GOD'S NAME

Please permit me to introduce my Father to
you. He is:
1. Wonderful
2. Counsellor
3. Prince of Peace
4. Eternal Rock of Ages
5. King of Glory
6. Mighty God
7. King of kings
8. Lord of lords
9. Lord of hosts
10. Lily of the valley
11. Healer
12. Deliverer
13. Provider
14. Creator
15. Potter
16. Day Star
17. Cornerstone
18. Prophet of prophets
19. Saviour
20. I AM THAT I AM
21. Wisdom of God
22. Head of the church
23. Governor
24. Righteous Judge
25. Protector
26. Rock of offence
27. Shield
28. Merciful God
29. Gracious God
30. Faithful God
31. Giver
32. Victorious in Holiness
33. Consuming Fire
34. El Elyon
35. Jehovah Raphael
36. Jehovah Rohi
37. Jehovah Jireh
38. Jehovah Elgibor
39. Jehovah Sham ah
40. Jehovah Shalom
41. El Olam
42. Defender
43. Redeemer
44. Comforter
45. Trinity in Council
46. Instructor
47. Teacher
48. Inspirer
49. Reminder
50. Invisible God
51. Hope of Glory
52. Lion of Judah
53. Root of Jesse
54. Man of war
55. Lamb of God
56. Sustainer
57. Convincer
58. Light of the world
59. Restorer
60. Silencer
61. Stiller of storms
62. Proclaimer
63. Father of the fatherless
64. Husband of the widow
65. Smith of heaven
66. The Way
67. The Truth
68. The Life
69. Bread of life
70. Bread Winner
71. Champion of champions
72. Winner of winners
73. Composer
74. Author
75. Finisher
76. Glorious in Holiness
77. Fearful in praises
78. Sleepless God
79. Ancient of days
80. Ageless God
81. Eternal God
82. Excellent God
83. Powerful God
84. Leader of leaders
85. Chief Inventor
86. Convener
87. Compassionate God
88. Commander-in-Chief of heavenly host
89. Worthy King
90. Overseer
91. Moulder
92. Shaper
93. Breaker
94. Praiseworthy God
95. Helper
96. Richer than the richest
97. Older than the oldest
98. Trustworthy God
99. Arranger
100. Master Builder
101. Master Planner
102. Master Minder
103. Arrester
104. Relentless God's
105. Voice of hope
106. Beautiful God
107. Alpha and Omega
108.Game Changer
109. Our Refuge
110. Our fortress
111. Our Buckler
112. Our Banner
113. Strong Tower
114. Unchanging changer
115. Rose of Sharon
116. All in All
117. Pillar of our lives
118. The First Born
119. Lamb that was slain
120. The Glory & lifter of our heads
121. The word of God
122. Our Advocate
123. Our High Priest
124. Bishop of our souls
125. High and Lofty one
126. Almighty
127. Our Best Friend
128. On time God
129 Lion of Judah
130 Omnipotent
131. Omnipresent
132 Omniscient
133. Consuming fire Adonai
134. The beginning & the end
135 Living water
136 Unquenchable fire
137. Awesome God
138 I salute your excellency Baba
139 Battle stopper
140 Unquestionable God.
141 Jehova Tsikednu,
142 Mighty one in battle.
143 Glorious in Holiness,
144 Fearful in praises.
145 Mighty man of valour.
146 Miracle worker.
147 Rock of ages.
148 Merciful God.
149 Advocate.
150 Always doing wonders.
151 Amen and Hallelujah.
152 Answer to prayers.
153 Intercessor.
154 Interceptor.
155 Balm of Gilead
There is no one like him. To Him Be The Glory
Forever Amen.

VEGETABLES

*BANANAS*
🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌
•Protect your heart.
•Strengthen bones.
•Control blood pressure
•Block diarrhea.

*BEANS*
🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓
•Prevent constipation.
•Help hemorrhoids.
•Lower cholesterol.
•Combat cancer.
•Stabilize blood sugar.

*BROCCOLI*
•Strengthens.
•Saves eyesight.
•Combats cancer.
•Protects your heart.
•Controls blood pressure.

