Since eras such as AD or BC are not indicated, the 1985 and 1975 are simply hospital room numbers. My opinion.

ONE-ON-ONE with Sulaimon Olagbade a.k.a Tyson Kill

Sulaimon Olagbade a.k.a "Tyson Kill" is a professional Super Welterweight boxer who has won laurels for himself and Nigeria at the National, Regional, Continental and World levels.

In commensurate measure with his accomplishments, his name may not necessarily ring a bell with every Nigerian. However, he has put Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force on the global map for positive reasons.

In the 1st part of this interview series with AZ 360 Reports' Martins Onyeike, he talks about a variety of issues - from his exploits, challenges and future plans.

Q -For the benefit of those who probably have not heard your name before now, who is Sulaimon Olagbade?

A -Thank you. Sulaimon Olagbade is a Nigerian boxer, a world boxer and also a Police officer. He is well known to the world. I have won a world title, West African title and National title. That's all about me.

Q- How did you venture into boxing?

A - I started boxing as a kid. While growing up, I used to watch a lot of Mike Tyson fights and that was what propelled me into boxing. If you take a good look, you will see that I have some sort of physical resemblance with Mike Tyson and I told myself that I would like to become a professional, and reach the heights of my idol.
One day, I met a boxing Coach- he is late now. I enquired from him if he could become my trainer, and he responded in the affirmative. It's been a long time. That was how I discovered my talent. In all honesty, I never knew I will go this far in the sports because it was just about raw passion for me. After becoming a National champion, I went on from there to become a West African champion before winning the WBU World title.

Q -You mentioned earlier that you are a Police officer, what rank do you hold in the Nigerian Police Force?

A -Well, I am a 2-star (Assistant Superintendent of Police) waiting to be promoted to a 3-star (Deputy Superintendent of Police). I am also the Admin. Officer of Onipanu Police Station, Obasanjo, Sango-Ota. My exploits in boxing has given me the much desired recognition in the Force.
During the course of my career, I have been privileged to meet with at least 4 Inspector Generals (I.G) of Police and they all gave me due recognition. Even the incumbent I.G recognizes me. I am an ambassador of the Nigerian Police Force. By the grace of God, I have represented the Force with honour. I thank God.

Q- Your "Tyson Kill" sobriquet, what's the inspiration behind it? Have you killed somebody in the ring before? (General laughter)

A - In 2008, I travelled to Burkina Faso for camping in preparation for a fight. During my sparring sessions; I literally knocked out all my sparring partners in a brutal manner. One day, a certain Burkinabe boxer walked up to me and spoke in his Francophone accent- "you kill, kill, kill!!" In response, I told him that my fans in Nigeria call me Tyson because of my reputation for knocking out any boxer I come across since my days as an amateur boxer.

Since that day, "Kill" was incorporated into my nickname and I gladly adopted it. You can see I even have it here- (pointing to a tattoo on his upper arm).

Q -Over the years, the Nigerian Police Force has become renowned for producing world champions in various sports. People like Samuel Peter, Kikelomo Ajayi, Babatunde Jonathan, the late Sunday Bada, Nigeria's only individual Olympic gold medalist- Chioma Ajunwa and more recently; another Police Officer - ASP Olanrewaju Durodola, who is a world boxing champion in the cruiserweight category.
What exactly is the NPF doing right with regards to sports development that others have to emulate?

A -The secret is not farfetched. In the NPF, we have always been lucky to have sports loving Inspector Generals. Coupled with the existence of a Commissioner of Police dedicated to Sports. The most important thing is to release your athletes so they can have enough time for training.

Personally, on several occasions, the I.G gave me the release to travel to Scotland and other parts of the UK in preparation for my fights, and I have always reciprocated that gesture by coming out victorious. This is the simple secret behind the many champions the NPF has produced.

Q - According to information available on the boxrec website, you started your professional career in 2011 and have an outstanding record of 10-2-0...

A- (Cuts in). That information is exactly not correct. We have boxrec and boxranking. I had a fight in Bradford, UK where I defended my title and another one in Ota, Ogun State which are not listed by boxrec, but are available on boxranking.

Q. By your estimation, what is your professional record?

A - My record is actually 14-2-0.

