Madam Aishetu Ojeifo: Behold your children with whom I slaughtered the elephant

By Sufuyan Ojeifo

I am sure the title of my piece may not resonate well in the perception of a majority of my readers who are not Yoruba. It is not that I am Yoruba, but I have a sense of entitlement in that I was born and bred in Yorubaland. Nevertheless, here is a backgrounder to the title, and of course, the “slaughtering of the elephant” part of it: A legend has it that a group of hunters went on a hunting expedition. The exercise had always been driven by the spirit of collective responsibility. Everybody always shared in the glory of whatever good thing happened. Yes, the spoils of the expedition were always collectively appropriated.

But on a particular day, providence smiled on one of the hunters who killed an elephant. The joy of his monumental feat overwhelmed him, and he just went gaga, shouting on top of his voice with the mantra of “I have killed an elephant.” The other hunters noticed the selfish gloating in his reaction, and they decided, in riposte, to leave the onerous task of slaughtering the elephant to him. Since he was the one who killed an elephant, he should be the one to deal with it. You could imagine the weight of his predicament.

He could not deal with his abandonment by the others and decided to report the matter to the elders, who, in their wise verdict, expectedly, weighed heavily in favour of the other hunting team members. They pointedly told him [the elephant killer] that “even though you killed the elephant, you were wrong to have appropriated the feat to yourself only.” The elders advised him to say: “We killed an elephant.” The lucky hunter quickly revised and reversed his binging self-acclamation and approbation and began to proclaim: “We killed an elephant.” Of course, others, who were then happy, joined hands with him to slaughter it. A hitherto huge task became simplified.

The lesson from this legend is simple: collective avowal, which guided me in the performance of the “last rites of passage” for my mother, Madam Aishetu, who joined the Saints triumphant by answering the final call and, thus, putting a closure to her life and times of impact that spanned all of 92 years. Consequent upon the announcement of my mother’s death, friends and well-wishers reached out to me with messages of commiseration, prayers, and encouragement. The avalanche of messages was incredible. Many would still go ahead, without solicitations, to deploy their financial support in aid of the funeral in Agbede, Edo State, and the celebration of life (reception) in Owo, Ondo State. The entirety of the inter-state events was successful, devoid of any significant negative episode. On this score, I say “godiya”, first to the Almighty God, who touched the hearts of my friends and well-wishers to reach out to me in an incredible manner.

It would interest you to know how, on behalf of all of you, whom by the circumstance of your investments in my mother’s burial, have become her children, even though this fact has only emerged writ-large posthumously, I took very good care of our mother for all of thirty-two years after her husband’s death on January 12, 1992. On his sick bed, he called me [the fifth child in the family] to his bed side and said to me: “I am handing over your mother to you; please, take care of her for me.” I kept fidelity to that fatherly instruction. My mother, on several occasions, in our several conversations as well as question-and-answer sessions, was wont to say: “Baba Daniel [calling me by my first son’s name], thank you for taking good care of me. If it were not for you, I would have died long ago.” I always retorted that: “it is God o.”

Now, consequent upon her transition, it became necessary to give her a befitting burial, I reached out to you with a formal notification of her transition and you responded so that we could collectively do the needful, and our collective response has been awesome, incredibly inspiring, providing and proving a practical demonstration of camaraderie. I can only say: wow! we have slaughtered this elephant!

I pray that the grace of longevity upon the life of Madam Aishetu Ojeifo, who served her Lord Jesus Christ with all that the Almighty God gave to her, since she gave her life to Christ more than 40 years ago, will be our portion in Jesus’ name. Let me take this opportunity to profoundly thank all of us for this significant effort and support. I keep resting and assured in the quality of friends, brothers, sisters, uncles, and fathers that I have behind and beside me. There is a saying in Yoruba, which reads: “Eniyan o dara ju aso lo; eniyan, ni aso iyin mi, t imo fi nbora”, loosely translated: “Human beings are better than clothes or garments; human beings are the clothes or garments with which I cover my body…” I remain eternally grateful to the Almighty for the gift of my friends, my dependable significant others. I most sincerely doff my hat to you all. In this era of harsh economic realities, you stood up to be counted by giving out of your substance to this endeavour. Whether you want it or not, or whether or not you believe it, you are blessed beyond curse. The Almighty God will be there for each and every one of you whenever you call on Him for divine intervention(s).

