Sammdebby… a project of change

Shina Obasola

By Omiko Awa

The Chief Consultant, Sammdebby Music Organization, Shina Obasola’s worries over lewd song produced by our local artistes led him to come up with a music concert that would not only counteract common songs, but encourage participants to be good musicians, by learning how to play musical instruments and use decent words in songs.

 Come June 18, the fifth edition of the show, Children’s Music Concert, which has     turned a talent hunt for pupils and students of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions that can play musical instruments, jazz and contemporary music will entertain guests.

  Looking at the nature of the event and the ages of the participants, one wonders why children’s musical concert.

   But the Chief Consultant says, “I conceived the idea while I was teaching music.  I discovered that children love music and are influenced by what they hear. They easily get use to the tones of music and in no time start miming them. I also found out that they enjoy singing some of the immoral songs of our local artistes, which is the order of the day. With this knowledge, I decided to stand in the gap to make a difference by using what they enjoy doing to change their focus. That is, to make them sing and play good songs in place of the immoral ones.”

   With this, have you any particular type of music in mind?

   “Yes. He continues, we shall be looking out for classical and contemporary music as well as proficiency on musical instruments.”

  Obasola, who has been losing sleep thinking of how to change the situation, decided to carry his campaign of change beyond the classroom by using the concert as a change agent.

  What informed your decision for this change?

  “Firstly, it is the interest of our children, who are tomorrow’s leaders and for the betterment of the society. Secondly, it’s to encourage the play of musical instruments and the appreciation of classical and jazz music. In fact, the desire to change the scene for good informed my decision,” he mutters.

  And the schools?

   “We are focusing on schools that teach music and also have the equipment for the pupils and students to practice,” he says.

 Though, his organisation is giving more attention to private school pupils and students, public schools participation is based on choice and schools interested on the project.

   “For public schools, we are making it more of a charity by reducing registration fees as a way to encourage participation,” he intones.

Why starting with four year olds?

  “We want them to start identifying with good music as well as playing musical instrument at an early age, so that by the time they are old enough to take decisions, they would not end up playing songs with gutter language. We want to rekindle the love of jazz music and to make tomorrow’s artistes, true musicians that can sing and play instruments, he states.

   Obashola, whose dislike for the current state of our music industry believes, the artistes are not to take all the blames for bringing out such music.

   “It is the orientation of most producers. They believe for any music to be popular and sell very well, it needs to have some kind of vulgar language in it, which is a wrong impression that has to be corrected. So, we hope to change this by instilling in the minds of the people, especially, children and the youths, what good music should look like; they will, with time grow to influence others and in turn change the situation. It’s a long time project, I know, but it’s a battle that must be won. Another reason for this, is because most of our artistes can’t play musical instruments, so they easily fall to the whims of the producers and because of their ineptitude they fizzle out after one or two CDs. We, as a result of this, hope to inculcate the desire to play musical instruments in the minds of our artistes starting with the little ones,” he asserts.

   The achieving the organisation’s goal sounds vague, but the Music Consultant is optimistic that its attainment is gradual and would surely instigate some changes in the participants

  “ It may sound unattainable in our generation because the effect will not be immediate, as it’s a long-term project that involves constant hosting of events such as the one that will come up in June 18 at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Centre, Lagos; where we intend to unify public and private schools students through music,” he assures.

  So, what’s Sammdebby organisation? The MUSON graduate discloses, “ It’s a musical organization set up to train children and adult to read musical notes and as well play any musical instrument. We also organise concerts for firms, schools and corporate bodies. And come June 18, we shall be organising Children’s Musical Concert for pupils and students of public and private schools in Lagos, and for any interested persons that is not above 35 years.  We also want to use the event to make the two calibres of schools to work together and produce a mass orchestra.” 

  As for challenges, he says, “Some schools just don’t see any reason to teach music in their schools while some only teach the theory without exposing students to the rudiments of playing instruments. Though very few parents encourage their children to learn the subject and even go to the extent of employing private teachers to take them on home studies, many are still skeptical about music.  However, we want to change this attitude by appealing to parents to encourage their children to learn how to play at least one musical instrument, because it helps students to improve on their studies by increasing their level of concentration on anything they do, which will no doubt increase their intelligent quotient (I.Q).”    

