₦airaland Forum

Britain

Prior to Sandhurst, cadets were sent to Mons Officer Cadet School in the UK for a period of three months. The objective of the Mons training was to separate cadets for either a long or a short training course. The older cadets were sent on the short course, while the younger or more able cadets were sent to Sandhurst. The Mons training was to be my first experience outside my native country and nothing in my interactions with expatriates in Africa prepared me for the culture shock I experienced in those first few months in Britain.

The first shock was the freezing cold. However, this was a condition that I could and did adapt to. What was harder to adapt to was the overt and covert racism that infected the entire British society. There are several facets of racism: first, the conviction that blacks were innately inferior to whites and secondly, an intolerance for blacks who failed to conform to a restricted number of stereotypes. From my observations, there were two acceptable 'African Types'; the 'funny' African who grinned incessantly and was incapable of taking offense and secondly, the 'ignorant' African, who understood nothing, appreciated his own ignorance, and was profoundly grateful for whatever attention was bestowed on him by the all knowing Whites.

The day of reckoning, which separated the boys from the men soon arrived. Though I had immersed myself in the world of the institution and had given my all, I was as nervous as hell. I had never before failed any task I set out to achieve, but there was no telling what the results of this selection board would be. The waiting period was a period of severe anxiety for me. To my profound relief, I passed this selection and the board recommended me for Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, England (RMAS). We (the successful cadets) went wild with joy. For the rest of our stay at Teshie, we conducted ourselves with licentiousness that would have been unthinkable only a few weeks before.

Reflecting on Africa's propensity for coups in the post-independence era, I sometimes felt that it could be traced to some extent, to the feelings of indispensability that was nurtured in cadets at this stage of our training. Time without number, the importance of our roles in shaping the future of our nations was impressed on the minds of young military officers. This was not done with any sinister motive, but certainly, the orientation we were given was capable of sowing seeds of the 'messiah complex' in some of the cadets that passed through the institution. Also of some significance I believe, were subconscious feelings of competitiveness among the officers. If former course mates could successfully execute a coup in their countries, who wanted to be caught lagging? On January 15, 1966, Nzeogwu implemented his coup. In my opinion, there was a domino effect on the rest of Africa following the one in Nigeria.

The first hurdle in my chosen career was the stiff entrance examination. At the succeeding interview, numerous white-headed expatriate military officers gave me the grilling of my life. The Nigerian army was then in its infancy and placed every conceivable impediment to dissuade aspirants from making the army a career. These obstacles did not daunt me.


We were then made to undergo physical exercises. I found these exercises hilarious. I was given size 12 boots (I take a size 6); and oversized clothing. For a joke, I put them on and appeared at the venue to the vast amusement of the other boys. Notwithstanding my deficiency in size, the Army accepted me.

My Military Career

I enlisted in tile Nigerian Army in 1957 immediately after I finished my school certificate examination. The idea of beginning 'life' at once, without the suspense and irritating interlude of University strongly appealed to me, a young man without the luxurious backdrop of a solicitous family. Large or small, I had already proved my physical mettle on a thousand occasions; why not I reasoned, fight for a worthy cause - in the service of my fatherland? With the images of the confident giants of 1945 in my head, I departed for Lagos after my final examination and found my way to the Apapa cantonment.

BabaOlowo: This must be his Twin Brother, Tamedi

Do you mean Tamedun?

yamunla: @naptu2 I have been following ur threads and post on NL for a while now and I always beliv u to some extent cos u post facts..why are u contradicting urself with Lagbaja and Bisade Ologunde? We all know that's his real name..so Naptu2 plsss,is that Lagbaja Or NOT..?? Pls bros reply!

Thanks for your kind words. What I mean will become clear when you read the interview above (Bisade Ologunde's interview). That's Bisade Ologunde, not Lagbaja.