*CABBAGE*
•Combats cancer.
•Prevents constipation.
•Promotes weight loss.
•Protects your heart.
•Helps hemorrhoids.

*CARROTS*
🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕
•Save eyesight.
•Protect your heart.
•Prevent constipation.
•Combat cancer.
•Promote weight loss.

*CAULIFLOWER*
🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼
•Protects against Prostate Cancer.
•Combats Breast Cancer.
•Strengthens bones.
•Banishes bruises.
•Guards against heart disease.

*GARLIC*
•Lowers cholesterol.
•Controls blood pressure.
•Combats cancer.
•kills bacteria.
•Fights fungus.

*GRAPEFRUIT*
•Protects against heart attacks
•Promotes Weight loss
•Helps stops strokes
•Combats Prostate Cancer
•Lowers cholesterol

*GRAPES*
🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇
•Save eyesight.
•Conquer kidney stones.
•Combat cancer.
•Enhance blood flow.
•Protect your heart.

*GREEN TEA*
🍵🍵🍵🍵🍵🍵
•Combats cancer.
•Protects your heart.
•Helps stops strokes.
•Promotes  weight loss.
•Kills bacteria.

*HONEY*
🍯🍯🍯🍯🍯
•Heals wounds.
•Aids digestion.
•Guards against ulcers.
•Increases energy.
•Fights allergies.

*LEMONS AND LIME*
🍋🍈🍋🍈🍋🍈
•Combat cancer.
•Protect your heart.
•Control blood pressure.
•Smoothen skin.
•Stop scurvy.

*MUSHROOM*
🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄
•Controls blood pressure.
•Lowers cholesterol.
•Combats cancer.
•Strengthens bones.

*OLIVE OIL*
🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃
•Protects your heart.
•Promotes Weight loss.
•Combats cancer.
•Battles diabetes.
•Smoothens skin.

*ONIONS*
•Reduce risk of heart attack.
•Combat cancer.
•Kill bacteria(bactericidal).
•Lower cholesterol.
•Fight fungal infections.

*ORANGES*
🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊
•Support immune systems.
•Combat cancer.
•Protect your heart.
•Straighten respiration.
  
*PINEAPPLE*
🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍
•Strengthens bones.
•Relieves colds.
•Aids digestion.
•Dissolves warts.
•Blocks diarrhea.

*STRAWBERRIES*
🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓
•Combat cancer.
•Protect your heart.
•Boost memory.
•Calm stress.
  
*SWEET POTATOES*
🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔
•Save your eyesight.
•Lift mood.
•Combat cancer.
•Strengthen bones.

*TOMATOES*
🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅
•Protect prostate.
•Combat cancer.
•Lower cholesterol.
•Protect your heart.
  
*WALNUTS*
🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜
•Lower cholesterol.
•Combat cancer.
•Boost memory.
•Protect against cardiovascular diseases.

*WATER*
🚰🚰🚰🚰🚰
•Quenches thirst.
•Combats cancer.
•Conquers kidney stones.

*WATERMELON*
🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉
•Protects prostate.
•Promotes weight loss.
•Lowers cholesterol.
•Helps stops strokes.
•Controls blood pressure.
•Fights dehydration.

*APPLES*
🍏🍏🍏🍏🍏
•Protect your heart.
•Prevent constipation.
•Prevent diarrhea.
•Improve lung capacity.
•Cushion joints.

*AVOCADOS*
🥑🥑🥑🥑🥑
•Battle diabetes.
•Lower cholesterol.
•Help stops strokes.
•Control blood pressure.
•Smoothen skin.

Please share with the people you care about most.

