AyoAROWOJOLU
Who says miracles no longer happen? Veteran Medical practitioner, business magnate and politician, Dr. Tai Ebunola Malumi, is a living testimony as one of the survivors of the ongoing volatile mayhem being currently witnessed in the country.
For a start, Dr Malumi, who is based in three major cities in Nigeria, Port Harcourt, Lagos and Akure, is not a Senator, as widely reported by several online platforms which went viral on that black Tuesday.
Not many would know he was the one in the thick of action being referred to as Nigerian Senator. Although the narrative that he offered the youths N2millon in order to be let go by the mob, was not true, he had Indeed, escaped death by the whiskers.
The politician, who is a founding member of the All Progressive Party(APC) nationally, was being chauffeur-driven in his Range Rover SUV, that Tuesday from Akure enroute Lagos, when he and his escorts ran into a barricade mounted by protesters in Ondo town.
Flagging him down, he was advised to alight and address them, as they ostensibly took him for one of the heavyweight leaders that are oppressing Nigerians.
Dr Malumi was lucky enough to tell his story, all by himself, as he said: “Join me for a special thanksgiving unto God. It was a wonderful act of God. I experienced awesomeness of God in action I could have been killed by the angry youths. It was like landing in the lions den, yet same lions protected and guarded me to safety. They were like ready to deal with anybody they see as political leaders. But, I saw God sending some among the protesters as my saving Angels”
The businessman further narrated the story of that deadly encounter: “While on the journey, we ran into the protesters barricade. The protesters looked ferocious but they were very civil.
“It was suddenly that a group of hoodlums appeared from no where and started shouting Ole ooo, ole oooo (meaning thief, thief) But, they were shocked I was dancing with them and they insisted I must address them. I told them I can’t be a thief. I am their father and luckily I had very handy a publication containing several photographs of my philanthropic projects of which youths are the beneficiaries.
“There were in those papers pictures of myself during the commissioning of a Dining Hall to Federal Government Girls College, Shagamu, and also an Assembly Hall Building in Methodist High School, Okitipupa, and several others.
“These youths listened to me with rapt attention and before long they started hailing me. Then I heard some of the protesters whispering into my ears that at this point Daddy, leave your car behind with us. Let’s get you to safety. We will bring your car to you later and I said that’s okay by me, even though, they hinted me about few meters trek with them to safety and I said I was ready.
“It was a wonderful experience and purely the grace of God. Nobody touched me, although some hoodlums were singing ole, ole ole.Rather, the youths protected me and formed a ring round me to ensure no harm befell me. They took me to a hotel which I later discovered was owned by a vey well known old friend for safety, where I lodged and even the youths kept their promise and guarded and brought my car back to me after about four hours safely without any scratch or anything missing.
“I saw clearly the spirit of the glory and hand of God. I addressed them great Nigerian students, great Nigerian youths. I related with them very well.
“All I learn from this is that every Nigerian leader must start to do good. They must prioritise the well-being and welfare of the people who voted them into office.
“I think all politicians in Nigeria should go and embark on what I call popularity test on the streets of our people. Always put interests of the youths in your heart. A day of reckoning may come soon”
Dr Malumi, was born into the royal family in Ode Mahin in Ondo State. He belongs to the Alagwe Ruling House, where he built and donated a befitting Alagwe Ruling House “to the Glory of God, benefit of mankind and indelible memories of our ancestors”.His footprints as a philanthropist is visible in many parts of Nigeria.
A proud 1975 graduate of the University of Ibadan where he studied medicine, he is the founder of the well established Funtai Hospital, Port Harcourt as well as Chairman of a chain of about 25 companies and diverse business concerns.
Dr Malumi has the historic honour of being the first to pioneer the novel Air Ambulance in Nigeria, whereby the use of LearJets and helicopters are at the beck and call of such Nigerians as well as expatriates oil company workers needing emergency medical attention.
The businessman also made a remarkable contribution to the nation’s economy when he Introduced Lafarge,of France, reputed to be the world’s largest cement company in year 2000 as a joint venture partnership called Atlas cement, a singular move that has made the Nigerian cement brand to blossom till date.
