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Tinubu confers second highest national honour, GCON on Awujale

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President Bola Tinubu on Friday conferred the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of Order of Nigeria on the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, for his immeasurable and invaluable contributions to national development.

 

Tinubu gave the honour at the 90th birthday ceremony of the paramount ruler held at the Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

 

“Because Oba Adetona has honoured our country and humanity with his many years of meritorious service, I therefore, on this special occasion of his 90th birthday ceremony, confer on him the second highest National Honour of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON),” Tinubu said.

 

The President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, also announced that the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos has been directed to take over the management of Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance which the royal father bequeathed to the university.

The President described Awujale as an extraordinary royal father and hero of Nigeria’s democracy who is adored all over the country for his sincerity of purpose and courage in the face of any adversity threatening national development.

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The event also featured the presentation of a book “Reinventing Governance in Nigeria: The Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona Model” as well as the Oba Sikiru Annual Professorial Chair lecture delivered by Prof Akinsola Agagu.

 

Agagu spoke on “Changing Nigeria’s Governance Narratives”.

 

Speaking on the monarch, Tinubu said, “Kabiyesi Adetona deserves all the accolades we can accord him because he earned them.

“In the last 64 years, Kabiyesi had served the people of Ijebuland with a clear vision and rare dedication. It is not surprising that his kingdom and people have continued to thrive.

 

“While we rejoice with the highly revered Oba Adetona today, it is important to say that what we are celebrating is much more than his 90th birthday. In Oba Adetona, we are celebrating courage, dignity, honour and a life that is only committed to duty and service.

 

“In times of adversity, Oba Adetona showed kingly and firm character. He stood his ground and confronted oppression during our struggle for the restoration of democratic rule between 1992 and 1999.

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“If democracy is blossoming in our country today it is because patriarchs like Oba Adetona stood on the side of the people”

 

He disclosed that as a result of many years of meritorious service to the country and humanity, “the Federal Government has decided to bestow the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of Order of Nigeria, on Oba Adetona as a reward for his selfless service to the fatherland.”

 

Speaking earlier, the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, described the paramount ruler as a bundle of talent, and an incorruptible monarch who is fiercely committed to justice, fairness and upliftment of the nation.

 

Abiodun celebrated Oba Adetona for being a foremost promoter of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence saying that his legendary acts of giving and various philanthropic activities have always made him to be such a rare royal father.

 

He said the 90-year-old monarch represents the beauty and candour of the unrivalled and ancestral heritage of the Ijebu nation praying the Almighty God to further preserve the traditional ruler for many more years to come.

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The programme had in attendance former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his wife, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Former Governors of Ogun State; Chief Olusegun Osoba, Sen Gbenga Daniel as well as Sen Ibikunle Amosun.

 

In his welcome speech, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Ayodeji Agboola, described Oba Sikiru Adetona as a rare royal father and the greatest individual benefactor to the institution.
Prof Agboola explained that the monarch  had in 2014 as part of activities to commemorate his 80th birthday endowed a professorial chair in governance in the university and that this professorial chair which was inaugurated in 2016 now worth over N1bn.
The Vice-Chancellor added that the donation of the multi-billion naira school of governance with state-of-the-art facilities will forever remain an enduring legacy of Oba Adetona towards entrenchment of good governance not only in Nigeria but across the African continent.

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Bring husband to daddy, Ooni urges daughter as she clocks 30

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Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, has eulogised his daughter, Princess Adeola Ogunwusi, on her 30th birthday, but reminded her to “bring a husband to daddy”.

 

The Ooni who took to his Instagram handle to celebrate his daughter prayed God continue to be with her in all her endeavours.

 

Recalling his words to her in decades, he said when she was 10 years old, he advised her about school and her future.

 

At 20, he urged her to understand the values of morals and well-being. And now that she’s 30, she should “bring husband to daddy”.

 

He wrote: “Princess Adeola, Aanuoluwapo, Atutunini, Bamdefe Ogunwusi, Omo Ojaja II. I am truly grateful for the fulfilling life you have lived. May God Almighty continue to be with you in all your endeavors. Amen!

 

“When you turned 10, your father would talk to you about school and your future. At 20, he encouraged you to listen and understand the importance of morals and well-being, even as you sought independence.

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“Now that you are 30, you are a grown woman. Your father senses that you no longer wish to be advised as independence has finally set in.

 

“I talked 10 to you and I got your subtle independence behaviour in return, I talked 20 to you and still got your near obvious independence behaviour in return. Now I’m talking 30 to a grown woman, so go and bring husband to daddy o…

“With love from the throne of Oduduwa.”

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Grim challenge: After 38 years in UK, Physically challenged Nigerian faces deportation

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A disabled Nigerian man, who has resided in the UK for 38 years, is facing the prospect of being forcibly removed from the country by the Home Office, the Guardian UK reports.

 

Anthony Olubunmi George, now 61 years old, arrived in the UK at the age of 24 back in 1986, from Nigeria.

