A veteran actor, and folk singer, Jimi Solanke, is dead.

The legendary poet and playwright died on Monday at the age of 81.

He was said to have died while being rushed from his country home at Ipara Remo in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State to Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan when he succumbed to the cold hand of death.

Chief Solanke was said to have been in and out of hospital from December until he died on Monday morning.

Hon Dickson Awolaja representing Remo North State Constituency at the state Assembly confirmed the exit of the highly gifted artiste to our Correspondent.

Hon Awolaja said “I got wind of the demise of Pa Jimi Solanke not long ago. His death is no doubt another big loss to us in Remo North and Ogun State as a whole given his worthy contributions to the development of our dear nation. May his soul rest in peace”.

He is known for Kongi’s Harvest, Sango, Shadow Parties, and many more. He is also referred to as Uncle Jimi.

The President,Bola Tinubu, has also mourned him,in a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, mourned the literary and cultural virtuoso and described him as one of the finest of Nigeria’s creative artists.

The President condoled with the Solanke family and all those who mourn the painful loss while praying for the peaceful repose of the beloved departed.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Ijebu Nation 2024-02-05

The Department of State Services, on Thursday, paraded 12 of Sunday Igboho’s followers, saying one other was being profiled.

The DSS said a joint team of security operatives had raided Igboho’s residence early on Thursday based on an intelligence report.

Parading the suspects at the national headquarters of the secret police, its spokesman, Peter Afunaya, said the security team was engaged in a gun duel by nine men suspected to be Igboho’s guards.

Afunaya stated, “A team of joint security operatives raided the residence of Sunday Adeyemo at Soka in Ibadan. This was based on intelligence that he had stockpiled arms in the place.

“On approach to his residence, the team came under heavy gun attack by nine men suspected to be Igboho’s guards. Six were armed with AK-47 guns and three others with pump action rifles.

“In the course of the exchange, two of the armed men were gunned down, while the rest were subdued and arrested. Only one operative, who was shot by the assailants in his right hand, sustained injury. He has, however, received medical attention and is very stable.

“The gun duel, which lasted an hour, offered Igboho the chance to escape. Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, is now on the run.”

Those arrested are: Abdulateef Ofeyagbe; Amoda Babatunde, aka Lady ‘K’, Tajudeen Erinoyen, Diakola Ademola, Abideen Shittu, Jamiu Noah, Ayobami Donald, Adelabe Usman, Oluwapelumi Kunle, Raji Kazeem, Taiwo Opeyemi and Bamidele Sunday.

Afunaya added that the team searched the house and subsequently recovered seven AK-47 assault rifles, three pump action guns, 30 fully charged AK-47 magazines, 5,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five cutlasses, one Jack knife, one pen knife, two pistol holsters, a pair of binoculars, a wallet containing $5, local and international driving licences in his name, ATM cards, a German residence permit No. YO2N6K1NY bearing his name; two whistles, 50 cartridges and 18 walkie-talkies.

Others are three charm jackets/traditional body armour, two laptops, one Toshiba and one Compaq laptops and his passport and those of many others.

Afunaya added that five of the AK-47 assault rifles recovered from his residence were snatched from Nigeria Customs and Immigration personnel at Idi Iroko, Ogun State.

Afunaya explained that Igboho and his group, in the guise of campaign for self-determination, had become well-armed and determined to undermine public order.

He added the arrests and seizures were a confirmation of a grand plan by Igboho and his cohorts to wage a violent insurrection against the Nigerian state.

Some of his aides had said the invasion, which they alleged claimed the lives of five occupants of the house, was carried out by soldiers and operatives of the Department of State Services.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Ijebu Nation 2021-07-02

The Ogun State Police Command at the weekend said a 35-year-old zoo worker at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Babaji Daule, was killed by lion in his care

The horrifying incident happened the previous day in the barely a decade old zoo.

This happened seven months after a similar incident in February, this year, when a nine-year-old lion at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State zoo killed its handler during feeding.

The victim, Olabode Olawuyi,  a Veterinary Technologist, was said to have been in charge of the institution’s zoological garden for more than 10 years.

The spokesman for the Ogun State Police Command, Superintendent of Police, Omolola Odutola, said the OOPL zoo victim was an indigene of Bauchi State.

The victim, Omolola added, was said to be a lion handler, and that the big cat attacked him while trying to feed it, seizing him by the neck and inflicting grave injuries, resulting in his death afterwards.

It was learnt that he forgot to secure the locks and barricade the lion’s house before approaching the cage to feed the animal.The remains of the zoo worker have been evacuated to the morgue to Ijaiye General Hospital, while the wild lion was sent to sleep through shooting to let go its grip on the handler.

The police spokesperson said: “A deadly incident involving a wild animal attack has been reported by the Area Commander Metro on September 28, 2024, about 7:40 hours by the Chief Security Officer of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, who informed the Divisional Police Officer that a 35-year-old man named Babaji Daule from Bauchi State, who is a trained handler of a male lion at the Zoological Garden in OOPL Abeokuta, tragically lost his life.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Ijebu Nation 2024-09-30

The president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has rejected calls to run for presidency because of his role at AfDB.A support group had last week purchased and submitted the N100m Presidential form of the All Progressives Congress for him.

