A 1970 Statement Affirming the Indigenous Identity of Lagos State

The image displays the front page of the Daily Times newspaper dated Thursday, September 17, 1970, featuring the bold headline: “LAGOS IS NOT A ‘NO MAN’S LAND,’ SAYS JOHNSON.” The headline captures a historic declaration by Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson, the first military governor of Lagos State, addressing a long-debated perception regarding the ownership and identity of Lagos.

Governor Johnson’s statement was made in response to growing claims among some Nigerians that Lagos, due to its cosmopolitan nature and rapid urban growth, belonged to no particular group or people. As Nigeria’s former federal capital and a melting pot of ethnicities, Lagos had become a hub of migration and diversity. However, Johnson sought to correct the misconception that this diversity erased its indigenous roots.

In his statement, Governor Johnson firmly asserted that Lagos was not a “no man’s land”, but rather the homeland of its original inhabitants—the Awori, a Yoruba subgroup—along with other early settlers such as the Benin and Brazilian returnees. He emphasized that the cultural and historical identity of Lagos must be respected even as it evolved into a national and international urban center.

The newspaper article also reported Johnson’s rejection of proposals to carve out portions of Lagos State as a separate Federal Capital Territory. He described such suggestions as “unreasonable and impracticable,” insisting that Lagos must retain its integrity as a state. His argument reflected both a defense of local heritage and a pragmatic stance on governance, coming just months after the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970—a period when national unity and state identity were major political themes.

Governor Johnson’s administration, which lasted from 1967 to 1975, was instrumental in shaping Lagos into a modern metropolis. Under his leadership, Lagos State was created following the state-creation exercise of May 27, 1967, which divided Nigeria into twelve states. His government prioritized infrastructure development, urban planning, and civic administration, while also advocating for the recognition of Lagos’s indigenous population and its historical lineage.

The Daily Times article from September 1970 thus captures more than a political statement—it reflects an early assertion of cultural ownership and identity within post-colonial Nigeria. Johnson’s remarks continue to resonate in contemporary debates about belonging and heritage in Lagos, a city that remains the country’s economic and cultural heartbeat.

Advertisement

Source

Daily Times, Thursday, September 17, 1970. “LAGOS IS NOT A ‘NO MAN’S LAND,’ SAYS JOHNSON.”

By Thomas Emmanuel

Prophets hold a significant position in society due to their spiritual ability to foresee future events.

Their insights, interpretations, and revelations are regarded as sacred owing to the considerable potential for accurate realization.

When prophecies frequently fail to come to fruition as initially promised, they may be more accurately described as disingenuous assertions or “commercial prophecies.”

Given the persistent inaccuracy in predicting political outcomes, one must critically assess whether the predictions made by Primate Babatunde Ayodele genuinely stem from divine inspiration or if they merely represent a reinterpretation of current political discourse.

On several occasions, his forecasts seem to align closely with insights typically offered by seasoned political analysts and party insiders, which raises doubts about their authenticity.

His prophecies have undeniably garnered him a large following among churchgoers, leading to an intriguing inquiry: does the divine grant him daily insights, or is he merely a political cleric whose fervor for the altar overshadows a desire for political influence?

Remarkably, he has missed the mark in more than ten notable predictions, with one of the most absurd miscalculations being his forecast about a football match: he confidently asserted that Liverpool would triumph over Luton Town, only for the match to remain unresolved well before the final whistle blew, exposing the flaw in his prediction.

Advertisement

One of Ayodele’s recent high-profile predictions came just before the U.S. Presidential election. On 29th September, less than two months before Americans went to the polls, he issued a bold prophecy, stating that Vice President Kamala Harris would emerge victorious.

Through a statement released by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin Ayodele asserted that the 2024 U.S. election would mirror some of the controversies seen in African elections, including vote-buying and intimidation tactics.

‘The American election will be very tough and will take another dimension,” Ayodele declared. “They will play the kind of politics we see in Africa; there will be vote-buying, intimidations, and things that haven’t happened before will begin to take place.”

He went further, confidently predicting that if the election took place, “Trump will not win, he will lose. Kamala Harris will shock the world, her policies will be better than Trump’s. Trump will be another disaster for the world, and if there is an election today, he will fail.”

