Nigeria is a land of immense promise perpetually in pursuit of its fulfilment. The chasm between the two has often been widened by distrust, inequality, and missed opportunities. Matthew Tonlagha has dedicated his life to being a bridge—a dynamic, multifaceted connector who spans divides and creates passages where none seemed to exist.
His personal narrative is itself a bridge from limitation to liberation. The frail child who could not walk built, within his soul, a mighty causeway of willpower that carried him from dependency to leadership. He is a living testament that our greatest disabilities can become the foundations for our most profound abilities, connecting a challenging past to a triumphant future.
His early years were a personal dusk, a struggle against the shadow of physical limitation. But within him burned a spark—kindled by a mother’s love and his own fierce spirit—that refused to be extinguished. This spark, fanned by determination, has grown into a lantern he now carries high for all to see. It is the light of possibility, proving that origins and obstacles do not define destiny.
In the Niger Delta, he built a crucial economic bridge. MATON Engineering serves as a vital link between the region’s vast human capital and the formal, empowering economy. It connects raw talent to skilled profession, idle hands to productive work, and local communities to the mainstream of national development. He bridged the gap between grievance and gainful engagement, demonstrating that corporate success and community development are not opposite banks of a river, but can be seamlessly joined.
His role in corporate-community relations, beginning with his selection to engage with Chevron, cast him early as a bridge of trust. In an environment often characterized by mutual suspicion between oil companies and host communities, Tonlagha earned the credibility to stand in the middle. He could translate concerns, align interests, and foster understanding—a rare and precious skill that turns potential conflict into potential collaboration.
His patriotic intervention in oil security was an act of building a bridge of sovereignty. When critical national assets were being plundered, the connection between the nation’s resources and its treasury was severed. The work of Tantita, with Tonlagha’s involvement, repaired that bridge, reconnecting Nigeria’s wealth to its people’s welfare. It was a daring feat of engineering on a national scale.
His philanthropy is a network of bridges of hope. Each scholarship is a bridge from a village to a university. Each vocational programme is a bridge from hopelessness to self-reliance. Each act of kindness to the vulnerable is a bridge from despair to dignity. He builds these crossings not as grand, distant monuments, but as personal, accessible paths for individuals to traverse.
Even his international advocacy is bridge-building on a geopolitical scale. By initiating dialogue with a Washington firm, he seeks to strengthen the transatlantic bridge between Nigeria and the United States, fostering stronger ties, better policy understanding, and mutual respect. He uses his influence to ensure the traffic on this bridge flows both ways, carrying opportunities back to Nigeria.
Matthew Tonlagha is more than a successful man; he is an illuminator. He carries the light of resilience, enterprise, security, compassion, and global relevance. In a time when many curse the darkness, he chooses to light a candle—indeed, many candles—and in doing so, he challenges every one of us to find our own fuel, our own wick, and contribute our own glow to the magnificent, collective radiance of a Nigeria fulfilled.
Thus, Matthew Tonlagha is the quintessential connector. He spans the gap between poverty and prosperity, between community and corporation, between vulnerability and security, and between Nigeria and the world. He teaches us that the most critical infrastructure for any nation is not made of steel and concrete alone, but of goodwill, courage, and a steadfast commitment to bringing people and possibilities together. In celebrating him, we celebrate the power of connection itself.
Last Wednesday, Ifeoma Okoye, with her two daughters, eagerly set off for Balogun Market to buy lace materials for ‘asobi,’ as one of the daughters was preparing for her wedding.
According to her, they left their house very early to finish shopping before the very busy market filled up with other shops. “Though with the festive season over, I was not expecting a very crowded market. I planned to conclude my shopping early and leave the market at about 2 pm.”
She said that nobody prepared her for the rude shock she encountered in the market. “On getting to the entrance of the Balogun road that forms the big part of the market, I was surprised to see a large crowd of people all squeezing to find space along the road”.
“What is happening here?” I asked my daughters in astonishment. Why is the market road jam- packed, besides the festive season is over?
