In other to continuously bridge the gap between the Yoruba race and the rest of the world through cultural integration and globalizing Yoruba culture across the shores of Nigeria; His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ifé; Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II CFR has officially delivered the 1st title to Quilombola territory in Brazil; making the city first outside Africa to receive a certificate of Yoruba territory. Ooni Adeyeye and his entourage from Nigeria arrived in Bahia, welcomed by an orchestra of atabaques and berimbaus. He delivered the title in recognition of Quilombola territory in Brazil on Sunday the 19th of March 2023. The epoch-making ceremony took place in the Quingoma community, in Lauro de Freitas, in the Metropolitan Region of Salvador, Brazil. Residents of Quilombola could not hold their joy as they celebrated the delivery of the title of Yoruba territory which will further strengthen and preserve the Yoruba history, culture and language in the community. According to the account, the Quilombola was recognized for having received and welcomed Yoruba people, who were enslaved and forcibly removed from their base in Nigeria during the era of the slave trade in Africa, the recognition of Quilombola as Yoruba territory is another step in the fight for respect for African history. The history of the Quilombo dates back to the 17th century. Currently, around 580 families live in the area covering approximately 1,200 hectares. Quingoma has been recognized as a Quilombola territory by the Palmares Foundation since 2013. Ọ́ọ̀ni Ifẹ̀ in his address disclosed that; the rich and robust history of the Brazilians and the Yoruba people have dated back time in memorial and steps like this will not only preserve the history via cultural preservation, it will also give Brazilians a sense of belonging and help foster improvement in strengthening the heritage
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Dangote Overtakes Four Foreigners On Billionaires’ List – Naijanewsdirect
Nigerian business tycoon, Aliko Dangote, overtook two Russians, one Chinese and an Indian on the billionaires’ list on Monday, after making N460bn in a day. The Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group made the profit following increased demand for Dangote Cement, beating his fellow billionaires by earning about $100 million. He maintains a majority share at his Cement company, following the company’s announcement of a significant share buyback two weeks ago. According to Bloomberg Billionaire Index, Dangote remains Africa’s richest man, a feat he has maintained for 12 years in a row.
Six Drug Traffickers Bag 156 Years Imprisonment In Lagos, Ogun
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos and Ogun state has sentenced six drug traffickers to a total of One Hundred and Fifty Six (156) years imprisonment for offences bordering on drug dealing, transportation, and conspiracy to transport illicit substances filed against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. Worse hit is a 27-year-old drug dealer, Ahmed Abdulsabur who was arrested in 2022 by NDLEA operatives and prosecuted in charge number FHC/AB/20C/2022 at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, presided over by Hon. Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik. Delivering her judgment on the six counts charge brought against Ahmed, Justice Abdulmalik convicted and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment on each count, bringing the total number of his in jail term to 60. In a similar ruling, Justice Abdulmalik also sentenced another dealer, Olumide Elegbede, 32, to 20 years jail term; 10 years for each of the two counts charge brought against him in charge number: FHC/AB/128C/2I. The judge ruled that the years of imprisonment in both cases will run concurrently. At the Federal High Court in Lagos, where the quartet of: Okechukwu Umeh; Lanre Adebayo; Adigun Adeshina and Emmanuel Omijeh were arraigned on three counts in charge number FHC/L/87c/2023, the trial judge, Justice Akintayo Aluko on Thursday 16th March convicted and sentenced each of them to five years on count one; seven years each on counts two and three. This brings the total number of years for each of them to 19 years jail term and the four of them to 76 years imprisonment. While the judge ruled that the sentences should run concurrently, he also gave the four convicts the option of paying N20 million in lieu of the jail terms. This is in addition to granting the application by the NDLEA for the final forfeiture of a white colour Ford bus
Likely Names That May Feature In Tinubu’s Cabinet
No less than 20 people have been tipped to form the cabinet of Nigeria’s president-elect, Bola Tinubu after he alluded recently that competence rather than politics will weigh heavily on his choice of cabinet ministers. The job of Nigeria’s president easily passes as one of the toughest in the world and Tinubu has declared that he is not unmindful of the challenges he and his team face. Thus, to effectively discharge his duties as provided by the constitution, Tinubu has stated that he will hit the ground running by constituting a cabinet that will help him to run the machinery of the Nigerian state. The people who are being speculated to make his cabinet include: Babatunde Fashola Among the names that have been mentioned to be part of Tinubu’s cabinet, Babatunde Fashola tops the list, as a likely candidate for the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, based on his vast experience, age and strength of character. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria was the governor of Lagos State between 2007 and 2015. Before then, he had served as a Commissioner and Chief of Staff to Tinubu where he helped the then government of Tinubu to succeed, as Lagos State Governor, from 1999 to 2007. Little wonder, he was made to succeed Tinubu from 2007 to 2015. After his tenure, he was appointed, first as minister of power, works and housing and later Works and Housing, by President Muhammadu Buhari. Fashola was the Director, election planning and monitoring of the APC presidential campaign council. Having been a key part of Tinubu’s success story in Lagos as governor, and having been governor for eight years and minister for almost eight years, his wealth of experience is expected to stand him in good stead. Nasir El-Rufai A former director-general of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) and minister of the
