‘Ladipo I heard your common entrance examination result is out.’ my father said, way back in 1980. ‘Yes sir’, I responded. What are you expecting to make, my colleagues children did well. ‘I will do better than them’ and I eventually did. I left Sacred Nursery and Primary School, Onireke, Ibadan, as the most outstanding pupil that year.
He was certainly really proud of me; he personally went to the market to buy me all the requirements needed by me to enter Federal Government College, Ilorin. He had persuaded me to choose the school in the first instance and he visited me only twice, throughout my entire five years stay in the school. I never looked forward to his visits anyway.
Federal Government College, Ilorin evidently made me realize the difference between the ‘haves and have-nots’. I used to wonder why in spite of his status, he will give me far lesser provisions to school when compared to many others whose parents were of lower ranks to his in service!
God bless our Principal, late G. C. Oniko, he ensured the gap was bridged as much as possible! The school really imparted on me and I shall be forever grateful to my dad for choosing that school for me. I went to school when it was fashionable for leaders of the country to train their wards locally.
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In my school were the then President and Vice President’s children, Alh Shehu Shagari and Chief Alex Ekueme, those of former Head of State, Gen Muritala Muhammed, military Governors and of other top government officials, retired and serving.
The number one rule of my late Dad was that you must not look onto his friends or family for any form of support whatsoever; he emphasized on us to be independent and at a stage he complained of me being too independent for his liking fa!) Life was tough till i joined the loaf merchants (illegal bread sellers) in FGC Ilorin, I was lucky never to have been caught particularly by that ubiquitous late Alh. Monite.
Though my first year result in school was average, yet he gave me hell during the holidays such that I struggled to put on my best performance till I graduated from school. When School certificate result came out like he asked during my common entrance he asked again: what will you come out with, my colleagues children did well and again I responded: ‘nothing less than five ‘A’s will I make and I eventually did.
He was so proud of me and I thereafter proceeded to School of Basic Studies in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where I knew the meaning of real failure for the first time in my life. I somewhat deviated and ended up bungling my Advance level examinations; my father had wished that I studied some professional course rather than agriculture but with this poor result, the dream faltered; he eventually agreed that I study Agriculture, having earlier denied me the opportunity of resuming for Agricultural Economics in 1985 at Obafemi Awolowo University where i had secured admission.
He insisted that I cannot apply to any University other than the University of Ilorin except if the course I wish to study isn’t offered there. I secured the admission after a little bit of hitch.
I had made the desired cutoff mark and even sighted the admission list, number thirty on the list! unfortunately, some undue happenings made my name disappear mysteriously from the list!
My father was livid with rage, virtually blaming himself for allowing me to choose university of Ilorin. Fortunately, someone hinted the school management about my case and out of the blues the admission letter surfaced. My father never in the future insist on any of his children picking the University of Ilorin again.
My other siblings therefore had the opportunity of attending the Universities in Ife and Ibadan. Ironically, while in 200 level he wanted me to transfer to University of Ibadan where a friend of his was the Dean of Agriculture. initially i agreed but later rejected by 200 level, I had become inclined to Unilorin. He wasn’t too happy but then I had the choice.
At the University of Ilorin life was quite tough and a little bit rough; it had been tough choices for me since 1983 when Gen. Muhammadu Buhari first came to power.
Bread and butter completely disappeared from our home-front menu to be replaced with Corn pap, ‘Akanmu’ and bean cake, ‘Akara’ and Akara was later replaced with Groundnut crackers, ‘Kulikuli’. Meat was virtually replaced with Fish ‘olori palaba’ and cow skin deilicacy called ‘panmo’.
Like affirmed by late Pius Adesanmi- ‘panmo’ became sweeter than meat. By 1987, my late Mum resorted to farming and planted virtually all we cooked for meal. God bless ‘Mama’.
Few women could persevere under a man like my dad but she did and ensured we her kids did as well! In the afternoons, we ate largely Tuwo, a mixture of Maize flour an cassava flour or Fufu with largely Okra soup. At night we occasionally eat rice but mostly beans coloured with two or three tablespoon of palm oil! we were mainly boys in the house and we all can cook all these meals. ‘a mo dajudaju wipe ewa lo’nje ajesun’
In my third year my dad requested to know what class of degree i will come out with and instinctively, I said third class. He was livid with rage- ‘how can my child come out with a third class,’ he bellowed.