“As we tried to push through the crowd like every other person, one of my daughters nudged me by the sides, as I looked at her, she pointed to one of the plazas that had all the shops locked up.
“Alarmed, I looked around and saw that many of the plazas, even where we were going to shop, were locked up. Calling one of the traders, I asked if they lost a colleague and decided to lock up for a day to show respect for the dead, but he said the shops were locked by the government due to the fire incident in December”.
According to Mrs Okoye, adjoining roads to Balogun Road were also cordoned, resulting in most people coming from the UBA headquarters side on Broad Street using the Balogun Road to access Idumota, Tom Jones markets, etcetera.
Traders, however, were loitering around asking shoppers what they wanted, then discreetly taking them into their shops to attend to them. They will discreetly open the doors to their shops and lock them once they go in with the shoppers, so from the outside no one will know someone is inside for fear of being arrested by Government officials.
Customers are complaining that shopping in the market is currently hard. “With the huge crowd, people are pushing each other and not seeing open shops or things displayed is a big nightmare.”
At Balogun Market, traders gathered in groups, discussing next steps and expressing concerns about the prolonged closure of their businesses.
One trader, Martin Amalos, lamented the economic toll of the shutdown, saying, “My shop has been closed since December 25. I can barely provide for my children. Many traders are stranded and unsure of how to cope.”
Amalos, who deals in children’s clothing, added, “The fire struck during the peak of my business, and I have spent all I had to survive.”
Another trader, Oduloye Bimpe, criticised the government for failing to offer any support. “Our shops were sealed without consideration for our livelihoods. There should have been assistance before the closures. Where do we go from here?” she asked.
She also noted that the affected building should have been demolished by now. “The government needs to take action while also considering our situation,” Bimpe added.
Fabrics trader, Maduabuchukwu Ifeakomili, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the financial hardship caused by the closures. “We rely on daily income to feed our families. We appeal to the government to reopen the sealed sections of Balogun and the surrounding areas before Saturday,” he said.
Ifeakomili further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to expedite the demolition of the fire-damaged building. “There are also residents left homeless because their homes were sealed. Some of us are borrowing money just to eat,” he added.
Responding to the concerns, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, emphasised then that the closures were driven by safety considerations. “We hope people will prioritise life over livelihood. The 25-storey building is at risk of collapse, which could endanger everyone within a 100-metre radius,” he said.
Omotosho added that the government’s actions were not punitive. “The area has only been closed for two weeks, and complaints have already surfaced. There are reports of people who entered the building to retrieve goods during the fire and never returned. Over 10 buildings were affected by the incident, and public safety remains our priority,” he explained.
The Lagos State Government sealed up many shops and barricaded many roads in the market weeks after the devastating fire at the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI), building on December 24, 2025.
That inferno claimed eight lives, including three members of the same family: Stephen Onyeka Omatu, Casmir Nnabuike Omatu, and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu.
For Victor Daniyan, a techpreneur runs Nearpays and Yourrider, two business entities that provide solutions to teething problems confronting businesses and also at the forefront of technology and innovation. He spoke with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf
What inspired your interest in building solutions that address everyday economic activity in Africa?
Growing up in Nigeria, I saw firsthand how everyday people struggled with basic financial transactions – from sending money to family to paying for goods at markets. A pivotal experience was working with a local fintech startup early in my career, where I saw the power of tech in solving these everyday economic challenges. Witnessing how simple innovations could make transactions faster, cheaper, and more secure sparked my passion for building solutions that address real economic pain points in Africa. It’s about making economic activity easier for everyone.
Your company operates without extra hardware. How does this lower barriers for Nigeria’s informal sector and small businesses?