Chidi… from oratory to promoting the book

 BY OMIKO AWA

LIKE every other student that has successful passed his or her university final year exams, Chinedu Chidi was waiting for a call up letter to serve his fatherland in the one-year mandatory national youth service, when the mother called his line from Kano, to give him a piece of information about what later changed his fortune. He had picked the call, but succinctly rejected the idea; his mindset, then, was on getting his posting, completing the service and settling down as a young man to face life squarely.

   But, as fate would have it, friends and relations called him at different times to pass on the same information. And, like a sheep unaware of the Shepard’s plans, Chidi obeyed the call and picked up a form that enabled him to participate in The Debaters, a TV reality show organised by Inspire Africa Project, the creators of the popular TV talk show, Moments with Mo.

   Is that all? He says, “yes, I was waiting for service when my mum called from Kano to tell me of the advert, she saw on TV. She encouraged me to partake in the show, because she believes I will do well and that if I’m ready for it, she will get me the form. Since that was not part of my plans for the year I didn’t give a second thought until my in-law called me from Lagos, as well as friends to go for the show; so, I made a rethink of my earlier stand and went for it.”

  “I made it at the regional audition in Kano State and later came to Lagos for the finals. It was quite challenging, but God saw me through.  I never knew I could win; I was initially skeptical of winning, because there were a lot of talented and ambitious people in the competition,” he intones.

  Why were your friends and family members interested in you participating in the show?  The Debater of the year 2010, says, “I guess they know my prowess. I have had some experience in public speaking, having being the president of Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS), for some time.  As president of FCS, which is a fellowship of secondary school students in the North, I had to preach in the public, encourage people at the assembly and, of course, lead class discussions.  Also, I have had several opportunities to speak in the Church; I guess, they must have heard me speak several times and believed I could do it.”

   Chidi, a fresh English and Literary Studies graduate from the University of Abuja is not allowing his victory to get to his head, in fact, it has added to his willingness to be closer to his loved ones and God, aside from opening his eyes to the reality that we need one another to survive in life. He says, “my winning was quite a humble experience. It has thought me some lessons, which include, to achieve greatness in life one needs, people, the support of family members, friends and God; because a lot of people prayed and voted for me, besides close friends that encouraged me to put in my best. And aside from that it has also sharpened my vision for the country; I had always been patriotic, but being on the show interacting with Nigerians from different ethnic groups broaden my experience of what Nigeria is and what Nigerians really need.”  He continues, “the experience we got from the coaching session, the material available to us and the books we read broaden my horizon and give me a clearer picture of what I need to do for my country, now and in the nearest future. And owing to those experiences, I have decided to purse a project that would develop reading culture in the country, because debate is a product of intensive reading, critical study and deep reflection. Having had those experiences in deep study and verse consultation of books, I decided to emphasise on reading culture as a way to give back to the society and develop great minds.”

“The experience we got from the coaching session, the material available to us and the books we read broaden my horizon and give me a clearer picture of what I need to do for my country, now and in the nearest future.”

TO actualise this, Chidi is starting with secondary school students and would with time include primary schools and the tertiary institutions in the country. “We are presently concentrating on secondary schools and from there, build partnership with groups that are interested in the revival of reading culture, which many believe is on the down ward slide. So, we are starting with secondary schools for now because of the span of time. Primary school is excellent, but we are presently concerned with secondary school students for their maturity and because they are near the university stage, which make more effective, as they will carry on the habit to the university and also build on it. We hope to get them together and make them read books that reflect on our society. We have also mapped out projects for the primary and the tertiary institutions, which will come on board as we progress,” he informs.

  But why likeness for books? “I have always been the reading type, but definitely not a bookworm. I have always been reading committed literature; I like them a lot. You know, I’m a graduate of English and in school, I read a lot of books,” he says amidst laughs.

  “Actually, I do not engage so much on books that have so much entertainment, what is technically referred to as escapist literature; I like to read more of committed literature, those that focuses on the society, so, I find myself overtime reading quite interesting books that reflect on the seriousness of the things happen in our society. So, when we encourage reading culture, we are actually asking the people to broaden their minds or and accept ideas that have positive impact on the development of their communities and the country as a whole; that’s is the kind of mentality, I have about reading books. I read books primarily to have a clearer vision on how to contribute to social development,” he enthuses.

   To make sure that their target audience is reached, Chidi’s group is carrying out a visibility study to know the number of schools to plan for.  