With concealed rage I responded- ‘but you didn’t buy me any books, I don’t have a calculator, you never bought me a single item of clothing; I live like a destitute on campus.’ He replied derisively- ‘isn’t it hoe and cutlass you use in school. Get out of my sight!’
Trust my mother, she asked ‘what do i need to come out with a good grade’, I told her I needed two books (‘Introduction to Agricultural Economics’ and ‘Essential of Agricultural Economics’ ), a calculator and a trouser material. I promised her I will come out with nothing less than a second class; she ensured that i received the items.
Unfortunately, the calculator was stolen the following week and i began a tenuous journey into student activism that culminated in my becoming President of Ilorin Emirate Union, President of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students, University of Ilorin branch and the icing in the cake, President of the University of Ilorin Student Union; but as i had promised, i graduated after five years in school with a second class lower degree.
Ironically, in later years, my father fell so much in love with the field of Agriculture; till his death in year 2018, he pestered me to go in to farming but my current schedule wouldn’t permit, besides the system is just lately becoming favourable to the practice of Agriculture in Nigeria.
The beginning day of my service year in 1993 was my independence day, for it signaled the end of an era of the routine Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP)- induced meals. I happen among a team of student leaders that protested against the infamous Babangida’s SAP policies. Ten good years of SAP-induced poverty ended in my life!
I served at Government College, Ibadan (GCI). I was not particular about which ever state I would be posted to, in the first instance. My orientation camp was at Ede and on resuming at GCI the principal ostensibly had been briefed that one troublesome boy had been posted there.
With all sense of modesty, along with the other Corp members we had successfully tackled an overbearing camp commandant over his high-handiness. We simply outwitted him by baiting him with a lady friend of mine and he fell. I also led others to tackle the NYSC state office over their intention to deduct some money from our monthly allowance ostensibly to organize the twenty years anniversary of the Programme.
I was particularly piqued because this was coming at the peak of the June 12 crisis. So, on resumption at GCI, my principal had been briefed about the troublesome me and he instantly formed a biased mind, he began to victimize me, but i found out a way to handle him.
My father got wind of my problem with the principal at the school and of my involvement in a street protest against cancellation of June 12 and he called to caution me while my mother pleaded with me. Eventually service ended on a peaceful note for me.
Ironically, when I applied to work with the First Bank of Nigeria PLC in 1993, I was taken to task for making a second class lower class of degree. One of the Interview panelist insisted that I must have been playful in school, as I had answered to their satisfaction all the questions directed towards me; and what’s more, I was among the top 25 successful candidates from the over 10,000 that had sat for the aptitude test. I had not only scored 8 over ten in the test, but scored 84% in the subsequent interview.
Thus began my working career, which spanned through National Maritime and Safety Agency and National Fadama Development Project (possibly, details will be available someday).
But I must mention that his training must have severely impacted on me such that I remained contextually a poor Nigerian in spite of having managed a project, the Kwara Fadama project, with a total budget of over a billion naira within a span of not less than 8 years! In real terms the opportunity was enriching, rewarding and laid the foundation to becoming what I am today. ‘Won bi mi, mo si tun’ra mi bi’. The greatest is behind…
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My Father and I (part 2)
‘ Gbogbo ibi ti e ba bade, omo a ju yin lo’ – May your children be greater than you’ the local cleric prayed in Yoruba.
My angry Dad took the microphone from him and intoned in turn: ‘the child can never be greater than the father! All attempts to explain to my father that the prayer was just a hyperbolic prayer often said to the advantage of one’s offspring, yet my father was unyielding. From where he stood and looking straight into my eyes, my father retorted: ‘omo ti o ba ju mi lo, yo se wahala fa, emi yio si fe bo’ – if any of my child would be greater than me, then that child will work so hard, almost to point of death!’