Our hardware-free approach is a game-changer for Nigeria’s informal sector and small businesses. By letting merchants turn their smartphones into POS terminals, we’re slashing upfront costs and tech hurdles – no expensive hardware needed. This means market vendors, street traders, and small shops can accept digital payments instantly, boosting sales and efficiency. It’s about meeting them where they are: on their phones, in their businesses. This drives financial inclusion and unlocks growth for the informal sector, which is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
Nearpays softPOS offering lower fees than traditional POS terminals is a huge relief for businesses grappling with rising costs in Nigeria. With inflation biting and operational expenses soaring, every naira counts – and by reducing transaction fees, we’re helping businesses keep more of their hard-earned money. This is particularly crucial for small and medium enterprises with thin margins; lower fees mean they can invest more in growth, stock, or even just staying afloat. It’s about easing the burden and letting them focus on what matters: serving customers and growing their business.
You’ve mentioned Kaizen as a guiding principle. How does continuous improvement manifest in the day-to-day operations of Nearpays and Yourrider?
Kaizen is more than a buzzword for us; it’s how we breathe. At Nearpays and Yourrider, continuous improvement is woven into our DNA. Every team member is empowered to suggest tweaks, big or small, to our products, processes, or customer interactions. We have “Kaizen Fridays” where teams focus on refining something specific – whether it’s streamlining our onboarding flow or enhancing a feature. It’s about making small, consistent improvements that add up to a big impact.
This mindset trickles into everything we do. For example, our dev team constantly iterates on our softPOS platform based on user feedback, pushing updates that make transactions smoother or adding features like offline payments. Customer support teams feed insights back into product design. It’s a loop of listening, iterating, and improving. By fostering this culture, we stay agile, responsive, and always pushing to make payments and energy access better for our users.
What drives your ongoing commitment to financial inclusion and access through technology?
I’m driven by the belief that technology should serve everyone, not just the privileged few. Seeing how financial exclusion holds back individuals, businesses, and entire communities in Africa – it stays with you. Our mission is to break those barriers, making financial services accessible and affordable for all.
With tech as our tool, we’re pushing boundaries to include the underserved, empower entrepreneurs, and fuel economic growth from the ground up. It’s about building a future where everyone participates, transacts, and prospers.
With over 60,000 SMEs using your platform, why is now the right time to scale AI-driven payments across Africa?
With over 60,000 SMEs on our platform, I believe now is the right time to scale AI-driven payments across Africa because we’ve cracked the code on trust, scale, and tech readiness. Our SMEs have shown us that simplicity, security, and speed drive adoption – and AI takes these to the next level. By leveraging AI for smarter fraud detection, personalized services, and seamless transactions, we can supercharge financial inclusion and meet the continent’s growing demand for digital payments. Africa’s young, tech-savvy population is ready; our job is to deliver solutions that make sense.
Awards like GITEX highlight global recognition. How do such accolades reflect your journey and ambitions for Nearpays?
Awards like GITEX are a huge validation of our team’s hard work and vision. It’s not just about the recognition; it’s about knowing we’re on the right track in solving real problems for Africa and beyond. These accolades reflect our journey of pushing boundaries in fintech and energy access, and they fuel our ambitions to do more – to scale impact, innovate relentlessly, and put Africa on the global tech map. It’s a nod to our users, partners, and team; we’re just getting started.
Payments and EV charging are seemingly different sectors. What synergies do you see between the two in Africa’s emerging markets?
I see massive synergies between payments and EV charging in Africa’s emerging markets. Both are about enabling transactions for critical services – payments are the lifeblood of commerce, and EV charging is the fuel for the future of mobility. In Africa, where cash is still king but digital adoption is rising fast, integrating payments into EV charging ecosystems is a natural fit. Imagine drivers paying for charging via mobile money or merchants offering charging services and accepting digital payments – we’re building the rails for this future.
The bigger synergy is in solving infrastructure gaps. Africa’s EV adoption is nascent, but with leapfrog tech, we can shape the narrative. By marrying payments with EV charging, we enable pay-as-you-go models, reduce upfront costs, and drive adoption. Our softPOS tech, for instance, can turn any merchant into a potential EV charging point. It’s about creating an ecosystem where energy access, mobility, and payments converge to unlock new opportunities.
What is your vision for the intersection of fintech and clean energy in Africa?
