HOW BUFFALO DISCOVERED ME: By Emmanuel Amuwo ~Ajasa-Info

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The man referred to as “BUFFALO” above is no other person than the highly respected Mr Tayo Akinmade Ayinde; the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who also doubled as the Director General of the Independent Campaign Council (ICC) that successfully delivered & retained Governor Sanwo-Olu’s mandate in 2019 and 2023 elections respectively.

As fate will have it, I was given the opportunity to serve as the the Deputy Director of the New Media Directorate at the ICC, where I was blessed with a great team which made works noticeable and impeccable.
By nature, I never saw myself handling the microphone until the need came to engage over 2000 students waiting to get free UTME forms from the Directorate of Education. It was actually not supposed to be my business directly, but got pushed by the ‘MAJEOBAJE’ in me, feeling I should just get these candidates engaged so they don’t get bored.

Subsequently, the Director General and a Father in the party; The Chairman of the ICC, Cardinal James Odumbaku walked in and I made an attempt to stop, but I was told to continue.
So, It Began!

A consolidated media meeting was held and chaired by the Director General where Hon. Sesan Diani made a comment about how well I performed and the DG who attested to the assertion said congratulations.

This was how it got started and I found myself anchoring events back to back. Sometimes, it could overwhelmingly rise to six events in one day.

Yes, my sincere gratitude goes to Hon. Sesan Diani for his encouragement and support, but If only ‘Oga’ knows what he has put me up for (smiles), if only people could imagine the stress attached to it, but no doubt it gave me an unprecedented fame and I am grateful to God.

My journey in ICC is one that is filled with mixed memories. While I was growing by learning positives, again I learned you can’t be loved by everyone, while the fame through the roles given to me was rising, it also led to the rise of envy and negative talks.

But like I always say, I see myself being part of the ICC as a privilege and that I will guide by a strong focus, so I couldn’t allow those side talks get distracted.

I found a family both in and outside my Directorate and we have since became brothers and sisters which is greatly important.

The Independent Campaign Council is not doubt a place to learn politics and human relation. It is a place where ONLY God can lead you on what to do and not to do because any little thing or mistake can be exaggerated and you won’t be there when discussion is going on.

The issue of recognizing people on the high table was a major issue and sometimes get confrontational. Lastly, the ICC is a place where you must learn to be humble because you don’t know how powerful or influencing the person next to you is. A place where your talent can find expression.

THE BUFFALO
A man who has not just shown commitment, but allowed his flesh and desire to be subdued. Mr Ayinde our own Director General is the kind of man you will give an assignment and go to rest because he will deliver beyond your expectations. A man with a kind heart, a compassionate man that can’t afford to see you down.

I see the excitement on his face anytime he talks about the Governor, he’s so confident and proud to share the achievements of the Sanwo-Olu led administration with people.

Mr.Tayo Ayinde knows how to encourage you no matter how angry you are , he knows how to restore hope no matter the situation you find yourself in.

Show me your Director General and I will BOLDLY show you my very own Capacity Director General Mr.Tayo Akinmade Ayinde aka BUFFALO.

THE REMARKABLE BABA ETOO
I find it hard to get the exact word to describe the Chairman of the ICC, Cardinal James Omolaja Odumbaku.

A father with a large heart and never look down on anyone. A pragmatic and dogged politician and still find a balance in the place of his calling.

Despite the fact that I am not too close to Baba Etoo, but I see several times he ensured the microphone was not taken away from me. Sometimes I wil go to Baba and plead if I could allow someone else do so it doesn’t look as if I am doing it alone, Baba will bluntly tell me no.

Baba is no doubt a blessed gift to the Tinubu dynasty and ICC is privileged to have him as our Chairman.

Baba Etoo and our DG I refer to them as 5&5, the synergy between them is more than husband and wife. The understanding can only be divinely orchestrated. I LOVE YOU DADDY.

I am thankful to everyone who accepted me, my shortcomings not withstanding. TINUBU-SHETIMMA and SANWO-OLU-HAMZAT Independent Campaign Council is no doubt a blessing to me and I look forward to better days ahead.

Thank God for RENEWED HOPE and a GREATER LAGOS RISING.

