Author: The Nation

• By OLADAPO SOFOWORA

Prince Donatus Okonkwo has been flourishing in Nigeria’s business terrain for over two decades after working for years in the United Kingdom rising to the role of a supervisor at Mcdonald’s. After Nigeria transited from military rule to civilian, he packed his bags and returned to Nigeria to found Tetrazzini a flagship one-stop fast food brand which later metamorphosed into a business conglomerate with interests in Agriculture, construction, real estate, Media, Oil and Gas to mention a few. Starting Tetrazzini from one flagship store on Airport Road with his wife Ngozi Okonkwo, they grew the business to have over 50 outlets across Nigeria serving sumptuous meals to the customers which gave other competitors a run for their money. Today he is being celebrated for his giant strides in business and politics.

 The Ojoto Anambra state-born billionaire has since wanted to lead his people using his experience as a successful entrepreneur and businessman. As a member of the All Progressives Congress APC, he also served as a member of the National Youth Council of Nigeria NYCN after which he tried to throw his hat in the ring to contest for Anambra State Guber in 2017. As a party faithful who worked assiduously well and spent his resources to ensure President Bola Tinubu gets a substantial amount of Votes in the February Presidential election, he has congratulated President Tinubu on his swearing-in as President. Via a statement signed by him; Okonkwo charged Mr President to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges while making an enabling environment for youths to thrive excellently well. “Your agenda of Renewed Hope for Nigerians resonates deeply with the aspirations and dreams of our people. It is a vision that seeks to address the challenges that have plagued our nation while fostering an environment of inclusivity, growth, and development. I commend your commitment to tackling issues such as unemployment, security, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. It is my firm belief that under your leadership, we will witness a transformational era that brings tangible improvements to the lives of Nigerians.”

 He further said; “As a fellow party faithful, I look forward to working closely with you to translate your vision into reality. We must foster a culture of collaboration, where like-minded individuals come together to pool their expertise and resources for the betterment of our nation. I am eager to contribute my skills and knowledge to the collective effort of building a Nigeria that we can all be proud of.”

• By OLADAPO SOFOWORA

Loyalty is sweet and its splendour soothes the heart.  The grand opulence and the respect that comes with being born with a blue blood is what money cannot buy but it’s something prestigious and worthy to fight for. For youthful Prince Kolade Afeez Siyanbola Oladigbolu named after his great grandfather the popular Oba Abubakar Siyanbola Oladigbolu the 40th Alaafin who ruled the kingdom between 1911-1944 his youthful age, exposure, wealth of experience, capacity, culturally rich background and vocal nature is something that stands him out among those jostling to replace the immediate past Alaafin Lamidi Atanda Adeyemi to occupy the highly revered throne in Yoruba land and history. The founder of Royal Colony Limited has over the years been in tune with the customs and traditions of the Oyo people and the Yoruba race owing to his deeply rooted knowledge of its history. He believes that his ability to mix freely and also knowing the yearning of his people will be an added advantage in his quest to clinch and ascend the throne of his forefathers. Despite the rigorous work being carried out by the selection teams of Oyomesi’s the astute businessman and marine enthusiast we gathered is a force that cannot be swept away with the wave of a hand. He is solidly on ground and has the support of the majority of people in Oyo. The Maritime guru has over the years built friends across the shores of Nigeria and has remained cosmopolitan but a thoroughbred Yoruba man who has accustomed to its culture-rich history and also possesses all it takes to occupy the stool. Among other contenders, he remains the youngest and one of the brightest whose resume is quite intimidating and most likely to be considered by the kingmakers. Having scaled through the hurdle required to be considered as Oba-Select, the graduate of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Victoria Island has remained confident owing to his popularity among Oyo indigenes, his father’s goodwill, his solid roots and his philanthropic nature.

 Sources say the young prince has prepared and equipped himself for the task ahead by further elevating and sustaining the legacies of past Alaafins and also hit the ground running by bringing all stakeholders across Yoruba Land to tackle issues of Yoruba Interest and also create a synergy with other monarchs to bring about flourishing Yoruba race.    

Oisamoje Daniel aka Ose Daniel, one of the leading contestants in the ongoing Nigerian Idol season eight, has opened up about his background, musical aspirations, and the thrill of participating in the singing competition.

 In a chat, Ose Daniel shared details about his life, dreams, and the path that led him to talent hunt and music competition show.