My vision for the intersection of fintech and clean energy in Africa is one of explosive growth and impact. I see fintech as the enabler of Africa’s clean energy revolution – powering solar home systems, EV charging networks, and pay-as-you-go energy solutions through accessible, affordable digital payments. By bridging energy access gaps with smart financial services, we can drive mass adoption of clean tech, empower households and businesses, and leapfrog traditional infrastructure hurdles. It’s about creating a future where energy access fuels economic growth and inclusion.
The African Leadership Initiative West Africa (ALIWA) has convened national leaders across sectors to reflect on values-driven leadership and Nigeria’s future, as it hosted its inaugural National Leadership Dialogue (NLD) in Lagos.
The event brought together leaders from public service, business, finance, technology, entrepreneurship, civil society and the media to examine the evolving demands of leadership amid Nigeria’s social, economic and governance challenges.
Held under the theme “Reimagining Leadership in a Changing World,” the dialogue provided a platform for participants to interrogate the role of personal values, institutional strength and collaboration in addressing complex national issues.
In his welcome address, President of ALIWA Nigeria, Mr Soji Apampa, stressed the need for leadership anchored in integrity and practical action. He said Nigeria’s leadership challenges require clarity, honesty and collective commitment rather than symbolism.
Delivering the keynote address, former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Chairman of African Capital Alliance, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, described integrity as the cornerstone of credible leadership, noting that good intentions alone are insufficient without strong systems, transparency and accountability.
Enelamah observed that integrity often comes at a cost, particularly when leaders attempt to challenge entrenched interests. Drawing from personal experience, he said leaders who seek to “walk the talk” frequently face resistance, distractions and scrutiny aimed at frustrating ethical leadership.
He argued that corruption thrives where leaders exercise monopoly of power without accountability, describing it as the abuse of entrusted authority through unchecked discretion.
According to him, systemic weaknesses, rather than individual character alone, often undermine integrity in leadership.
The dialogue featured two panel sessions focusing on resilient leadership for the 21st century and the need to build strong institutions through governance reforms, technology, partnerships and accountability frameworks.
Participants also received a 2026 economic outlook presentation by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), alongside impact presentations by ALIWA Fellows, including Amina Oyagbola of WISCAR and Prof. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), highlighting institutional and community-level outcomes of the initiative.
ALIWA said the National Leadership Dialogue aligns with its broader mission of nurturing values-driven leaders through its Fellowship and Youth Leadership programmes, aimed at transforming personal influence into sustainable national impact and renewing Nigeria’s social contract on leadership and accountability.
Clear, confident and value-driven communication strengthens leadership credibility, improves workplace relationships, boosts sales performance and opens doors to new professional opportunities, experts have said.
They all spoke at the Money Making Mouth Conference 2026 in Lagos.
The conference brought together professionals, entrepreneurs and speakers to examine how effective communication can drive career advancement, business growth and personal influence.
Firing the first salvo, renowned communication strategist and public speaking authority, Joyce Daniels, popularly known as the Queen of Talk, delivered the keynote sessions, with the theme, “The Money Making Mouth Philosophy” and “Mission 2026.”
Daniels stressed that speaking well is no longer optional in today’s competitive workplace and business environment.
With over 18 years of professional experience, Daniels has built a strong reputation as an award-winning Master of Ceremonies, public speaker, presentation skills coach and author of two bestselling books. Widely regarded as Africa’s foremost advocate for monetising communication skills, she is popularly referred to as the “Money Making Mouth.”
According to her, professionals who can articulate their ideas effectively are better positioned for promotions, partnerships and increased earnings.
She further challenged participants to deliberately invest in their voices as tools for visibility, relevance and wealth creation, noting that communication, when properly harnessed, becomes a sustainable economic asset.
Another major highlight of the conference was “The Hidden Wealth Panel”, presented by Carib Health Group, which focused on wellness, medical awareness, and healthy living.
The speakers emphasised the connection between personal wellbeing and professional productivity, noting that long-term financial success and influence are difficult to sustain without physical and mental health stability.
