THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY, THE BLOODY COUP OF JANUARY 15th 1966 AND A TRIBUTE TO OUR HEROES PAST

Nigeria is the only country in the world in which history is not taught.


This policy has done us much harm and represents perhaps the greatest, most savage, most brutal and most destructive blow to the pysche, confidence, knowledge, intellectual acumen and mental health of our people.




The consequence of this egregious and unbelievable error and grave oversight is the fact that we are now having to contend with a vast population of over 220 million people who are essentially ignorant of their own past, that have no knowledge of their noble historical heritage and that predicate and rationalise their nation's existence on lies, misinformation, disinformation, falsehood, folklore, fairy tales, fantasy, self-serving and selective clap trap and a more than heavy dose of intellectual distortion and historical revisionism.


This is precisely why we are, in the main, essentially a conflicted and confused people who have no idea where we are coming from, where we are today or where we are going tomorrow.



This is why we, more often than not, view, discuss and debate our nation's history with an emotional bent and from a thoroughly subjective, unintelligent and unintellectual prism rather than an objective, plausible, logical, level- headed, factual and intelligent one with strong primary sources and unassailable empirical evidence.



We have little or no regard or appreciation of the heroic deeds, monumental struggles, historical achievements and extraordinary sacrifices that our forefathers made in the struggle against British colonial rule, the fight for independence, the struggle against military rule and the challenges and obstacles that our politicians from the First, Second and Third republics faced, surmounted and overcame to get us to where we are.



This is our reality and frankly it is pitiful.



I say pitiful because without any knowledge of our history we are nothing.



Worse of all is the fact that, having learnt nothing from our past mistakes and numerous historical challenges because we have no idea about precisely what those mistakes and challenges were, it becomes inevitable for us to repeat them.


Permit me to tickle your collective fancies by asking the following questiins.



How many Nigerians know who Alafin Aole Arogangan, Sheik Usman Dan Fodio, Bishop Ajayi Crowther, Rev. Emmanuel Adelabi Kayode (my great grandfather), Herbert Macauly, Sapara Williams, Rev. Suberu Fanimokun, Isaac Boro, General Murtala Mohammed, Alhaji Ali Akilu, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, Colonel Gideon Orkar and Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim were?




How many know anything about Ernest Ikoli, Alhaji Aminu Kano, Chief Joseph Tarka, Owelle Nnamdi Azikiwe, Justice Daddy Onyeama, Chief Philip Asiodu, Chief Allison Ayida, Chief Hope Harriman, Chief Godfrey Amachree, Alhaji Adamu Attah, Alhaju Adamu Augie, Chief Solomon Lar, Alhaji Saleh Jambo, Alhaji Saleh Hassan, Oba Adesoji Aderemi and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma?



How many know much about General Hassan Katsina, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Shehu Musa Yar'adua, General TY Danjuma, General Sani Abacha, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, Dr. Olusola Saraki, Chief KO Mbadiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Adetokunboh Ademola, Chief FRA Williams, Justice Atanda Fatayi-Williams, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and the Black Scorpion, Benjamin Adekunle?



How many know anything about the Black Victorians of the old Lagos colony or Sara Forbes Bonneta who was the god-daughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain.


How many have ever heard about Sara's distinguished and well to do husband, Captain James Pinson Labulo Davis, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist from old Lagos.




How many know anything about the politics and history of Nigeria in the 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's and 1990's?



How many knew that it was only in the 1950's that Nigerians were allowed to live in the area of Lagos known as Ikoyi and that this came about only as a consequence of the long and bitter struggle and great and irresistible agitation of the proud and noble Nigerian leaders of the old Lagos colony of that day.



Up until then Ikoyi was a residential area that was the exclusive preserve of the European settlers and colonialists!



How many have heard about Justice Victor Adedapo Kayode, my Cambridge-University trained paternal grandfather who was one of the leading criminal lawyers of his generation, who was the third Nigerian to be appointed as a Magistrate (in those days all our judges were white) and who landed a dirty slap on the face of a British colonial officer in broad daylight outside the front door of the old Bristol Hotel in Lagos for his insolence, impertinence and overtly racist remarks!





The following day the matter was reported in the newspapers and it created quite a stir!



How many know about what really happened during our civil war and what led to it?



How many know about President Shehu Shagari and the Second Republic and how many have any knowledge of Chief MKO Abiola in the third?



How many know about military rule in Nigeria and who the main players were and how many have any idea about the coups and attempted coups we have experienced since independence?




Sadly most Nigerians, particularly in the Gen Z generation, know NOTHING about their nations past and its major players and even when they do that knowledge is sparse, scanty, shallow and, more often than not, minimal, inconsequential and obscure.



It really is a tragedy and one of the reasons that yours truly has written this contribution about the relevance of January 15th in our calender is to at least attempt to enlighten those that are intelligent enough to appreciate the importance of history and that have no idea why we even have or celebrate an Armed Forces Remebrance Day or where our seemingly unending troubles and turmoil really started.



Consider the following.



Today is Armed Forces Remembrance Day and it is a day that we are constrained to rembember our fallen heroes.




Many in the younger generation do not know why this particular day was chosen to commemorate those that fell and the tragic events that led to their brutal murder.



Permit me to enlighten those that know no better and to share the facts.



58 years ago today, on January 15th 1966, a bloody, vicious, merciless, unrelenting and violent mutiny took place in our Armed Forces in which many of our reverred, respected and beloved political leaders and senior military officers, together with some members of their respective families, were humiliated, tortured, mutilated and finally murdered in cold blood.


Those that were killed were Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the Prime Minister, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of the old Northern Region, Chief S.L. Akintola, the Premier of the old Western Region, Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari, Colonel James Pam, Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun, Colonel Ralph Sodeinde, Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, the Minister of Finance, Colonel Arthur Unegbe, Colonel Kur Mohammed, Lt. Colonel Abogo Largema, Mrs. Hafsatu Bello, the wife of the Sardauna of Sokoto, Zarumi, the bodyguard of the Sardauna of Sokoto, Mrs. Lateefat Ademulegun, the wife of Brigadier Ademulegun, Ahmed B. Musa, Ahmed Pategi, Sgt. Daramola Oyegoke, PC Yohana Garkawa, PC Musa Nimzo, PC Akpan Anduka, PC Hagai Lai and PC Philip Lewande.



Two others were also abducted by the mutineers from their homes that night and brutalised. Thankfully they both managed to escape with their lives.



The first was Chief Remilekun Adetokunboh Fani-Kayode KC, SAN, CON, the Balogun of Ile-Ife and the Deputy Premier of the old Western Region (my beloved father).



I personally witnessed some of the events of that night when, led by one Captain Emmanuel Nwobosi, they came to our home and official residence in Government House, Ibadan and abducted him.



Thankfully he was rescued later in the day by loyal troops led by Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon (as he then was), Captain Paul Chabri Tarfa (as he then was) and Lt. Takoda, who stormed the officers mess in Dodan Barracks, Lagos where he was taken and was being held by the mutineers and freed him after a prolonged and bloody gun battle which resulted in deaths on both sides.



The second was Sir Kashim Ibrahim, the Governor of the old Northern Region who was rescued and freed by loyalist forces in Kaduna.



Both of these men were delivered by divine providence and went on to live for many more years and make their contributions to national development.




The coup was led by Major Emmanuel Arinze Ifeajuna and Major Chukuwemeka Kaduna Nzeogwu and 90% of the officers involved were Igbo.




The allegation that it was an Igbo coup is accurate and factual regardless of all attempts to revise and re-write history, often by the murderers and mutineers themselves, in a futile attempt to make it look otherwise and portray themselves as patriots and heroes.



They were far from either of the two and the bitter truth is that they were nothing more than a bunch of cowardly, treacherous, self-serving, ungrateful, over ambitious, power- hungry homicidal maniacs and murderous butchers who attempted to take power through the barrel of the gun and impose an ethnic and religious agenda.



The assertion that it was not an Igbo coup is patently false and we owe it to those that lost their lives on that terrible night to at least speak the truth about what happened and who killed them.



I commend the historians, commentators and writers, including individuals like @renoomokri, who have collectively continued to pronounce and enunciate this sacred truth despite the insults and threats which they are often subjected to by those who are blind to the reality, who have no knowledge of history and who have been misguided and brainwashed into believing otherwise.



The cycle of violence that the unprecedented amount of violence and bloodshed that took place that terrible night unleashed was horrendous and not only did it lead directly to what has rightly been described by historians as the "Northern officers revenge coup" 6 months later in July 1966 in which 300 Igbo officers and the Igbo Head of State, General Aguiyi-Ironsi, was murdered but also to the infamous pogroms in the North where up to 100,000 Igbos were murdered by angry mobs and finally the civil war in which up to 3 million Igbo civilians and Biafran soldiers (including 1 million Igbo children) were butchered alongside hundreds of thousands of Nigerian civilians and gallant Army officers.



My prayer is that we never witness or experience such bloody events in our history again but if anyone is interested in knowing where, how and why this terrible series of events and cycle of brutality started they must consider the events of January 15th 1966 when the murderous barbarians that called themselves young Army officers unleashed mayhem on our leaders and killed so many of them in the most beastly and cowardly fashion.




History records all those that were murdered that night as heroes and we shall never belittle, forget or undermine the supreme sacrifice that they made for our beloved nation.



They live on in our hearts and we resolve to soldier on regardless and make Nigeria an even greater and better country than they sought to make it and to honour their memory by building on their great and noble heritage and legacy.



May their precious souls continue to rest in peace, may the Lord continue to protect, comfort and bless those they left behind including their families and loved ones and may God continue to guide and lead our great nation Nigeria.



Happy Armed Forces Remembrance Day!


(FFK)

The genocidal monster and strange little creature that appears in a video which I posted on X boastfully proclaiming that "every single Gazan is an enemy of Israel" & that "every man, woman & child in Gaza should be killed", proves that the Jewish state is now a nation of demonically-inspired souls that are in the grip & power of satan.




The creature, whose name is Eliyahu Yossian and who is a former member of an elite Intelligence Unit of the Israeli Defence Force, spoke with the same murderous intention and homicidal obession that his Jewish forefathers did 2000 years ago when they insisted on the cold-blooded murder and crucifixion of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and when they proudly and foolishly proclaimed,


"Let His blood be upon us and upon our children".




For those that have not seen or heard the creatures vile, venomous and incendiary contribution the video can be found on my X handle (@realFFK) or @intifada.





In case his display of madness was not enough to invoke your boiling and inconsolable rage, consider the words of yet another mentally ill malefactor.



This time it was a serving Israeli Army officer, fresh out of Gaza, who was recorded whilst proclaiming the following with a big smile on his face.


He said,


"we are looking for babies to kill! I have killed a girl who was around 12 but I want to kill a baby".



For those that doubt that anyone could speak like this and are skeptical about my representation of his sentiments, kindly view them yourself on my X handle (@realFFK) or on @tparsi and @Khaledyoursy22.



If one is looking for good examples of what the English common law describes as "a diseased mind" & what Romans 1:28 of the Holy Bible describes as a "reprobate" one, these two troubled, twisted souls readily provide them.



Sadly this depravity is not limited to them alone and does not stop there.



