On January 1 2009, I said to myself, “Young man, you will be 70 years this year”. Then I asked myself further “What day of the week does your birthday fall?” only to discover from the calendar that it was a Sunday, when friends and well wishers could be invited to rejoice with me. It also occurred to me that, being a Sunday, is another of God’s regular blessings to me, throughout my life so far. As a young journalist, I was trained to always find out, at least a couple of Ws on any sensational developments. After discovering that September 27th is a Sunday, I was curious to know what is the big deal about September 27, which makes me enjoy God’s blessings and good luck very often.

I accordingly discovered that, at the early stages of the Second World War, Adolf Hitler’s seeming invincible army, invaded erstwhile neutral Poland in breach of earlier agreement with the Allied Forces. Underdog and under-armed Poles, with the support of the Allied Forces, resisted the German invasion. After weeks of bloody battles, Poles eventually succeeded in driving out the German enemy forces on Wednesday September 27, 1939. That same day, a baby was born at Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu Province of the defunct Western region. You are therefore celebrating the 70th birthday of that baby boy, born in 1939, the day legitimate resistance triumphed against enemies of a determined people. This, perhaps, may explain my critical approach to life and society.

Ten years ago, I celebrated my 60th birthday at Ijebu-Ode. Why then the decision to celebrate the 70th in Lagos? This is deliberate, because it is the only way to show my appreciation to Lagos. I have lived at least 60 years of my life in Lagos, one of the greatest cities in the world, a city which developed me into whatever status I am today. I was born at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, for which I feel proud, just as much as I value Lagos. Given variables of life and individual luck, any capable and willing Nigerian will always succeed in Lagos, although strictly within the law.
I am always confronted with enquiries from friends and well wishers, on the secret of attaining membership of the club of septuagenarians. There is nothing secret about ensuring good health, through moderation in every aspect of human desire. I mean moderation in every aspect of human desire, spiced with contentment in your lot.

I have been privileged to witness Nigeria from the beginning (Independence, in 1960), till today. It is, therefore, impossible to conclude this short piece without observations on the political firmament. As in any volatile society, political evolution cannot be completely smooth sailing. In our own case, we are bombarded regularly with allegations (and they remain allegations) of corruption and election rigging. So frustrated is society, that the general impression is that Nigeria is drifting. If only that were the true situation, we could at least re-stabilise, as we have been doing since independence, almost 50 years ago. That is, we could always confront, overcome or even tolerate any degree of corruption and election rigging. What is alarming today is that rather than drifting, Nigeria is in a worse situation. This country is dangling.

We all value, recognise and are conscious of our religious, economic, political and cultural diversities or indeed differences, such that, it is completely impossible to claim any political/electoral decisions, wiping out our centuries-old multiplicity. Nigeria is unique in Africa. With due respect to fellow Africans in other countries, one party system might be rammed down their throats but certainly not in Nigeria. For us, any claim of one-way political reasoning could only have been concocted.

Whether in the East, West, North or South, certain political influences will always be different, even if all alone in opposition to other political groups. Such right not to belong to any ruling party or parties must be seen for its positive value of enhancing democracy. Anytime, any day, now and forever, Nigerians can never vote in one direction. We must, therefore, avoid the temptation of a one party system. There is always an element of coercion in a single political set-up anywhere in the world.

Now, in the new status of an elder statesman and with the benefit of my experiences so far, I am humbly suggesting that we preserve our multi-party system.
Finally, not long ago, a friend teased me on why at this age I should still regard myself as King of Boys. Ten years ago, when I celebrated my 60th birthday, there were eight of us in my family. Three –my wife and my two daughters –were females, while the rest, myself and my four sons, were males. Today, we males in the family have widened the gap with my three grandsons. Therefore, as the first among eight males in my family, I am the King of the Boys.

• This is excerpt from speech by Onabule during his 70th birthday celebration in Lagos last Sunday.