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  • Life and times of legal legend Bola Ajibola

    Life and times of legal legend Bola Ajibola

    • More tributes pour in

    More tributes poured in yesterday for former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN), who died early Sunday at 89.
    The NBA described him as a selfless Nigerian, an elder statesman and an international icon.
    The association recalled that as AGF between 1985 and 1991, Ajibola never took home a salary.
    He asked that it should be distributed to the coffers of the Federal Government (35 per cent), NBA (25 per cent) and charitable/humanitarian organisations (40 per cent).
    AGF Abubakar Malami said Ajibola’s death has created a huge vacuum in the legal space.
    President Muhammadu Buhari noted Ajibola’s contributions to the development of the legal system.
    “His patriotic inclinations, integrity and passion for service and advancement of humanity will continue to resonate after him,” the President said.

    The man Ajibola

    An Owu prince, Ajibola was born on March 22, 1934, in Owu, near Abeokuta, to the Owu royal family of Oba Abdul-Salam Ajibola Gbadela II, who was the traditional ruler of Owu between 1949 and 1972.
    He attended both Owu Baptist Day School and Baptist Boys’ High School in Abeokuta between 1942 and 1955.
    Ajibola obtained his bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B.) at the Holborn College of Law, University of London between 1959 and 1962 and was called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1962.
    He returned to Nigeria to practise law, specialising in commercial law and international arbitration.
    Prince Ajibola was NBA President between 1984 and 1985. In 1985, he became Attorney-General/Minister of Justice, a position he occupied before moving to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands.
    He was conferred with the rank of Senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1986.
    After a three-year stint at the World Court, he further served as Judge Ad Hoc of the World Court from 1994 to 2002.
    He was appointed Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1994-2002).
    Ajibola also served as the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom between 1999 and 2002.
    He was Chairman of the Body of Benchers and Council of Legal Education.
    Ajibola was chairman of the panel set up by the Plateau State government to probe the 2008 Jos riots.
    He established an Islamic and co-educational institution, Crescent University, in 2005, and served as the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN).
    The late Ajibola was one of five commissioners on the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission, organised through the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
    He was the editor of Nigeria’s Treaties in Force from 1970 to 1990 and All-Nigeria Law Reports from 1961 to 1990.
    He authored many books, including Heavens in View, and various papers and articles on a range of legal subjects.
    Ajibola was President, the World Association of Judges; Chairman, Disciplinary Committee of the Bar and General Council of the Bar; Chairman, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria; member, Advisory Judicial Committee; member, the African Bar Association; member, the International Bar Association (IBA) as well as the Association of World Lawyers.
    He was also a member of the Commonwealth Law Association; Vice President, Institute of International Business Law and Practice, Paris; Vice-Chairman, the International Court of Justice, The Hague (1991-1994); and President, the World Bank Administrative Tribunal.
    The late SAN was a member of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID); a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration; a fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London; and chairman, the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission.
    A voracious reader, prolific writer, renowned administrator, jurist and arbitrator of global acclaim, Prince Ajibola held numerous international positions.
    In recognition of his outstanding imprints on the sands of time, Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto, awarded him a Doctor of Literature (D. Litt) in 2003 while the Federal University of Agriculture conferred on him an Honorary Doctor of Agriculture (D. Agric) in 2004.
    He also founded African Concern, a non-governmental organisation in Lusaka, Zambia in May 1995 to promote peace, justice and harmony among peoples of Africa to eradicate the problems of refugees arising from political conflicts and natural disasters.
    This he accomplished in association with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to give succour to refugees in Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Rwanda.
    Ajibola, an altruist, founded Islamic Mission for Africa in 1996, which gave birth to Crescent University.
    The reputed legal icon has to his credit other awards and honours among which are: Knight of the Order of British Empire (KBE) (1989); Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitration (FCIArb); World Jurist Award (1987); Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) and Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR), among others.

