CHIEF OGWU JAMES ONOJA, SAN STARTS DISBURSEMENT OF THE DEDICATED
N20,000,000.00 EDUCATION FUND ISSN: 2141-7423 ISSUE 48 NIG. N1000 USA $5.00 UK £5.00 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019
DESTINY FULFILLED
AIG ABDUL SALAMI IYAJI HONOURED BY FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES
C E L E B R AT E
INSPIRE
CHALLENGE
ARISE IGALA-ISSUE 48
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LETTER OF COMMENDATION FROM THE THRONE OF HIS ROYAL MAJESTY DR. IDAKWO MICHAEL AMEH OBONI II, JP
AGABAIDU, ATA IGALA
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ARISE IGALA-ISSUE 48
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OMA UFEDO ATA
FACE OF INIKPI
Name Garba Evelyn Hassana Native Town Idah, Ede Alabama Favourite Igala food Obo egwa and Oje Oscapa Like(s) Honesty and Hanging out with friends Dislike(s) Betrayal and dishonesty Occupation Make-up Artist Dreams for Igalaland My dreams for igala land is growth, our communities are really lacking behind,kogi state as a whole is backward, most times I feel really bad and shameful to say I’m from kogi state, but I have no option than to accept and embrace my land, Phone Number 08105034916 Email evelyngarba22@gmail.com
INTERESTED IN THIS PAGE, CONTACT: E: ariseigala@gmail.com | M: +234 (0)0706 455 2909 ONOJA RUTH OJONE (MRS.) The Senior Vice President, Onoja Dreams Network Limited
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DESTINY FULFILLED
AIG ABDUL SALAMI IYAJI HONOURED 19
CONTENTS
REGULARS
5
FACE OF INIKPI
FROM THE ARCHIVE
9 10
PUBLISHER’S DESK
11
EDITORIAL
12
ADVOCACY
51
RELIGION
56
IGALA KITCHEN
58
ROYAL QUOTE 13
PROF. STEPHEN
IKANI OCHENI 34 Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Productivity
LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE AND INDIVIDUALISM IN IGALALAND TODAY
DANGEROUS SIGNALS FOR 47 THE FUTURE
We invite comments and request that they be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for views. The views in this publication are not sacrosanct. Readers have right to reply. All photographs in ARISE IGALAare copyright of the magazine and may not be reproduced, copied or used in any form without written permission from the publisher
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CHIEF OGWU JAMES ONOJA, SAN STARTS DISBURSEMENT OF THE DEDICATED
N20,000,000.00 EDUCATION FUND ISSN: 2141-7423 ISSUE 48 NIG. N1000 USA $5.00 UK £5.00 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019
DESTINY FULFILLED
AIG ABDUL SALAMI IYAJI HONOURED BY FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES
C E L E B R AT E
INSPIRE
CHALLENGE
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GRAND PATRON His Royal Majesty DR. IDAKWO MICHAEL AMEH OBONI Agabaidu, Ata Igala & Chairman, Kogi State Council of Chiefs. FOUNDER/PUBLISHER ONOJA JAMES OKPANACHI President/CEO, Onoja Dreams Network Limited Ag. Managing Editor Ibrahim Garba Ogwu Editor-At-Large Emmanuel Nathan Oguche Columnists Dr. Saidat Lami Hussein Ojochide Yusuf-Nathan Emmanuel Nelson Arome Pst. Livinus Husseini Okpe Mallam Mohhammed Atojoko Contributors Idibia Ojabo Muhammed Nasirdeen Lawal (Eleojo Mama) Moses Abimaje David Usman Yakubu PHOTO PARTNERS De Famous Studio | JT Digital World | Ottagab Voice & Vision PRODUCTION ARISE IGALA MAGAZINE (ISSN: 2141-7423) is published by ONOJA DREAMS NETWORK LIMITED (RC 868974), ABUJA: C29, MIB Plaza, First Avenue, Gwarinpa, F.C.T. | LOKOJA: C/O NUJ Press Centre, Lokoja. +234 (0)803 698 0602, (0)805 663 0751, (0)803 968 1501 Website: www.ariseigala.com, Twitter: @ariseigala, Facebook: ARISE IGALA Magazine Email: ariseigala@gmail.com, ariseigala.sales@gmail.com, ariseigala.opinion@gmail.com Copyright (c) 2010-2019 Onoja Dreams Network Limited. All Rights Reserved. With SUPPORT from
ARISE IGALA GRASSROOT SENSITIZATION INITIATIVE (CAC/IT/NO 94508)
VISION
To inspire a generational change that will give birth to a new breed of Igala people in the face of globalization thereby changing perspectives on selves as we consciously bring out the beauty in our people
MISSION
To be (and remain) the most informative, educative, entertaining, challenging, inspiring and authentic source of information on the past and current issues of Igala Kingdom and her people as the authoritative voice and image maker of Igala race via publications and media activities.
MANDATE
Our mandate is to Celebrate, Inspire and Challenge Igala sons and daughters at home and abroad into positive ventures for the benefit of mankind.
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THE ROYAL QUOTE
HRM, DR. IDAKWO
AMEH OBONI II, JP ATA IGALA Agabaidu, Ata Igala and Chairman, Kogi State Council of Chiefs.
I am further elated beyond imagination with the idea of the establishment of ARISE IGALA Television. You have taken us to a point where we can now have our own voice uninterrupted. I have absolute confidence that the ARISE IGALA Television in addition to the magazine which is uniting all the Igalas will take the Kingdom to an enviable height that all our people will be very proud of.”