It is a general, widespread malaise which is shared by most Israelis and particularly by those in the ruling Likud party, the Government, the Parliament (the Knesset), the security and intelligence agencies (Mossad and Shin Bet) and the Israeli Defence Force.



Permit me to share a few examples of their barbarous disposition.



Palestinian men, women and CHILDREN who have been arrested by the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza are routinely stripped naked & paraded through the streets before being spat on, tortured, mocked, defecated & urinated over & finally murdered.


Even in death they are not spared but are subjected to even more humiliation as their bodies are desecrated and mutilated and their vital organs are skillfully and clinically carved out and sent back to Israel for sale on the flourishing international and national black market for human parts!


I will not speak of the mass rape and group sodomy that Palestinian men, women and CHILDREN are subjected to by the Israeli Army.



I will not speak about the fact that the Israeli Army are using shells containing internationally-banned white phosphorus and that they have launched more than a thousand artillery strikes on densely populated areas since the start of their bloody war on the Gaza Strip on 7 October.


I will not speak about the fact that they burn little children from head to toe with their flame throwers, Nepam bombs and white phosphorus shells and the fact that the few that are left alive suffer the most excruciating form of unbearable pain before they eventually die.



I know this because I have seen the videos and they are far too troubling and graphic for me to post or share.



They were sent to me by my friend and brother His Excellency Abdullah Abu Sawesh, the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria.




After watching them in absolute shock, horror and disbelief I wept for the children of Gaza and the people of Palestine and I told him that I honestly believe that all the demons had fled hell and had relocated to the State of Israel.
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These are just a few of the unspeakable things and abominable atrocities that are being committed against innocent and defenceless Palestinians in the name of waging war against Hamas by the Jews and frankly it beggars belief and is utterly mind-boggling.



They are targetting and killing women, infants and babies as if they were shooting fish in a barrel.


All this yet the world sits back and does NOTHING whilst what is fast developing into the greatest massacre of non-combatants and civilians by one of the world's most powerful armies is taking place right under our noses and before our eyes.


What a tragedy this is and what a terrible stain on humanity.



Yet despite the horrors that the Jews are subjecting the Palestinians to they insist on rejoicing about their shameless barbarity and unconciable cruelty with loud roars of triumph and wild, far-fetched notions and claims of victory.


Unknown to them, this so-called "victory" comes at a great cost.



I say this because given the savagery and barbarity that we are witnessing in Gaza, many are of the view that the Jewish state may have proved her historical and modern-day detractors right and FORFEITED her right to exist.






The notion that she should be wiped off the face of the earth is beginning to gain traction and appear attractive to millions of people throughout the world.


The relentless madness and murderous disposition of Prime Minister Bibi "Satanyahu", the blood-lusting barbarity of the Israeli Defence Force and the insidious and malevolent intention of the Zionist lunatic fringe to unleash the worlds second holocaust on the Arabs of Gaza and the West Bank and effect what Adolf Hitler described as the "Final Solution" by eliminating and exterminating every single Palestinian man, woman and child on the face of the earth have made many reconsider their position and come to the chilling conclusion that Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iran and all the other notable individuals and state and non-state actors in world history and from time immemorial who believed that the Jews and the State of Israel should be erased from existence may have had a point.



Let me be clear.


As a strong believer in the resolutions of the Oslo Accords and the "two-state solution" and a believer in justice, equity and the Jewish state's right to exist, I do NOT share this view and neither do I believe that Israel could ever be wiped out but if truth be told, as a consequence of events in Gaza and particularly the wilful and premeditated slaughter of women and children, many that think like me are beginning to reconsider their views.




Worse still most people, quite erroneously in my view, no longer care to make a distinction between Zionism and Judaism and, as each day passes, they say more and more that the Jews and the Zionists are one and the same and are BOTH the enemies of not just the Arabs but of the whole of humanity!




That is where "Satanyahu" and his insidious supremacist philosophy, racist disposition and apartheid mindset has taken his country.



He has made more enemies for the Jews than any other leader in their 6000 year history.



Permit me to shed more light on his dark and sinister mindset and that of those that are members of his inner circle by sharing the following.


A few days ago on X @CensoredMen posted the following insightful and revealing contribution titled "Netanyahu’s Superstars".


They wrote,


"Benjamin Netanyahu has a wide range of personalities serving inside his government but two names in particular separate themselves from the rest.



These two people are: Itamar Ben-Gvir (National Security Minister of Israel) and Bezalel Yoel Smotich (Finance Minister of Israel)



Before we continue I want you to know that these two men were PERSONALLY appointed by Netanyahu to their positions.


Now let us go through their highlight reels.


Itamar Ben-Gvir:


⁃ He believes that the Jewish tradition of spitting on Christians, Priests and Churches is perfectly fine and should NOT be punishable by law.


⁃ He is a firm Israeli Supremacist.


He proved this when he said:

'The right of me, my wife and my children to move around the West Bank is more important than freedom of movement for the Arabs.'


⁃ He has pulled a gun on multiple Palestinian parking attendants in Tel Aviv.



⁃ He was notorious for having a portrait of Baruch Goldstein on his wall.


For those who do not know, Baruch was an American-Israeli terrorist who massacred 29 Palestinian worshipers in Hebron in 1994.



⁃ In June, he entered Al-Aqsa Mosque and declared Israel “in charge” to deliberately cause tension.



⁃ He has been convicted of all the following:


▪️Incitement to racism.

▪️Destroying property.


▪️Possessing a “terror” organization's propaganda material.


▪️Supporting a “terror” organization.


Now that you have the rundown of Israel’s National Security Minister, let’s move onto Israel’s Finance Minister.


Bezalel Smotrich:


- In 2016 Smotrich made a statement in which he said Jewish mothers should not share maternity wards with Arab mothers.



- In February 2023 he was in favour of "wiping out" a Palestinian village and called for the Palestinian town of Huwara to be "erased".



- In March 2023 he said "there is no such thing as Palestine and there are no such people as Palestinians."


- In March 2023, Smotrich visited France and spoke at a podium featuring a map of "Greater Israel".


"Greater Israel" includes:


▪️The entirety of Palestine 🇵🇸

▪️The entirety of Jordan 🇯🇴

▪️Parts of Iraq 🇮🇶

▪️Parts of Lebanon 🇱🇧

▪️Parts of Syria 🇸🇾

▪️Parts of Egypt 🇪🇬

▪️Parts of Turkey 🇹🇷

▪️Parts of Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦


I refer to these two as "Netanyahu's Superstars".


Why?


Because no matter what they say or do Netanyahu will always defend them and refuses to remove them from their positions inside the Israeli Government.


I hope this tweet gave you a better understanding of the mentality of Israel's leadership".



This is a useful contribution from @CensoredMen and I commend them for their courage.


It is not only disturbing but also revealing and one wonders whether there is any other Government in the world that harbours such deranged, psychopathic, vicious and Nazi-like thugs at the highest level within its ranks .





Could this have been the mindset that Adolf Hitler, another monster of history and author of the infamous and rabidly racist treatise titled 'Mein Kampf' (My Struggle), envisioned many years ago and attempted to warn the world against?



To be sure I deplore Hitler and all that he stood for and I have nothing but contempt for his Nazis and their despicable Aryan dream and vision.


Needless to say I wholeheartedly and categorically condemn EVERYTHING that they said and did to the Jews, the Slavs, the Gypsies, the homosexuals, the disabled, the deformed and indeed the rest of humanity but my question is pertinent and needs to be answered.



That question is whether it is possible that Hitler prophetically foresaw and envisioned a mirror of his evil self in the Satanyahu's of this world and decided to rid us of the insidious Zionist plot and barbarous plague that lay many years ahead?



Much like the murderous, homicidal, conniving, treacherous, cruel, insidious and dark soul depicted in the Holy Bible by the name of Haman, Hitler wanted to kill all the Jews, wipe out their faith and take their land, worldly possessions and money whilst todays Jewish Zionists want to kill all the Arabs, wipe out their faith and take away all that they have.


Is it not an irony of fate that yesterday's victims of terror, racism and genocide are today the greatest oppressors, terrorists and perpetrators of ethnic and religious cleansing?



Are the Zionists, led by Bibi and the lunatics in his cabinet, any different from Hitler, Goebbels, Himmler, Goring, Hess and all the other German Nazis?



The latter caused the death of no less than 50 million people in WW11 and the former may well cause the death of billions in what may end up being WW111.


Are the two not one and the same?


We can debate this from morning till night but the little Palestinian girl who has lost her entire family, including her parents, grandparents and siblings and that was beaten to a pulp, raped, sodomised, mutilated and burnt alive by the heartless butchers of the Israeli Defence Force will certainly tell you that there is no difference at all.




She will confirm to anyone that cares to listen that both the German Nazis and the Jewish Zionists are two sides of the same coin and that the only difference is that the latter literally own and control the United States of America and indeed the Western world.



Is it any wonder that South Africa has asked the International Court of Justice to probe the State of Israel for genocide in Gaza?


Just last week in an open letter that yours truly wrote to Satanyahu titled, "An Open Letter To Bibi" I submitted that he was mentally ill and that he needed psychiatric evaluation and treatment.



My assessment was borne out of an honestly held opinion and strong conviction and not malice and my observation and counsel was later confirmed by no less a person than the famous Hollywood blockbuster film producer Roger Stone who said, in a widely publicised television interview a few days ago, that he had met Satanyahu and that based on what he had told him and the way he behaved at that meeting he had no doubt that the man was "raving mad".


Stone's assertion and assessment of the Israeli Prime Minister's failing mental health coupled with the revelations by @Censoredmen exposing the reckless sociopaths and psychopaths that he insists on keeping in his cabinet has confirmed my views about Satanyahu.



He is totally and completely unhinged and the fact that his nation has a nuclear bomb which he has the power to set off at any time is indeed a sobering and frightful thought.



Something needs to be done before it is too late and the sooner the people of Israel insist on a ceasefire in Gaza, bring an end to the war, remove Satanyahu from power and either jail him or hand him over to the International Criminal Court where he will undoubtedly be successfully prosecuted and handed a life sentence for genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass murder, war crimes, crimes against humanity and infanticide, the better.



Yesterday the world rose up and came to the aid of the Jews when Hitler sought to eliminate them.



Today the world WILL rise up and come to the aid of the Palestinians.



It is just a matter of time.



O Israel, once loved and cherished by virtually all, you have now become a stench to everyone's nose.


What a tragedy!



(FFK)

Princess Osula Mku-Atu, a successful businesswoman and consummate philanthropist has been honored as the Grand Patron of the International Student Film Festival and the recipient of the Oodua Influential Special Recognition Award respectively.

The ISFF founder, Amb. Dr. Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen revealed that Princess Osula was unanimously selected by the Board of Advisers headed by Prof Backleys Ayakoroma and her emergence as the Grand Patron of the Film Institute is the sequel to her monumental contributions to humanity.

However, the OSRA Awards organizers also described her nomination as a reward for her meritorious service and selfless efforts toward the Oodua Heritage.