    NBA, AGF, SANs mourn jurist

    NBA president Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary Akorede Lawal, hailed Ajibola’s life of service, which included forgoing his salary as AGF.
    The NBA president wished the family and friends the fortitude to bear “this huge loss”.
    Malami, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr Umar Gwandu, said Ajibola was “a seasoned legal icon of international repute whose impact remains indelible in Nigerian history and beyond”.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns former AGF Bola Ajibola

    Shittu: Ajibola came, saw, conquered

    Law teacher and SAN, Wahab Shittu, said Ajibola’s passing marked the end of a golden era in the country’s history.
    Shittu, a winner of a prize set up by the late SAN, wrote in a tribute: “The departed jurist impacted our world, partly the country’s jurisprudence in a manner unprecedented – in the league of such legal giants at the bar such as late Frederick Rotimi Williams SAN aka ‘Timi the law’, late Chief Kehinde Sofola (SAN), late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), late Chief GOK Ajayi (SAN), amongst others and on the bench such jurists of note such as Hon Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, JSC; Hon Justice Anthony Idigbe JSC; Hon Justice Kayode Eso JSC, amongst others.
    The departed was one of our finest in terms of stellar contributions.
    “Name it, he achieved it all. He was a foremost legal practitioner. He was a Bar man par excellence, rising to the leadership of the NBA as one of its former presidents. He was elevated to the prestigious rank of SAN on account of distinction and excellence in legal practice.
    “The departed was appointed to the exalted position of AGF and served in that capacity meritoriously.
    “He was one of those who first discovered the talents of the current Vice President, His Excellency, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), who he appointed as his special assistant during his tenure.
    “The departed jurist also served as a Judge of the International Court of Justice at the Hague, thereby contributing to the body of world jurisprudence in strengthening International peace, order and security.
    “At the end of his service years, he returned home to found and float Crescent University, Abeokuta as his major contribution to quality education in the country. The Crescent University stands today as one of his lasting legacies for which he will forever be remembered.
    “Prince Bola Ajibola raised successful children. One of them is the cerebral Adesegun Ajibola (SAN), a remarkable symbol of excellence.
    “At the University of Lagos, the departed institutionalised yearly awards for outstanding law faculty graduating students as a mark of his commitment to excellence.
    “I feel proud to be one of the recipients of his award in 1986 when I won the Bola Ajibola’s prize as the best-graduating student in Public International law.
    “It is one award that l cherish greatly and serves for me as a permanent reminder of the stellar contributions of the departed jurist to our body of jurisprudence – at least one of them for which many have benefitted and will continue to benefit for many years to come.
    “It can be said in favour of the departed jurist that he came, he saw and conquered. He was brilliant, intelligent, cerebral, deep, scholarly, quintessential and engaging.
    “He was an uncommon patriot of the finest hue – perhaps one of the very best this country has ever produced. The departed was a man of faith and contributed enormously to the propagation of Islam and its teachings.
    “He will be sorely missed. He deserves a national burial, except that being a devout Muslim, burial arrangements by tradition, are devoid of fanfare and ceremonies.”

    ‘He was an inspiration

    Lawyer, arbitrator and prisoners’ rights advocate Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem said “a rare gem in the legal profession” was lost in Ajibola.
    Adetola-Kazeem recalled what the late Ajibola told him in 2016: “You will be the same person in five years as you are today, except for the people you meet and the book you read.”
    The lawyer said it was an honour listening to the late Ajibola at the Lagos Court of Arbitration-Alternative Dispute Resolution roundtable, where he shared his arbitration experience.
    “His speech gave me a lot of hope that no matter how things look now, the future will be great.
    “He started as an ordinary lawyer, but self-belief and diligence made him a world-acclaimed arbitrator, a judge at the ICJ, NBA president, AGF, SAN and the list of his achievements is endless.
    “He told us to imbibe time consciousness, diligence and positive thinking. I was equally thrilled that he is a devout Muslim who didn’t hide his identity.
    “After the programme, I went to him, shook his hands and requested him to pray for me, he graciously did.
    “I beseech Allah to preserve him upon good and overlook his shortcomings.”

  • Encomiums as Olanipekun steps off Benchers chair

    Encomiums as Olanipekun steps off Benchers chair

    The Body of Benchers (BoB) rolled out the drums on March 30 in celebration of its 50th Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), whose tenure has just ended. Eric Ikhilae reports.

    It rained encomiums on March 30 in Abuja as Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) bowed out as head of the Body of Benchers (BoB), drawing the curtain on an impactful tenure as the 50th Chairman of the nation’s highest gathering of law experts, peopled by elevated legal minds.

    The event was a glamorous dinner held in his honour by the group, which was attended by eminent personalities drawn from within and outside the nation’s legal community.