The quotation above is part of His Royal Majesty’s Letter of Commendation to the management of ARISE IGALA on Monday, January 7, 2019. ARISE IGALA-ISSUE 48
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FROM THE ARCHIVE
THROW BACK
Assistant Inspector General of Police, Abdul Salami Iyaji (right) in 1981 as an undergraduate at the University of Lagos with bosom friend, Hon. Justice H. Yusuf (left) of the FCT High Court, late Hon. Zakari Adam, former Special Adviser on media (Kogi State)
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THE PUBLISHER’S DESK
ONOJA J. OKPANACHI PUBLISHER/CHIEF EDITOR
FINISHING GOOD IS CRUCIAL - STAY FOCUSED
FOR any human who plays God, his end is no doubt a disastrous one. This is no new finding as history has lots of stories of great men who were humbled after all. It doesn’t matter how long; there is surely an end as everything and everyone on earth are allotted their times. In the same manner, anyone who stays focused, finishing good, such will surely have reward. It is he who run the race to the very end, finishing good that gets the crown. This is so because life’s reward pattern is basically hinged on the principle of “sowing and reaping” - whatever a man sows, he reaps. No escaping harvest time for as long as life exists, there shall be seed time and harvest time. So, what are you planting today? Are you ready to reap them? Harvest time is surely coming. For a young man who just graduated and thinks in his heart he has all the time on earth, sorry. Someone graduated many decades ago and has worked some thirty five years of his life and all that is spread before him now are the results of his service years - how they appear on his score card are definitely those things he sowed in his active years. How would yours appear? Harvest time is coming. For those who failed or are failing to understand that everyday is an opportunity from God to invest into their future positively, think through again. You are given time - you don’t have control over it. So, if your time is up
now, what would be your final result? Harvest time is coming. You made fortunes or you are making fortunes and so you have concluded in your heart that it’s absolutely by your making; it’s your hand that is making you rich, yes to an extent but above all, the grace of God is at work for you for certain reasons. Look around, invest properly and don’t lord over those around you for harvest time is surely coming. Being highly placed is an opportunity by God to serve any ways you may look at it. If such opportunity is mistaken and misused, God will take and give others to correct your wrongs. In the midst of such opportunities, be very focused and don’t allow self and praises of men to overtake you. Be sober from time to time to carefully look back, think about your prayers to God while you were climbing up. If you do reflect and compare and your realities today match with the real purpose of those your prayers of old, then good but if not, fix things as harvest time will surely come. Stay focused. Finish good. Distractions abound everywhere and every steps of the way but always bear in mind that finishing good is very crucial. Arise!
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EDITORIAL
LEADERSHIP TUSSLE IN KOGI STATE: BETWEEN
BALLOT AND BULLET THE election season has provided another opportunity for the desperate elements in our midst to show their true character. It has also provided a chance for the nectars to attract the bees. The nectars are the good ones; the asset democracy requires to thrive. We are watching all the key actors with keen interest. Good leader wins the heart of people by fulfilling all his or her electoral promises; it cannot be through guns. But once s/he resorts to patronage of thugs, it could mean one thing; the popularity clout is heading down south. In essence, the reason some individuals rely solely on bullets to achieve their dreams of grabbing power is that there is a palpable disconnect between them and those they superintend. But democracy is not war; it is a peaceful means of power negotiation. It is not about bullet, it is about ballot. Bullet spills blood; but ballot speaks peace. Bullet imposes; ballot legitimises. Bullet reflects the desire of minority; ballot captures the will of majority. Ballots are sources of nightmare to a leader who has lost touch with his people. Even those who once erected artificial barricades to prevent the masses from having access to them struggle to dismantle these artificial barriers in an election season. This is election season; a time when devil presents himself as angel; a period when bad people put on the garb of righteousness in order to sway vulnerable individuals. In this season, Kogi masses are wiser and are better informed. The signal reads a collective resolve to snatch power from people with questionable character and give same to those they can trust. They also seem poised to retain those who have used their leadership positions to alleviate the sufferings of the masses. This is a season to sell your future plans to the people, to remind them how good you have been to them, not a period to deodorise your stinking antecedents. You had all these years to prove to the masses that you are a good man or woman. Why struggle to sell rotten personalities to those who deserve leaders with foresight and impeccable pedigree? It is a season to resist the devilish antics of desperate vultures who defecate on the land, by spilling the blood of the innocent. Hard fate awaits those who put their evil machineries in place, and work hard to replace ballots with bullets. As a consequence, the land is rescued from advancing towards Armageddon where lawlessness thrives like mushroom. What is good is good; and what is bad remains bad. Let us vote for good people and use our thumbs to reject evils that dwell amongst us. We are for the ballots!!! Nathan Oguche Emmanuel Founding Managing Editor/Editor-At-Large 07034242495
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L-R; Chief Ogwu James Onoja, SAN And Mrs. Rosemary Onoja, Founders Of The Deacon Job & Mrs Omada Onoja Foundation
CHIEF OGWU JAMES ONOJA, SAN
Starts the disbursement of the dedicated
N20,000,000.00 EDUCATION FUND Friday, February 15, 2019 witnessed fulfilment of the official takeoff of disbursement of the Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000.00) Education Fund set aside by the Deacon Job & Mrs Omada Onoja Foundation. The Founders of the Foundation, Chief Ogwu James Onoja, SAN (Agenyi Attah Igala - Okoolo!) and wife, Mrs. Rosemary Onoja were very grateful to God Almighty for the privilege to serve humanity by giving back to society in their own way and particularly happy that this officially structured system of charity they have established is taking off from their own home, Ofante in Ogugu, Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State. Before now, the couple have always been engaged in several charity and community services but they have carefully crafted this Education Fund in manner that will go a very long way to carter for selected qualified beneficiaries (from time to time) throughout the period of their Higher Education pursuits. It will be a circle as some graduate, new ones will be incorporated into the scholarship scheme. The Founders desire to take the basic responsibilities of beneficiaries as they ensure that at least, beneficiaries’ school fees are paid at the start of every academic session.
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DEACON JOB & MRS OMADA ONOJA FOUNDATION Below is the PRESS RELEASE on St. Valentine’s Day, a day before the disbursement of the first phase of the Education Fund.
