News

”We have lost a good guy and a consummate businessman”- Wale Tinubu Mourns Ogunbanjo

Published

6 months ago

February 12, 2024

Adebayo

Since last Friday the entire business world has been thrown into mourning mood over the death of Acess bank PLC, boss, his wife, son and also Abimbola Ogunbanjo that all died in the ill fated chopper crash in the US.

The Group Chief Executive, Oando Group, Jubril Adewale Tinubu, in his heartfelt tribute , he described late Abimbola Ogunbanjo as good guy and a consummate businessman whose contribution to the Nigerian Stock Exchange would be remembered for a very long time.

Tinubu wrote:

The world knew you as Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former President of the National Council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and more recently the former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) where you played a pivotal role in the demutualization of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
I knew you as Oluwabims. The dashing, debonair, stylish, and joyful lawyer.
It’s with a heavy heart that I note that we won’t do 37 years of friendship. We have lost a good guy and the business world, a consummate businessman.
I take solace in the knowledge that you lived life to the fullest, and though gone too soon, we are blessed with many years of beautiful memories.
May your Soul rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Ogunbanjo family, and may the Good Lord grant every one of us the fortitude to bear this great loss.
Craigo, to say you’ll be missed, is an understatement. Rest easy, my good friend.

8 / 100

News

Otunba Gbenga Daniel Reveals Why Road to Prof. Wole Soyinka’s Home Was Not Tarred During His Tenure

Published

2 weeks ago

July 16, 2024

Adebayo

Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the senator representing Ogun East District at the National Assembly, has disclosed why the road leading to the country home of the legendary Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, in Ogun State was not tarred during his tenure as governor.

Daniel, who governed Ogun State from 2003 to 2011, shared this during an event organised in honour of Prof. Soyinka’s 90th birthday in Isara Remo.

As chairman of the event, Otunba Daniel extolled the virtues of the Nobel laureate, highlighting his selfless service to humanity and his commitment to environmental preservation.

Daniel recounted an incident where Professor Soyinka declined the government’s offer to tar the road leading to his house in Abeokuta. Soyinka preferred the natural state to avoid noise and pollution, ensuring a habitat for local wildlife.

“When I visited Prof. in his house in Abeokuta, the road was not tarred and no air-conditioner; nothing. So I said, Prof., why don’t you put an air-conditioner? He said, ‘I want fresh air. Our fathers didn’t have air-conditioners and they lived long.’ So today that he’s 90, I’m not surprised. And I won’t be surprised if he goes on to 100 or 120.

“But the other thing was that I said, okay oga, let us come and tar this road for you. He said, ‘Don’t tar the road.’ I said, why? He said, ‘By the time you tar this road, vehicles will just be going up and down; this will lead to noise and pollution. I enjoy killing eiye aparo (partridge), and I aim my dane gun whenever I feel like it and shoot at eiye aparo and I have food to eat. By the time you tar this place, vehicles will be going up and down and eiye aparo will not be available any longer.’ That’s Professor Wole Soyinka, the naturalist,” Otunba Daniel narrated.

Ogidi Omo, as the former governor was fondly called, then went on to appreciate the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for naming a major street in Abuja and the National Theatre in Lagos after the professor.

In a surprising turn of events, the Isara market women honoured Otunba Daniel with various foodstuffs and insisted on taking pictures with him.

The grand event took place on Monday, 15 July 2024, at Afotamodi Town Hall, Isara-Remo, Ogun State.

It featured the presentation of a book titled Isara: A Voyage Around Essay and other educational materials to students by Prof. Soyinka’s children.

As the first black Nobel Laureate in Literature, Prof. Soyinka’s works and legacy continue to inspire generations, making the event a fitting tribute to his remarkable contributions to humanity.