Emmanuel Amuwo
Deputy Director New Media
TINUBU-SHETIMMA/ SANWO-OLU-HAMZAT
Independent Campaign Council

Book review: Eclipse Of The Heart by Matthias Pantaleon ~Ajasa-Info

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Love is full of sighs
Book title: Eclipse Of The Heart
Author: Matthias Pantaleon
Publisher: Jones Walker Publishers, Nigeria
Pages: 66
Year of publication; 2012 (Revised edition 2023)
Reviewer: Adjekpagbon Blessed Mudiaga

“Eclipse Of The Heart” is a collection of poems written by an enterprising poet, playwright, and lyricist, Matthias Pantaleon, who is still expanding his coast in the production of creative literary works in the committee of global writers’ circles.
Having known the author as a dashing bloke with a caring heart over the years, it is not surprising to read his humanitarian, insightful and deep – seated love for justice, equality and fairness expressed in this amorous poetry volume.
The 66-page collection contains two sections namely “Book One” and “Book Two.” The first section is made up of 25 poems, likewise the second section, and makes a total of 50 titles in its contents.


Some of the poems in the first section includes “Eclipse Of The Heart,” “My Darling,” “Tall Drink,” “In The City Of Crows And Kites,” “You Must Love Me Equally,” “Unhurt Yourself,” “You Come First,” “When A Woman Loves A Man,” and so on and so forth. The second section poems includes the following titles: “I Think Dearly Of You,” “Your Mascara Says lt All,” “Keep Your Distance,” “Someone Like You,” “The Lesser Of Two Evils,” “I Am Not Yours,” “A Woman’s Truth,” “It Is Hard To Love Eve,” “lrrational Love,” “Bitter – Sweet Memories” etcetera.


The pieces generally borders on the business and politics of love – whether authentic, fake, obsession, worries and challenges in the relationships between males and females. The author paints different intriguing imaginative natural pictures with the power of love among humans, by likening the emotional phenomenon to the natural rhythms of the winds, waves, rivers, springs, oceans, sky, mountains, moon, sun, stars and whatever you could think of in the universal ecosystem. This creates both mental and psychological images about different experiences many folks have passed through or are still passing through in their relationships with their spouses or lovers.


Hence, the reader is reminded about William Shakespeare’s play titled “Romeo and Juliet,” wherein a character says “…Love is a smoke full of sighs…” There are both lovely and bitter sighs in the field of love as humans are not perfect beings. There should however, be a limit of enduring pains and deceits in any relationship between humans, seems to be the hallmarks of some of the poems.


For instance, in a two – stanza poem titled “My Darling” in the collection, the poet expresses his love for his self – known lover in the lines thus:
“If you are reading this
Do not smile just yet
This kid misses you with
A frown and a brow

If you feel sad reading this
Do not frown just yet
This kid loves you with
A smile and a mile”

This shows the poet is tenderly inclined to loving an Eve’s daughter, whether as a child born by a woman, or a child that cares for his sister or girlfriend, in as much a biblical verse says: “Go ye and multiply.


Moreover, the poet goes prescriptive in what makes a woman a true lover and comforter of a responsible man, by using a poem titled “When A Woman Loves A Man” to express his emotions thus:
“When a woman loves a man
She recites the grace twice
Spend the night in his shirt
Because it smells like him

When a woman loves a man
She protects him with flight of butterflies
At home, with soothing melodies
Of singing canary and whistling cockatiels

When a woman loves a man
She becomes her guardian angel
Nothing dare come between
Her weakness goes in unison with her strength

When a woman loves a man
She makes supplication on his behalf
Her spirit watches over him
Through mud and ashes

When a woman loves a man
She teaches him the way of peace
Trust in his judgement like
It is the equal of her soul”

By and large, the poems are written in blank and free verses infused with highly arresting figures of speech, internal rhymes and scansion, that makes the reader nod at intervals, while digesting the rich philosophical thoughts of the poet, about what love truly is, and what is not to be done in the name of love. It is a volume every matured mind should read. The diction is simple but deep with poetic messages for any discerning mind to grasp.

This makes reading the collection worthwhile. It is devoid of obscurantism that most times hinder readers from comprehending the messages in the works of some poets globally.
The author has other published books, and also have some manuscripts in his kitty waiting for publication. One of his popular books is a work titled “Journey To The Unknown.” He is a journalist and member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Lagos chapter, Nigeria.

