Lifestyle

Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Akintola, Awolowo Legacies

By Web News 215

By Olubunmi Agboola

President Bola Tinubu says his administration remains committed to building on the legacies of Nigeria’s founding leaders, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, to achieve sustainable and inclusive national prosperity despite current economic challenges.

The president stated this at the 2026 Samuel Ladoke Akintola Memorial Lecture held at the University of Ibadan to mark the 60th anniversary of the assassination of the former Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

Represented by the Minister of Power, Oloye Adebayo Adelabu, President Tinubu described the late nationalist as a bridge-builder, patriot and visionary leader whose ideals remain relevant to Nigeria’s unity and development.

The President said Chief Akintola’s commitment to cooperation across ethnic and political divides, his belief in fairness and his passion for education offer enduring lessons for contemporary Nigeria.

Also speaking at the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said Chief Akintola served as Minister of Aviation, where he laid the foundation for Nigeria Airways, and as Minister of Health, where he contributed significantly to the establishment of the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan.

Senator Akume said Chief Akintola deliberately designed his regional development policies to promote unity and inclusiveness, adding that his strong belief in education and infrastructure development reflected in his contributions to institutions such as the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, and the Cocoa House.

The Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, described Chief Akintola as a courageous and influential leader whose contributions to Nigeria’s development remain significant despite his complex historical profile.

Governor Makinde said Chief Akintola’s life reminds Nigerians that leaders, though human and imperfect, can take bold actions that shape history.

In her welcome address, the daughter of the late statesman, Dr Bimbo Akintola, said her father’s favourite Bible passage was “The Lord is my Shepherd,” adding that God indeed shepherded his life to the very end.

Dignitaries at the lecture included representatives of the Lagos State Government, traditional rulers, legal luminaries and captains of industry.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Lifestyle

Tinubu, Govs. Mourn Awolowo

By Web News 425

A grandson of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Olusegun Awolowo, has died.

The Awolowo family announced his passing on Thursday. He was 62.

“With extremely heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Olusegun Awolowo,” the statement read.

The family described him as “the world’s most phenomenal husband, father and grandfather — steady, wise, endlessly loving, and the constant anchor of our family.

“A loyal servant to Nigeria, he dedicated his life to the service of his country with vision, integrity, passion, and unwavering commitment. He was a true family man, a great friend, a devoted servant of God, and a deeply admirable human being.

“We are shattered by this loss, but forever grateful for his life, his legacy, and the love he poured into all of us. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

Reacting, President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sadness over the passing of Segun Awolowo.

President Tinubu conveyed his condolences to the Awolowo family through a statement signed Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The President described Segun Awolowo’s death at 62 as unfortunate and a tragic loss “not only to the Awolowo family, but also to the entire country.”

He noted that the late Segun distinguished himself as a scion of the Awolowo family.

“Segun exemplified the Awolowo pedigree in appearance, character and demeanour. Like his grandfather, he was a lawyer committed to defending truth and justice.

“He made significant contributions to Nigeria. He served diligently as the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council from 2013 to 2021, standing as the longest-serving executive director of the agency in history,” the President said.

He added: “My sympathy and condolences to his wife and children, the Awolowo family, and his mum, Sisi Abah Folawiyo.

“I also commiserate with the governments and people of Ogun State, the entire South-West geopolitical zone, and Nigeria, over this painful loss. May his soul rest in peace.”

Oyo State Governor,Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, has also described the death of Mr Awolowo as painful and a sad loss to Nigeria.

In a statement, Governor Makinde condoled with the Chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, publishers of the Tribune Titles, Dr Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, the entire Awolowo family and the management of Tribune.

He described Mr. Awolowo as a great mind and a great ambassador of the Awolowo family, who made great marks everywhere he went.

The governor prayed God to grant repose to the soul of the deceased.

Similarly, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that the death of Mr. Awolowo Jr. was a personal loss.

In a condolence message, Governor Abiodun said the passing of the former Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council at 62 came as a rude shock, noting that he received the news “with utter disbelief.”

He described Mr. Awolowo Jr. as “a gentleman par excellence, a voice of courage, and a consummate public servant.”

According to the governor, Awolowo Jr. was affable, intelligent and easy-going qualities that endeared him to many and made his death even more painful.

“It is extremely hard to process the news that Segun Awolowo Jr. is gone, but we submit to the will of Almighty God. We are heartbroken, but consoled by the exemplary lessons his life taught us,” he said.

After being called to the Bar in 1989, he worked with notable law firms before serving as Special Assistant to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

He also served as Secretary for Social Development and later Secretary of Transport between 2007 and 2011.

The governor added that Awolowo’s leadership at NEPC from 2013 to 2021 and his election in 2021 as President of National Trade Promotion Organizations from ECOWAS member states were testament to his dedication to national development.

“His earthly sojourn may have been brief, but it was hugely impactful,” Abiodun said.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole, Iyabo Adebisi, Abimbola Bamgbose

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Politics

Our NASS members will support your developmental plans – Oyo APC to Tinubu

By Web News 597

By Oluwakayode Banjo

As the 10th National Assembly is due for inauguration on Tuesday, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State has assured President Bola Tinubu that all its twelve members in both the Red and Green Chambers would not only key into the developmental plans of his administration but also remain loyal, committed and steadfast as they are being positioned to serve in greater capacity. 

Oyo APC has all the senators-elect from the three districts of Oyo South, Oyo Central and Oyo North as well as nine out of the 14 members-elect to the House of Representatives as its members. 

