In recognition of the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 regulations, those who would attend the Church service in Chelsea, London would be limited to only twenty. As for the reception that would follow, the same restriction would apply. However, arrangements have been made to provide hospitality at other venues for those who would exceed the maximum allowed. For old students of St. Gregory’s College, a sumptuous dinner and plenty of champagne have been laid on in the magnificent Ballroom of Buckingham Palace, entrance through the East Gate.
In case you encounter any difficulties please contact my god-son Lt.Colonel Folarin Kuku (rtd). Only the first twenty Gregorians to arrive will be admitted – but they must pledge to vote for me at the next election for President of St. Gregory’s College Old Boys Association. Her Majesty the Queen has graciously consented to present a copy of “August Is a Wicked Month” and “Girl by Edna O’brein to each guest.
Edna O’Brien
“I was a girl once, but not anymore. So begins Girl, Edna O’Brien’s harrowing portrayal of the young woman abducted by Boko Haram. Set in the deep countryside of northeast Nigeria, this is a brutal story of incarceration, horror, and hunger; a hair-raising escape into the manifold terrors of the forest; and a descent into the labyrinthine bureaucracy and hostility awaiting a victim who returns home with a child blighted by enemy blood.
On 14 April, 2014, 276 young girls were abducted from their school by the extremist terrorist organisation Boko Haram. The news horrified the world and yet the international community did little to help these girls.
The author of Girl travelled to Nigeria where she met some of the survivors, those who managed against all odds to escape. This novel is based on their accumulative experiences, combining them into the fictional character Maryam. Through her eyes we witness the horrific things that were done to these young girls.
It is not an easy book to read, though it is short and quick. Knowing the experiences written about are real makes it a harrowing and heart-breaking book to read. And yet, it is ever so compelling, and beautifully written. It is a reminder of what was done to these girls…. and that there are still 112 girls still missing (as of the time of this review).
Whilst I enjoyed (in so much as one can, reading about such atrocities) this book, I feel a little uncomfortable about a white Irish woman having written it and to be the one to give voice to their ordeal. However, I assume Ms. O’Brien obtained the young woman’s permission before writing this book. Also, I hope the author intends to give at least part of the proceeds of this book to the survivors, as they struggle to build new lives for themselves and overcome the atrocities they endured. I cannot imagine going through the things they did and some still are, and no one should profit in any way from their pain.
Having said these things, I think it is incredibly important to know what happened to these young girls, for their stories to be told. We cannot forget them. We cannot forget their suffering or the fact that so many of the girls remain missing.”
The Narrator of “Girl” is kidnapped by Jihadi fighters (Boko Haram) in Northern Nigeria. She returns bearing a Boko Haram child.
It was my late uncle, Chief Romannes Adewale Randle (not my dad) who grew up in Buckingham Palace as his mother Victoria was the god-daughter of Queen Victoria. Victoria was the daughter of Sarah Bonetta Forbes who was adopted by Queen Victoria.
Also, as has been the custom in previous years, special prayers would be offered for the 112 missing Chibok girls who have been in the captivity of the dreaded Boko Haram since 2014.
Chief J.K. Randle was a titan in business and a legend in both sports and philanthropy
For the rest of the year, our agenda is to refresh our family’s philanthropy and commitment to:
- Ahmadiya College, Agege
- Ansar-Ud-Deen College, Isolo
- Holy Cross Grammar School, Lagos
- C.M.S Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos
- Randle General Hospital, Surulere, Lagos
- Randle Junior School, Apapa, Lagos
- Randle Senior School, Apapa, Lagos
- King’s College, Lagos
- Lagos State University, Ojo
- St. Gregory’s College, Obalende.
as well as the recovery of Chief J.K. Randle Memorial Hall; Dr. J.K. Randle Swimming Pool; the Dr. J.K. Randle Love Garden (MUSON Centre) in Onikan, Lagos; Nigeria Ports Authority Sports Club, Surulere; and vast land at Agidingbi/Alausa, Ikeja.
We are grateful that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, has decided that henceforth, The United Nations should be recognised as a MORAL FORCE in the resolution of not only international/national grievances but also individual disputes (at the personal level). Therefore, at the next meeting of general assembly of the United Nations the following matters will be table for discussions:
(i) JK Randle versus KPMG – No gratuity or pension after 34 years of meritorious service.
(ii) JK Randle versus Ooni of Ife – Trespass of Land at Plot 7, Block 2, Ikoyi Foreshore, Ikoyi.
(iii) JK Randle versus Zenith Bank Plc (appointment as Receiver Manager of CAMAC/Allied Energy – Moral Transgression.
Also listed for full discussion is the case of the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi—a Saudi dissident, journalist for The Washington Post, former general manager and editor-in-chief of the Al-Arab News Channel—occurred on 2 October 2018 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, and was perpetrated by agents of the Saudi government.
Chief J.K. Randle was a titan in business and a legend in both sports and philanthropy.
“J.K.” had a great sense of humour.
Here is a sample: (“The Duke and The Soul Princess”) – J.K. Randle
“I am sure that doctors like most professionals have to live with the discomfiture of discovering that what the public expects of them is totally unrelated to reality.
I was recently reminded of this by the experience of a mother whose little son took ill during a stormy night. The child was running a very high temperature and proceeded to vomit intermittently. The mother was in utter despair, and in total disregard of the heavy rain, screeching thunder and flashing lightning she braved the storms and rushed the child to the village “native” (or Juju) doctor.
The doctor examined the child and gave the mother some palm oil and herbs. He was most reassuring with perfect bedside manners (minus the stethoscope) and calmed the mother with the soothing words: “There is nothing to worry about. Your child will be fine in the morning – just hang a photograph of the Devil over the child’s bed, recite the incantations I have written for you, rub the palm oil over your child’s body and brew the herbs for him to drink. Make sure you follow my instructions exactly.
The mother went back home and did as she had been instructed; but unfortunately, she could not find a photograph of the Devil. She searched all over her hut and it was while she was scrimmaging that she came across a photograph of a fierce looking Major-General “T.I.” who until recently was the “de facto” ruler of an African country.
The mother in triumph exclaimed: “If I cannot get hold of a photograph of the Devil, this photograph will do just as well.”
Reassured, she went to sleep and so did the child. In the morning, she had to come to terms with tragedy – the child would not wake up. It was dead. The tearful mother rushed to the “doctor” and challenged him – his reassurances had proved to be false and his prescriptions had turned out to be ineffectual. The doctor was baffled, “Impossible!” he exclaimed, “Your child could not possibly die if you did exactly as I instructed. Tell me exactly what you did with my prescriptions….” The sobbing mother then confessed that she had not followed the doctor’s prescriptions exactly – she had to substitute Major-General T.I.’s photograph for that of the Devil……
At this point the jubilant doctor protested: “That was an overdose! You are responsible for your child’s death.”
May Chief J.K. Randle’s soul rest in peace.