  “We don’t want to act on hearsay, so, we have embarked on a visibility study on how to reach out to schools that really need the project. We are looking at how to encourage the students to read even online stories and also equip their libraries as a way of sustaining our vision and the culture. We want these students to get access to appropriate literatures that they have been denied off as a result of faulty educational system or lack of fund,” he says.

    This no doubt would cost a fortune, as equipping libraries don’t come cheap. Chidi says, “we are building partnership, creating awareness and strengthen relationship with already existing partners to finance the project. Our challenges, now are, perhaps slow response of some of our partners and pushing the project a bit further, so that people will appreciate what we are doing and partner with us.”

   Your take on of Mr. President policy of bringing back the book

   “It’s an idea that should be encouraged and commended for. It shows the president understands the significant role of education in social development. However, it should not stop there; there should be a comprehensive approach to our educational programmes in the country. Educational institution should be adequately funded; in fact, government should show more commitment to the sector as a way of developing the country,” he advises.

   

“My winning was quite a humble experience. It has thought me some lessons, which include, to achieve greatness in life one needs, people, the support of family members, friends and God; because a lot of people prayed and voted for me, besides close friends that encouraged me to put in my best. And aside from that it has also sharpened my vision for the country; I had always been patriotic, but being on the show interacting with Nigerians from different ethnic groups broaden my experience of what Nigeria is and what Nigerians really need”

 

  

ANY ill feelings with The Debaters? Chidi sits up, throws his head backward the chair and in few seconds looks directly into the eyes of his inquisitor.

   “I appreciate Mo Abdu the producer of Inspire Africa for the idea because it focuses on equipping the youth for the good of the society and empowering them financially, too.” He adds, “though winners were well compensated, I however feel, those that could not make the top three, should have also got some nice packages for leaving whatever they were doing to engage in the competition.”

   How do you pick interest in reading with both parents not in the academics?  The Abia State-native, who was born in Kano State to businessman and civil servant mother, informs: “My parents have always been interested in our education. We are five in the family, I’m the fourth child, we never lacked any study material right from our early school days; they encouraged us to study and provided means, too. They ensure we have good education from the early stage of our lives, in fact, they are passionate about education and are always pleased to fund it.” 

Kelechi injects Festac Town with poetry

 Kelechi Nwosu

By Omiko Awa

WHILE many in his age bracket dream of leaving Nigeria for Europe and America under the illusion of searching for greener pasture, Kelechi Nwosu believes there are a lot of potentials in the country for any youth to tap from and make a decent living.

  The multi-talented artist, designer, poet and social crusader, who in the past, had organised shows to campaign against girl-child abuse and other social ills, is planning an assemblage of poets across the globe in Lagos, for Festac Poetry Festival (FESTPOETFEST).

   With Sharing positivity across boundaries as theme, the University of Ibadan, History graduate hopes to use the event, which holds on November 18 and 19, at Victory Park, Festac Town, Lagos, to promote acquisition of skills among Nigerian youths, while hammering on the need for them to make positive impact on their communities with their talents.

    Why the use of poetry to pass this message? “It is an inspiring artistic expression that has telling influence on the audience. It’s actually an event that will showcase the three main elements — tourism, people and culture — of the country. A lot of misconceptions have been weaved around these elements. We want to use it to tell the world that Nigeria is not all about bombing, political crises and other negative things that are always reported by the foreign media about the country, Africa and the people.”

   Kelechi, who has participated in a lot of creative events, which include Anthill 2.0, Bespoke, Wordslam, Taruwa Poetry and others, informed that the three elements —tourism, people and culture — are the most important anybody coming into the country would want to pay attention to.  “I picked these three because they speak volumes about the country. In fact, they are the image of the country. Anybody visiting the country would want to know how the people live, their history, value and social system, and their level of technology,” he remarked.

  To some observers, the event may likely be an all-talk affair, especially with the use of poetry as medium of delivery. But the poet counters, “it’s going to be a medley creative expressions. We are going to blend poetry with some selected genres of music such as hip-hop, jazz, soul, R‘n’B and others to tell our stories to our foreign guests and as well as inspire our youths to live their dreams,” he assured.

  On whether the choice of elitist genre of poetry will be most suitable for the accomplishment of the objectives of the programme, Kelechi says: “Findings have shown that a lot of people listen to poetry and use its lines in their writings, speeches and even daily conversations.  

  “Apart from that, different organisations will showcase their products and services; there will be live band performances, exhibitions of different items from the health sector, hotels, hospitality services, tourism, food, books, lifestyle items and others.

