A member of the House of Representatives representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Oyo state, Honourable Shina Peller, has described Nigeria's former Head of State, Retired General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) as a man with a very good heart through whom he remembers and sees his father, Professor Moshood Abiola Peller, the late renowned magician.
Hon. Peller stated this on his personal social media platforms while recalling his encounter with the elderstateman when he paid him a visit in his countryhome in Minna, Niger State.
The federal legislator, who kicked off Ayedero Peace Tour across the country's six geopolitical zones from Minna, Niger state on Monday, stated that he is emotionally attached to IBB because his late father loved the former Military Head of State so much that he decided to produce a magical show (drama) titled, "The Invisible General" in honour of the former Head of State in 1987.
He explained further that the one hour long drama was a prediction that there would be a coup against the administration of General Babangida, but that he would survive it. Hon. Peller recalled that his late father played the character of IBB in the drama, and that he was captured, but whilst in cell, he disappeared and then reappeared with a sound of gunshot in the middle of the audience.
In the same vein, he observed that three years later, there was a coup attempt against the administration of General Babangida, but that as predicted in the drama, the coup failed.
Similarly, the Iseyin-born federal lawmaker explained that General Babangida aligns himself totally with the Ayedero Peace Tour and that he also shares his view that the youth should be given the opportunity to play their roles as agents of societal development.
The post read in full:
"On Monday 17th January whilst in Minna, Niger State, the Ayedero National Unity & Peace Tour delegation paid homage to Nigeria's elder statesman and former Head of State, Retired Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB).
"We spoke at length and the elder statesman aligns himself totally with the Peace Tour, and expressed optimism that it will enhance peaceful coexistence of Nigerians. He also shares my view that for the country to progress, there must be peace, and that the youth representing 75% of the population and workforce of our country should be given the opportunity to play their roles as agents of positive change, peace and good governance.
"For those that do not know, IBB is someone that I adore so much. I am emotionally attached to him for some reason. The first is that my late dad, Prof. Moshood Abiola Peller (RIP), adored him so much that he purposely produced a magical show (drama) in honour of Gen. Babangida in 1987. He named the drama "THE INVINCIBLE GENERAL" and predicted that there would be a coup against the military administration of Gen. Babangida, but that he would survive the coup.
"It was an hour-long drama show and I'm sure there are some people alive today who watched it live because it was taken all around the country and all West African countries. In the drama, my dad played the character of Gen. Babangida, and he was “captured”, but whilst locked up in a cell, my dad disappeared and then appeared with a sound of gunshot in the middle of the audience indicating that IBB survived the coup in the drama.
"Interestingly, three years later, there was a military coup attempt to overthrow the government of Gen. Babangida, but as predicted by my late dad, the coup failed.
"Another thing worth noting about Gen Babangida and my visit to him was that when I engaged him one on one, I realised that he is a man with a very good heart. He spoke passionately about the youth and that he is ever ready to support anything targeted at providing opportunities for young Nigerians to get actively involved in conflict resolution, politics and governance. He also believes that Nigerian youths have everything it takes to take charge and put our country on the right track.
"We also spoke about the Lead Generation Initiative (LGI) and how the organisation has been able to train thousands of Nigerian youths on leadership, civic responsibility, strategic communication, nation building and community organising. We have trained over 1,700 youths across the country through the train-the-trainer model which have in turn train over 100,000 youths. He was so happy about the initiative and expressed his readiness to support the cause and everything that has to do with youth development and peace-building. Like my dad has described him in his drama, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida is a great warlord, “THE INVINCIBLE GENERAL", and he will continue to be one in my heart. Seeing him makes me miss my dad more. As a matter of fact, I see my dad through him!"
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