Hon. Olusegun Obiwusi (Omo Oloore) Lights up Iwo street, Osun State ~Ajasa-Info

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As Part of his Yearly Developmental Projects for 2023

Hon. Olusegun Obiwusi (Omo Oloore) Lights up Iwo street, Osun State

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Hon. Olusegun Obiwusi has facilitated solar powered streetlights to some streets in Iwo local government area of the state.

He revealed that the project is in continuation of his commitment to serving the people.

The streets that benefited are selected around the Reality TV area of Iwo, Osun State.

Obiwusi, who is also the President of Omo Oloore Obiwusi foundation added that this is the first phase of the projects adding that other areas will benefit in the next phase…..

Project Beyond 2023 feeds 3000 IDPs in Abuja in honour of Tinubu’s Birthday ~Ajasa-Info

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Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023, one of the foremost support groups that worked for the election of Sen. Bola Tinubu, the President-elect, on Wednesday fed no fewer than 3000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the gesture was part of gestures to mark the 71st birthday anniversary of the president-elect by his supporters and well-wishers across the country.

The event which took place at the Dagba IDP Camp in Area 1, Garki Abuja, was attended by leadership of the support group and politicians who broke their Ramadan fasting and a cut birthday cake with the IDPs including women, children and youths.

The Director-General of the group, Mr Realwan Okpanachi, said the gesture was in line with the generous and humble nature which Tinubu is known for.

He said that the choice of the IDP camp was another demonstration of the low-key birthday celebration as directed by Tinubu who is currently outside the country.

“The significance of this event is Tinubu’s love for the downtrodden. For the less privileged and the challenged in the society. That’s why we are here to celebrate with these people.

“If you listened to his directive, he said his birthday should be celebrated with the downtrodden. That’s why we’re here.

“We’re also here to tell them that the very reason why they’re here is the same reason why Tinubu is coming as President of the Rederal republic of Nigeria to tackle the problem of insecurity which has led them to this place in the first place, abandoning their homes, farming and businesses to seek refuge in this place.

“By the coming of Tinubu to office, he will provide security, education for their children and ensure that each and everyone here is rehabilitated and returned to their original homes to start life afresh as it used to be.

“So, there are no better people to celebrate Tinubu’s birthday with than this vulnerable group who he cares about passionately,” he said.

Okpanachi added that as representatives of the President-elect, they had given the IDPs a message of hope that he will make live liveable and bearable for them in particular and all Nigerians as a whole.

He disclosed that the initial projection of feeding the IDPs was put at 2000, but with the large turnout witnessed additional 1000 packages which had to be made so that they could have a memorable breaking of Ramadan.

Amina Musa, a mother of five and one of the beneficiaries who spoke in Hausa Language thanked the group and said the foods, drinks and fruits collected by her household would help them in breaking the fasting.

“We thank Baba Tinubu for this gesture to me and my family. The things I collected here today will help us to break our fasting. We wish him happy birthday too”.

Speaking on behalf of the IDPs, Idris Alilu, expressed appreciation for the kind gesture from Tinubu to have remembered them at this Ramadan season.

Alilu used the opportunity to pray for good health and divine wisdom for the president-elect to pilot the affairs of the nation commencing from May 29 Presidential Inauguration Day.

IKORODU DIVISION INDEPENDENT YOUTH MOVEMENT CELEBRATES REP. BABAJIMI BENSON ON HIS BIRTHDAY ~Ajasa-Info

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Ikorodu Division Independent Youth Movement wish Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson Member House of Representatives, Ikorodu federal constituency on his birthday, on behalf of the group, the Coordinator penned down birthday message to the Otun of Ikorodu Kingdom.

“I am wishing you many more great years of making greater things come into Ikorodu federal constituency, Happy Birthday to you REP. BABAJIMI BENSON! Thank you for being the best representative we could wish for, and for your unfaltering effort and support.”

“Today I want to wish you a very happy birthday and thank you for all of your efforts in serving our wonderful constituency and country at large!”

Comrade Abegunde Omolola
Convener Ikorodu Division Independent Youth Movement

PRINCESS BASIRAT ADETUTU BANJOKO FELICITATES WITH REP. BABAJIMI BENSON ON HIS BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY ~Ajasa-Info

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Today, I join well-wishers in celebrating a man of value, kind-hearted and industrious, as he adds another wonderful year to his age on earth, today, 30th March 2023.

