Dialogues: USA Africa Dialogue Series - RE: LATEST UPDATE: Total $6170 (N925500) for Restoration of ZiK'S Mausoleum in Onitsha

Bimbola Adelakun:

We MUST BE OPTIMISTIC about this! I am sure when we hit a landmark (N1,000.000 or $10,000 or 30 days into the drive, or whatever Azuoma/Bolaji decide), the need for Committee, collection/redemption of pledges and contact with other stakeholders will start. My recommendation is that we should involve the other stakeholders (relevant Govt Bodies and Zik's family) in Restoration Design. Our Working Cmte will handle that part. Take care. JUI

From: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bimbola adelakun
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 1:28 PM
To: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com; Azuoma Anugom; NIDOA@yahoogroups.com; naijaobserver@yahoogroups.com
Cc: NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [NIgerianWorldForum] RE: | LATEST UPDATE: Total $6170 (N925500) for Restoration of ZiK'S Mausoleum in Onitsha

The questions are:

1. When is the work going to start?

2. Is there a blueprint yet?

3. When is actual collection going to start? I can pledge you $100k right now but when the proverbial stuff hits the fan, even AYELALA cannot redeem it from my hand.
Until people begin to pay up, you can tell how much you have.

Cheers.

From: "Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCPDCID)" <jbi8@cdc.gov>
To: Azuoma Anugom <adaejiagamba1@aol.com>; NIDOA@yahoogroups.com; IWA_Igbo@yahoogroups.com; igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com; imostatecongress@yahoogroups.com; ORAUSA@yahoogroups.com; IgboEvents@yahoogroups.com; NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com; naijaobserver@yahoogroups.com
Cc: NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com; afenmai@yahoogroups.com; USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tue, 24 August, 2010 18:20:37
Subject: [NIgerianWorldForum] RE: | LATEST UPDATE: Total $6170 (N925500) for Restoration of ZiK'S Mausoleum in Onitsha

JE SIKE! Let's get it going. I am forecasting $10,000.00 on this drive by Zik's 106 Birthday (Nov 16)! With such a POSITION OF FINANCIAL STRENGTH, a Committee will be dispatched to Nigeria to:

1. Discuss with other stakeholders (relevant Govt Bodies and Zik's family members) on what we plan to do;

2. Put a restoration design in place that will include the inputs of all stakeholders;

3. Initiate restoration and MONITOR the progress (and be reporting to all of us);

4. Have Completion Ceremony when all is DONE!

5. Explore whether such a Committee can transform into an ongoing Movement in Zik's Name (Zik's Society) or a more general Leadership Legacy Society to monitor the memorabilias of Great Nigerian leaders such as Hebert Macaulay, Zik, Awo, Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Okpara, Osadebey, and who else? (Murtala?); and set criteria for admission of leaders into the Society's watch list.

Again, I say Sanu D'aiki, Daalu and Eku-ishie!!! Take care. JUI

From: NIDOA@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NIDOA@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Azuoma Anugom
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 8:43 AM
To: NIDOA@yahoogroups.com; IWA_Igbo@yahoogroups.com; igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com; imostatecongress@yahoogroups.com; ORAUSA@yahoogroups.com; IgboEvents@yahoogroups.com; NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com; naijaobserver@yahoogroups.com
Subject: NIDOA | LATEST UPDATE: Total $6170 (N925500) for Restoration of ZiK'S Mausoleum in Onitsha

PLEDGE TABLE

The pledges so far are as found in the table below, and have now reached $6170 from 62 donors, which, at $1 to N150, amounts to N925500. We are reaching for the stars!! Let's see if we can hit over one-million naira pledge target level! A couple more donations and we will hit one-million but we are not stopping there!!

