Author: Khadijah Olowode

A new York-based lawyer and chartered accountant, Chief Owolabi Salis has lauded the Senate for putting the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) under the Presidency. The agency is currently under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Speaking against the backdrop of the move, Salis in a statement from his United States (US) base described the news as gratifying and a bold step towards grassroots governance. According to him, the move would no doubt provide the necessary support base to assist the poor who are enduring serious multi-dimensional suffering. The lawyer and charted accountant noted that the new…

A legal practitioner, Barrister Tiamiyu Sule Adegboyega Omoloye is one of the twelve Princes showing interest in the vacant obaship stool of Eko-Ende, a community in Ifelodun North Local Council Development Area (LCDA), in Osun State. The stool became vacant on Sunday, 23 March, 2023, when the last occupant, the late Oba Rauf Olaniyan Ajiboye joined his ancestors. Oba Olaniyan Ajiboye was from Olaigbo Ruling House. Before Oba Olaniyan Ajiboye was Oba Raji Oladosu who was from the Eesaorun section of the Ayedun Ruling house. Ayedun Ruling House has three Sections; Obatiwajoye, Aromawe and Eesaorun. And with the departure of…

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, OON, has declared the 23rd National Women’s Conference open, saying that women have the capacity to transform not only individual lives but also the broader landscape of our nation and the world if given the needed support. Giving a Keynote Address at the Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, COWLSO, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island on Tuesday, 17 October, 2023, Senator Tinubu urged participants at the event to work together, collaborate, and support one another to ensure that every woman in Nigeria has the…

Ofoma Chinemerem Victoria, a dynamic and talented model, has emerged as the winner of the highly anticipated 5th Edition of Miss Silver Africa Beauty Pageant. The prestigious event, held recently in Enugu state, showcased the beauty, grace, and intelligence of young women from across the region. Victoria, a student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she is studying Microbiology, has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Her remarkable achievements in academics and her passion for modeling have set her apart from the competition. In addition to her modeling talents, Victoria possesses a multitude of other skills…

The Agege Sports Club concluded her Annual Retreat on Saturday, 14 October, 2023 where new Executive Council members to pilot the affairs of the club for the next two years were inaugurated. The two-day retreat commenced on Friday, 13 October and ended on Saturday, 14 October, 2023. The Retreat, hosted by Hon. Dr. Oluyinka Ogundimu at his expansive and serene YBII Farms Resort, Kobape, Abeokuta, is an annual getaway for members to bond, relax and refresh. The newly inaugurated Exco members are: Stanley Adiele, President; Jamiu Ajiboye, Vice President; Oluseyi George, General Secretary; Collins Aladesanmi, Assistant General Secretary; Tajudeen Tijani,…

The Accountable Leadership for Better Nigeria Initiative (ALBNI) has faulted the purchase to the tune of N57.6 billion of brand new Toyota Prado SUVs for 360 Nigerian lawmakers. ALBNI, a civil rights organisation described the purchase at the time the nation is confronted with unprecedented hardship as reckless, insensitive and unfortunate. The group, in a statement on Tuesday, 17 October, 2023 by its Lead Director, Mr. Remi Adebayo, said plunging such humongous resources to buy vehicles at this moment speaks volume about how contemptuous the political class holds the people. “Claiming that the SUVs are not gifts but properties of…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has announced significant strides in the realm of solar power, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address climate change issues in Nigeria. Ogbuku spoke when a delegation from the Asteven International Company made a presentation on Renewable Energy and Carbon Credit at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt. The NDDC Chief Executive Officer affirmed: “Our target is that every community in the Niger Delta region will be powered by solar; which is renewable and a cheap form of energy. In addition to this, we shall…

The Federal Government has raised concern over the misuse of $100 million (approximately N103 billion), earmarked for a World Bank-sponsored project meant to bring in women, encourage them in business, empower them, particularly in the field of Agriculture and give them little capital as well as teach them how to save. The government also said that very few women were gathered and were given stipends ranging from N30,000-N60,000 adding that rather than use modern instruments for their harvested farm produce, they were still using olden day equipment. The government threatened that should the United Nations and the international agencies refuse…

The Website of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC, (www.icpc.gov.ng) has again emerged overall best in the 2023 ranking of all Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies’ (MDAs) websites by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR). The award was presented to the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, OFR, who was represented at the event by Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, Spokesperson of the Commission by the Director- General of BPSR, Mr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, at an award dinner which marked the end of a two day Conference titled: Nigeria Govtech Conference with a theme: Advancing Public…

