Masaba, Islamic Cleric with 97 Wives, Dies at 93

Masaba, Islamic cleric with 97 wives, dies at 93


Niger State-based Islamic cleric, Mohammed Bello Masaba,who shot into global prominence for marrying 86 wives, is dead.
He was aged 93.

Reports put the time of his death at 11:00 am on Saturday after a brief illness.

His Secretary, Alhaji Mutairu Salawudeen Bello, confirmed his death on Saturday saying the remains would be buried today (Sunday) at 10.00am.

News of the demise of the 93-year-old cleric was kept secret for several hours on Saturday especially after he did not come out in the early hours of the day to lead the Tafsir, a gathering for the learning of the Quran as he used to do weekly.
It was also learnt that the cleric was conspicuously absent at the Jummat prayers on Friday.

“In fact baba slumped twice on Friday and we had to give him medical attention in the house,” a close aide disclosed on Saturday.

Masaba’s celebrated marital controversies stretched the limits of the Islamic and state legal codes.
For being blunt and taking polygamy beyond known limits, he was charged under Sharia law and sent to prison.
He was also threatened with mob action from members of his community in Bida who perceived his behavior as anti-social.
Masaba had married a total of 107 women in his time.
He divorced 10 and at the time of his death, he had 97 wives.

This is not the first time Masaba would be reported dead. Rumours of his death were rife last October, but he emerged to debunk it.
The Nigerian super-polygamist only had one distant contender to his notorious crown in the person of another super polygamist, 71 year-old Ziona Chana of India who was reputed to have 39 wives and 94 children six years ago.

Born in 1924 to the Masaba ruling house in the ancient Bida kingdom, Masaba came to national limelight when he was engaged in a face-off with the Niger State government and other clerics after claiming that he married 86 wives.
Influential institutions like Jama’atu Nasiru-l Islam (JNI), the Bida Emirate Council and an assembly of Islamic leaders had at different times spoken on Masaba’s extreme polygamy and urged him to divorce some of his many wives and retain four wives which is the number allowed by Islam.

Rejecting this option, an Islamic court sent him to prison, but this sentence was later upturned by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

He fathered at least 187 children from his wives, some of whom he outlived.

A former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, had in the heat of the controversy generated by his extreme polygamy, expressed the frustration of the government at checking Masaba’s perceived nuisance.

“Though we have Sharia in place in the state, but we have no law to pin him (Masaba) down,” Aliyu had lamented.

While the state government and some Islamic groups berated his penchant for acquiring wives, his prosecution was difficult to pursue in many instances as there were no formal complaints from the women he married even though many of them were far younger than him.
Instead they attested to the fact that he was a good husband and father.

He claimed they were drawn to him by his reputation as a healer. The famous polygamist argued that he could not have been found wanting because he lived in peace with his wives, and vowed to continue to continue to marry more wives.

“I will keep marrying them for as long I am alive. Whoever is fighting me because of my wives or love life, such an individual has missed it.
“Left for me, I would have married maybe two wives, but what I am doing is divine. It is an assignment and I will keep marrying till the end of time.

“I just want to advise those fighting against the number of my wives to stop because such people are waging war against God, their creator.”

In one instance, however, one of his wives, Malama Azzatu Adamu, went to court to be separated from him after only seven months of wedlock, claiming among others, N1.5 million loan owed her and alleged physical assault on her after honouring invitation to come for settlement (With ThisDay report)

ALLOW PEACE for INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES, Niger Delta Youths

ALLOW PEACE for INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES, ND Youths told

Elo Ogwara-Edremoda

Youths of the oil-rich Niger Delta have been urged to give room for peace, in order to attract investment opportunities to the region.

This was part of calls made Tuesday at the opening ceremony of Carija Engineering Company Limited (CECL), an international Spanish construction giant, in Orhuwhorun, Udu council area of Delta state.

In a brief chat with journalists, the chairman CECL Nigeria, Mr Sheba Palama, noted that the downslide in the oil market and need for infrastructural development in Nigeria, prompted his veering into construction.