  “It’s going to be a beehive of activities and guests will have a lot to savour. It is going to be a well-rounded event that is connected to people in the UK and Africans in the Diaspora. It would also be shown live on local and international TV as well as on the internet: www.festpoetfest2011.weebly.com.”

   

PATTERNED after international poetry festivals in cities such as Vancouver and others, the social crusader is optimistic that the event will be staged yearly. He therefore solicits the support of individual and corporate organisations to assist in translating the dream to reality. He envisions that as a yearly event, the poetry festival will be attracting poets, scholars and tourists across the globe to the country.

  His words: “poetry is universal and we want to key into it to bring other aficionados to the country. Besides, we are looking at the long-term effect when it would be like the Austin and Vancouver international poetry festivals held yearly. So, we need the support of organisations and private individuals to effectively carry it out.”

In America … A Home Call For Vagrant Africans Abroad

 By Omiko Awa

SET in the United States, the movie titled Soul To Soul outside Nigeria and as In American: The story of the Soul Sisters, within the country won the Best Film for African Abroad at the just concluded seventh edition of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) held at Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.     

  The movie, an inspiring story of two young ladies, Shade and Sonya, is about what illegal immigrants face across the globe.

   Shade, an illegal immigrant, abandons her medical studies in the sixth year in one of Nigerian universities, for the perceived opportunities in the United States of America. Reaching there, she hopes to settle down, work and continue with her education, but things never worked out as planned; she lives with the uncle, who got her a job in a supermarket.

   Her uncle, lonely, sexually frustrated and caught in the webs of pornography, attempts to rape her. Disappointed at the behaviour, shade leaves his house for Sonya’s apartment from where she gets another job for herself.

  Sonya, Shade’s friend, is an African-American young lady dealing with the pressure of cultural ambiguity. In the void created by the separation of her parents, she longs for someone to learn on, shares common aspirations and discuses heartily. Shade’s coming to stay with her, then, fills the vacuum.

  The two soon feel a connection, individually and mutually, that grows into a relationship that later defines their lives.

   Free from the frustrated uncle, who has lived in America for over 15 years with nothing to show for it, and too ashamed to return to Nigeria, Shade falls in love with Curtis, an African-American.

   With Curtis, she nurses the ambition of settling permanently in the US — her long desired dream. But that dream, too, never holds, as the lover boy disappears to unknown place. Within the period of searching for her missing heartthrob, she discovers she is pregnant and has to work to get her daily needs.

   Faced with harsh immigrant laws that pay no attention to her plight, even with her being pregnant for an American citizen; Shade supported by Sonya’s parents’ challenges the law in the court.

   Not winning her case, Americans sympathetic to her problems organise a peaceful rally that draws the attention of the government to the difficult situations people seeking residency permit in the country face.

   However, seeing that all known legal means of making her a legal immigrant has failed, Shade courageously returns to Nigeria, with the mindset of a winner; having known what others know, but refuse to own up to it or just pretend it never existed.   

  Speaking during a mini premier, Rahman Oladigbolu, the director and producer says, “the title was changed from ‘Soul To Soul’ to ‘In America: The story of the Soul Sisters’ because of the TV series Soul to Soul currently on the country airwaves. So, we considered changing it to avoid confusion, but in countries outside our shores such as Canada and the United States, it remains Soul to Soul.”

   Oladigbolu, who also wrote the script, wants to use the multiple story line of the movie to tell the story of Nigerian immigrants in the US.

  “I want to use the movie to tell our story. I mean what some Nigerians are facing in the US and other countries across the globe of which nobody seems to be telling. We need to tell it, to make those at home to know what people face over there, for us to know our ourselves and the American society we always want to run to.”

  “I want to pass a universal message across the globe, which is no matter where one travels to, for one day he or she will return home. I want to see our transverse across the world, looking for greener Pasteur, as not limited to a geographical thing, but as the most important journey one takes to discover his or her identity, potentials and the world outside his or her home,” he equips.

  For instance, he adds, “Shade, the lead character went through all those troubles because she was an illegal alien, but was courageous enough to return home when she could not make any headway. For there are many Nigerians outside there, who do not want to come back home, despite their troubles. They are ashamed to return home.”