    Olanipekun’s journey through the BoB began in 1992 when he became a member. He became a Life Bencher in 2007, was appointed the pioneer Chairman of the Monitoring Committee of the BoB and later, the Vice Chairman/Chairman (Screening Committee) of the body before assuming the Chairmanship position on March 31, 2022.

    To speakers at the well-attended event, Olanipekun’s tenure (spanning March 31, 2022 to March 30, 2023) was an eventful and a memorable year.

    Speakers included the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; Olanipekun’s successor, Justice Mary Peter Odili (retired Justice of the Supreme Court); Dele Adesina (SAN); Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji; Ben Anichebe (SAN); Dele Adesina (SAN) and Secretary of the BoB, Daniel Tela.

    Anthony Malik (SAN), who cut his legal teeth in Olanipekun’s law firm, read his long profile, spanning 11 pages of the event’s brochure.

    The profile touched on Olanipekun’s foray into legal practice, his days as student union leader, Bar leader as well as his many philanthropic gestures – (scholarships, monetary contributions, execution of projects, development of facilities (the most recent being the now befitting structure housing the Ikere division of the High Court of Ekiti State), among others.

    The CJN spoke about Olanipekun’s contributions to the BoB, his capacity to positively impact any community where he finds himself, among other qualities.

    Justice Ariwoola said it was impossible for anyone to doubt Olanipekun’s sterling contributions to the development of the legal profession in the country and beyond.

    He noted that it was during Olanipekun’s tenure that the magnificent edifice housing the BoB in Abuja, was inaugurated on September 29, last year by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The CJN stated that “great men, like Olanipekun, naturally have their tentacles spread across the path of unimaginable generations of beneficiaries of his magnanimous disposition.”

    He urged all to be mindful of the fact that there is a tide in the affairs of men, noting that “the works of our hands shall always rise stoutly in testimony on our behalf when we are gone.’

    Justice Ariwoola noted that Olanipekun had been bestriding the nation’s legal landscape, “with iconic academic discernment for over four decades.

    “He is one lawyer that has latched on our memory an enviable degree of intellectual eminence and legal finesse that encompass all spheres of philosophy and methodical reasoning.

    “He is a very unique and nationalistic Nigerian, with a radical posture of justice and rule of law. I have always said that, even though he has a fragile posture, as he looks much younger than his age, that makes him look simple and unassuming.

    “He is very strict and consciously principled in disposition. Even though he is highly elitist and dignified in carriage, he still relates exceptionally well with the down trodden, as his entire life is totally devoid of duplicity, undue arrogance and elitism.

    “Those who know Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, very well, will harbour no doubt, of his expansive landscape of courage that does not hurt or intimidate others.

    “He has always exhibited scholarship and legal candour. His oratory prowess is like an ocean wave that moves with vigour and vibrancy.

    “His legal presentations have covered a gamut of issues that have offered us sufficient food for thought, not just as judicial officers and lawyers, but as citizens of the global community.

    “He is, by all standards, a rare gem and an unblemished specimen of trust and integrity. Chief Wole Olanipekun has been treading gallantly of the path exclusively preserved for people of honour.

    “He has worked assiduously the etch his name in gold as a minister in the temple of justice. And, he has proved that most things that certain people do exceptionally well are the proof of their ability to identify their talents,” Justice Ariwoola said.

    Justice Odili testified to the fact that Olanipekun discharged his duties without blemish while he headed the BOB, and promised to build on his achievements.

    Governor Oyebanji described Olanipekun as a great philanthropist, an inspiration and a pride to Ekiti State.

    “As a proud son of Ekiti State, Chief Olanipekun has brought honour and recognition to our state through his work in the legal profession.

    “His dedication to the pursuit of justice and fairness has made a significant impact on the development of our legal system. May God Almighty continue to bless and keep Chief Olanipekun,” Oyebanji said.

    Olanipekun thanked God for a successful tenure, noting that “by His infinite mercy, grace and benevolence, as the 50th Chairman of the Body of Benchers, we have ended well.

    “We have just ended well, we are handing over well. Do you know who I am handing over to? It is my friend’s wife,” he said of Justice Odili.

    Olanipekun came down hard on the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for what he described as an attempt by the tail to wag the dog, stressing that it was impossible for the NBA to dictate to the Body of Benchers.

    “NBA does not have the power to ask a sitting Chairman of the Body of Benchers to recuse himself under any circumstance.”