Participants also engaged in a practical session titled “The Money Magnet Conversation”, led by Dr. Pamela Udoka and Adeola Kingsley-James, popularly known as ‘I Am That I Am’. They explored the power of mindset, mental wellbeing, overcoming fear and imposter syndrome, stressing that control over one’s mind directly influences what one will attract in 2026.
The program continued with “Negotiate Like a Boss”, facilitated by finance expert – Chukuka Chukuma, where attendees learned strategies for negotiating professional value, fees, and contracts with confidence and clarity, particularly in business and corporate settings.
The event enjoyed the support of several corporate organisations, including MTN, Africa Re, Carib Health Group, Konga 103.7FM, Myrtle Asset Management, 9PSB, Item7go, Cutstruct, JD&A, and Made for Impact, reflecting growing corporate interest in communication, leadership and influence.
The conference concluded with an anniversary celebration marking the first anniversary of The Money Making Mouth Tribe, as well as Joyce Daniels’ birthday, alongside group photographs and networking, reinforcing her mission to eliminate the culture of speaking for free or undervaluing communication skills.
Rest Realty has officially secured and completed the signing of a landmark land deal covering one million square meters, marking a major step toward the development of Nigeria‘s first-ever Snow City Park.
The historic acquisition lays the foundation for a first-of-its-kind tourism and lifestyle city to be located in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Snow City Park is designed to emerge as a major tourism hub, attracting both local and international visitors while redefining leisure, entertainment, and urban development in Nigeria.
According to Rest Realty, the project is projected to attract no fewer than one million tourists annually, positioning Ibadan as a new destination on Africa’s tourism map.
Speaking on the vision behind the project, the Founder of Rest Realty, Stephen Akorede, said the initiative is driven by a determination to challenge the conventional approach to real estate development in Nigeria.
Drawing from his experience of living in Dubai for over four years, Akorede explained that exposure to bold innovation, strategic planning, and world-class infrastructure reshaped his understanding of how intentional development can transform cities and communities.
“This land acquisition is our first step into what will become a multi-billion-naira development. We are stepping forward to do what many believe is impossible, because meaningful development requires courage, innovation, and a clear vision,” Akorede said.
He added that beyond the Snow City Park itself; the proposed city will feature a comprehensive mix of residential and commercial infrastructure.
Plans include residential homes for over 1,000 residents, office spaces, schools, a massive central park, investor lounges, a dedicated tech founders’ lounge, and a structured residents’ identification system designed to enhance security and efficient city management.
He assured investors of the project’s strong economic prospects, noting that its design and tourism-driven model are expected to deliver substantial value.
Projections, according to the company, indicate the potential for significant investment growth within 24 months of development milestones.
Ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) updated recapitalisation deadline of 31 March 2026, Summit Bank has confirmed that it has fully met its capital requirement, positioning the bank in strong compliance with the CBN’s objective of strengthening financial stability within the Nigerian banking sector, The Nation has learnt.
Checks by our correspondent revealed that as one of Nigeria’s newest entrants into the non-interest banking space, Summit Bank recorded a regulatory capital base of ₦15.3 billion as at 21 May 2025, a position previously confirmed by the CBN.
This position places Summit Bank well above the required threshold of N10b for regional non-interest banks.
“This milestone has been made possible by the unflinching confidence of our shareholders, the effective leadership of the board and management team, as well as the dedication of the bank staff,” Dr Sirajo Salisu, Summit Bank MD/CEO, said in an interview.
In line with its strong vision of operational excellence and value creation, and having achieved full capital compliance ahead of schedule, the bank is set to further reinforce its long-term commitment to leading the ethical banking space, while supporting its stakeholders for common growth and prosperity.
Dr Mukhtar Adam, Summit Bank ED/COO, said Summit Bank will continue to combine operational excellence with value-based banking to create win-win situations for customers and shareholders.
“With our strengthened capital base, we will continue to drive ethical and inclusive value-based banking through digital platforms, customer experience, and targeted lending that supports SMEs and the underserved,” he said, adding that meeting the regulatory threshold is not an end in itself but a solid foundation for the bank’s forward-looking agenda of scaling responsibly, innovating within non-interest principles, and deepening partnerships that create shared economic value.