Two friends of mine present at the scene were flabbergasted. Asides from activism, I over time picked up interest in literary writings and farming/horticulture; dare praise me in any of these areas in his presence he will retort unabashedly: ‘I am the one who had put him through!#
Sometimes in the year 1991, someone who felt so happy to be in position of divulging the supposed secret information of a perceived misdemeanor committed by me to my late father; She said, ‘your son is engaged in union activities in school’ and my father retorted ‘ so what?’
She averred: ‘omokomo lo se union– bad boys engage in unionism’ and my father instantly intoned ‘Babakibaba lo nbi omokomo- bad fathers give birth to bad boys, I was also once a unionist, it all depends on the cause!’ That year I was elected the Student Union president of the University of Ilorin and I never informed him prior to contesting and he never took any offence, he was rather supportive.
He was very particularly against premarital sex and supported me in in getting married in 1996; unfortunately, the marriage didn’t survive up till ten years. So many reasons could be adduced but the main cause to my mind was incompatibly which was largely a product of the differing backgrounds my wife (as at then) and I had. Those times really strenuous for me and indeed stretched the relationship between my dad and I; it took quite a long while before we made up.
In September, 2013, my late mother returned from Hajj in a fragile state, she had been diagnosed of cancer. It was as if wall had collapsed on me in particular. She was always there to support those decisions my Dad usually sees as erratic; but if such decision were eventually fruitful, my Dad will be ever ready to take credit for that!
On the fateful date we were to take my mum to the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital from Ilorin, she called me aside; ‘Ladipo most people believe your Dad and I give some special edge to our children, but what they fail to realize is that we brought you all up to be hardworking and that is why you are all largely doing well.
However, in your case I can see you facing a lot of challenges but I want to enjoin you to take your Ph.D. programme seriously, it will be a saving grace for you. You will surely complete it, bi’iznillahi ta’Allah.’ Less than a month after this, she transited on to the great celestial plain. My world seem to have collapsed; with so many personal challenges, there was hardly anywhere to turn to.
One day my Dad called me: ‘Ladipo what’s your focus?’ I said I am on Ph.D. programme and currently into some business of buying and selling. He retorted you don’t have a focus! He talked on. I kept my quiet till he released me. His taunting was really depressing to me; certainly that wasn’t his first time, but i endured and survived!
On 13th of November 2013, I successfully defended my PH.D. Two days afterwards my Mother died; I cried like I never did before. I had to wait for the Senate confirmation of my Ph.D. degree, which eventually came through in July, 2014. In between the waiting period, I visited the Netherlands and not long after my return, I found my way to Ethiopia. My Father appeared surprised and even inquired if I could help him garner some international support for his fledging Foundation.
On the day of my Ph.D. confirmation, my father was informed ahead of my seeing him. When I came into his presence, he congratulated me and proudly informed my daughter, who incidentally was passing by, of my bagging a Ph.D. degree.
I could see the happiness of an exceedingly proud father of a Ph.D. holder. Like my late mother will always intone: successes has many fathers but failure is a bastard! He admonished my daughter to work hard too and endeavour to follow the same footstep to success and I am happy she heeded him, judging by her recent performance.
The next thing was a subtle plea by my father that I remain Ilorin, so that I did be around him. To ensure that I didn’t run away He volunteered to speak to Prof. Ambali, the then VC of the University of Ilorin.
For the first and last time in my life my father decided of his own accord to look for an opportunity for me- he got me into the University of Ilorin, where I work till the (and now that he is no more, who knows, like the ever-flowing water that I have always been, I may drift away again some day).
My father had even pleaded with my age-long mentor, Prof. Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho, whom he got to be aware of, for the first time in over thirty years, to persuade me to remain in Ilorin.
Despite the observations made my immediate younger brother regarding the intended startup level that I was been considered for, my father instructed him to rather encourage me to accept any offer.
What choice did I have? Thankfully, I conceded, and I became an accidental academic; for not long after, my father’s illness surfaced, sometimes in the year 2015. It would have been a sad memory that I would have had to live with, all my life, should I have defied him back then. Allah be praised!
Sure, my dad was different; in his final days, we related more closely; I worked with him on his pet Foundation and of course, in resolving other family matters. Growing up, I knew him as a stern disciplinarian who insisted that his children must live Spartan!
