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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.

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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

Charly Boy celebrates daughter’s engagement to female partner

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Former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Charles Oputa, better known as Charly Boy, has celebrated the engagement of his daughter, Adaeze, to her female partner.

The popular musician, also famously known as Area Fada, shared a video from the engagement ceremony on his Instagram page, describing Adaeze and her partner as his “beautiful Princess and her Husband.”

“Folks, wish dem well for me,” he wrote.

Adaeze also announced the engagement in a separate Instagram post, sharing a photograph of herself with her partner.

“WE’RE ENGAGED!” she wrote, using the hashtag #mrsandmrs.

She described the engagement as the beginning of a lifetime together, expressing excitement about their future.

“Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, growth, and making beautiful memories together. I can’t wait for everything God has in store for us. Forever sounds even sweeter with you,” she added.

The announcement has attracted mixed reactions from social media users.

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Nigerian-British social media influencer dies after $9,000 penis enlargement procedure in Thailand

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Igho Ubiribo, a Nigerian-British businessman and social media influencer, has reportedly died after undergoing a penis enlargement procedure during a luxury trip to Thailand.

According to findings from an inquest in the United Kingdom, 43-year-old Ubiribo died after the cosmetic treatment triggered a fatal pulmonary embolism.

The businessman, who was also known as “Tiny”, “Denisi” and “Ego”, was on holiday in Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he decided to undergo the procedure.

Reports from the inquest revealed that doctors injected about 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine into his penis at an unnamed clinic in Thailand in March.

After the procedure, Ubiribo and his wife reportedly returned to their Marriott hotel, where they went for a massage.

It was during the massage that he complained of chest pain before collapsing and losing consciousness.

He was rushed to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially able to respond to medical staff.

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His wife reportedly informed doctors that he had recently undergone penis filler injections, prompting concerns that the procedure may have been linked to his condition.

Medical personnel suspected a pulmonary embolism and recommended further scans, but Ubiribo reportedly lost consciousness before the examination could be completed.

Doctors later transferred him to intensive care, where attempts were made to revive him through prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

He was pronounced dead in the early hours of March 6.

A postmortem examination conducted in the UK later reportedly found material in Ubiribo’s lungs consistent with the hyaluronic acid used during the penis filler procedure.

Pathologist John du Parcq told the inquest that the substance discovered matched the material injected during the cosmetic treatment.

He said the findings supported the conclusion that Ubiribo suffered a pulmonary embolism caused by the procedure.

The coroner, Jean Harkin, subsequently ruled that the businessman’s death was caused by a pulmonary embolism linked to the cosmetic injection.

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A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot or other material blocks a blood vessel supplying the lungs, potentially causing sudden breathing difficulties, heart strain and death.

During the inquest, information from Ubiribo’s doctor in London showed that he had previously undergone joint surgeries and had been described as pre-diabetic and suffering from gout.

However, his doctor reportedly said he had no other major medical conditions.

Penis fillers containing hyaluronic acid are marketed as a non-surgical option for increasing girth, but medical experts have warned that injectable cosmetic procedures can carry serious risks if complications occur.

Ubiribo was known for showcasing his luxury lifestyle on social media, where he had about 185,000 Instagram followers.

Reports said he owned a home in Los Angeles valued at about $1.1 million and a London apartment reportedly worth around $600,000.

He married Zimbabwean fashion designer Danielle Simba Allen in a lavish ceremony in 2022.

Following his death, Ubiribo was buried in London in a gold coffin, with reports claiming the funeral arrangement cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Afrobeats singer Davido, who was described as a childhood friend of the businessman, attended the funeral and paid tribute to him.

The case has renewed attention on the potential dangers associated with cosmetic procedures involving injectable fillers, after medical evidence linked the treatment to the fatal complication.

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Help locate my husband! 68-year-old British woman cries out as 31-year-old Nigerian lover disappears after arriving UK

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For 68-year-old British citizen, Dawn Ottewell, it was literally love at first sight after she hooked up with 31-year-old Nigerian, Bright Emokpae on a popular dating App, Tinder.

But what began as a love story conceived in heaven and consummated on earth has ended in heartbreak and a desperate search for answers.

At the beginning,  Dawn, who obviously was consumed by love, quickly made efforts to facilitate Emokpae’s movement to the United Kingdom after their wedding.

But soon after he arrived in the UK on a spousal visa Emokpae disappeared into thin air. At the beginning, Dawn probably believed her new husband had simply stepped out and would be back soon.

But it soon dawned on her that new husband wouldn’t be coming back any time soon.

In a story published in the UK Sun, the love-struck 68-year-old said she met the Edo State born Bright when she was at the lowest ebb in 2021 and he brightened her life with love.

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At the time, Bright Emokpae was reportedly a student in Cyprus and Dawn went on a visit. The couple eventually got married in 2022.

In 2023 Bright was in Nigeria to complete formalities for his visa to the UK courtesy of papers filed by Dawn and he relocated thereafter.

Shortly after his arrival, Dawn claimed that Bright became withdrawn and was always asking for money from her and added nothing to the sustenance of the home.

The pair separated but reunited in October 2023. According to Dawn, Bright reconciled with her because she  received a £63,000 settlement following a botched NHS prolapse operation. But he bolted from their home once again.

Not willing to put up with Emokpae’s flight from home any more, Dawn wants a divorce but her man cannot be located to sign the papers with Dawn speculating that he may have relocated to Scotland.

“He’s done a runner and is refusing to sign the divorce papers because I believe he wants to cling on to his spouse visa,” she said.

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But Dawn’s main worry is that if she dies before the divorce papers are signed Bright could inherit her estate. “My biggest fear is that I’ll die before this is sorted out and he’ll run off with the money my three children should inherit,” she said.

She says she feels Bright simply used her to get into the UK and she’s appealing for help to locate him.

“I feel I’m being used,” Ottewell said.

She added, “I would advise people to be very careful who they marry, especially when the person is from abroad, because a lot of them are just doing it for a visa, and then they disappear.”

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