Ayodele also warned that if Trump lost, he might attempt to incite protests and unrest in the United States, saying, “He must be careful.”

However, the reality of the election unfolded quite differently. Contrary to Ayodele’s prophecy, Donald Trump clinched a decisive victory, leaving many to wonder if Ayodele’s declaration had ever been divinely inspired. With such a glaring misstep, it becomes evident that Ayodele’s prediction was far from accurate. This significant blunder brings into question the nature and origin of his so-called prophecies.

Did God truly reveal the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election to Ayodele? The answer appears to be a resounding ‘no.’ Instead, Ayodele’s prediction seems to fit the warning outlined in Deuteronomy. This was not a revelation from above but rather the words of a prophet speaking presumptuously, casting doubt upon his self- proclaimed divine insight

Advertisement

Below are eight failed prophecies he had made among several others

1. Kamala Harris not Donald Trump would win US election in 2024

Trump will not win, he will lose. Kamala Harris will shock the world, her policies will be better than Trump’s. Trump will be another disaster for the world, and if there is an election today, he will fail.”

RESULT: Contrary to Ayodele’s prophecy, Donald Trump clinched a decisive victory

2. Anti-corruption war will backfire

Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele said that Nigerians should not expect President Muhammadu Buhari to achieve much in the anti-corruption war.

RESULT: The anti-corruption body EFCC have been more active under Buhari’s administration, with with many prominent Nigerians and leaders currently investigated for collecting huge sums of money from the Office of the ex-National Security Adviser , Sambo Dasuki.

3. Liverpool will beat Luton more than two goals

He said: “Liverpool will beat Luton very well. Liverpool will beat them with more than two goals.”

RESULT: Liverpool struggled and required a last-minute goal to secure a 1-1 draw with Luton. Despite having 23 attempts at goal, Liverpool failed to convert many of their chances.

4. Glory of Lagos APC fading

“The glory of Lagos APC is fading except the party hierarchy makes hasty restitution otherwise time is not on their side as regards the governorship election. They have committed a blunder with the choice of Akinwunmi Ambode as governorship candidate. Only prayer can change the tide.

RESULT: The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode was declared the winner of the April 11 election.

5. Ebola will come back

The prophet asked Nigerians to pray against recurrence of Ebola in Nigeria in the year, saying there will be fresh cases of Ebola in the year while calling on those in the health sector to double their efforts.

RESULT: Since the WHO’s representative in Nigeria officially declared Nigeria to be Ebola free on 20 October 2014, Nigeria remained free from the epidemic.

6. Boko Haram will bomb South-west

“I see flames from bombings in several parts of the country, including the South-West and more abduction of school pupils

RESULT: The Islamist sect is yet to carryout any attack in South-west, Nigeria

Advertisement

7. Jonathan would continue to rule till 2019.

In January 2013, he predicted that God showed him Jonathan would continue to rule till 2019.

RESULT: Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was defeated and he also made a phone call to congratulate President Buhari even before the final results were announced.

8. Jega will let Nigerians down

‘I predicted that (former Independent National Electoral Commission chairman, Prof Maurice) Iwu will be removed and it came to pass. Let me tell you categorically that (Prof Attahiru) Jega does not have a solution to election rigging in Nigeria. Jega will disappoint Nigerians’

RESULT: The direct opposite happened, Prof. Attahiru Jega performed exceptionally well and conducted one of the most credible election in the history of the country.

By Eric Isagba

It has become so indubitably clear to Nigerians and indeed the entire world that since he assumed office as the NNPCL helmsman few months ago Bayo Bashir Ojulari has inadvertently assumed the role of Hercules in Greek mythology who was saddled with the responsibility of cleaning the stable of King Augeas of Ellis messed up by over 30, 000 horses and were never cleaned for thirty years. The modus operandi adopted by Hercules to achieve this great feat via the opening of two rivers to flow through the stable and thus clearing the entire mess in one fell swoop was considered a miracle that has continued to baffle mankind.

NNPCL as the numero uno cash cow of the country has continuously and habitually been infested with all manners of sharks or hawks ferociously drawing blood without restrain to the detriment of the Nigerian economy. Left to foster for many decades the recent reforms introduced by Bayo Bashir Ojulari and his puritanical team since assumption of office can therefore only be seen by the detractors’ wolves as outrageous for their only source of cutting a large chunk of sleazy cake off Nigeria has been cut off.