BIBLE FACTS

*FOR RECORDS- KNOW YOUR BIBLE*

1. *BIBLE WRITERS*
Genesis: Moses
Exodus: Moses
Leviticus: Moses
Numbers: Moses
Deuteronomy: Moses
Joshua: Joshua
Judges: Samuel
Ruth: Samuel
1 Samuel: Samuel; Gad; Nathan
2 Samuel: Gad; Nathan
1 Kings: Jeremiah
2 Kings: Jeremiah
1 Chronicles: Ezra
2 Chronicles: Ezra
Ezra: Ezra
Nehemiah: Nehemiah
Esther: Mordecai
Job: Moses
Psalms: David and others
Proverbs: Solomon; Agur; Lemuel
Ecclesiastes: Solomon
Song of Solomon: Solomon
Isaiah: Isaiah
Jeremiah: Jeremiah
Lamentations: Jeremiah
Ezekiel: Ezekiel
Daniel: Daniel
Hosea: Hosea
Joel: Joel
Amos: Amos
Obadiah: Obadiah
Jonah: Jonah
Micah: Micah
Nahum: Nahum
Habakkuk: Habakkuk
Zephaniah: Zephaniah
Haggai: Haggai
Zechariah: Zechariah
Malachi: Malachi
Matthew: Matthew
Mark: Mark
Luke: Luke
John: Apostle John
Acts: Luke
Romans: Paul
1 Corinthians: Paul
2 Corinthians: Paul
Galatians: Paul
Ephesians: Paul
Philippians: Paul
Colossians: Paul
1 Thessalonians: Paul
2 Thessalonians: Paul
1 Timothy: Paul
2 Timothy: Paul
Titus: Paul
Philemon: Paul
Hebrews: Unknown
James: James (Jesus’ brother)
1 Peter: Peter
2 Peter: Peter
1 John: Apostle John
2 John: Apostle John
3 John: Apostle John
Jude: Jude (Jesus’ brother)
Revelation: Apostle John

2. *BIBLE STATISTICS*
Amazing Bible Facts And Statistics
Number of books in the Bible: 66
Chapters: 1,189
Verses: 31,101
Words: 783,137
Letters: 3,566,480
Number of promises given in the Bible: 1,260
Commands: 6,468
Predictions: over 8,000
Fulfilled prophecy: 3,268 verses
Unfulfilled prophecy: 3,140
Number of questions: 3,294
Longest name: Mahershalalhashbaz (Isaiah 8:1)
Longest verse: Esther 8:9 (78 words)
Shortest verse: John 11:35 (2 words: "Jesus wept" .
Middle books: Micah and Nahum
Middle chapter: Psalm 117
Shortest chapter (by number of words): Psalm 117 (by number of words)
Longest book: Psalms (150 chapters)
Shortest book (by number of words): 3 John
Longest chapter: Psalm 119 (176 verses)
Number of times the word "God" appears: 3,358
Number of times the word "Lord" appears: 7,736
Number of different authors: 40
Number of languages the Bible has been translated into: over 1,200

3. *OLD TESTAMENT STATISTICS:*
Number of books: 39
Chapters: 929
Verses: 23,114
Words: 602,585
Letters: 2,278,100
Middle book: Proverbs
Middle chapter: Job 20
Middle verses: 2 Chronicles 20:17,18
Smallest book: Obadiah
Shortest verse: 1 Chronicles 1:25
Longest verse: Esther 8:9 (78 words)
Longest chapter: Psalms 119

4. *NEW TESTAMENT STATISTICS:*
Number of books: 27
Chapters: 260
Verses: 7,957
Words: 180,552
Letters: 838,380
Middle book: 2 Thessalonians
Middle chapters: Romans 8, 9
Middle verse: Acts 27:17
Smallest book: 3 John
Shortest verse: John 11:35
Longest verse: Revelation 20:4 (68 words)
Longest chapter: Luke 1
**********
5. *OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION TO NOTE*
There are 8,674 different Hebrew words in the Bible, 5,624 different
Greek words, and 12,143 different English words in the King James Version.
***********
• Written by Approximately 40 Authors
• Written over a period of 1,600 years
• Written over 40 generations
• Written in three languages: Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic
• Written on three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa
• Written in different locations: wilderness, dungeon, palace, prison, in exile, at home
• Written by men from all occupations: kings, peasants, doctors, fishermen, tax collectors, scholars, etc.
• Written in different times: war, peace, poverty, prosperity, freedom and slavery
• Written in different moods: heights of joy to the depths of despair
• Written in harmonious agreement on a widely diverse range of subjects and doctrines
***********
*10 Longest Books in the Bible*
• Psalm - 150 chapters, 2,461 verses, 43,743 words
• Jeremiah - 52 chapters, 1,364 verses, 42,659 words
• Ezekiel - 48 chapters, 1,273 verses, 39,407 words
• Genesis - 50 chapters, 1,533 verses, 38,267 words
• Isaiah - 66 chapters, 1,292 verses, 37,044 words
• Numbers - 36 chapters, 1,288 verses, 32,902 words
• Exodus - 40 chapters, 1,213 verses, 32.602 words
• Deuteronomy - 34 chapters, 959 verses, 28,461 words
• 2 Chronicles - 36 chapters, 822 verses, 26,074 words
• Luke - 24 chapters, 1,151 verses, 25,944 words
***********
*10 Shortest Books in the Bible*
• 3 John - 1 chapter, 14 verses, 299 words
• 2 John - 1 chapter, 13 verses, 303 words
• Philemon - 1 chapter, 25 verses, 445 words
• Jude - 1 chapter, 25 verses, 613 words
• Obadiah - 1 chapter, 21 verses, 670 words
• Titus - 3 chapters, 46 verses, 921 words
• 2 Thessalonians - 3 chapters, 47 verses, 1,042 words
• Haggai - 2 chapters, 38 verses, 1,131 words
• Nahum - 3 chapters, 47 verses, 1,285 words
• Jonah - 4 chapters, 48 verses, 1,321

