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OPC @ 30: The struggles, the victories

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Thirty years of existence would be regarded as a milestone in the life of any organisation. It is even more a special milestone in the life of an organisation like the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

 

Like a very little beginnings, the OPC was formed on August 29, 1994, as a socio-cultural group to promote and protect the interest of the Yoruba race.

Three decades after, the OPC, like the biblical Mustard seed has grown to become a big Iroko tree, so that millions now seek refuge and comfort under its branches.

Expectedly, the National Coordinator of the organisation, Aare onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams and his team of dedicated members rolled out the drums to celebrate the milestone with a week-long of activities, which ended on Thursday, August 29, 2024, with a lecture on the journey of the OPC and the unveling of a book, titled: OPC @ 30: The journey so far.

 

Two days earlier, on Tuesday, August 27 2024, the OPC celebrated a monumental achievement. It was the official commissioning of the Oodua House, a one billion naira legacy project, situated on Ezekiel Street in Ikeja. To many, and indeed all those who have seen the building, Oodua House is more than a mere building. It represents a success story of an organisation, who agaisnt all odds has survived for 30 years!

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The Oodua House, according to Iba Adams, will be used to advance the common interest of the Yoruba people as well as preserve their cultural heritage.

The OPC also used the opportunity of the celebration to put smiles on the faces of the less-privileged and the old people. It visited the Wesley School; Pacelli School and the Old Peoples home among others, where it donated food items.

 

The grand finale, which held at the Ten Degrees hall in Oregun, Lagos, was a roll call of who is who. South West governors, who were strongly represented, commended Iba Adams and the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) for their contributions to regional security and the promotion of Yoruba culture and traditions.

The six governors, including Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, and Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, expressed their appreciation during the 30th anniversary celebration of OPC in Lagos. The event was attended by dignitaries, including traditional rulers, cultural organizations, and captains of industry.

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Representatives of the governors, including Saheed Olushola Balogun for Sanwo-Olu, Chief Fagbayi Olusesan for Abiodun, Chief Akeem Adesola for Makinde, and Otunba Dolamu Adeniyi for Oyebanji, all praised OPC and its leader, Iba Adams, for their efforts in safeguarding the region and preserving Yoruba heritage.

Governor Abiodun described the anniversary as symbolic and praised OPC for its role in protecting regional interests. Governor Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the group’s efforts in fostering unity and urged them to continue their good work. Governor Makinde lauded OPC as a pillar of support for his administration, while Governor Oyebanji commended the group’s contributions to security and urged further efforts.

In his address, Iba Adams, the National Coordinator of OPC, vowed that the organization would remain a leading force in Yoruba land and Nigeria. He outlined the group’s goals, which include advocating for Nigeria’s restructuring, protecting lives and property, promoting Yoruba culture, defending Yoruba interests, and engaging in cultural tourism, humanitarian services, and youth empowerment.

See also  Kidnappings: OPC ready to rid southwest of bandits in six months, says Aareonakakanfo Gani Adams

Iba Adams emphasized that OPC would continue to grow and protect Yoruba interests against internal and external forces. He noted the organization’s resilience through challenging times, including military eras and police brutality, and highlighted its commitment to truth, justice, and fairness.

On the topic of restructuring, Adams reiterated the need for it to address Nigeria’s structural imbalances and argued that regionalism, as reflected in the 1960/1963 constitutions, could enhance socio-economic progress and reduce federal burdens.

He expressed concern that without restructuring, Nigeria might slip further in global rankings and stressed the urgency of addressing these structural issues.

 

Iba Adams also paid tribute to past and present governors, traditional rulers, and other supporters of OPC, acknowledging their contributions and welcoming distinguished guests who attended the anniversary celebration.

Lifestyle

Aisha Achimugu: From Business Powerhouse to Paris Style Icon

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Paris has always had a way of making fashion feel less like clothing and more like theatre. And when the world’s style aristocracy gathered for the Spring/Summer 2027 season, Nigerian high flying businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, arrived with the kind of polished glamour that commands attention without demanding it.

Against the timeless backdrop of the French capital, Achimugu stepped into the world of Paris Fashion Week in a look that married sophistication with modern femininity. Her ensemble was defined by a refined silhouette, impeccable tailoring and the kind of carefully considered styling in which every detail appeared deliberate. The proportions were elegant, the finish luxurious, while her accessories added just the right measure of sparkle and personality.

Her beauty look complemented rather than competed with the outfit. Immaculately styled hair, luminous makeup and a poised, confident bearing completed the picture, allowing the clothes to retain their quiet authority. It was a lesson in restraint: nothing appeared excessive, yet every element, from the jewellery to the finishing touches, contributed to the overall effect.

