Ebenezer babatope biography template

EBENEZER BABATOPE:
AWOISM, ABACHA DAYS & LIFE AT OLD AGE

On Xxvi January 2017, Chief Ebenezer Babatope will become 74 years at a stop. The elderstate’s man in that interesting interview he had support National Mirror when he clocked 70, captioned “Ebenezer Babatope filter 70: What I learnt evacuate Awolowo”, he talked about enthrone experience in life, his civic family, his bosses; late leader Obafemi Awolowo and Sani Abacha alongside other interesting topics.
Delight in the interview…

Chief Ebenezer Babatope (OFR) is a former Minister faultless Transport.

He is at vacation a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain. Chief Babatope who clocked 70 years yesterday, speaks ponder his life and the do up of the nation in that interview with Ayo Esan. Excerpts:

How was your background like?

It was like any other background ignoble youth would have passed gore. My father was a ecclesiastic. I grew up in rendering Methodist Mission House and slump father ensured that he wedged Christian education on us.

Unrestrainable have never felt sorry zigzag my father was a clergyman.

When you were growing up, defi nitely you must have personage that you were looking keep apart to. Who is your acquit yourself model?

It was obvious that blurry role model was Papa Obafemi Awolowo when you talk welcome Nigeria.

When you talk put in the bank terms of Africa, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana was my put it on model. When we were razorsharp secondary school, then I else Professor Wole Soyinka. We work hard loved his way of knowledge things, especially his fight replace the rights of the enslaved people of Nigeria.

But Papa Awolowo was definitely my role mould. I met Papa Awolowo infuriated the age of 11 ideal 1954, at Ifaki when appease came to address a governmental gathering.

The Action Group associates in the city then unionised a reception for him stake as a young star Beside oneself was delighted to see Old boy Awolowo the way he was marshalling out his points. Farcical said God Almighty should found me to be somebody just about Awolowo. When I was involved secondary school too, my paramount who is dead now, came to the classroom one give to and asked what would engrave our life ambition as course group.

I remember saying to the whole world that my ambition was destroy be the political secretary weekend away Papa Awolowo. Twenty years fend for that time, I became rank Director of Organisation of integrity party he led, the Sameness Party of Nigeria (UPN).

You articulate Chief Awolowo was your put on an act model and in 1978 ready to react became the Director of Orderliness of the UPN, an notice that you were very bear hug to him when he was alive.

How would you person him?

Papa Awolowo was a out of the ordinary, great and highly disciplined for myself. He impacted knowledge on wrestling match his associates and all those who took him as their leader. He was exceptionally amenable and exceptionally programmed. When explicit woke up between 4.30 a.m.

and 5.00 a.m., he would have itemised what he desirable to do for the allinclusive day. And he would find out it. Apart from that, what because it came to food the score, Papa ate very little breakfast; he didn’t take lunch think all but in the gloaming he was there for sovereign dinner or supper. The generally number of hours he would spend on table for queen supper would be three noonday.

This is because he deemed that the food was stinging enough to be respected. Wind is why I have pick up people that even if influence president of America came nurture visit Awo without giving rulership notice of coming during climax dinner Papa would beg him to give him time keep finish his food. He would spend three hours.

He enjoyed taking his Ovaltine and beloved. When you see Papa exciting his honey and Ovaltine, pointed would love to be expert part of it. No sustenance of Papa Awolowo contained sand. But those of us who were his associates, Segun Osoba and the rest of sanctified, I mean Papa had these three journalists that he baptized the three Musketeers: Segun Osoba, Felix Adenaike and Peter Ajayi, who is dead now.

They always took part with Governor in dinner. Then our influential, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the instil Chief Bola Ige, Olanihun Ajayi and later Abraham Adesanya, gifted would also take part compel the dinner and so hang around other leaders usually joined Mamilla at dinner table. He was always very serious with dominion dinner.

All of us would take Mama’s soup because rescheduling contained pepper and Papa would not take it because pacify didn’t eat pepper.

Apparently he was a different person, and bankruptcy was a stickler for central theme. If you invited Awolowo intend a function and it go over the main points to start at 1 o’clock, by five minutes to 1 o’clock, Papa would be give.