    Read Also: Chief Wole Olanipekun: The thoughts of a legal juggernaut and philanthropist at 68

    “We know what we are here (at the BOB). We are orderly. We respect the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), but the NBA should also respect us. I have been the President of the NBA, and to the glory of God, I did well.

    “I want to plead that henceforth, let strife stop in the legal profession. Let us see ourselves as brothers and sisters. And let us shake hands across the divides,” he said.

    On a retrospective assesment of his tenure, Olanipekun said he felt fulfilled for what God did through him for the Law profession during his time as the Chairman of the BOB.

    Olanipekun, who thanked members of the body for their unflinching support during his tenure, noted that there were few instances of “waves and distractions,” which he said, are normal occurrences in every human’s life.

    He added:”I have seen it all. And, through the grace of God, we have been able to give our all, and by the grace of God, we have remained humble. We have pride, without being proud.

    “What is life about? We all pray that we end well. I started well a year ago, as the Chairman, Body of Benchers, and I have ended well…I am at peace with myself and I pray that God will be at peace with me.”

  • AGA-Africa donates $70,000 worth of books to varsity

    AGA-Africa donates $70,000 worth of books to varsity

    Attorney-General Alliance Africa (AGA-Africa) has donated books worth $70,000 to the new Justice Chukwuweike Idigbe Law Faculty of the Veritas University in Bwari, Abuja.

    The books were handed over to the university by a Founding Board Member of the Attorney General Alliance Africa (AGA-Africa), Mr Markus Green, in the company of some executives of PUNUKA Associates & Solicitors, led by Anthony Idigbe (SAN).

    Green noted the role books play in shaping the lives and minds of young people, hence his organisation’s decision to support the institution with books.

    He said: “Part of our work is capacity building and one of the ways in which we build capacity is through connectivity with universities.

    “We understand that all of these belong to young people because all of us standing here, our batteries will run out at one point.

    “So, we have to hand them over to the next generation and we have to ensure that the next generation has the tools to do the work that needs to be done.

    “As part of that, we are starting a programmme where we have donated books to Kenya. We are moving on to Zambia and Malawi, so with all of our partners we are working to give books to universities.

    “We understand that this is the foundation; that universities are the foundation of learning; we understand that education is not only a right but is a responsibility and so we are taking it very seriously, and at AGA-Africa, we are very proud to donate these books and we look for other ways to partner with Veritas University.”

    Green, Pfizer Inc’s Vice President/Assistant General Counsel, urged the students to be focused, work hard and excel in their careers and life.

    He added: “You have to be prepared for opportunities, open yourself to opportunities and when the opportunity comes, say yes. Fear not.”

    Chief Idigbe, who facilitated the donation, commended the institution for its fast-growing rate, especially the Law Faculty.

    Recalling his donation of the Law Faculty building, the SAN reiterated his commitment to the growth of the faculty and the university.

    He said: “The event we have today is a confirmation of a relationship; it is not a touch and go, if it were a touch and go relationship, we would have just assisted you with the building and go away but it is a relationship as you can see.

    “We hope to deepen the relationship further because of the other commitments, we will try our best.”

    Urging the students to make good use of the books and the library, he appealed to them not to steal or destroy the books but to preserve the books for others coming after them.

    “As you have the privilege of passing through this school, you have the responsibility to make sure that those behind you will have the same opportunity that you have had and so you must care for the school, not just the physical building but the books.

    “When you go to the library, ensure that the next generation reads the same books. Don’t be selfish with the books that have been given to you today.

    “It is your job to preserve them and when you become alumni, it will be your responsibility to make sure those coming behind you will be well trained by also donating and giving to support your school,” Idigbe said.

    Vice Chancellor, Veritas University, Prof Hyacinth Ichokwu, commended the AGA-Africa and Chief Idigbe for the gesture.

    He promised that the institution would make good use of the books as well as preserve them for future generations.

  • Oladapo Are bags award

    Oladapo Are bags award

    The General Manager of the Lagos State Agricultural Lands Holdings Authority (ALHA), Oladapo Muhammed Aare has dared to be different in his dealings.

     Remaining highflying and distinct in his mode of operation has placed him as the cynosure of all eyes. Are’s appointment as ALHA GM, gave room for the agency to thrive excellently well, witnessing an unprecedented transformation that has upgraded it to a critical organization that supports the drive of the state government towards sufficiency in food production opening room for considerable and commendable improvement in revenue generation for the state. 

