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  • CONTROVERSY OF THE YEAR 2025: Akpabio vs Akpoti-Uduaghan

    CONTROVERSY OF THE YEAR 2025: Akpabio vs Akpoti-Uduaghan

    It all began like a routine legislative action on February 20, 2025: a change in sitting arrangements in the Senate chamber necessitated by an alteration in the upper legislature’s composition after the defection of some opposition members to the majority wing. But by some strange alchemy, an otherwise simple exercise metamorphosed into a storm that shook the red chamber to its very foundation.

    At the heart of the brouhaha was Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central, who declined the new seat that was allocated to her and was consequently denied audience by Senate President Godswill Akpabio as she made to address the chamber from her former seat. The stage was thus set for an altercation between her and the Senate President.

    Asked to be escorted by the Chief Whip out of the legislative chamber, the Kogi Senator, reputed for wearing controversy like a cloak, launched into a tirade, protesting loudly and accusing Senator Akpabio of setting out to silence her. “I don’t care if I am silenced,” she wailed. “I am not afraid. You have denied me my privilege!”

    The matter, however, assumed a whole new dimension with an allegation by the female senator that Akpabio was trying to get at her because she previously turned down his advances, accusing the Senate President of sexually harassing her. She said: “Mr Senate President, ever since the night club incident, you have deliberately silenced my voice. My bills have not been able to scale through to second reading. I am not afraid of being silenced, but I will do so in honour.

    “As a senator duly elected by my people, I chose to remain on this seat, come what may. The worst you can do is to suspend me from this sitting, and that will not stop me from contributing my quota to my constituency, the Senate and Nigeria as a whole.”

    With a finger pointed at Akpabio, she added: “Mr Senate President, I have taken a lot from you. If you don’t want me to speak publicly, I will let the whole world know how you have discriminated against me, maligned me, dehumanised me.

    “Your choice of words has embarrassed me. Mr President, do what you may, I will not leave this seat.”

    All the while, the Senate President maintained a calm mien and only instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to lead her out of the chambers. “Please, take her out so that we can continue with today’s activities,” he said.

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    Anyone who thought the matter would end within the Senate chamber soon found out how mistaken they were as Akpoti-Uduaghan fanned the smouldering crisis into an inferno that threatened to consume the Senate. Like a bolt from the blue, she changed the narrative from legislation to romance and sexual harassment became her sing-song as she internationalised the issue, dragging Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union to reiterate her allegation of sexual harassment even without a scintilla of evidence.

    The social media and indeed the national landscape were soon polarised into those in support of the Senate President and those backing Akpoti-Uduaghan as the latter launched a serious campaign against the Senate President, expanding his sins to include an attempt on her life and linking him to the killing of a young female undergraduate whose killer had since been arrested in Akwa Ibom State.

    It later turned out that Akpabio was not the first man the Kogi senator would accuse of sexually harassing her without any evidence or justification. Popular media consultant turned ambassador-designate, Reno Omokri, had revealed how the same woman previously accused him wrongly of flirting with her at a state banquet held in Aso Rock Presidential Villa by then President Goodluck Jonathan in honour of visiting President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya on a date and time he was not even in the country.

    He said: “On Tuesday, 12 October 2021, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had a dispute with me, and after the dispute, she went on social media and accused me of sexually harassing her.

    “Now, the thing is a month before, the Chibok girls were abducted. As one of the President’s spokespersons, Goodluck Jonathan sent me to the United States as a special envoy to try to clean up Nigeria’s image. I left in April and was not back in Nigeria until the end of May. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan lied.

    “So, what I did was I went on social media and published my passport stamps with my passport leaving Nigeria and then entering the United States showing the stamps. I also published a First Class British Airways ticket showing that I left Nigeria for the United Kingdom and from there to the United States. I wasn’t in Nigeria until Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accused me.”

    He noted that after publishing his evidence in national dailies, Akpoti Uduaghan deleted all her accusations across all her social media handles.

    He added: “They (the senator and her husband) appealed to me and quoted scriptural references about Christians taking each other to court. I listened to them and settled the matter out of court, and I was paid a huge amount of money as damages, and I let the matter go.”

    In the case involving her and Akpabio, the Senate sent her on six-month suspension from which she only recently returned. The matter on the legality of her suspension remains yet in court. On Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan in a social media post disclosed that Akpabio just slammed a N200 billion defamation suit on her. Clearly, the battle between the two is only just beginning.

  • Akpabio seeks enhanced pay for teachers

    Akpabio seeks enhanced pay for teachers

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called for enhanced remuneration and an improved work environment for teachers.

    Akpabio said it is only by doing this that the nation can achieve a functional education system.

