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Tag: Afonja

  • Ex-Oyo Commissioner Afonja dump PDP

    Ex-Oyo Commissioner Afonja dump PDP

    Former Commissioner for Works and Transport under Governor Seyi Makinde, Prof. Abdul‑Rahman Raphael Afonja has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Afonja said his decision to leave the party followed extensive consultations with stakeholders and political associates across the State.

    A statement by Afonja explained the decision stems from a lack of recognition for loyal members and the party’s failure to address internal injustices. 

    He said: “I hope this act will prompt meaningful reflection and reforms before others feel compelled to follow my example.”

    He noted he set aside a senior academic appointment to serve with integrity and drive progress. 

    According to him, during his tenure as Commissioner, he instilled discipline, encouraged professional development, prioritised staff welfare and championed teamwork as well as innovation, focusing on projects that would benefit Oyo State.

    He said: “Even after my removal from office, i continued to support PDP, personally funding campaigns, mobilizing security agencies for free elections, and safeguarding ballot materials.”

    He cited the 2023 general elections and the 2024 local government polls as examples, particularly his role in protecting the electoral process in Ogbomoso at personal risk and expense.

    “I only not contributed to the 2023 and 2024 elections in Ogbomosho but also campaigned for Governor Makinde in the Hausa‑speaking communities of Sabo—both in Ibadan and Ogbomosho—thanks to his fluency in Hausa.”

    According to him, despite the efforts, he received no meaningful recognition—no political appointments, civil‑service placements or routine party slots—while others who engaged in anti‑party activities or accepted money from the opposition were rewarded.

    He added that attempts at reconciliation and open dialogue were ignored.

    The former commissioner however noted that he will decide his next course of action.

  • Tinubu, FEC, Dare mourn ex-First Bank Chair Afonja

    Tinubu, FEC, Dare mourn ex-First Bank Chair Afonja

    President Bola Tinubu has mourned a former Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria, Prince Alarape Afonja.

    The prince of Oyo town in Oyo State died on Sunday evening at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, the state capital.

    He was 82.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, reads: “President Bola Tinubu extends his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family. Prince Afonja was a business colossus who served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of First Bank and was Minister of Labour and Productivity under the Interim National Government in 1993.

    “The statesman also served in many other capacities, applying his gift of knowledge and experience to the development of the country while extending his means and essence to several philanthropic pursuits.

    “President Tinubu prays God to grant the departed eternal rest.”

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC), in a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen, described the late Prince Afonja as a technophile, reformist, and industrialist of repute who made significant contributions to the nation’s development.

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    The statement also acknowledged the late Prince Afonja’s contributions to the introduction of Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) telephony in Nigeria between 2000 and 2002 during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    It reads: “The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, on behalf of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), mourns the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Prince Ajibola Afonja.

    “Afonja was appointed Minister of Labour and Productivity by the Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, where he contributed immensely to the peaceful industrial harmony between government and labour unions.

    “He was a technophile, a reformist in the financial industry, and an industrialist of repute, who has used his company, Integrated Dimensional System (IDS), to provide employment to Nigerian youths and also infused innovation and sanity in the financial sector when he held sway as Chairman of First Bank Nigeria Plc.”

  • Ex-First Bank chairman Afonja dies at 82

    Ex-First Bank chairman Afonja dies at 82

    A former Minister of Labour and Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, Ajibola Afonja is dead.

    He was 82.

    A family source said the Oyo-born Prince passed away on Sunday night at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Confirming the passage of the former Minister in a late Sunday statement, a foremost community-interest group, the Oyo Global Forum (OGF) through its Chairman, Taiwo Adebayo described the late Afonja as a unifier.

    “On this dark day in Oyo, we mourn the loss of Ajibola Afonja, former Labour Minister and Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, who passed away on Sunday night, aged 82.

    “Although, a national figure with tremendous influence, he was particularly light for the Oyo community where he made pioneering efforts as an industrialist. His legacy of generosity and open-heartedness touched countless lives, and his presence will be profoundly missed.

    “Until his last month, Daddy IDS, as he was affectionately known, as a reference to his manufacturing company, remained hardworking, dedicated to realizing one of the most transformative business visions for the country’s economy. It was the E-Customs project.

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    “His absence leaves a void that will be difficult to fill, but his spirit of generosity and leadership will continue to inspire us. For all of us that he inspired, we shall honour his memory by carrying forward the values he embodied and continuing his legacy of service and compassion, the values that guide OGF, which he supported during his lifetime.”

    The group extended deepest condolences to his family, the entire Oyo community, friends and associates throughout the world during this time of mourning.

    Afonja was Chairman of the Board of Directors of First Bank Plc and was appointed as Minister of Labour under the interim government of Earnest Shonekan.

    He was the chairman of Integrated Dimensional System and many other companies.

    He attended Kingston University, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom where he bagged a degree in Accounting in 1970.

    After he graduated from the university, he started work with John Mowlem & Co, a UK-based construction firm with notable works at Buckingham Palace, the House of Commons, 10 Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, London Bridge, the Manchester Metrolink and the Dublin Port Tunnel, and a host of others.

    He first served as a subsidiary company accountant between 1971-1972 and became the Group Assets Management Accountant in 1972, a position he held for three years before he returned to Nigeria in 1974.