Originalsly: How can the Lagbaja...the faceless one...have a face? In the pic of Lagbaja by Slyrox the eyes are the same so I do believe that that is the man behind the mask...Bisade Ologunde.

QUESTION

brief introduction

: Can you tell us who you are as a person?


ANSWER: Well, I call Bisade a musician. I'm also a producer. We have a band, we've been together now for about five or six years; sorry, this is the fifth year; in another one month, it will be five years we've been together. The band is called Colours. We play basically African music. It's like all my work is based around that band for now. Studio production for now are limited to experimental projects. That's the summary of what I'm all about.

QUESTION: Is there any relationship between Bisade Ologunde and the invisible man, the masquerade you called 'Lagbaja'?

ANSWER: Bisade is the producer for Lagbaja. I also conceived the idea. But there has been so much unnecessary focus on the person behind Lagbaja. The more important thing is the message of Lagbaja and the total concept. Anybody could be Lagbaja. It's just the significance of using a mask. And the main importance of that mask is that the mask is like a symbol of the facelessness of the so-called common man in Africa. [size=14pt]So, we have different people perform the role of Lagbaja, being masked performers. But Bisade is Bisade. I'm Bisade Ologunde not Lagbaja. If I wish too, I could wear the mask and perform Lagbaja also. But somehow, I think it's probably due to some press misconception that led people to thinking of Lagbaja as Bisade or whatever. We've had several people play the role of Lagbaja as a matter of fact.[/size]

Originalsly: How can the Lagbaja...the faceless one...have a face? In the pic of Lagbaja by Slyrox the eyes are the same so I do believe that that is the man behind the mask...Bisade Ologunde.

I fear the anti-spam bot, so I shall respond to this, but I will not post the link.

bankyblue: Lagbaja is a character in a mask, and anything outside that,
Then is not lagbaja.......even though if is really the one
Sitting there.

Exactly! That's not Lagbaja, that's Bisade Ologunde.

bayooooooo: All members have blood on their hands. Once you belong to BH, then one way or the other, you have contributed to success of the organisation. They are all criminals.

Of course they are all criminals. If they weren't all criminals, there would be no need for amnesty. However, go back to my post and take a look at the example I gave (Konduga).


The government has also stated that it will compensate victims of boko haram attacks http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/fg-to-compensate-boko-haram-victims-jonathan/

ujchief: Well,

I don't support the amnesty for obvious reasons; there are more than one faction of boko haram. Amnesty should only be 'considered' if and only if all the factions of boko haram embraces the amnesty deal and cease fire.
Else, how possible do you think it is to exclude people that has previously be involved in murder from the deal? Which boko faction hasn't involved itself in murder yet?

As for uniting to fight the insurgency, that is a long shot! The greatest challenge of the JTF has been the locals, who seems to protect the haramites; this led to the recent military action at Baga. Uniting to fight it is really a long shot.

1) I certainly do not support the idea of amnesty for all factions. That has never worked. Even in the Niger-Delta amnesty deal, you'll remember that Henry Okar's faction of MEND, John Togo and some of the other war lords did not accept the amnesty deal. The most hardline factions will not accept the deal, but that's ok. I want the hardline factions to be crushed. In the case of the Niger-Delta, what happened to Orkar, Togo and the other hardliners? They were crushed. However, the surrendering militants might provide valuable intelligence that will help to crush the hardliners. Furthermore, it will mean that the JTF can better concentrate their firepower on the hardliners without the distraction of the criminal and political factions.

2) It is not all members of boko haram that have been involved in murder. Some people have been spokesmen for the group, errand boys, some have been involved in robberies to raise funds, etc. For example, Ali Sada Umar Konduga was sentenced to just 3 years in prison because his role was simply to help the sect send threatening messages ( https://www.nairaland.com/809371/boko-haram-spokesman-pleads-guilty ). These sort of people have lived with members of the sect and may be able to provide valuable intelligence (remember that it was a messenger that led the US to discover Osama Bin Ladin's hideout).