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a musician: Aniji Shedrack Chidubem, (a.k.a Sanij-D) for allegedly defrauding a Briton, Susan Mclean, the sum of €9,300. The suspect was also alleged to have defrauded an American: Diana Rosado Gonzalax, the sum of US$2,000. He was arrested in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, based on credible intelligence on the activities of a syndicate of internet fraudsters. Chidubem allegedly impersonated one Christopher Rossi, a marine engineer that fixes boats and pipelines in Singapore. He was using Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp applications, with foreign phone…

Stakeholders in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State on Monday, 16 October, 2023, debunked claims in a viral online video that a 10kg bag of rice was given to be shared as palliative in Sokeye Community. At a meeting called by the leadership of the council to explain how the palliatives meant to alleviate the pains occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy were distributed, stakeholders said the formula used to share the bags of rice is the best they’ve ever seen in the state. Speaking at the event, Bishop Ezekiel Olukunle, who represented CAN on the committee…

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on October 13, 2023, arraigned Michael Anan Onimisi before Justice R.M Aikawa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna for developing a software code named: “Bee-Leaf” and “Real-Eve” to defraud First City Monument Bank Plc, the sum of N17.785 million. Onimisi was accused of developing the software to hack into the security measures of the bank, in order to defraud it. He was arraigned on six- count charges bordering on internet fraud and money laundering. One of the count reads “that you, Michael Anan Onimisi, sometimes in June, 2023, in Kaduna within…

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, 16 October, 2023, recommitted his administration to actions and interventions that would make quality food affordable and accessible within the State. The Governor said the ongoing development of Food Security Systems and Central Logistics Park in Ketu-Ereyun, Epe, was part of the current interventions by his Government to ensure food affordability, stressing that the facility would help bring the food market closer to the consumers and scale down food prices. Sanwo-Olu joined hundreds of farmers at Lagos Farm Fair – an event held at the Police College in Ikeja for the commemoration of…

Nigerian billionaire and businessman from the South East, Prince Arthur Eze on Sunday, 15 October, 2023, commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as fairness in his recent appointments of Ministers and heads of agencies, saying he should be supported to succeed. Opinions have been divided among power brokers and politicians over the recent appointments made by the President to Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government. While some alleged lopsidedness in the appointments in favour of the Yoruba, others said they were not carried along. But at the Holy Mass to mark the 65th Birthday of Rev Fr Patrick…

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested one Chike Nosa Agada, an unlicensed foreign exchange dealer, for an alleged N2bn fraud. Agada, a 37-year old native of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, was declared wanted by the Commission on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, for obtaining money by false pretence and stealing by conversion to the tune of N2 billion He was arrested at a residence in the Bourdillion, Ikoyi area of Lagos on Monday, 16 October, 2023 during a sting operation by operatives of the Commission, following credible intelligence linking him to the…

The Lagos State Government has reopened Ladipo Market, Mushin, after meeting the most essential criteria, set for reopening sealed markets. According to the state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, business activities would commence at the popular spare parts market, after its recent closure for various environmental infractions. He noted that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu prioritised the issue of clean environment, public health, and safety, in line with the THEMES Plus agenda, which informed the recent drive, to enforce strict compliance with waste management best practice, across markets in the state. The Managing Director/CEO…

The Chairman of Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, Honourable Razaq Olusola Ajala, has advised leadership of the Council’s Community Development Council (CDC) and 30 Community Development Associations (CDAs) to complement the efforts of the his administration in particular and the state government at large in developing the grassroots. Hon Ajala disclosed this on Thursday, 12 October, 2023, during the inauguration of the new leadership for the CDC and CDAs in the council area. “You’re the eyes of the government at the grassroots level, you’re very close to the local residents. “I want to urge to avail yourself with this opportunity…

The Ajijola Ruling House of Araromi Tope Eleranigbe in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State have announced the passing away of their family head, Omo Oba Shaffy Adeleke Ajijola (FCA ,FCEA,FICM U.K). Omo Oba Ajijola who is the father of Araromi Eleranigbe monarch, Oba Hameed Adejoro Ajijola died on Tuesday 10th October 2023 after a brief illness. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites. He was aged 84. Omo Oba Ajijola who was also the Olori Ebi Iyalode/Erinle House of Epe was born on 17 October 1939. He is survived by Oba(Dr) Hameed Adejoro Ajijola (Olu of…

By Wole Olujobi “Call me Banchioc, only Banchioc can save me now,” yelled Honore de Balzac, the impossible French novelist and playwright, who in one moment of desperation for survival on his deathbed, sought salvation in a certain physician. But Banchioc was never a doctor: he was a fictional character in one of Balzac’s great books, who sought physical salvation in the world of illusion. But there is a sense in which actual reality can also be found in the world of illusion, and so unreality becomes a reality, and this is where Franz Kafka triumphed as the grand prince…