2023 General Elections: Speaker Obasa Thanks Lagos Electorate
...Promises more Vibrant House of Assembly The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has commended residents for their participation in the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the State saying the exercise is a further call to duty. Dr. Obasa said this in a 'thank you' message to residents of Agege for returning him to the State legislature as lawmaker representing Agege Constituency 1 and for electing Jubril Abdulkarim, a former local government council chairman, to represent Agege Constituency 2 at the 10th House of Assembly Lagos. In the message released by Eromosele Ebhomele, his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Obasa also commended residents of the State for the love they showed the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the period leading to the election and while the exercise lasted. He noted that the victory recorded by the APC in the election was proof that the residents of the State had confidence in the party to deliver more dividends of democracy in the next four years. "We give glory to the Almighty Allah for the success of our party in this election just like He made us victorious in the presidential election. "The victory which has recorded by the APC in Lagos State is proof of the trust and confidence our people have in us. The victory is a further challenge on the incoming government and all of us who are elected to work more for the benefit of the people. "To the good people of Agege, 'thank you' for your love and active participation as well as your support for our great party. I also commend Lagosians for voting to return Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a second term. "Now that the elections are over, it is time for all of us to come together to work in unity and achieve greater positive
Mamora Commends INEC, Says “My Voting Process Seamless’
The Minister of Science and Technology, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora, has applauded the improved efforts put in place by Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC], during the governorship and House of Assembly elections held across the country on March 18th, 2023. The Minister who voted in Ogudu area of Lagos state alongside his wife said the election was very important to Nigeria and only a peaceful process can guarantee confidence in the electoral body. "I was seamlessly accredited with the BVAS and voted under 3minutes, I only hope this is reflected across board" While commending INEC, the former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly said " INEC must ensure all the little hitches that necessitated the postponement of the Governorship and House of Assembly election is now intact so that regardless of turnout, people will be satisfied after the whole process" He also appealed to Nigerians to give INEC the chance and support the electoral body to succeed in this onerous task of organizing a free, fair and credible elections.
Sterling Bank Shines Spotlight On Creative Industries Potential
“Nigeria’s leading financial institution, Sterling Bank Plc, has reiterated its determination to empower and energise the creative industry because of its strategic importance to the economic growth of Nigeria.” Head of Media and Entertainment Financing at Sterling Bank, Mr. Olanrewaju Olalusi, disclosed the above at the weekend in Lagos while addressing participants at a seminar organised by the Legends of Nollywood with the theme: “Empowering the Nigerian Film Industry – Actualizing Your Resources.” He said the bank had begun exploring financing of the creative industries in addition to its HEART sectors programme because of its importance to the national economy. Sterling Bank has become renowned for its strategic focus and investments in the Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation sectors of the Nigerian economy. These sectors have been affectionately dubbed the HEART of Sterling, and our HEART has contributed immensely to the growth of the bank, the sectors and the Nigerian economy. Olalusi said it is important for artists to leverage funding from financial institutions to scale the level of their operations, remarking that the bank has set up a desk for the purpose of financing practitioners in the creative industry, information technology (IT) and animation, among others. “We are open to having conversations with partners in the creative industry on the way forward.” He said. He said that the industry was bustling with amazing talent and potential. But he highlighted a key challenge confronting the industry; a lack of viable business plans on the commercial perspective of creativity to show investors. He continued by saying that there is a growing need for artists to separate their businesses from themselves and focus on improving their access to infrastructure and a ready market for their creative expressions. Through collaborations with dedicated partners like Sterling, creatives can better their lot, both creatively and commercially, by leveraging financial advisory services,
