With TONY OKOROJI
Last week in Lagos, I presided over the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) of which I am chairman. The atmosphere was electric. The unity of purpose between the members, the members of the board and the management is such that you cannot be at the meeting and not be proud.
At the COSON AGM, we sweep nothing under the carpet. Last week, we discussed everything and everything. There was no relevant issue that was not touched.
A few years ago, I had led a COSON delegation to Abuja where we had several meetings with some very senior government officials on how we could make the Nigerian creative industry contribute more significantly to the progress of our nation.
Before setting out for Abuja, I had visited my doctor and friend, Dr. Moses Jatto every day for three days. He first put me on drips and then asked his nurses to jab my bum with all kinds of injections. I finally left Dr. Jatto with enough medications to start a small pharmacy. When I said at home that I was going to Abuja the same day, Booboo, my daughter, screamed. As politely as she could, she told me that I did not know what I was talking about. How could I go through several days of protest in front of the Federal High Court in Lagos, end up in hospital, leave my doctor and head straight to Abuja, she asked.
I had to spend some time with my daughter to explain my principles. I told her that I believe that the Almighty has sent each of us to this world to do something. I told her that I am determined to fulfill my destiny. I said to Booboo that for each of us, death would come anywhere, anytime, regardless of what any of us did. I assured my daughter that I am not suicidal but that I had work to do and that I refuse to live a life of fear. I gave my girl a peck and went to the Airport to board Air Peace to Abuja.
First night in Abuja, I did not sleep a wink. My body was on fire and I was shaking through the night. In the morning, I felt stronger and attended my first set of meetings at the National Assembly. Later in the day, I went with my colleagues to meet with Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, then the nation’s very cultured Foreign Minister whom I have known and admired long before he got into his ministerial position. When we left the Foreign Ministry, my fever started again and I had to call Dr. Jatto in Lagos and he quickly sent me some new prescriptions on WhatsApp.
Several times in recent years, when I have been asked how I am able to do so much and escape all the treachery hatched against me, I have replied that I drive on a full tank of faith. Some people have told me that they find the line intriguing and want some explanation. The truth is that I do not believe that the Almighty will send me on an errand without ensuring that I find a way to get there. Every day, I beg God not to let me seek to do evil to anyone or be driven by hate against anyone. I ask Him to use me to do good to as many people as possible. I am totally convinced that if my labour is for the good of God’s children, no evil fashioned by any man can harm me.
I was born Catholic and remain Catholic but ‘Miss’, my older sister and Madam complain ceaselessly that I do not go to church enough. I just do not believe that you find God only in church. He is there with me every day and everywhere in the work that I do. I have also publicly said that I am not driven by personal wealth. I do not dream of owning half of the houses in Lagos. In fact, I own none and it does not bother me. I choose to invest in human beings and in initiatives that bring people together, give them true joy and an opportunity to feel that indeed, we are children of the same God.
The God that I believe in is the real Minister of Justice. Evil may appear to thrive for some time. Ultimately, the real Minister of Justice will step in. Does anyone recall Osama Bin Laidin and his Al Qaida terrorists who believed that they owned the world? Where are they now? Not long ago, it appeared that ISIS would over run the entire Middle East. Pray, which territory does the caliphate control now? The Boko Haram terrorists may believe that they have a right to make life miserable for the Nigerian people forever. They are wrong.
I have written about the time I had to carry placards for days in front of the Federal High Court, Lagos against what is clearly terrorism unleashed on my industry by men who have begun to think that they are God. Because of the small positions they occupy, they believe that they can do and undo. When I saw the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, throw his weight around the country, and inflict damage that would take many years to repair, I sighed and wondered whether we would ever learn.
Not long ago, I was sitting in the Minister’s waiting room at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja and there was a heated discussion by several lawyers present about Mohammed Adoke, Malami’s immediate predecessor. Someone asked a pointed question: Is it not ironic that Adoke, who used to be the Emperor at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Justice was having problems entering Nigeria? Adoke, one of the most powerful men in Nigeria could no longer freely enter Nigeria not to talk of visiting the ministry where everyone used to grovel around him? Adoke whom I met several times in the ministry appeared to be on the run.
Just a few days ago, it was reported everywhere that EFCC had seized the international passport of Mohammed Adoke’s successor, Abubakar Malami. Despite Buhari having the title of President, Malami, his son-in-law, was in most respects, the most powerful man in Nigeria. His word was law. Does it make any sense that Malami cannot leave Nigeria now and has to report to the EFCC every day, the same EFCC that he used to control?
Has anyone learnt any lesson from what is happening to our immediate past Ministers of Justice? I am not sure.
I do not laugh at them. There situation shows how transient power can be. I always try to seek justice and respect for the Nigerian creative community and the children of the Almighty. I will not be afraid of little men who pretend to be God. Many-many times in my life the real Minister of Justice has stepped in when little men had conspired to do me in.
In December 2017, many had counted me out. They did not reckon with the real Minister of Justice. Then, the real Minister of Justice stepped into COSON House and in a twinkle of an eye, scattered the conspiracy of little men. As 2025 is about to end, COSON continues to wax strong.
People complain that I do not appear to worry about anything; my health, my safety; my finances or tomorrow. As long as what I am doing is to the glory of the Almighty, I do not worry. I drive on a full tank of faith.
See you next week.
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