Nigerians have since been waiting for his response.The top banker,in a reaction,appreciated the effort, kindness and sacrifices of his supporters, noting that he is “fully engaged and committed to the mission that Nigeria, Africa and all the non shareholders of the African Development Bank have given me for Africa’s development.”

The statement reads:  “I have been extremely humbled by several calls from Nigerians at home and abroad that I should consider running for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I am very touched by all who have gone to great extent, with such huge sacrifices, of their own volition, to consider me worthy to be proposed for potential consideration.

“The coalition groups of youth, women, farmers, physically challenged and well meaning Nigerians that have done this have expressed their genuine free will, political right, freedom of expression and association for my consideration, with the interest of Nigeria at heart.

“While I am deeply honored, humbled and grateful for all the incredible goodwill, kindness, and confidence, my current responsibilities at this time do not allow me to accept to be considered.

“I remain fully engaged and committed to the mission that Nigeria, Africa and all the non shareholders of the African Development Bank have given me for Africa’s development.

“I remain fully focused on the mission of supporting the accelerated development and economic integration of Africa”.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Ijebu Nation 2022-05-17

The Federal Government has extended the deadline for the provision of National Identification Number by telecommunication service subscribers.

This was contained in a statement on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

The statement titled, ‘Extension of Registration Period and Cancellation of USSD and Verification Fees’, was jointly signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Umar Danbatta; and Director-General, National Identity Management Commission, Aliyu Aziz.

It read, “The National Task Force on National Identification Number and SIM Registration met today, 21st December, 2020.

“The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami with major stakeholders in the sector including Chairman – NCC, EVC-NCC, DG-NITDA, DG-NIMC, ECTS/ECSM-NCC, Chairman ALTON, CEOs of MTN, Airtel, Ntel, Glo, Smile, and 9Moble in attendance.

“Based on the endorsement of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the following resolutions were made:

“Three (3) weeks extension for subscribers with NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 19th January, 2021; and

“Six (6) weeks extension for subscribers without NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 9th February, 2021.”

By

Ayobami Adedeji Ijebu Nation 2020-12-21

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and Chinese President Xi Jinping, in Beijing, China, announcing the elevation of Nigeria-China ties to that of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

According to a statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, the

leaders also agreed to build a high-level Nigeria-China community with a shared future.

The statement said this was the outcome of talks between the two leaders during President Tinubu’s official visit to China.

It said the President Tinubu’s official visit precedes his participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled to hold from September 4-6, 2024.

'This is an important visit for Nigeria and the rest of Africa, as I arrive in my capacity as the Chairman of ECOWAS. I thank you for the high-level of honour accorded to us.'

”Relations between China and Nigeria have indeed lasted for over half a century and should be further strengthened to advance our trade and economic development programmes.

”Nigeria holds great potential as the country with the largest population in Africa and is the biggest economy with a very young population that can drive economic growth and cross-sectoral programmes.

”We have upgraded the relationship to more than what is just strategic — but a comprehensive developmental partnership.

”This comprehensive strategic partnership should result in robust development, stability, and security in the West African sub-region. This is very crucial,” President Tinubu said.

On economic reforms in Nigeria, President Tinubu told his Chinese counterpart that his administration remains committed to sustainable growth through the effective implementation of ongoing economic reforms.

”We believe that President Xi has demonstrably reformed the Chinese economy, and our reform programme in Nigeria is on a similar course. I am a reformer with verifiable antecedents.

”We have recognized the need to reform our economy, and we are doing so diligently across tax and tariff reviews, to various other segments of our nation’s economy.

”Trading and investment partners will have easy access to bring in their investments and seamlessly take their resources out,” the President stated.

In his remarks, President Xi noted the strong mutual understanding between Nigeria and China since the establishment of diplomatic ties over the past 50 years.

”We have found the path of seeking collective strength, through unity, and win-win cooperation.

”China and Nigeria, as major developing countries, strengthening strategic coordination, will inject fresh impetus to China-Africa relations in the new era and spearhead common progress among Global South countries,” President Xi said.

According to the Chinese leader, the 2024 FOCAC Summit provides an opportunity to reflect on mutual friendships and advance the consolidation of China-Africa relations.

He pledged that China and Nigeria would continue to work closely within the FOCAC framework as a model of cooperation between nations.

During the meeting, both presidents witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on various areas of mutual interest: Cooperation plan between Nigeria and China on jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative; Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the peaceful application of Nuclear Energy; Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation on Human Resource Development under the Global Development Initiative; Memorandum of Understanding on Media Exchange and Cooperation; Memorandum of Understanding between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority.

The statement informed that earlier, on Monday in Beijing, President Tinubu visited the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), during which he acknowledged the company’s role as a reliable partner in Nigeria’s infrastructure development programme, commending its ongoing railway projects in the country.

”It is equally very important that we give assurances to the Nigerian people across our local communities that the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway segments will be completed and done to the satisfaction of Nigeria and West Africa at large.