DEACON JOB AND MRS. OMADA ONOJA FOUNDATION IN THE SPIRIT OF TRUE LOVE TO START DISBURSEMENT OF THE TWENTY MILLION NAIRA (N20,000,000.00) SCHORLARSHIP FUND. TODAY, love has so many definitions with varying degrees of interpretations but in all, true love is measured by sacrifice - the unconditionality attached makes the difference - Sacrifice that you give not because you expect anything in return from the beneficiary of your love. It’s in the light of the above truth that Chief Ogwu James Onoja, SAN (the Agenyi Attah Igala - Okoolo), Chairman of the Deacon Job & Mrs. Omada Onoja Foundation instituted the N20,000,000.00 Education Fund in honour and remembrance of his parent’s genuine love to support the needy in the area of education. The take-off of this laudable humanitarian project
is designed to start from the Chairman’s immediate community and later to others as they said “charity begins at home”. To realize this, he inaugurated an independent committee of reputable elders and community leaders in December, 2018 to agree on the process of selection and present a list that will capture beneficiaries from every nook and cranny in Ofante, Ogugu of Olamaboro Local Government Area in Kogi State. The committee has already completed their assignment and the following students were successful and qualified to receive N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) annually for the duration of their academic programmes, namely:
EMOJIKWU/EMAGODO NAME OF CANDIDATES
INSTITUTION
1. Onoja Austin
Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna
2. Onuh Ojochide Martha
Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi
3. Shaibu Emmanuel Unekwu-Ojo
Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna
4. John Friday Ojoajogwu
KSU, Anyigba
5. Muhammed Patience Eleojo
KSCOE, Ankpa
EMOCHOGWU – AMEH NAME OF CANDIDATES
INSTITUTION
1. Emmanuel Onuche Samuel
Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja
2. Idoko Philips
KSU, Anyigba
3. Onuche Charity Asebe
KSU, Anyigba
4. James Success
Univerisity of Maiduguri
5. Ameh Rose
College of Nursing, Obangede
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DEACON JOB & MRS OMADA ONOJA FOUNDATION
EMOJO NAME OF CANDIDATES
INSTITUTION
1. Onoja Samuel Edeje
FPI
2. Maji Onuche Israel
University of Agriculture, Makurdi
3. Ejigah Jumai Ojochenemi
FU, Lokoja
4. Abel Emmanuel
FPI
5. Jacob Mary
ATBU/KSCOEA
EMOGODO NAME OF CANDIDATES
INSTITUTION
1. Ameh Peace
University of Jos
2. Peter Jeremiah Edo-Eje
UNN
3. Alfa Friday Alex
KSU, Anyigba
4. Achile Peace
KSU, Anyigba
5. Oguche Michael Enemona
KSU, Anyigba
6. Ezekiel Akogwu
FPI, Idah – (Founders’ privilege)
EMOROCHO NAMES OF CANDIDATES
INSTITUTION
1) Akor, Paul Onuche
FUT, Minna
2) Abuh Peter Reuben
KSU, Anyigba
3) Oguche Samuel Ojonugwa
University of Ilorin
4) Amos Enechojo
Osun State College of Education, Ilessa
5) Ojobo Ojodomo
FPI Idah
The foundation would like to inform all the awardees that it expects nothing in return from the beneficiaries but sacrificial love when God in His mercies place them in positions to replicate the gesture to others in needs when the blessing of God comes their way. The Chairman of the Deacon Job & Mrs. Omada Onoja Foundation has always been engaged in community and humanitarian services within and outside his community. The most recent one is the rehabilitation of community roads which has brought succour to the villagers and motorists in the area. The foundation, as it disburses the fund to qualified beneficiaries in this phase, wish to congratulate them and call on others to engage in true love and not “a give and take kind of love” being practice by many today. SIGNED: DAN ITODO, PhD. Chairman, Scholarship Implementation Committee, Deacon Job & Mrs. Omada Onoja Foundation
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DEACON JOB & MRS OMADA ONOJA FOUNDATION
Opening prayer by the Ofante Community Leader before the disbursement kicks off
Presentation of Letter of Award and Cheque to beneficiaries by Prince Onoja
Presentation of Letter of Award and Cheque to beneficiaries by Dr. Dan Itodo
Presentation of Letter of Award and Cheque to beneficiaries by Dr. Dan Itodo
Presentation of Letter of Award and Cheque to beneficiary by Dr. Dan Itodo
Presentation of Letter of Award and Cheque to beneficiaries by HRH, Onu Ajah Ofante
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Beneficiaries in a group photo with the Foundation’s Implimentation Committee, Community Leader and the Traditional Ruler, Onu Ajah Ofante (Kpaleko)
Presentation of Letter of Award and Cheque to beneficiary by HRH, Onu Ajah Ofante
Presentation of Letter of Award and Cheque to beneficiaries by the Ofante Community Leader
Presentation of Letter of Award and Cheque to beneficiaries by the Ofante Community Leader
Some of the beneficiaries present at the first phase of the Education Fund Disbursement
Presentation of Letter of Award and Cheque to beneficiaries by the Ofante Community Leader
Presentation of Letter of Award and Cheque to beneficiaries by the Ofante Community Leader
Presentation of Letter of Award and Cheque to beneficiary by the Ofante Community Leader
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A beneficiary thanking the foundation for their love and support for the education of all the beneficiaries
COVER STORY
DESTINY FULFILLED
AIG ABDUL SALAMI IYAJI HONOURED Until his retirement from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, Abdul Salami Iyaji was the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Police Accounts and Budget, Force Headquarters, Abuja. A refined gentle officer, very dedicated to his duties and served his fatherland successfully in the NPF. After retirement, family, friends and colleagues collaborated to give him a glamorous dinner reception to honour him. The Dinner Reception was held at the Chida International Event Centre on Saturday, February 2, 2019. The reception witness the presence of great men and women in their numbers. The ARISE IGALA Team covered the event and have some pictures here for your viewing delight. Also, AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji’s concise profile is presented below and to us, it is indeed a fulfilled destiny for this great Nigerian. ARISE IGALA-ISSUE 48
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EVENT & PEOPLE
DESTINY FULFILLED
AIG ABDUL SALAMI IYAJI HONOURED BY FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji, FCNA, FABS, Psc, (Rtd.), was born on the 7th day of March, 1960 in Ajobe-Olokwu in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State to the family of Chief Iyaji Okeme. He commenced his early education in 1967 in LGEA Primary School Ofugo. He started his secondary education in Enjema Community Secondary School, also in Ofugo in 1972, and in 1977moved to St. Charles College, Ankpa from where he obtained his Secondary School Certificate. On completion of his Secondary School Education in 1977, he proceeded to School of Basic Studies, Ugbokolo in Benue State. 20 ARISE IGALA-ISSUE 48
Thereafter, he gained admission into the famous University of Lagos in 1979 where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc) in Business Administration in 1982. He later obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Accounting and he is today a Fellow and Certified National Accountant (FCNA). AIG A.S. Iyaji (Rtd.), enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on the 1st day of January, 1984 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police after his one year meritorious National Youth Service, with the National Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos.
