The West Africa Youth Council has proudly conferred the prestigious Nelson Mandela Leadership Award of Excellence and Integrity on Amb. Racheal Yedi, the visionary CEO of VH&M Travels, is recognised for her outstanding contributions to youth empowerment, ethical leadership, and excellence in entrepreneurship.
Yedi has emerged as a beacon of hope and inspiration for young Africans through her unwavering dedication to service, innovation in the travel and tourism sector, and her support for youth-driven initiatives across the region. Under her leadership, Vhandm Travels has not only expanded its reach across Africa but also provided mentorship, employment, and training opportunities for hundreds of young people.
Presenting the award in Lagos, representatives of the West Africa Youth Council praised Rachel Yedi for her exemplary conduct, social impact, and commitment to values that mirror the legacy of Nelson Mandela – integrity, compassion, and leadership with purpose.
Speaking at the ceremony, Amb. Racheal Yedi expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the honour, stating, “This award is not just for me, but for every young African who dares to dream and work hard to make a difference. I’m deeply humbled and motivated to continue doing more for our youth and our continent.”
The West Africa Youth Council continues to spotlight changemakers like Amb. Racheal Yedi is setting new standards in leadership and inspiring the next generation.
In 2005, when he was declared a Persona Non Grata by an erstwhile Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sherif, the governor did so because the author, a fierce and fearless journalist was pressing his neck with the truth and was confronting him with the blatant injustice of his administration. Persistent and unrelenting in his pursuit of justice and fairness through professional journalism, despite threats and failed attacks from different quarters, Omipidan continued to unsettle the governor with his unwillingness to concede to his ‘patronising’ and threat which made the Governor confer on him an unceremonious title, which from the early years to the career days of the author, sums up his trajectory and tenacity as a courageous journalist in the face of trouble.
To the governor, the title meant an outright rejection, if not more of a condemnation of his professionalism and uncompromising personality. The events that ensued before and after the governor’s declaration strongly invalidated such naming. How can a journalist of Omipidan’s caliber be muffled? Of course, certain professions are not suitable for fickle minds. Definitely, journalism, given all the Nigerian peculiarities, is not for a persona muta. Didn’t Shakespeare say that cowards die many times before their death? For Omipidan, cowardice was never an option; bravery was key to his victory. In the memoir, Omipidan contextualizes his persona non grata’s status in four perspectives – his encounter with his Biology teacher in secondary school, encounter with admissions officer in BUK, encounter with Mr. Bankole Falade at The Punch and various pull-him-down moments at The Sun in several professional outings. Bearing in mind that persona non grata is a Latin expression for an unwanted/unwelcome guest – one who has overstayed or abused his welcome. In the light of this, Omipidan intimates us with how he was perceived unwelcome at different stages of his life and career and how his tenacious character and sterling stature in the field of journalism offended his supposed detractors and colleagues – Otá eni kò kín pa òdù-oyà.
In the beginning, the memoir offers a deep reflection on the author’s birth, childhood and education in Otukpo, Benue and Kaduna States respectively. We are acquainted with the gentlemanliness and disarming character of his father and the grit of his mother as a non-indigene politician and chairlady of Otukpo market women who rose to prominence in an unfriendly political atmosphere of a military regime. To have such a combination in one’s parents growing up is such a rarity – it set the firm foundation that prepared the then young Ismail for his rocky but triumphant career.
Bí’mo ò jo sòkòtò, yíò jo kíjìpá, so the Yoruba say. That Omipidan remained unyielding in his principles and steadfast in his pursuit of the true essence of journalism is a culmination of his unblemished, yet adequate childhood trainings – credits to his gentlemanly father who taught him love by keeping open arms to his friends and accompanying his mother to her nocturnal political meetings, and her mother’s courage to defend justice and her constant reminder of why it was important for him not to derail from achieving his dreams.
While in secondary school, Omipidan demonstrated one key attribute he inherited from his parents, particularly his mother, for the first time, when he corrected a teacher about a missing part of the note he was dictating verbatim from a textbook he thought his students wouldn’t have access to. This encounter turned out to be the first time Omipidan would become a persona non grata as the teacher banished him permanently from attending his class. This ‘unwelcomeness’, ironically, made him do what he had always desired to do from the onset – to be an Art student. However, not without a cost – he failed his exams as a Science student. He re-enrolled as an Art student, attended classes on Government and Literature and wrote the SSCE three times before he made it.
