By Billy Adedamola
In two day’s time it will be exactly 25 since our father, the Emir of Ilorin ascended the throne of his forbears. The journey actually started two years earlier, if my memory serves me right. I recall being sent to cover the demise of HRN, Zulkarnayni Gambari (Aiyelabowo) as a reporter with a popular national magazine. That was in 1992.Of bigger interest to my paper was the issue of succession. I arrived in Ilorin and make my contacts. One of those I contacted was the late Safi Jimba. I met him at his Oro road office and sought his assistance. He told me all he could on the politics of succession in Ilorin emirate. He also gave me a copy of his book,’ short story of Ilorin”, a book I cherish greatly and which still occupies a pride of place in my library till date. I also met Alhaji Saka Aleshinloye, the then Baba Isale of Ilorin at the palace who, like Jimba gave me very useful information on the unfolding events and how things might pan out. Highly favoured to succeed the departed monarch was no other than his son, Justice Ibrahim Kolapo Gambari, a serving judge of the federal high court in Ibadan division. He had already been crowned Ciroma, the heir apparent to the throne. With the help of other contacts, I found my way to the Ciroma’s house located deep inside center Igboro area of the town. The spacious living room was packed with highly placed personalities, but I could not place most of them. However, I recognized Chief Sunday Adewusi, the former Inspector General of police, who was locked in serious discussion with the emir-in- waiting. I made attempts to speak to the Ciroma, I was not successful. The hunger for exclusive story kept me in that place until the impossibility of my mission dawned on me and I reluctantly took my leave. I however remained in town to watch events as they unfolded. Allah SWT is the one gives power to whom He wills. Contrary to popular expectations, the one eventually crowned was not the Ciroma, but Mallam Abdulkadir (Baba Agba). Ciroma’s time was to come two years later. Allah’s time is the best after all. Emir Ibrahim Gambari, Maimartaba’s rein has attracted unprecedented growth and development to Ilorin. In addition to this is peace and harmony which continue to make Ilorin one of the most peaceful towns in the entire nation. As our beloved father marks his 25th year on the throne, we pray that Allah SWT continue to sustain him, continue to bless him with sound health and peace of mind. Amin.
Biden and the specter of Zero factor
Joe Biden, the newly elected president of the United States of America is the man of the moment. His victory at the polls which has ignited jubilation across the globe is the stuff epic films are made of. And the reasons include his advanced age, his choice of running mate, the tragicomedy accounts of his life and so on. God, it appears, has saved the best for his last. But there is something akin to spirituality in his election which stands between him and the completion of his tenure as president of the United States. It is called ‘The Curse of Tippecanoe” or the 20 Year Presidential Curse. It is also called The Zero Factor.
It spells death for every American president elected every 20 years. Only two presidents in the entire American presidential history have so far escaped this strange death spell. They are, Ronald Reagan (1980) and George Bush Jr (2000), both republicans. Attempts were made on their lives, but they were gifted with miracle survival. With their survival, the jinx appeared to have been broken. And less attention is now being paid to this menace which many regarded as mere superstition. It may well be so, but a calamity that had endured since 1840 and had claimed presidential lives without failing till 1980 cannot be regarded as mere happenstance or tale of superstition. This is why Biden needs our prayers to successfully complete his tenure and go for encore. Reagan was shot by a 26-year old assassin, John Hickley. And following his survival, his wife, Nancy had to secretly employ an astrologer to watch over his movements and activities. This was believed to have made Reagan completed his two terms in office.
The Zero factor may have claimed his last victim in 1960 (John Kennedy), but American presidency may not have seen the last of it. In the event of Biden not completing his tenure (God forbid), then the gods may be gifting America her first ever female president in Kamala Harris. Let us pray for Joe Biden!
The Hands of God
I feel very reluctant writing about the attack on my office by the hoodlums hiding behind the EndSARS protest a fortnight back. Reason is, given the fact that no one was killed or injured, we should just give thanks to God and put the scary and traumatic experience behind.
However, I’m compelled to change my mind and share part of the story with my public. Like I said in the official statement, when the heat of the threat was becoming more dangerous, I evacuated my staff and made then made it through the back streets to get to my residence. However, what I did not make public was that, a friend called me at about 10.30pm to tell me he was informed that my office and other property with a link to my boss may be targeted. We both hoped it won’t happen. Unfortunately, it did. The destruction wrecked was low compared to what happened elsewhere in town, but the psychological trauma deep. That is why I felt deeply touched by those who responded in sympathy through personal visits, phone calls, sms and whatsapp messages. Many may not want their names mentioned publicly, like one of them said, “it is just to sympathize with you as a friend and not for public consumption”. I appreciate that. However, I will like to crave the indulgence of those who may still not be positively disposed to their names being mentioned here, to please, bear with me. I feel strongly grateful to them. Their reaching out went a long way to sooth our traumatic nerves and strengthened our resolve to forge ahead. Mogaji Nda and Alhaji Tunde Akanbi who were the first to rush to our office, I’m eternally grateful. My spiritual fathers, the Imams, I thank you. My gratitude also to, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi who visited too. Mallam Dare Garuba, Barr. AbdulRasaq Atunwa, Dr Alli Ahmad,Bolaji Abdullahi, Issa Saliu, Femi Akorede, Ladi Hassan, Babatunde Salami, Mallam Yunus AbdulRahman, Akintoba Fatigun, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Abdulateef Adedeji, Mohammed Dabarako,
