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Gbenga Oladapo, Port Harcourt (2026)

07/02/2022

GOD DOES NOT AUTHOR CONFUSION....

A 14 year-old cannot be admitted into university to study, but a 13 year-old can be married.

A school certificate holder cannot become a director in the civil service, but a school certificate holder can become president and commander-in-chief of the entire country.

The country is among the major oil producing countries in the world, but it imports the fuel it consume.

The country has the highest number of foreign doctors in the UK and America, but its leaders travel abroad for their medical needs.

The country shoots armless protesters, but hold peace parleys with bandits.

The country rehabilitates terrorists, but their victims lavish in refugee camps.

God did not create any country.

He located human beings in different territories and gave them all empowerments to survive.

Whatever they turn out to be is entirely their choices and decisions.

UAE and Qatar are deserts converted to paradise.

Nigeria is paradise converted to hell.

Nigeria is epitome of confusion, and God is not the author of confusion.

Odenigbo Chidi Anyaeche.

30/01/2022

SHUT THE DOOR OF RELATIONSHIPS GENTLY, YOU MAY NEED TO USE IT LATER

A friend told me this story;

His words..... Many years ago I was working as a clerk at a faculty in one popular university in Nigeria, then I saw an advert for NDA (Nigeria Defence Academy), I have always loved to go to NDA so I applied, submitted my form and was called for admission examination.

I had to travel to Kaduna all the way from Osun State, I have a distant uncle that was resident there then. I wrote a letter(no telephone) to my uncle that I was coming to sit for an exam in Kaduna and would love to stay in their house.

I didn't get a reply to my letter even as my departure date was approaching. I became so worried because I needed to go anyway, as I was talking to a colleague in the office concerning my fear of where to stay, our office cleaner who was a Hausa man overheard us and in his broken English interjected that he knew someone right inside NDA.

Who could he know there? Is it not a cleaner like himself, I unintentionally said it out to his hearing. "Oga no o, the commandant op za NDA na ma classmate and ma priend". In his bad handwriting, he scribbled the commandant's name on a piece of paper. Just mention my name por am, him go helf you.

I reluctantly collected the paper from him, not because I intended to make use of it but because I didn't want him to feel bad.

The next day, I set out on this long journey by train from Osogbo. I got to Kaduna the next day towards evening. Upon getting there, I went straight to my uncle's house only to find out that they had relocated from that place and no one knew their new address. I became stranded and it was getting late.

Around after 7pm, I made up my mind to give my cleaner's contact a shot. I got to the gate of NDA and mentioned the name I was given. To my utmost surprise, everyone in that bit, recognized the name and one person was promptly detailed to take me to his office.

I gave the paper where Kabiru wrote his name and that of his friend to the secretary who took it inside. On sighting the paper, the commandant shouted from the office and followed the secretary outside to usher me in. "Where do you know Kabiru?" "He's my colleague in the office, Sir," I answered.
"Where is he? How is he? Hope he's doing well?" This man was asking me many questions in an obvious excitement.

The look on his face confirmed to me that Kabiru was his beloved friend. He asked me what I came to do in Kaduna and I said it was for the NDA exams. "Wow, do you have where to sleep?" "No, sir." He immediately called someone to take me to his house. On getting to the house, I was lavishly entertained.

This man came late in the night and he woke me up and took me up on tutorials for the next day's exams. After the exams, he personally drove me to the park the next day.

When I got back to the campus, I began to look at Kabiru with a different eyes. How on earth does this man know such a powerful person? Needless to say, my name was number four on the list when the results came out.

Friends, I put it to you today that relationship is a currency. Every man needs another man to move up and that man may be the neighbour you look down on, maybe the taxi driver you so despise or even the house help you think is a nobody today.

Relationship is a stream of income. Everything in life actually reproduces on the basis of relationship. Those we know in life matter. *Most of us are talented but we need a cupbearer that will tell Pharaoh that there's a Joseph that can interpret dreams.

There are some heights you may never get to in life until someone tells someone about you. Therefore, shut the door of relationships gently. You may need to use it tomorrow.

Let us take our relationships seriously. Even if you meet online, don't look down on anyone. You never can tell which of the relationships is your own key to success. Bear in mind that; Life is by recommendation and not by qualification.

24/01/2022

I parked in front of the mall sitting inside my car waiting for my wife to get a few items from the supermarket.

Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a tramp.

From his looks, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money.

There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you are just not in the mood and don't want to be bothered.
This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times."

"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought.
He didn't.

He came and sat on the curb nearby but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even get a good meal.
After a few minutes, he spoke.

"That's a very nice car, you got there," he said.
He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him.

I said, "thanks," and continued listening to the car radio.

He sat there quietly, and the expected plea for money never came.
As the silence between us widened something inside me said, "ask him if he needs any help."
I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held to the inner voice.
"Do you need any help?" I asked.