What about his ordeal in securing admission to study Mass Communication in Kaduna Polytechnic? It took a countless number of letters and visitations to the residence of Dr. Nur Yakubu, the then Rector, before he could gain admission. Similar occurrence took place when he sought admission to Bayero University Kano. He was still treated as a persona non grata by an admissions officer in the Department of Mass Communication on the account that he was not and could not speak Hausa. The man declared, “you are a Muslim and you don’t understand Hausa. If you can’t speak Hausa, you are not fit for BUK.” The author overcame the storm when he eventually secured admissions at Kadpoly for his HND and University of Maiduguri for his degree in quick succession. Omipidan’s courage to keep going despite this rejection validates the popular saying that delay is not denial.
At a point while reading the memoir, I felt like the naming of the author as a persona non grata by Governor Sherif has a retrospective effect in his life and career. During the author’s stint at The Punch as an intern, he experienced the hostility of one Mr Bankole Falade, who made a condescending remark about his supposed northern identity by dismissing him as a half-baked intern who lacked adequate education to succeed in his new role. He went ahead to wow his bosses with a fantastic story that made a screaming headline about the unrest going on in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Omipidan’s grit and resilience seem to be fueled by people’s doubt in his ability and dearth of confidence in his capacity to excel.
Omipidan as a Trouble Maker
The “Other Nigerian” image that Omipidan embodied put him in a difficult situation where it was important for him to navigate the political terrain of the north with great caution and wisdom. His persona non grata status meant he had to choose his friends and foes wisely. Nevertheless, he had to do his job as a journalist without comprising his integrity. How then could Omipidan do his job without looking for trouble? Can journalists in any society distance themselves completely from troubles? Salman Rushdie made this abundantly clear when he asserted that a free society is not an eventless society; the only people who see the whole picture are the ones who step out of the frame. That is, a true journalist must always strive to criticize those at the helms of governance when they try to create a fully controlled society – authoritarian enough to give no room for criticism and dissent opinions.
In essence, the trouble-maker image of the author is justified in his journalistic quest to speak the truth to the powers that be. Omipidan was indeed a trouble-maker. In this regard, the author declares that no one speaks the truth, to the Nigerian politicians especially, without looking for troubles. Clearly, his memoir perfectly captures the trajectory of a true journalist as one fully packed with the oxymoronic binaries of troubles and trophies; travails and triumphs. The question now is, will s/he surmount the troubles to reach his glory?
Omipidan as an Alien
The stellar performance of the author as an upright journalist in the years prior to 2019 was, in fairness, deserving of his appointment as Chief Press Secretary to Governor Oyetola. The fact that he was overwhelmingly recommended further confirms the goodwill he enjoys amongst his colleagues, friends and acquaintances. This means Omipidan did not just make enemies in his career as a journalist, he succeeded in making the enemies as well as his friends see through his humanity and the purity of his quest. Similarly, he highlights fairness, contentment, consistency with the truth and purity of purpose as the core of true journalism.
Additionally, that appointment is a fulfillment of his late mother’s wish to come close to Osun, his origin. However, understandably, he was not received with open arms in Osun – because he never lived there and knew little to nothing about its political terrains. Secondly, the Osun APC believed he was just an opportunist who came to reap where he did not sow. Thus, the hostility, even within the governor’s circus, is understandable. For me, Omipidan’s account of how he survived and managed the internal and external hostilities of the APC and PDP especially during the EndSARS protest through inheriting his principal’s enemies is highly commendable.
As an indigene of Osun, I could relate with many of the issues raised about the Osun APC-PDP politics of those years as well as the internal crisis that torn the Osun APC apart. I would say that Omipidan ‘s reflection offers in-depth insight into what many like me might have been misinformed or misguided about. For instance, I used to believe that the APC crisis in Osun stemmed from the fact that Governor Oyetola was hell-bent, out of arrogance and disrespect to his predecessor, on rubbishing Governor Aregbesola’s legacies, one of which is public school uniform saga. But the author’s revelations about how Oyetola managed Osun’s troubled economy and the steps he took to reconcile with Aregbesola and other aggrieved groups open my eyes to many things I had been misguidedly judgmental about. I just wish there will be another memoir soon (from the other side) that will refute or affirm Mr. Omipidan’s claims. Only time will tell!
