In as much as I have some respect for Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello as a strong woman and being a close friend of her husband, it is not right for her to conduct herself appallingly in the place of worship. In addition, no right thinking Nigerian would appreciate the way she conducts herself in the public; more important though, as a member of a Distinguished Nigeria Senate.

While her action should not come to anyone as a surprise, especially to those that have worked or crossed path with her before. Nonetheless, the time is ripe for those who love politesse to tame her public relations and demeanor, most especially how she conducts herself at the place of worship.

Recently at a wedding, Saturday, November 15, 2008, even in the house of God, where everyone should be abstemious, Iyabo REFUSED to hide her sentiment against her fellow human beings. Hopefully Iyabo is not unveiling her disrespect for God. The House of Worship is not a place to flaunt any sentiment against anyone, not even our elders, mentors, boss, and co-workers, regardless, so that our prayers would be answered by God.

If Iyabo could act that way in the House of worship, talk less about the dignitaries created in God's own image, where we present our qualms to God, I am very much concerned where she would get God's blessings. In effect, no one should be angry at any of her behaviors.

God is the only one everyone looks up to for salvation. The whole world agrees that 'the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom'. I pray she understands what the place of worship meant in our life, by not placing herself above God. May the good Lord help her out.

It was reported that Iyabo refused to greet Otunba Gbenga Daniel as she passed by him and his wife twice at the First Baptist Church, Okelerin, Ogbomosho, on November 15, 2008 during the wedding of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala's daughter, Subulade Olamide. That was no big deal in the multitude of good people around. She arrived at the tail end of the wedding sermon. She was offered a seat by Senator Folarin Taslim, right behind Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

It was widely reported that Iyabo hit Otunba Gbenga Daniel's head twice, which informed Gbenga's security details to structure walls around the Governor. That was an act of disrespect. That was the man she worked for as Health Commissioner for about four years, against the wish of her father.

Iyabo could be failing to realize that respect is reciprocal. She wanted the Governor's aide to respect her, and she REFUSED to respect her elders and most especially, God, by displaying her unmanageable rage in the place of worship. Religious leaders should read the 'Wisdom Act' to her everyday of her life.

On her defense, Bidemi Osunbiyi, Iyabo's senior legislative aide, laid the scene on Otunba Gbenga Daniel's security. According to him,

"Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello was dancing behind Daniel in the Church, but to the utter consternation of everybody, one of Daniel's security details charged at her, twisted her hand and shoved her aside."

Unfortunately, sometimes some of these aides would not tell their bosses the and eventually pushed them into the ditch.

What was missing, from Iyabo's brief, was lack of information regarding the pre-meditated incident before the security took that action. At least the security might have observed some funny moves from Iyabo before reacting in such a way.

Senator Iyabo Obasanjo would add that,

"During the service, as I stood up to dance, one of his aides, an SSS officer, Frank Osatewe by name, pushed me and started twisting my hand, saying I wanted to touch the governor when I had no business with him. When this man continued twisting my hand and almost injured me, I had to push him".

The untruth story from the aides now infected Iyabo's statement which she carried to the Senate. How Senator Folarin, the Senate Majority Leader, reacts to what happened at the tip of his nose would be a testimony to the type of person he is. It would either affirm or deny what 'Chicken Nugget' Nuhu Aliyu has claimed to be a Senate full of scammers, fraudsters, among others.

We all believe that pictures do not lie, not in this modern high technological age. From the video, which I was privileged to watch, Iyabo got up in a solo dance, while the rest were seated as if she was in spirit. It was like what usually happen in the Aladura Churches that someone in Holy Spirit would get up in the middle of the service. Iyabo was restless. She looked to her right first and then left in a swift and possessed manner, as if she was looking for a missing object, and continued dancing. That might be the time her laze Buba touched Otunba's head. Turning around, Otunba, who remained unmoved, thought that was an accident.