COVER STORY
He has served in various Commands and Formations of the Police nationally and internationally in his career as a Police Officer. These include: - Divisional Headquarters, Gombe in the then Bauchi State as Administrative Officer, Crime Officer and Traffic Officer respectively. - Apapa Port, Lagos State Command as Divisional Crime Officer - Rivers State Command as Officer-in-Charge, Criminal Intelligence Bureau - Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos as Administrative Officer - Anti-Fraud Unit FCID, Alagbon Close, Lagos United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET Mission) as Nigerian Contingent Commander. AIG A.S. Iyaji (Rtd.) was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police in 2003 and was posted to Budget Section as ACP Budget, Force Headquarters, Abuja. He was later promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Police and made to head the Force Budget Section. His focus and dedication to duty earned him promotions to higher ranks and also led to the expansion of the “Police Budget Section” to “Police Accounts and Budget” (PAB) to be headed by an Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police, the position he held as the pioneer AIG PAB until his very successful retirement from the Force on Tuesday, January 1, 2019 to the glory of God. HISTORICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL LANDMARKS - As a Contingent Commander, he led the
Nigeria Police Detachment to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET0 from March, 2000 to April, 2001 and was awarded the United Nations Medal for Service to Humanity and Global Peace. - AIG A.S. Iyaji (Rtd.) can be chronicled as the architect on whose structural design the Nigeria Police Force Formations and Command Accounts gained its SelfAccounting Status with the Inspector-General of Police as the Chief Accounting Officer. - His creativity, innovation, integrity and character cum concerted effort were relevant to the gracious approval of the InspectorGeneral of Police for professionalization of Police Accounts and Budget (PAB) with Management, Accounts and Finance Professionals in the Force. SPORTS/HOBBIES As expected of a passionate Police Officer, he is into a lot of keep fit sports like squash, tennis and walking. The investigator in him also make his love for photography a good hobby. He also enjoys travelling and has indeed visited all parts of Nigeria and many countries around the world, some of which include the US, Spain, Britain, Russia, China and Australia. MEMBERSHIP OF ORGANIZATION/ PROFESSIONAL BODIES - International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) - Fellow, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) - Fellow, African Business School (FABS) AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji (Rtd.) is a devoted Muslim, very generous and a very good family man.
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COVER STORY
EVENT & PEOPLE
ABDUL
AIG SALAMI IYAJI (Rtd) (FCNA, FABS, Psc)
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COVER STORY
Engr. Kashim A. Ali giving testimony about AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji
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COVER STORY
AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji and Chief Arc. Gabriel Y. Aduku in a warm handshake
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COVER STORY
AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji and Sen. Abdulrahman in a warm handshake
AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji and Chief Pharm. Barr. Ben Amodu in a warm handshake
AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji and AIG Ahmadu Ali (Rtd.) in a warm handshake
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COVER STORY
L-R; AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji and Hon. Hassan Omale, member representing the people of Olamaboro-Omala-Ankpa Federal Constituency
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COVER STORY
Sheikh Sadiq praying for the event and more blessings for AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji (Rtd.)
