There are some interesting developments between Nigeria and Italy. First, Italy’s Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa, on February 15, 1564 and, 400 years later, February 15, 1964, there was in Epe, Lagos State, birth of first lady of Lagos State, Bolanle Ambode. Like Galileo, Bolanle Ambode, studied mathematics and physics.

Galileo Galilei was brought before the Inquisition of the Catholic Church for daring to suggest that the earth was not the centre of the universe. He was accused of heresy related Bolale Ambode has been accused of sacrilege for storming out of a church complex during an anointing service.

Secondly, like Milan in Italy, Lagos has been the industrial capital of Nigeria, but reports have it that it has since lost that status to Ogun State. But is currently, like Milan, the commercial and Fashion capital of Nigeria. In fact, the Lagos Fashion Week has been likened to a response to the Milan Fashion Week, by some observers.

Thirdly, Saint Augustine of Hippo became a professor in Milan; he got converted to Christianity by Saint Ambrose. Saint Ambrose, by the Catholic tradition, is the patron Saint of Milan. Saint Augustine was born November 13, 354 AD. He was a professor and pastor. As an undergraduate, he belonged to a gang boasting about crimes he did not commit. Augustine was a womaniser before he got converted to Christianity. He has also been described as the chief student of the university, and a great genius. Among other books, he wrote, The City of God.

Relatedly, late physicist, Muyiwa Awe, became a professor in Lagos, specifically at the University of Lagos. Many years later he got converted to Pentecostalism by Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Born on November 13, 1932, the anniversary of the birth of Saint Augustine of Hippo, he was formerly brought into the fold of the professoriate on what is regarded as The feast of Saint Ambrose, December 7, 1973, with his inaugural lecture entitled, “Physics in Ibadan: Developing Physics in a Developing country.” Awe has been referred to as one of the four geniuses from Government College, Ibadan. As an undergraduate, Awe belonged to the much talked about Pyrates Confraternity. He emerged “Best graduating student” at the Faculty of Science, University of Ibadan Almost like Augustine of Hippo, as an undergraduate, he was a member of the society for the study of Sex. Awe, a pastor, wrote the book, The Fatherhood of God.

•COINCIDENCES is a periodic column published on selected Wednesdays. The next appearance will be on July 11, 2018. The columnist, Augustine Togonu-Bickersteth, is based in England, Britain, but can be reached via e-mail through atogonub@hotmail.co.uk or info@newsexpressngr.com

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