Iyabo been who she is, continued with her act while some security agents formed a protective wall around Otunba to prevent further embarrassing moments in the Church. From the video one security aide walked to her and was saying something to her. In the process and spontaneously, in anger, Iyabo rained two heavy female punches, like 'Mike Tyson's knockout punches, on the man. Surprisingly the man looked un-jagged from the punches.

In amazement the man next to Senator Taslim Folarin, opened his mouth in disbelief. Senator Folarin looked worried at Iyabo when she got up for her solo Holy Spirit dance. Other congregation members at the wedding struggled to increase their heights to witness the scene Iyabo created in the Church. She was really ready to fight.

Iyabo was moved to another seat while a lady behind her whispered something to her, unacknowledged. With her long face she restlessly got up again dancing. That might be the time the security held her hand.

The irony of the scene was that the Church Choir was singing "Ta lo dabi Olorun mi, ko si o o o o o, ko si o o o o o." Meaning there is no one like God. We should hope that Iyabo is not claiming to be higher than God by being insolence in the House of Worship.

It would only happen in Nigeria when an individual gets physical in a public place without being arrested for public assault, and disturbance, regardless his or her status. That would land that citizen in jail in any civilized community. Someone needs to tame Iyabo for the display of her boisterous public behavior. It is becoming an act of shame for her, the family, the Senate and the country as a whole.

It was believed that would not be the first time she would act that way. Records have it that at the National Assembly during her ordeal with EFCC, the media were unprofessionally handled by Iyabo. And while the security agents at the National Assembly were doing their job; she breached the rule and got physical, placing herself above the law.

It was also reported that at the wedding of Major Olu Obasanjo, her junior brother, Iyabo walked out Otunba Daniel's Aide-de-Camp (ADC) and his Chief Security Officer (CSO). That was in the private Hilltop home of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. While representing her father at the Nigerian Society of Engineers award given ceremony, Saturday, November 1, 2008, Iyabo was alleged to have snubbed Otunba. It was reported that she snubbed her stepmother, late Stella Obasanjo at Ogun State Awards ceremony two years past (2006).

If the allegation of Otunba Daniel's interference on the conferment of a Chieftaincy title of "Iyaniwura of Egbaland" on Iyabo, by Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, is true, the Governor has no business on who gets recognized by any Traditional Rulers in Ogun State. Provided the title is not coined into politics. Tradition titles are awards of excellence to community services, not for name recognition or affiliation.

Ironically, the Traditional Rulers might have forgotten much of their responsibilities as the Father of all subjects in their domain. Unfortunately, some of them have allowed politics to creep into their traditional responsibilities. The traditional rulers, if they are really serious about being father to all, should consult with the tradition and culture of the land in the conferment of traditional titles to deserving people who are good ambassadors of their respective communities, without politicizing it.

Despite the resentments of Egba Muslims about Obasanjo's tenure, Alake decided to honor Iyabo for her work with Iyadunni Foundation. Iyabo, through advertorial, turned down "Iyadunni of Egbaland" Award, courtesy of Alake of Egbaland. Her advertorial withdrawal from the title conferment ceremony not to abide with the conditions attached to it, to apologize to the Governor, speaks much of Iyabo that I know.

The Secretary General of Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Baba Adinni of Egbaland, Alhaji (Dr) Abdul-Lateef Adegbite, considered Obasanjo's most recent tenure as "anti masses". In his words, "Mekunnu KO gbadun ijoba to lo yii, ara ni ijoba naa fi ni mekunni"; meaning "the masses of this nation did not enjoy the immediate past government as the government further pauperized them".

The call by Iyabo for a debate between her and Otunba on television is like the two chickens fighting in the market place, where no one knows what the fight was all about. The TV debate ought to have been used to reach out to her constituency intimidating them of her positive contributions she had made since becoming a Senator.

The TV challenge ought to have been used to explain her act in the Church; the challenge she is facing with EFCC alleging her acceptance of N10 million of Ministry of Health's unspent budget; the allegation of her raw deal with the Australian firm surrounding N3.5billion contracts in the power sector using Mrs. Damilola Akinlawon in the paper she signed; Or her run from EFCC when she was invited for questioning.