Your decision to rally behind me also finds anchorage in another Yoruba, saying that speaks to or addresses the confidence and leadership of a warlord. It goes thus: “Bi o lo mo ogun, bi o (ba) lo mo ogun, wo ehin re wo” also loosely translated: “if you want to confirm whether as a warlord or a captain, you have foot soldiers to give you critical backing, turn and look at your back.” I embarked on the pricey venture that cost multi-million naira, in this era of financial constraints, nay strangulation (yes, we can no longer breathe freely financially and the rich are also crying), and I got your back. Sincerely, I have yet to come to terms with what I did for you all to deserve this incredible backing.

I would like to take this opportunity to place on record the words of encouragement by my friend and brother, Olufemi Soneye, the Seriki Magana of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC Ltd). I remember the exact words he used when he called to commiserate with me on the phone. He said, among others, “my brother, I will stand by you. I will give you a garment for covering. You will not be put to shame. Your mother was my mother. We will give her a befitting burial….” He kept fidelity to his words. He was terrific. Thank you so very much, my paddy of life, if you are reading this piece. I bless the day we met and became friends in June 2013 at an event in Washington DC. I thank you for all you have done for me, even before your appointment as NNPC spokesperson.

What can I say of my childhood friend, Pastor Kolade Harrison, a Texas-based health rofessional? Just like Femi Soneye, Kola Harry was, not surprisingly, incredible because he had always been there for me. Our friendship started from 1974, yes in our Primary 4 at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Ijebu Quarter in Owo, Ondo State. Any time, I called my mother to greet her, she was always asking of Kola Harry and praying for him because he was always sending money to her, taking care of her as he would his late mother who was also my mother.

In order not to dilate this note of appreciation and overstretch it to the point of loss of interest, I would just quickly run through the list of Mama’s children who stood to be counted in the obligatory task of funding her funeral, which as explicated by my friend, Chief Emeka Nwakpa, was not meant for only me to shoulder. Read Nwakpa, “Oj, you took care of Mama alone, when she was alive, as a responsible son. Now that she is dead, you cannot bury Mama alone o. She is now for all of us to bury…” I thank you, my brother, for your support. These were the kind of encouraging words I got that galvanized the momentum behind my strides to quickly consummate her funeral within forty days.