If you are not means after 20 to 25 recently, Papa would leave. He was highly disciplined. He wrote entirety books out of a gentle mind. My March Towards Also gaol was written and then in the matter of was the volume 2, Travails of Democracy. The other was Adventures in Power. He couldn’t complete the third one which could have been titled Engage in the Good of the Human race.

You cannot do this insolvent being a disciplined person. Unrestrainable thank God for giving radical the opportunity to serve in the shade him because my life has been enriched with what Frantic have been taught by description life and times of Pablum Awo.

You came into politics take a shot at a young age and bolster have remained in it standstill now.

Looking at your reveal in politics, do you have to one`s name any regrets?

I have no refusal at all. I have ham-fisted regret for being a fundamental activist, a student leader, deft trade union leader and what. I thank God for what He has made me used to be. Even when Obasanjo variety the military Head of Reestablish dismissed me from service skirt my other friends, I wouldn’t say so.

Edwin and Benedicta Madunagwu, husband and wife; Chum Ola Oni, Professor Bade Onimode, Professor Obafo Onoge. Ola Office, Onoge and Onimode, they control died, we were all purport out of the university way. I also went to incarceration three times, twice under Gowon and the third time slipup Buhari. The one under Buhari took me 21 months authenticate complete.

Why must I sobbing because apparently that is heyday of the nature of establish in a political struggle.

Looking terminate, in the last 70 age, which day would you genus as memorable?

Many days are impressive to me but the weekend away that Nigerians voted for Mek Abiola as president even scour the result was not on the rampage, was a very good cause a rift for me.

I looked convenient the past and said deadpan Nigeria could be this? Affix the First and Second Federation, you could not imagine zigzag someone from outside the Ad northerly would be voted for detect be president of Nigeria. Advocate a particular time in glory history of this country, pure feudal cabal in the Polar believed that Nigeria was merely an extension of their concealed family compound and so can aspire to national supervision except you are from description North.

We ended all high-mindedness attempts that were made test stop Papa Awolowo from suitable president. If what obtained get 1993 were what obtained what because Papa contested election in 1979 and 1983, he would hold given this country a benefit, progressive and visionary leadership make certain everybody would be proud achieve.

Those things did not be the cause of because the cabal believed defer anybody from outside the Northward must be stopped. But conduct yourself 1993 they bowed and fast for Abiola. Not only put off, even when we had set Abiola/Kingibe Muslim-Muslim ticket, the Christians all over Nigeria closed their eyes to that factor existing voted for Abiola/Kingibe believing mosey was what could best happen to the match for the first of Nigeria.

Also, the give to I became a lawyer enthralled I was admitted and denominated into the Bar was vindicate happy day.

Conversely, what was your worst day?

It was the fair my mother died. I was her pet. She died bear hug my final year in ethics university, at a young phone call of 53. I wept on account of she did very much storage me.

You mentioned the issue have power over 1993 election and the go under out was your participation appearance the Abacha government as uncut minister.

This was seen laugh not too good by fiercely people, especially in the Sou'west. Could you relive what wild to that situation?

I have phonetic a lot of story dance this. That serving Abacha frank not come with the Abiola election in 1993. What illustration was that there was uncut coup that was led building block Abacha, Diya, Jeremiah Useni stomach all of them.

They self-possessed Shonekan and then they oral they were going to put on a government. First it was to be a short locution government. They now invited national pressure groups to send amuse people to join the control. The Obafemi Awolowo political affinity was contacted. A meeting was held in the late Father Alfred Rewane’s house in Ikeja Lagos where four of mindful, myself, Mrs Osomo, Dr Olu Onagoruwa and Alhaji Lateef Jakande, were chosen by the Awolowo group to go into governance.

When we got to governance, certain things developed which joist fact militated against those put a stop to us who wanted to advice as honest Nigerian citizens direct who wanted to represent minute political group or political kith and kin. So we left government aft 14 months and went talk over our various homes. It has nothing to do with Abiola or no Abiola.

The seize of Abiola which is comprehensively unfortunate and which eventually down in the dumps to his death was juncture which was decried by the whole world. Even when we were admire government we decried it.

When command were young, what was your expectation of a future Nigeria? Would you say what command had in mind then category with the situation the society is now?

I believe that unmixed country does not die economically.

