On 92nd Birthday, Soludo celebrates Cardinal Francis Arinze

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State has extended heartfelt greetings to His Eminence, Cardinal Francis Arinze, congratulating him on his 92nd birthday held on the 1st of November 2024.

Governor Soludo commended Cardinal Arinze as a most distinguished son of Anambra State and a global icon of the Catholic Church, whose life continues to be a towering testimony to uncompromising faith, intellectual brilliance, and selfless service to God and humanity.

He said Cardinal Arinze has been a bastion of spiritual wisdom, diplomatic excellence, and pastoral dedication throughout his ecclesiastical career. According to Governor Soludo, the Clerics’ exemplary leadership within the Catholic Church, particularly his significant roles in spreading the Gospel, promoting interfaith dialogue, and serving humanity with compassion and integrity are worthy of emulation.

The Anambra State First Citizen pointed out that Cardinal Arinze’s remarkable journey from Onitsha to the global stage of the Vatican, the seat of the Catholic Faith, signifies a profound source of pride for Anambra State and the country in general.

He extolled the Cleric as an illustrious son of Anambra State and joins his family and the Catholic faithful worldwide in wishing him divine guidance, good health, and inspirational leadership, with many blissful years ahead in the advancement of Catholicism.

Cardinal Arinze was born on the 1st of November 1932 in Eziowelle, a city of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, in Anambra State.

NADECO frontline member becomes Baagbimo of Owu Kingdom

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

A frontline member of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), United Kingdom Chapter, Chief Michael Kolawole Ogunseye has been installed as Baagbimo of Owu Kingdom, a ceremony held at the palace of Olowu of Owu Kingdom in Oke-Ago-Owu, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.

Ogunseye who flew in from United Kingdom with his wife Chief (Mrs) Toyin Ogunseye for the installation who was also installed as Yeye Baagbimo of Owu Kingdom were accompanied by family, friends and other well-wishers.

The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof) Saka Matemilola accompanied by his two Oloris and notable Owu Chiefs presented the duo with their certificates amidst loud ovation and fanfare which rented the palace.

Ogunseye on receipt of certificate expressed joy on the installation and assured the monarch about his readiness and genuine determination in contributing positively to development of the entire Owu community

The train of the celebrants later moved to Abeokuta Sports Club located along Presidential Boulevard, beside Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), where guests were equally entertained, winning and dining, with two notable musicians-Busola and Her Glorious band and Ogodo Egbega on band stand.

The royal fathers of the reception Oba Reuben Sogaolu of Orile-Imo and Oba Adedayo Okubena (Eleruwon of Eruwon) in their separate remarks pointed out that the installation of the Ogunseyes was a call to service.

The traditional rulers commended Ogunseye for his known philanthropic gestures, adding that they were glad to be part of the epoch ceremony and encouraged the couple on need to contribute their quota to developmental growth of the community

The Baagbimo of Owu Kingdom is from the Abuye family compound, Totoro, Owu, Abeokuta, and he is the son of late Madam Janet Ibiyemi Ashabi Ogunseye, and the Asiwaju of Gbagura Christians, as well as Akinlagun of Egba Christians.

The new High Chief was ordained Evangelist in 1998 by Baptist Church Evangelical Mission in United Kingdom and was a Warranty Manager and BP Oil and Gas as Offshore Accountant in the United Kingdom

He was a member of June 12 Alliance in the United Kingdom during the struggle for democracy in Nigeria, while in 1990 formed a human rights group called Justice for Nigeria, the group assisted many Nigerians that seek political asylum in the United Kingdom against the military rule junta.

The Owu chief who has received local and international awards for his humanitarian works in Africa, is a member of Labour Party in United Kingdom, and recently received Phd in leadership from Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative in 2024, while he is currently Chairman of Solace Drugs Abuse and Mental Health Advocacy Group under Oba Saka Matemilola Foundation

Meanwhile, notable personalities at the occasion include Prof Olusesi Obateye International Coordinator of Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative incorporated, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji(Founder Penpushing Media), Alhaji Salau(retired Permanent Secretary), Yemi Oke (Senior Advocate of Nigeria), Seyi Oladimeji(Director Ogun State Ministry of Information) and Chief Festus Kehinde(Former General Manager, Ogun State Television), as well as members of Abeokuta Sports Club among others

PRESIDENT TINUBU CELEBRATES OLORI ONIKEPO OLUFUNMIKE AKANDE ON HER 80TH BIRTHDAY

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Olori Onikepo Olufunmike Akande, OON, CON, as she joyfully marks her 80th birthday on 29 October.

A true pioneer, Onikepo  Akande holds the honour of being Nigeria’s first female Minister of Industry and the second female President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

In celebrating her, President Tinubu highlights Olori Akande’s trailblazing record and her contributions to Nigeria’s public and private sectors.

Affectionately known as Nike, she is revered not only as an exceptional leader but also as the Iyalaje Iyalode of Ibadanland, a devoted wife to Oba Adebayo Akande, the Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, a proud mother, and beloved grandmother.

In the early 1990s, she served as a director of the National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NICON) and the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank (NIDB), now known as the Bank of Industry. She was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Centre for Women Development in Abuja from 1992 to 1994.

President Tinubu commends her exceptional service as a boardroom player, public administrator, community leader, philanthropist, and business executive.

President Tinubu also praises Nike Akande for her tenure as Minister of Industry, acknowledging her dedication and commitment to driving progress in the nation.

Her remarkable career, bolstered by her Harvard education and expertise in investment, has earned her numerous national and international accolades, particularly in empowering women in commerce and entrepreneurship.

The President expresses deep gratitude to Nike Akande for her unwavering commitment to mentoring and uplifting others, asserting she is a role model to countless women across Nigeria.

He honours the Iyalaje Iyalode of Ibadanland as a symbol of beauty, diligence, courage, affection, and kindness. President Tinubu also notes her exemplary role as a supportive wife to a respected traditional ruler and as a mother whose children have achieved great success.

The President prays to God Almighty to bless Nike Akande with continued health and longevity, allowing her to share her inspiring life story and encourage others to embrace optimism and resilience.