     For his strides in ensuring the upliftment of youth empowerment through agriculture, coupled with unrelenting contributions towards youth and students’ developmental projects, he was considered worthy of the Nelson Mandela Leadership Award of Excellence and Integrity as a beacon of hope to the Nigerian youth (YAN). The youth group who presented the award described Are as a beacon of hope to the Nigerian youth who was considered for the highest award of the association on account of his sterling performance in the public sector, dedication to duty, and immense contributions to the betterment of humanity.

  • Ahmed Wase’s most cherished ambition

    Ahmed Wase’s most cherished ambition

    Ahmed Idris Wase is no doubt one of the few politicians in the country who believes in the political ideology that politics is all about service to the people.

     For him, everything is secondary and since his foray into public service, he has stayed dedicated to the service which has helped place him above his competitors in Plateau State ever since he got elected into the lower arm of the National assembly.

     Apart from occupying numerous positions as Chairman of several committees, one thing he is known for is truth, fairness and equity. He does not joke with giving his constituents the dividend of democracy as he has facilitated plenty of developmental projects which till today are still being enjoyed by his people.

     All along, he has demonstrated to his constituents that good governance and quality representation is possible, hence the positive impact on the masses, giving priority to education, health, good roads and water as his legislative interest. Also accredited to him are the sponsorship for students, infrastructural development which includes: solar street lights, hand pumps and motorized bores-holes, renovation of primary healthcare centres, building of skills acquisition centres, lobbying for the construction of roads and renovation of secondary and primary schools etc. He is an advocate for Youth empowerment and poverty alleviation. He has achieved these through issuing grants to the youths and providing welfare packages to the less privileged.

     When it was time for the election of principal officeholders at the beginning of the 9th Assembly, he threw his hat in the ring to contest for the position of Deputy Speaker and he gathered 358 votes unopposed. 

    During all his years in the chamber, he has built friends from different parts of Nigeria. His ability to mix freely and believe in the one Nigeria project worked in his favour as many never doubted his capacity to act as deputy speaker and a top high-ranking member in the green chambers. As he won his reelection, a few weeks ago, Wase has been on his toes moving from one part of the country to the other in his bid to finally throw his hat in the ring again for the position of the Speakership; the number 4 man in the democratic dispensation. Building on his track record as an astute politician and a bridge builder over the years, going around and soliciting support is like a piece of cake for him because everywhere he visited, he got a resounding welcome even from opposition party members. Wase is soliciting support based on his antecedent as a time-tested lawmaker who has worked in hand with the current speaker and knows what it takes to steer the affairs of the lower house. Wase is banking on his feats as a pan-Nigerian who is detribalized devoid of favouritism and believes everyone is equal. He is also banking on his ability to take important decisions when due and also remain truthful regardless of his party affiliation. Sources disclosed that; despite many other candidates having shown interest in the position as speaker of the 10th National Assembly, the nod he is getting is looking promising.

  • Dorry Okojie throws hat in the ring

    Dorry Okojie throws hat in the ring

    Highly cerebral and cosmopolitan real estate magnate, Dr. Dorry Afe Okojie is not a greenhorn in the scheme of things in Nigeria’s real estate sector.

     Having started a business early in life, one thing has remained constant for him, he has been a stickler for success. He believes anything worth doing at all is worth doing well so anything he ventures into turns gold.

     Despite being born with a bourgeoisie background, the DAF Homes and estate boss believes working hard for your own money is essential so he abandoned his father’s wealth and set out for greatness.

     In the course of his quest to make a name for himself, he found solace in construction which today has thrown him into the public consciousness as a top player in the real estate sector with several condominiums littered across the skyline of Lagos and highbrow areas in Benin and Abuja.

     For those who might feel he attained his current status by accident or fluke, it’s with sheer dint of hard work and will to survive that has kept him standing for over two decades in the murky waters of entrepreneurship. Despite making wealth at an early age; he never let money control him, rather he is in charge and has remained modest, calm, calculative and a goal getter.