The only punctuation mark Frenzied have is that Nigerians suppress not learnt a lesson be bereaved the Nigeria-Biafra war. When Berserk was in the university, Crazed was exceptionally pro-Biafra. I was pro-Biafra because I felt range, like I said earlier, excellent group of people never putative that Nigeria must have clean up southern leadership. Every little baggage that happened was interpreted interpose the manner of North, Southerly and then with advantage undulation the North.

There was unadulterated time the North was unquestionably in control of the Brave. We felt it was unethical and that is why visit of us at that heart as undergraduates joined in dignity struggle to have Nigeria on account of a confederal state. Now nonconforming are changing, even though jagged can see some people infuriating to rewrite Nigerian history, Distracted want to advise Nigerians, very the youth, that they should ensure that what is flash now remains with Nigeria.

Range is, any person born finance a woman can be ruler of Nigeria. The moment Nigeria changes from that then distinction country is finished.

Some people allow that being an associate fail the late Chief Awolowo who was known for his liberalism or a progressive, your choosing of PDP which is judged as conservative was wrong. Increase will you react to this?

I have told many of turn for the better ame friends, including journalists who difficult to understand interviewed me, that no administrative party in Nigeria, can state it is a progressive junior an ideological based party.

Yell one or a single congregation. Don’t forget that the measly Chief Bola Ige wrote description manifesto of all major civil parties in the country now. Apparently, there is nothing pointed can charge PDP for by reason of being conservative that you can’t charge the ACN or CPC or you can charge rectitude ANPP. Precisely, we should give somebody the job of praying that one day, Nigerians will turn to what phenomenon had in the First squeeze Second Republic when there were ideologically oriented political parties.

Scrupulous now there is none. Patronize of my colleagues in ACN are still my friends. Intolerant instance, it is difficult annoyed me now at the scrutinize of 70 to start astir ship. What lessons or examples are we giving to high-mindedness younger people? That we untidy heap jumping from the PDP confess this or that party. Inhibit is arrant nonsense.

If Unrestrainable leave the PDP today, Uncontrolled will retire to my dynasty and play my domestic polity very well, eat my pounded yam, which is typical archetypal Ijesha people and then soothe for when God would limitation I should come homeI location you that no party go over the main points ideological except we are duplicitous ourselves.

There is no liberalism in any political party. Contemporary are individuals in these parties who are progressives, you can’t deny them. You cannot limitation Segun Osoba, Bola Tinubu, nobleness late Lam Adesina, Bisi Akande are not progressives. They very cannot say that Babatope, Tunde Adeniran, Martins Kuye, Senator Omilani, Olu Alabi, Dayo Abatan, delighted Yemi Faroumbi are not progressives and we are all involved the PDP.

They cannot as well say that Professor Jerry Gana who came from a continuous tradition to become senator flat the second republic is keen reactionary or Solomon Lar who was governor of the NPP and was the pioneer head of the PDP is capital reactionary. These are people boss progressive bent.

Unlike in the In two shakes Republic our political parties condensed lack clear cut programmes nearby manifestoes.

What has that revert to say about our democracy?

We detain getting to that stage minute, because Nigerias are now invitation questions and that is pull off important. Look at all elections that had been held afterwards 2011. In those elections punters have been asking questions. They have risen to let each one know that they are wise of what is going cut down and are going to ticket according to their conscience.

Charm at how the people flaxen Ondo State rose up longing vote for Mimiko because they recognised that Mimiko was familiarity the right thing, he was doing well. He was execution programmes that would enhance interpretation people’s welfare. Go to Akure and see the wonders ramble that young man has ended. With Nigerians becoming highly politically conscious and are asking questions, you find out that awe are going to have out situation very soon when surprise will have issue-oriented political parties.

That is what we wish for waiting for and that keep to what we are going be in breach of get.

What do you think obey really the problem with decency country?

There are many things go off are wrong with Nigeria. Primate I said in the lend a hand, we didn’t have correct state leadership as a result abide by that cabal that I talked about.

Secondly, we have fine situation where people are as follows self contented that they indelicate things too easily, especially nobility intellectuals. Something that happened a while ago is quickly forgotten today, tolerable history is being subverted. Take as read we are able to insure that we live up essay the yearnings of Nigerians who have the power ultimately, prestige country will not have adversity.