S/N	Donor	Amount US$	Comment	Status of Pledge	Email
1	Aluko, Mobolaji	200			alukome@gmail.com,
2	Ojo, Valentine	50			valojo@earthlink.net, valojo@md.metrocast.net,
3	Ojedokun, Olu	50	Used to be BP25		employlawone@aol.com,
4	Nwakanma, Obi	100			rexmarinus@hotmail.com,
5	Madu, Abraham	50			abraham.madu@yahoo.com,
6	Kolawole, Suji	200			sujikolawole@gmail.com,
7	Ogundimu, Folu	100			ogundimu@msu.edu,
8	Edosomwan, Charles	100			edosomwanlaw@gmail.com,
9	Igietseme, Joe	200	Reflects a $100 increase since last update		jbi8@cdc.gov,
10	Chief Gemologist	50			usgemology@yahoo.com,
11	Ekechi, Felix	50			fekechi@kent.edu,
12	Aina, Tade	100			tadeakinaina@yahoo.com,
13	Udogu, Ike	100			udoguei@appstate.edu,
14	Zakari, Aisha	100			azdauda@yahoo.co.uk,
15	Raji, Taju	50			traji@aol.com,
16	Kuforiji, Kayode	50			omokuforiji@gmail.com,
17	Anonymous	67	N10,000
18	Mensah, Edward	50			dehasnem@uic.edu,
19	Gyasi, Kwabby	50			kwabbyg@aol.com,
20	Onyegbula, Festus	100			fonyes@gmail.com,
21	Mustafa, Salihu	100	N15,000		salihumustafa@gmail.com,
22	Garba, Lawal	50			lawal.garba@gmail.com,
23	Olajide, Saheed	50			lagoslife32@yahoo.com,
24	Adeniyi, Michael	100			mgadeniyi@yahoo.com,
25	Kassim, Ola	100			OlaKassimMD@aol.com,
26	Viscount Slim	43			viscount_slim@yahoo.com,
27	Nwosu, Okenwa	250			okenwanwosu@covad.net,
28	Egbo, Benedicta	100			beegbo@gmail.com,
29	Osunsan, Rotimi	100			rotimi_osunsan@yahoo.com,
30	Williams, Dapo	160	BP100		dapow@aol.com,
31	Aghadiuno, Eric	150			eric@devace.com,
32	Babajide, Ibukunolu	100			ibk@usa.net,
33	Dawodu, Segun Toyin	100			stdawodu@gmail.com,
34	Akuechiama, Jude & Ebere	200
35	Anugom, Azuoma	100			adaejiagamba@gmail.com, adaejiagamba08@yahoo.com,
36	Irozuru, Julius	50			jirozuru@yahoo.com,
37	Okafor, Victor O.	100	Reflects a $50 increase since last update		vokafor@emich.edu,
38	Frempong, Sandra	50			blassys@yahoo.com,
39	Oyedeji, Kale	50			koyedeji@morehouse.edu,
40	Abegunrin, Layi	50			abegunrin@yahoo.com,
41	Enweze, Obi	100			obienweze@yahoo.com,
42	Omoigui, Nowa	200			nowa_o@yahoo.com,
43	Adam, Baba	100			drbadam@yahoo.com,
44	Adeboye, Adeniran	100			aadeboye@mac.com,
45	Adeyeye, Sola	100			solaadeyeye@gmail.com,
46	Ibe, Kevin	50			k.i.n.ibeh@strath.ac.uk,
47	Awofolaju, Akin	100			awofolaju@aol.com,
48	Adesanmi, Pius	100			piusadesanmi@yahoo.com,
49	Okala, Emeka, R.	100			reukal@yahoo.co.uk,
50	Dada, Ganiyu	100			gdada@aol.com,
51	Odusanya, Adeola	100			odusanya8@aol.com,
52	Oviawe, Joan O.	50			joanoviawe@gmail.com,
53	Okojie, Paul	100			okojiepaul@aol.com,
54	Aduba, Obi	150			baduba54@aol.com,
55	Okeke, Okwy	200			okwudili98@yahoo.co.uk,
56	Raheem, Ade	100			scansectech@gmail.com,
57	Akindana, "Matto"	100			matto1@msn.com,
58	Nwabuzor, Steve	100			wabuz@comcast.net,
59	Simon Iberosi	100			s.iberosi@ieee.org
60	Cy Omeaku	100			Omeakucy@sbcglobal.net
61	Chris Aniedobe	100			chrisaniedobe@yahoo.com
62	M. Ezeoke	100			munamarx@yahoo.com
	Total So Far	6170

Ps: I am sure the figure will be higher by the time Dr. Aluko does his updates.