See also  OPC appoints new coordinator in Kogi

The real strength of Achimugu’s Paris appearance, however, was in the details. The interplay of texture and silhouette gave the look dimension, while the accessories provided those subtle flashes of glamour associated with the best society dressing. There was an understanding of proportion, balance and occasion, a recognition that at Paris Fashion Week, being noticed is not necessarily about wearing the loudest look in the room.

For Achimugu, fashion has never seemed like an afterthought. It is part of the persona, the jewellery, the sculpted silhouettes, the luxurious textures, the immaculate finishing and that unmistakable confidence of a woman comfortable in her own skin.

Her Paris appearance offered yet another glimpse into the glamorous lifestyle of the Felak Concept Group boss, whose public persona has over the years straddled business, philanthropy, high society and fashion.

In the city, amid the fashion houses and international style elite, Achimugu appeared more than as a spectator but as a Nigerian woman confidently occupying a global fashion space. Her look spoke in the sophisticated language of Parisian dressing, polished, assured and intentionally glamorous, while retaining the unmistakable confidence of a woman bringing her own sense of style to the occasion.

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And as the lights of Paris dimmed on another fashionable season, her appearance left behind the unmistakable impression of a woman who understands that fashion, at its most powerful, is as much about presence as it is about clothes.

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70-year-old ex-Kogi senator Ocheja marries best friend’s granddaughter

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A video from the wedding of former Kogi East Senator Emmanuel Dangana Ocheja and his new wife has surfaced online.

According to a report by Punch Online, the white wedding was held in Abuja on September 19, 2026

Ocheja, 70, is said to have held his traditional wedding with his new wife, identified simply as Winifred, on September 13.

The traditional ceremony was followed by their white wedding on September 19.

Ocheja is seen in the video dressed in matching colours with Winifred as they danced together.

The former senator appeared cheerful as the couple shared an intimate moment while guests watched and celebrated with them.

A photo from their white wedding has also surfaced online, showing Ocheja dressed in a white suit and black bow tie.

Winifred, said to be the granddaughter of Ocheja’s best friend, wore a sparkly wedding gown and held a bouquet as she posed beside her husband.

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Ocheja is a Law graduate from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. He ventured into politics in the early 2000s.

He represented Kogi east senatorial district in the national assembly between 2011 and 2015 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Ocheja later resigned from the PDP and announced that he had joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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How I manage Davido’s finances, spending habits — Sharon Adeleke

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Sharon Ademefun Adeleke, the elder sister of Afrobeats superstar, Davido, has revealed how she manages her brother’s finances and her unconventional approach to marriage.

Sharon disclosed this while appearing on the Morayo Show, adding that she regularly discusses Davido’s finances with him, particularly his spending on cars and jewellery.

“One of the major things I’m always getting on my brother is jewellery and cars. My God!” she said.

“Me and him will sit down. We will have a finance meeting every week because I think it is important for him to know how his money is being spent.

“And I will now say, ‘David, please, no more cars, no more jewellery.’ Twenty-four hours later, you will start seeing it on the blogs that he bought another car.”

Sharon, a mother of three, also spoke about her marriage, saying she made it clear to her husband from the outset that she did not intend to follow a traditional approach.

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“When I met my husband, I explained to him that there isn’t going to be a traditional kind of marriage,” she said.

“I remember, I think in the first few months of us dating, I cooked and all the things. When he was eating, I was like, ‘Oh babe, are you enjoying the food?’ He said yes.

“And I said, ‘Good. Now you know I know how to cook, but I don’t like cooking, and I hope that’s not going to be a problem.”

The entrepreneur revealed how she built her wig-making business. She said she learnt to make wigs out of frustration with the difficulty of securing skilled hairstylists and wig makers, who were often fully booked.

“I learnt how to make wigs because I was frustrated because really good hairstylists and wig makers are always busy. Even if you drop your things with them, every week they will still be busy,” she said.

“So, one day I said, ‘What is this wig making? Let me just try.’ At that time, there was maybe one video or two compared to now, when if you go on YouTube, you can find thousands of videos about wig making.

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“I was heavily pregnant and very bored, so my husband took me to the beauty shop, and I bought all the pieces. I just started trying, and then I started doing it more and more. Then my friends started asking me to make wigs for them.”

Sharon said she believes people sometimes discover their businesses unexpectedly rather than through careful planning.

“I’m a big believer that when God gives you a business, you kind of fall into it sometimes. It is not something that you planned,’ she said.

“When I started going into it, I started going for training all over the world.”

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