On the whole, I find Omipidan’s memoir gripping and spellbound. I had never finished reading a book in one go. This compelling memoir is the first. The amazing journey of his childhood and the intrigues of his career progression from the north to the south sustained my interest to the end.
• Olatunji is a lecturer at the Department of Languages and Linguistics, Fountain University, Osogbo.
Environmentalists and corporate brands in Nigeria have called for the commercialisation of plastic recycling and the expansion of tree-planting initiatives to promote sustainable environmental practices across the country.
They made the call during a tree-planting event held in Lagos to raise awareness and encourage action for environmental protection by advocates from the One Million Tree Initiative (OMTI). The non-profit emphasised the urgent need for a structured and incentivised approach to managing plastic waste; while collaborating with leading corporate organisations such as CE Power Solutions, Extel Premium Table Water, GSR 360 Ltd, SMP Media Group, and the Rotary Club of Lekki Phase 1.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Beat Plastic Pollution, Misty Uba from OMTI and the Chief Operations Officer of GSR 360 highlighted the significant threat posed by single-use plastics in Lagos, a city that generates over 15,000 metric tons of plastic waste daily. He warned, “Plastic waste doesn’t just vanish, so we must make a concerted effort to tackle this issue from the government to citizens, non-governmental organisations, students, and children. It takes over 400 years for a single piece of plastic to fully degrade. Every bottle or sachet left in the environment today is a burden on future generations.”
While some supermarkets and pharmacies in Lagos have begun charging customers for plastic packaging to encourage the use of reusable bags or paper alternatives, Uba stressed that policy implementation must extend beyond good intentions. “Good policies are not enough. As the African adage goes, ‘Good intentions don’t plant corn.’ We must be intentional and enforce policies that reduce plastic waste at the source,” he emphasised.
Uba proposed accelerating climate action schemes as a way to address the plastic waste crisis, which is contributing to flooding in Lagos and other parts of the country. He suggested introducing initiatives such as the School for Plastic and Cash for Plastic programs, which have been successful worldwide, to involve individuals in removing plastics from the environment. He also mentioned the Plastic-for-Fuel Initiative, which could incentivise factories by providing free fuel for every ton of plastic they return to recycling plants. “We must make waste profitable. Once people understand that plastic has value, we will see a significant reduction in littering and clogged drains.”
In addition to recycling efforts, the discussion also highlighted tree planting as a long-term environmental solution. This year, OMTI and its partners expanded their tree-planting campaigns beyond Lagos to Port Harcourt and Asaba, introducing cash crops such as mango, cocoa, guava, and almond trees into the initiative. Ugo Ogoke from SMP Media Group stated, “By planting trees that provide both environmental benefits and economic value, we give communities more reasons to protect them.”
Lady Cheta Nwabuike from CE Power Solutions confirmed that the push for commercial recycling and tree planting could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s battle against plastic pollution. She remarked, “With a population of over 22 million, if we can get people to plant one million trees, it will make a huge impact in our country.”
“Our company, CE Power Solutions, takes sustainability seriously. Caring for the environment is at the core of our business. Besides partnering with various organisations to ensure that we act responsibly towards the environment, our operations are aimed at addressing environmental issues arising from our various businesses. We contribute by replacing fossil fuels with natural gas for power generation, which significantly reduces carbon emissions. Gas is one of our main resources in Nigeria, and we have substantial deposits in the Niger Delta area. Instead of wasting it through flaring, CE Power collects and compresses that gas to convert it into clean energy, and we have been doing this for the past 12 years.”
The events were activities marking this year’s World Environment Day (WED) which is an annual event celebrated every yearto raise awareness and encourage action for environmental protection.
The Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) Nigeria has inducted over 200 members into its fourth degree—the highest level within the Catholic lay order—during an investiture ceremony held in Lagos.
The event, which attracted members from across the country, marked the promotion of knights and ladies who had undergone years of rigorous training, written examinations, and spiritual formation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Supreme Knight of KSM Nigeria, Sir Dr. Charles Mbelede, described the investiture as a reward for character, dedication, and commitment to the Catholic faith.