But was Bayo Bashir Ojulari expecting to have a smooth sail? Definitely not. Just in case he has forgotten, he needs some reminding that those he’s dealing with are a formidable force that cuts across all sectors of the economy. The cartel were so mean that even without importing petroleum products into Nigeria they were paid subsidies that ran into millions of dollars not minding whether the economy was bleeding to death or not. And with the alleged active connivance of top shots of NNPCL this large scale corruption went on unabated till the new Sheriff came to town. What with constant low production of crude across the nation and the never ending TAM scandals gulping several billions of dollars in our refineries that continually embarrassed different government until PBAT came into office 29th May 2023?

Curious as their mission is, the main target of the oil thieves and their collaborators (whether in government or the corporation) is to bring Bayo Bashir Ojulari down by every means possible and pave way for a new helmsman who would reopen the pipelines connecting illicit wealth to their coffers. The coordinated attempt to get down the new NNPCL helmsman at all costs is so intense that one can only ignore it at one’s own risk. From peddling of dangerous rumours, dispensation of utter falsehood by planting spurious stories in the media to crowd rental for phantom protests these wounded lions are unrelenting in their efforts day by day which underscores the fact that if their activities are left unchecked the danger ahead will be monumental.

The narrative that Bayo Bashir Ojulari as GCEO of NNPCL unilaterally awarded a N5b contract to his cronies on assumption of office is to say the least callous, trite, misguided, puerile, mischievous and intended to cause panic in the volatile oil and gas sector of the economy. Are there no systems in place in the organization with checks and balances? Again with a singular motive in mind the cartel wouldn’t stop in their messy dealings as they have also weighed in on the Kigali trip as one of their flashpoints without diligently verifying if it emanated from an existing contract inherited from the previous Management.

Authority and responsibility go parri passu which is evident in the way and manner Bayo Bashir Ojulari and his team are running the affairs of NNPCL. With his wealth of experience as a celebrated Petroleum Engineer and manager both of human and capital resources spanning over three decades in the oil and gas sector there’s no doubt that he possesses the appropriate skills to steer the ship to the required destination.

Regrettably however, one key factor necessary for Bayo Ojulari and his team to actually succeed is lacking. Political will and power which is the exclusive prerogative of Mr. President his employer. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the only person empowered in our country to permanently cut off the hands of all those beating the drums of war and distracting those he appointed in NNPCL to carry out his reforms in the oil and gas sector of the economy. After all no one among the cartel is faceless, they are all well known to those in the corridors of power and can as well be made to face the music of economic sabotage so the country can heave a sigh of relief.

Advertisement

You don’t treat cancer with kid gloves, those perpetrating this evil are well known to the authority and whatever reasons why they are still strolling in the streets of Abuja and Lagos without cooling their various heels asses in prison for acts against the State is indeed worrisome to well meaning Nigerians.

Bayo Bashir Ojulari should be allowed unfettered hands to steer the ship of the nation’s cash-cow if the country is to reap maximum benefits from nature’s endowment. This witch-hunt must stop.

Eric Isagba, an author and management consultant writes from Oleh Delta State.

Charles Aniagwu is more than just a name in Delta State’s political and social landscape; he is a personality whose life reflects honesty, humility, and service to humanity. Over the years, Aniagwu has distinguished himself as a dependable communicator, a seasoned public servant, and a leader who carries out his responsibilities with a deep sense of duty and integrity. His story is not one of mere titles or positions held, but of the consistent values he has brought into governance and community life, values that have earned him respect across political divides and endeared him to countless individuals who celebrate him today as a truly good man by every standard.

Born with an innate passion for service, Aniagwu carved a niche for himself early in life through his discipline, hard work, and commitment to excellence. His journey into public life was not accidental but the product of years of preparation, resilience, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to society. Whether as a journalist, spokesperson, or commissioner, Aniagwu has never lost sight of the responsibility to use his platforms as tools for truth, fairness, and positive change.