 

Since then, he has remained in the UK and, according to the Guardian, has a clean record with no criminal convictions.

 

In 2019, he experienced two strokes that had a significant impact on his ability to speak and move.

 

According to George, he no longer has any immediate relatives residing in Nigeria.

 

He is said to have faced numerous episodes of homelessness and admitted that he has lost track of the countless friends who have sheltered him over the years.

 

George said, “I don’t know how many different sofas I’ve slept on – too many to count. I don’t have my life, living the way I’m living now. My health problems since I had my stroke are my biggest worry. All I’m asking for is some kindness from the Home Office.”

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George has submitted multiple applications for leave to remain in the UK, all of which have been denied by the Home Office, with the most recent rejection occurring on May 7, 2024.

 

In 2005, his previous solicitors submitted a falsified entry stamp in his passport which has since been reported to the police and the legal regulatory bodies.

 

I am still in UK, lady in viral video debunks report of relocating to Nigeria

According to George, he was completely unaware of the passport stamp until several years later, as he revealed to the Guardian.

 

According to his current lawyer, Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors, George’s difficulties can be attributed to his poor past legal representation.

 

In their latest rejection, officials from the Home Office stated that the situation was not deemed to be an exceptional circumstance.

 

Kandiah has filed an appeal challenging the most recent denial.

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Kandiah said, “My client has been living in limbo for 38 years, with no family, has suffered two strokes and has no family left in Nigeria.

 

“His situation is not just because of Home Office policies but also because of poor representation by previous solicitors who failed to uphold professional integrity and ethical standards.”

 

A spokesperson for the Home Office told the Guardian that, “applications have to be considered on their merits in accordance with the immigration rules with the responsibility on applicants to demonstrate they meet these rules.

The Guardian also covered the story of Nelson Shardey, a 74-year-old newsagent from Merseyside.

 

Shardey has been living in the UK since 1977 and was recently denied indefinite leave to remain by the Home Office, despite having spent the majority of his adult life in the country.

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Duoye Diri, Tunji-Ojo, Esther Ajayi, Odunbaku, others receive Triangle Media Award in London

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Dignitaries from Nigeria and across the United Kingdom stormed the city of London on Friday, May 17 2024, for the 2nd edition of Triangle Face of Africa Award.

Triangle Face of Africa Leadership Award is a yearly event that honours Nigerians and Africans who have positively impacted lives and also distinguished themselves in their areas of endeavors.

 

The 2024 event was spiced with a lecture titled, “Navigating Security Challenges in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Approach to Solutions” was delivered by the duo of Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola and Dr. Nathaniel Oyinloye.

Dignitaries honoured at the London event include Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri; the Nigerian Interior Minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; General Overseer of the Love of Christ Generation, Rev. (Dr) Esther Abimbola Ajayi; renowned clergy and APC stalwart, Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku (Baba Eto) and the Chief of Staff to Lagos State, Tayo Ayinde.

 

Other honorees include the Chief of Staff to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rev.(Mrs) Ijeoma Ajibade; the National Director for Safeguarding Church of England, Alexander Kubeyinje and the CEO of EB Properties, Sunday Aderibigbe,Mr Kayode Adegbite,Festus Akingbaso,Hon.Bamidele salam and Abiola Oladapo and Olumide Tijani

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While welcoming the honorees and guests to the event, the publisher of Triangle Magazine, Otunba Femi Salako thanked dignitaries and guests present at the event for honoring him with their valued presence.

 

Otunba Salako emphasized that the yearly award was intended to celebrate the achievements of outstanding Nigerians and Africans that have made significant contributions to their communities and the world at large. He also added that the yearly award was a platform that would inspire Nigerians and Africans across the globe to strive towards excellence.

Salako also described topic of the event’s lecture as thought provoking and timely in view of the security challenges confronting Nigeria. He however, appreciated the two guest lecturers, Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola and Dr. Nathaniel Oyinloye for their robust intellectual contributions, which made the lecture quite insightful and invaluable.

 

“This award ceremony is not just about recognizing individual achievements, but also about creating a platform to inspire others to strive for excellence. We aim to bring together leaders and change-makers from various fields to celebrate African excellence and promote unity and progress”.

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While Otunba Salako congratulated the honorees for their well deserved recognition, he also charged them to continually make impacts in their communities and the world at large. He also urged the guests and the honorees to celebrate the excellence inherent in Africa. He further urged Africans to inspire one another, and work together towards a brighter future for the African continent.

 

The roll call of guests at the event include the UK Mobility Security, Compliance Vice President of EMEA, Nicanor Chavez; the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Duoye Diri, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, who represented the Bayelsa State Governor; Chief (Mrs) Simi Odunmbaku, who represented her husband and the Lagos State Chief of Staff; son of the General Overseer of the Love of Christ Generation, Emmanuel Ajayi; publisher of African Briefing,John Offei-Ansah; and the magazine’s editor, Desmond Davies; clergymen amongst others.

 

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