Q- Okay. I would not be knowing this if I am not speaking to you. Like they say- hearing from the horse's mouth.14-2-0 is a total of 16 fights. For a boxer that started your professional career in 2011, don't you think you should have had more fights under your belt? What could this be attributed to?

A - This is a very good question. You see, when there's no management, there's nothing one can do. Boxing is all about money. I can't just wake up and start promoting my own fights. I need a sponsor. I have the talent, but what about the sponsorship? We have so many boxers in Nigeria that won't fight a single bout in a whole year because of lack of sponsorship and that's where the talent dies.

Stay on the lookout for the continuing part of this interview.

NB: Sulaimon Olagbade a.k.a Tyson Kill has an upcoming fight at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Sunday, 17th of December, 2023.

On this auspicious occasion of your 77th birthday, the Southwest Zone of Atiku Support Organisation hereby extends our heartfelt felicitations to you as you celebrate this significant milestone.

There is no gainsaying that the story of contemporary Nigerian politics cannot be told without mention of your colossal contributions which are embedded in enthroning the rule of law, uncompromising stand against illegality and avowed allegiance to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

While we are not in any doubt that you have cemented your legacy as a statesman par excellence, our wishes are that you remain vigorous in body and lucid in mind as you continue your journey in life.

Happy birthday Waziri Adamawa, H.E Alh. Atiku Abubakar!!

Signed,
Hon. Abdul-Azeez Akinsanya,
Southwest Zonal Coordinator,
Atiku Support Organisation.

DatNiggaDaz:
Only on this thread, one will understand the true meaning of a double face ceeatures

This is hilarious 😂

Khd95:
If tinubu a drug bag man can be sworn in as president select, then a police inspector’s wife in Kofo can be selling loud inside police barracks 😂😂😂

This country is gone

Lol!! I bumped into that story somewhere and I just couldn't digest it. What manner of a nation is this?

Dear Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme,

Before I proceed to the crux of this letter, let me partly introduce myself to you. I am one of the many who shouted themselves hoarse while standing on the altar of morality, legality and rationality to call for your crucification during your travails with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB).

With benefit of hindsight, I have come to the shameful realization that those values have become extinct in the geographical location where you and I find ourselves.

Based on the foregoing, I hereby tender my unreserved apologies to you. This is not because you are exonerated of wrongdoing, but simply because I defied the hysterical, tribal mob and joined the handful with their thinking caps purportedly on in vilifying an offender whose crime epitomizes a generic national malaise.

Many of those who joined me in calling for your head have suddenly become New Covenant adherents and surprisingly discarded the Mosaic law which was applied to you with stiff stipulations that certain sins come with a penalty of getting stoned to death. I drop my pebble.

Let it be put it on record that my turncoat disposition is driven by recently acquired incontrovertible evidences at my disposal. This is coming from a hallowed place of my volitional conviction.

First of all, it was established by the examining body, (JAMB) that you sat for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) and scored a handsome grade of 249. For purposes of clarity, permit me to paraphrase to "beautiful grade" because at least, your gender is not subject to debate. It is incontestable that you are female.

By all ramifications, that is a mark way above the threshold and should at the minimum, guarantee you admission into a tertiary institution. Irrespective of the fact that you falsified your score to 362, pardon me for not considering that it is now "expediently" trite that one cannot forge what one already has.

As pedestrian as this argument is, one still needs a zebra-crossing to conveniently navigate it without looking ridiculously stupid. Kindly note that I'm not a Lawyer by any stretch of the imagination.

Secondly, parading yourself as the top scorer in the 2023 UTME with a manipulated score of 362 does not in any way disprove the fact that you wrote the exams and passed with flying colours. That is the new basic requirement.

Despite the obvious variances in format and template of the controversial result you put on display when compared to those of your contemporaries of the same year, any claim of forgery cannot be substantiated without first rebutting the proof that you wrote and passed the exams.

Being humans that we are- we live and learn everyday. With an open mind, I have come to learn that these documents are merely ceremonial and one even has the prerogative to redesign and customize them to one's taste.

Thirdly, upon affirmation by the issuing body that the 362 result you paraded did not emanate from it, your cries to the rooftops that you "legitimately" sourced it from a "third-party vendor" which is accredited by JAMB fell on deaf ears. Recent events have got you vindicated.

Whether by providence or sheer coincidence - you became an unsolicited beneficiary of the outright circumvention of an entire nation's judicial system to suit the yearnings of one man- I am not talking the court of public opinion here. You got an amnesty you didn't bargain for.

