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Sola Fajobi: I refuse to be used and cowered, I’m voting Sanwo-Olu

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It is a general saying that “Until you realize how easy it is for your mind to be manipulated, you remain the puppet of someone else’s game”, and nothing can be truer than that quote in the light of Nigeria’s  situation at the moment.
The 2023 general election was meant to usher in a new era of renewed hope in a nation that is reputed to be the giant of Africa, but has successfully awaken an evil gnome of manipulation and bigotry in our youths like never before despite our alleged collective exposure.
On March 11, Lagosians will be polling to either re-elect the sitting governor or replace him with another aspirant from one of the other political parties gunning for the Alausa seat at the centre of excellence.
Lagos is a state with the highest number of voters in the South Western Nigeria. It boasts of vibrant and comparatively more educated electorates, representing a wide array of the nation’s ethnic groups. Statistics from the recently concluded presidential election shows that approximately 1/4 of the total number of registered voters were accredited to vote on February 25, 2023.
There was an upset in the usual results trend, where the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, was overtaken with a slight majority votes by the Labour Party that polled a total of  582,454 votes against APC’s 572,606. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the historic second -fiddle horse in Lagos elections was edged to a record low of 75,750 votes.
I may not be interested in the analysis of what went down in the election as there is an urgent task at hand; the requisite re-election of the incumbent governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
For those whose sense of judgement have not been coloured by mischief makers, it is an easy affirmation that Lagos State is working by every standard. Looking around you, there is always a testament to that fact. A litmus test of the fact that Lagos State is working is the reality of a working integrated public services system: Lagos remains the ONLY state in Nigeria (roll in the FG) with a working toll-free emergency line, with chronicles of how it has saved the day in incidences of fire, security, disaster and many more across the state. 
Babajide Sanwo-Olu is a new convex curve in Lagos’ trajectory to regional dominance and global relevance. From the very first day, BOS has shown what he is made of as a member of a set of first-class governors that Lagos has been blessed with since 1999. He swiftly moved in to salvage the lot of Lagosians with respect to the perilous time his administration advent into. From leading the entire nation to successfully manage the COVID-19 pandemic, to rolling out his brilliant T.H.E.E.M.E.S. agenda, Sanwoolu came ready for the job from day one!
Aside from working out the long-standing vision of previous administrations, anchored on the objective of making Lagos a mega city of the 21st century-kind, five months ago, Sanwo-olu’s government launched a 30 year development plan for Nigeria’s commercial capital, which is to be implemented between 2022 and 2052. It is imperative to note that the plan is necessary to achieve the goals of becoming Africa’s model mega city, while also positioning Lagos as a global, economic and financial hub that is safe, secure, functional and productive.
Sanwo-Olu’s personality is cut from character traits uncommon with most Nigerian politicians, and ever since his assumption of office as the governor, he has rolled up his sleeves and got down into the trenches by ensuring that the state continues to move forward positively.
I’m a serial entrepreneur, and having traveled across the nation and outside its shores, I can declare without equivocation that Lagos State, under the APC, provides the best business environment for my business concerns to flourish. You can then understand my situation when I, Adesola Fajobi, say that I refuse to be used to derail such brighter prospects for my business and that of many other hardworking Lagosians like me.
Returning Sanwo-Olu as governor should be the most important task of every single Lagosian in this coking election. I refuse to be brainwashed to go against all the years of great works put into developing Lagos to make it the 5th largest economy in Africa.
The Ehingbeti Lagos Economic Summit has provided a platform for the articulation of Lagos economic and developmental agenda and progress, which Sanwo-Olu continually showcases with incontrovertible developmental strides.
He has commenced the construction of a new airport on the Lekki axis of the state after his government obtained approval from the federal government for the construction of the new airport in Lagos, and also completed the Lagos Blue Line rail project designed to move millions of Lagosians across the state.
Other laudable projects include the completion of the Pen Cinema flyover in Agege, the Opebi-Ojota link bridge, which is nearing completion, the largest rice mill in Africa, the Lekki Deep Sea port, upgrading of four higher institutions to universities and so many more.
Why change a winning and working formula? Why allow a newbie to turn a functioning society into a leadership testing ground?
Sanwo-Olu is sellable, tested and trusted. Why would I allow myself to be used as an agent of destruction to give greedy politicians tickets to return Lagos to ground zero? Mr. Governor always provides robust responses, demonstrating a deep understanding of the economy, governance, the people’s expectations and desires. This is something I wouldn’t want to stop benefiting from.
If his administration would be evaluated only by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no gainsaying that Sanwo-Olu performed excellently. Instead of throwing up his hands in defeat, Mr. Governor became the incident commander, and immediately went to work as he locked down the state, activated all the state apparatus – media, security, public health, emergency management, etc., thereby saving millions of Nigerians lives. He duly earned the country the fourth position in the list of the countries in the world that handled the pandemic well. This is a verifiable fact.
With his years of experience in the private sector, he quickly worked with major players to set up isolation centres, infectious diseases centres, amongst other steps. It goes without saying that if Sanwo-Olu had failed as a leader during this dark period in our life, we may not be here now talking about 2023 election at all. Today under Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos Health Insurance Scheme costs only N40,000 a year for a family to enjoy from primary to tertiary health care.
I refuse to be cowered by a mob that sees nothing good in Lagos, and are hell bent on fostering other candidates with no track records of performance. Governance is not a matter for experimentation 
I’m a father, a businessman, an entrepreneur, a brother and so much more like you; living in Lagos and flourishing under the present APC-led government. Come March 11, 2023, I have chosen to cast my vote for Babajide Sanwo-Olu to continue leading and serving Lagos with great achievements.
You should do the same too. Follow person wey know road