“These individuals have been tested in knowledge, character, and loyalty to the Church. From first-degree initiates to second and third, they have earned their place at the highest level,” he said.
Dr. Mbelede explained that admission into the Order is reserved for devout, practicing Catholics in good standing, and that candidates are thoroughly vetted before progressing through the ranks.
He said the event featured the induction of both knights and ladies—some of whom were widows and widowers—emphasizing that the Order remains a family-oriented and faith-driven community. In total, he estimated nearly 200 members were elevated during the ceremony.
Offering words of advice to the new inductees, he urged them to guard their integrity and remain ethical in all dealings, as ambassadors of the Catholic Church.
Lady Ngozi Antonia Oba, Noble President of the Ladies of St. Mulumba, said the fourth degree is the apex of membership in the Order, symbolized by the red regalia worn by the knights and ladies.
“Today, Lagos Metropolitan Council presented over 300 candidates, and they have now been admitted. The next step is the ceremonial dressing and church parade,” she said.
Lady Oba described members of the Order as “soldiers of Christ,” tasked with defending the Catholic faith and upholding its traditions.
She confirmed that candidates passed a rigorous examination covering Church doctrine, politics, and history, and expressed confidence in their ability to sustain the legacy of the Order.
“From the onset, we are trained to uphold the faith with discipline and commitment. We are confident that these new members will continue that legacy,” she added.
Ayo Folayan, a Birmingham–based Nigerian visual artist, is one of the new voices redefining international voices about Black portraiture identity and ancestral memory.
Through two of his most iconic series, Woman of Colour and Gilded Roots, Folayan creates a potent visual archive that subverts prevailing narratives and reclaims Black representation in a way that is elegant, subtle and symbolic. A conversation between the past and present, between traditional knowledge and modern beauty, is central to his work.
Drawing inspiration from African visual culture and the sacred traditions of adornment, which include flowers and ornaments, Folayan incorporates symbols of femininity, resistance and legacy into each portrait. Like Lakin Ogunbanwo, his work is fuelled by the interaction of surface and spirit, beauty and symbolism.
Both series are visual essays of various facets of Black identity and historical presence. Gilded roots; looks inward toward ancestry and ancestral continuity, while woman of colour; looks outward in presence and assertion.
In Woman of Colour, Folayan positions the non-white woman, more especially the Black woman, as the focal point of a non-violent yet powerful resistance. The women here are portrayed as regal, complex, and fully in charge of their identities.
His use of light is the most notable aspect of the series. Melanin is celebrated not only as a visual component but also as a significant symbol of pride and identity, which Folayan emphasises with strong focused lighting and striking contrast. The contrast between this lighting and textured backgrounds and elaborate styling produces a visual rhythm in which the subject and background interact rather than compete.
Folayan explains: “I wanted the Black woman to look back—unapologetic soft and powerful”. He is making a strong political statement by dispelling myths and reaffirming that Black identity should be valued, acknowledged and seen.
His attention to tonal layering creates a visual dialogue between the subject and the background, enhancing rather than consuming it. Beauty serves as a form of protest in this series. Folayan’s artwork promotes strength, dignity and respect in a society where black people are unfairly condemned or misrepresented in the media.
Through the artist’s creations, these women seem to be narrating their own stories. He is constructing a visual discourse that enables these women to express their tenderness as a sign of strength.
Gilded Roots, by contrast, takes us back in time, evoking a rich visual lexicon of ancestral connection and heritage. Folayan uses gold earrings in this series to express an aesthetic of memory. He guides a visual symphony of grandeur and legacy in this series. These earrings are symbols of pride, fortitude and ancestry rather than just being accessories.
With exhibitions at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA), Boomer Gallery (London), Circular Art Space (Bristol), Glasgow Gallery of Photography and Espacio gallery (London), among other venues in the UK, Europe and Africa.
According to Folayan, “the series explores traditional royalty and the unbreakable connection between past, present and future”.
His work transcends surface portraiture in both series. Through his creation of a visual language, Black identity is reclaimed as a timeless presence rather than as a trauma or a trend.
Once Upon An Elephant, a play on dictatorship and its consequences, was recently performed by students of the Creative Arts Department of University of Lagos (UNILAG), produced by Theateen.