     The Edo-born real estate billionaire has always wanted to serve because of his compassion and love for his people. Over the years he has spent proceeds from his business to empower lots of people by personally building roads, empowering security outfits, empowering youths, paying house rent and students fees and giving scholarships to numerous students. After doing all these for years, he feels it will be a disservice if he does not do it on a larger scale which will in turn benefit the populace in his state. As the tenure of Governor Obaseki is winding up, Dorry has thrown his hat in the ring to replace Obaseki as Governor of Edo state at the 2024 election. Although he has not announced the party he would be running sources says he is bringing new energy in tune with the yearning of the youth demography in Edo state and Nigeria for a government that will be creative and generate revenue to fund a capital project, a government that would bring transparency and prudency thereby increasing investment in tourism and creating jobs for people also a huge investment in education, health and infrastructural renewal.

     A source says when his peers were busy with frivolities, Dorry was building political alliances across Edo state testing his political strength among the youth demography in Edo state.

  • Esther Ajayi’s new energy

    Esther Ajayi’s new energy

    When Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi returned to Nigeria years ago, her coming could be likened to that of an athlete who just won a medal when nobody expected. It was a state and rousing welcome for her. Her name spread like wildfire as people scampered to have her attention. She became the talk of the town as her story traveled beyond the shores of the country.

     One thing was at the back of her mind that was to take Christianity to another level and ensure unity and peace among the orthodox white garment churches in Nigeria. She has often said it’s her dream to unify both the Celestial Church of Christ and the Cherubim and Seraphim Church of Christ Church and she was consistent and chased that dream with much gusto till it became a reality. That was where she had a massive event tagged the comforter that had the two churches combine to have a service together making her break such records.

     The Lagos-born preacher won the heart of many as she got invitations from many world leaders who wanted to meet her. People started to knock on her door as she increased her philanthropic deeds. She funded people’s medical care and donated to church-building projects.

     When she commissioned her state-of-the-earth Love of Christ Church building located in the heart of Oniru in Lagos it was a jamboree with several dignitaries and people in attendance.

     However, those in the know averred that Mother Esther has intentionally recoiled into her shell and has reduced her philanthropic work. This, we gathered, has reduced the number of people who want to see her for one reason or the other.

     Over the week, Iya Adura as she is fondly called, celebrated her 60th birthday unlike before. Things have changed so much that those who used to celebrate her to the high heavens didn’t even wish her a happy birthday with their social media posts and all. We gathered that Mother Esther also shunned all the celebration of her birthday but only celebrated with her members, husband and family members at a Palm Sunday service in her church, where she had cakes and also did Thanksgiving. 

  • Olori Afolabi’s impactful initiative

    Olori Afolabi’s impactful initiative

    Seasoned journalist and media mogul Olori Janet Afolabi, Queen of Apomu Kingdom, Osun State, has remained one of the most passionate women who is not relenting until they see women assume their full potential as nation builders where equity and fairness can make them thrive despite the gender inequality.

     All her life she has been an advocate for women empowerment, girl child development and women empowerment.

     When many of her queens are staying idle with little or no effort to impact their immediate environment, Olori Janet teamed up with Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, Queen of Ile-Ife for the first ever Royal Queens conference in Nigeria on March 30 to commemorate Black Women’s History Month under the umbrella of Queen Moremi Ajasoro initiative and Olori Janet Afolabi Foundation where about 120 Queens from across Nigeria converged.

     The conference entitled ‘The Impact of  Oloris ( Royal Queens) In  National Development’ examined how impactful the Queens have been in their Kingdoms.

      Olori Afolabi, as keynote speaker, disclosed the many challenges in their communities as their kings engage in solving those problems.

     As supporting wives and partners to our husbands, Olori Afolabi said queens should also rise up and support the kings. She encouraged Queens to identify problems within their domains, do problem analysis and then strategize on how to proffer solutions.

  • Mbisiogu marks golden jubilee, touch lives

    Mbisiogu marks golden jubilee, touch lives

    The CEO of Blue Diamond Group, Festus Uzoma Mbisiogu has rolled out plans to touch the lives of the less privileged this week as he celebrates his 50th birthday.

    ” I have widows that I have been supporting over the years, young people and so many others. They are uppermost in my plan to celebrate this milestone “.

    Happily he takes you into his world, motivation and the people God used to bless him over the years, rediscover his potentials, perseverance and more.
    “The first company I started is known as Uzotex International Nigeria Limited. We also have Uzotex charity Foundation, Shanghai Industrial works Limited and Blue Diamond which is into logistics “.
    According to the entrepreneur, philanthropist and mentor to many, ” My life is a script, I adhere to Gods principles, discover God’s plan for me and work on it”.

