Events

Zainab Marwa Drags Nigeria’s Heavyweights To Book Launch

Published

1 year ago

May 11, 2023

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Billionaire businessmen, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Femi Otedola top the list of private sector leaders who are expected to join state governors, ministers and other eminent personalities at the public presentation of a book: 101 Nigerian Women of Impact, authored by a member of the Presidential Transition Committee, Barrister Zainab Marwa, who is the daughter of former Lagos Military Administrator and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd).

The book presentation scheduled for Tuesday 16th May 2023 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, will be chaired by Borno state governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ọjájá II, and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar will attend as royal fathers of the day.

According to the author, Barr. Zainab Marwa, the book “documents the achievements of Nigerian women who have excelled in their diversified career paths so as to serve as an inspiration to more women to keep the pursuit of their aspirations alive.”

The global unveiling of the book was hosted by the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in New York, USA on March 8, 2023 in commemoration of International Women’s Day. Special guests who spoke at the US event include: Ambassador George Edokpa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN; Erelu Bisi Fayemi, former Chairperson of Nigerian Governors Wives Forum; Ambassador Lot Egopija, Consul General of Nigeria in New York; Mrs. Chioma Hope Uzodimma, wife of Imo State governor and Fatima Kakuri, Special Adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, among others.

Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina will present the book review while well celebrated compère, Ebere Young will host the event as master of ceremony. Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen and the Director General, National Centre for Women Development, Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir are expected to lead other top government functionaries to the occasion.

Also expected at the event are wives of state governors, top female politicians and members of the diplomatic corps and heads of foreign missions in Nigeria including United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale and UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Oliver Stolpe.

Events

Celebrating Oba Sikiru Adetona’s 64 Years As Oba; The King Many Monarchs Wish To Be

Published

6 months ago

April 2, 2024

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Celebrating Oba Sikiru Adetona 64 years as Oba; The King Many Monarchs Wish To Be

Oba Sikiru Adetona 64 years on throne

Blessed By God And Honoured By Men

Oba Dr Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland is the kind of king monarchs aspire to be, and at 64 years on the throne, that prestige has not waned a bit.

Installed as king on April 2, 1960, just a few months shy of Nigeria’s Independence, Awujale’s reign is currently older than the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As it stands, he is the longest-reigning first-class monarch in Nigeria. These are not mere statistics, they are hard facts that prove that Oba Adetona is a king blessed by God and honoured by men.

A cursory look at the life of this esteemed ruler is proof that when there are kings who are not limited in wisdom, power, goodness, and love for their subjects, then monarchy would be the best of all systems of government.

Every year, at the Ojude Oba festival, multitudes of Ijebu citizens throng home from all around the world to celebrate and felicitate with their beloved king. They do this not out of duty or an enforced obligation, but out of a deep-seated love for their king and their land.

But Awujale’s path to the throne was not one paved with velvet and inlaid with a thornless bed of flowers; no, it was rough, the journey was tough, and the experience could sometimes be bitter, as with that of men with great destinies. But these only served as stepping stones to his future, unanimously given, the throne.

Ọba Sikiru Olukayọde Adetọna, Ọgbagba Agbotewole II, was born 90 years ago on May 10, 1934, into the Royal House of Anikinaiya of Ijẹbuland in his father’s house in Imupa, Ijebu Ode.

As a prince from the line of Oba Adeleke, Ọgbagba Agbotewole I (c. 1825–1906), who was the Awujalẹ of Ijẹbuland from 1895 to 1906 and a descendant of Olu-Iwa, the legendary first Awujalẹ and Ọbanta, another founder of the Ijẹbu kingdom, Oba Sikiru was born to greatness.

After attending various Baptist Schools, Ereko, Ijẹbu-Ode; Ogbere United Primary School, Oke Agbo, Ijẹbu-Igbo; and Ansar-Ud-Deen School, Ijebu-Ode between 1943 and 1950, he attended Olu-Iwa (now Adeola Odutọla) College, Ijebu-Ode from 1951 to 1956. Between 1957 and 1958 he took up an appointment with the then Audit Department of the Western Region, Ibadan. From there on he resigned his appointment in 1958 to pursue further studies in accountancy in the United Kingdom.

By a letter dated January 4, 1960, referenced CB. 4 1/333, the Permanent Secretary in the Western Region Ministry of Local Government conveyed to the Local Government Adviser in Ijẹbu Ode approval of the Western Region Governor in Council, the appointment of Prince Sikiru Kayode Adetona as king, and his confirmation as the new Awujale of Ijebuland with effect from that date (January 4, 1960).