The current CBN’s recapitalisation exercise requires an updated capital threshold of N500b for international banks, N200b for national commercial banks, N50b for regional commercial banks, N20b for national non-interest banks, and N10b for regional non-interest banks, with a deadline of 31 March for full compliance.
Summit Bank, established as a purpose-driven non-interest bank, was incorporated in July 2024 and licensed by the CBN in February 2025. Positioned to provide ethical banking services to the public, the bank aims to redefine ethical and inclusive finance through transparent products, digital accessibility, and a strong commitment to financial inclusion.
Because he was an element of literary figure who found himself in another course, the Department of History of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, finally reclaimed Sam Omatseye, chairman, editorial board of the Nation Newspapers, Lagos. This happened last week in Ife, Osun State, when he was hosted to a dinner party as part of the Distinguished Alumni lecture programme which he delivered in the university. The department of History was happy to welcome him back home to Great Ife. Edozie Udeze was there.
In most social parlance in Nigeria, when a man of the people long sought after by the larger population of the people appears in the arena, the overall acclaim is usually: ‘Yes, the eagle has landed, or the iroko is here in our midst. Oh, this is a big masquerade’. It was same euphoria and acclaim when last week the entire students of History department of OAU alongside all the principal officers of the departments that made up the Faculty of Arts of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State, gathered in the boardroom of the Faculty to honour, celebrate and accord recognition to one man. That man is Mr. Samuel Oritsetimeyin Omatseye. A well-deserved party, it was aptly themed: Welcome back home to Great Ife. Omatseye is the Editorial board chairman of The Nation Newspapers, Lagos, where he has been in charge since 2006. But the core of the issue at Ife was for Omatseye to deliver the Faculty of Arts Distinguished Alumni lecture, the second edition of the series.
But half way into the series of discussions and preparations to invite Omatseye to deliver the lecture, they discovered that he is a Historian. Omatseye was admitted into Ife to study History as his major. However, like most people who naturally show love for what they hold so dear to, he tilted more towards English Literature than History.
So, now History has decided to reclaim their own hence the bounteous dinner party held in his honour. It was designed to welcome him back. The moments of the evening were not merely to eat. It was to banter, crack jokes and pour encomiums on Omatseye. It was time for the gown to mix with the town. It was time also to tear into the heart of a man who loves to use literature to embellish and celebrate stories, stories that remake a society in dire need of rebirth, redirection and renewal.
In all this, the citation on Omatseye opened people’s eyes to the realities of what Omatseye truly stands for in the journalism profession and beyond. It said: “There are evenings when a department does not merely host a dinner; it hosts a moment of memory. There are evenings when we do not simply welcome a guest, we receive a man whose sentences have travelled farther than his footsteps and whose ideas have made their home in national imagination and global discourses. Tonight (therefore) is such an evening! The Department of History is honoured to welcome Mr. Samuel Oritsetimeyin Omatseye. He is a journalist of global renown, columnist, poet, novelist, playwright, teacher of letters. He is one of the most recognizable public intellectual voices of his generation.”
As expected, this generated applause in equal measure. Poised by this evocative proclamation, Dr. Solomon Okajare who handled the microphone more like an ace stand-up comedian, regaled the gathering with stimulating comments, jokes and stories of the reasons for the outing. His proper recourse into the past, his natural penchant about why History beckons on literature or why the two often act like identical twins, further gave validation to why Omatseye celebrates history or if you like, emboldens issues with literary affirmations.
But for Okajare, himself a Historian, history has a way of sipping into you, recharging your memories back and forth. He said that Omatseye takes time in engaging the people that matter in his In Touch column. His works inadvertently keep you on your toes. His remarks are deeper, engrossing in content, in the espousal of ideas; ideas that do not spare any secret. But he uses references both from history and literature to elaborate his presentations.