    Touching lives he pointed out is a pillar of success and this has brought his great satisfaction. ” We live in a community where they cultivate yam and my mum will use a lorry called 911 to carry yams and share to the villagers. So, I copied that from my mum, giving out bags of rice. Also an encounter with a Reverend father who I visited in Ideato South also spurred me to do more. There I saw two women angry, raining curses and shouting, he explained that they didn’t get the two derica of rice he shared .That was my inspiration from 2009, I started sharing between 100 to 300 bags of rice every year”.
    Looking back, Mbisiogu admits that there are so many blessings and he is always grateful to God for His favour . “I would count them one by one. I am from a very poor family , the poorest family from Umechuma, Ideato South LG. When I left the village for Lagos, the had four rooms. Out of those 4 rooms, my mum borrowed money from the group she belongs to and put up two rooms”.
    Happily, he goes down memory lane to recall his growing up years, moving to Lagos to serve Josiah Okenonu for apprenticeship and serving his master faithfully for 7 years.
    ” When he was about to settle me, he called the whole community and rained Blessings on me. He killed a cow to celebrate my freedom and enumerated the blessings he acquired through me”.

    Success, he informed was not earned on a platter of gold. ” I am super excited. I am excited because looking back at what I have passed through in life. I can’t believe that I can be alive today because there was a time, I was admitted in the hospital, from a private hospital to LUTH. And in these hospitals I was taken to the emergency ward. That was in year 2006 and at that time, I felt the lord was about to take me. I am happy that the Lord saved me from that sickness. That was 17 years ago and I am alive today.I am also happy that God brought me this far”.

    The concept of apprenticeship, being credible, determination and hard work, he said are factors that helped him to achieve success.
    ” Just before I came to Lagos, it was just a single lane from Benin to Onitsha in those days. I used to hawk groundnut, garden egg and ice water any time there was a breakdown on that road”.
    Going down memory lane he recalled how he dropped out in year 2 in secondary school but was determined to go back someday. ” I knew it was something I had to go back to to succeed. Later on after many years, I took JAMB , got admission at University of Lagos and studied Business Administration. There I also started planning to relocate my business to China. One of my target is that was between 33 to 35 years, I would own my business abroad “.

    He continued: Interestingly, my wife stumbled and found my diary one day. There I listed the things I wanted to achieve. I wrote that I would get married at the age of 28 to 30 years, build my house, go abroad and become a CEO. Those things listed have all come to pass except one, that has to do with government”.

  • Mai-Mala Buni’s reward for hard work

    Mai-Mala Buni’s reward for hard work

    The executive Governor of Yobe State, Governor Mai Mala Buni exudes the persona of an ordinary man but the aura radiating around him has set him on the path of greatness. From his childhood, his parents armed him with the teaching of the Holy book which harps on truthfulness and sincerity of purpose in anything he ventures into. His parents who are core disciplinarians also instilled in him discipline which till today has helped shape his political trajectory as a grassroots person before his current position since he was elected in 2019.

     He started politics from the cradle and grew through the ranks first as a councilor and as speaker of the legislative arm. He served as the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress APC while he won the ticket to run as Governor of Yobe State. His performance as National secretary made him worthy to be appointed as caretaker chairman of the Ruling All Progressives Congress APC when Comrade Adams Oshimhole was ousted from office. While acting in his capacity as governor, he also steered the affairs of the party smoothly winning key opposition members to the ruling party.

     He is a loyal party man who worked for the success of the party when President Buhari was seeking to win the election in the run for the 2015 election. His performance earned him another tenure in 2018. He has always been a performer reason his people trust him to transform Yobe state to become the envy of others.

     While in office, Buni ensured no aspect of governance was lagging. In the area of infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, transportation, civil service restructuring, affordable housing, markets, industry resuscitation, electricity, youth empowerment, employment and job creation, security and a host of other aspects.

     These impeccable records were enough to get him a second term in office. While he was campaigning, he was one of the governors that stressed less as his good work spoke loudly that his people came out en-masse to re-elect him with a wide margin.

     A close source said Gov Buni’s impact in Yobe is more than what can be scribbled down as a tour of the state will clear doubts. The huge impact he has made in reconstructing the state to become an envy of others is impeccable to say the least.