Prominent Ijẹbu sons like the late Ọgbẹni-Ọja, Chief (Dr.) Timothy Adeọla Odutọla, Bọbasuwa I, Chief Emmanuel Okusanya Okunọwọ (MBE, KFNM); and Aṣiwaju, Chief Samuel Ọlatubọsun Ṣhonibare began to arrange for the home-coming of the King-elect, and on January 18, 1960, the Head of the Ijẹbu Ode Regency Council, the Ọgbeni-Ọja, Chief Timothy Adeọla Odutọla formally presented the new traditional ruler to the whole world.

A man of tradition, he embarked on the customary traditional seclusion at the Odo for three months.

It would be remembered that even though Oba Sikiru Kayọde Adetọna had earlier been nominated along with five others by the ODIS, his great destiny prevailed and he was unanimously selected by the kingmakers in conformity with Section 11 of the Chiefs Law of 1957 applicable in Western Region. The then Governor signed the Instrument of Office approving Prince Sikiru Kayọde Adetọna as Awujalẹ of Ijẹbuland, and the formal coronation took place on Saturday, April 2, 1960.

But in the midst of all these, he had many documented and undocumented trials and travails.

Looking back, Oba Adetona’s extraordinary destiny serves history in preservation. His is a life to be wished for, a legacy that must be preserved, and a story that must continue to be told for generations to come.

Not many kings want their life story in the public domain, instead, as second-in-command to the gods, they prefer that air of mystery to ensure that their rule remains absolute and their personal affairs secret. But Awujale is a different kind of king – an erudite. He authored his biography, laying his cards bare and ensuring that many can learn the lessons of history through his life’s story. This is what formed the basis of the soon-to-be-released biopic, ‘Awujale’ by Ultimate Communications, as directed by Tunde Olaoye.

Currently gearing for an Ijebu premiere later this month, the film follows the life of Oba Sikiru through the ages in an unfolding story. This documents through film the life of one of the greatest obas in Yoruba Land.

As he marks his 90th birthday, it is only fitting that one should say ‘Kabiyesi O! Long may the crown sit on the head, long may the shoes fit the wearer, and long may you reign.” But in prayer, many would secretly say to the creator “May I be as great as the king, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebu Land.”

Seun Oloketuyi Producer of the biopic writes from Lagos

Entertainment

Style Meets Class At Billionaire, Tunde Ayeni’s Daughter Wedding Introduction

Published

10 months ago

December 4, 2023

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Placing all the odds that hounded his life recently in a paternity scandal behind, billionaire, Tunde Ayeni staged a superlative wedding introduction for his daughter some days ago.

It was an assembly of the rich and the super rich who witnessed the wedding introduction of Bolaji, the pretty daughter of billionaire, Tunde Ayeni on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

The 15A Herbert Macaulay crescent, GRA, Ikeja home of the billionaire who headed the defunct Skye Bank wore a colourful look, as the lord of the home, his wife and all their kids in a themed act displayed their rarest form of hospitality and embraced the full Yoruba culture in heralding the first stage of matrimony as they welcomed friends into their home.

As expected, the guest list was grand! Ayeni’s friends did not disappoint, they came in their intimidating numbers.

Former NDDC boss, Timi Alaibe, former Attorney-General, Bayo Ojo, former Governor of Western Region, General David Jemibewon, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Mogaji Wole Arisekola, Femi Falana, Chike Obi, Jide Omokore, Dakuku Peterside, Segun Awolowo, Orile of Ile-Ogbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, Senator Idris Umar, Yomi Awoniyi and many other dignitaries were spotted at the ceremony.

The Ayenis while expressing their appreciation after the event in a statement said ‘this auspicious occasion marks a significant milestone in our lives, and we are excited to share this momentous event with our dear friends and respected guests’.

Credit; Streetjournal Magazine

Events

‘she is a liar!’ Abuja Restaurant Fires Hilda Baci After Meet n Greet Scandal

Published

1 year ago

June 13, 2023

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Vibes By Ann Restaurant, Abuja has called popular chef, Hilda Baci a liar while threatening to sue her for contract breach.

The restaurant claimed to have paid the sum of 3 million naira to the Guiness Book of Record holder for a ‘Meet and Greet’ event and alleged she cancelled on them for no reason.

According to reports, the restaurant has advertised the event and placed a 25,000 naira per plate price on meals to be sold at the venue when Hilda dissociated herself from the event in her posts on social media.

The restaurant showing the receipt of a 3million naira payment made to Hilda for the event slated for June 24th, 2023 released a statement that the event has been cancelled and threatened to drag the chef before the courts.

Further investigations by this newspaper revealed that the restaurant did not put the prices of the food that would be served in the agreement and the noise it created must have made Hilda, who was just officially confirmed as the new record holder of the longest cook-a-thon denied knowledge of the event.