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COVER STORY
Prof. Mohammed Sanni Abdulkadir greeting Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN
Dr. Idris Omede greeting Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN
Elderstatesman Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN and beautiful wife
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In a warm handshake - Prof. Mohammed Sanni Abdulkadir and Chief Arc. Gabriel Y. Aduku
COVER STORY
Elderstatesman Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN giving testimony about AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji
Onoja J. Okpanachi (l) briefing veteran Broadcast Engineer, Edward Amana (r) on progress made on the ARISE IGALA Television project
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ADVERT
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COVER STORY
L-R; Gen. Patrick Akpa, Dr. Idris Omede and on the extrem right; Sen. Abdulrahman (Abdulrailway)
48. HRH, Dr. Baba Mohammed, The Madaki of Ankpa Giwa
A close officer in the NPF giving testimony about AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji
Veteran Broadcast Engineer, Edward Amana
Chief Pharm. Barr. Ben Amodu giving testimony about AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji
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His Excellency, Capt. Idris Ichalla Wada giving testimony about AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji
AIG Ahmodu Ali (Rtd.) giving testimony about AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji
Barr. Dr. Halima Alfa giving testimony about AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji
COVER STORY
AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji with Mr. Abuh as Mrs. Euginia Abuh looked on with smile
L-R; Sunny Attabo, Euginia Abuh, Onoja J. Okpanachi and Mr. Abuh
It was dancing time and AIG aBDUL salami Iyaji rocked the Old School
L-R; Ajanigo Simeon, Dr. Ibrahim Wada, Onoja J. Okpanachi and Sunny Attabo
Sitting - L-R; Chief G.Y. Aduku, HE, Idris Wada and Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN. Standing - L-R; Sunny Attabo and Ajanigo Simeon
Celebrating with AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji. On the left is Prof. Abdulkadir Sanni Mohammed, The Vice Chancellor of Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State
AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji (Rtd.) giving a vote of thanks to all family, friends and colleagues who turned out celebrate him
AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji (Rtd.) responding to NTA reporter
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OPINION
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OPINION
PROF. STEPHEN
IKANI OCHENI Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Productivity
THE SATURDAY, February 2, 2019 helicopter crash in Kabba, Kogi State made shocking but miraculous headline as well having the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo escaping death. But, unknown to many, there are 11 other people on board who escaped death alongside the Vice President according to the VP’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, in a statement, he said a total of 12 people were on board the VP’s chopper when it crashlanded. Aside from Osinbajo, there was the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, senior presidential aides and the crew. Prof. Stephen Ikani Ocheni, the Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Productivity was on board that ill fated helicopter but miraculously
escaped death too. For the Igala nation and Kogi Sate in general, if it had turned the other way round, it would have been a very terrible one as the Honourable Minister was actually a replacement for Hon. James Ocholi, SAN who was lost to an auto crash along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway while serving as the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity. For the divine safety granted the Honourable Minister, family members, friends and the Kogi State Government organized a special thanksgiving service at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Idah and then followed with a reception at the Civic Centre, Attah Igala Palace, Idah on Sunday, February 10, 2019. The thanksgiving service and reception had lots of people who turned up to celebrate with the Honourable Minister.
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THANKSGIVING
The Honourable Minister’s family members with the Bishop and some of the Priests at the Thanksgiving Service
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THANKSGIVING
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THANKSGIVING
Chief Mrs. Ocheni giving thanks to God on behalf of her husband and family
Chief Edward David Onoja (CEDO) giving thanks to God for the divine safety granted the Honourable Minister and the 11 others
Chief Hilary Amodu, the Administrator of Idah Local Government Area thanking God
The Honourable Minister being administered the Holy Communion at the thanksgiving service
Chief Mrs. Ocheni and Chief Edward Onoja exchanging pleasantries
In thanksgiving mode during the service
Alhaji Jibrin Isah - Echocho and the Honourable Minister
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EVENT THANKSGIVING & PEOPLE
Alhaji Jibrin Isah - Echocho, the Kogi State SSG and Chief Mrs. Ocheni
L-R; Alhaji Jibrin Isah - Echocho, The SSG and Hon. Salisu Sani Ogu
Chief Arc. Gabriel Y. Aduku and Alhaji Jibrin Isah Echocho
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THANKSGIVING
HRH, Ejeh Dekina and Prof. Stephen Ocheni
Alhaji Jibrin Isah - Echocho and the Honourable Minister with wife
HRH, Ohiogba Mozum and Chief Mrs. Ocheni
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THANKSGIVING
Alhaji Jibrin Isah - Echocho and Chief Edward David Onoja (CEDO)
Prof. Mohammed Sanni Abdulkadir, VC KSU and Chief Edward David Onoja (CEDO)
Prof. Stephen Ocheni and Chief Edward David Onoja (CEDO)
The Honourable Minister, Prof. Stephen Ocheni and wife, Chief Mrs. Ocheni
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THANKSGIVING
HRM, Dr. Idakwo Michael Ameh Oboni II, Agabaidu, Ata Igala
HRM, Iye Oja (Onyete!), the queen - wife of Agabaidu, Ata Igala
The Honourable Minister, Prof. Stephen Ocheni receieving Agabaidu’s blessings
Some of the Royal Fathers at the reception at the Civic Centre, Attah Igala Palace, Idah
The Royal Drummers and Singers
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EVENT THANKSGIVING & PEOPLE
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THANKSGIVING
Hon. Tom Zakari
Chief Hilary Amodu
HRH, The Ejeh Dekina
HRH, Ohigba Mozum
Chief Edward Onoja
Alhaji Jibrin Isah - Echocho
Alhaji Linco Ocheje
The Secretary to the State Government of Kogi State
Hon. Salisu Sani Ogwu
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EVENT THANKSGIVING & PEOPLE
Chief Arc. Gabriel Y. Aduku
Prof. Mohammed Sanni Abdulkadir
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THANKSGIVING
Chief Mrs. Ocheni, Wife of the Honourable Minister
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Prof. Stephen Ikani Ocheni, the celebrant
INTERVIEW
LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE AND INDIVIDUALISM IN IGALALAND TODAY DANGEROUS SIGNALS FOR THE FUTURE
Just few days after the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, the ARISE IGALA Magazine engaged the National Leader of UKOMU IGALA Organization, Major General Patrick Akpa (Rtd.) in an interview in his Abuja office. Questions bordering on boiling issues about Igala land were asked and the people’s General responded accordingly. His responses show some rays of hope while calling for very quick leadership corrections.
Excerpt below.
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INTERVIEW its apogee, the kingdom extended well beyond Lokoja to Abaji.