    The Senate President also called for a return to “the good old days” when school teachers were adored, well catered for and highly regarded and respected in society.

    Akpabio spoke yesterday in Abuja on the second day of the two-day maiden edition of the Nigeria Education Forum (NEF, 2025), organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education in Nigeria (COSCEN) and partners.

    Represented by the Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the Senate President said: “Provide the environment that is conducive for them (teachers) to operate and inculcate knowledge into our children. That is the only way we can guarantee the future of our children and the future of our education.

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    “So, for education to succeed and for Nigeria to succeed, the interests of teachers must be addressed. Adequate remuneration is a sine qua non for the success of our education venture,” he said.

    Akpabio announced that the Senate was working to step up funding, improve accountability, and expand access to digital learning with a view to aligning the educational system with the needs of the country’s modern economy.

    He added: “We know that government alone cannot do it. Education is a national project. A national project succeeds when everyone – Federal, states and local governments, including the private and public sectors – works towards the same goal.”

    The Sente President noted that the realisation informed the call for Local Government’s autonomy to enable the third tier of government contributes its own quota, including supporting the education sector.

  • Akpabio advocates enhanced pay for teachers

    Akpabio advocates enhanced pay for teachers

    The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has advocated for enhanced remuneration and improved work environment for teachers if the nation wishes to achieve a functional education system.

    Senator Akpabio also called for a return to the good old days when school teachers were adored, well-catered for, and highly regarded and respected in society.

    He spoke in Abuja on Wednesday, which is the second day of the two-day maiden edition of the Nigeria Education Forum (NEF, 2025), organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education in Nigeria (COSCEN), and partners.

    Represented by the Senate’s Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Akpabio said: “Provide the conducive environment for them (teachers) to operate and inculcate knowledge into our children. That is the only way we can guarantee the future of our children and the future of our education.

    “So, for education to succeed and for Nigeria to succeed, the interests of teachers must be addressed. Adequate remuneration is a sine qua non for the success of our education venture,” he said.

    Senator Akpabio disclosed that the Senate was working to step up funding, improve accountability, and expand access to digital learning with a view to aligning the educational system with the needs of the country’s modern economy.

    He added, “We know that the government alone cannot do it. Education is a national project. A national project succeeds when everyone – Federal, states, and local governments, including the private and public sectors – works towards the same goal.”

    Senator Akpabio noted that the realisation informed the call for Local Government’s autonomy to enable the third tier of government to contribute its own quota, including supporting the education sector.

    He said the responsibility of the nation’s leaders, teachers, and policy makers is to ensure that the dreams of today’s children do not die prematurely because of the absence of a functional educational system that guarantees the realisation of their future aspirations.

    The Senate President added: “So, let us build a new partnership where research speaks to national challenges, where innovations grow out of our universities into our industries, where every child seeks a pathway to success, a pathway that is wide enough, strong enough, and welcoming enough to carry them.

    “Let us choose to invest, not only in infrastructure, in imagination, not only in textbooks, but in talents; not only in structures, but in the spirit of our young people.

    “If we choose to rise above politics, above doubts, above all hurdles that no longer serve us, then we will open the door to a future where Nigeria will become a beacon of learning and a powerhouse of ideas,” he said.

    The Senate President said efforts should be directed at creating an egalitarian society where every member has an equal stake and has access to all available opportunities.

    “We should provide a level playing field for all our children to realise their potential,” he said.

  • Why I decided not to celebrate my birthday – Akpabio

    Why I decided not to celebrate my birthday – Akpabio

    The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said he decided against an elaborate celebration of his birthday because of the mood of the nation.

    Akpabio clocked 63 on Tuesday but there was no elaborate celebration of the occasion except the cutting of birthday cake presented to him by the staff and aides in the office of the Senate President.

    The cake was presented to the celebrant in his office after the Senate plenary on Tuesday, with some senators in attendance.

    Speaking after the cutting of the cake, Akpabio said he decided not to make his birthday celebration elaborate because of the mood of the nation.

    The Senate President explained further that “for some of our children to still remain in captivity, as parents, our hearts are wounded.

    “On the one hand we continue to do our business. On the other hand, we go home to pray that soon, God will enable our security chiefs to recover all the children in captivity.

    Read Also: Police conduct pre-deployment training on child protection in armed conflict

    “And for those that lost their lives in the course of trying to protect those children from being abducted, we say may their souls rest in perfect peace.”

    In his remarks at the occasion, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin described Akpabio as a wonderful man.

    “The Senate President is a special person, a wonderful man. A man that even if you are sad, he will make you laugh. He will make you happy. God has given him that gift.