In the words of Desmond Tutu,”…do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

She has demonstrated, through her life work, and social change, that we can individually make small and big differences.
Osula, an epitome of beauty and brain, has variously been described as an accomplished business mogul, a role model extraordinaire, an educationist par excellence, and an invaluable African-doting mother, whose life has become, in our times, the true definition of a mother’s sacrifices.

Right from an impressionable age, Princess Mku-Atu has distinguished herself as a multitalented star whose ascendency to the topmost strata of society was unstoppable by any terrestrial forces, largely of her abiding faith in God.

Consequently, Princess Mku-Atu has amplified this trait by her belief that it is only God who gives and gives for a good purpose – to serve humanity.

Consistent with her promise to use her God-given wealth to alleviate human suffering, the Rosula Foundation is unrelenting in providing succor to our various ailing communities.

To this end, in the area of education, Princess Mku-Atu is a colossus trailblazer.

The Igbinedion University Okada (IUO) is a living testimony of having over 500 indigent students who are graduated and undergraduate beneficiaries of the Rosula Foundation “My Dream Scholarship Programme.”

Lagos State is set to experience a unique Shopping Festival that will be a fusion of commerce and entertainment that will stamp her destination proposition as a premium destination for business and leisure in December.

The Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka disclosed this during the visit of a delegation from the organisers of the planned Lagos Shopping Festival to the Ministry on Tuesday, adding that she is excited and anticipatory of the good development.

The Commissioner declared that the Lagos Festival is an idea whose time has come and that the State Government, through the Ministry, is excited about it and will collaborate with the organisers to bring it to fruition

Earlier, the Managing Director of Chain Reactions Africa and leader of the delegation, Mr. Israel Jaiye Opayemi said the team is on a working visit to the Ministry to finalise discussions on the plan for the first of its kind Shopping Festival in Nigeria to be held between the 8th and 15th December in Lagos State. Opayemi said, the idea of the Lagos Shopping Festival is to put the City in the league of other global cities such as Dubai, Istanbul and others with Shopping Festivals attracting thousands of tourists yearly. According to him, the Lagos Shopping Festival is not just targeted at bringing tourists to Lagos to shop but to experience the slice of entertainment we serve the world.

According to Opayemi, the idea is to keep Lagos open for business, entertainment and tourism for 24 hours and seven days. He further promised that, Lagos City will be awake for entertainment and commerce which is expected to boost employment and spike economic growth in the State as over 1000 offline merchants and over 5,000 online merchants will participate in the shopping festival. The targeted audience includes international and local tourists, luxury brands, designer brands and MSMES.

“The Festival is billed to be held in different venues across the State such as Eko Atlantic, TBS, Ikeja City Mall, Palms Shopping Mall and Festival Mall amongst others simultaneously for seven days non-stop. Lagos will be awake 24/7, there will also be musical performances by a number of A-list Nigerian Artistes, a Gaming Arena, Children's Arcade and a Luxury Pavilion where luxury brands will be on sale at the festival.

Opayemi also informed that other attractions during the week-long programme will include a celebrity auction, street parties, fashion shows, fireworks, food showcase and cultural parades by the different local governments and film shows.

#AGreaterLagosRising
#lagostourism
#LASG

In recent times, cases of fraud and breach of trust have become increasingly prevalent across various industries, tarnishing the reputation of individuals and organizations alike. One such case that demands public attention is that of Mr. Babalola Ashorobi, who allegedly committed acts of fraud and breach of trust.
Mr. Babalola Ashorobi, the Secretary of Yoruba Tennis Club and CEO of 27th and 4th Limited is wanted for his involvement in fraudulent activities and failure to honour financial obligations with Mr Abiodun Olapeju to the tune of $523,327.57 USD with Naira value of N445,260,016.
Apprehending him is crucial to ensure justice is served and to protect the financial interests of all involved parties.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Babalola Ashorobi, please contact the authorities immediately. Mr. Ashorobi's alleged fraudulent activities have sent shockwaves through the community. His apparent failure to honour the substantial financial commitment to Mr Abiodun Olapeju has raised serious concerns about his business practices and financial integrity.
Mr Abiodun Olapeju works with a reputable company known for its technological innovations, is currently grappling with the aftermath of this financial debacle. The substantial sum involved underscores the gravity of the situation and highlights the need for swift action to rectify the situation.
We implore members of the public to play an active role in helping authorities locate Mr. Babalola Ashorobi. If you possess any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the relevant authorities immediately. Your cooperation is invaluable in this pursuit of justice.
The case of Mr. Babalola Ashorobi serves as a sobering reminder of the prevalence of fraud and breach of trust in the business world. It highlights the need for vigilance, transparency, and accountability in all financial dealings. While the legal system will determine the fate of the accused, it is incumbent upon the public to remain cautious and proactive in safeguarding their interests. By learning from such unfortunate incidents, we can collectively build a more resilient and trustworthy business environment for the future.
It is of utmost importance that the public remains vigilant in identifying any suspicious activities or encounters involving Mr. Ashorobi. Timely reporting of such incidents will significantly contribute to the efforts to bring him to justice.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered that the premises belonging to the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim, Mount Zion General Headquarters Ebute Metta be immediately re-opened.

In a ruling delivered on Friday 15 September 2023 by Hon Justice (Mr) Akintayo Aluko at the Court held that the fundamental human rights of the ESOCS Mount Zion General Headquarters had been violated by the earlier interim order of Court dated 15 August 2023, as the issues raised in the substantive suit had been predetermined without hearing the Church. On this basis the Court ordered the reopening of the church.

The Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim, a venerable religious organization with roots dating back to 1925, found itself embroiled in a controversy that raises serious questions about its leadership. Founded by the revered Praying Father Saint Moses Orimolade Tunolase, the organization's primary mission has always been to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ and foster a deeply spiritual Christian life, emphasizing unity and orderliness. The Cherubim and Seraphim Church, known for its rich spiritual heritage and commitment to community service, has historically been a symbol of unity and faith for millions of Nigerians home and abroad in the diaspora. However, recent developments have given rise to internal disagreements over the rightful leadership of the church.

However, recent events have cast a shadow over the organization's harmonious history. During the leadership of Baba Aladura Otubu, efforts were made to unify contending factions within the church. Notably, a reconciliation agreement was reached between MZGHQ Ebute Metta and Pearse Street, Tejuosho church. The agreement stipulated, among other conditions, the independent management of the church at No. 75, Ibadan Street (East) Ebute Metta, Lagos State, in accordance with a 1990 Federal High Court Consent Judgment (suit no FHC/L/48/86) which was later affirmed by the Supreme Court.

According to the new court order, regular Sunday Service is scheduled to resume on Sunday 17 September, 2023.

Online reports alleging the arrest and detention of the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in charge of Financial System Stability (FSS), Aisha Ahmad are not factual.

However, the reports of his detention by the DSS are fictitious and the wild imaginations of the online publishers.

According to a CBN source who spoke on condition of anonymity, "the CBN DG just like other officials participated in the ongoing routine interviews as part of a larger investigation into activities of the former CBN Governor by the DSS and the Special Investigator."

He further disclosed that the contents and subjects of such interview processes are wide-ranging and beyond the realm of public gossip or speculation.

He added that it is important for Journalists to know that not every visit by a Nigerian to the facility of a security agency is an arrest and not every time spent is tantamount to time spent in detention.

The CBN Source further disclosed that " the DG is home, well and will continue to dedicate herself to the service of the apex bank and the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

Ahmad was appointed Deputy CBN governor on 6 October 2017, replacing Sarah Alade, who retired in March 2017. She was confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on 22 March 2018.

Says, We Are Happily Married


In a momentous twist of fate, a sacred bond spanning three decades has taken center stage, as Abiola Ayeni, the wife of a Nigerian business titan and former chairperson of the bygone Skye Bank, Tunde Ayeni, grants a revelation-laden interview—an explosive revelation that leaves the world in rapt attention.
With an unwavering valor and an indomitable spirit, Mrs. Ayeni takes a stand in fierce and noble defense of her beloved spouse, countering the blazing tempest stirred by online gossips about a paternity conflict entangling her distinguished husband and a prominent female lawyer from Abuja, Adaobi Alagwu.
In a symphony of heartfelt praise, she extols the fatherly virtues of her husband and admonished young Nigerian ladies to ‘marry your own friends, build your home on Christ, not on trust’.



In an interview with ThisDay, Abiola a barrister-at-law, entrepreneur and the wife of billionaire businessman insisted that the husband is not the father of the lawyer’s baby. Despite an earlier statement from Ayeni confirming he was in a relationship with Adaobi but it ended in 2019, the wife declared emphatically that “he is no flirt.”

“It may appear as if my husband’s name is always associated with messy affairs with one lady or the other, but it doesn’t change my opinion of my husband and you cannot convince me that my husband is a flirt because I didn’t marry him as a flirt. Even if you show me all the evidence of how many women he has been with. Why? Because money makes a man misbehave. Friends make a man misbehave, and strange women seduce men with all manner of Jazz (juju) to make a man misbehave! Rather, I pity my husband as an unsuspecting and naive victim of the level of desperation and diabolical tendencies of this runs girl he got associated with,” Abiola said.



“Even with his fellow men, my husband is too trusting. So, you can imagine the level of his nonchalance and how it led to such a mess. How can a man who is happily married and in his right senses be spending lavishly on a prostitute of that age? Such magnitude of spending should raise the question ‘In return for what…five-minute pleasure?’ When spending becomes unusual, you should suspect that a man is under a spell. So, whatever she claims my husband bought for her, she knows what she did to get it from him. But that season has ended. I promise you.”


She added, “There were some publications about some incident and people started calling me about it. They asked me how I was feeling or coping and I told them that I was fine. I don’t listen to what they say about my husband outside and I don’t need anyone to tell me who my husband is. I have my husband beside me. When I need to clarify things, we talk about it. We don’t hide anything from each other. I prefer to hear it directly from his mouth no matter how bad. He has no reason to lie to me because he knows I will stand by him anytime, any day. Thus no matter what anyone says about him, it doesn’t bother me.

“I know my husband has a good heart and he will stand by you through thick and thin. Once you are his friend, he becomes loyal to a fault. And even if you decide to make yourself his enemy by letting him down or cheating him, he would never seek your downfall.
 My husband can be too trusting and I warn him every time that it is not everyone that would reciprocate the goodwill he shows towards them. But I see that he can’t change himself. It is his nature so I simply pray that God gives him a discerning spirit, in order to know who to avoid.
As for the impostor you mentioned, I will not glorify her by calling her a lady but somebody’s child. Because the age gap between her and my husband makes it more of an insult to refer to her as a lady. Her matter is not something I want to entertain.

“As per your question on how I reacted to the news of her claim, truth be told, the first thing I did when I heard the news was to check with God if truly He would fold His arms and let anyone destroy a home He used His hands to build and guard jealously for 31 years and He told me that her claim is untrue and I should disregard it. In the end, the truth will prevail. The young lady knows the father of her child. And when I checked with my husband, he told me the child is not his! God has spoken and my husband has also spoken, nothing else matters. So, I am not moved by naysayers or rumours about her claims. She knows the father of her child, she’s just a gold digger.”

