Review

 BATTLE LINES: The Autobiography of Chief Olusegun Osoba.

I was young and just trying to get hold of my environment when we woke up that morning to hear about the assassination of Chief Funsho Williams. Everyone was sensitive and lamenting his death as if he was a close relative. Chief Funsho Williams had come to a close by for his campaign a week before and the people had fallen in love with his speech and his charisma. The people loved him and that I guessed led to his assassination. One question that tails his death is: Who killed Chief Funsho Williams?

My neighbours predicted the killer to be one of his closest friend, but the law that freed the Abacha goons and called Sergeant Rogers' confession for the murder of the many a nationalist like Alhaja Kudirat Abiola unfounded, couldn't even point at the muderer of Chief Funsho Williams and many more of other deaths that continue to go unmentioned.

Is it not the unpersecuted culprits that give birth to the full blown terrorists and vices that keep putting the country today on  crossroads? Check it.

 This case and many other political cases are what Battle lines by Chief Olusegun Osoba reminds me of. The book is a true history of Nigeria that needs to be studied by all.

Battle lines is a complete book of resounding and profound years in journalism and Nigerian political sphere. It reminds me of the principles of journalism, objectivity being the major, comes to fore when he narrates the court cases between the state and some Abacha goons (Sergeant Rogers, CSO Hamzat Mustapha etc.), the death case of Chief Funso Williams and Alhaja Kudirat Abiola among many others which till today are still inconclusive.

 This book get me wishing to tread like the dynamic and passionate young man that sweeps Alhaji (Dr.) Ismail Babatunde Jose, the then Managing Director of Daily Times Newspaper, and General Ibrahim, the military governor of Kwara state that wanted  him to  help resuscitate the Nigerian Herald newspaper from a local to a national paper, off their feet. His belief  and prowess are worthy of emulation to every young and aspiring reporter. 

It is worthy to note that his proficiency in news writing, editing and editorial decision come to rule his life in politics  and when writing this book after so many years of hardwork. I must say that  there is nothing as good as having the ears, nose and body for news like him, and you know what, I am also dropping my thought of studying law for the newsroom. If you want to know why, read Battle lines.

I was entrusted with this autobiography titled 'Battle lines' by a journalist and my very father on Wednesday, 30th of December, 2020. I was told it would be a good read and I, having known about his political stance, accepted, thinking it would all be about political antagonism.

As time goes on, I start to read and at the dedication page when I find that the book is dedicated to Apostle Ayo Babalola, the founder of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) who happened to be his maternal uncle, and Alahji (Dr.) Ismail Babatunde Jose, the then Managing Director of Daily Times who sighted his gift and sponsored his path in journalism, I become more committed. I feel there is more to him and you can call it sentiment.

The rider that is written  below the title of the book, adventures in Journalism and Politics, didn't prepare me for the great exploit of his life, but his preface get me hooked and the subsequent chapters did  not release me. The book is a real page turner!

Wait, do you know that General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief M.K.O Abiola and Chief Olusegun Osoba were friends? Yes, they were. They visited clubs together and he, Chief M.K.O Abiola sought Gen. Ibrahim Babangida's approval before contesting in the election that was annulled by him. He did and he approved on conditions.

As much as I really wanted  to know how Chief Abiola died, the book isn't exact on the cause of his death and so didn't debunk all I have heard about his death. 

I know that Chief Ernest Shonekan was appointed as the interim President and Gen. Sanni Abacha remained is Minister for Defence after General Ibrahim Babangida. I know Shonekan didn't want Abiola to come back to Nigeria from the United State that  he ran to, and I know that  Sanni Abacha deceived him to come back, deceived because he overthrown the reign of Chief Ernest Shonekan after the two weeks of Abiola's return and his take over meeting plan. I know about that and the introduction of Afenifere in to the political sphere, but I am not sure if I still want to know about the cause of death of Chief M.K.O after knowing that there would have been no difference in his rule based on his enunciated qualities. Thanks to the Battle Lines.

This also lead me to the question: Who is free from nepotism, ethnicity and favouritism; Is it  the Northern governors that wanted Alhaji Shehu Shagari back in government against the peace of the nation, Chief Abiola -naira for naira case -, the Egba people or the present day people, between you and I?

 The internecine wars in 1842 between Oyo empire and the Fulani adventurers as noted in the Battle lines summarizes the state of Nigeria then and  now. We all are people craving to use power selfishly.

Let me assure you that this book 'Battle Lines' do justice to the 30-month civil war story of 1967 to 1970, so if  you have read 'There Was A Country' by Chinua Achebe, you need to read 'Battle Lines' to balance the story you have read.

If you want to understand the cacophony in your work place, read about anti-Jose group of Daily Times, the case between Chief Abiola and Chief Awolowo, General Innih's interference In editorial decision of Nigerian Herald Newspaper, the calumny at The Sketch Newspaper and the election of 2003 in the Battle lines. There you will understand the power of individual differences and patience. They are invaluable tools to work with people.

While reading, I couldn't but shake head for the role of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the incumbent Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel among many others. That time alone is enough to put an end to the recycling of the old because their presence in government asphyxiate everything that should work in Nigeria. 

Oh Lord, please, deliver Nigeria from people who are drawer of battle lines in secret and in open.

Battle lines cannot not be read again and again.

I wish you happy read!