3) Don't be deceived. In any conflict you'll have locals who sympathise with the militants and those who disagree with the militants. For example, in Kano at least 3 militants (probably more) have been lynched by residents and both the JTF and boko haram have confirmed that locals are helping the JTF. However, the government needs to initiate a "hearts and minds" campaign (similar to what the americans did in Iraq and Afghanistan). The situation in northern Nigeria at the moment does not favour informants.

A) Both Boko Haram and the JTF confirmed that Kano residents have been providing information to the security services. Boko Haram even wrote a letter, threatening Kano residents that supply information to the security services http://www.osundefender.org/?p=32758 . Question: how did boko haram know that residents were providing information to the security services (remember that the President said that boko haram has infiltrated the security services and also remember that boko haram once published a list of members of the SSS and their addresses https://www.nairaland.com/1034079/boko-haram-sympathizer-obtains-personnel )? Does that mean that there's an information leakage in the JTF? If you provide information to the JTF and boko haram finds out and punishes you, would other citizens be encouraged to provide information?

B) Boko haram was started in 2002. By 2003 the SSS had started monitoring the sect. In 2004 boko haram attacked police stations and many members of the sect (including the leader, Mohammed Yusuf) were arrested. They eventually got bail and attacked the police again in 2009. That's why policemen refused to arrest them, but preferred to carry out extra-judicial killings of boko haram members. If you were a resident and you see that militants were arrested, then a few months later you see these militants on the streets, out on bail, would you be encouraged to provide information about them, knowing that the person that's arrested today might be released tomorrow?

C) The behaviour of our security services also leaves a lot to be desired. Many citizens fear that they would also be arrested if they provide information to the police. Even in criminal cases and cases of car accidents, the police often arrests informants, with the excuse that informants know something about the crime/accidents and are therefore suspects. We have to accept the fact that our security services have gotten a bad reputation over the years and the government needs to initiate a "hearts and mind" campaign to change that perception. It is possible to change that perception.

ujchief: ^ ^ so, dear analyst, what do you have us do? Give in to their demand of a global caliphate?

@topic, all I see is a hyperbole from the journalist.

Does it sound sensible to give in to their demands

I've already stated that the government must defeat the al-qaeda faction of boko haram militarily. I believe we should have taken up the offer of the former president of Niger to host ecomog forces there (this would act as a buffer for us). I supported the intervention in Mali. I also believe that the NIA must do everything possible to arrest the former president of Mauritania. I also support the amnesty process as a means of getting info and isolating the radical wing of boko haram (the militants must surrender their weapons and disclose their sources of funding/weapons. People who have been involved in murders should be excluded from the amnesty deal).

I also believe we need to have surgical operations (much like the one that was carried out in Boston) to arrest and capture key commanders of the group.

But above all, we need to unite (beyond ethnic, religious or political affiliations) to defeat this monster.

That's not Lagbaja, that's Bisade Ologunde at Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association meeting.

There are so many popular misconceptions about this thing, but if you listen to the intelligence agencies (both nigerian and foreign), you study boko haram press releases and you've been following the situation since 2003, you'll understand what's going on.

1) Some believe that boko haram wants a separate country for the north. They would be surprised to discover that boko haram will continue fighting even if a separate country is created in the north. This is because boko haram wants to conquer the whole of West Africa (including southern Nigeria) and make it part of the global caliphate.

2) Some believe that boko haram exists because the north wants to take over the presidency. They forget that, even though boko haram was created in 2002 when a southerner was president, it's first nationally reported acts of violence occurred in 2009 when a northerner was president. Boko haram attacks will continue even if a northerner is elected president, because they do not recognise the constitution or the government of Nigeria.

3) Boko Haram exists because the north wants money. It's true that the criminal and political factions of boko haram want power and money, but the main al-qaeda faction is not interested in those things. Their aim is simply to take over Nigeria and establish the global caliphate.