What is your take on the socio-political situation in Igala land today seeing the various ugly expositions by the current electioneering period? The ugly expositions that you have talked about would include thuggery, killing, harvesting and sales of human parts and organs and all sorts of criminalities. Also inclusive are kidnapping and violence of all sorts. Small arms like AK 47 are in the hands of young boys who use them to kill and maim. Drugs are used by many teenagers and young adults in our communities. In a nutshell what we have seen in Kogi East, consequent upon the electioneering of this year is scary and dreadful. It is not restricted to Kogi East alone; other regions of the country suffer from these ills. We used to have some of these issues in previous electioneering exercises, but the one of this year has taken a new dimension. This is the first time an Igala man would confess openly to organ harvesting. Where did we go wrong as a people to have arrived here? What is happening in Igala land is as a result of the decay in virtually all sectors of our national life in the cultural, social, economic, political, psychological and other spheres. How we arrived here is a long story. You have to go into history to find the answer. It is because the kingdom lost power very many years ago. Walter Rodney in his book “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa� has stated how the loss of power led to underdevelopment of societies. In our case, the leaders that took over from the colonial masters have been unable to manage the loss of power. The history books record that Igala kingdom was one of the few kingdoms that were entrenched in Nigeria before the advent of colonial rule. The original boundaries of Igala land included the greater part of Idoma land, Anambra area and North of Onitsha which were formerly under the sovereignty of Attah Igala. At
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The Igala nation was a power within the Nigeria of old and later, a decline set in. Perhaps I should remind you that as part of the colonial policy of divide and rule, the Igala kingdom was balkanized for a period of about twenty years. The decline set in as from the 1830s after the signing of the treaty with the Queen of England. By this treaty, the Igala kingdom lost power. By 1956, the reigning Attah was dethroned. Since then, things have fallen apart and the centre has not held together, just to quote Chinua Achebe. The attitude of the elites at the time and even up until today, has not helped the kingdom; they paid little attention to the developmental issues and some of the emerging elites were rather greedy and selfish. Even our culture has been seriously affected. We need to retrace our steps if we are to make progress. At the moment, we are not who we are. We must go back to become Igala people again. We have to go home to our culture. An important aspect of culture is language but very many of us, especially the younger ones do not understand their mother tongue well. Some scholars even think that Igala language could go into extinction
We need to retrace our steps if we are to make progress. At the moment, we are not who we are. We must go back to become Igala people again. We have to go home to our culture. An important aspect of culture is language but very many of us, especially the younger ones do not understand their mother tongue well
INTERVIEW in the nearest future. It is important that our leaders create the necessary conditions for our people to value our culture and way of life. That is the only way we can make progress. Can Igala kingdom once again become a peaceful place for the people and visitors -how? When you talk about peace, you are also talking about security. Igala land has not been a peaceful place because there is no development. Even infrastructure that have been put in place in the past, have collapsed. Igala land is now threatened. I have already listed some of the threats? The threats include farmer/ herder clashes, poverty and unemployment, cultural annihilation, polluted water, and the near lack of medical facilities among others. As a result, there is no security. Obviously, it is the leaders of the people that can bring about the desired peace and security. By leaders here I mean those leading the people at various levels; at the community level, traditional level, political level etc. At present, the political leaders are perhaps the most important when it comes to the welfare of the generality of the people. They are the those who will represent the people at the LGA, State and Federal levels to bring about the dividends of democracy and development. In the past and in the on-going political electioneering, it is those who want to lead us that have encouraged and sponsored thuggery and all sort
of criminalities. So, you can see that some politicians and those who aspire for political leadership are part of the problems of Igala land. You have asked if Igala land can again become a peaceful place. It can but a lot of work would be required if we are to achieve real peace in the area. Some works have been done in this area - The Igala elites represented by the Professors’ Forum in conjunction with UKOMU IGALA and others have produced an IGALA DEVELOPMMENT AGENDA which they hope can restore the situation. I will give you a copy of this document. Going through it, you can see that it addresses issues like education, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, political empowerment among others. Before now, whoever gets elected into any office from Igala land is free to do anything he or she likes including forgetting Igala land. The preamble to the agenda states that henceforth, anyone who aspires for political leadership and wishes to get the support of the Igala people must enter into an agreement with them to implement the Igala Development Agenda. Implementation of this agenda would help to restore peace in the area. Between the leaders and the led, elites and the ordinary people, we seem not to have a common direction as a nation - how can this be addressed? To answer this question, we need to look at the character of the Igala man, history of Igala leadership and the behaviour and attitude of the ordinary people in recent times. Igala people tend to be republican in behaviour and character. In the olden days, the Igala nation had evolved an ideology, rituals of kingship, elaborate administrative machineries and organisational structure based on clans and lineages. In the 16th and 17th centuries the Igala kingdom extended over parts of Nupe, Ebira, Idoma and other ethnic groups. In the 18th century more areas were included in the kingdom as a result of our expansion; at the time the leaders were great warriors. They were people who were prepared and willing to make personal sacrifices for the land and people, sometimes at the risk of their lives. The case of Inikpi and her father Ayegba Oma Idoko comes to mind. The Attah was willing to sacrifice his loving daughter for Igala land and his daughter Inikpi was prepared to die for her people. Those who aspire to lead Igala land must be people who have demonstrated love for the land, like the Attah Ayegba and Inikpi. This model of sacrificial love is hard to come by these days. It must be emphasised that in any sane society, it is the elite that are the Vanguard of the people. What we see on the ground in Kogi East is that over the past 30 years or so, the political structure has been constructed in such a way that those who can see are not the ones leading the way. The elites have been chased out of the political space and many of those elites are not prepared to come down to the level of the ordinary
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INTERVIEW Organisation is non-partisan and exists only to project and encourage development in Igala land.