He added that partnering with CECL is to ensure delivery of high quality and durable services to Nigerian populace.

"We are equity owners here, they are shareholders. Most of the casuals are from the community, but we are also employing non-indigenes who reside here. We are also going into farming, so more development is coming. Their (investors) problem is safety. Once they have that, the place will develop," Palama said.

Meanwhile, chairman of the occasion and managing director, Skyward Resources Limited, Hon. Eta Enahoro, while expressing confidence in the driver of the establishment, stated that the company will compete with major international outfits in the construction industry.

Charging people of the area to allow a conducive environment for the company's operations, he stated, "It is difficult today, to convince companies to come to Nigeria, especially the Niger Delta. Companies are moving to Lagos, Benin because the environment is conducive for business.

"Let's appeal to our people to allow peace. Let's act so these foreigners will go back and say they made the best decision. If we don't develop our area, no one will do it. If there is development, there will be employment, crime rates will reduce and more investment will come," he emphasized.

Describing the company as reputable, with presence in South America (Paraguay), Europe and Africa (Mauritania), the Spain global President, Mr. Roberto Vazquez assured of its readiness to join in the development of Nigeria.

"The company is involved in several projects, especially infrastructure. We are here and have partnership with the Nigerian group. We are ready to collaborate in the development of Africa by doing business in Nigeria," Vazquez said.

Amongst those present is HRM Matthew Ediri, the Okobaro of Jeremi kingdom, Hon. Harvest Igben, and various traditional chiefs of the community.

Ugborodo Community Raises Alarm Over Threat to Olaja-Orori's Life

The people of Ugborodo community, in Warri South-West council area of Delta state, have raised alarm over threats to the life of its spiritual head, Olaja-Orori, Benson Dube Omadeli.

In a statement signed by its Secretary, Femi Uwawah, the community called for adequate security for its Olaja-Orori, asserting that the same persons who recently murdered onetime chairman of the Ugborodo Community Trust, Pa Sandys Omadeli-Uvwoh, were after his life.

It will be noted that Pa Sandys Omadeli-Uvwoh was early hours of 17th January, 2017, assassinated by yet to be identified assailants in his house located at Water Resources area, Effurun, Uvwie council area.

The statement which said the spiritual head, who is first cousin of the deceased, had been receiving threat calls and messages from unknown persons, added that his life was in danger having been in the camp of the late Omadeli in the leadership struggle of the community.

It further called on relevant security agencies in the country to investigate the murder of 77-year old Pa Omadeli-Uvwoh, fish out the masterminds and have them prosecuted.

"I want to use this medium to call on all relevant security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Security, the Military Joint Task Force and others, to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act.

"May I also further reiterate that the perpetrators of this condemnable act are still hell bent on attacking more persons who are opposed to their imperialist activities of bleeding the Ugborodo Community dry and fleecing it of its commonwealth," the statement said.

Meanwhile a seven-day mourning period which commenced last Wednesday had been declared by the community to honour late Pa Sandys and his stand for justice, equity, fair play and freedom of the oppressed.

More Young Footballers Hit Spotlight

More Young Footballers Hit Spotlight... as 10th Utuama Peace Cup holds
       *Tournament achieving its purpose - Oneya



Going by the economic and security situation of Nigeria, youths are encouraged to explore their potentials across industries, as well as shun criminal acts. The sport industry, unarguably, a common level playing platform, has overtime created opportunities for the teeming youths to achieve their dreams.

The Utuama Peace Cup, a yearly tournament sponsored by former deputy governor of Delta state, Professor Amos Utuama (SAN), is one of such platforms that has for the past 10 years, created a platform for young people aspiring to become football stars, kick off their careers.

At the grand finale of the 2016 tournament, held New Year's Day at the Otu-Jeremi Township stadium, Ughelli South council area of Delta state, some young Nigerians commenced their journey to a successful career in football.

Notable among these youngsters is 17 year old Uweala Anayo, who played for the Jeremi United FC, became the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and highest goal scorer, with 10 goals in six matches.

Recall that three players Oghenekaro, Matthew Ediye, Michael Egbeta, who have passed through the Utuama Peace Cup are signed in Egypt, Australia and Sweden clubs.