    “What we need to do for him is to continue to pray for him and his family for good health, long life and prosperity so that he can continue to work the way he has been working all these years,” Barau said.

    The Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele said Akpabio had demonstrated a “high cerebral capacity” as Senate President.

    Bamidele remarked further, “I don’t think any Nigerian is in doubt as to your cerebral capacity. Even those who are not totally in support of you will concede that. As much as possible, we will continue to show our support for you.

    “I’m sure that you are not in doubt that we have your back…We celebrate your leadership. We celebrate your touching candour. You have always been like a flower in our midst – so sweet, pure and simple. And this means so much to us.

    “On a day like this, all we can just say is that we love you and we will continue to pray for you because to pray for you is to pray for Nigeria. You have led us well regardless of what anybody will say. Yours has not been a regime of grandstanding.”

    Former Governor of Bayelsa state and chairman of the South-South Senate Caucus, Senator Seriake Dickson, while proposing the toast, attested to how uncommon Akpabio was as Governor of Akwa Ibom.

    “Here we are privileged to have him as our colleague, friend and brother and as Senate President. But don’t get us wrong. Sometime we disagree. That is our job. As parliamentarians, that is what we are elected to do. To agree and also to disagree but also doing so, at all times, in the national interest.

    “So we are all here gathered to celebrate our wonderful, friend and brother and colleague and ebulient President of the Senate,” Dickson said.

    In his vote of thanks, Senator Abdul Ningi applauded Akpabio for not discriminating against anyone in the Senate either on account of political or ethnic differences.

    Ningi, on behalf of the Senate, thanked the Senate President “for being around for us, for being around for Nigeria, the Principal Officers, for trying to manage some of us. It is not easy.

    “You have shown us comeradship, brotherhood, and at no time have you ever discriminated against us because we occupy another party platform.”

  • Akpabio’s visionary leadership resonates across Nigeria, says Reps Deputy Speaker

    Akpabio’s visionary leadership resonates across Nigeria, says Reps Deputy Speaker

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has described the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as a visionary leader whose impact continues to resonate across the nation.

    The Deputy Speaker felicitated the Senate President, praising his democratic credentials, patriotic zeal, dedication, and commitment to the Nigerian project.

    In a congratulatory message signed by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, Kalu said that the political trajectories and exemplary leadership of the Senate President have elevated the institution of the Senate, especially the 10th National Assembly.

    He prayed that God would grant him renewed strength, sound health, and greater wisdom to continue steering the Senate with distinction and purpose.

    Kalu said, “On behalf of my family and the good people of Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to the President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator (Dr) Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, on the occasion of his 63rd birthday. On this special day, we join millions of well-wishers across Nigeria and beyond to celebrate the life, leadership, and statesmanship of the President of the Senate.

    “Senator Akpabio has, over the years, distinguished himself as a visionary leader whose impact continues to resonate across the nation. From his days as Governor of Akwa Ibom State to his service as a federal lawmaker and now as the President of the 10th Senate, he has remained committed to transformational governance, democratic growth, and the collective progress of our country.

    “His dedication to strengthening legislative institutions, fostering cooperation among arms of government, and advancing policies that uplift citizens stands as a testament to his passion for public service.

    “Today, we celebrate not just his achievements, but the resilience, wisdom, and empathy he brings to national leadership. As he marks another year, we pray that God grants him renewed strength, sound health, and greater wisdom to continue steering the Senate with distinction and purpose.”

  • Akpabio to Natasha: Present evidence of alleged sexual harassment to court, not social media

    Akpabio to Natasha: Present evidence of alleged sexual harassment to court, not social media

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio yesterday  called on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to stop the lies and present evidence to substantiate her allegation of sexual harassment against him.

    Akpabio in a statement by his media aide, Jackson Udom, titled: “Setting the record straight on the defamation case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan said: “On 5 December 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan again resorted to social media to claim incorrectly and misleadingly that His Excellency, the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, had only just filed a multi-billion-naira defamation suit against her over her unfounded allegations of sexual misconduct.

    “These allegations, as the public is well aware, have never been supported by a single shred of evidence before the Senate Committee or before any competent authority.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the facts are clear, verifiable, and already before the court.

    “Following Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s grave and unsubstantiated accusations capable of inflicting severe reputational damage, Senator Akpabio exercised his constitutional right to seek legal redress.

    “The suit was filed over three months ago. Its progress was temporarily delayed by routine administrative processes and the normal judicial procedures.

    “Upon the resumption of judicial activities on the file, several attempts were made by the court’s bailiff to personally serve Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan with the originating processes.