GRATITUDE QUOTES

Ralph Marston
Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.

Alfred Painter
Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality.

Maya Angelou
I want to thank you, Lord, for life and all that’s in it. Thank you for the day and for the hour, and the minute.

Toni Mont
To say thank you, is in recognition of humanity.

Joseph Adisson
Gratitude is the best attitude. There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude. It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance.

Fred De Witt Van Amburgh
None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.

Edwin Arlington Robinson
Two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give.

Lionel Hampton
Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.

Oscar Wilde
The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.

James Matthew Barrie
Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.

Gordon T. Watts
The depth and the willingness with which we serve is a direct reflection of our gratitude.

John Wooden
Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.

John F. Kennedy
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

Alice Walker
'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.

Courtland Milloy
Nothing purchased can come close to the renewed sense of gratitude for having family and friends.

Benjamin Franklin
To the generous mind the heaviest debt is that of gratitude, when it is not in our power to repay it.

Ralph H. Blum
There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.

Jean Baptiste Massieu
Gratitude is the memory of the heart.

Melody Beattie
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

Terri Guillemets
As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world.

G. B. Stern
Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.

Richard Carlson
People who live the most fulfilling lives are the ones who are always rejoicing at what they have.

Anthony Robbins
When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears.

Marcel Proust
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss
The grateful heart that springs forth in joy is not acquired in a moment; it is the fruit of a thousand choices.

Seneca
Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.

Elizabeth Carter
Remember that not to be happy is not to be grateful.

Edgar Watson Howe
Nothing tires a man more than to be grateful all the time.

Francois Rochefoucauld
We seldom find people ungrateful so long as it is thought we can serve them.

John Milton
A grateful mind

By owing owes not, but still pays, at once

Indebted and dischared.

Henry Ward Beecher
A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.

Robert South
The grateful person, being still the most severe exacter of himself, not only confesses, but proclaims, his debts.

George Herbert
Thou who hast given so much to me, give me one more thing... a grateful heart!

Steve Maraboli
Those who have the ability to be grateful are the ones who have the ability to achieve greatness.

Mary Wright
When you say thank you it makes me feel like everything is good!

Henry Clay
Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart.

Lionel Hampton
Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.

Marcel Proust
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

Melody Beattie
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.

Chinese Proverb
When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them.”

Mary Wright
There is only one way to say thank you and that's just to straight up say “Thank you."

G. K. Chesterton
I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

Sarah Ban Breathnach
Every time we remember to say “thank you”, we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.

Albert Schweitzer
Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude.

Benjamin Crump
Your presence today spoke volumes. Thank you all for the support.

Jill Griffin
Learn to say thank you every time.

Aare Ona Kakanfo

Where were you in 1987?

~ Professor Yemi Osinbajo was then a Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the Federation.

That was the year Oba Yesufu Oloyede Asanike, Olubadan of Ibadan made history. Olubadan installed Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola as the Bashorun of Ibadan. It was a prestigious title befitting of a distinguished personality in the mould of MKO Abiola.