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As  late Ifeanyi Ubah goes Home in a blaze of glory!

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Late  Senator Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah would be compared with  a shooting star across the midnight sky that left unannounced when many were still savouring and   amazed by its beauty.

Until his death the senator that represented Anambra South Senatorial District touched many lives, he gave laughter to many homes, he fed many hungry mouths, he gave succour to many hearts and gave hope to many hopeless.

Though his style and approach to some to issues may be distasteful to many,  He held his passion with absolute conviction, fighting many battles that would easily cowered the faint hearts, he dared the mighty, ventured into the unknown, took the trophies everywhere he went.

He was simply fearless!

Since his death was announced that red letter day last July tributes have been showering for the man whose milk of kindness was described as second- to- none.

The man who was also the  Chairman, Capital Oil, is generous to a fault.   This top player in the nation’s oil and gas sector also was born with  a large heart. Besides, he was  unapologetically committed to the uplift of his community, while also helping the course of humanity.

It was  gathered the many remarkable tributes during his lying state about the countless lives he touched and the enduring legacy he left behind.

He was also described as a tenacious businessman, philanthropist and public servant. Through his lifetime, he dedicated himself to the service of the people of his state and constituency.

As the titan went home  yesterday, Saturday 23 November, 2024, in a blaze of glory when he  committed to mother earth the nation as  a whole  would surely miss a shrewd businessman,  distinguished  politician and man born to serve humanity.

It is definitely incontrovertible that while alive, late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, was someone many wished to be as blessed as he was.

But unknown to those who covet his successes, he faced many challenges that would ordinarily consume a lily-livered.

Interestingly however, Ubah had always proved to his detractors that he is indeed a cat with nine lives.

In other words, the more they tried to bury him, the more he sprouted like a seed in a well-fertiled land. Though he was a lone fighter, he proved beyond reasonable doubt that he was indeed a warrior, as he always emerged victorious in all his legal battles.

All his life, he walked tortuous and undulating paths to achieve success.

The billionaire businessman was a courageous, even fearless, confident and self-made man. His life, in a way, taught many that one could be whatever one wanted to be if one prepares well and stays focused.

 However, last July, the man who survived and escaped many battles, including an attempt on his life, finally succumbed when he died in London.

Many would remember September, 2022, the businessman , who was also the chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, was going about his normal activities that fateful Sunday , travelling to his hometown, Nnewi with his aides when some dare-devil gunmen rained bullets on him alongside his convoy.

Many scampered for safety. And it was, indeed, a sad day as some of his trusted aides were fell by the bullets.

It was learnt that if not for his bullet- proof car and the grace of God, the Anambra State-born Senator would have kicked the bucket at the time.

 It was such a dreadful and unpalatable scene to watch.

The sad event of that day no doubt haunted the senator till he breathed his last.

Until the tragic event of his death , if you had asked the late politician his most cherished ambition, he would probably have told you, it is to become the governor of the state.

This, he had worked tirelessly to achieve in the next governorship election of the state.

Indeed, the highly flamboyant politician had launched powerful consultations in the state for his ambition before death plucked life out of him. He has spent money traveling round the world consulting and seeking the blessings of many that matter to his ambition.

Sadly, this beautiful dream died with him.

