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OPINION: My Church Bus | By Femi Ladapo
Long ago when I was just a little lad, my big Sister and I had an idea of a pass time during the holidays. My parents tried to dissuade us. My father would insist holidays are for resting. We started a lobby through my mother.
Asked what we wanted to do, we said we wanted to trade. They laughed us to scorn. After some days, they called us again to explain our business plan.
Very simple; we would buy whatever fruit was in season from Apata market, break the bulk and sell in retail. We were asked our marketing plan. Simple too; two big trays and hawking.My parents agreed on two conditions; No crossing the major road or railway and all trading must close by noon. So we started hawking.
We were expected to get tired in a few days but the excitement kept us on. My sister and I would go different directions and come home at twelve. We would count how much we had made, remove and save the profit. My mom was our auditor.
Lest I forget, my sister always sold out but me …? Thanks to some yeye football games at Kuole field in Odo Ona. You might wonder what my hawking business had to do with a Church Bus.
During a particular holiday, bananas were in season. The trend was the usual. My sister sold much more than I did. Then one day, I hadn’t spent a minute at the junction when a big church bus going to Abeokuta stopped. The bus was filled with people. Before you can say ‘Jack Robinson’ my bananas were sold out. I happily went home with my tray, feeling like a hero. My sister didn’t sell much that day. No matter our sales, the business was 50:50. It was a Saturday, so I was allowed to go play football.
Basking in the euphoria of the sales boost I spent the following week waiting for Saturday to come.
On that Saturday, I packed double my usual stock. Off I went to the junction to wait for MY Big Church Bus. At a quarter to twelve, the bus still hadn’t come. I stood there sweating, fighting back tears of disappointment. The load had suddenly become too heavy.
When my sister got home and didn’t see me, she came to fetch me. She took my load (God bless her soul. She was the best sister there ever was) and I followed her home in tears.We got home and my Great Mom encouraged me and even gave me a bottle of Fanta.
Then told me, ‘Son, your Church Bus came once, don’t expect that it will always come back your way again’. All the money we made selling bananas did not last but the lesson of the CHURCH BUS has stayed.
You may have an opportunity, a chance, when Fortune suddenly smiled on you. There are times when fate suddenly becomes your ally. When your Church Bus suddenly comes down the road. There was nothing I did differently that morning. My Church Bus just came.
Do not believe you can always walk to the road and the Church Bus will come. The opportunity you have that put you where you are today, without much ado, may never come your way again. Like my big tray load that second Saturday, what you got so easy may not be achieved even with greater effort.
Secondly, if I had scoffed my sister when my Church Bus came, she would have carried my heavy load when my Church Bus didn’t come. When fortune smiles at you, be good to people who stood by you when you were under the bar. You may need them to carry your load when your Church Bus doesn’t come.
I dedicate this story to the memory of the two greatest women I ever knew, My Mother and My Sister.
Femi Ladapo, writes from Ibadan, Oyo state
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo South Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
Oseni made his aspiration known during a high-level meeting with the Ibarapa APC Elders’ and Leaders’ Forum, comprising the G9 and the expanded G64 caucus, held at the party secretariat in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area, over the weekend.
The G9 and G64 groups consist of influential stakeholders drawn from Ibarapa East, Ibarapa Central, and Ibarapa North local government areas.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker expressed appreciation to the forum for their support and confidence in his leadership and vision.
He said his ambition to represent Oyo South Senatorial District was anchored on a determination to consolidate and expand his record of performance.
Oseni said, “This aspiration is not built on mere rhetoric, but on the continuity and expansion of a proven track record of quality representation and grassroots-oriented governance.”
While soliciting the support of party leaders, he described his ambition as a divine call to serve the people with renewed dedication.
According to him, “This is not a time for self-glory but a sacred responsibility to intensify efforts towards real development, bring more relief to our people and ensure inclusive governance.”
He pledged not to betray the trust reposed in him by party elders and faithful, stressing that his aspiration is rooted in progressive ideals and a genuine commitment to the development of the district.
Oseni also urged leaders in the zone to mobilise support towards delivering one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming election.
Speaking at the meeting, a leader from Ibarapa East, Chief Michael Morawo, lauded the lawmaker for delivering democratic dividends and strengthening the party structure. He added that Oseni has demonstrated commendable leadership through his performance, noting that his impact in stabilising the party within the constituency is evident.
Similarly, a former council chairman in Ibarapa Central, Chief Theophilus Adenrele, commended the lawmaker for not betraying the trust reposed in him. Also, a chieftain from Ibarapa North, Chief Francis Babalola, described Oseni as a humble leader committed to progressive ideals, dismissing speculations about his possible defection if he does not secure the governorship ticket.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the forum, Chief Timothy Jolaoso, said the lawmaker enjoys widespread grassroots acceptance that cuts across political divides.
Jolaoso said, “All indicators consistently point to Oseni as a candidate with acceptance that transcends party lines. He is not only capable but a man of deep faith with proven empathy for the downtrodden.”
He added, “He possesses the goodwill, financial strength, and public trust required for leadership.”
The elder statesman further noted that Oseni’s performance in the House of Representatives, alongside his role as Chairman of the FERMA Committee, underscores his competence and commitment to development.
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