Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday emphasised the importance of preserving African cultural heritage, affirming his respect for the traditional Ifa religion and its role in African identity, despite being a Christian.

Chief Obasanjo disclosed this at a luncheon he organised to celebrate the 50th birthday of the renowned woman drummer, Aralola Olamuyiwa held at the Green Legacy of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

Obasanjo lamented that it is unfortunate that lots of rich African cultures are being relegated to the background in the name of embracing western culture.

He said “Culture is the totality of who we are, unfortunately, we have relegated some of our culture to the background, our food, our language, our dress and so on

“They even say Yoruba is vernacular, that is not right, Yoruba is Yoruba, it is the authentic and we must learn to celebrate what belong to us because that’s the authentic

“I am a Christian, I have been to two churches today but whoever say Ifa Orumila is nothing must be a bloody fool because Orunmila has been with us before the advent of Christianity or Islam”.

The former President said that he decided to celebrate the female talking drum expert for being a cultural icon and ambassador in her own right.

Obasanjo “While I growing up there are two things you will never see a woman doing. A woman will never be seen climbing palm tree, you can’t see a woman on top of palm tree and you will also not see a woman drummer.

“But Ara with her tenacity and focus has however broken this taboo. She is now known all over the world as a drummer.

“We now have a woman who can beat the drum better than the men. She is helping a lot to sustain our cultural heritage and that is why I have decided to celebrate her so as to further encourage her to keep up the good job.

The former President urged youths to take a cue from the celebrated drummer saying that “whatever good your hands find to do, do it well and I will celebrate you, the lesson here is that nothing is unimportant in every area of human’s endeavours”.

Speaking earlier, Ara thanked the former President for the honour done her, saying that it was a gesture she would ever cherish for the rest of her life and career.

The renowned Ondo State born drummer said that she had thought that she would not be alive to celebrate 50 years having suffered a life threatening ailment last year.

Ara explained that the celebration was to return the praises to God who had preserved her and has supported her to be on the global stage despite all odds.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties in Nigeria have raised concerns over the potential impact of former United States President Donald Trump’s series of executive orders on African countries, including Nigeria.

Following his inauguration, Trump announced a range of policies that could reshape global trade and diplomatic relations. One of his key proposals was the potential imposition of tariffs on major trading partners like Canada, Mexico, and China, set to begin as early as February 1. Additionally, Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization (WHO), decisions that stirred international debate.

In line with his conservative policies, Trump also declared a controversial stance on gender identity, announcing that his administration would officially recognize only two genders: male and female. His sweeping executive orders and immigration reforms sparked diverse reactions globally, including in Nigeria, where political stakeholders have analyzed their potential consequences.

In an interview with Punch, the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ladipo Johnson, expressed concerns about the broader economic implications of Trump’s policies, particularly on oil prices.

“For instance, Trump believes in drilling. He plans to increase oil production, which will likely lead to a drop in global oil prices,” Johnson explained. “This will undoubtedly affect countries like Nigeria that depend heavily on crude oil exports.”

He further criticized Trump’s perceived isolationist approach, stating, “The man views the world through a lens of American superiority. His rhetoric and actions reflect a belief that others are not equal to Americans. This should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerian leaders.”

Johnson emphasized the importance of self-reliance, urging Nigerian leaders to leverage the country’s abundant natural resources. “We need to focus on electing visionary leaders who will drive development and growth in Nigeria. We cannot continue to rely on foreign powers like the West, China, or Russia. Nigeria has everything it needs to become prosperous,” he said.

Bala Ibrahim, the National Publicity Director of the APC, highlighted lessons Nigeria could learn from Trump’s policies. He urged Nigerians traveling to the United States to ensure they meet all legal requirements to avoid falling victim to stricter immigration laws.

“The key takeaway is for Nigerians to travel legally and abide by the rules. As long as immigrants are law-abiding and fulfill all necessary conditions, America will not harass them,” Ibrahim noted. He advised Nigerians to avoid illegal migration, which often results in dire consequences under tightened U.S. immigration policies.

