Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
Ibim Semenitari is an Information Management Strategy specialist, accomplished media practitioner, award-winning journalist/Publisher, former Commisioner for Information, Rivers State, former acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commision (NDDC) and a business woman. In this interview by TAYO GESINDE, she speaks on various issues.Choice of career
I wanted to be an archaeologist or a detective but fate and passion led me into journalism. I also manage a couple of businesses both personal and family owned. I am an ideas person.
The price I paid to get to the top
That would be personal comfort mainly.
Most defining moments of my life
Wow! So many come to mind but coming back to the warm embrace of my parents and family, the day I finished as acting Managing Director was perhaps my most beautiful moment. As I walked into my parents’ home, I was surrounded by such immense love and warmth by family and friends who were just so happy that God had kept me well, safe and secure for 10 months in a high pressure, very demanding and high risk job. It just felt so good.
My experience as a former commissioner in Rivers State under former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
It was a good experience. He was a good boss. Demanding and wanting things done “yesterday.” I, along with a few others, used to tease him and say oga is now now dot. com. But he was a person who was passionate about delivering service to Rivers state and touching the lives of the poor and down trodden. He gave his commissioners the leeway to own their assignments and deliver on it which is more than I can say for many others in similar positions.
On what I miss being a commissioner
To be honest with you nothing.
My experience as a former acting chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission
Hectic, crazy, are there any stronger words but honestly, fulfilling. It was an opportunity to do something about the challenges and deprivation in the Niger Delta region and I, in all honesty, gave it my best shot plus more.
How NDDC has been miligating against militancy in the Niger Delta
It would be unfair to ask me to be a judge in my own court because don’t forget I too have been at the helm of affairs at the Commission but like everything else in life I am sure we could always do better.
Combining the home front with my career
I am quite adept at multi tasking and it helped having a clear focus of priorities and compartments. I am very clear as to what my priorities are and what lines I will not cross. I am also clear as to the compartments in my life and the importance of giving time to each of these. But above all, I have a very supportive family, great parents, a workaholic husband and amazing kids.
On whether women are well represented in the scheme of things especially politically in Nigeria
The honest answer to that is no. Women are the ones who suffer most before and during the elections. They are the ones who follow the aspirants to campaign, they are the ones who stay in the sun and the rain during the electioneering campaign. They are the ones who queque to vote. But when the people they suffer all these things for get to power, they quickly forget them and dish out positions to the men who stayed in a room drinking brandy under the guise of strategising.
Lessons life has taught me
That, ultimately, the things that really matter are the lives we touch and the love we give and receive. Everything else is ephemeral.
Advice for young women out there
Be passionate, be focussed, grab God and hold Him so tight, He can’t breath. live life, love truly and laugh hard including at yourself. Above all, be yourself.
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