Asked if Adaobi now ‘Mrs Ayeni’, the fashion expert said, “I am not surprised the so-called girl is parading herself to be who she is not; by so doing, it becomes clear that she is a desperate gold digger and a slut who thinks she can become Mrs Ayeni by merely pinning a child on her highest paying victim. And it is quite surprising that despite her degree in Law, she needs somebody to tell her that a child is not a marriage certificate! Neither does a child offer her security to maintain a fake lifestyle that she has become accustomed to.

“And to now think that the child does not belong to my husband makes her claim even more embarrassing. Anyway, she has been warned through our lawyers to desist from parading herself as Mrs Ayeni because she is not and she will never be as the Lord lives. My husband and I are legally married. As for her calling her child by my husband’s surname, Ayeni is many. The child is not Tunde Ayeni’s child. Period! When she is tired of calling the child the borrowed name, she will change it to her father’s name.


“To answer your question on whether the allegation has affected my marriage or my home? I am happy to let you know that Christ is the bedrock of my home, he has built a wall of fire around it and I can confidently assure you that my home is not threatened. My marriage is standing solid. My husband’s love for me is not threatened and he is not lost. My children are unmoved by the claim and my husband has no children outside of the three we have together.”

For the past few months, almost everything in Ogun State appeared to have been suspended. There seem to be some razor edge unease in the State and the people are still trying to ruminate on how they got to this dangerous but sordid pass; who could they have offended for the gods to have returned Dapo into his self-styled new Government House in Iperu as against the official residence of the Ogun State Governor in Oke Igbein.

The situation in Ogun State can only be described as "Adiye ba le okun, Ara ko ro okun, Ara ko ro Adiye." (The hen that perches on a dangling rope creates unease for both the fowl and the hen). Their Governor has practically relocated to Abuja, forum shopping for support on how to manipulate the judiciary against an impending legal battle, leaving the machinery of State temporarily without directions. To Mr. Abiodun and his supporters, staying in power is more important than the operations and development of Ogun State; it was like his entire life solely depends on being the Governor. And this is quite true.

True to the extent that someone who has contemplated suicides on account of the humongous debts hanging on his neck from various banks and AMCON, now sits on the high table playing host to the same bank executives who had almost liquidated his prized assets, with many of them almost on receivership and auction lists.

Mr. Abiodun has every reason to want to die and hang onto power even if it means by any crooked means; election ballot snatching, disenfranchisement using thugs, threats to the lives of opponents and perceived enemies. No matter what it is going to cost, money or lives, Mr. Abiodun won't just give up without a fight.

Abiodun's 2019 mandate was built on a foundation of lies and deceits, it takes no time for such invested Trusts and relationships to break; it was just a matter of time for the people to find out too quickly that the "iwin" (as in the Golliwogs in Ogboju Ode ninu Igbo Irumole) that they were forced, cajoled and tricked to sign onto will not pick their calls when he gets to power, a man who has no record of philanthropy and only comes around at every election cycle to procure the people's votes. To him, the voters are mere products, simply wares to be purchased.

When the people of Ogun State were therefore confronted with another option to sign a new binding contract in 2023, they had no qualms in endorsing someone else, even if it is Abiodun's kinsman from the same Iperu town. This is what Ogun State voters did on the 18th of March, 2023. As the contract signing was coming to a close, all signatories appended on all sides and by all parties to the matter, ink on stamps and seal endorsement, at about the time the files are just left to be closed and binded, Dapo Abiodun and his Marauding army struck, burst into the Boardroom where the contract has already been sealed, and started tearing the documents. But unfortunately for them, while they were busy tearing, rather than into shreds, he managed to tear into pieces where the other person can still piece together details of the binding document. This is what is being tested before the Law. Whether a fractured pieces of papers still carrying the Stamp and Seal of the contracting parties is still a valid legal documents, especially when both consenting parties (in this case Ladi Adebutu and the people of Ogun State) still concur to their choices.

All camps appear not to know how to approach the impending Court matter.
On the Dapo Abiodun's side, appointment mongers are openly and secretly jostling and struggling to outwit one another, including those who spent election money.

There are two major considerations in buying a house; the House and the locality. You check the house in daytime and the locality to know how secure the environment is. The Electoral House of DA was procured in darkness and his locality are not healthy for the citizens of Ogun State.

It is a house infested with mice and rodents. This is where the workers in Ogun State , especially those in charge of the State finances need to be extra vigilant because Mr. Abiodun has two jobs on his hand at the moment; to recoup what he lost as in payments for political purchases in the twilight of the election and to get enough to prosecute the legal battle; and in the event that he fails, to get sufficient war chest to launch a comeback politically and also fund his alleged profligate lifestyle and guyman shows. Where does this put the Ogun State workers? Much of their entitlements will have to go into funding this profligacy, so those who are in charge of the state Treasury have a lot of jobs to do to police and protect and make sure that state funds do not develop legs.

As the legal battle to reclaim the governorahip mandate enters into its defining moment as the Tribunal starts sitting, Dapo Abiodun will be confronted with the odious tasks to proof his alleged "Identity Theft" in the United States of America where it was proven he also used the name Shawn Michael-Davis in alleged criminal enterprise.

The question of Abiodun's educational qualification has also stuck to the Governor's (albeit temporarily) cloth like tick to dirty laundry. He has always partied this and often denying claims about the academic qualification he willfully filled in on documents that he submitted to INEC. This will come under Public scrutiny before the election tribunal in the weeks ahead. Dapo Abiodun had claimed severally in public and official documents that he studied and graduated from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) but when confronted with this in later years, he has disowned this claims with a bland excuse that the matter is before the Courts. "I never claimed to have graduated from Ife, I said I attended university of Ife" became his famous quotes. And afterwards, the temporary Ogun State Governor had adjusted his claims on subsequent INEC filings, he claimed to have obtained only the Secondary School Leaving Certificate. What a smart but criminal way to perjure. It is like saying I agree to have lied yesterday, but now I have corrected myself. But if you have fraudulently obtained a position with yesterday's lies, or that such lies have conferred an undue electorate advantage on you, then you have criminally defrauded an entire system and must answer to the law of the land.

Modified education qualification or not, Dapo Abiodun is still not so lucky. It is equally sad that the Secondary School Leaving Certificate purportedly issued by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in 1978 will also be coming under scrutiny before the Tribunal. He will need to prove the existence of the primary and secondary schools he has always claimed in his records before and now. Not so much about mates with whom they attended the schools and proofs of their own result. My personal search reveals some sinister alterations, but I will leave that to the Tribunal to unravel.

Dapo Abiodun's main albatross will also be how to prove that the electoral system was not compromised in his favour with substantial interference in several polling stations. The Tribunal sitting promises to be an epic or the thriller of an interesting movie, we need to sit back and watch.

Gbenga Okusanya
Ijebu East

Dozy Mmobuosi is a distinguished technology entrepreneur who advocates for technological advancement and social upliftment in Africa and beyond. He is the Founder/CEO of two prominent US corporations, Tingo, Inc., Africa’s leading Agri-Fintech company, and Tingo International Holdings, Inc. (TIH) an investment firm focused on identifying and making targeted acquisitions in the technology sector. Tingo, Inc. is a leading technology and device-as-a-service platform aimed at accelerating digital commerce in Africa.

Over the years, Tingo has recorded impressive feats in the sectors it plays in. The company successfully distributed 12 million smartphones to players in the Nigerian agriculture value chain.
Mr. Mmobuosi is the Founder of Tingo Mobile, Africa's leading Agri-Fintech company with its device-as-a-service platform aimed at accelerating digital commerce in Africa. Tingo Mobile is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in New York.
Dozy owns Tingo Media, Omni-Tingo (joint venture with Omni-Blu), Equity Clinics & Diagnostic Centre, Equity Vaccines Ltd and Tingo Properties .

He is also the Founder/CEO of two prominent US corporations, Tingo, Inc., & Tingo International Holdings, Inc. (TIH) an investment firm focused on identifying and making targeted acquisitions across the technology sector.

Mr. Mmobuosi has been an adviser to several large corporate organizations, steering the strategy and design of business plans (investments, acquisition, and organic growth) into new global markets.

Mr. Momobuosi's business and philanthropic endeavors are influenced by several global challenges including Climate Change and Food Security. Mr. Mmobuosi is passionate about the social upliftment targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
At the heart of Tingo is the ethos to provide an opportunity for Africa to be a core focal point to tackle some of these pressing topics.


Passion for Sport
Mr. Mmobuosi has a deep passion for football and firmly believes true talent is nurtured through strong grassroots programs. Dozy has long been involved with grassroots football having funded scouting schemes, training programs, and talent management for Porsche United and Nassarawa United, two formidable grassroots clubs in Nigeria. He has long-held aspirations to work with a top-tier UK club and believes that the combination of grassroots initiatives and top-tier football will pay dividends for clubs, fans, and management teams for years to come.

Philanthropy

Mr. Mmobuosi's business and philanthropic endeavors are influenced by several global challenges including Climate Change and Food Security.
Dozy is also passionate about the social upliftment targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. At the heart of Tingo is the ethos to provide an opportunity for Africa to be a core focal point to tackle some of these pressing topics.

In December 2021, Mr. Mmobuosi launched the Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation, aiming to support Africans across multiple sectors including education, healthcare, and technological skills upliftment, and to also facilitate social empowerment by solving key structural challenges present on the continent.

Educational Qualifications
Mr. Mmobuosi is an alumni of Saīd Business School, University of Oxford.

Milestones

2001- Tingo Mobile was founded as a custom software and value-added service provider to mobile phone networks in Nigeria.
12-year building to 2013, Tingo Mobile serviced several Telcos by producing ringtones and caller tunes for the growing mobile user base in Nigeria.
In 2002, he designed Nigeria's first text-based money transfer platform.
2013-14 - increasingly underserved and ostracised agriculture sector problems exasperating due to lack of technology/financial inclusion. Opportunity recognized to support the sector through the development of an inclusive ecosystem providing rural communicates/farmers with access to mobile, financial, and extension services.
Tingo began a one-year data capture process which saw us cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FTC) of Abuja to identify all individuals working across the entire agricultural value chain. Identified 14.4 million individuals working in the sector, using bank verification numbers (BVN) identified 9.344 million individuals who were eligible for subsidies.

2014-17 - Tingo Mobile further support the Nigerian Government in its efforts to bolster the agricultural sector by developing and manufacturing mobile devices and the deployment of software.
Work with The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria and disseminate information on our platforms, sharing research on agricultural developments.
Acquisition of two factories, in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria with a production capacity of 100,000 mobile devices per hour. Preloaded devices with Tingo Messenger and E-Wallet.
2021 - Renew 9.3 million customers on mobile leasing program for three years iWeb Inc, OTC Markets QB, IWBB, announced the Completion of the acquisition for $3.7Billion in an all-stock deal for the purchase of Tingo Mobile Plc, An Africa Focused Fintech with Nine Million Subscribers.
2021 revenues and operating income for Tingo Mobile of $865.9 million and $327.1 million, respectively, compared to 2020 revenues and operating income of $585.3 million and $201 million, respectively. The Company also reported, on a proforma basis, strong growth of 48% in year-on-year revenues and 63% growth in year-on-year operating income.