As the former Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State Governor, Aniagwu became a household name, earning a reputation for clarity, credibility, and transparency in the dissemination of government policies and programmes. His ability to balance professionalism with humility set him apart, making him not just a spokesperson, but also a bridge between government and the people. In a political space often marked by rhetoric and partisanship, Aniagwu’s voice stood out as one of sincerity and trust.

In his present role as Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Aniagwu has continued to demonstrate uncommon dedication and vision. Through his stewardship under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, rural communities have continued to receive renewed attention, with infrastructure development pursued not merely as physical projects but as deliberate efforts to improve lives and connect people. His portfolio underscores his conviction that governance must positively impact the daily realities of citizens, especially those at the grassroots.

Beyond politics and public office, Aniagwu is admired as a family man, mentor, and community leader. Those who know him closely attest to his generosity of spirit, his listening ear, and his capacity to inspire confidence in others. He embodies values that transcend titles, humility, kindness, and the courage to stand for what is right.

It is therefore not surprising that tributes continue to pour in from friends, colleagues, and associates who see in him a rare blend of character and competence. To many, Aniagwu represents a refreshing example of what leadership should be, accountable, people-oriented, and grounded in integrity. To others, he is simply a good man, one whose life and work inspire hope that politics and governance can indeed be driven by conscience.

On this special day of your birth anniversary, I join your family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers in celebrating a man of uncommon virtues, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Delta State. Over the years, you have distinguished yourself as a sound communicator, an astute and genial administrator, and a kind-hearted man whose contributions continue to enrich our state and inspire those privileged to work with you. Truly, you are a man of many parts, with an unwavering commitment to excellence and service to humanity.

Advertisement

On a personal note, working closely with you has impacted me deeply, from the wealth of knowledge I have gained under your guidance to the many acts of benevolence that reflect your large heart. Your exemplary leadership and generosity continue to be a source of inspiration to me. On behalf of my family, I heartily wish you many more years of good health, wisdom, and divine favour. May this new chapter of your life be filled with greater accomplishments and boundless joy.

Congratulations and happy birthday, sir.

Nelson Egware, Ph.D, Anipr
Executive Assistant to the Governor on Media

Dear Your Excellencies,
From a distance, I watch with growing unease as Nigeria’s basic educational system drifts away from its core mission of learning and discipline, sliding instead into a culture of extravagance and exploitation.

As someone born and raised in Nigeria, I remember a different era. Education then was about commitment, values, and academic excellence—not spectacle. As the youngest in my family, I recall with nostalgia how I made my way through school using textbooks passed down from my older siblings. There was no obsession with replacing textbooks each year.

During my primary school years, the administration of the late Professor Ambrose Folorunsho Alli—of blessed memory, and the first civilian governor of the defunct Bendel State—provided free textbooks and writing materials to pupils. Each book carried the proud inscription: “This Book Is Not for Sale, Property of Bendel State Government.” For me, it was a badge of dignity, not just an inscription. Certainly, there was no obsession with dressing toddlers in tuxedos and gowns for so-called “graduation ceremonies” from nursery school, as is now commonplace.

A Disturbing Cultural Drift

What we are witnessing today is a dangerous cultural drift: from learning to luxury. Nursery pupils and JSS 3 students now partake in elaborate “graduation ceremonies.” SSS 3 students are sent off with “prom nights” featuring limousines, red carpets, DJs, and after-parties—celebrations that have nothing to do with learning. These are distractions that burden parents, deepen social inequality, and normalize materialism.

Commendable Steps from Imo and Benue State Governments

It is in this context that I commend the bold actions of these two state governments.

Advertisement

In Imo State, under Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Ministry of Education—led by Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha—recently banned graduation parties for nursery and JSS 3 students while also directing schools to stop the yearly change of textbooks. Similarly, in Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia announced the abolition of graduation ceremonies in nursery and basic schools, along with a ban on customized textbooks and exercise books. This was formally communicated in a circular dated August 15, 2025, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Helen Zeramo.

These reforms are not about stifling joy. They are about restoring focus, fairness, and balance. True celebrations should be reserved for genuine milestones—completing primary school, excelling in national exams—not for simply moving from kindergarten to the next class.

The Textbook Exploitation Crisis
Equally troubling is the exploitative practice of forcing parents to buy new textbooks every academic year, often without curriculum changes. This practice ignores the realities of most Nigerian families and undermines continuity in teaching.