It's been a long time since I've read analysis on nairaland from someone who actually understands what's going on.

The main boko haram are not interested in amnesty and will kill anybody who disagrees with their views (whether muslim or christian, northern leader or southern leader). Their goal is simply to establish the global caliphate.

However, I still believe in the amnesty programme as a way of removing the distractions of the political and criminal boko haram and isolating the al-qaeda/boko haram faction. (I don't believe that dialogue or amnesty will work with the al-qaeda/boko haram. We must defeat them militarily and cut off their sources of funding/weapons).

The match starts at 6:30pm

To Okene Middle School I went. I met other interesting characters such as Mr. Bolujoko whom we had nicknamed 'the black horse of Okene Rock.' Though an almost fanatical disciplinarian, Mr. Bolujoko like my former Master, possessed the ability to inspire the best in anyone and nurture the person's more positive qualities. Despotic though he was, he personified to his students the modernized and educated man. In addition to academic development, Mr. Bolujoko took great interest in the spiritual development of his students.

After my primary education, my relatives in Idah attempted to reassert their claims over me. According to their plans, I was to stop my schooling and be apprenticed in the family trade of carpentry. Needless to say, I vehemently resisted this plan as my years with Mr. Quinni had the effect of drilling in me, a powerful thirst and respect for western education.

My stubbornness on this point served to severe all pretense of supervision over my welfare by my guardians. It was now clear to all that I was on my own. I was given to understand that I should expect no support from them. I steeled my mind to fend for myself, to plough a lonely furrow and take life as it came. Fortunately, for me those were the days of free education.

OAM4J: ^unbanned

Thanks very much

Thanks mods for releasing my post and unbanning me.

[size=14pt]My Personal Recollections By Benjamin Adekunle[/size]

From Thisday 7/25/04

I was born in Kaduna on the 26th of June I936, the fifth in a line of six children born by Amina Theodora to a polygamous husband, Thomas Adekunle. My father, a native of Ogbomoso, was domiciled in Kaduna as early as 1908. He had met my mother in her hometown Numan, during one of his sojourns to the Adamawa Province and married her in 1919. She was a member of the Bachama Tribe, an ethnic group noted for their fighting abilities. As one of the earliest converts to Christianity in her area, my mother was a staunch Christian. She succeeded in converting my father Thomas to Christianity in the course of their courtship and we were raised as Anglicans.

According to the legend repeatedly narrated to me by elderly female relations during my childhood, the circumstances surrounding my early entry into the world were somewhat portentous. They said I overstayed my time in my mother's womb by two months. Moreover, I am reported to have vacated this comfortable abode only after a series of local birth attendants had exhausted their entire repertoire of childbirth skills. These tales meant little to me at the time, but their chief significance was the special attention it secured for me from my family, particularly from my mother.

Both my father and grandfather served in the colonial army. My father later entered the carpentry trade where he made a sufficiently good living to fend for his large family of two wives (he later married a second wife, Christianity non-withstanding), a dozen children and numerous relatives. We all lived in the sprawling house that he built in the Kaduna Township.

By 1945, at age nine, I had enough of both school and my unsatisfactory home life. The death of my father in this year strengthened my resolve to take matters into my own hands. I resolved to leave home and look for someone to serve, in exchange for educational support. On the chosen night, I gathered my few belongings and ran away from my brother's home. After several days on the streets, I found my way to one Reverend Ayiogu whom I persuaded to employ me as a domestic servant at the rate of one Shilling and six pence a month. With the assistance of the police, my elder brother soon traced me to my new living quarters. However, all entreaties, commands, cajolery and threats directed at me by the police officers, relations, and the Reverend to return with my brother fell on deaf ears; with Reverend Ayiogu I would remain or vanish again.