Financial results 3 2022 - Growth in Nwassa Agri-Fintech Business Drives 64.8% Increase in Revenues and 53.9%.
Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation Launch Sept 2022 -two core missions.
1) access to healthcare across Nigeria,
2) access to higher quality education.
Nov 2022 - Tingo Mobile, Launches Operations in Ghana and Signs Landmark Trade Deal with the Kingdom of Ashanti Covering Major Agricultural and Cocoa Farming Region.
Nov 2022 - Launch key partnership with All Farmers Association of Nigeria & VISA.
Dec 2022 - MICT Completes Acquisition of Operating Business and Assets of Tingo, Inc.
Dec 2022- - Launch Global Commodities Platform and Export Business from the DMCC, the world's no.1 free zone.
Dec 2022 - Establishes Strategic Presence in Malawi and East Africa, Representing an Important Market for its Agri-FinTech and FinTech Products
Feb 2023 - official commitment to $1.6 billion Special Agriculture Processing Zone.
Feb 2023- Partnership Agreement with Evtec Energy Plc to Build Zero Emission Solar Energy Plant to Power Food Processing Facility.
Feb 2023 - MICT Announces Rebranding and Name Change to Tingo Group, Inc.

With intimidating profile, Mmobuosi is set to conquer the world but his roots in Nigeria, as well as Africa, always bring him home to chart workable and sustainable solutions to the continent’s wide range of challenges, either in tech, agriculture, or even leadership.

After over two months of suffering in darkness, residents of Maplewood Estate, Lagos, are celebrating as electricity has been finally restored to the area last night, June 7, 2023 around 7pm.

The prolonged blackout was due to the alleged non-payment of the estate's electricity bill, which forced the power supply company to cut off supply to residents. The situation resulted in a lot of discomfort and hardship for the residents, including the inability to carry out basic household activities.

However, the Chairman of the Estate, Mr. Oseni Akerele in response to the plight of the residents, swung into action and restored power supply to the estate. The news of the restoration brought joy and relief to the residents who expressed gratitude towards the Chairman for the prompt resolution of the issue.

Speaking on the situation, the Chairman stressed that the restoration of electricity was not without its challenges. He revealed that a significant number of houses had been disconnected from the transformer due to unpaid electricity bills. He appealed for residents to settle their outstanding bills for the transformer to prevent further disconnections.

He further stated that transparency and accountability would be provided concerning contributions made towards the maintenance of the transformer. He assured residents that all monies paid would be accounted for and put to use for the betterment of the estate.

However, some parts in the estate remain blacked out due to electricity debts.
Residents of Maplewood Estate can now go about their daily activities with ease, knowing that they have access to power supply. The restoration of electricity highlights the importance of prompt resolution of community issues through responsible leadership.



https://www.nairaland.com/7717237/alleged-50m-saga-maplewood-estate

Beg Residents as IKEDC men Start work

Sequel to the story we exclusively published on this platform last week, the Estate Chairman and his executives have started making amends where necessary.

https://www.nairaland.com/7709525/n50m-saga-lastma-topshot-mess

It could be recalled that the situation prompted the residents to stage a peaceful protest, demanding that the estate management take immediate action to restore electricity to the community. The Maplewood Estate Chairman, Mr. Akerele Oseni, swiftly swung into action by contacting the Ikeja electricity distribution company to repair the transformer.

The IKEDC workers arrived on the scene shortly after, and they have already begun repairing the damaged transformer. The chairman, while addressing the residents, pleaded for patience and promised to ensure that the estate has all the necessary equipment to prevent such an incident from happening again.

Residents expressed their satisfaction with the chairman's quick response and appreciated the efficiency of the IKEDC workers in restoring power to the estate. The incident has prompted Maplewood Estate residents to call for increased security measures to prevent vandalism and ensure the smooth functioning of the community's essential infrastructure.

In the lead-up to the highly anticipated 2023 general elections, Lt Gen. T.Y Buratai, Nigeria's longest-serving Chief of Army Staff in the country's history, was appointed head of the security unit for the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council (APC-PCC).

This appointment was a precursor to another significant transition for Buratai, from the battlefield to international relations and then politics.

Buratai's appointment was no surprise considering his impeccable track record as a battle-tested general and a skilled diplomat.

His vast experience in strategic leadership and human resource management made him an invaluable asset to the APC-PCC.

Regarded as an "Encyclopedia of national security," Buratai had proven himself to be a trusted loyalist to any cause he believed in.

Drawing from his wealth of experience, prestigious pedigree, and robust network, Buratai played a pivotal role during the presidential tours and campaign rallies across the country alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

True to his nature, Buratai preferred to immerse himself in the trenches, personally connecting with his fellow soldiers, and leading from the front when necessary.

The presence of the former Chief of Army Staff in Tinubu's campaign train provided a significant boost to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's victory in the February poll, particularly in the North Eastern region where Buratai hailed from. Buratai's extraordinary sacrifices for the nation's survival during its critical periods have laid the foundation for peace, progress, and unity across the country.

Prior to his political foray, many were unaware of General Buratai's illustrious antecedents and the reasons behind his selection as the head of security for the APC-PCC. As the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a military cooperation initiative between Nigeria, Niger, Benin, Chad, and Cameroon to combat Boko Haram terrorism, Buratai had already proven his mettle. His leadership in this multinational organization stemmed from an experience that exposed the challenges faced by these countries in their collective efforts against terrorism.
 
Beyond combat operations, Buratai demonstrated a commitment to enhancing civilian-military cooperation in Nigeria, effectively transforming the public perception of the Army from a force of occupation to a partner in progress. Under his guidance, the Army embarked on projects encompassing the construction of bridges, roads, hospitals, and schools, aligning with the Army's focus on improved civil-military relations and corporate social responsibility.
 
Throughout his tenure as the Chief of Army Staff, Buratai prioritized projects, capacity building, training, and welfare, ensuring a dynamic and progressive military force.

Despite encountering challenges during his tenure, there is no denying that the Nigerian Military experienced significant reformations and witnessed substantial infrastructural developments under Buratai's watchful eye.
 
Lt Gen. T.Y Buratai's transition from the battlefield to politics symbolizes the strength and expertise he brings to the table. His proven leadership, strategic acumen, and dedication to the nation's progress have earned him the trust and respect of both his colleagues and the wider Nigerian populace. As he embarks on this new chapter, Nigeria anticipates the positive impact he will undoubtedly make in the realm of politics, leveraging his wealth of experience and resolute commitment to the betterment of the nation.
 
In conclusion, Lt Gen. T.Y Buratai's journey from the military to the political sphere exemplifies the potential for individuals with formidable backgrounds to contribute significantly to the nation's development. His appointment as the head of the security unit for the APC-PCC highlights the recognition of his capabilities and the value he brings to the table. With his unwavering dedication to the country's welfare, Lt Gen. T.Y Buratai is poised to make a substantial impact on Nigerian politics and continue his legacy of service to the nation.

The Yoruba Self-determination Movement (YSDM) has dissociated the movement from a group of persons embarking on creating a cryptocurrency or the official Yoruba Nation currency. The council, the organization's highest policy-making body, has not authorized nor interested in establishing any financial institutions or instruments.

In a statement issued by the organization's Vice-Chairman, Mr. Banji Ayiloge, he emphasized that YSDM's primary focus is on the self-determination rights of Yoruba people through lawful means. Thus, any group willing to pursue a business venture is free but must refrain from using YSDM or the Yoruba nation to achieve such a venture.

The YSDM believes that any person of Yoruba heritage, for that matter, has the right to trade in Cryptocurrency/coin to transact businesses as long as such enterprises comply with extant laws and rules, and regulations in their base of operation. YSDM will continue to recognize and accept only recognized legal tender for business transactions.

We state emphatically that YSDM or Yoruba Nation does not have any official Currency because we associate currency notes to a country or nation with full sovereignty, adding that a fully sovereign Yoruba Nation is what we are fighting for. We are yet to achieve that objective. Therefore, we have nothing to do with the Ruba cryptocurrency or the so-called online Yoruba bank being rumored or discussed in the public square.

Mr. Ayiloge disclosed that YSDM set up a panel to look into the issue of a group of people setting up what they claim were Yoruba currency and bank and concluded that it was a private business arrangement.

He pointed out further that both the Executive Committee and the Yoruba Council of the organization have directed that the Organization must dissociate itself from the scheme so as not to confuse the public.

It is important to note that YSDM does not condemn those trying to float business propositions. Still, the Yoruba nation has no stake whatsoever in it, and we urge those involved to refrain from using the name of our organization or the Yoruba nation as a whole to promote their business ventures.

Mr. Ayiloge said he wished any Yoruba with entrepreneurial spirit well in their endeavors.



Sgd
Banji Ayiloge
Vice-Chairman, YSDM
------------

Residents of Maplewood Estate in Agege, Lagos state have expressed their frustration over allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds to the tune of 50 million naira contributed to by 33KV power transformer.

The Maplewood Estate Residents Association has called on anti-graft authorities to look into the matter and bring those responsible to justice.


For over two months and two weeks now, the community has been plunged into darkness due to an alleged 50 million power transformer that was contributed by the residents. The Estate chairman, Akerele Oseni K., who is also the legal adviser to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), has been unable to give an account of how the money was spent.

Adding to the frustration of the residents is the fact that the other management executives of the estate have been unwilling to address issues regarding power supply, bad roads, and other infrastructure challenges within the estate.

It is disheartening to note that the executive management of the Maplewood Estate Association are prominent personalities in Lagos state, holding strategic positions, but have failed to demonstrate their leadership in their immediate community.

The residents of Maplewood Estate are calling on the Economic Financial Crime Commission and other relevant authorities to step in and help salvage the situation. Enough is enough; it is high time those responsible for these alleged fraudulent activities and mismanagement of funds are held accountable for their actions.




***********UPDATE**************

https://www.nairaland.com/7717237/alleged-50m-saga-maplewood-estate

The African film industry is abuzz with excitement as multiple award winning filmmaker Elvis Chucks clinched his third Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) on Saturday, May 20th where Chucks' outstanding Netflix film, "Jewel," was recognized as the Best Movie Southern Africa.


Chucks' remarkable achievement at the AMVCA not only solidifies his position as one of Africa's most talented and accomplished filmmakers but also highlights his profound impact on the continent's cinematic landscape. Facing stiff competition from nominees including Emmanuel Mwape for "Silver Lining" and Leburugraphy for "Ke Bona Spoko," Chucks' "Jewel" stood out for its exceptional storytelling, compelling performances, and impactful cinematic experience.

"Jewel" mesmerized audiences and critics alike with its gripping narrative that traverses the rich cultural tapestry of Southern Africa. Chucks' masterful direction and visionary storytelling transported viewers to a world filled with beauty, emotion, and depth. The movie's engaging screenplay, combined with the brilliant performances of its cast, captivated audiences and left a lasting impression.

Elvis Chucks' remarkable track record at the AMVCA is a testament to his unparalleled talent and unwavering dedication to his craft. His first AMVCA win as with his movie titled 'A Wish' that won the 'Best Movie Comedy' category in 2013 while his 2nd win came with 'All about Love' as
Best movie South Africa in 2017. With this latest accolade, Chucks has firmly established himself as a leading force in the African film industry. His unique ability to create cinematic masterpieces that resonate with audiences across borders has earned him a well-deserved place among Africa's most celebrated filmmakers.

