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My binoculars : How sudden death stole my friend at the twilight of his service to humanity

My binoculars : How sudden death stole my friend at the twilight of his service to humanity
By: Sam Kayode
Of a truth, i have peeped and recorded a lot through my curious binoculars for over a decade now. But very few of the images I see have been as solemn as when I am reminiscing about buddies I met along life’s path of destiny fulfilment. This one of David Ibukun is unique because we grew up partially together as teenagers in the 80’s and he knew my parents in the secondary school house where my late father held sway as the Vice Principal. I observed, he had a special reverence for my father and was one of those students who the old man was well pleased with because of his stable nature.
David’s sudden death last year reminded us his classmates of the Muslim Progressive High School (MPHS) Oke Odan of the enormous power of God Almighty over all of us. This is because death according to the Bible is a transitional phenomenon all mortals must taste to enjoy or regret eternity based on our deeds after His final judgement.
It is always painful when someone you knew or sat in the same class with leaves you without saying goodbye. And why it hurts so much was that we rediscovered each other in 2023 after about 40 years of not crossing paths since leaving secondary school in the 80’s.
And that did happen in jos when he was driving to somewhere and I had parked to buy somethings to assist my trip back to Maiduguri. Incidentally, he worked in jos for about six years for Total Nigeria PLC without us crossing paths because I was on and off from the cold city. On this particular day, he was driving off to round up some of his transfer details and he spotted me on the long dual carriage way that runs from mararaba jama to terminus area in jos. He was the first to see me and stopped along the road at ‘building materials’ where I was buying fresh veggies. From behind I had Sammy. Only for me to turn to see David. I was so happy to see him after a long time. We exchanged pleasantries and spent sometimes catching up with each other. He hinted that he had been transferred to Lagos island and I told him I will check on him anytime I find myself down that path.
The David I knew at the Muslim Progressive High School Oke Odan
Dave was a confidant with whom we had a good chemistry. I will never forget his consistent smiles even when classmates annoyed him. He was a calm lanky fellow like myself who could never be provoked into extreme tendencies common with the teenage generation of that era. A very dependable, unassuming and approachable fellow who was very considerate since I joined the class in form 4 from a foreign school. In our secondary school days, he was a good student of economics and was studious in all his ways in spite of the air of affluence he enjoyed with a big brother who made sure he never lacked anything. His senior brother, a custom official who took care of him like his son was a good friend of my father who was the Vice Principal of the school then. He would always branch when passing on official duties since the school was along the trunk A road coming from Sango Ota. Whenever he was passing by he would branch to see David and we often shared in the goodies he used to bring for his kid brother after seeing “Baba” as they used to call my father.
We kept faith with each other even after form five as he described his brother’s home for me around iyana ipaja area where I used to branch while visiting my uncles in Lagos. We actually lost touch after I completed my training as a journalist and got my first job with the daily times news paper with posting to Taraba state in November 1992. He too got a career with total Nigeria PLC after his professional training. Life went on in our separate worlds as expected only for us to meet on that fateful day in jos where we both had worked without knowing he was there. Dave carried the same smiles I used to know him for only to sign off suddenly into eternity last year 2024.
Fellow progressives, its been about 40 years we left secondary school and quite painful to loose “Baskay” at the twilight of our respective callings. He was still the Baskay I knew and I was the “omo Baba” with whom we had a special bond with. Being class mates at the MPHS in a community called Oke odan in Ogun State was a unique opportunity to meet as young gentlemen and I will never forget those days. Oke odan then in the 80’s was a tiny linear settlement on the way to the border town of idi iroko which was a major gateway to Nigeria. And MPHS founded by the community and taken over by government was a breeding ground for future leaders and great sportsmen in the then Egbado division of Ogun state. It became a strategic point for young minds to be reprocessed into productive humanists to contribute to our country. Sadly, like his senior brother, Dave died suddenly last year on Tuesday 12th of November after a protracted illness in a Lagos hospital.He was a humanist to the core and a peaceful and practicing disciple of Christ who showed love to all till the end.
Final rites of David
His service of Songs was held at – KT&T Hall, Plot 61, Scheme 1, Warewa Bus Stop, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway on the 16th January 2025. And this was followed by the funeral service the next day at the RCCG Gate of Heaven Parish, Redemption City of God. He was
Interred at the Memorial Gardens, within Redemption Camp.
Do have a nice rest Ogbeni David Ibukun and extend our regards to Tajudeen Shittu (Tilly) who was also one of us. But had since gone before you after a tragic car crash along the Abeokuta Sango Ota road of Ogun State.
My binoculars : How sudden death stole my friend at the twilight of his service to humanity
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Nana Shettima at 50: Happy Golden Anniversary to the woman standing tall on this side of life with VP Kashim Shettima.

Nana Shettima at 50: Happy Golden Anniversary to the woman standing tall on this side of life with VP Kashim Shettima.
By: Dr. James BWALA
Nana Shettima’s 50th birthday marks a significant milestone, celebrating not only her personal achievements but also her role as a steadfast partner to Vice President Kashim Shettima. As the Vice Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Nana Shettima has demonstrated unwavering commitment to grassroots development and social welfare, exemplified by her recent visit to Calabar, where she distributed food items to vulnerable communities. Her efforts reflect a profound dedication to humanitarian causes, reinforcing her stature as a respected public figure.
Beyond philanthropy, Nana Shettima embodies resilience and grace in navigating the complexities of public life alongside Nigeria’s vice president. The celebration of her golden anniversary with VP Kashim Shettima underscores their partnership both in private and public spheres. This milestone is a testament to her enduring influence and the vital role she plays on “this side of life,” standing tall amidst challenges while inspiring many through service and leadership.