51
/ 100

News

Olota of Otta Advocates Cultural Preservation During European Tour

Published

1 month ago

June 26, 2024

Adebayo

In continuation of the ongoing Europe Tour, His Majesty, Olota of the Paramount and Ancient Ottaland, Awori Kingdom, Professor Adeyemi Obalanlege Ph.D, MCIPR, MPRII, FHEA (Lanlege Ekun II, Arole Iganmode) was warmly received at the Nigerian Embassy in Rome by a dedicated team led by Her Excellency, Amb. Gwendy Omijeh, the charge d’affairs, alongside key officials, including M.M. Lawal, H. Kwache-Adams, G. W. Gabkwet, A.O. Ahanonu, M.N. Tony-Bisong, and N.J. Ribi.

Welcoming His Majesty, Mrs Gwendy Omijeh commended Kabiyesi Olota for the diplomatic visit, and for the efforts in promoting culture and traditions. She described the tour “thoughtful”, as it will further integrate subjects living in Rome with their homeland.

During the diplomatic visit to Rome, Italy, His Majesty highlighted the importance of preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Awori people. Kabiyesi emphasized the significance of remembering one’s roots and encouraged his subjects to maintain strong ties with their homeland. He urged them to embrace their cultural identity, visit their ancestral land frequently, and actively promote and preserve the rich Awori Cultural Heritage.

Kabiyesi’s message resonates deeply in an era marked by rapid globalization and cultural homogenization. As traditional values and customs face the pressures of modernization, the Olota’s call for cultural preservation serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of heritage and identity.

As the Olota’s message reverberates beyond the confines of the embassy walls, it serves as a beacon of cultural resilience and a call to action for all to cherish, celebrate, and preserve the diverse cultural tapestry that enriches our world.

In his Majesty’s delegation; Alayeluwa Oba Adewunmi Adeniji Odutala (Onibudo of Ayetoro Itele Otta, Awori Kingdom), Chief Olusegun Johnson (Otunba of Otta, Awori Kingdom), Chief Okikiolu Fadayiro (Baamolu of Otta, Awori Kingdom), Prince Adewale Adeyanju (Culture and Tourism Consultant to His Majesty), Prince Adeyemi Sulaimon Olusesi (Principal Secretary to His Majesty & Omotobase of Otta, Awori Kingdom), and many others.

8
/ 100

News

Gbenga Daniel Advocates Reforms for Primary Education Under Local Government Control

Published

1 month ago

June 13, 2024

Adebayo

Former governor of Ogun State and now serving senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has expressed concern over the state of primary education in Nigeria, advocating for its control under local government administration. He believes that local governments, with full financial autonomy, are best suited to manage primary education in the country.

Daniel voiced this position in Lagos at a recent retreat organised by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for members of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education. As the chairman of the retreat, themed “Basic Education Implementation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Way Forward,” he emphasized that basic education would be more effectively managed if local governments were in charge.

“We should allow the local government to run basic education, especially at the primary school level, while the state should completely hand off other roles and rather concentrate on secondary education,” Daniel stated.

He identified several issues and challenges that need to be addressed to advance the subsector, including lack of access, poor infrastructure, a shortage of competent teachers and instructional materials, an obsolete curriculum, inadequate funding, high teacher/student ratios, limited access to technology, and societal and cultural barriers. Daniel emphasised that local governments are better equipped to tackle these issues.

The executive secretary of UBEC, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, highlighted the importance of a comprehensive review of the challenges facing basic education in the country to develop a practicable and enduring solution. He specifically mentioned the UBEC Act, noting that the 20-year-old legislation is overdue for revision to align with current global best practices in basic education, ensuring free and quality education for all Nigerian children.

Dr. Bobboyi underscored that now is the opportune moment for this review, especially as the country strives to overcome economic challenges.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Lawal Usman, expressed the committee’s commitment to charting a new course for basic education in Nigeria. He also emphasised the need to revisit the 2004 UBEC Act, promising that the retreat would address major issues in the document, relate them to emerging trends in the subsector, and develop practical recommendations for the way forward.

5
/ 100