Kehinde Edun, the National Legal Adviser of the Labour Party, lauded Trump’s “America First” policy as an example of prioritizing citizens’ welfare. “Trump’s focus on protecting America’s interests is something every nation should emulate. Leaders must prioritize the safety and prosperity of their citizens above all else,” Edun said.

He criticized Nigerians who neglect their homeland in pursuit of opportunities abroad, stating, “You cannot abandon efforts to develop your country while seeking refuge elsewhere. Some Nigerians are in foreign countries, roaming the streets and becoming nuisances.”

Edun also commented on the growing trend of Western nations, inspired by Trump’s policies, tightening immigration rules. “By denying illegal immigrants citizenship and birthright privileges, Trump has set a precedent. Other countries are following suit, making it increasingly difficult for people, including Nigerian elites, to use foreign nations as escape routes after mismanaging resources at home,” he concluded.

The reactions from Nigeria’s political parties underscore the broader implications of Trump’s policies on international relations, immigration, and economic stability. While Trump’s actions are driven by a commitment to America’s interests, they highlight the need for Nigerian leaders to adopt proactive strategies that promote self-sufficiency, good governance, and sustainable development.

The debate serves as a reminder that global policies often ripple across borders, compelling nations like Nigeria to reassess their priorities and chart a path toward long-term progress.

The price of tomatoes has crashed in Lagos and some other parts of the country over what farmers attributed to the glut being experienced due to the harvest season.

A tomato glut, which occurs annually from January to March in Nigeria, is a situation where there is an excess of tomatoes, often leading to a fall in price. This can happen when tomato plants produce more fruits than can be sold.

Tomatoes sell for as low as N10,000 to 12,000 for a 50kg basket, depending on the species. A 25kg plastic crate of tomatoes sells between N6,000 and N7,000 up North.

A big basket of tomatoes in Lagos goes for between N13,000 and N15,000 against N140,000 and N150,000 in May 2024.

Rabiu Zuntu, the chairman, Tomatoes Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter, attributed the development to harvest season.

“One of the problems we face in the tomato sector is that the period from January, February, and March is the tomato glut (excess harvest of tomatoes).

“During this glut period, households can buy it at a cheaper price and preserve it for the time when the price goes up,” Mr Zuntu said.

Some tomato vendors in Lagos State also acknowledged the price drop and the need for households to preserve the produce now that it is in surplus.

Queen Oloyede, a trader in the Surulere area of the state, said, “Since a week ago, a basket of 50kg tomatoes sells at the Mile 12 market for between N15,000 and N20,000.

“I advise customers to begin to stock up for the time the produce will be scarce in the market.”

Another trader, Judith Amen, said the current price of the highest quality of tomatoes is still a bit expensive.

“Presently, the highest quality of tomatoes at the Mile 12 market sells between N35,000 and N37,000 for a 50kg basket. People should preserve the quantity they can buy,” Ms Amen said.

Similarly, some consumers shared their experiences with journalists on the price of the produce and their preservation efforts.

Catherine Eigbedion, a resident of the Agege area of the Lagos State, said the inconsistent electricity supply hinders her preservation efforts.

“If I know how to preserve tomatoes without freezing them, I will buy more,” Ms Eigbedion said.

On her part, Ebere Dudu, a housewife in the Dopemu area, admitted that the price of tomatoes was affordable presently but unpredictable.

“I bought a small basket at N3,000 recently. That same quantity used to sell for as high as N8,000 or N9,000 months back. If you have the ability to preserve tomatoes, this is the time to use that ability,” Ms Duru said.

Also, Queen Akpan said if she could afford the price, she would preserve the produce for future use.

“If I can afford to buy in bulk, I will do so and save funds for the days it will become expensive,” Ms Akpan said.

(NAN)