That was the title of  the legendary Bashorun Oluyole who was the paramount chief of Ibadan in 1850. It was also the title of Bashorun Ogunmola who reigned between 1865 and 1867. It was therefore historic that exactly 120 years after the death of Ogunmola, MKO Abiola became the fourth person to be conferred with the prestigious title.

It was indeed a befitting honour for someone who had amassed chieftaincy titles from almost every town in Nigeria. As of the time of his installation in 1987, MKO Abiola was reputed to have over 150 chieftaincy titles. He was the Bobajiro of Ode-Remo. He was the Bada Musulumi of Gbagura Egba.

As he drove out of the palace of Oba Asanike that fateful day with his son by his side, MKO must have thought that he had reached the peak of traditional chieftaincy in Nigeria.

He was just settling down in his Ikeja home when he was informed that he had a call. Who was on the line? He asked before collecting the phone. It was the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.

MKO snatched the phone. “Iku Baba Yeye, Igbakeji Orisa! Kabiyesi!” The newly installed Bashorun paid his homage to the foremost traditional ruler. Alaafin must be calling to congratulate me, MKO thought. Kabiyesi was however not calling to congratulate the business magnate.

“We have decided that you are to be conferred with the title of Aare Ona Kakanfo!” Kabiyesi informed him.

The phone nearly dropped from the hand of Bashorun. Aare Ona Kakanfo! The Generalissimo of Yoruba race! The Field Marshall for all descendants of Oduduwa! The portfolio held by Afonja, the founder of Ilorin! The title of Aare Obadoke Latosa of Ibadan – the scourge of Efunsetan Aniwura! The position held by the last premier of Western Region, Ladoke Akintola of Ogbomoso! 

For a single person to be Bashorun and Aare was unheard of. It was the ultimate! Traditionally, Bashorun is the Prime Minister. Aare is the Field Marshall. When Bashorun Gaa moved against Alaafin Abiodun around 1770, it was Oyalabi from Ajase (now Republic of Benin), the Aare Ona Kakanfo that came to the powerful monarch’s rescue. Now, Abiola was going to be both the Prime Minister and the Field Marshall!

Alaafin had spoken. MKO Abiola had no choice. The news spread like wildfire. Congratulatory messages poured in from all over the globe. Aare Ona Kakanfo was not just another title. It was the title. It was the father of all traditional titles. Father ke? No, it was the Grandfather of All Titles. If it were to be a national honour, it would be the equivalent of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic!

Everybody in and outside Yorubaland was ecstatic at the choice of Abiola as the 14th Aare Ona Kakanfo. Well, almost everybody.

It happened that the Ashipa of Oyo, Chief Amuda Olorunosebi was not pleased with the choice of Bashorun MKO Abiola as the Aare. Ashipa was one of the prominent chiefs of Alaafin. He objected to the choice of the flamboyant publisher, an Egba man, as Aare Ona Kakanfo.  He went to Kabiyesi to protest. Iku Baba Yeye was adamant that MKO was eminently qualified to be the Aare Ona Kakanfo.

The Ashipa went back to his quarters at Isale Oyo. As MKO Abiola and the Alaafin were preparing for the installation of Bashorun, Chief Amuda was consulting with his lawyers. This was however unknown to the Alaafin. It was assumed that the Ashipa had been convinced to support Abiola’s candidacy.

Abiola was no ordinary person by any standard. He was larger than life. He was flamboyance personified. He was determined to make the chieftaincy installation as grand as possible. He invited all his contacts from all over the world. All the military governors were invited. A special invitation was delivered to the President, Ibrahim Babangida, who was a close friend of the Bashorun. African Heads of States cleared their schedules in order to honour MKO. Nigerian Embassies were issuing visas on daily basis. It was going to be a grand occasion.

Then the unthinkable happened! It started as a rumour. It was days to the installation.

‘Eti Oba nile, eti Oba l’oko, eniyan lo n je be.’ - The ear of a king is everywhere. Iku Baba Yeye was in his palace when he heard from the grapevine that a case had been filed to stop the occasion! “Ewo! Sango o ni je! Abiodun o ni je! Aole o ni je!” Kabiyesi went on to invoke the names of his predecessors on the royal throne of Alaafin!