Growing up, my siblings and I learned effectively from hand-me-down books because the curriculum was stable. The Imo State directive mandating that approved textbooks remain in use for at least four years is both compassionate and practical. It eases financial strain, encourages resource sharing among siblings, and ensures consistency in instruction—all without reducing quality.

A Blueprint for Reform

I respectfully urge the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to consider the following nationwide policies:

1. Ban graduation parties for nursery, primary, and junior secondary students, as well as prom-style celebrations for senior secondary students.

Advertisement

2. Mandate a minimum four-year use of approved textbooks across all schools, public and private.

3. Introduce clear guidelines to prevent financial exploitation and preserve academic integrity.

4. Reorient school culture back toward learning, discipline, and character formation.

The Stakes Are High

If we are truly committed to building an equitable and effective educational system, we must confront and eliminate the distractions, excesses, and exploitations that currently plague it. The commendable steps by Imo and Benue States show that reform is possible—and urgent.

Conclusion

Nigeria does not need limousines at school gates, nor toddlers in tuxedos. What it needs is a return to substance over show: children who take pride in learning, parents who are not exploited, and schools that embody discipline and excellence.

Advertisement

Let us, together, restore dignity, purpose, and integrity to Nigerian education.

Yours patriotically,

Clifford Ogbeide
Public Affairs Analyst
Lake District, Canada

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, must be a terrible coward! Yes, you heard me.

His posture, his silence, his refusal to descend into the arena of verbal skirmishes, strikes, insults, and reckless outbursts from men of lesser stature: is this not cowardice dignified?

Some say it is weakness. Some call it timidity. Others whisper it is avoidance. Ooni is a coward? Nooooo. Nooo a thousand times

What some ignorantly label cowardice is, in truth, the rarest expression of maturity, the highest form of discipline, and the loftiest symbol of ancestral wisdom.

Only men with unshakable pedigrees stand tall when provoked, choosing silence over needless uproar. The Ooni does not need to roar like a wounded lion seeking validation. He does not need to scatter peace or split stones just to remind the world of his relevance. His throne, rooted in history, already announces him. His heritage, steeped in divinity, already crowns him. His antecedent, irrefutable and grand, already dignifies him.

The fact is that maturity is inborn. Maturity is not cheap talk—it is an inborn grace. Men of unstable background, men carrying the burden of ancestral tragedies and tainted legacies, may scatter fire to prove existence, for they are haunted by shadows of rejection and suicide.

But the Ooni? He is not of that stock. He is the custodian of Oduduwa’s heritage, the divine envoy of the Yoruba cosmos, a living symbol of continuity whose crown is not bought by noise but secured by destiny.

Advertisement

So let the thunder of pretenders roar. Let them groan, fume, and grind their teeth in the desperation for attention. The Ooni does not bend to such vulgarity.

He does not join in mud fights. He is not a roadside royal in search of relevance. He is culture incarnate, royalty personified, wisdom enthroned.

Yes, if silence in the face of provocation is cowardice, then the Ooni is a coward. But if rising above pettiness, refusing to descend into verbal madness, and standing as a symbol of calm power is cowardice, then may every king be such a coward. We all know this truth: it is only the grabber of what does not belong to him that seeks attention by courting controversy, validation, and public notice.

A man who confiscates what is not his will raise hell to justify his theft. The Ooni, by contrast, has vision. He is steady and regal in his mission. He does not need to join issues with fire-splitting, stone-throwing petrol-bearers of disgrace—men whose antecedents drip with shame and destruction.

Bibire kì í ṣe f’owó rà—nobility cannot be purchased. You cannot compare a panda alàgbède (dross iron) with a diamond. The Ooni is not silver. He is a diamond. And diamonds are forever. It is simple you cannot give what you don’t have .

The Ooni of Ife is more than a monarch. He is Odùduwà—not merely a son of Odùduwà, but the embodiment of Odùduwà’s eternal essence. Hence you don’t expect him to give hoot to any un-royal antics.

For he is not Omo Ola. Ooni is the Ola gan gan gan. He is culture. He is dignity. He is timeless royalty.

Advertisement

Ce finito. Good day. #ooni. #ojajaII.