My dad grew up a favoured child in a fairly comfortable family. My dad came of age during the deeply conservative 1950s, that fumed strenuously on ostentatious living and indeed hard work framed my father’s young adulthood, he really enjoyed his childhood judging by his own account.
However, at first glance, my dad’s story looks deceptively like a ‘bootstraps’ tale of hard-won success and class mobility. But it isn’t absolute!; his opportunities and identity were clearly shaped by his access to an illiterate yet enlightened father and added to this were the post-colonial and independence time privileges; to some extent, my father realized that without those, he would have likely followed a markedly different path.
My father late, Hon. Justice Mohammed Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi was born on 11th September 1932 at Accra, Ghana, to Muslim parents from Ilorin, Kwara State. After completing secondary school he worked as an executive officer in the Ghana Civil Service.
He was also active as a trade unionist, former secretary of Ghana Boxers Welfare association and foundation executive member of the Ghana Muslim Students Society. Moving to Nigeria, he worked in the school Broadcasting Department of the Ministry of Education.
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He obtained a scholarship to study law at the Institute of Administration, now Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, followed by legal studies in the United Kingdom. He was called to the English Bar in 1963, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in January 1964. He joined the Ministry of Justice and became a Senior State Counsel in 1968.
In 1969 he set up in private practice in Kano. In 1974 he was appointed a judge of the Federal Revenue Court, and in January 1977 he was elevated to the Court of Appeal Bench. In 1992 he was made President of the Nigeria Court of Appeal, a position he held until his voluntary retirement in 1999.
In 2000, my dad was appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo as pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
He retired in September 2005 on completion of the first term of office an not long after joined the board of the Justice and Law Enforcement Reformation Organization, a non-profit organization that aims to eradicate corruption and poverty from the perspective of the Judiciary and Law Enforcement agencies.
In 2006, my dad established the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation (MAF) in Ilorin Kwara State, dedicated to strengthening civil society groups, government agencies and private business concerns and helping them imbibe a culture of honesty, integrity, transparency and accountability.
To further achieve this objective, he established the, the NANA Aisha primary and Secondary schools, Akerebiata Ilorin, Knowledge Platform and the Munfaat Aduke Mosque in memory of our late mother who preceded him in year 2015.
My father had the burning desire to establish a youth renaissance centre and soon came up the idea of establishing the Mustapha Akanbi Library and Resource Centre, in year 2017, to promote two things: the reading and writing culture on one hand and development of software and web development (both in the realm of AI) on the other.
One would wonder how a man of his age could have proposed to establish the first standard hub (Malhub) in Kwara State- Baba insatiable urges to always do something novel and that which will impact on the society motivated it all. One day while discussing with him, he said: ‘Ladipo, how I wish I can establish a model university or possibly a college of education’.
I was amused, knowing fully well that he lacked the resources to accomplish such. He then informed that he wishes to commit the funds garnered from the launch of his autobiography into any social project that will be beneficial to the youth; being a youth of contemporary times myself, I suggested the idea of not only a reading-based library but also one to house a hub that will avail youths with contemporary skills and knowledge in the area of Information and Communication Technology, particularly, Software and Web development/design.
I am happy today, many others are taking cue from his project; it is heart-warming that even the Kwara state government recently gave approval for the renovation of not only the state library but the development of an in-house innovation hub! And now that he is no more the library/hub and other social investment embarked upon by him stand as befitting monuments to his memory; enormous gratitude to Allah for giving him the privilege for achieving that much in his life time. May Allah accept as ‘Sadaqa Jariya’ for him and my late mother (who had been a greater pillar of support to not only him but us all). Amin
Finally, I wish to acknowledge his successes as well as his success in grooming me thus far and of course, the inspirational role he has played in my life. Simply put, I would not be the person that I am today without him. He helped equip me with some essential reflective tools for challenging systems of inequalities and inequities that largely pervades the society today.
Indeed, My father taught me those basic things very necessary to confront the ‘chimeras of cramped rooms and open spaces’, and more importantly, he enjoined me to contribute, in my own little way, to building a decent society, and never forget to socialize, appropriately, but within the ambit of the demands of Islam. In this sense, I carry him with me.
#RantiOmoEniTi’wo’seO!