 He revealed that he completed his secondary school education but faced financial challenges that prevented him from pursuing a university degree. “I wouldn’t say I’m a school dropout, but I wrote my WAEC, and then there were no finances to continue when I finished,” he shared.

 Even though he’d have loved to attend university, life had to continue. So he lost himself in music and embraced his talent, jumping from choir to choir to keep growing as a singer.

 Daniel reminisced about discovering his vocal abilities as a child on the way to a farm with friends. “We were going to the farm. I was singing a song, and they said I could sing. So I joined the choir in my backyard, and they also thought I could sing. They gave me solos, but I always tried to dodge them. That was when I knew I could sing. That’s when I started music, going from choir to choir,” he revealed.

 Daniel had clear motives for auditioning for Nigerian Idol and will not be discouraged. He said, “Nigerian Idol is a huge platform. It means a lot of people will see me. This platform will bring me out to the public. I think Nigerian Idol would help push me into the world.”

 He acknowledged his previous challenges and confessed to nearly giving up on music before this opportunity arose. “Winning this competition would mean that I am validated and have talent. There was a time I almost gave up on music. I wanted to hustle. Look for something to do. Get money because everything was hard. So winning it would be a dream come true. It would be the biggest thing in my life,” he stated.

 The 24-year-old’s last two performances – Adele’s ‘Make you feel my love’ and Fireboy DML’s ‘Bandana’ – left a lasting impression on the judges and audience.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, (Ojaja II), has joined the league of cultural enthusiasts and aficionados across the world to certify the forthcoming Drum (Agalu-Agalu) Festival to be staged in Canada next month.

 In his reaction to the letter of invitation, Ooni expressed his delight in endorsing the maiden edition of the event.

In his words: “I write with great delight to endorse the inaugural The Drum (Ayan-Agalu) Festival scheduled to be held in Canada.”

The Ooni also asserted that “the festival, which has its root in the Kingdom of Ife, South Western Nigeria, is a symbolic presentation of our culture, particularly in relation to our social life, religion, monarchy and other core aspects of our existence.”

The Ooni of Ife could not but salute the courage, capacity and initiative of the chief host, who he called his son, for his spirited stride toward Yoruba and African cultural revival.

“I hereby congratulate my son who is the convener of the initiative, Prince Segun Akanni, and his team for their efforts in celebrating the Yoruba and indeed African culture,” the affable monarch stated.

In expressing his strong support for the success of the event, Oba Adeyeye recommended the event to interested partners, stakeholders and other investors to cash in on this unique prospect by coming on board and collaborating with the organisers of the cultural fiesta in order to make it a hugely victorious edition.

Grammy nominee and Africa’s rising Afrobeat singer, Mádé Kuti, is set to make his debut at Good Village on Victoria Island, Lagos.

This is coming after his return from music tours and rehearsals with The Movement band.

Made Kuti’s performance with The Movement band is scheduled for Sunday, June 11, 2023.

The show is being packaged by FK Management after yearnings from fans on the Lagos Island territories that include Obalende, Iru, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, Ajah and Epe.

In his words, Made said, “we are bringing the shrine to the Island. It’s all for Afrobeat and humanity. I can’t wait to perform for the Island audience who have been yearning for my performance with The Movement band.”

Made’s last single, which he composed, arranged, and authored, was produced by GMK and Sodi Marciszewer, who recorded, mixed, or produced his grandfather and late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s last six albums.

After the release of his last single, entitled ‘No more wars,’ via Partisan Records, Mádé has been busy getting himself closer to the fans with shows and performances in The New Afrikan Shrine and other parts of the world.

Islamic cleric Afa Sheikh Muftau Leteef Alabi aka Afa Eleko has backed the emergence of President Bola Tinubu.

The Ibadan based cleric urged Nigerians not to give up on the country because of the difficult times the country is going through saying things will get better under Tinubu.

He also urged Nigerians to pray to God for guidance for the president so as to deliver on his campaign promises to the people.

The cleric said, “many Nigerians have lost hope in the country because of the economic meltdown and the financial crisis they are going through, but there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. God will surely walk through our country again and turn things around for good.”

Continuing, he said, “Instead of complaining and grumbling, we should always pray for our leaders. Say positive things about Nigeria and this will manifest in no time and we will all witness a turn around. For the new President and his Vice, with prayers, I believe they will take the country out of the woods and will do better, and the country will prosper under them.”