The play, which is also one of the recommended texts for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) candidates, is a parable where a woman called Iya Agba, serves as the mouthpiece of truth and through her, solution was provided to the problems created by the tyrant in the community, and peace was restored to the community.
The theatre performance, had interludes featuring songs and dances, embedded in Yoruba culture. Secondary School students from different schools were also present to witness the performance.
Speaking on the lessons in the play, the author, Prof. Bosede Afolayan, noted that there are consequences to every action one takes, urging all to live right.
“People are encouraged to live right, shun rascal actions, and violence. Whatever anyone sows, he shall reap: you cannot sow tomatoes and reap okro. Be careful of your actions,” she advised.
The producer of Once Upon An Elephant and the Founder of Theateen Production, Segun Ige, noted that his production house, creates a platform to showcase Plays, especially recommended Literatures by exam bodies.
“We believe that once they have had the written experience, they should also have the visual representation in order for them to fully understand the Play they’re reading.
“The play shades light on the tyranny of leadership. The punishment served at the villagers simply because of hunger for power. It also talks about how the citizens come together to hijack power back from the Tyrant. Apart from the fact that it is a Yoruba play, the thematic trust resonates with other tribes,” he said.
An English and Literature teacher, at Christ Divine Favour College, Israel Adelaja, said: “Experiences like this are good for not just students to learn and get educated, things like this are also important for the average person to learn from and understand how society is run and issues within.
“The play also portrays Yoruba culture in a positive light. It dug deep in the culture through references to the gods. It shades light into things the students, ordinarily, might not know. It’s educational. It’s important in a period where the students don’t know who they are and where they come from.”
A Filmmaker and Dramatist, Confidence Fasinu, noted that the students are more excited to watch the play other than reading the book, adding that it would enhance their academic performance.
“This generation of students is more of visual beings. They focus more on what they see and what they hear. Students don’t really like reading these days. This has lots of impacts. Watching the Play will also help them while writing their examination because it will be quicker for them to recall everything they learnt through this play,” he said.
The Corona Schools 70th Anniversary Black Tie gala drew the crème de la crème of the alma mater’s old students, friends and family members to a grand reunion like no other. Expectedly, it lived up to every bit of the grand spectacle. From every branch – Apapa (now Corona College of Education), Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Ebute Metta/Yaba (now Gbagada), Agbara, and Lekki, Lagos, the alumni reunited after years of going their separate ways. Set against the glittering backdrop of Jewel Aeida, the gala was far more than a school reunion. It was an epic celebration of seven decades of educational excellence, enduring friendships, and unbreakable bonds, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.
Despite the persistent Lagos rainfall, the atmosphere was electric. Fired by a well-orchestrated campaign by the media and publicity committee led by alumnus Ayoola Sadare, chief executive officer of Inspiro Productions, across print, broadcast, online and social media had set the tone weeks ahead. By the time the red carpet opened, excitement had reached a feverish pitch. Elegantly dressed alumni, faculty, friends, and family filled the hall, ready to relive cherished memories and create new ones. Welcome to Corona Schools 70th anniversary Black Tie gala!
Venue was Jewel Aeida’s hall, where opulence perfectly mirrored the elegance of the occasion. The hall sparkled under ambient lighting, draped fabrics, and floral centerpieces that paid homage to Corona’s rich heritage. The atmosphere struck a perfect balance — warm, regal, and celebratory, echoing the school’s legacy of combining discipline with grace for 70 years. It was an epic celebration of seven decades of educational excellence, enduring friendships, and unbreakable bonds.
The reunion hosted alumni from every branch — Apapa (now Corona College of Education), Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Ebute Metta/Yaba (now Gbagada), Agbara, and Lekki — each one representing a proud piece of the Corona Schools’ tapestry.
The sweet memories of the event were not savoured by those physically on ground as those in Diaspora were linked to the gathering via live-streaming.
The culinary experience did not disappoint. Guests enjoyed a seamless flow of premium drinks, colorful cocktails, and gourmet canapés. The main course featured an impressive selection of local and continental delights, curated by four top-tier catering outfits. Conversations, laughter, clinking glasses, and reunions over exquisite meals created a vibrant camaraderie that carried through the night.
Guiding the evening’s flow with grace, humour, and nostalgic storytelling were Nollywood icon Keppy Ekpenyong Bassey-Inyang and veteran broadcaster Toun Aderele. Their chemistry, wit, and warmth beautifully bridged generations of alumni, evoking memories that resonated with every guest.