”We will support your investment in solid minerals and other ventures in Nigeria. I am here to assure you that Nigeria is ready to do business with you,” the President said during a meeting with the Chairman of CRCC, Mr. Dai Hegen, following a tour of the CRCC and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) office in Beijing.

Mr. Hegen informed the President that CRCC has been involved in Nigeria for 43 years, implementing over 300 projects and training over 100,000 local workers.

”The Abuja-Kaduna Railway and Lagos-Ibadan Railway have transported approximately 9 million passengers and 180 tonnes of cargo. The Lagos blue line has transported over 1.6 million passengers,” he said.

In a separate engagement, President Tinubu visited Huawei Technologies’ Beijing Research Centre, where the company announced the launch of DigiTruck, a mobile ICT classroom aimed at enhancing digital literacy in underserved Nigerian communities.

During the President’s meeting with Huawei’s leadership, led by Mr. Liang Hua, Chairman of the Board of Directors, the company said the initiative would operate in 10 states annually, training at least 3,000 students each year.

Acknowledging the ongoing efforts by Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to train 3 million technical talents (3MTT) and equip the country’s young population with the skills necessary for present and future economic opportunities, Huawei’s leadership said the DigiTruck initiative will complement the programme.

Mr. Hua praised the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda for identifying digital technology as a critical driver of economic growth.

“This is very encouraging for us. Huawei is fully prepared to offer its ICT expertise and become a reliable partner of the Nigerian government to support the country in achieving its policy objectives and furthering its digital, intelligent, and low-carbon development.”

Also speaking, Mr. Chris Lu, Chief Executive Officer of Huawei Nigeria, expressed support for Nigeria’s National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), an initiative that seeks to position Nigeria as a hub for talent outsourcing in Africa.

“In the future, we hope to continuously develop the NOC and expand its capacity so that it can meet the requirements of more African markets, thus facilitating more Nigerian technology talents in serving more overseas’ markets and helping to achieve the goal of NATEP,” Mr. Lu said

During the tour of the Huawei Research Centre’s exhibition hall, President Tinubu and his delegation were introduced to Huawei’s latest innovations in e-government, smart education, smart grid, and solar power, demonstrating their potential to enhance public services, digital governance, and Nigeria’s inclusive development agenda.

As part of the efforts to achieve the aforementioned goals, Huawei also plans to establish a joint PV test lab with Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

By

Ayobami Adedeji Ijebu Nation 2024-09-04

The Board of Transcorp Hotels Plc. Nigeria’s leading hospitality brand and owners of the award-winning Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Transcorp Hotels Calabar, and online booking platform for accommodation, food, and experiences Aura by Transcorp Hotels, has announced the appointment of Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa to its Board of Directors as an Independent Non-Executive Director, effective Monday, December 20, 2021.

Ms. Onagoruwa brings to the Transcorp Hotels Plc board, a wealth of experience spanning more than three decades across both the private and public sectors in different aspects of law, as well as public sector reform. 

Her commercial legal practice experience includes roles at Bentley Edu and Co, Nigerian Industrial Development Bank, Midas Merchant Bank, and the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE). Following her retirement from public service, Ms. Onagoruwa served as Acting CEO of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company before joining ENL Consortium Limited.

Ms. Onagoruwa contributed immensely to the public sector reform and privatisation in Nigeria during her 12-year service with the BPE, in various directorate capacities (Director, Oil & Gas, Director, Industry and Manufacturing, Director, Electric Power, Director, National Parks and National Facilities) and her 4-year service as Secretary Social Development and Secretary Education in the Federal Capital Territory Administration before retiring as the Director-General of BPE in 2012.

She holds an LLB from the University of Lagos, a Post Graduate Diploma in Politics and International Relations from the University of Kent at Canterbury, and an alumna of the Harvard Business School (General Manager Program). She served on the Board of NOVA Merchant Bank from 2017 to 2021, as an Independent Director.

Commenting on the appointment, the Chairman of Transcorp Hotels Plc., Mr. Emmanuel Nnorom, “Transcorp Hotels is ending 2021 in an impressive position and we are working hard towards achieving our vision of becoming Africa's leading hospitality brand, delivering excellent services to our customers and unbeatable value to all our stakeholders. This appointment complements our position and reinforces our intent.”

Ms. Onagoruwa becomes the fourth female on the Board of Transcorp Hotels Plc., the company that recently emerged the best in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the boards and management team of corporate organisations in Nigeria.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Ijebu Nation 2021-12-28

Cruel death has snatched Bolanle Odutola, the last child of late industrialist and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola. Bubble, as the boisterous lady is fondly referred to, died on Monday, 10^th August 2020. Her death has since thrown her family, friends and sympathizers into deep mourning. Many variously grieved, describing the fun-loving woman with a pure heart, in glowing terms. Due to her young age, we hear, she will be buried on Thursday, 13^th August, 2020, at the Christian Cemetery Irewon,Ijebu Ode. Her obituary indicated that her body will arrive the Odutola Family home, Onibudo House, Ijebu Ode, before the interment. She would have been 48 years old on October 5, 2020.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Ijebu Nation 2020-08-13