Events

Zenith Bank Receives D’Tigress (vows to continue support for basketball)

Published

8 years ago

September 2, 2017

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Sponsor of the National Women Basketball League, Zenith Bank, on Thursday received the victorious AfroBasket champions, D’Tigress at the company’s headquarters in Lagos.

The Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Peter Amangbo, congratulated the players and officials for the remarkable feat recorded in Bamako, Mali.

D’Tigress were glorious at the championship as they won all their matches including two against the defending champions and tournament favourites, Senegal. The first was a group match which they won 58-54 and the second was the final which ended 65-48.

Amangbo stressed that the bank and indeed Nigerians were proud of the achievement of the team at the AfroBasket

He said: “It was not only the win that was exciting but also the way you won. During the competition, we were following your progress with keen interest and it is heartwarming that you came back as champions.

“We always support people who are committed just like you. Nigerians have made a mark in basketball. We all know about the exploits of Akeem Olajunwon. Raptors is my favourite team and the GM of the team is a Nigerian.”

The Zenith Bank boss also stressed that the company will throw its weight behind the team for the World Championship slated for Spain next year.

“Now that you are going to Spain, we are going to support you again for the competition,” he added.

Captain of the team, Aisha Muhammed, commended the bank for hosting the team, and supporting the game in the country.

“I am happy to be here because the support Zenith has been giving the game is a big one for our colleagues playing in Nigeria,” she said.

The team was rewarded with cash awards, which were paid into accounts opened for them during the visit, and for which they were all presented with Debit Cards.

The vice president of the Nigeria basketball federation, Babatunde Ogunade, who led the team showered praises on Zenith Bank for its continued support for the game.

He noted the fact that the bank had through its sponsorship of the women league enabled Nigerians women basketballers to challenge for the leadership of game in Africa.

Ogunade also said that three members of the winning team, Chioma Udeaja, Nkechi Akashili and Upe Atosu featured in the recently held Zenith Women league.

Events

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

Published

1 year 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

1 year 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

2 years 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.