On the Australia firm allegation Iyabo denied any wrong doing and stated, as reported by ThisDay Newspaper, Thursday, December 20, 2007,

"I know Prince Awofisayo. Sometime ago, he invited me to be part of a business he wanted to do. Some of these proposals work, other times they don't. Prince said I should not worry, that he would fund the entire project. I told him since I was a commissioner; it could raise issues of conflict of interest. We agreed to go into the business all the same. Prince formed a company and did all the ground work. We agreed that I should use a different name, yes, because in law there is nothing wrong with that. Even the arbitration panel in Paris, on which a judge of the high court of England sat, agreed that legally, there was nothing wrong in that. The company put in bids for the power projects without any input from me. It went through a normal, transparent process. I didn't even know anybody at NEPA, so I could not have influenced anything. The company won the contracts. It is true that I used a pseudonym. It was Prince Awofisayo who funded the whole project. I did not put in a penny and I did not receive a penny from it. The truth will come out someday. This is pure blackmail. Because their business relationship has gone bad now, they now want to drag me in an unnecessary controversy. This is unfair. They are trying to use the media to destroy me because I am Obasanjo's daughter. Does it mean because I am Obasanjo's daughter, I cannot do anything again in this country? I have worked hard all my life. I am a PhD holder by dint of hard work. Does it mean I cannot even do anything again in my life without people trying to make a big issue out of it?"

For God's sake, Iyabo is a member of the Nigeria Distinguished Senate class, representing a Senatorial District in a State that has produced very Distinguished and Prominent Nigerians. In the House of God, we are being reminded to humble ourselves and love each other. Iyabo's act in the Church is not a good qualification for the Gateway State some Nigerians are proud to be a part.

Regardless the circumstances, the Church is not a place to vent any anger on anyone. You could read from Iyabo's facial expression on that video that she acted like someone who is possessed, whose brain has been overtaken by a substance and was ready for anything. That act should not be condoned by any religious leaders, as Nigeria has been identified as one of the most religious countries in the world.

What Iyabo should do now is to mellow with her immediate community as home is home, regardless. Home is the resting place after a long sojourn in the foreign land. If I may join Alhaji Adegbite top echo the words of elders, "ile l'abo simi oko". Most importantly Iyabo should take her anger far away from the House of God. She should return to the House of God for atonement.

This is not an apology for Otunba Gbenga Daniel or the "crème la crème of the political class in attendance" at the Saturday November 15, 2008 solemnization of the marriage between Subulade Olamide and her husband, Jacob Olayode Alabi at the First Baptist Church, Okelerin, Ogbomoso. That act in the place of worship is out of order.

What elders should do, regardless their political leanings, just like her father said while reacting to his son's allegation that he slept with his wife, is to pray for Iyabo. Possibly, everyone in that family lineage, just like any average Nigerian, needs prayers. Otunba Daniel should go about his business of the day, and leave Iyabo for the prayerists to safe her from the fiend that has made a home in her. Definitely if anyone should act in such a manner in the place of worship, prayer is the next thing people should offer for such act, instead of apportioning blames.

When we were growing up in our village, I remember my grandmother, who raised me, would insist to be religiously upright in relating to our elders while portraying the good name of the family. More important though, my mother-in-law, in blessed memory, did say, "Train your child so that you would have a peaceful life at your ripe age."

At any rate Senator Dr. Iyabode Obasanjo-Bello should conduct herself, especially when in the House of Prayers. Whenever you are in the place of worship, you should be very humble without any blotch, or diluted mind so that your prayers would be answered. It is a way of not obstructing the prayer lines of your fellow worshippers.

Boorish behavior is unacceptable in a place of worship and God should be respected.

Nigerians would see how honest the Nigeria Senate is on its inquiry into the matter as both parties have reported the case to the Distinguished ladies and gentlemen. We hope it won't be like the issue raised by 'Chicken Nugget' Nuhu Aliyu on the fraudsters in the Senate, without any positive action.

'The fear of God is the Beginning of Wisdom'.