It was around noon when the phone rang in Ibadan. It was from the Palace, Oyo Alaafin. Chief Afe Babalola, the famous legal practitioner, picked the phone. After exchange of homage and royal blessings, Alaafin informed Afiwajoye of Ado Ekiti that Ashipa had filed a suit against the installation of MKO Abiola. Not only that, a motion ex parte for interim injunction had also been filed. It was apparent that Ashipa was not ready to gamble with his chance.

Though Kabiyesi did not say it, Chief Afe knew the urgency involved. Installation was on Saturday. The call came in on Tuesday.

Less than thirty minutes after the call, Chief Afe was almost at Oyo. The legendary lawyer covered the 57 kilometres between Oyo and Ibadan as if he was on a chariot. He proceeded to court where he met the court registrar. Of course, the registrar knew Chief Babalola. It is doubtful if there is anyone in the Judiciary who does not know the Mayegun of Modakeke. Mayegun paid the requisite fees and conducted a search of the court’s file. It was there! Alaafin’s information was correct!

Iduro ko si, ìbèreè ko si fun eni ti o gbe odó mi - A person who swallows a pestle can neither stand nor sit comfortably. Installation was on Saturday. The search was conducted on Tuesday! The motion ex parte was to be heard the following day, Wednesday.

Time was of the essence! Chief Afe turned his car around, off to Emmanuel Chambers, Ibadan. Before the car reached Fiditi, he had mentally finished composing the processes. He was nodding as the cases and other relevant authorities began to surface in his mind.

By the time he reached his office, the mental process was complete. In a minute the Counter-Affidavit was ready. There was no need for a Written Address. Professor Yemi Osinbajo was then a Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the Federation. It would be years later before he introduced Written Address as the Lagos State Attorney General. The counter-affidavit was filed and served on counsel to the Ashipa.

On Wednesday, the court was full. Chief M. L. Lagunju, Ashipa’s counsel was in court. He adjusted his wig and checked his books. He smiled. It was a Motion Exparte. It won’t be contested. He checked his time. Then there was some commotion at the entrance of the court.

Chief Lagunju blinked! He blinked again! Walking in majestically was the Afiwajoye of Ado-Ekiti, the Balogun of Mobaland, the Mayegun of Modakeke, Chief Afe Babalola in flesh! He was followed by a host of other lawyers, each armed with bags of legal authorities enough to open a law library. Chief Lagunju didn’t know when he said: “The game is up!”

On the dot of 9 O’clock, the Court began sitting. The trial judge was a royalty himself. Justice Aderemi’s father was the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Sir Tadenikawo Adesoji Aderemi, the first Governor of Western Region. The case was called.

The plaintiff’s counsel sought to move his application. The learned counsel informed the court that it was an ex parte application and therefore the other party had no right of audience.

His Lordship turned to Chief Afe Babalola. The court was as silent as a ghost town. Young lawyers craned their necks to hear what the Legend was going to say. They have been taught in law school that Ex Parte Motion was for only one party. Some of them must have been wondering what magic the Mayegun of Modakeke was going to perform.

Chief Afe Babalola brought out the White Book. Oh! Sorry, you don’t know the White Book? The White Book is an important book for lawyers. It contains the sources of law relating to the practice and procedures of the High Court. Ask your lawyer friend to show you a copy. He won’t charge you, unless you open it.

The Legal Colossus was on his feet. He was vibrating like a trumpet, but his voice was as soft as velvet. He began to reel out authorities after authorities to the effect that a defendant who became aware, anyhow, that a party had gone to court and was about to obtain an order ex-parte that would affect him, had a right to appear in court and to insist on being heard.

His Lordship – a brilliant Judge from the Source of Yoruba Race – was nodding as he scribbled down the authorities being cited by the Legendary Advocate. His Lordship was not the only one writing. Most lawyers in court were writing furiously. One old man turned to his friend and whispered: “I don’t mind selling my house, Mufu, my son must become a lawyer like this man. Look at the way he is speaking English as if he is chanting oriki Sango!”