Just maybe the age-old doctrine by the English Jurist, William Blackstone that "it is better that 10 guilty persons escape, than 1 innocent person suffers" perfectly suffices here. Count yourself lucky, my little friend.

Ultimately, you should consider it a privilege to be mentioned in the same breath as one of the few men alive who possess the uncanny ability to legitimize criminality.

For now, just go and sin no more.

Respectfully,
Epiphany.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!

As you clock 86 today, 17th of September, 2023; I consider it a great privilege to have been blessed with a father like you. Over the years, you have proven to be a paragon of virtue and yardstick for highly principled parenthood.

Unquestionably, your life is one worthy of emulation. For me, the man that I am today is reflective of the principles bequeathed through your tutelage. I am equally certain that my siblings and other family members share these thoughts.

Daddy, my gratitude to Almighty Allah for keeping you this long in general wellness remains immeasurable and I keep praying that you continue waxing strong in good physical condition and soundness of mind.

Happy birthday to Alhaji Shamsideen Akinola Akinsanya- you are the world's best Dad.

Courtesy,
Hon. AbdulAzeez Akinsanya.

ATIKU'S EXPERIENCE: WHAT NIGERIA NEEDS


Coming on the heels of many years of military misrule, Nigeria's economy in 1999 was not just in dire straits, it was in a state of total ruins. For a nation just returning to democratic rule, there was little or no margin for error or hypothetical experimentations.

In came Alh. Atiku Abubakar. By virtue of his position as the Vice President, he was entrusted by the constitution to Chair the National Economic Council, NEC as enshrined in the provisions of section 153(1) and paragraphs 18 and 19 (part 1 of the third schedule), amended of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to the constitution, NEC has the mandate to " advise the President concerning the economic affairs of the federation, and in particular on measures necessary for the coordination of the economic planning efforts or economic programmes of the various governments of the federation."

Membership of the NEC comprises the VP as chairperson, 36 state governors, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other co-opted government officials.

With oil prices fluctuating between $16 and $28 per barrel in the administration's first four years, a totally depleted foreign reserve and a protruding national debt (both foreign and local), the nation was practically sitting on a time bomb.

Amid those perilous circumstances, Atiku painstakingly assembled a team of technocrats who masterminded and navigated Nigeria's exit from the Paris club debt through a debt relief of $18 billion and more than quadrupled the nation's GDP between 2000-2007.

Under his watch, Nigeria also experienced private sector reforms in telecoms, banking, and pension administration. These legacies still stand today.

Admitted that today's economic situation is not entirely the same as that of 1999-2007, the overriding consensus is that Nigeria needs a leader with a demonstrated capacity to lead the nation out of the doldrums. Atiku is that man.

Judiciary, Nigerians await.

FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL: THE ATIKU PERSPECTIVE


There is a popular saying that "misery loves company". For the benefit of this essay, I would like to be given the permission to rephrase that saying to- "failure loves company".

Following the unprecedented hardship inflicted on Nigerians by the ill-timed removal of fuel subsidy without commensurate measures to cushion its consequences and the attendant uproar that greeted that iniquitous decision, the media space has been inundated with the narrative by APC propagandists that almost every other Presidential candidate promised to get rid of the scourge called fuel subsidy.

At best, that disposition can be described as a presumptuous and mischievous attempt to give some sort of legitimacy to a policy devoid of wisdom, empathy and prudence; especially at a time when the nation's economy is on the brink of haemorrhage.

Whilst I can't categorically speak for the other Presidential candidates, the Peoples Democratic Party standard-bearer for the 2023 elections; Alh. Atiku Abubakar's manifesto is encapsulated in a policy document which is in the public domain. Aptly titled "My Covenant with Nigerians", no part of that blueprint suggests that the Former Vice President will remove fuel subsidy without first addressing its multiple causes and effects.

Speaking at the Lagos Business School 2022 Alumni day before the presidential election, the Former Vice President said- “I was the chairman for the removal of the fuel subsidy committee and I recall how we removed phase 1 and phase 2 of the fuel subsidy." This corroborates his stance that decisions of such magnitude must be given a human face.

In response to the reckless removal of fuel subsidy by the Tinubu administration on the 29th of May, Atiku again pronounced thus- “We achieved fuel subsidy in two phases but only after providing palliatives to those most affected by the subsidy removal."