 


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Behold The Next Owa Obokun Of Ijesa Land, Dr. Oriyomi Adewunmi Akerele…. A Pedigree Of Excellence And Omoluabi Prince Of The Source

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A successful healthcare administrator based in the United States, proud Ijesha prince, historian per excellence, Dr. Oriyomi Adewunmi Akerele was born on August 10th 1974, to a the BILARO ruling house of Ijesaland.
He attended University of Ilorin where he bagged a B.A degree in history and eventually proceeded to the prestigious University of Arlington Texas where he obtained both is Masters and PhD in History. He also holds an MBA healthcare management from Dallas Baptist University.
A successful Prince of the soil, Dr. Akerele presently runs a top healthcare company in the US with a portfolio of over 7 billion USD, and still counting.
According to him, he is ready to take the position of the leadership of his home town where he has a lot of passion and drive to take to the next level considering his exposure in the international environment.
“I am passionate about the development of Ijesaland, I want to take our historical town and its people to a higher level of development through purposeful leadership through cooperation of all Ijesa sons and daughters both at home and abroad.
Adding that his intentions are pure and for the benefit of the sons and daughters of the ijesha land. “I intend to focus on the areas where the Ijesa’s have the comparative cost advantage over other towns in Yorubaland.
He has so far got the backings of the ijesa indigenes in diaspora to give him all the support in whatever way he might be needing them;
“ I have the support and assurance of Ijesa sons and daughters in the diaspora and they are ready to lend their hands and resources for the development of our ancestral land”
“I am ready to leave my comfort zone and answer the call of leadership to the throne of my forefathers, I have the pedigree, exposure, love and compassion to lead Ijeshaland and rewrite the history, culturally, economically and socially” he concluded.
It will be recalled that Ijeshas are a sub-ethnicity of the Yorubas of West Africa. Ilesha is the largest town and historic cultural capital of the Ijesha people, and is home to a kingdom of the same name, ruled by an Oba locally styled as the Owa Obokun Adimula. The last reigning Owa Obokun was Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, who joined his ancestors around September, 2023.
According to prince Oriyomi, “As Ijeshas, we need to connect our roots and stems to our present.
We (Ijeshas) are battle strong; we are smart business people; pace setters in everything we do. Our excellence should be studied.
What we need is a synergy of our strengths and a strong purpose of our collectivity’
He stressed further that if opportune to ascend the throne of his  ancestors, he will work with everyone to make Ijeshaland a prosperous land that would beam with pride, success while creating a generation of immaculate community.
”From our major towns of Iperindo, Ijebu-Ijesha, Osu, Esa Oke, Ikeji Arakeji, Owena, Imesi Ile, Ifewara and other several villages, we will have a land that we would bemoans opportunities and bliss” He added.
Dr. Oriyomi is married to princess Oluwaseun Akerele nee Bakre of the Gbagura clan of Egbaland.

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Folake Soetan, Shettima, Okewale, others to Speak as WHATrybe annual confab holds Sunday

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Dr. Kole A. Shettima, author and Director, The MacArthur Foundation, Africa Office and Folake Soetan, the CEO, Ikeja Electric PLC will lead high-powered speakers at the Women High Achievers Trybe (WHATrybe) 2024 annual conference to be held Sunday 10 March at 4:00pm.
The upcoming free one-day virtual event themed “Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges,” is in commemoration of International Women’s Day.
WHATrybe is a Nigerian non-profit community dedicated to inspiring and empowering women to attain leadership roles in business and management services.
Speaking on the forthcoming virtual gathering, Kiki Okewale, the host and Convener, WHATrybe Community said this year’s conference asides giving women a new reorientation of being a woman with value, it also aims to celebrate the achievements of women while also advocating for gender inclusion and empowerment.
“With a strong emphasis on breaking barriers and fostering connections, this year’s event seeks to inspire women to overcome obstacles and build bridges towards a more inclusive and equitable society. We are coming together to celebrate the achievements of women, break down barriers, and build bridges towards a more inclusive and empowered future,” Okewale stated.
She added that to achieve this, a lineup of distinguished speakers who are leaders and experts in their respective fields have been lined up to share their insights and experiences during the conference.
Other speakers include Dr. Tewa Onasanya, founder,Exquisite Magazine; Josephine Osomwonken Omoniyi, Clinical Psychologist and Entrepreneur; Mabel Adeteye, Head of Brands & Marketing, Wema Bank; Karika Yonreme, Corporate Strategist; and Etemore Glover, Seasoned Development Expert.
The event will be hosted by the dynamic podcaster and coach, The Energetic EJ.
Registration is open now while interested attendees can reserve a spot at the conference by visiting: https://bit.ly/Whatrybe2024 and stay tuned for further updates on WHATrybe social media pages @whatrybe. They can also visit Bit.ly/WHATcommunity to be a member of the community.

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