We can incorporate the other Igalas living outside Kogi State in various ways, One, cultural festivals in the metropolitan nation. These Igalas should be invited to our cultural festivals and from there a network of business relations could be developed among and between entrepreneurs from outside the metropolis
people to get their hands dirty. To answer your question, I would say that it is possible for the leaders and the led, elites and the ordinary people to come together to fashion out a common direction for the Igala nation. To achieve this, the Igala elites; by this I mean the Professors, SAN, Engineers, Generals/Admirals/Air Marshals; should come together to put in place a strategy to resolve the impasse. Do you think our socio-cultural organisations can revive our dying communal spirit instead of indirectly promoting the growing individualism amongst us today? When we talk about a socio-cultural organisation, we mean the network of relationships in a group and their interconnection. This network of relationship helps members of the group stay connected to one another in order to maintain a sense of community within the group. In this group you will see team spirit, team work, networking and group relationship. As the name suggests culture plays an important role in the life of the organisation if it is to achieve its objectives. While these socio-cultural organisations contribute to reviving the communal spirit in the land, we cannot rely on them alone to revive our communal spirit. There are too many socio-cultural organisations in Igala land. Some of them only crop up when elections are approaching and die when elections are over. This suggests that such organizations were formed for political ends, UKOMU IGALA
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As far as individualism is concerned, I have talked about the republican nature of the Igala man. He tends to be individualistic and keep to himself. he hardly helps others to grow. These tendencies are gradually breaking down. The Igala man’s world view and thoughts are engrained in his proverbs. For instance, you would have heard of “Na gwunyi mi aliochu�, which roughly translates to I will stay in my house and see the moon. What kind of leadership services do you think can rescue the ugly situation from further deterioration? The kind of leadership I think we need right now is one that loves the land. I have already mentioned the sacrificial leadership provided by Inikpi and her father Ayegba Oma Idoko. The leader must have integrity, be upright and have principles. We need leaders who have vision, capacity and competence to lead. Level of education is important, the person must have sufficient political exposure and have linkage and network. It may not be possible for anyone to have all these qualities but at least the leader should have an appreciation of these qualities. The leader should also show or indicate that he wants to serve the people. He should be a servant leader imbued with humanity and knowledge. Do we have hope for better days in the land? We should not lose hope. Better days are coming. We have the people, land and all that is beneath the land. We have talented people. Igala land has produced Ministers at federal level, many SAN, Generals of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Professors and many professionals who have distinguished themselves in various fields. All that is required is the leadership that will help to galvanise the people to move the nation forward. This leadership will surely come one day. Do not lose hope. How can we incorporate our brothers and sisters - those People of Igala Origin outside kogi state already established as indigenes in other states of the federation in our sociocultural affairs for unity and development? We can incorporate the other Igalas living outside Kogi State in various ways, One, cultural festivals in the metropolitan nation. These Igalas should be invited to our cultural festivals and from there a network of business relations could be developed among and between entrepreneurs from outside the metropolis. Another is in the area of sports. A sports competition at periodic times could be organised between the metropolis, Idoma, Nsukka and Onitsha North. Tourism is another area that could be of interest. I am sure you can think of other areas of interest.
ADVOCACY
THE
ANYIGBAPEACE
Middle; The Convener, Chief Gabriel Y. Aduku, Fmr. Minister of State for Health addressing participants at The Anyigba Peace Walk
THE Anyigba Peace Walk was organized and successfully held on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 with the aim of ensuring peace before, during and after the general election. Speaking at the event, the convener Chief Gabriel Y. Aduku, the former Minister of State for Health, said there is no alternative for peace. He called on the youth and political key players to shun violence and take the path of peace towards ensuring peaceful coexistence and development in the land. The convener who went further to describe Anyigba town as the economic nerve centre of Kogi East; the University town of Kogi State; the unique composite
settlement of Igala kingdom and hitherto the home of peace did hide his pain seeing how the town is being set ablaze for political reasons. Chief Aduku stressed the need for the area to witness peace in all ramification in order to attract investors. His Royal Highness, Ogohi Onu Anyigba, Alh. Shaibu Abuh Okolo who flagged off the Peace Walk commended the organizers for the positive initiative adding that all the society needed is peace and development Also speaking the Director of Strategy, Mr. Sunday Attabo thanked the youth for their active participation in the Peace Walk and enjoined
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ADVOCACY them to be ambassadors of peace. Mr. Attabo also added that the consequences of violence on the land are obvious - that the inhabitants now live in perpetual fear, unsure of what will happen next. Commercial engagements as well as social activities have drastically dropped. At a more worrisome dimension, most foreign cashew merchants are leaving the town in droves for fear of being cut down by stray bullets.
This must not be allowed to be. It is unIgala. Igala have no link whatsoever with the tradition of violence. This image must not be pasted on us in the “hot afternoon” of our development engagements. The Anyigba Divisional Police Officers also praised the group for being vanguard in struggles to attain peace in the area.
The Walk is on for peace and development
Anyigba is for peace
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Walking together for peace
Build Don’t Destroy is one of the key messages
ADVOCACY
The Anyigba Peace Walk Says No To Violence
HRH, Ogohi Onu Anyigba addressing the participants
Mr. Sunday Attabo speaking at the peace walk
Supporting the Say Not To Violence message
All hands up for peace
The Anyigba Peace Walk reached the Nigeria Police Divisional Headquarters in Anyigba
Keeping walking for peace in Anyigba
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ADVOCACY
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ADVOCACY
We are one walking for peace
All for peace
Walking and working for peace are very crucial
Frontline - L-R; Makolo Thomson Jnr., HRH, Ogohi Onu Anyigba and Chief Arc. Gabriel Y. Aduku - The Convener
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RELIGION
CHRISTIAN LIVING
Pastor Livinus H. Okpe Email: pastorlivinusokpe@gmail.com Mobile: 0806 598 4443