   Producing the movie based on what he sees immigrants go through in the US, the filmmaker enthuses, “one thing people fail to know, is that if one does not have a green card in the US, one cannot walk the streets free. One will even find it difficult to be fixed into the system. Though, a lot of opportunities exist there, but those opportunities are opened to people with green card. Some of our men are able to get away with it by marrying an American, but for our ladies, they are not that lucky, as it could be seen in the case of Shade that needs to depend on a man.”

   Not new in the terrain, the US-based independent filmmaker had at various times co-directed and co-produced documentaries and short movies in the US. But, In American: The story of the Soul Sisters marks his debut as a producer and director. He aims to use the movie to tell Nigerians and other foreign nationals that have nothing doing in countries other that theirs to return home and be of use to themselves and their communities aside from calling for global peace and unity. 

 “People see the story line as an empowerment story; a story that awakens an immigrant’s consciousness to return home when things are not working out the way he or she wants it. It has an underling message that the fate of any immigrant lies on his or her hands.”

  Apart from AMAA, the movie, which was a major feature at African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is also receiving positive responses among Americans.

“We have premiered it in Boston, where majority of the viewers are whites and in other states in the US, too; and the responses have been marvelous. However, the movie exposes the ugly experiences illegal immigrants go through in the supposedly assumed land of opportunities. Immigration is one of the problems President Obama is trying to tackle, so, the movie becomes relevant to the people. Secondly, it highlights the existence of racial discrimination in the US, even among people of the same skin colour — the Africans and African-Americans. It’s of interest to the viewers, who before now have paid much attention to the discrimination between whites and blacks.”

“With the introduction of that plot, I intend to say that discrimination is human, as it happens between people of the same race irrespective of geography or country as we have in Nigeria, where the different tribes discriminate among themselves.” 

  With cast such as Jimmy Jean-Louis, Kandace Cummings, Cristian DeJesus and Roger Dillingham Jnr., Oladigbolu hopes to use the experiences gathered being members of different groups that tried to address the African immigrant and African-American problems to enlighten people about US and other advanced countries people often run to.

Rahman Oladigbolu

  He said: “The story line was kick started by two different projects on African immigrant and African-American tension in the US. I was a member of different groups that tried to address these problems, so, as a filmmaker I desired to use movies to enlighten people coming to the US and the world, as a whole, to live in harmony.”

   Aside from wanting the movie to be shown in cinemas across the country beginning from the Easter period, the Oyo state-native aims at producing an all-Nigerian cast movie that will tell our story, as Nigerians.

My Roots, promoting culture through reality show

 By Omiko Awa

Ayodeji Akinpelu

All for their hubbies

BY OMIKO AWA
THE Thriving Business Women Fellowship (TBWF), an interdenominational business fellowship platform that empowers women for wealth creation alongside prayer, organised its yearly U and I Event on February 27 with the theme “Just the two of us.”
The event, specially meant for married people and singles already in courtship, started in 2008 under the umbrella of Daystar Christian Centre, until March 2009, when it became the business arm of Victorious Praying Women Ministry (VPWN).
The gathering spiced with games and Bible principles on marriage amidst serenading background music that could rejuvenate marriages is aimed to bond, appreciate and celebrate spouses in cozy, and relaxed atmosphere.
According to the Co-ordinator, Mrs. Mayokun Oreofe, “the feast is to tell our husbands that no matter the height of our success, in business and in life, we still remain loving and submissive wives to them.”
This year’s gathering, being the third in the series, marked the group’s second anniversary.
To celebrate this, prizes were given to hubbies of members, for encouraging their wives whose immense contributions have led to the increase of members and better service.
The fellowship, which is divided into sub-groups for effectiveness and efficiency gave out prizes to some group members, which include Mr. and Mrs. Salawu of Abigael group; Mr. and Mrs. Esada Igwe (Deborah); Mr. and Mrs. Niyi Alake (Esther); Mr. and Mrs. Sammy Ekpeyon (Hannah); Mr. and Mrs. Akinwande (Elizabeth); and Mr. and Mrs. Adebisi. Others are Mr. and Mrs. Oni (Dorcas); Mr. and Mrs. Olunuga (Naomi); Mr. and Mrs. Adetola Mafe; Mr. and Mrs. Olaniyu (Praise team); and Mr. and Mrs. Kuti; while leadership award went to Mr. and Rev. Ogunleye.
Holy Mallam anchored the programme while Perception band thrilled guest with titillating tunes.