Her journey to this day is a beacon of hope, illustrating how steadfast dedication to community upliftment can forge pathways for sustainable change and empowerment. Her unwavering dedication to societal betterment has not only enriched countless lives but also set a benchmark for compassionate leadership in the nation. Her leadership style, defined by empathy and inclusivity, continues to inspire a new generation of women leaders who aspire to effect meaningful change within their communities. Her influence extends beyond national borders, where her advocacy for women’s empowerment and education resonates on international platforms, further solidifying her legacy as a transformative leader.
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Nana Shettima’s tireless advocacy for gender equality and her strategic initiatives in educational development underscore the profound impact of her work, fostering a legacy that champions the rights and potential of women across various sectors. Her efforts in grassroots development, as evidenced by her active role in initiatives like the Renewed Hope Initiative, have been pivotal in addressing the needs of vulnerable communities and fostering societal progress. Her presence at events such as her recent visit to Cross River State, where she was warmly welcomed by Governor Bassey Otu, underscores her commitment to grassroots development and the empowerment of vulnerable groups. Her recent endeavors, including the distribution of food items during her visit to Cross River State, highlight her active engagement in addressing the immediate needs of those most vulnerable, reinforcing her commitment to fostering resilience and hope within these communities.

Nana’s strategic vision and compassionate leadership continue to bridge gaps in access to essential resources, empowering women and enriching communities across Nigeria. Her steadfast dedication to uplifting the lives of those around her continues to inspire many, as she remains a beacon of hope and progress in Nigeria’s journey towards an equitable future.
Uwar Marayu”—The Mother of Orphans, as you are fondly called—represents a beacon of compassion and resilience within our community. Your unwavering dedication to the welfare of orphans exemplifies the highest ideals of empathy and selflessness. Over the past fifty years, your tireless efforts have transformed countless lives, providing not only material support but also emotional guidance and a sense of belonging to those who might otherwise feel forgotten.
As we celebrate this remarkable 50th anniversary, we acknowledge the profound impact you have made on both individual lives and society at large. Your commitment has fostered hope and opportunity, inspiring others to emulate your example. In praying with you and your family during this milestone, we invoke blessings upon your continued journey.
May Allah grant you enduring wisdom and courage as you persist in stirring more lives toward glory. Your legacy serves as a testament to the power of dedication in uplifting humanity, encouraging us all to contribute meaningfully to our communities. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
* James BWALA, PhD, writes from Abuja.
Nana Shettima at 50: Happy Golden Anniversary to the woman standing tall on this side of life with VP Kashim Shettima.
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Police arrest 184 suspected internet fraudsters, terrorism financiers in Delta

Police arrest 184 suspected internet fraudsters, terrorism financiers in Delta
By: Zagazola Makama
The Delta State Police Command has arrested 184 suspects believed to be involved in internet fraud and terrorism financing during a coordinated raid in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Monday evening at the Post Housing Estate, Effurun, following credible intelligence on the activities of a syndicate engaged in cybercrime and suspected terror financing.
According to police sources, the Ekpan Division, the Divisional Police Officer swiftly mobilised a tactical team led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who conducted the raid at about 5:45 p.m.
During the operation, the police arrested one Kelvin Odini, 33, identified as a key suspect, alongside 183 others allegedly caught in the act.
Items recovered from the scene include 273 assorted laptops, one iPad, 97 mobile phones, one table phone, nine laptop chargers, and two WiFi routers.
All suspects and the recovered exhibits have been taken into custody at the divisional headquarters.
The sources added that the police have commenced a thorough investigation into the matter, with efforts ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal network.
End
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Plateau Governor: Stop the Hypocrisy – Face the Root of the Crisis

Plateau Governor: Stop the Hypocrisy – Face the Root of the Crisis
By: Zagazola Makama
So now, Governor Caleb Mutfwang and his government have suddenly discovered that soldiers are no longer effective, and that mobile police officers yes, the same overstretched MOPOL will magically solve what years of denial and silence have failed to address. How convenient.
Let’s be blunt: the security situation in Plateau State is not failing because soldiers are stationed in the wrong locations. It is failing because the state government, past and present, has consistently refused to tackle the root causes of the crisis, particularly the unending farmer-herder conflict as well as the ethno religious that continues to fester like an open wound.
The government always finds its voice when one side of the conflict suffers, calling press conferences, rushing to burnt villages, and shedding crocodile tears for the cameras. Yet when violence is meted out in retaliation often after provocative attacks, land disputes, or extrajudicial killings as well as the mass killings of livestock, the same government goes mute, acting as though nothing happened. What is this if not a dangerous double standard?
Let’s talk facts. Most of these attacks are a sad cycle that has been allowed to spiral because no one is ever held accountable. Communities are sacked, women raped, children slaughtered, yet nobody is arrested, tried, or punished. There is never compensation for victims, no justice, no closure. Just empty condemnations and useless rhetorics.
If you’re serious about peace, Governor Mutfwang, then start by ending the conspiracy of silence. Acknowledge all victims. And stop the killings orchestrated by the state armed militias and vigilante on the other side. Until the government begins to treat both sides of the conflict with equal sincerity, until justice is served without bias, then spare us the hypocrisy of blaming soldiers or hailing mobile policemen as saviours.
This crisis will not be solved with knee-jerk rotations or media pity parades. It will only end when you stop pretending to be shocked by the consequences of your own government’s negligence and failures. Engage in sincere dialogue, listen to all stakeholders, and most importantly, end the extrajudicial killings and selective outrage.
Until then, blaming the military is nothing but a cheap excuse.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region
Plateau Governor: Stop the Hypocrisy – Face the Root of the Crisis
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