He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget.

We often look for wisdom in great men and women and we expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments.
I expected nothing but outstretched grimy hands.
He spoke the three words that shook me.
"Don't we all" ? he said.
I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important until those three words hit me like a twelve-gauge shotgun.
Don't we all?

I needed help.

Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help.

I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare but enough to get a warm meal and a few other things for the day.
Those three little words still ring in my ears today.

No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too.

No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, you can give help.

Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.

You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all.

They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have -
A different perspective on life,
a glimpse at something beautiful,
a respite from daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.

Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets.
Maybe he was more than that.

Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves.

Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a tramp, then said, "go minister to that man inside the car, that man needs help."

DON'T WE ALL?

Help somebody, you are only a custodian of whatever you possess.

We come, we go; the in-between defines who we truly are.

Good day and great week ahead 🙏🏻

24/01/2022

Revisiting..
ESENOWO v. UKPONG* [1999] 6 NWLR [PT. 608], 611.

*CAN THE WAY ONE WRITES HIS/HER NAME TURN THAT PERSON TO BE SOMEONE ELSE BEFORE THE LAW ?

t may interest you to know that the way you write your name can make you someone else.
Does it sounds funny?

This was established in the celebrated case of Esenowo v. Ukpong.

The fact of the matter was that one Dr. E. J. Esenowo applied for reimbursement from Nigerian Medical Council but the Council, because there is no E. J. Esenowo but Esenowo, J. E. in the Register of the Council, denied him his demands.

He approached the High Court and was refused his prayers.

On appeal, Court of Appeal held that what the first defendant wrote in Exhibit H was true because the professional register for 1980 and 1981 entered the name - “Esenowo, J. E.” and not “E. J. Esenowo”.

In professional matters, it is always of great importance to have one’s name inserted correctly and or consistently.

The Court of Appeal therefore held that the Dr. Esenowo in the register of medical practitioners was J. E. Esenowo and not E. J. Esonowo, a correct statement of fact.

Is it true that the Register of Nigerian Medical Council for 1980 and 1981 did not contain plaintiff/appellant’s name?

There is a world of difference between “J. E. Esenowo” and “E. J. Esenowo”.

The surname is Esenowo, the first and middle names being “Johnson” and “Esenowo” respectively.

This will be rendered into “Dr. J. E. Esenowo” not “Dr. E. J. Esenowo”, which names the appellant used in his pleadings and evidence, which he clearly claimed to be the correct names.

Open further Appeal to the five Justices of the Supreme Court, the Apex Court unanimously refused him his prayers because of this fact and agreed with the Council, that the way someone’s name is written makes a whole world of difference.

The Court held as follows - The surname is Esenowo, the first and middle names being “Johnson” and “Esenowo” respectively. This will be rendered into “Dr. J. E. Esenowo” not “Dr. E. J. Esenowo”

That whole world of difference that the arrangement of one’s name makes, led the Supreme Court to hold specifically that “Dr. E. J. Esonowo is not registered with the Nigerian Medical Council.”

The normal way of writing your name follows a specific order - First name (first) Middle name or Middle names (next) Surname (last).

Example, in this case: Johnson (first name)
Esenowo (middle name) Esenowo (surname), i.e. Johnson Esenowo Esenowo.

The said normal way of writing your name should change only where any form or document you are required to fill out specifically states that you should write your surname first.

In that case, the proper order is: Surname (followed by a comma), First name Middle name
Example: Esenowo, Johnson Esenowo.

But where the form or document provides boxes or different places labelled “Surname”, “First name”, and “Middle name”, simply write the required name (do not add any comma after your surname). Example: (1) Surname: Esenowo (2) First name: Johnson (3) Middle name: Esenowo.

Never write your middle name before your first name.

It does not matter whether you are writing just the initials of your first name and middle name instead of their full version.

That was the mistake of Dr. Johnson Esenowo Esenowo.

The Supreme Court held that he was Dr. J. E. Esenowo, not Dr. E. J. Esenowo.
You can imagine the huge costs, embarrassment, and loss that the “simple” or “little” mistake of writing his name in the wrong order caused him.

Be careful, therefore to ensure that you write your name (whether in full or initials) in the proper order always and everywhere. Remember, the way you arrange or write your names can make you someone else, as it happened, unfortunately, to Dr. Johnson Esenowo Esenowo.

This is the law and a lesson why you should write your names properly.

30/12/2021

Stella Marries Old Boy's Association Réunion
Nice meeting you guys again
💕💕💕

18/12/2021

How much did you do your affidavit?

FANTASTICALLY CORRUPT.

I travelled out of my state of residence to do a transaction on behalf of a client. Things went relatively well until I needed to take out an affidavit in court as one of the final stages of the transaction.