From this period, the influences to which I was exposed were more stabilizing. The Reverend proved to be a decent man and I lived with him for two years. By 1947, I came under the protection of a new Master. Under his guidance, I earned a scholarship to Dekina Primary School in Kwara State. My new Master was an extraordinary man though unimposing in appearance. In all the years I spent in the home of Mr. Quinni, a native of Ugep and employee of the Igala Native Authority, he never once raised his voice in anger. He was scrupulously just in his dealings with all persons around him. He was gifted with a formidable intellect, which was brought to bear in every situation. I was fascinated by his ability to win any argument by rigorous analysis. By the time he reached his conclusion, the parties present had little option but to agree, regardless of their own initial positions or whether his conclusion, conflicted with their own interests. It was for this reason that his polygamous home was calm, stable, and peaceful. Mr. Quinni taught me the strength in meekness, the honour in humility, and the dignity in labor. If I have not always succeeded in exhibiting these qualities, he blessed me with the ability to appreciate and esteem them in others.

Under his influence, I thrived at my new school (Dekina Primary School) to the extent that my progress caught the attention of the Head Master, Mr. Dokpong. Among my schoolmates at Dekina was the one time Director of the Nigerian Twelve Corps Service, Colonel Ahmadu Ali, who is still a friend. I passed the entrance examination to Okene Middle School in 1951and left Dekina with many happy memories.

I hope I don't get banned by the anti-spam bot. The Adekunle story is quite long. I'll try and break it into several shorter posts, so that I won't get banned.

njazra: Very lovely thread. Pls will like to read more about the Black Scorpion.

Thanks very much.

Leobreezy: that it's a naomi cambell moment doesn't mean It's naomi cambell @op

The OP knows that. He gave the thread a different title. The mods changed the title before putting the thread on the front page.

gramci: Moderators keeps reminding me of Musiwa

Dr Gramci, your patient Musiwa is on the loose again! We need your help.

https://www.nairaland.com/1268993/akpabio-419-scam-idea-call

I'm getting reports that the reason the plane was grounded was because the pilot failed to file the manifest (of passengers on board) with NAMA.

Lord Nicvuitton: today being 26th of april 2012, in the afternoon, a tanker vehicle carrying deisel oil fell brake, moved into the small motor park beside the cross over at unizik temp site and killed more than a dozen souls, most of them are students going for saturdey's jamb utme. may their souls rest in peace. if you feel for them, write rest in peace.

This year or last year *confused*

musiwa24: naptu2, my army you said.... or members of the nigeria army, because i make more sense to 90% of the nigeria army than the politicians do.

If given the choice as an army officer to save between their lifes and kill politician, who do you think the nigeria army will kill. they will kill the politician.

And at this point, if nigeria end up in a civil war over this satellite pictures, whose life is in danger. it is the life of mostly members of the army. So it is between the lifes of members of the military and politician lifes. Who do you think they will be on their side.

Do you think 90% of the army is on my side or Goodluck Jonathan side.. ?? the army is on my side.


If you doubt it.. give a date and time.. you want all officers within all the barracks in nigeria to shoot 21 gun status into the sky , you will see nearly all of the army barracks in Nigeria will shoot 21 gun status . Because I am telling you the truth.

do you doubt that? . that why they posted a picture inside the Nigeria defence accademy for you to show they are seen the satellite pictures that nigeria is in serious trouble.

they have problem
Do you want to see 21 gun status all over nigeria army barracks for you to believe me.? they have problem



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQiz1wmsRlk

O Great Musiwa, I would love to witness 21 gun salutes (or even status) in your honour at all the barracks in Nigeria. I'm very sure that would herald your inauguration as the president of Western Niger/Benin Republic. Would it be possible to hold the event on May 1st at 10am? May 1st is a public holiday.

The story is incomplete. NAMA did not clear the pilot for take off. Why didn't NAMA give the pilot clearance? The story doesn't say (a good journalist would contact NAMA to find out why). What does the incident have to do with GEJ? The story doesn't say.