Discovering Your Purpose (Part 1) THE DISCOVERY of purpose is the greatest of all discoveries. The journey to stardom begins with the discovery of purpose. Until destination is known or discovered, the journey has not begun. In the electronic market, there is a product called Life is Good (LG), however there is nothing good that life can offer you until you are able to discover your reason for living. Life indeed, is truly good and equally worth living but the good things of life will continue to elude you so long as you continue to perambulate about life not knowing the reason for your existence What is purpose? “Not as though I have already attained either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may comprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ.” PHL.3:12 (KJV). To lay hold or apprehend the reason for which you were sent here lies at the root of discovery. What you discover therefore becomes your purpose. You remain in obscurity until purpose is discovered, but I see you coming into limelight as you discover purpose in Jesus name. The Apostle of Purpose, Dr Myles Munroe defines purpose as “The reason for which a thing exist” Purpose equally means what God has spoken concerning you. What do you know of yourself that was aid by God about you before you were born? To discover will mean to know what God discussed about you before you ever exist. You are not a creation of accident; therefore, something
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was said concerning you before you were born and that is your purpose in life. God told Jeremiah in Chapter 1:5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee: and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, a prophet unto the nations.” Discovering what you were born to do in this world is the greatest of all life discoveries. This is because life is without meaning, existence and ultimately no focus, until purpose is discovered. You shall discover your purpose in life now in the name of Jesus. You must be able to answer with certainty at all times this question: “WHY AM I ALIVE?” Purpose is not that which you came here to acquire but that which you came here to discover. You were packaged with your purpose in life from birth and delivered to your generation. Knowing that you are only relevant to this generation and that was why you were not born 200 years ago. Your generation needs you now. So you ought to do everything now to find out your reason for existence. Jeremiah was set aside by God to be born a prophet before he was born, likewise, you and I were programmed by God for something specific, you must find out to receive fulfillment in life. After all, according to Abdul Hameed of Pakistan “A LIFE WITHOUT A COURSE IS A CURSE”
RELIGION
ISLAMIC THOUGHTS With Mallam Mohammed Atojoko Email: anma271@yahoo.co.uk Mobile Phone: 08036242109
WHY MUSLIM WOMEN SHOULD WORK EVERY DEVOUT Muslim dreams of a full-time housewife, who has all the time to keep the house clean, set the table at the right time, prepare the children for school and dress herself up for her husband’s pleasure. Such a wife is free from the evil of mixing freely with strange, lustful men. Instead of listening to idle gossips and bossy commands at work, she listens to Qur’anic recitations; in the evening, she attends Arabic classes at a nearby ‘madrasah.’ In short, we want the perfect wife who will carry out Allah’s command: “And (O Women) stay in your homes” (Al Ahzab33). However, in spite of our longing to keep them at home, a good number of Muslim wives will have to look for jobs outside. Muslim women, like other women, often have to support their husbands financially. In fact, Islam commends such women. Once, two women among the wives of the prophet’s companions wanted to give ‘sadaqat’ to their poor husbands. When they went to the prophet to confirm whether this was permissible, he told them this would earn them two rewards: one for the ‘sadaqat’ and the other for keeping family ties (Bukhari $ Muslim). In harsh economies like Nigeria, with widespread unemployment and poorly paid jobs, a university graduate could earn as little as ten thousand naira per month. Out of this meager income, he pays the house rent, electricity bills, his transport fare to his work place, and feed and clothe his family. Sometimes, industrial actions and defaulting employers deny him of this pittance for months on end. Worse still, the man may be incapacitated by illness or die unexpectedly. At such moments, the family could fall back on the savings of a working wife. Besides, marriage does not relieve a woman of commitments to her own parents and siblings. Kindness to one’s parents and close relatives is one of the highly respected ideals of Islam, especially for women from poor family backgrounds. As they age and have to retire from strenuous jobs, poor parents will naturally turn to their children for food, shelter, clothing and adequate medical care for the illnesses of old age. Younger siblings too look up to their married ‘aunts’ for material needs
and funds for education. If a woman must remain at home in such situations, it is expected that the man make some commitments to his in-laws. However, many men are not rich enough to do this. As what the ‘shareeah’ makes obligatory on him is the welfare of his family and parents, not that of his in-laws, preventing the wife from working could mean abandoning her parents and siblings to destitution. What more, such parents may have invested a fortune in her education, hoping she would one day be of help to them. Economics apart, other subtle arguments abound for allowing women take up some jobs outside their homes. First, it saves them from boredom and loneliness. It also helps them apply their minds constructively, develop latent talents and prevent old skills from dying. Besides, the successes that come their way make working women self-confident and more fulfilled in life. They come to realize, too, how difficult earning ‘halal’ livelihood could be and, therefore, appreciate the more whatever effort their husbands make to support the family. All the same, the issue of the working woman should be placed in its right Islamic perspective. Wherever she is, a Muslim woman should dress Islamically. She should not work closeted with men for hours, or travel away from her family for days. As Islam has not made her the breadwinner for her family, her earnings are, first and foremost, hers. She parts with it only as an act of charity or from moral obligation. From the days of the prophet, Muslim women have had to work outside their homes. Asma, the daughter of Abubakar, said she used to carry datestones on her head from her husband’s farm, which was about four miles from her house (Bukhari). Jabir also reported that when her divorced aunt went out to gather dates, someone scolded her for having come out during her ‘iddah’ (waiting period). When the prophet heard this, he said, “Certainly you may pluck dates from your palm trees and give charity or do an act of kindness (with your pick)” (Muslim). Muslim husbands should, therefore, not take too literally the aforesaid verse of the Qua’an commanding women to stay at home.
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ADVERT
IGALA KITCHEN With Dr. Saidat Lami Hussein
ABADA
INGREDIENTS
1 cup of grounded Bambara nut (okpa) ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon grounded pepper 1 bulb grounded onion 1 cup palm oil METHOD OF PREPARATION ÈÈ Pour 1 cup grounded Bambara nut (okpa) into a bowl ÈÈ Add ½ cup water and stir to make a paste
ÈÈ Add ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon grounded and a bulb of grounded onion into paste. ÈÈ Stir till salt and pepper is dissolved. ÈÈ Put a frying pan on fire and add 1 cup palm oil. ÈÈ Allow palm oil on fire to get hot for 2 minutes. ÈÈ Pour okpa paste into oil as much as desired to make a round flat shape ÈÈ Allow on fire for 2 minutes and then turn the other side, allow on fire for 2 minutes as well ÈÈ Put it down from frying pan Serve with pap.
...more info, contact; Dr. Saidat Lami Hussein on 08059456509 or send an email to ariseigala.opinion@gmail.com
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ARISE IGALA LEADERSHIP AWARDS & LECTURES 2019
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2019
Presents
THE LEGENDARY
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T N' HIS DOS T IS M