The AMVCA is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in African cinema, celebrating excellence and creativity in the industry.

Speaking about his win, Elvis Chucks expressed his gratitude to the AMVCA organizers, the cast and crew of "Jewel," and his supporters who have stood by him throughout his career. He dedicated the award to the African film community and pledged to continue creating groundbreaking and thought-provoking films that reflect the diversity and beauty of the continent.

As Elvis Chucks basks in the glory of his third AMVCA win, the world eagerly anticipates his future projects and the cinematic marvels he will undoubtedly bring to life. His passion, talent, and dedication continue to inspire aspiring filmmakers across Africa and beyond.

Other awards to his credit includes; Los Angeles Film Awards, International New York Film American Black Film Festival 2020, United Nations Award In Human Development, Endowed By UNMC -2013, Nigerian Film Integrity Award (HOMEVIDA 2012), TAVA Awards 2011, Best Director Of The Year (5th City People Entertainment Awards-2014).



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xp_d_J7rpI


*About Elvis Chucks*: Elvis Chucks is a renowned Nigerian filmmaker whose exceptional work has garnered acclaim and numerous accolades within the African film industry. With a keen eye for storytelling and a unique ability to connect with audiences, Chucks has established himself as one of Africa's most celebrated filmmakers.

His films have consistently pushed boundaries, offering compelling narratives and memorable cinematic experiences. With his third AMVCA win for "Jewel," Elvis Chucks further solidifies his place among the continent's cinematic luminaries.

Nigerian singer Jire Ajiboye, a rising star in the music industry, left the audience awe-inspired with his electrifying performance at the APC Youth concert held on Thursday, May 25th, at the iconic MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.


The talented artist captivated the crowd with his hit song "Million Dollar," showcasing his exceptional vocal prowess and stage presence. Jire Ajiboye, known for his soulful voice and dynamic performances, delivered an unforgettable show that showcased his incredible talent and artistry.


As he took to the stage, the audience was instantly drawn to his energetic presence and engaging charisma. With his infectious energy and commanding stage presence, Jire effortlessly connected with the crowd, creating an electric atmosphere within the stadium.


Performing his chart-topping single "Million Dollar," Jire mesmerized the audience with his smooth vocals and captivating performance style. The song's infectious rhythm and catchy hooks had the crowd singing along and dancing to the beat. Jire's ability to command the stage and hold the audience's attention throughout his performance is a testament to his remarkable talent and dedication to his craft.


The APC Youth concert provided a platform for young artists like Jire Ajiboye to showcase their talent and inspire the youth of Nigeria. Jire's performance was met with resounding applause and overwhelming praise from both the audience and industry insiders in attendance. His ability to deliver a high-energy performance with precision and flair has cemented his position as one of Nigeria's most promising musical talents. Other notable Nigerian stars who performed at the event include Asake, Fireboy, Wande Coal, Skales, Waje, Kcee, 9ice, Chuddy K and others


Jire Ajiboye's remarkable performance at the APC Youth concert highlights the immense potential and talent that young Nigerian artists possess. His ability to captivate the audience with his dynamic stage presence and soulful voice is a testament to his artistry and dedication to his craft. As he continues to make waves in the music industry, Jire Ajiboye is set to leave an indelible mark on the Nigerian music scene.

Mental Health Week 2023: Mr Universe Nigeria, Micheal Samuel Adebowale Visits Nigerian Schools


In commemoration of the 2023 Mental Health Awareness Week with the theme ‘Anxiety’, Mr Universe Nigeria, Micheal Adebowale has embarked on a tour of Nigerian schools to educate the younger generation on the importance of being aware and in control on their mental health.


During his visit to Methodist Girls High School, Sabo-Yaba, Michael who hails from Okene Local Government area in Kogi State and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the University of Lagos explained to the students that Anxiety is a normal emotion in us all, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem which is then regarded as a “Disorder”.


He went on to explain that ‘different things can lead to feelings of anxiety, including exam pressures, relationships, starting a new job (or losing one) or other big life events. We can also get anxious when it comes to things to do with money and not being able to meet our basic needs, but anxiety can be made easier to manage’.


He also took the students on some basic steps to cope with anxiety including, ‘focus on your breathing. When you’re having anxious thoughts try focusing on your breathing, concentrating on the feeling of your body as you breathe in and out. It can help you control the thought’.


‘Anxiety can lead us to think about things over and over again in our brain. This is called ‘rumination’ and it’s not helpful. When you catch yourself ruminating, try to write down the thought and to challenge it. Is what you’re worrying about likely to happen? Are you being realistic? Have you had similar thoughts which have not turned into reality? This can make it easier to challenge the thoughts and stop them from overwhelming you’ he added.

His interactive session with the students was followed with numerous questions which he gave explanatory answers to.

He also received great appreciation from management of the schools for his thoughtful effort to impact these young minds.

It is a great shock to learn about the exit of a foremost son of Ijebuland,a generous philanthropist, Chief Micheal Olasubomi Balogun, the founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) among several other establishments.

With his exit, Ijebuland just lost one of its pillars, an enviable character and a stylish price. A strict disciplinarian, business magnate and source of pride to the whole of Ijebuland.

I commiserate with the Awujale Of Ijebuland, the people of Ijebuland, Ogun state and the whole of Yorubaland over the transition of the direct descendant of Oba Tunwase of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Balogun who holds the chieftaincy titles of Otunba Tunwase of Ijebuland, the Olori Omoba of Ijebuland and the Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians amongst several others.
I pray that Almighty Allah will console all of us especially those he left behind and his legacy will be protected in his memory as good son of Ijebuland.

Energy tycoon and investor Femi Otedola has stated that his decision to acquire shares of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) was purely driven by his desire to unlock the actual value of a company severely undervalued by the Nigerian investing public and the company’s leading shareholders.

Otedola, 60, announced in a written statement he issued to select media outlets.

It is his first commentary on the saga that shook the Nigerian stock market to its foundations weeks ago.

In his statement, Otedola explained that he offered to acquire Transcorp Plc for N250 billion ($543 million), but Tony Elumelu, fellow billionaire and the company’s chairman rejected his offer.

Otedola recently sold off his entire shares in Transcorp Plc to Elumelu, the company’s chairman and largest shareholder, two weeks after he had amassed up to a 6.3% stake in the company, thereby ending the race for the group’s top ownership.

Elumelu had previously increased his stake from 2.07 to 25.9 percent within days of acquiring a significant position.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Otedola’s move to take the top seat in the conglomerate’s ownership allegedly upset Elumelu, the Transcorp chairman, causing him to initiate negotiations.

According to reports, the Heirs Holdings Chairman eventually agreed to compensate Otedola with millions of dollars and pay him off for the value of his shares.

But in a recent statement, Otedola, Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, revealed for the first time how in 2005 he had backed Elumelu’s acquisition of a controlling stake in the United Bank for Africa from Nigerian businessman Hakeem Belo-Osagie.

While Elumelu struggled to raise the $100 million he needed for the UBA deal, Otedola said he provided Elumelu with $20 million (N2 billion then) which form part of the funds (alongside other wealthy Nigerians who rallied around and supported Elumelu) and Belo-Osagie later sold his controlling stake to Elumelu.

Despite this generous act of friendship, Otedola claimed Elumelu would go on to stab him in the back.

According to Otedola, when he informed Elumelu of his interest in acquiring the Ughelli Power Plant in 2012, the Transcorp chairman “quietly went ahead” to outbid him.

Otedola further claimed that Elumelu had previously taken advantage of his (Otedola’s) business difficulties and eventual bankruptcy to purchase interests in several firms, including Transcorp Hotel.

Full Statement by Femi Otedola

In 2005, while Tony was the Managing Director of Standard Trust Bank he approached me to get funds to acquire UBA. I enthusiastically gave him $20 million, which was N2 billion at that time to buy the necessary shares in UBA for the acquisition.

After a short period of time the share price moved up and I decided it is was a good moment to sell and get out of the bank.

However, Tony appealed to me to hold on to the shares as he was convinced that there were future prospects – so I kept the shares.

I became Chairman of Transcorp Hotel in 2007 with a shareholding of 5% and unknowingly Tony gradually started buying shares quietly.

By the following year in 2008 I went bankrupt in Nigeria. Tony proceeded to take my shares in UBA to service the interest on my loans and he also took over my shares in Africa Finance Corporation, where I was the largest shareholder.
Shortly after, Albert Okumagba informed me that an American firm wanted to acquire my shares in Transcorp, which I then agreed to sell. However, this supposed American firm turned out to be Tony Elumelu. The revelation of this prompted me to resign as Chairman of the hotel.

Years later in 2012 Tony said he wanted to see me so we met in my office where I had previously had a meeting with foreign investors who had not yet departed the premises. Curious to know, he asked what sort of meeting I had had and I disclosed that I wanted to go into the power business, specifically Ughelli Power Plant. Tony quietly went ahead to bid for Ughelli and he outbidded me by offering to buy the plant for $300 million.

And as a some would say: the rest is history.

Fast forward to the present…

I offered to buy Transcorp Plc for N250 billion, but unfortunately, my offer was rejected. My goal was to maximize the company’s potential as a Nigerian conglomerate with a market cap of at least N2 trillion instead of the current N40 billion, but it seems some shareholders have a different vision.

As a businessman, I believe in healthy competition and market dynamics. Two captains cannot man a ship, and I respect the majority shareholder’s decision to buy me out. This is the nature of the game.

But let me be clear: my offer was made with the best intentions for Transcorp Plc and its shareholders. I saw an opportunity to unlock the company’s full potential and create value for everyone involved.

It’s important for investors to understand that free entry and free exit are crucial to healthy markets. The scramble for shares after my acquisition is a testament to the value that Transcorp Plc can offer, and I hope the company continues to thrive under new leadership.

My message to Transcorp Plc and its shareholders is this: I remain committed to the growth and success of Nigerian businesses, and I will always be looking for ways to create value for all stakeholders.

Stakeholders are unfortunately always shortchanged by getting stipends while the owners and managers of the business live a jet set lifestyle, which is detrimental to the stakeholders. Thank you for the opportunity to engage in this exciting chapter of Transcorp’s history.

FO

NASSLAF Southwest Caucus Urges Newly Elected Members to Embrace Competence in Selecting NASS Leadership
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The National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (Southwest Caucus) has issued a resounding call to the newly elected members of the 10th National Assembly (NASS), urging them to prioritize competence in the selection of the NASS leadership. The Forum's message, jointly signed by the Chairman Mr. Abiodun Apantaku and the Public Relations Officer Opeyemi Oladimeji, was delivered during a press conference held on May 4, 2023, at the organization's office in Abuja.

With enthusiasm and delight, the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (Southwest Caucus) congratulated the recently elected members of the 10th National Assembly (NASS), commending the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections and the emergence of a new generation of lawmakers. The Forum expressed its readiness to collaborate with the incoming legislators to ensure a successful and productive tenure.

