Author: Khadijah Olowode

By Rafiu Ajakaye In 1867, a former US Secretary of State William Seward committed $7.2m of taxpayers’ money to seal a deal that bought Alaska from Russia, triggering a flurry of reactions that culminated in the media historically dubbing the development ‘Seward’s folly’ and calling it an outright waste of public resources. Poor Seward would become a hero a few years after. In 1869, US netted a huge gold deposit in Alaska. A few years later, Alaska yielded a humongous oil find for the United States, making the $7.2m totally inconsequential. That speaks to vision — or luck? Closer home,…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has distributed palliatives to flood-prone communities across the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State, as part of its efforts to mitigate the effects of flooding on the people of the state. Speaking during the handover of the various palliatives in Yenagoa, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the distribution of the relief materials was the Commission’s response to the challenges confronting the people and a way of cushioning the effects of the perennial flooding in many communities across the state. The Managing Director, who was represented by the NDDC Director, Procurement,…

Ogun State House of Assembly has passed the Year 2024 Appropriation Bill of N703,028,013,431.64 earlier presented to it for consideration by Governor Dapo Abiodun. The Appropriation Bill was presented about four weeks ago, with a review in the capital and recurrent expenditures as well as projected revenue of 18 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The Bill was titled: “A Bill for a Law to authorise the issue and Appropriation of the sum of Seven Hundred and Three Billion, Twenty-Eight Million, Thirteen Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-One Naira, Sixty-Four Kobo Only from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the Services of Ogun…

It was a day filled with joy, love, and laughter as family, friends, and well-wishers gathered at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Kpansia, Yenagoa to honor the matriarch of the Ogbuku family. Mama Victoria’s birthday celebration was an occasion to cherish, a testament to the impact she has had on everyone fortunate enough to know her. The event was graced by the presence of esteemed guests, who joined in the festivities to celebrate a woman of strength, wisdom, and grace. The joyous atmosphere was infectious, reflecting the love and respect that Mama Victoria has inspired in…

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire has described the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as a committed, loyal and courageous democrat who always say the truth no matter whose ox is gored. The Presidential Aide disclosed this on Thursday, 28 December, 2023, via statement on the death of the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Akeredolu died on Wednesday, 27 December, 2023, after long battle with Leukemia. He was aged 67. Princess Orelope-Adefulire described the news of the death of Akeredolu as sudden, sad and tragic,…

Zenith Bank Plc has been named the “Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria” in the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023, underscoring the bank’s pioneering and outstanding achievements in delivering cutting-edge digital financial solutions. Speaking on the recognition, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, said, “We are delighted to receive the distinction as the Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria. This accolade serves as a validation of Zenith Bank’s trailblazing initiatives in integrating advanced technology within Nigeria’s financial services sector. Our commitment to expanding the horizons of digital financial services is unwavering, and we…

By Emmanuel Oladesu Tale of Nigerian politicians who rode into prominence on their fathers’ influence Hitherto, they were unknown. But because of the political influence of their biological parents and the relevance of their families in the polity, they are becoming emerging power brokers. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the activities of a special breed of politicians who are products of dynasties, tightening their grip on power. Born to Rule’ was the slogan adopted by Sokoto, the Seat of the Caliphate. Due to public outcry, especially from the South, it was changed. But now, the tagline has a wider…

A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and former presidential aspirant in the 2023 election, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim on Wednesday recommended “rapid security reform measures that would permanently arrest the unending waves of bloodletting at the local levels.” He was reacting to the Christmas Eve attack in some communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State by suspected Fulani militia leading to the death of over 100 persons. While stating that the Plateau killings have defied several measures by past administrations, he said the efforts of the military “did not stop the killers from their bloodthirsty quest”,…

By Prof Chris Anyokwu Earth writhes in revolt Its core sodden with life-fluids haemorrhage Of ashen flowers long Starved of chlorophyll, The sun keeping her disdainful distance. The forest, the forest lies Blinking shards of expired logs as saplings struggle to peep through Shrouds of embering ash That wilt their yellowing petals… Insensate to stimuli, Pachyderms stomp in Bacchic abandon,lost In nirvana of orchestrated joys! Festivities in black The earth mourns her Spawn mown down at high noon,miles away from laughter. Gory festival! When shall it all cease? Who shall prick the calloused soles of forest tetrarchs to sodden earth?…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has heaped praises and commendations on the House of Representatives member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Honourable James Abiodun Faleke, describing him as “Commander, Headmaster, Arranger and Lead Orchestra of our campaign”. Speaking at the Lagos Stakeholders meeting which took place on Wednesday, 27 December, 2023, at the Lagos House Marina, President Tinubu singled out Faleke for profuse praises. Doing a flashback to the events leading to the struggle put his presidential structure on ground, the Presidential Primaries, the camping and eventual elections, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces spoke glowingly of Hon. Faleke on…