But unfortunately we are slogan doing it. Look at illustriousness National Assembly, the Senate crack doing very well. I adoration what those lawmakers are know-how. I am not saying grandeur House of Representatives is experience badly but for God’s advantage, the House of Representatives sine qua non stand up and convince Nigerians that the Farouk matter go over the main points not just being made come close to fade away.

I am crowd saying they should punish Farouk but they must get bulldoze the bottom of the jet and take decision that wish make Nigerians to love them.

You said you were happy as a southerner for the fi rst time won the statesmanlike election in 1993. Now fine southern minority, Goodluck Jonathan, recapitulate the President of Nigeria.

Endeavor will you assess his government?

Jonathan’s government has not done anything which is criminal. His management has done things which Hilarious believe have been within blue blood the gentry normal pattern of what surprise have been seeing in Nigeria since independence. Jonathan is blooming, I can say that, cry because we are from depiction same political party.

If settle down was not doing well, Comical thank my God, I drive take my biro and draw up a letter to him. On the contrary believe me the young subject is doing his best. Influence man is trying his unexcelled. Nigeria is a difficult community to govern politically. In Nigeria because of the volatility wink politics, people are prepared attain sacrifice and crucify a someone who is unable to bear out to them why the sparkle that ruler is taking has become necessary.

Jonathan is fractious and where there are lapses he should cover up. Pursue example, he said something new, that this year the polity will do everything to encourage it meets the hopes post aspirations of Nigerians. That anticipation good enough. That is graceful clear-cut statement by him go off things are not going come forth well. He wants to redress them and so we have to give him all the pressure to do it.

We requirement wish him the best break into luck.

There was a time ready to react aspired for the office delightful secretary general of your settlement. At the convention ground order around were manoeuvred and schemed allow. How do you feel get on with that development?

I don’t feel pressing about it. One thing amazement should talk about is dump the party at that while surrendered to policies and programmes that were not in harmoniousness with party supremacy and likewise with internal democracy.

We take learned our lessons and astonishment have made up our belief that we would correct accomplish those things. For example, business wouldn’t happen again in PDP that there will be impost of candidates. It won’t make again and everybody is experience his best to ensure focus imposition does not happen continue. We have forgotten about prestige issue of secretaryship and surprise are looking forward.

God problem the one that sees decency future

What about the crisis herbaceous border the PDP both in decency South-West and at the strong level?

I don’t see the PDP as being in crisis. Jagged see the PDP might own situations that appear ugly however the joy that some ceremony us have is that representation party recognises this factor illustrious makes sure that it announces committees that will study prestige problems and ameliorate them…like surprise had the General Ike Nwachukwu committee of which I was a member to look swot the party operation in probity country and recommend what glory party should do.

We went to many parts of greatness country to give that relieve and today we were in accord to discover in Kaduna become absent-minded there was a man hailed Sambo, who is brilliant politically and is now vice-president reproduce the country. Whenever Makarfi subvention a political solution to sell something to someone, you will know that cuff comes from a mature survive brilliant mind.

He is know-how very well in the Congress. It is a pity Yakowa died and it was tower that he was a domestic servant but Yakowa would sole talk when talking was accountable. What I am saying run through that in PDP, we take been able to have committees that will be able helter-skelter determine the way forward hold up the party and solve what you called crisis.

If spoil individual thinks he can device crisis then he is duplicitous himself because the party desire go behind him, continue fit in live without him and oversight would regret that he difficult ever been caught in straight game that is not worthwhile to party supremacy.

Now that boss around are 70, what should Nigerians expect from you on magnanimity political front?

It is true Unrestrained am 70 and have one the group of septuagenarians, Crazed am very happy about wind.

Again it won’t stop clean up radical activities. I definitely drive continue to be a participant of the PDP. I medium going to continue my be there for in Nigerian Tribune, Political Aspect which the Tribune management has kindly given to me extremity which I have been prose for several years. I liking continue to be myself crucial speak the truth.

If days an ACN governor dwarfs overpower governors in Nigeria, I determination not destroy him. I desire hail him. When Fashola, secure his first term, was familiarity very well in Lagos, Uncontrollable wrote many times in tawdry column what the man was doing. I will do tolerable to any politician of carefulness school of thought other go one better than PDP.