Dr. Shina Alimi, head of the department of History said: “Today is more than a historical gathering. It is a moment of recollection between generations, a meeting point of past excellence and present aspirations… Our guest today represents what the study of History seeks to achieve: a critical mind, a commitment to society and an enduring engagement with ideas that shape communities, nations, and the world”. Omatseye has certainly allowed his study of History to open doors for him, big doors that help to announce his presence in far and near places. “Yes, we are proud of you”, Alimi intoned.
Seated on the high table was the Dean of Arts, Professor Gbenga Fasiku whose rich embroidered traditional attire befitted that of a prince. With him were Omatseye and Alimi. The lights in the room glittered and beamed with love, joy and abundance. Across, sat all the heads of the departments in Arts. From Religions to Music. Heads of Literature in English and his counterparts from Linguistics, Languages, Philosophy and others were there. Their faces shone and shimmered between love and admiration. All over in the hall, behind, across the corners of the room, were students, mostly officials of the Students Historical Society of Nigeria. They were eager and excited.
They all beamed with hope. Omatseye, as always wore his traditional smile as he typified success and encouragement in a society where students study and graduate but often lose direction. But Omatseye embodies light. He symbolizes vision; vision enshrined in his consistent quest to overcome the odds of life. He is a beacon, a soldier in the field of the pen profession. And he has told them, all, everyone, for that matter that history gives you the leeway, the free ticket to traverse the world and be who you are meant to be.
There is this random saying that a Historian is more analytical in a way the other disciplines are not. Therefore like a good and deeper analytical mind, Omatseye is an enigma, a colossus, using those rare historical tendencies to deal with issues. These issues he always brings nearer to the people in and out of season. In his books, he is critical, profound. In his T.V comments, he is excellent. In his journalism sojourn, he fears no foe. So he imbues himself with the courage of a lion’s heart.
And, the Dean made it clear when he said: “Faculty of Arts has over the years trained some of the best brains in the society. Before then, let me also welcome home Sam Omatseye, one of our own who passed through this Faculty many years ago. Let me also welcome Mr. Femi Macaulay a great Alumnus of this institution. Tomorrow, I will announce him to the English department”.
He went on, broadening his worldview on the products of OAU generally. “What you see anywhere you encounter a great Ife is the quality of his person, what he or she learnt while they were here. Omatseye is one of the best we have had, a great man recognized world over as one of greatest and best journalists ever. A man that pulls weight with his pen, his brain, his views and analysis. This is a place where we sow the seed, deeper seeds of knowledge that takes you to the end of the earth”.
Fasiku, a Philosophy scholar was concerned about using the likes of Omatseye and his professional strides to encourage the younger ones. “It is not what you studied that takes you to the pinnacle. It is rather what and how you apply it that defines you and who you are. Ife is a force to reckon with. Let me also appreciate the department of History for this great honour and recognition”.
He recalled how in the past, it was only the department of History that kept producing Deans of Arts. He thanked the teachers for their resilience in the years past and noted that as at now History has over 500 students as undergraduates. “Every year, we admit about 102 students as freshers in history. So as at now, we have between ten to twelve thousand students in the Faculty of Arts”. Already the Faculty has a shelf in the library named after The Nation with Omatseye as the subhead. Then Omatseye whom he said has come to become and epitomize a special shinning light for the young must be celebrated.
He noted “So, when I whispered to the HOD of History that Omatseye is a Historian, it was proper therefore that we instituted this welcome dinner”. He appealed to Omatseye to look into ways to help the Faculty in form of instituting academic prizes in different categories. Omatseye has done very well especially during the military regime. Today, he is one of the foremost persons in his career.
“We have the largest Faculty in the university and we need new buildings. We want to reach out to you to help us where you can to draw the necessary attention to our needs. There are many things we need to upgrade and since we have seen the deep love you have for OAU, we want to appeal to you to come to our assistance”.
In his response, Omatseye thanked those who deemed it worthy to welcome him back home. Beaming his natural quintessential smile, he recalled with profound sense of nostalgia what it was like to be an undergraduate of OAU decades ago. He remembered with mixed fondness some of the History teachers who impacted on him in different ways.