Speaking with IMirror, chairman of the Utuama Peace Cup committee, Brigadier General Dominic Oneya (Rtd) said that its essence was to engage youths, encourage sport development and promote peace in the state.

Commending Prof. Utuama for his foresight in establishing the competition, he disclosed that the tournament which started at local level within Effurun, Udu, Ughelli and Warri, has spread outside the state.

Noting that remarkable talents have been discovered from the tournament, Oneya urged those who have the means to sponsor other sports competitions.

 "His aim is to preach peace by encouraging the youths to get engaged in playing football and to know that through soccer people get discovered to play at higher levels. The late Stephen Keshi attended and saw some talents about three years ago.

"It started at a local level and it has grown to state level. People from the riverine, northern parts of the state now participate. The tournament is achieving its purpose. It means a lot to him (Utuama)," he said.

One aide of the sponsor, Kingsley Mrakpor, noted that the 2016 tournament was remarkable because "it is the first time the tournament is held outside outside the sponsor being in government."

In a brief peace talk, Chairman of UN POLAC, Alhaji Abdusalami Ikpuze said "It is better to bring youths together and that they should play match rather than go to war," further calling for peace match between warring Udu and Aladja communities.

The finals which was between Lord Mark FC, Ekete and Bobbi United, Ogunu, saw the former winning with two goals to one (2-1).

The event witnessed presentation of awards to the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the Bolowei Tunde Smooth, as ambassador and patron of the annual tournament and it was later rounded off with beautiful shots of fireworks.

Those present include Chief Ossai Atubi, UN POLAC; Mr. Etu Moses, Delta Force, several past and present political leaders among others.

Ifowodo Flays Nigerian Govts on Youths Restiveness, Other Vices

*As Igbuzor Foundation marks 9th lecture

KELVIN OHOROR

Nigerian governments have been flayed on restiveness, lack of employability, as well as other ethical values displayed by youths across the country.

The commissioner representing Delta State at the board of Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo, while stating this at the 9th Chief Demas Akpore Memorial lecture, organised by the Ejiro and Otive Igbuzor Foundation in Ughelli, noted that youths have suffered in the hands of successive governments since independence.

Emphasizing the common saying that Youths are the leaders of tomorrow', Ifowodo called for for investment in the youths to usher in and sustain development.

"Youths are one of the greatest assets that any nation can have, not only are they legitimately regarded as the future leaders, they are potentially and actually the greatest investment for a country’s development. They serve as a good measure of the extent to which a country can reproduce as well as sustain.

"The youth in the Nigeria of today are been poorly served. They are not in trouble alone as virtually the whole population, but with the exception of the tiny treasury looters, has been mercilessly exploited and dehumanized by successive governments since independence.

"Among the many problem that confront the youths in Nigeria, poor, and increasingly absent, parental care, degraded public schools and unaffordable  private ones; the collapse of ethical values and overwhelming atmosphere of moral decease, the near total disappearance of worthy role models, the commercialization and politicization of religion coupled with religious fanaticism, joblessness, violent crime, often fuelled by their recruitment of voluntary joining of secret cult, appallingly inferior education making them unemployable and general lack of self-discipline," the NDDC commissioner said.

Earlier in his address, the executive director of the foundation, Mr. Monday Osasah, explained that the NGO was formed to bring about empowerment, education and leadership that will improve the qualities of life of communities in Africa.

"Since inception, the foundation has implemented several projects including awards of scholarships, co-operatives society, widows support programme, IT training  and built Niger-Delta resource centre which was open in 2009," just as he called on the federal and state governments to cultivate the 'Leave no one behind' spirit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals."

The 9th memorial lecture which was tagged Chief Demas Akpore and Youth Development which majorly tackled youth unemployment in African economies, revealed the current population of jobless youths, as obtained from the the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, at 49.5 percent.

President of the foundation, Dr. Otive Igbuzor said that, expressed satisfaction at their milestone achievements, while extoling the virtues displayed by the then Bendel state deputy governor, late Chief Akpore.