Lagos Guber Race: Dosunmu, Onitiri, Others Leave PDP, LP; Endorse Sanwo-Olu
Ahead of the Saturday, 18th, 2023, governorship and state assembly elections, prominent politicians from opposition political parties in Lago state have endorsed the All Progressives Congress [APC] candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a second term. One of them is Dr Ade Dosunmu who was the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2011 said it is home coming for him to join the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state. He said what is best for Lagos is to remain in the hands of the progressives since the party had retained the government at the central. Dr Dosunmu explained that his decision to pitch his tent with APC is also because Lagos for the first time has produced someone in Bola Tinubu to lead Nigeria and deserves support of all stakeholders to succeed. Chairman Elders Committee of the Labour Party, Chief Sunbo Onitiri said he returned to APC to support the tradition of continuity in Lagos. He said that he came with Chairmen of 12 political parties in the state to endorse Governor Sanwoolu for second term. Also speaking, the state party Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi said they have opened their doors wide open to receive them into the folds of APC. He said APC will continue the giant strides of developing the state with the return of Governor Sanwoolu to Ikeja House. Ojelabi noted that the party will ensure that it redeemed its image with the Saturday, 18 March, 2023 Governorship and State Assembly Elections. According to him, for over 30 years, the country is now having as President elect, a true Democrat that knows what to do to boost socio-economic development of the country. The party’s flag was later presented as a symbol by Ojelabi to welcome the decampees to the ruling party.
IWD: Speakers At Polaris Bank Webinar Advocate for Empowerment of Women in The Workplace, Society
A call has gone to organizations operating across all sectors in the country to create opportunities that empower women to fulfill their full potential for the good of society. The call was made by CEO of Digital Jewels, Adedoyin Odunfa while speaking as a Guest Speaker at the Webinar organized by Polaris Bank Limited themed: Advancing Women Empowerment through the Adoption of Technological Innovation and Digital Education to mark the 2023 International Women’s Day which held in Lagos last week. Focusing on the IWD 2023 theme: #EmbraceEquity, Odunfa while addressing gender imbalance in the workplace, cited statistics that show that women make up only 46 percent of the workplace and less than 25 percent of them end up in leadership positions. She pointed out the need to address gender imbalance and prevailing conscious and unconscious biases against women. She also emphasized the need to intentionally empower women with technological innovation rather than just pay lip service to it. According to Odunfa, one of the ways to create these opportunities is to have more women in the workplace to develop products and services that empower women. She also highlighted the need to intentionally target women for instance, in the design of financial services and products to make them more accessible, affordable, and relevant. To achieve this, Odunfa called for improved financial literacy and investment in education, as well as training for gender parity in the workplace and marketplace. This sentiment was echoed by two other Panelists at the webinar: Chinyelu Chikwendu, a Director with Vatebra TechHub and Ededayo Durosinmi-Etti, CEO of Herconomy. Also contributing at the session as a Panelist, Dr. (Mrs.) Amina Sambo-Magaji, an AI specialist, Researcher and Tech policy maker, emphasized the need for collaboration and a system approach to promote gender equality in the digital space. Dr. Sambo-Magaji, a distinguished Humphrey Fellow, who doubles as
Primate Ayodele Builds Houses For 20 Widows, Orphans, Empowers Youths
The Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has built houses for twenty widows and orphans in his church. In the same vein, He empowered more than 70 Youths drawn from the Christian and Muslim communities in Lagos state. The prophet explained in a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin that the widows, orphans and the less privileged are dear to his heart and the building is just another testament of his love towards them. He made it known that his decision to build a beautiful edifice for them is in line with the word of God that preaches catering for the widows and orphans (James 1:27). ‘’Catering for the widows and orphans is something I find so much joy in doing, I love them so much and these houses built for them is just a proof of love towards them. The word of God in James 1:27 explained that caring for the orphans and widows is a pure and undefiled religion before God the father; that’s exactly what I have done; Listening to the instructions of God.’’ While speaking on his empowerment for the youths, Primate Ayodele stated that many of them have been forced to go into illegal activities due to the situation of the economy even though it’s against their wish. He stated that his reason behind the empowerment for the youths is to contribute his quota to their developments because they are the future of the nation. ‘’The situation of this country has forced some of our youths to go into illegal activities against their wishes. They have gotten involved in drug abuse, internet fraud, and some go into money rituals just to earn their daily living. The rate of unemployment in the country is really high, they have nothing to engage themselves in other than these illegal