    “Each attempt failed due to her deliberate evasion of service, as deposed to under oath in the bailiff’s affidavit now before the court. Only after these repeated evasions did the court, in November this year granted the application for substituted service.

    “Her claim that the matter was “just filed” is therefore false, misleading, and intended to distort public understanding of the case.

    “We reiterate that legal disputes are resolved in courtrooms, not through orchestrated narratives and staged outrage on social-media platforms.

    “The online applause Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan habitually seeks cannot replace credible evidence, legal procedure, or judicial scrutiny.

    Read Also: Alleged sexual harassment: Akpabio slams N200b suit on Natasha

    “This behaviour is consistent with her pattern during her six-month Senate suspension, an entirely lawful disciplinary measure she sought to delegitimise through digital agitation, only to ultimately serve the suspension in full.

    “It is time for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to present the “evidence” she claims to possess before a court of competent jurisdiction, rather than relying on sensationalised commentary designed solely to attract sympathy and obscure the facts.

    “The law is guided by proof, procedure, and due process, not sentiment, not emotion, and certainly not social-media theatrics.

    “She is advised to properly instruct her lawyers, file her defence, and finally provide the evidence she purports to have for the baseless allegations she has peddled over this matter.

    “This is that her golden opportunity. The public, the media, and the legal community now await her defence to the defamatory claims of the plaintiff.”

  • Akpabio to Natasha: Stop lying, present your evidence of alleged sexual harassment to court not social media

    Akpabio to Natasha: Stop lying, present your evidence of alleged sexual harassment to court not social media

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Saturday called on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to present evidence to substantiate her allegation of sexual harassment against him.

    Akpabio in a statement by his media aide, Jackson Udom, titled: “Setting the record straight on the defamation case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “On 5 December 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan again resorted to social media to claim incorrectly and misleadingly that His Excellency, the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, had only just filed a multi-billion-naira defamation suit against her over her unfounded allegations of sexual misconduct.

    “These allegations, as the public is well aware, have never been supported by a single shred of evidence before the Senate Committee or before any competent authority.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the facts are clear, verifiable, and already before the court.

    “Following Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s grave and unsubstantiated accusations capable of inflicting severe reputational damage, Senator Akpabio exercised his constitutional right to seek legal redress.

    “The suit was filed over three months ago. Its progress was temporarily delayed by routine administrative processes and the normal judicial procedures.

    “Upon the resumption of judicial activities on the file, several attempts were made by the court’s bailiff to personally serve Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan with the originating processes.

    “Each attempt failed due to her deliberate evasion of service, as deposed to under oath in the bailiff’s affidavit now before the court. Only after these repeated evasions did the court, in November this year granted the application for substituted service.

    “Her claim that the matter was “just filed” is therefore false, misleading, and intended to distort public understanding of the case.

    “We reiterate that legal disputes are resolved in courtrooms, not through orchestrated narratives and staged outrage on social-media platforms.

    “The online applause Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan habitually seeks cannot replace credible evidence, legal procedure, or judicial scrutiny.

    “This behaviour is consistent with her pattern during her six-month Senate suspension, an entirely lawful disciplinary measure she sought to delegitimise through digital agitation, only to ultimately serve the suspension in full.

    “It is time for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to present the “evidence” she claims to possess before a court of competent jurisdiction, rather than relying on sensationalised commentary designed solely to attract sympathy and obscure the facts.

    “The law is guided by proof, procedure, and due process, not sentiment, not emotion, and certainly not social-media theatrics.

    “She is advised to properly instruct her lawyers, file her defence, and finally provide the evidence she purports to have for the baseless allegations she has peddled over this matter.

    “This is that her golden opportunity. The public, the media, and the legal community now await her defence to the defamatory claims of the plaintiff.”

  • N200b suit: Natasha should prove allegations against Akpabio, says CSOs

    N200b suit: Natasha should prove allegations against Akpabio, says CSOs

    A coalition of civil society organisations has said Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan now has a “golden opportunity” to substantiate her allegations against Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, following the N200 billion libel suit he filed against her.

    Akpabio’s suit stemmed from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public accusations of sexual harassment and gender-based injustice—claims the Senate President firmly denies.

    Filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court with case number FCT/HC/CV/3356/2025, the suit alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan defamed Akpabio through comments made on television, radio, and online platforms, where she reportedly described him as “a predator who exploited his position for personal gratification.”

    Reacting to the development, Nigeria Integrity Watch, a coalition of civic organisations, welcomed the lawsuit, saying it presents a lawful avenue for resolving the matter.

    Dr. John Samuel Nangi, National Convener of NIW, said in a Saturday statement that the dispute remains “strictly personal and private” between both lawmakers.