My loads of gratitude go to the following significant Nigerians for their support: my former boss, the immediate past minister of state for budget and national planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, CON, for whom I worked as Special Assistant (media and Strategic Communication) in the ministry; Chairman of Setraco Nigeria Limited, Chief Abu Inu-Umoru; Managing Director/CEO of Emadeb Energy Group, Mr Debo Olujimi; my elder brother from another mother and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Sir Oladipo Okpeseyi; former Senate President, Senator David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark; former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Don Obot Etiebet; the Oragun of Oke-Ila, Oba Dokun Abolarin; US-based businessman, Mr Teddy Obaseki; Commissioner for Finance and Chairman, Governing Board, Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Mr Abayomi Oluyomi; a former Permanent Secretary in the federal civil service, Ernest Umakhihe (PhD); Publisher of PointBlank News, Chief Jackson Ude; CEO of Homebaze Restaurant in South Africa, Mr Kenn Ayere: National Vice Chairman (South-South) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Osih Orbih; Organising Secretary of PDP in Edo State, Mr Tony Anenih, Jnr; a former top gun at California Group of Engineers, Engineer Mike Arigbede; CEO of SEGADOT Limited, Chief Tajudeen Aderibigbe (the Nene of Owo); CEO of Lushville Hotel in GRA, Benin City, Mr Akpata Omoruyi; a former Commissioner at the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr Ademola Adebo; a Lagos-based legal professional, Barrister Olatubosun Okpeseyi; Chairman of Dominion Group of Schools in Owo, Pastor Saka Hassan; a manager at Oando oil, Prince Solomon Agba; a former Executive Director at the NDIC, Managing Director of Hosa Greehouse Farms, Mr Kingsley Okunbo, a presidential assistant, Mr Baba Agba; Hon Simon Dada Ogie; a former Commissioner in Edo State, Architect Frank Evbouvwan; Director of Corporate Services at Setraco Nigeria Limited, Mr Ignatius Aigbokhaode; a former manager at Chevron Nigeria Limited, Chief Sam Ekwueme; Chief Medical Director of National Orthopedic Hospital, Benin, Dr Philip Ugbodaga; an APC chieftain in Edo Central, Dr Elizabeth Ebosele; a Commissioner with the National Population Commission, Dr Tony Aiyejina; a Lagos-based businessman and lawyer, Chief Kennedy Izuagbe; THISDAY Ombudsman, Mr Kayode Komolafe; former presidential spokesperson, Olorogun Ima Niboro; a former Information Commissioner in Delta State, Mr Magnus Onyibe; Chairman of THISDAY Editorial Board, Mr Olusegun Adeniyi: a former Information Commissioner in Edo State, Prince Kassim Afegbua; a former Deputy Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Hon Festus Ebea; a former Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Roland Owie; a Canada-based Energy Consultant, Mr Makinde Charles Adenola; and a former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Japan, Emmanuel Oseimegha Otiotio.

The list continues: Publisher of Eagle Online, Mr Dotun Oladipo; Director of Special Duties at NCAA, Mr Horatius Egua; Media Consultant, Goodluck Ebelo; a Deputy Director in the National Assembly, Mr Joe Obi; Emeritus Professor Godwin Sogolo; Uk-based consultant, Mr Olufemi Oluyomi; a Chevron Oil Engineer, Anene Okoh; an Abuja-based Property developer, Mr Adeleye Okpeseyi; a former Director of Administration in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Lanre Adekanye, PhD; Director of Social Development in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Sanjo Faniran, PhD; Assistant Editor at THISDAY Newspaper, Mr Wale Olaleye; Editor of THISDAY on Sunday, Mr Davidson Iriekpen; a broadcast guru, Mr Ufot Ime; General Editor, Vanguard newspaper, Mr Jide Ajani; Abuja Bureau Chief of Vanguard newspaper, Mr Emmah Ujah; The Nation Newspaper Editor (Northern Region), Alhaji Yusuf Alli; a former Managing Director of THE GUARDIAN, Mr Martins Oloja; editor of Vanguard and President of Nigerian Guld of Editors, Mr Eze Anaba; Nation’s Capital Editor of THISDAY and General Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, PhD; former Regional editor (North) of Vanguard newspaper, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan; Executive Director at Authority newspaper, Mr Chuks Akunna; Publisher of Realnews newspaper and president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Ms Maureen Chigbo; a manager at NDIC, Mr Abdulraham Rajab; a former PA to Chief Tony Anenih, Barrister Peter Abulu; a UK-based health professional, Ms Mary Opeyemi; a management staff member of MTN, Mr Olumide Ajayi; a former presidential aide, Tunde Olusunle, PhD; Chairman, Editorial Board of Sun newspapers, Robert Obioha, PhD; former Editor of Daily Independent newspaper, Mr Akpandem James; Convener of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko; media professionals such as Sam Akpe; Uwadiae; Sani Onogun; Paul Mumeh; Ibiso Dakouru, Akewusola Hammed Abiodun; Emeka Nwosu, PhD; General Editor, Tribune, Taiwo Adisa; piublisher of GWG, Pastor Emmanuel Aziken; a presidential aide, Alhaji Tunde Rahman; Pastor Festus Owete; former Editor at THISDAY, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu; NAPTIP Press Officer, Mr Vincent Adekoye; Mr Oghohor Obayuwana (ECOWAS); a British Council official, Ms Damilola Oyedele, former deputy editor of Sunday Vanguard, Mr Sunny Areh; Mr Abdul Jelil Adebayo; Director of Corporate Communication at NSITF, Godson Ngige; publisher of THE STAR, Mr Ayodele Ojo Samuel; former Media Assistant to the late Governor Kure of Niger State, Alhaji Mahmud Abdullahi, Head, Press Unit of PSC, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, MON; Comrade Idowu Bakare; Okpani John Alechenu; a former photo editor with Vanguard newspaper, Mr Abayomi Adesida; Mr Alifa Daniel; Chief Nosike Ogbuenyi; Mr Sheddy Ozoene; Mr Uche UIgboajah; Chief Ola Awoniyi and publisher of Forefront magazine, Mr Amos Dunia; Mr Mumini Abiri (NNPC); Mr Athanacius Ugbome; Engineer John Odaro (Westminster Security Limited); an Abuja-based businesswoman, Mrs Chinyere Ralph;  Dr Anyadike U. Moses (Nigerian Navy); Hajiya Yakubu Hajara (Ministry of Defence); Mr Osman el-Nathan John; Lady Yosi Akinjogunla; Mr Adewale M. Sunday; Mr Ode Edeh Andrew; Mrs Chinenye B. Onukwe; Mrs Lilian Jumai; Mrs Uduak Moses Etokowoh, Barrister Gladys Edegware; Dr Sani Samuel; Alhaji Daud Okalawon; Mr Akpulu Ifeanyi; Engineer Babalola Kayode;, Mrs Onjeh Jane; Mr Shegun Oiseomaoje; and Ms Deborah Dada.