I wish you many happy returns our own James Bond of Ikorodu, and Julius Berger of Ikorodu Division.

Your good works speaks for you, you have been a source of inspiration to many people in Ikorodu Federal Constituency and me personally, Igba Odun, Odun kan ni.

Signed:

Princess Basirat Adetutu Banjoko

Councillor Ward C1,
Deputy Leader, Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA.

51 HEARTY CHEERS TO THE PEOPLE’S REP, HON BABAJIMI BENSON, MHR ~Ajasa-Info

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On behalf of the entire Members of the Ikorodu Media Forum IMF across Ikorodu Federal Constituency, we celebrate a Distinguished Federal Lawmaker and Caring Rep, Hon Babajimi Adegoke Benson, MHR.

Your outstanding People-oriented legislative excellence and Infrastructural interventions across Ikorodu Division has stood you out among your peers.

There is no doubt that, Millions of Ikorodu Federal Constituents are blessed and proud to have you as their Representative.

On the auspicious occasion of your birthday, we wish you Long Life, Good Health and More Impactful years in the service of Mankind.

Cheers to a Greater you, MHR!

Signed: Omo’ba ‘Peju Akinyemi, arpa
Convener, Ikorodu Media Forum (IMF)

Senator Tokunbo Abiru Rejoices With Hon. Babajimi Benson At 51 ~Ajasa-Info

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The Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries and the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA , has congratulated member of the House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon Babajimi Benson on his 51st birthday.

Senator Abiru, in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Enitan Olukotun, described the legislator as a dedicated representative , who has been  impacting the lives of constituents since he got into office. 

The #DoingGood Senator specifically referenced people-oriented initiatives like Apo Anu (Food bank for the needy), and other laudable projects and programmes under the auspices of iCare Foundation.

The statement read, “On behalf of my family, and the great people of Lagos East Senatorial District, I congratulate my dear brother,Hon Babajimi  Adegoke Benson, member of the House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, on his 51st birthday.

“ I celebrate your accomplishments both at the National assembly, and at home in Ikorodu. You have continued to demonstrate great capacity in the discharge of your mandate. We are proud of you!

“My dear brother, on this auspicious occasion,  I join your family, friends, political associates and well-wishes in wishing you a happy birthday. I pray that Almighty God grants you good health as you age gracefully”.

Tinubu at 71: Hon Alli-Macaulay Extols President-elect, Describes Him as a Pacesetter ~Ajasa-Info

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Hon. Mojisola Alli-Macaulay member Lagos State House of Assembly, Amuwo Odofin constituency 1 joins the millions of well-wishers from all over the world in congratulating Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the 16th President-Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on his 71st birthday.

According to the honourable member who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Asiwaju is a steadfast supporter of democracy whose legacy of empowering and emancipating women, which has been upheld by his successors, has made it possible for women like her to contribute their quota to the leadership and development of the state and the country as a whole.

As a result, she is confident that the President-elect will use his many years of expertise in the public sector and stellar track record as a manager of people and resources to bring about transformational and sustainable development for the country.

While wishing Asiwaju many more years of service to humanity, Hon. Alli-Macaulay prays that Almighty Allah grant him the needed fortitude, health, insight, and direction to fulfill his promises of renewed hope to Nigerians.

TEAM IKORODU NORTH PRAY FOR ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU ON HIS 71ST BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY ~Ajasa-Info

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The Executive Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Builder Deola Banjo today led the Executive and Legislative members of Ikorodu North LCDA to the Ikorodu division special prayer session for the President-Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which held at the Ikorodu central mosque, Obun-ale, Ikorodu.

The special prayer had in attendance divisional Chief Imams and over a hundred ratibi Imams who gathered to read the full Quran to offer prayers for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Builder Deola Banjo while addressing the gathering offered prayers for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He beseech Almighty Allah grant Asiwaju long life, good health and wisdom with which he would lead the nation to an enviable height as the President of the Federal republic of Nigeria.

Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Honourable Lanre Balogun and other Chairmen from Ikorodu division graced the prayer session.

Signed:
Information Unit
Ikorodu North LCDA