However, in light of the pivotal role played by the leadership of the National Assembly in facilitating the smooth functioning of the legislature and effective representation of the people, the Forum stressed the significance of selecting competent and capable leaders who can guide and elevate the affairs of the legislature to greater heights.

Chairman Mr. Abiodun Apantaku emphasized, "The choice of leadership within the National Assembly holds tremendous importance. We urge the newly elected members to exercise careful consideration of the competence and proven track records of the candidates vying for various leadership positions before casting their votes. It is imperative that we elect leaders who possess the necessary skills, experience, and dedication to steer the National Assembly towards progress and to champion the interests of the Nigerian people."

Mr. Apantaku further welcome the newly elected parliamentarians to the induction ceremony scheduled to hold from May 7th to 20th, 2023 for both the Group A and B. He however wished them a fruitful training programme and commend them for their outstanding zeal to contribute to national development.

"The Southwest Caucus of the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum is firmly committed to providing unwavering support to the new members of the National Assembly, empowering them to achieve their goals and objectives. We firmly believe that with the right leadership, the 10th National Assembly (NASS) has the potential to make significant strides in advancing the collective interests of the Nigerian people."

In conclusion, the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (Southwest Caucus) once again extended its warm congratulations to the newly elected members of the 10th National Assembly (NASS), emphasizing their commitment to working alongside them to ensure a productive tenure. They earnestly urged the incoming legislators to prioritize the welfare and aspirations of the Nigerian people, ensuring that their actions and decisions are focused on enhancing the lives of their constituents and advancing the overall well-being of the nation.

As the 10th National Assembly takes shape, the eyes of the nation are on the elected representatives, eagerly awaiting their decisions and actions. The National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (Southwest Caucus) hopes that the incoming members will heed their call for competence in leadership selection, forging a path towards a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria. The Forum stands ready to collaborate, support, and guide the newly elected legislators as they embark on this significant journey of service to the Nigerian people.

Otunba Biodun Ajiboye is a successful media personality, legendary advertising practitioner, and one of the core loyalists of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is the Assistant Director of Publicity of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who led the presidential candidate to victory in the just-concluded 2023 general election.

Ajiboye is a seasoned media practitioner who made a significant impact in the Nigerian Telecommunications Industry, particularly in 2001 when he broke new ground. He is recognized as the creative mastermind behind the widely acclaimed magazine, Nigerian Telecom News, and the convener of the most celebrated award in telecom, which attracted over half a dozen African presidents to Nigeria.

As a media personality, Ajiboye's influence played a crucial role in the election of Tinubu as the President-elect, which was also a replica of his participation in President Buhari's victories at the 2015 and 2019 polls. Ajiboye became the National Secretary of the National Committee of Buhari Support Groups (NCBSG), the umbrella body that hosts all the support groups that worked for APC’s success in 2015, which had President Buhari as the Grand Patron and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Patron and Senator Abu Ibrahim as Chairman Board of Trustees. During the APC primaries, he was a senior member of the media team and chairman of the accommodation committee. He was also an assistant director in the media and publicity directorate of the presidential campaign council.

His impressive media appearances on Channels TV, TVC, Arise TV, and other platforms as a vocal spokesperson for the Tinubu campaign attest to his political acumen, intelligence and delivery of salient facts with his unique oratory touch. Ajiboye is a quintessential politician, and his role as a prominent media advocate for Bola Tinubu's 2023 presidential campaign underscores his continued relevance in Nigerian politics.
Ajiboye, being a successful Marketing Communications practitioner, came into Bola Tinubu's media team with a wealth of experience in brand and crisis management. This explains his ability to sway opinions and douse tension from time to time. Among other attributes, his combativeness and ability to apply cutting-edge strategies to tackle difficult situations gave him an edge. For instance, he deployed his full arsenal while defending Tinubu’s conduct at the Chatham House and displayed his understanding of Nigeria’s idiosyncrasies while commenting on the naira redesign issue, which he stylishly described as a calculated move to de-market APC and its candidate.

In his duty as a member of the Tinubu media team, he is seen as a fearless and valiant man who is ever ready to defend the presidential candidate anytime. Earlier this year, he was quoted describing Pastor Tunde Bakare of Citadel Global Community Church as "an inconsistently unstable person", urging him to steer clear of politics and stick to his pastoral duties after the pastor had urged Nigerians to vote out politicians who see the presidency as their entitlement. Referring to Bola Tinubu’s comment, ’emi lokan’, which means ‘it’s my turn’.

Ajiboye likened Bakare to an “ordinary man on the street without any political clout’’, who has zero personality, popularity, and zero leadership.” He boldly questioned Pastor Bakare if he truly hears from God or he is just like other prophets who speak because of their selfish interest.

Ajiboye's exceptional presentation of Tinubu is unparalleled, with the most notable being his appearance on Arise TV 24 hours prior to the APC convention. This appearance was widely and highly commended and effectively represented Tinubu's campaign team at the time.

Ajiboye's exceptional performance has earned him much love and respect from Asiwaju and others close to him.

Its on record that Asiwaju was invited as a guest speaker at Ajiboye's Telecom Awards about 15 years ago where he spoke about Developmental Democracy at Eko Hotel alongside Father Kukah and other guest speakers.

Ajiboye's numerous TV appearances and vocal defence of Tinubu are a testament to his admiration for the president-elect. He is a tactically bold individual who is not afraid to take a fight to the enemy's territory. Otunba Ajiboye remains a fearless spokesperson in the history of Nigerian politics.

At no time in history has the global social and economic dynamics been so challenged like now. It is coming at a time of Nigeria’s transition from one government to another.

The good thing is that the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a man of excellence, who has been roundly acknowledged as a recruiter-in-chief. He will go the breadth and length of every circumstance to get eggheads into his government. He is a man who doesn’t take no for an answer.

A time of economic uncertainties such as this requires Nigeria’s best brains to ensure quick wins. Despite the scepticism by cynics, those who believe in the in-coming government are beginning to set agenda and putting timelines to deliverables. If this optimism must see the light of the day, competent Nigerians must be drafted to manage the economy. It has been said that the height of any building depends on its foundation. Hence, for Tinubu to demystify or shame cynics and nay sayers he must go for the best.
For any government to succeed and even surpass the expectations of its citizens, keen interest must be given to who heads the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) because the success or failure of any government depends largely on diligent and meticulous implementation of sound macro and micro economic policies. And it takes those who have learnt through the ropes.
Such technocrats are not in short supply in Nigeria. The country boasts of financial technocrats who have risen to the top in their banking career through dint of hard work, diligence and character.

Experience has shown that talent is not just enough. There is no doubt that the incoming president who is a recruiter of the best hands would also go for someone of impeccable character to head the apex bank. Nigeria has financial czars and unparalleled boardroom gurus who match the man Tinubu needs to handle the CBN, especially at such auspicious time as this – a financial expert who has remained unblemished all through his career in the banking sector.
A time-tested saying goes that “the reward for great work is often more work.” Similarly, the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, was famously quoted to have said, “The best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
Throughout history, it has been proven true that the best way to get things done is to put square pegs in square holes. That is why governments around the world spare no efforts in identifying and paying anything to recruit men/women steeped in hard work, diligence, character and charisma to bestow on them more responsibilities because they have earned the accolades and credibility of a square hole.
The foregoing epitomises specific persons who are everything rolled into one. The CBN needs a governor who rose through dint of hard work, character and expertise. In view of the series of financial policy summersaults Nigeria has suffered in the last few years that has culminated in grave economic hardship for Nigerians, a technocrat with magical hands must be drafted to the CBN immediately Tinubu is sworn in to kick start the process of economic recovery and growth.
In retrospect, there must be one among the army of seasoned bankers who must have understood in clearer terms the Mahatma Ghandi’s assertion: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
We have Alumi of some Ivy League institutions ranked among top echelons of training schools globally where they were trained in Advanced Management Programme (AMP). They attended the highest citadels of learning in the world like Havard University and University of Liverpool, among others. They are a perfect example of those that should constitute the economic engine room of any government.
Nigeria has financial magnates who have garnered immeasurable experiences and expertise to serve this nation. If we are serious about strengthening our currency and recalibrating our economy back on the path of recovery, we must go for such best hands. From antecedents, this is not an onerous decision for Tinubu because he has proven for the umpteenth time that he is a hunter of excellence and competent hands.
For a new CBN governor, all that Tinubu needs to do is to beam his searchlight on banks and sniff out serving Managing Directors/CEOs who have been at the leadership of dynamic teams that have turned financial institutions around from insolvent and loss-making banks plagued by high levels of non-performing loans, unprofessionalism to their current position as a growing export credit agency or development banks with core mandates in non-oil export development in line with government’s policy on diversification. There are banks that have now become strong players in financing and promoting export trade in Nigeria with very profitable operations.
I know of one who has in his Kitty 31 years of cognate experience in Banking, with numerous Nigerian banks, rising up to be the pioneer MD/CEO of United Bank for Africa in Chad and Zambia.
He specialises in the management of complex multi-cultural environments and employees at international levels. His experience in strategic forward-planning; operating within the tight financial disciplines imposed by ambitious targets which he helped to plan; methodical administration to deadlines and the application of modern leadership methods, through staff motivation and involvement in both decision-making and target-setting, clarity in communication, and easy personal inter-relations.
Over the course of his career, he had extensive experience in Development Finance (Export Development and Finance), Corporate Banking, Regional and Commercial Banking and Public Sector. He singlehandedly set up two International Bank subsidiaries with different cultural backgrounds that have left him confident in effective leadership, handling negotiations and the winning attitude.
As the MD/CEO of United Bank for Africa Zambia Limited between July 15, 2009 and December 2012 he was charged with the responsibility of setting up the operations of the bank in Zambia. This involves among others setting up the operational guidelines of the bank in line with the Group’s operational framework. He was also responsible for setting up Strategic Initiatives for entry into the Zambian banking space, employment of key staff, managing the setting up of the infrastructure of the bank.
He also obtained the first banking license for a Nigerian bank in Chad and became the pioneer MD/CEO.
Between August 2005 and June 2006, he was the Group Head, Telecoms & Tech Corporate Banking, UBA Plc. He successfully arranged the largest syndicated loan facility for Celtel/Zain Nigeria Limited; UBA’s participation was to the tune of $60 million and N75 billion. He also arranged vendor financing schemes for MTEL/Motorola $300m, as well as Vendor Finance Facility Celtel/Harris Communications with a total of over $120m. UBA became the 5th largest collector of telecom revenues during this period. He also set up the Risk Management framework of the subsidiary in line with the group standard and international best practice.
Between June 2004 and August 2005, he served as the Zonal Head, Standard Trust Bank Plc, Apapa, Lagos. Under him, the zone with a total number of seven branches became the most profitable zone of the bank nationwide.
The bumper resume extends to his time as the Group Head of Conglomerates and Manufacturing, Corporate Banking, Standard Trust Bank Plc between November 2003 and June 2004. In this capacity, he managed the bank’s portfolio for conglomerates and manufacturing. Among the companies managed are Dangote Group, Unilever Nigeria Plc; SCOA; Michelin Group; UAC Nigeria Plc; UTC Nigeria Plc; Mayor Group; Lee Group etc.
He was the Chief Marketing Officer, North, Standard Trust Bank Plc between April 2002 and October 2003. He was in charge of all the 11 branches and Public Sector Business of the Bank in the North Region of the Nigeria, responsible for the signing up of Zamfara State Statutory and IGR accounts.
Between April 2000 and October 200, he was the Regional Head, North Continental Trust Bank Ltd, Kano Pioneer Regional Director, after the bank’s conversion from merchant banking to commercial banking. He opened the branches of the bank in Kaduna, Kano, Damaturu, Maiduguri.
Within the backdrop of such a résumé and the dire economic diversification need facing our nation, the incoming government of Bola Ahmed must look urgently in the direction of such consummate technocrats. After all, the reward for good work is more work.