Chairman Anniversary Planning Committee, Roland Abiola Odukomaiya said: “Tonight, we honour not only the past but the promise of the future. Corona has gifted us values that transcend generations. We are products of excellence, resilience, and a legacy that continues to impact the world.”
Former Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo reignited the friendly branch rivalry, proclaiming Yaba as “the first and best,” drawing laughter and cheers. Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Yemi Cardoso, (Ikoyi) former Cross River Governor Donald Duke, (Apapa) Sahara Oil CEO Dr. Tonye Cole, (Victoria Island), NELFUND Managing Director, Mr. Akin Sawyerr, (Apapa) Dr. Yemisi Odubayo (MD Lagoon Hospitals), (Apapa) Bose Ogulu (Mama Burna), proudly representing her Agbara-graduate children among others.
The Corona School Choir led a moving rendition of the school anthem, while younger pupils from Ikoyi warmed hearts with nostalgic school songs. A soul-stirring performance by talented saxophonist Saratu El Samaila, whose mother is also an alumna, serenaded many. Her parents traveled from Minna to Lagos to attend the event and also witnessed her performance.
Former Governor Duke reminisced: “Corona has always been more than academics. It’s about mentorship, nurturing values, and preparing minds for leadership. That’s its real legacy.”
CEO of the Corona Schools Trust Council Mrs. Adeyoyin Adeshina unveiled one of the anniversary’s ambitious legacy projects — a state-of-the-art Tech Hub designed to future-proof students for the digital age. She said that ‘education must evolve. This Tech Hub will prepare our children for a rapidly changing world filled with possibilities.’
Chair of the Corona Trust Council Justice Bukunola Adebiyi added that “Seventy years is not just a number. It is lives transformed, dreams birthed, and a commitment to excellence that remains unshaken.”
For Managing Director, NELFUND, Mr. Akin Sawyerr the alma mater is a rare institution and reminisced about the school’s foundational role in shaping future leaders.
A legacy of giving
The highpoint of the evening was the ongoing N200 million fundraising initiative, passionately driven by Caroline Olaseinde and the fundraising committee. Beyond rallying VIP attendance, her tireless efforts successfully raised significant funds towards building the Tech Hub and establishing a scholarship endowment fund.
Significantly, Fred Ijewere set the funds ball rolling on behalf of Corona School, Victoria Island Alumni and committed a substantial amount to the shortfall for the Tech Hub.
The bidding on exclusive artwork by Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya added further momentum, bringing Corona closer to its ambitious legacy goals.
Also speaking on the school’s pioneering legacy, Keem Bello-Osagie, Chair Metis Capital Partners and Ikoyi alumnus, reinstated the fact that Ikoyi Creche — known then as Corona Day Nursery — set the pace for the other Corona Schools by being the very first.
As speeches concluded, Co-Chairperson Sola Alamutu (The Green Queen) led organising committee members on stage to thunderous applause: “This night is proof of what love for an institution can achieve. And it all started 70 years ago with the birth of Corona Nursery School, Ikoyi — the first of all branches.”
The Magnificso Band soon had guests swaying, while DJ Cheflon ignited the dance floor well into the night. The celebration lingered in hearts long after the final song.
Corona@70 was not merely a reunion — it was a living, breathing testimony of community, legacy, and excellence. For every guest privileged to witness it, this night will remain etched as a glittering affirmation that after seven remarkable decades, Corona’s best chapters are still being written.
Strictly Entertainment Music, producer of African Music Summit is partnering National Council for Arts and Culture to host African Music Summit at this year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) holding in Enugu from November 22 to 29.
This year’s NAFEST, themed Connected Culture, will feature a three-day African Music Summit designed to empower talent, foster industry growth, and position the Southeast as a dynamic hub for music and creativity.
The AMS at NAFEST 2025 will bring together leading voices in music, business and culture for a series of keynotes, panels, workshops, and master classes.
The programme will focus on business education, artist development, and practical skills—offering invaluable opportunities for local talent, industry professionals, and aspiring creatives.
Highlights include in-depth sessions on enhancing Southeastern music business practices, exporting Southeastern music globally, marketing, law, and intellectual property, alongside practical workshops in songwriting, production, branding, and digital marketing. This partnership marks a significant step forward in building a sustainable music ecosystem in the South-East, connecting local talent with national and international industry leaders.