Consider also the kindheartedness of Pastor Matthew Adekunle; a former aide to Chief Tony Anenih, Barrister Damisa Itote; Deputy Registrar of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Mr Ale Olaposi; a lecturer at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Mr Kehinde Imoukhuede; Pastor Peter Komolafe; Pastor Mayowa Ogundana; Mr Gibson Obi; Mr Tope Falope; Mrs Maris Afolabi; Mr Ojo Harrison; Mr Felix Eghogho Omo-Asun; Barrister B. Damilare; Mrs Adeola Oridota; Mrs Abiola Damola-Balogun; Mr Mustapha Oluwuyi; Mrs Aderonke Sola-Idowu; Mrs Bunmi Ayuba; Chief Babatunde Awosedo; Mr Yemi Ajayi; Mr Jide Alabi; Mrs Joke Quadri; Prince Adeniyi Adeleke; Mr Sanya Onayoade; Mrs Tokunbo Dawodu; Mrs Margaret Osoba; Mr Ayo Fawibe; Ms Uche Dike; Mrs Julie White Dike; Mrs Ose Oluyanwo; Mr Ademola Akinbola; Mr Besiru Enakhimion; Mrs Oyinlola Fashogbon; Mrs Funke Jibefun; Mr Lateef Ibrahim; Mrs Bunmi Sanuth; Mr Lekan Sani; Mrs Funke Awodiran-Okoro; Mrs Ranti Oredein-Koiki; Mr Ayo Arowojolu; Mr Sola Abiala; Mrs Ngozi Ndu; Mr Pius Omo; Mr Deji Olaore; Mr Olayinka Taiwo; Alani Adeogun; Mogaji Soladoye Adewole; Bolaji Olubodun; Segun Ojongbede; Grace Orji; Dele Olukoju; and, Doyin Okesola Falomo; Comrade Tony Erha; Mr Emmah Adah; Ms Gabriella Memberr, Publisher of National Waves, Mr Jimmy Enjeh, Mr Sadeek Mohammed and Mr Omoniyi Idowu.

Last line: In case I have failed to capture your name, it was not intentional. If, perhaps, my records have failed me, rest assured that the Almighty God has taken notice of your labour of love, and He will replenish all of us mightily. God bless all of our efforts. Godiya!

■ Sufuyan Ojeifo is publisher and editor-in-chief of THE CONCLAVE. [08034727013, ojwonderngr@yahoo.com]