    “This is a civil way of ending the matter. It offers Senator Akpoti a crucial opportunity to clear her name and bring the case to a judicial conclusion,” he said.

    Nangi stressed that neither the Senate nor the federal government is involved in the case, noting that Akpabio has the right to seek legal redress, just as Akpoti-Uduaghan now has the opportunity to prove her claims.

    He urged both senators to respect the judicial process and refrain from turning the issue into a media spectacle.

    “This case belongs in court and not before journalists,” he cautioned.

    Nangi added that Nigerians are more focused on pressing national challenges than political drama and advised both parties to allow the judiciary resolve the matter without seeking undue publicity or sympathy.

  • Akpabio to deliver 49th convocation lecture as 217 bags First Class at OAU

    Akpabio to deliver 49th convocation lecture as 217 bags First Class at OAU

    No fewer than 217 students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State bagged First Class Honours as 6,454 graduated from the institution at its 49th convocation ceremony.

    This is just as the Vice Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire disclosed that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio would deliver the 49th convocation lecture of the institution.

    He disclosed that a total of 6,454 students would graduating year’s convocation would be graduating in different classes degrees and certificates.

    He said: “Out of the 5,084 first degrees graduates, 217 bagged First Class Honours while 2,077 bagged Second Class Upper Division, 2,173 bagged Third Class Honours and 33 graduated with Pass.

    “A total of 1,074 would be graduating from the school of post graduate studies, while 54 would be graduating with undergraduate diplomas.”

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    He added: “The Convocation Lecture which will be delivered by a distinguished national figure, a two – term Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and the current President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, who is renowned for scholarship and statesmanship.

    “Also, the occasion will be marked by Academic Awards, Recognition of Distinguished individuals; including Honourable Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and other institutional activities. All activities will take place at the University’s Amphitheatre and Oduduwa Hall.”

  • Tinubu, Akpabio, govs, others bid Segun Awolowo farewell

    Tinubu, Akpabio, govs, others bid Segun Awolowo farewell

    • He built bridges across the Niger, says Senate President

    • He had uncommon devotion to Nigerian dream – Sanwo-Olu

    President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio led an array of top political and business figures to the funeral service of the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Olusegun Awolowo, held yesterday in Lagos.

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and his wife, Toyin, as well as former governors James Ibori (Delta), Adeniyi Adebayo (Ekiti) and Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), were also in attendance. Other notable guests included former and serving public officials, captains of industry and members of the diplomatic and traditional institutions.

    The service took place at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, and was officiated by the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria, The Rt. Revd Ifedola Okupevi. The late Awolowo was a grandson of the late sage and former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    Represented by his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, President Tinubu paid glowing tribute to the late Awolowo, describing him as a committed public servant whose contributions strengthened national institutions.

    He said: “Segun served Nigeria with an exceptional passion and unending dedication. From his earliest days as a Special Assistant to the President, through his distinguished tenure as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, he pursued his objectives with discipline and purpose and achieved real success for our country.

    “His latter service as Secretary of the National Committee for the African Continental Free Trade Area underscored his belief in a future for Nigeria and Africa built on trade, collaboration and shared prosperity. He was a family man, a kind and gentle man who spoke to people’s hearts just as well as he did to their minds.”

    President Tinubu prayed for comfort for the widow, children, friends and family members of the deceased, especially his mother, Abba Folawiyo, saying God would grant them the grace “to remember Segun as he was, a good man who lived well.”

    Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his tribute, described Awolowo as a man of uncommon dedication and quiet strength.

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    He said: “He worked with quiet dignity and unwavering conviction and had an uncommon devotion and dedication to the Nigerian dream. We gather to honour our father, brother, grandfather, friend and a true Nigerian.

    “Mr Olusegun Omotunde Kofi Awolowo Jr, a son of legacy, a servant of our nation, a pillar of his generation and indeed a man of deep humility. Our friend and brother, Olusegun, was not just a public figure. He was a bridge between history and the future, between ideal and action, and between his illustrious lineage and the ordinary people that he truly cared for.

    “We grew up knowing the real Awolowo family, of which our friend and brother stood tall. But if you also recall in that lineage, Segun Awolowo was not just outstanding; he was indeed a true icon coming from that name.”

    Sanwo-Olu commiserated with Awolowo’s widow, Adebola, his children and wider family, as well as friends and associates, noting that the late NEPC boss died on November 20 at the age of 62.

    In his sermon, the Vicar of Our Saviour’s Church and Archdeacon of Ikoyi Archdeaconry, The Ven. Folorunso Agbelusi, described the deceased as a great man who upheld and sustained the Awolowo name with honour.