. Prior to colonialism and contemporary Nigeria, the Igbo dominated Eastern region had remained impermeable to the jihadist spread of Islam thus ceding the playfield to the monopoly of christian proliferation and acculturation. 

The Igbo Christianity trend was also inadvertently prompted by such seemingly unrelated external factors as the massive population dislocations and dispersal occasioned by the implosion of the oyo empire. 

Professor Kenneth Dike attributed the phenomenon of the abnormally high population density of the Eastern Nigeria forest belt, in part, to an influx of people from the West and the North, seeking to escape the raids of slave chieftains in the more open country. Jihadist slave trade is almost synonymous with the propagation of Islam.

December 25th is the assumed birthday of Jesus Christ but like most knowledge concerning religion, it is a myth. 

Following the perspective of the origins of Xmas in the revelry accompanying the winter solstice festival the Christian world tend to indulge in similar festivities and carnivals. 

‘Almost certainly from existing pagan celebrations, the winter solstice (shortest day) had always been celebrated by primitive peoples as the beginning of hope for the arrival of spring. This continued into classical times. The Romans celebrated the festival of Saturnalia between 17th and 25th’

‘Some have stated that, around 350 AD, Julius I declared December 25 as the official date of the birth of Jesus. This is based on a letter quoted only in a 9th-century source, and this letter is spurious. At the time this was one of the commonly believed dates for Jesus’ birth’ 

‘The actual date of Jesus’s birth is unknown. It has been noted that 25 December is two days after the end of the Roman festival of Saturnalia. Some have speculated that part of the reason this date was chosen may have been because Julius was trying to create a Christian alternative to Saturnalia’. 

‘Another reason for the decision may have been because, in 274 AD, the Roman emperor Aurelian had allegedly declared 25 December the birthdate of Sol Invictus and that Julius I allegedly may have thought that he could attract more converts to Christianity by allowing them to continue to celebrate on the same day’

‘He may have also been influenced by the idea that Jesus had died on the anniversary of his conception because Jesus died during Passover and, in the third century AD, Passover was celebrated on 25 March he may have assumed that Jesus’s birthday must have come nine months later, on 25 December’.

Compliments of the Season. See you all in January 2025.