“There is merit in the case of the Defendants. I agree with Chief Afe Babalola, the Defendants deserve to be given the right to be heard. Case is hereby adjourned to tomorrow for arguments on the Motion on Notice.” His Lordship rose. 

It is doubtful if the parties involved in the case slept that night. Whilst the lawyers checked and re-checked the authorities, the litigants were in anxiety mode. Chief MKO Abiola’s invited guests had started arriving from their various bases. Musicians engaged for entertainment had begun to set up their instruments in Oyo and Ikeja. Caterers had booked all the cows in Ilorin, Oyo and Ibadan. Local drummers had cancelled all engagements. The royal poet, Lanrewaju Adepoju had finished composing his masterpiece. All roads led to Oyo Alaafin.

If the court was filled to the brim on Wednesday, it was spilling over on Thursday. Litigants, journalists, lawyers, in fact everybody was in court that day. Chief Lagunju stood up. The learned counsel knew what was at stake. He argued his application expertly. He guessed the likely issues that Chief Afe would raise. He addressed each comprehensively. It was advocacy at its best.

Then the Balogun of Mobaland stood up. Like a surgeon, Chief Afe surgically cut through the issues deftly. He was not going to take any prisoner. After cutting through the issues, the authorities followed. From Halsbury’s Law of England to Commonwealth Law Reports, from decisions of House of Lords to decisions of Court of Appeal, from WACA to White Book, and then finally to the Supreme Court. The authorities were flowing like water from Asejire Dam. There was no stopping the deluge.

“In the light of the copious authorities cited by the learned counsel for the plaintiff and the defendants, the Court will be adjourning to…” There was pin-drop silence in Court. The installation was only two days away.  “... Friday” Ha! Palpable relief went through the court. 

On Friday, Chief Afe Babalola’s phone began to ring from dawn. “Chief, E ma lo gba ruling yin l’Oyo loni o. Please send your junior o.” Clients, friends and well wishers who witnessed or heard of the tension soaked session in court on Thursday were justifiably apprehensive. But Chief Afe was not the Balogun of Mobaland for nothing. A General must not be afraid of the warfront. Off to Oyo.

Chief Afe had hardly left Ibadan when he started seeing policemen at strategic junctions on the road to Oyo. As they approached Fiditi, the number of policemen increased. By the time they got to Jobele, it was as if the Police College had moved its campus there. In the forest, on top of trees, in the bushes, and on top of buildings, the police were everywhere.

The Courtroom itself was no exception. More than fifty police officers joined lawyers and litigants in the courtroom. If you were not wearing a wig and you were not a party to the case, you would have to stay outside.

Court!

Justice Aderemi went straight to the business of the day. “RULING” His Lordship began. Time stood still as His Lordship went on to review the facts of the application and the authorities cited by the counsel for the parties. “In the final analysis…” Counsel and cops in the court became tense.

“This application fails and is hereby dismissed.”

As if by telepathy, the crowd outside heard the ruling immediately! Shouts of joy erupted. Drummers who must have been hiding theirgangan drums under their agbada sprang out.Sekere came out. Agogo was not to be left behind. Chief Afe Babalola was pulled out of his car, The Balogun was placed squarely on the roof of the car. Women danced, men jumped. I’m not sure but one of the songs on that day must have been “Ajekun Iya ni o je”. I have to confirm this from Chief. May God preserve his life.

Alaafin was waiting in the Palace with his Council Members. For a moment, the Sango of our time, Iku Baba Yeye was close to tears. It was an emotional moment. MKO Abiola was called. The Bashorun shouted: “Allahu Akbar! Alhamdulillah.”

On Saturday, January 14, 1988, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III installed Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Abiola as the 14th Aare Ona Kakanfo. The famous Yoruba Poet, Lanrewaju Moshood Adepoju was then called to the podium. In his deep and flawless Yoruba, Adepoju movingly rendered traditional poetry tracing the history of the title and the qualities of the new Aare Ona Kakanfo.

Abiola smiled.

It was indeed a glorious day for the husband of Simbiat Atinuke. 

In recognition of his service to the Crown and the Law, Alaafin later conferred Chief Afe Babalola with the prestigious title of Aare Bamofin of Oyo Empire.

- Onigegewura