Professor Benjamin Oloruntimehin was the foremost in his memory. He also recollected his encounters with Professors Akinjogbin, Olaniyan, Olorunfemi, Anjorin, Olunmola, Anyadike and others. “Yes I got deeper background in History” he announced with pride. “But literature equally took hold of me. I was more in touch with literature in most situations when I was here. However, together with history, communication becomes richer for me in all my writings”.
He recalled how he first met Fasiku at the Academy of Letters in Lagos. He had memories of their days and how Femi Macaulay was the best in English literature. He was one student who never came to class with either pen or paper. Yet he was fond of making As in their English courses.
In response to the requests made by the Faculty, he said, “I have heard all your requests. Where necessary, we can do our best to help. We will look at all of them and see where we can come in. I have to sit down to look into them all” he said.
He recalled his days with Babafemi Ojudu who was his set. He also remarked of how they used to sit out on a bench in front of the Faculty to argue and set some records straight. He now said “One of my classmates described me most often as an element of literary figure who found himself in the wrong course. It was good to be here and to remember some of those moments”.
Omatseye does not only make allusions to literature when he writes. Maybe most people are carried away by that. He also makes judicious references to historical facts and deeds when he writes. For him history and literature are inseparable and both are necessary to enrich a society in terms of information, in terms of communication.
The tradition of story writing finds their interaction in both disciplines. The evening came to an end with a dinner and snippets of drinks. But then Omatseye did not fail to pay tributes to his friends and colleagues who accompanied him from Lagos. He showed special respect to Femi Macaulay, a friend of many years. He also doffed his cap for his childhood pal and publisher Victor Agbro who arrived Ife in company of his wife. Also recognized were Sammy Akpobosi and Joe Agbro Jnr. who were in the house.
One of the students entertained guests with a performance that elucidated applause. His hippop style thrilled and he was duly appreciated as he gyrated with his poetic renditions.
In a move widely described as a watershed in faith–governance engagement, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos State Chapter, has launched a strategic, statewide collaboration to promote accountable leadership, ethical governance, and social development across Lagos.
The initiative, spearheaded by PFN Lagos State Chairman, Pastor Yemi Davids, alongside the Director of Politics and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dr. Akin Akinpelu, signals a bold and intentional repositioning of the church’s role in public life—from moral commentary to constructive partnership.
Covering all 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas, the engagement underscores PFN’s resolve to work directly with grassroots institutions
Under Pastor David’s leadership, PFN Lagos is being reimagined as a credible bridge between faith-based values and civic administration, with a focus on ethical leadership, community responsibility, and good governance.
At the heart of the initiative is the New Dawn Agenda 2025, a strategic framework designed to deepen PFN’s relevance and impact in Lagos State. The agenda rests on five pillars—reconciliation, relevance, revival, resources, and re-envisioning—aimed at fostering unity among churches, renewing spiritual vitality among leaders, ensuring sustainable resourcing for community impact, and reinforcing accountability, integrity, and character in leadership.
Explaining the vision, Dr. Akin Akinpelu noted that the statewide tour is “transformational, not ceremonial.”
He stressed that the church must be recognized as a key stakeholder in nation-building, adding that direct engagement with local government leadership would help promote integrity, service, and excellence in public office, while encouraging mutual accountability between faith leaders and administrators.
The six-week engagement features structured meetings with Local Government Chairmen, Secretaries to Local Governments, and other stakeholders. During these sessions, PFN presents its mandate, advocates godly and ethical leadership, and identifies practical areas for collaboration—particularly in welfare delivery, education, peace-building, and social cohesion.
Akinpelu further opined that the initiative was timely and strategic, especially as grassroots governance increasingly shapes citizens’ daily experiences. By engaging leadership at the closest level to the people, PFN aims to ensure that faith perspectives are constructively represented where policy meets lived reality.
Akinpelu added that as PFN Lagos intentionally moves “from the church room to the boardroom and the council hall,” the fellowship reinforces its commitment to catalysing positive social change.
“The collaboration is expected to deepen church–government relations, open new advocacy channels, and contribute to a more just, accountable, and progressive Lagos State.