The summit will also provide a platform for showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage, with a particular focus on language, identity, and the global potential of Igbo music. As part of its international strategy, the event will be promoted at key events in the UK and USA during summer 2025, engaging the diaspora and forging new partnerships to drive investment and collaboration. These efforts will help amplify the reach and impact of NAFEST 2025, positioning Enugu and the Southeast at the forefront of Africa’s creative industries.
Creative Director Strictly Entertainment Music and African Music Summit Ikechukwu Onuorah said:
“It is an immense honour and a moment of great excitement for us to be included in NAFEST 2025. As an Igbo man who has worked in the music industry for over 25 years, the opportunity to bring our skills and experience back home to contribute to the further development of the region is truly massive. We look forward to working together to ignite a new era of creativity and opportunity in the Southeast.”
The collaboration aligns with Nigeria’s vision for the creative economy, recognising the vital role of arts and culture in job creation, innovation, and sustainable development.
With Enugu’s vibrant infrastructure, world-class venues, and a thriving community of young creatives, NAFEST 2025 promises to be a landmark event—celebrating the full spectrum of Nigerian culture on a national and global stage.
Director-General, NCAC, Obi Asika said music is one of the core cultural heritages of the Southeast, adding that from the rhythms of Ogene to the deep traditions of call and response, connected to all global Black music, our music has shaped global sounds for generations.
“The African Music Summit at NAFEST 2025 is a powerful step in enabling our people, providing pathways for our youth, and connecting our creative legacy to the global agenda,” he noted.
Coronation Group has partnered the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) to establish the Coronation Gallery in Benin – a dedicated space within the new NCMM Oba Ovonramwen facility in Benin City, Edo state capital.
The gallery will house and showcase a selection of 119 Benin Bronzes recently repatriated to Nigeria from the Netherlands. This historic return is the largest repatriation of these cultural treasures since they were taken during the British punitive expedition of 1897.
The disclosure follows the official signing and handover ceremony held on Saturday, June 21 at the National Museum in Lagos. Dignitaries in attendance included the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; daughter of the Oba of Benin, Princess Iku Ewuare-Aimiuwu; Dewi van de Weerd Ambassador for Cultural Cooperation, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Director- General of the NCMM; Olugbile Holloway, Directors of the Wereld Museum and other distinguished guests. Also in attendance were Coronation CEOs and Executives other officials.
The Coronation Gallery in Benin, which is expected to be completed and open for public visits later this year, will provide a world-class space for conservation, education, and public engagement – ensuring that these works are not only preserved but meaningfully displayed.
Speaking on the partnership, Chairman of Coronation Group; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said: “Far beyond their artistic value, these works represent the depth of our heritage and the strength of our collective identity. Their return marks a powerful restoration of history – a reminder of the dignity, creative excellence, and craftsmanship that have long defined us as a people. We are proud to support their safe return and public preservation, ensuring they inspire future generations and help shape a stronger cultural future for Africa.”
The Director-General of NCMM, Olugbile Holloway, underscored the significance of private sector partnership in the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. He stated: “I would like to personally thank Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Coronation Group, for sharing this vision and for all the invaluable support given to the NCMM in this regard.”
This partnership with NCMM to establish a permanent gallery for the Benin Bronzes deepens Coronation’s role in preserving and celebrating Nigerian heritage at home. Coronation Group is also partnering Tate, to present Nigerian Modernism – the first UK exhibition to trace the development of modern art in Nigeria. Together, these initiatives reflect Coronation’s commitment to democratising access to African art and affirm its expanding role as a corporate steward of cultural heritage within local and global art ecosystems.
I met Otunba Dr. Felix Babatunde Obada as a gentleman in the real sense of that designation: Personable, friendly, humble, urbane and charismatic. That was 2002 in the build-up to Nigerian elections, which his wife, my own godmother, Erelu Olusola Agbeja Obada contested. He was the coordinator of his wife’s Osun Governorship project dubbed God’s Own Project. He was also the intercessor, if you like, Prayer Warrior, for the political ambition, and his prayers were plenteous and fervent. He was then the Managing Director Materials Management Services Limited, a company he co-owned with his wife. He was an incurable optimist and any endeavour he went into, he put his whole being and spirit. He strongly believed his wife would become the Governor of Osun State, and true to his conviction, Erelu was the leading PDP candidate until party leaders weighed in, sermonising that Osun might not be ready for a female governor at that time. That was how a non-contender, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who was content with senatorial ambition was drafted into the governorship race. Erelu Olusola Obada then became the Deputy Governor.