The Senator representing Lagos West District in the National Assembly, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, has condoled with the Government and good people of Ondo State, especially the Akeredolu family of Owo Kingdom over the demise of the former Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN). Senator Adebule also commiserated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum over the unfortunate death of former Governor Akeredolu whom she described as “a pillar of our great Party, the APC”. Senator Adebule described Aketi’s death as tragic and painful. According to her, the former President of…

The Acting National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. (Arc.) Setonji Koshoedo has said that the death of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, was a “personal loss”. Describing Na’Abba as his mentor, Koshoedo praised the late politician for his stance on good governance, nation building and transparency in politics. “He was a grassroots politician who brought his belief in ideal democracy to national politics,” the Koshoedo said in a statement on Wednesday, 27 December, 2023. “This stood him out as one of the best Speakers of the House of Representatives in…

The death of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has been described as a huge loss not only to Ondo State where he was the elected Governor until his demise but also to the Nigerian nation. Arakunrin Akeredolu, until his death on Wednesday, 27 December, 2023, the Governor of Ondo State. Reacting to the death of the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Wednesday, 27 December, 2023, the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the highest political decision making body in Lagos State said the late Ondo State Governor until his death was a dependable ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “His…

The Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Cornelius Ojelabi, has described the death of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, as sad and tragic. He also expressed shock at the transition of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Malam Umar Ghali Na’Abba, which sad event occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, 27 December, 2023. The APC Leader who was a member of the sixth Assembly of the House of Representatives, described the death of the politicians as a big blow to the country’s democracy as the two of them contributed to…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday, 27 December, 2023, described the death of his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, as tragic. Akeredolu succumbed to leukaemia in Lagos on Wednesday. He was 67. In his condolence message to the acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the family of the deceased and Ondo people, Prince Abiodun described Akeredolu, who until his death was the chairman of the South West Governors Forum, as a a dogged fighter throughout his life time. According to him, Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association…

Governor Dapo Abiodun has described the death of a former speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba as a great loss, not only to his family and Kano State, but to Nigeria. The former Speaker reportedly died early on Wednesday, 27 December, 2023, at the age of 65 years. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 1999 and replaced Salisu Buhari, also from Kano State as Speaker after a certificate scandal. Governor Abiodun acknowledged the contributions made by Hon. Na’Abba during the period of his speakership when Nigeria was just coming out of a…

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of his Ondo State counterpart, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), describing his death as a colossal loss to the country and Ondo State in particular. Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued on Wednesday, 27 December, 2023, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Akeredolu would be greatly missed for his positive impacts in Ondo State, South-West and Nigeria as a whole. He also commiserated with the Ondo State Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Akeredolu’s widow, Dr. Betty Akeredolu, and the entire family and friends of the deceased. The Governor also…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has expressed sadness over the death of Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN. Makinde, in a statement on Wednesday, 27 December, 2023, stated that the death of the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is a sad loss to Yorubaland and Nigeria. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to his wife, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the entire family, and the Government and people of Ondo State. Describing Akeredolu, who until his death was the Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, as a dogged and courageous leader, the Oyo State governor said Aketi, as he…

It is a difficult task to have to pen a tribute and sing a dirge for a departing soul. It is a more difficult job in our African culture when one is compelled to do so for a younger person. Here I am with the difficult job of singing a dirge for Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, my beloved brother, confidant, political soulmate and Governor of Ondo State. I cannot fairly capture in words Rotimi’s towering figure and his human essence. Rotimi was a man who moved our nation towards equity, fairness and justice in his strident advocacy against every form of…

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools of Nigeria (ASUSS) Ogun State chapters have commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for the Christmas bonus paid to civil and public servants in the state. The two unions, in their separate letters of appreciation, signed by the state’s Chairman of TUC, Akeem Lasisi, and Comrades Felix Oluwaseun Agbesanwa and Bankole Oluwaseyi, Chairman and Secretary of ASUSS respectively, described Governor Abiodun as a true leader, who has the interest of the state workforce at heart. Lasisi, in his letter on behalf of TUC, said the payment of the Christmas…