Thanks for your selflessness!!

/Azuoma Anugom
~~Adaejiagamba

Life shrinks according to one's courage. Dare to be remarkable.

-----Original Message-----
From: Mobolaji ALUKO <alukome@gmail.com>
To: NaijaPolitics e-Group <NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com>; NIDOA <NIDOA@yahoogroups.com>; naijaintellects <naijaintellects@googlegroups.com>; OmoOdua <OmoOdua@yahoogroups.com>; usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com; NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com; NigerianWorldForum <NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Aug 23, 2010 6:50 pm
Subject: NIDOA | UPDATE 09: News on Diaspora Effort & Pledges Total $5,770 (N865,500) for Restoration of Zik's Head and Mausoleum in Onitsha;

VANGUARD

Diaspora Nigerians want Zik Mausoleum contractors probed

Aug 24, 2010

By Uduma Kalu

LAGOS— As Nigerians in the Diaspora mobilise funds for the completion of the late Dr Nnamdi Azikwe's Mausoleum, some of them have called for probe of the contractors who have handled the job for the past 14 years.

The Abacha government awarded the contract for the construction of Azikiwe's resting place shortly after his burial in 1996. The first contractor was said to be Lemmy Akakem Construction Company but it reportedly abandoned the project shortly after.

Then President Olusegun Obasanjo government re-awarded the contract to the same Lemmy Akakem Company, but later cancelled it after the company and the Federal Ministry of Works failed to reconcile issues that arose on costs.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

August 23, 2010

PLEDGE TABLE

The pledges so far are as found in the table below, and have now reached $5,770 from 58 donors, which, at $1 to N150, amounts to N865,500, firmly headed towards the one-million naira pledge target level! 9 more donors pledging (on average) $100 each - or some increase in existing pledges (as two people have joined me in doing) - and our target will be reached.

S/N	Donor	Amount US$	Comment	Status of Pledge	Email
1	Aluko, Mobolaji	200			alukome@gmail.com,
2	Ojo, Valentine	50			valojo@earthlink.net, valojo@md.metrocast.net,
3	Ojedokun, Olu	50	Used to be BP25		employlawone@aol.com,
4	Nwakanma, Obi	100			rexmarinus@hotmail.com,
5	Madu, Abraham	50			abraham.madu@yahoo.com,
6	Kolawole, Suji	200			sujikolawole@gmail.com,
7	Ogundimu, Folu	100			ogundimu@msu.edu,
8	Edosomwan, Charles	100			edosomwanlaw@gmail.com,
9	Igietseme, Joe	200	Reflects a $100 increase since last update		jbi8@cdc.gov,
10	Chief Gemologist	50			usgemology@yahoo.com,
11	Ekechi, Felix	50			fekechi@kent.edu,
12	Aina, Tade	100			tadeakinaina@yahoo.com,
13	Udogu, Ike	100			udoguei@appstate.edu,
14	Zakari, Aisha	100			azdauda@yahoo.co.uk,
15	Raji, Taju	50			traji@aol.com,
16	Kuforiji, Kayode	50			omokuforiji@gmail.com,
17	Anonymous	67	N10,000
18	Mensah, Edward	50			dehasnem@uic.edu,
19	Gyasi, Kwabby	50			kwabbyg@aol.com,
20	Onyegbula, Festus	100			fonyes@gmail.com,
21	Mustafa, Salihu	100	N15,000		salihumustafa@gmail.com,
22	Garba, Lawal	50			lawal.garba@gmail.com,
23	Olajide, Saheed	50			lagoslife32@yahoo.com,
24	Adeniyi, Michael	100			mgadeniyi@yahoo.com,
25	Kassim, Ola	100			OlaKassimMD@aol.com,
26	Viscount Slim	43			viscount_slim@yahoo.com,
27	Nwosu, Okenwa	250			okenwanwosu@covad.net,
28	Egbo, Benedicta	100			beegbo@gmail.com,
29	Osunsan, Rotimi	100			rotimi_osunsan@yahoo.com,
30	Williams, Dapo	160	BP100		dapow@aol.com,
31	Aghadiuno, Eric	150			eric@devace.com,
32	Babajide, Ibukunolu	100			ibk@usa.net,
33	Dawodu, Segun Toyin	100			stdawodu@gmail.com,
34	Akuechiama, Jude & Ebere	200
35	Anugom, Azuoma	100			adaejiagamba@gmail.com, adaejiagamba08@yahoo.com,
36	Irozuru, Julius	50			jirozuru@yahoo.com,
37	Okafor, Victor O.	100	Reflects a $50 increase since last update		vokafor@emich.edu,
38	Frempong, Sandra	50			blassys@yahoo.com,
39	Oyedeji, Kale	50			koyedeji@morehouse.edu,
40	Abegunrin, Layi	50			abegunrin@yahoo.com,
41	Enweze, Obi	100			obienweze@yahoo.com,
42	Omoigui, Nowa	200			nowa_o@yahoo.com,
43	Adam, Baba	100			drbadam@yahoo.com,
44	Adeboye, Adeniran	100			aadeboye@mac.com,
45	Adeyeye, Sola	100			solaadeyeye@gmail.com,
46	Ibe, Kevin	50			k.i.n.ibeh@strath.ac.uk,
47	Awofolaju, Akin	100			awofolaju@aol.com,
48	Adesanmi, Pius	100			piusadesanmi@yahoo.com,
49	Okala, Emeka, R.	100			reukal@yahoo.co.uk,
50	Dada, Ganiyu	100			gdada@aol.com,
51	Odusanya, Adeola	100			odusanya8@aol.com,
52	Oviawe, Joan O.	50			joanoviawe@gmail.com,
53	Okojie, Paul	100			okojiepaul@aol.com,
54	Aduba, Obi	150			baduba54@aol.com,
55	Okeke, Okwy	200			okwudili98@yahoo.co.uk,
56	Raheem, Ade	100			scansectech@gmail.com,
57	Akindana, "Matto"	100			matto1@msn.com,
58	Nwabuzor, Steve	100			wabuz@comcast.net,
	Total So Far	5770