“We have the experience as the party and a government, and that is what we would have done, not just announce subsidy removal without discussions with the affected sectors of the economy. I think Nigerians should appreciate what they have temporarily lost”.

Furthermore, Atiku's posture on privatization is well known. He has repeatedly emphasized that the safest way out of this subsidy lacuna is to privatize all the refineries and make the proceeds of the sales available to fund small and medium scale enterprises as part of his plans to reinvigorate the Nigerian economy. With this move, we will be able to kill three birds with one stone.

First, by converting assets that have become liabilities and drainpipes on the resources of the country into a pool of funds that will be available to uplift millions of Nigerians out of poverty. Secondly, to increase the output of local production to meet the nation's fuel consumption needs and hence, reducing the strain on the local currency as occasioned by the importation of fuel. This can only be achieved by putting the moribund refineries in the hands of well equipped private investors.

Thirdly and most importantly, millions of jobs will be created by the resuscitation of those refineries and the billions of taxpayers monies being expended on "Turn Around Maintenance" can be channeled into other priority needs.

Without these measures firmly in place, removal of fuel subsidy amounts to counting chickens before they are hatched. Truth be told, only Atiku's manifesto embodies the roadmap and incubation period for Nigeria's renaissance.

Enough is enough of the APC distortions and misplacement of facts.

© Epiphany

As the remains of our great Party's erstwhile National Vice-Chairman (Southwest), Late Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo gets laid to rest today, the Southwest Zone of Atiku Support Organisation stands in solidarity with his bereaved family, friends, associates and the entire PDP fraternity during this moment of grief.

His unassuming leadership style, charisma, consummate passion for rewarding loyalty, ability to build bridges and political shrewdness were some of the virtues that endeared him to so many and accordingly- stood him out as a leader par excellence.

For us at the Southwest Zone of Atiku Support Organisation, we can only be consoled by nostalgic memories of our final engagement with S.O.J; as he was fondly called, during our successful door to door campaign in the buildup to the 2022 Osun Guber elections.

Upon the painful inevitability of submitting to the will of the Almighty, our collective gloom is however allayed by the consciousness that his legacies have been engraved on concrete.

Goodnight S.O.J.

Signed,
Hon. AbdulAzeez Akinsanya,
Southwest Zonal Coordinator,
Atiku Support Organisation.

Suzzytee05:
Happy birthday to your beautiful wife.

Your warm wishes are well received. Thanks a lot.

Kajaard:


A very happy birthday to your beautiful wife. You guys look very good together.

Thanks for the warm wishes. God bless you.

In commemoration of this year's Eid-el-Kabir festival, permit me to convey my full-hearted felicitations to my Muslim brethren in Nigeria and across the entire globe through this medium.

As we celebrate, it is important not to lose sight of the fundamental tenets of faith, perseverance, piety and sacrifice which this season symbolizes.

It is my humble submission that most of the ills bedeviling us as a nation can be eradicated if we make concerted efforts to eschew the allure of self-conceit, while upholding the essence which this festival of sacrifice presents.

Ultimately, I pray that the Almighty Allah will accept our supplications and reward our sacrifices with an abundance of blessings.

Happy Eid-el-Kabir.

Signed,
Hon. AbdulAzeez Akinsanya.

Your birthday presents an opportunity to extol the values you represent as a brother, team member, astute grassroots mobilizer, dependable ally and true friend I can always count on.

Over the years, you have consistently proven that friendship and loyalty are virtues that can break any barrier. It is my wish and prayer that God continues to grant you life, good health and an abundance of prosperity.

Cheers to more memories Comrade Mufutau Hassan.

Courtesy:
Hon. AbdulAzeez Akinsanya.

On this occasion of your birthday, I am compelled by the moments we have shared together to state without equivocation that you are the best thing to happen to my life.

Beyond being my wife, you have proven to be an embodiment of love, care, understanding and most importantly; a personification of the saying that there's always a woman behind every successful man.

Your patience, sacrifices and unwavering loyalty are virtues that must be emulated. My prayers are that your sojourn on earth continues in good health, sound mind and a bounty of our creator's unending blessings.

Happy birthday my beloved wife. I love you so much.

Courtesy:
Hon. AbdulAzeez Akinsanya.