So I walked into this court, a Federal High court, to do the affidavit. I had in mind that a day earlier , someone had told me in my office how she spent #4,000 to do an affidavit in court. I was furious . I know that only #100 of that #4,000 will go to government purse , the rest will go to some thieves who pose as government workers.

So I stepped into this court wishing that the thieves would try to play pranks on me. I file affidavit regularly in court but I have never experienced such extortion. May be it is because the court workers in my town of residence know me to be a lawyer. May be now that I am out of jurisdiction and dressed casually, the ones here will try to play a fast one on me. Just May be.

So In the court, I was directed to a certain lady. It Seems she is always the first contact person in this web of extortion. I entered the room. She asked me to sit. She was attending to someone, a captive I should say . The man was begging that he did not come with 4k, but the lady would have none of that. She asked the guy to go and come back complete. I was eavesdropping. The guy had just lost his certificate and wanted to make an affidavit to that effect. This is what is supposed to cost him N100. The guy even begged to pay N1000. But she refused. She insisted on the "full price".. In the end, the guy left to use Atm and come back. I was next in line!

I hold the belief that even if one should extort me, it should not be in court. The very thought of being extorted by a non- Lawyer in court is annoying to me. It is like a civilian slapping a Soldier in the barracks! If you must slap a soldier, must you do it in the barracks ?

So I took my turn in front of her. 'What do you want to do, sir? She asked.' Affidavit, of course, I replied. She asked what type of affidavit , bringing out a plain sheet of paper and pen, with an air of fake seriousness. She said she needed to know the type of affidavit because they will help me to type it.

At that point, I brought out a copy of the affidavit as typed by my secretary a day before I traveled. I told her that all I needed was to make the oath before a Commissioner for that purpose. Seems she was taken aback. Seems see didn't expect me to come with my affidavit already written and typed out. She excused me and left with the document. I guess she went to consult with her superiors.

She did not stay too long.

'Sir, are you a Barrister'?
'Yes, does it matter'?
'I mean a real Barrister '?
Silence.
' sir are you based here in town '?
Silence.
' Sir'?

I think she wondered if I was really a lawyer as they have not seen me in their court before . May be her superior had suggested that I just claimed to be a lawyer in the affidavit just to evade their extortion.

I told her to go straight to the point. That I still needed to travel back. I told her to show me where to pay and get the oath Commissioner's stamp. At that point, she cut a piece of paper and wrote on it. She signed a complicated signature. She made the stealing to seem official. Unlike how she handled the guy before me, she didn't say a word about the amount I was to pay. She could not speak to me about it . She wrote it down and signed and then showed me where to take it to.

So I took it to whom I was directed. The man took the piece of paper from me and studied it as if it was a graph or some complicated map . Then,as if he had suddenly deciphered a hidden code, he said out loud : 'two thousand'. I paid the two thousand Naira and waited. The man stamped on the document and wrote on it with red ink. I noticed that he did not write the amount received by the Court on behalf of government, as is the custom. He directed me back to the lady who sent me to him . He said she is the one to take me to the Commissioner for oaths .

I was irritated by the unnecessary back and forth, but I was determined to see the end of it .

After the Commissioner had put his stamp on the affidavit, I went straight back to the guy who took 2k from me and demanded a receipt. He looked lost when he saw me again.

He said they don't give receipts. I said its not possible for the federal government of Nigeria to take #2000 from me and not give any evidence of payment. He then said their receipt has finished. I told him to use his red pen and write 2000 on the affidavit. He Shrunk his shoulders, as if to say 'God forbid'.

I told him, Point blank, that he has trouble on his hands. That he should not think that I will leave without evidence of payment. That if he can not handle it he should bring in his superior. I threatened to go to the court Registrar if he continues to waste my time. It Seems the mention of the Registrar was frightening to him. He said to me 'please sit down' and stepped out, running.

He returned with a woman I presume is his unit head, a woman in her late forties by my estimation. She asked what was the problem. I told her there was no problem. That I am surprised the guy brought her. That all I want is receipt or some evidence of payment.

She said that their receipt has finished. She brought out a big book and said they enter all the payment entries made by everyone and at the end of the day, they issue one receipt!

Hear lie. One receipt to whom? She did not even seem like an intelligent thief to me. Seeing that her explanation meant nothing to me, she collected the affidavit from me and looked. The next thing I heard was :

'who typed it? Who asked you to type it?'
She said they will give me my money back and take 'their affidavit'. That I should go elsewhere and make the oath.

At this point, I lost my patience and temper. It became clear to me that I was dealing with an ignorant crook. Who told her that she had the power to stop me from doing the affidavit? Who told her that private affidavits must be typed by the Court. I mean she made it so clear with her actions that she is fantastically corrupt.

I stepped out of their office and headed to the Registrar's office. They started pleading. The guy who took the money started running helter skelter.