Nigerian businessman and former chairman of defunct Skye Bank, Tunde Ayeni has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons and from the look of things, his woes seem to be growing by the day.


In a classic gentleman style, Ayeni made an attempt to put the recurring episodes of bad press behind him when he issued a statement a few weeks ago addressing some of the issues.


In his words, 'as a reputable businessman, industrialist and corporate player, I have no time for frivolous and sensational stories and should not be distracted by such publications. I sincerely wish that the media will, with this statement of mine, desist from any further maligning of my person, my family and all that I represent in the society'.


Ayeni’s woes all began several months back with a press statement from him denying the paternity of a child he allegedly fathered with an Abuja-based lawyer named, Adaobi Alagwu (a lady reported to be a classmate of his daughter in law school). This press release from him is presumed to have opened a can of worms as over the next couple of weeks, new revelations upon revelations flooded the media space about his affair with Adaobi.

According to Sahara Reporters, Ayeni had an extra marital affair with Adaobi Alagwu, their relationship, though toxic as described by those who know them, resulted in a child that he denied. Even though Ayeni and Adaobi’s relationship was well known in social circles in Abuja, (despite it being a stain on his reputation and marriage) they flaunted the relationship with reckless abandon thus making his initial denial of their relationship and alleged child laughable. 'Realising his folly and how badly the relationship impugned on his already battered image, he attempted to save himself by denying the mistake that the relationship was' one of his associates was quoted to have said.


Multiple media reports about his relationship with Adaobi led to the press digging into his businesses, debts with AMCON and his recent political foray and association with the PDP and by extension, Atiku Abubakar.


In 2022, the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Ltd. The action followed a judgement by the Federal High Court which granted orders in favour of AMCON as Receiver/Manager of Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing (IEDM) Limited, IBEDC’s core investor, over defaults in a Loan Service Agreement with Polaris Bank involving Tunde Ayeni to the tune of over 230 billion naira.


It was also reported that during the heat of his media battle with Adaobi Alagwu, policemen acting on the orders of Adaobi Alagwu arrested and subsequently detained the editor and a reporter of TheNewsGuru.com, Ediri Oyibo and Paul Utebor. The journalists were arrested by the officers from Nigeria Police Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja on Wednesday, February 22 following a petition by Adaobi. She was said to have accused them of publishing a story, which she described to be defamatory, on the paternity of her child with Nigerian businessman and former chairman of defunct Skye Bank, Tunde Ayeni.


With all these going on and the failure of PDP at the February 25th presidential polls, Ayeni is now said to have swallowed his pride and began an extensive consultation, visitations and begging his perceived enemies and allies in the ruling party to seek their good graces. His emissaries are said to be knocking on doors, kneeling, prostrating and begging on his behalf.


Ayeni's latest moves including being the head huncho and strategist codinating the election petition tribunal team for Atiku begs the questions, would he have been humble had PDP won the elections? Would he be reaching out with olive branches if he was in power or is it all a move in desperation to save his reputation and dwindling finances?


One thing is however clear in the middle of all the crisis Ayeni seems to be facing, he remains one of the few Nigerians with access within the corridors of power, but his reputation with multiple failed business, paternity scandal, multiple relationship scandals, debts and insincerity leaves him in a precarious position and moves at seeking peace from perceived foes might be a big effort in futility.


… Muhammad, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja

Promotion is no doubt a means to encourage and reward hardworking and deserving staff. It is also a guarantee for career growth. Although, it is an entitlement for serving personnel that are due, it also serves as morale bolster for all personnel.

The Police Service Commission is the only agency constitutionally saddled with the responsibility to approve promote, dismiss, check the excesses, etc., of members of the Nigeria Police Force. Suffice to say that the PSC is expected to be, to a large extent, devoid of blame and exemplary.

Unfortunately that is not the case as the Commission is alleged to have jettisoned standards by engaging in collecting bribes for promotion, exonerating officers reported to be complicit in professional misconduct, etc.

They do this by way of assigning themselves slots for promotion which is an aberration. This is unknown to the law establishing the PSC.

The six commissioners, all directors and deputy directors share slots to themselves where in they later sell same to interested members of the force.

They went as far as using the police profession at the expense of nation building, do share promotion slots to first class chiefs, Governors, Senators, etc. Where is this done? In which country on this planet earth will human beings be this callous, reckless and deliberate in killing an institution such as the police. They also demand monies to exonerate officers alleged to be invoin sharp practices.

This is eating deep into the morale of officers as it is obvious that there is no more reward for gallantry or exemplary acts of integrity that will send serious message of encouragement to other officers as envisaged in the Public Service Rules and the Police Act and Regulations. Rather, officers are encouraged to please people in authority as such category or individuals can lobby promotion and other benefits such as “lucrative postings” for them and guarantee their unhindered career growths.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is called upon to cause investigation into the recent and other past scandalous promotions (including that of Dec, 2020), the ones giving to the aids of Vice President and the wife of the President. They should request for the justification for each of the promotees on the special promotion lists. The abuse of the provision for special promotion must be stoped as

The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, the DSS, The NASS, Civil Society Organizations, Head of Service are all enjoined to take special interest in this matter and ensure it is reversed and stopped forthwith as our collective quietness will spell doom in the force and the snowballing effects of having a police organization with the overall morale of its personnel dampened will mean greater harm to our entire wellbeing. The calls for a mass protest by all well meaning Nigerians. The Civil Society Organizations must take this matter very seriously and ensure that it is stoped. Only officers with outstanding records of gallantry, courage and exemplary conducts are actually deserving of the considerations for special promotion.

This is a matter that all law enforcement agencies must quietly investigate and expose without delay, the corrupt practices in the Police Service Commission (PSC) with a view of bringing the culprits to Justice without delay. The culprits must be made to suffer dismissal, reduction in rank, etc. as this is the only deterrent that will send serious message to desperate police officers.

This is because the NPF is one organization that the general public must take seriously. No serious nation will allow its police degenerate to the level the Nigeria police is currently operating let alone making it even far worse with such unfortunate acts of the PSC.

The IGP is known for his doggedness as posterity will judge him fairly because he has never engaged in this dangerous practice since assuming office. It is a well known fact that the IGP will never cascade this nonessential acts to allow the desperate officers benefit from this shameful and dangerous acts. The IGP is by this, encouraged not to release this promotion as the ball is now on his court. He is at liberty to make history or retire with these dents as it portends great danger to the Force and the nation at large. The IGP must cause speedy and deliberate investigation into this matter.

Some officers who made the list got special promotion four and others three consecutive times. Others are in fact, sadly being promoted from one star to three start. This is the heights of destruction that the police will do herself if this is allowed to go.

The PSC is bent on destroying the agency it is supposed to be the fixer. The PSC as it is, currently lacks all morale standi to probe and decide the faith of erring police officers being itself involved in such corrupt practice. Justice Clara Ogunbiyi should make sure her hard earned name as retired Justice of the Supreme Court is not soiled by desperate staff of the PSC who are taking advantage of her age.

It is also on record that a lot of beneficiaries of the special promotion were promoted just last year but doctored their date of last promotion to read two years earlier. This calls for independent investigation of the falsification records is callous and should not be allowed to go undetected and undeterred. The nation awaits the outcome of the investigation as the newly appointed Chairman of the PSC. IGP Solomon Arase (Rtd) must not allow this evil to succeed.

The list that are not from the outcome of galantry and exemplary conducts must be dropped immediately to cool the tension in the system and ensure only due process is followed in the police career progression.

Lastly, the list of the promotion under the “special” promotion criteria also did not pass through the normal procedure which allows that the IGP makes recommendations and send to the PSC only consider the recommendation for approval. This practice means that the PSC can unilaterally promote and only inform the IGP for implementation which is not the normal procedure.

Imagine members of course 23 and 24 wearing AC ranks while course 20 is still wearing CSP. For what act of gallantry. Just for serving with VIP or fraternizing with politicians? This must not be allowed to have its way.

For the benefit of doubt, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the FCT Minister is just 13years in service and already benefiting from the rascal special promotion to the rank of ACP. There is no any form of attack on the FCT Minister that the CSO was heroic in saving his life or that of his family. Many of such instances abound and one can name them over 150 beneficiaries of this rascality in high places.

Another instance is one SP Gadzama Musa who was a corporal in 2011 and now being promoted to CSP. His mates are still Inspectors.

This can be a subject of investigation as to how an staff that is not a cadet officer can now be senior to cadet officers.

Also one SP Shaba the current CSO to the Executive Governor of IMO state who was an inspector in 2017 and now being promoted to CSP leaves so much to be desired.

Again one SP Musa Gadzama who was a corporal in 2011 and was just promoted last year in July, barely 9 months ago to the rank of SP, but his promotion was doctored with the connivance of the staff of PSC to read as if he was qualified based on the two years minimum pegged by the PSC. This group of dangerously corrupt staff of the PSC must be fished out just so they don’t repeat same to the new Chairman and further soiled the already battered image of the PSC. This is so because they took advantage of the aging circumstance of the Ag. Chairman Justice Clara, whose integrity knows no bounds in an attempt to tarnish her image as she approaches retirement soon in July 2023.

What is Special in this Special Promotion? What special thing have they done? The public must be made understand. The special acts of each ir

The Ag. Chairman and representative of the North East, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi is hereby called to support the current and incoming chairman IGP Solomon Arase to jointly probe the dates of promotion of the officers she was deceived and misled to approve their promotion, more so, without the consideration of the IGP as has been the practice over time.

The usual practice is that the IGP being the Chief Executive of the Nigeria Pplice Force is the one that ordinarily knows the existing vacancies for promotion wherein he makes recommendations to for the PSC to check the qualifications based on merit, etc., prior to giving approval.

It is also expected that the PSC with the support of the incoming Chairman IGP Arase, will be painstaking in investigating this quagmire and otherwise embarrassing situation. This will be the first test of his integrity and capability to street the affairs of the PSC.

The investigation should be wholesome and independent to include officers from across agencies saddled with terms of reference to probe the recommendations purportedly emanating from First Class Emirs, Senators, Governors, etc. with the view to making ample recommendations in line with the PSCs constitutional mandate. The investigation must be tasked to unravel all dates that are backdated and records falsified.

The investigative team may also be tasked to bring up recommendations for those to be considered or disqualified based on outcome or falls short of the qualifications for special promotion. They must also recommend punitive measures including criminal trials to serve as deterrence.

Posterity will be fair to the IGP to fight this fraudulent practices to a stand still.