Apart from his optimism that he displayed throughout his life, he was also a strong believer in the Nigerian Project, and had implemented a couple of landmark pioneering initiatives in this direction. In 2004, he co-founded Nigerian eGovernment Strategies Limited (NeGST), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with the mandate to facilitate, drive and implement the Nigerian eGovernment Programme under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. He was the Managing Director while Dr. Olu Agunloye was the Executive Vice Chairman. He also founded Global Biofuels Limited, a pioneer in the renewable energy sector of the economy, an initiative aimed at converting the juice from the stalk of sorghum to ethanol. That project was meant to reduce the pressure on fossil fuel and give affordable fuel to Nigerians.
Dr. Obada was part of the team that successfully engineered the entrance of Nigeria into the space age by facilitating the design and launch of Nigeria’s first Satellite (NigeriaSat-1) in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Science & Technology and the University of Surrey.
He brought me into NeGST in 2005 as the communications manager, and it was exhilarating being in that space: an entity that would automate government functions and services, enable interoperability across ministries and agencies and eliminate, or reduce bureaucracy and corruption. There were eState, eLocalGoverment, eParliament, eMillitary, eJudiciary, eRevenue, ePayment, eKiosk, eTourism, eProcurement, eAuthentication, eHealth, eForm, eImmigration, some of which were being built into SBUs (Small Business Units). ePassport was a precursor of today’s advancement in passport procurement being enjoyed by Nigerians.
So enthusiastic was I that I proposed to him to write a book on eGovernment, while I volunteered to be a researcher/writer, so that Nigerians could be better educated about service offerings of eGovernment that was already a trending venture in the advanced world. We started the book but never got it completed when I left the company in 2007 due to a bitter leadership tussle between him and Dr. Olu Agunloye, who was a former Minister of Power and Steel.
The fight that grounded the company operations to a halt gave me a peek into the tough skin of the suave Obada. It was a time corporate prayers were a staple in the office. Dr. Agunloye viciously cut off funding for the company, and by extension, salaries and key operational expenses. He even refused to recognise some staffers. Yet, Dr. Obada carried on with stoical courage.
I arranged several media facility visits for the duo, some of which were ignored by Dr. Agunloye; did my bit in the brand management of the company and kept away negative media as petitions between the combatants who hailed from the same Akoko area of Ondo State, flew around. Dr. Obada tried to boost staff morale, and we could see him jostling many places, Abuja especially, to source funding.
He once asked me to speak to a billionaire friend of mine if he could invest in the company.
We could see and feel his pains, and sometimes got some reprieve whenever his wife, the Osun Deputy Governor came visiting the office.
He was not one to exploit the official privilege of his wife, or hang around the corridor of power in Osun State. Some staff once advised if he could get a bailout from the Osun State government, he declined, preferring to maintain a distant dignity.
I was fond of hanging out with the Obada family, both in their Lekki house and the Deputy Government house in Osogbo. Whenever I visited, chilled wine, which he served personally, was always at my beck and call. And you dare not say you were not eating. He was a wine connoisseur, and a fantastic host of visitors. He made you feel at home irrespective of your status.
It was always fun-time whenever we spent weekend with his wife, the Deputy Governor in Osogbo; and he would always poke those of us from Osun State that we snatched his wife from him, that he had to come to Osogbo to see her. But Otunba was credited with the political success of Erelu Obada, who also later became the Minister of Defence. He was the pillar behind her and the spiritual head of her political machine.
For a woman to be a successful politician is not a stroll in the park. She was an adorable Amazon, but a toughie nonetheless; and could be impulsively impatient to inanities or unintelligent rigmarole. In this wise, Otunba was the tempering factor. While Erelu was hyper restless and spontaneously explosive, Otunba was calm, studious with the disposition of a sage. This humanist, with a genial nature will be sorely missed. Adieu Otunba Dr. Babatunde Felix Obada.