This is impressive so far, on Day 8 of Azuoma Anugom's intimation of this Restoration project. Thanks everyone. Hopefully by November 1, we would have raised $ 6,700 ( N1 million), to be REDEEMED in time for November 16, which would have been Zik's 106th birthday. If we raise N1 million by October 1 (50th Independence Anniversary), then it could be an opportunity to highlight an appreciation for Zik's role in Nigeria's Indepence struggle - among other things. We might even get some matching funds from Nigeria.

Please be generous. You might wish to:

- increase your pledge; or better yet

- get someone else in or out of Cyberspace to pledge ("Each one get one to pledge")

We will provide details of name to issue check to and address very soon. Your money will be in good hands.

I thank you all in advance.

Bolaji Aluko

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SOME BACKGROUND

Timeline:

1. November 16, 1904 - Zik is born in Zungeru
2. January 1, 1960 - Zik becomes President of the Senate of Nigeria (under British Colonial Rule)
3. October 1, 1960 - Nigeria becomes an independent country
4. November 16, 1960 - Zik becomes Governor General of Nigeria
5. October 1, 1963 - Zik becomes President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
6. November 16, 1963 or thereabout - Zik's life-size statue in Onitsha (near DMGS) unveiled by sculptor Prof. Ben Enwonwu in commemoration of then President Zik's 59th Birthday

7. May 11, 1996 - Zik dies in Onitsha
8. November 7, 2005 - large portion of Inosi Onira Retreat (home of Zik) in Onitsha destroyed allegedly by MASSOB;
9. November 7, 2005 or thereabout - head of Zik's Statue removed by unknown (?) person(s).
10. February, September 2006 - Visits to statue site by various persons confirm the headless-ness
11. September 2006 - August 2010 - No documented report of replacement of Zik's head on statue
12. August 2010 - Awaiting photographic status of statue and state of mausoleum: headless or not? Overgrown with weeds or not?

Note: The date that Zik's life-size statue near his Inosi Onira Retreat home was unveiled is not known at this time. Latest information is that the statue at the site near DMGS is no longer there - and that there is a head now on the statue at the Retreat site. More pictorial information has been sought from both sites - to be provided in a forthcoming update.

Stay tuned.

Compiled by Bolaji Aluko