He took me to the office of another oga. The oga was polite. Cool office. He took the affidavit document from me and read. He screamed : 'did they not even read this thing to see that this man is a lawyer'? He stormed out and left me alone in the office.

It became clear to me that the oga was not necessarily angry at what they did. He was angry that they did it to a lawyer. He felt they were daft to do so to a lawyer. They should have done it only to other members of the public. They should have known that a lawyer is "bad market".

The oga returned with the woman and asked her to apologise for saying I should get my #2000 and go elsewhere to do the oath. She did. And I accepted the apology.

The oga thought that was all. He looked happy, as if everything has been settled. As if he had just resolved a conflict between Iraq and Kuwait. I brought him back to reality by saying that I am still waiting for receipt. You can't extort me and apologise and bid me farewell, without a refund.

At that point, he asked the lady to excuse us. As soon as the room had only Me and him, he removed the masquerade. He said :"BUT BARRISTER, YOU AND I KNOW THAT THIS THING IS HUNDRED NAIRA. How do we give receipt for 2 thousand "?

I did not bulge. I told him that it was either he gave me the receipt for 2k or I go to the court registrar.

At that point, he went out quietly without a word. I did not know if he went to get the receipt or my money. I looked through the window and saw him outside calling the staff to gather my money. It was then I knew that the loot had already been shared (it was close of work and I was the last customer). They had to send someone to call one of the staff at the gate to bring his part before entering a taxi home.

The oga soon returned to the office with my #2000 and asked for hundred Naira. I gave him #100. They wrote #100 on the affidavit with red ink and gave a receipt reflecting #100. The same receipt they said they didn't have.

I walked out of the court feeling sorry for the country. I mean this is a court of law! A place you would expect to see the strictest adherence to probity. Yet people openly engage in extortion. Government charges #100 for something, but corrupt government workers make it #4000 (I believe I was charged #2000 cos I had mine typed already).

People no longer do subtle corruption in this country. Corruption is the norm. They make you look stupid if you don't join in. Every sector is involved, not just the political class. The civil service stinks.

And someone wants me to believe that Nigeria is not fantastically corrupt.

May God save my country Nigeria....!!!

15/12/2021

Na so we go dey dey! When u share wine finish what next?

Naija na cruise abeg!

12/12/2021

*TRAGEDY OF THE NEW AGE*

NEWS: A staff of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) committed su***de a day after facing a disciplinary panel set up to investigate an incident he was involved in. He took his life on Wednesday, September 11 after facing the disciplinary panel set up to investigate the incident on Tuesday, September 10. He is survived by a wife and three children.

This is really unfortunate. I have said it before and will say it again: *su***de will multiply in Nigeria not because times are hard; times were HARD long before now.* The problem now is that adults are increasingly immature and the society is increasingly frivolous.

People have no true friends because friends now see themselves as rivals. Back stabbers/backbiters now masquerade as friends. Problem shared now becomes public information.

There's a rat race going on and it's measured by fleeting wealth and nothing else true and lasting. Setbacks are mourned as a wasted life by those who should give love and genuine support. Men who rose through their friends' magnanimity are now digging graves for such friends. So a troubled man becomes the butt of jokes by those in whom he reposed his trust.

Calamities befall men and their friends shed tears in the morning and run them down at night. Adults now behave like children. A man can’t even tell his wife things because he is sure she won’t understand. He has seen her divulge little details to her family. He has heard her eulogise wealth and curse set backs as an abomination. She has a little merry heart. Men now gossip like women.

The cleric can’t be trusted because he is given to flamboyant cars and lots of worldly ambition. He rates men by their earthly possessions, success and wealth. He can’t be trusted because wealth, he says, is the ultimate blessing from God. Everyday he celebrates only the rich.

So the troubled man walks around with his troubles in his heart and smiles at all the children masquerading as adults around him. One day, he would weigh it all over again and say no, it’s enough.

True and mature friends are now very scarce. No true ears to talk to in times of trouble. No honest shoulder to cry on in times of weakness and a culmination of all these is why depression- induced su***de is sadly on the rise.

Can we all rise and fight this menace called depression in truth? Can you work and encourage others to assume the role(s) of true friend(s)? Can we jointly reinstate the intergrity of the quote “A problem shared is half-solved”?

Be your brother's keeper!

PLEASE DO DEEPLY PAUSE TO DEEPLY REFLECT!

08/12/2021

The earlier the better 👂

07/12/2021

This afternoon, a truck accidentally killed some students in the Ojodu area of Lagos.

In response to the accident, some other students of the school went on a protest, and this is how men of the Nigerian Police Force responded to the protest.

Gbenga Oladapo

07/02/2022

30/01/2022

24/01/2022

24/01/2022

30/12/2021

18/12/2021

15/12/2021

12/12/2021

08/12/2021

07/12/2021

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