When The Edos Remember Ambrose Ali (1929-1989)

The late Prof. Ambrose Ali   

 THE Great Edo People’s Club of Nigeria, last month, harped on the words of the US novelist Mark Twain, which states, ‘let us so live that when we come to die, even the undertaker will be sorry’; when it held a memorial Valediction in honour of the late Professor Ambrose Ali, who was the first civilian governor of the defunct Bendel State, now Edo and Delta States, from 1979 to 1983. 
  Made of indigenes of Edo State, the group extolled the leadership virtues and exemplary lifestyle of the visionary leader of the defunct Bendel State.

  Speaking at the occasion, the president of the club, Mr. Ebhodaghe Gabriel Ibhafidon said, “going through the developmental programmes of the governors that have ruled Edo State, from when it was Bendel State to date, the club discovered that none has done up to 50 per cent of what the late don did as governor.”

 “Great Edo People’s Club of Nigeria will honour and celebrate any governor of the state, irrespective of his party or the section of the state he came from, whose government impacts on the people through the provision of the necessary amenities such as available and drinkable pipe-borne water, good roads, sustainable urban and rural health care system, security for lives and property, employment for the youth, quantitative education and the opening up of the rural areas for economic activities to strive.”  

 “The essence of remembering, this leader who died 22 years ago, in I989 to be precise, at the age of 60, is to awaken the consciousness of our present rulers to be responsive to the people, govern well so that they will be remember years after they have left office and to avoid diverting state funds to their personal accounts. Prof. Ali had all the opportunities to convert the wealth of the then Bendel State to enrich himself and his cronies, but chose the path of integrity, aggressively developing the state and left a mark, which none has equaled. Even when he started the university many people criticized him, but today the school is measuring among the best in the world.”

   Eulogising the late sage, Barr. Ben Imoukhuede recalled how the grassroots developmental policies, especially in the education sector, of the late leader enabled the rural dwellers to send their children to school. He informed that Ali’s government established day secondary school and placed students in schools nearest to their homes as a way of making them to help their parents at home and in the farm.

    Dr. Ogizien, the Adaze of Ewohimi Kingdom, who narrated the hassles people faced in the hands of tax collectors, said Ali’s abolition of the flat-rate tax unified families because before the abolition most men in the rural areas were that were unable to pay the said tax ran to their farmsteads, where they spend the whole day, but the removal of the taxing system brought them back to their families.

   Emphasizing on the legacies of the late leader, Ibhafidon stated that Ali’s demise left a big vacuum in the state and the nation as whole and, urged the present governor, Adams Oshiomhole to emulate Ali and even surpass him to make the state the envy of all.

     Born in Idoani, Ondo State on September 22, 1929 and died on his birthday, September 22, 1989, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Ambrose Ali was a member of the constituent assembly that drafted the 1978 Nigerian constitution. He joined the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and won the 1979 governorship election under the party’s platform.

   Prior to his election as governor, he was Professor of Morbid Anatomy, University of Benin.

   During his tenure, as governor, he established over 600 new secondary schools, four teachers’ training colleges, three polytechnics, a college of Agriculture and Fishery as well as the Bendel State University, now Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma; with campuses in Ekpoma, Abraka and Asaba.

  However, with the creation of Delta State on August 27, 1991, by the General Ibrahim Babangida-led military administration, the university’s campus in Abraka took the status of a full-fledged university and became the Delta State University, Abraka.

   Retiring to his family house in 1983 after the military government of Major-General Muhammadu Buhari took over power in a coup d etat, Ali was sentenced to a 100-year imprisonment by a military tribunal for allegedly misappropriating N983, 000 funds for a road project. The late governor was later released when the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, paid the said amount as fine to the government and died soon after.

Cross section of members of Edo People's Club

   Other reforms included abolishing charges for services and drugs at state-owned hospitals, introduction of free education, bursary grant for university students from the state and full salaries to serving teachers admitted into any of the colleges to continue their education as well as civil servants on study leaves.

   Furthermore, the payment of flat rate tax, which before the coming of his administration had been the greatest threat and tool of oppression to the rural dwellers, was abolished. He also carried out massive construction of roads to open up the rural areas and as well constructed low cost housing estates in different areas of the state.

   Known for his simple lifestyle, Ali, as governor, wore sandals and simple dress to government functions. He was quoted to have said,” I am so busy working in Government House that I never had time to buy shoes.”

   For his insightful leadership, some group has since established a yearly-distinguished leadership lecture in his honour.