Five of them are elected as federal lawmakers for the first time while six are returning either for the second or third with the exception of Senator AbdulFatai Buhari who is now set for his third term in the Senate after he had previously spent a term in the Green Chamber between 2003 and 2007.

In a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC boasted of the quality of all its representatives in the 10th Assembly describing them as “men and woman of competence, enviable track record and proven integrity who would are poised to contribute their quota to the growth and development of their father land under the current dispensation and beyond.”

“As a progressive people, we had looked forward to an auspicious period like this when we would have an individual blessed with the combined wisdom and foresight of Chief Obafemi Awolowo as well as the courage and doggedness of Bashorun MKO Abiola to direct the affairs of this great nation. Now that we have a tested and trusted democrat who also understands the dynamics of public administration at the helms of affairs of our dear country, it is imperative we join hands with him and ensure that he does not fail.”

“To this end, we have realized that the legislative arm would play a key role in the task ahead of Tinubu administration and this makes it important for Mr. President to have people of like minds in both Chambers as allied partners. As a matter of fact, President Bola Tinubu would find all Oyo APC members in the National Assembly loyal subordinates and passionate patriots who would always be ready to support his vision and ideas as far as moving the nation forward is concerned.”

“Apart from ’emeritus’ Senator Buhari, we are also having seasoned professionals and committed patriots in Barrister Sarafadeen Alli and Dr. Yunus Akintunde who would be operating from the Senate while other diligent and experienced democrats would be discharging their respective duties from the House of Representatives. These include; Honourable Tajudeen Abisodun Kareem, Honourable Akeem Adeniyi, Honourable Akin Alabi, Honourable Olaide Akinremi, Honourable Tolulope Akande-Shadipe, Honourable Olaide Muhammadah, Honourable Aderemi Oseni, Honourable Olafisoye Akinmoyede and Honourable Olamijuwon Alao-Akala.”

“With the job done by the leadership of the APC in Oyo State in partnership with all the party candidates including, Senator Teslim Folarin, to deliver a total number of 449,884 votes to Senator Bola Tinubu and Senator Kassim Shettima in the last presidential election, we have demonstrated that we shall always identify with the cause of Mr. President and also ensure that he succeeds in everything he does to promote democracy, rule of law and also deliver good governance to the people of Nigeria.” Oyo APC stated.

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Judiciary

1999 constitution needs replacement, not overhaul – Chief Olanipekun

By Web News 503

Renowned Lawyer and former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Chief Wole Olanipekun has called for a new constitution for Nigeria in the interest of the coming generations of the country.

The renowned lawyer maintained that no amount of amendment of the 1999 constitution could guarantee its functionality and make it useful for the advancement of Nigeria’s progress.

Speaking at a lecture at Redeemers’ University Ede, Osun State on the topic titled “Beyond the Pandemic: Creating an Evolving New Normal”, Chief Olanipekun submitted that, no country in the world practised the Nigerian type of federalism, where the centre arrogates all powers to itself at the expense of the federating units.

Chief Olanipekun explained that in the old Western Region, the Chief Obafemi Awolowo/Akintola-led Administration could build the first television station in Africa, first stadium and many other significant infrastructures because the independence and 1963 constitution allowed for true federalism where the regional governments did not need to seek federal permission or license to do what was expected of them.

He pointed out an instance in the constitution where Section 214 provides that there shall be a police force for Nigeria, saying that such is grossly ineffective for a country with a landmass of over nine hundred thousand square kilometres, over three hundred ethnic groups, thirty-six states and a population of over two hundred and six million people.

The legal luminary noted further that even the proposed amendment of the 1999 constitution being handled by the National Assembly was carried out without due consultation with the people as the so-called zonal public hearing held in that regard was hastily conducted without giving voice to the people.

It is the position of the learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria that as the whole world attempted to evolve a new normal from the COVID-19 regime, getting a working constitution that would enhance the capacity of the federating units as it was in 1963 was the first step to getting the new normal.

He pointed out that apart from the total overhaul of the constitution, chapter two of the document which provides for the government’s responsibilities to the people should be made justiciable so that the people could truly hold the government accountable if it fails to act to the terms of the constitution.

The former NBA president who remarked that Nigeria youths have the capacity to transform the country if given the right environment as attested by the monumental impacts they were making in across the world, however, charged them not to lose hope or join the trend of destroying the country, but rather they should continue to ask questions and interrogate governments and public institutions in the interest of the country and their future.

Adenitan Akinola

Lifestyle

Buhari, Tinubu, Abiodun, Eulogise Awo’s Eldest Daughter

By Web News 696

Tributes have been pouring in over the death of former Premier of the Western Region, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s eldest daughter, Mrs Omotola Oyediran.

President Muhammadu Buhari in a condolence message to the Awolowo family described the exit of Mrs Oyediran as sad.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari sends condolences to the family of late Premier of the Western Region and nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, over the passing of Mrs Tola Oyediran, eldest daughter of the sage.

President Buhari commiserated with friends and associates of Mrs Oyediran, particularly her only surviving sister, Mrs Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu over the sad loss, urging the family to take solace in the investments of the deceased in making life better for others.

The president prayed that the Almighty God would receive the soul of the departed, and comfort all her loved ones.

In his own tribute, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described the deceased as humble, amiable and person with graceful disposition which endeared her to many people.

Asiwaju Tinubu said Mrs Oyediran represented the Awolowo family positively through her excellent moral conduct and her sharing of her father’s welfarist political philosophy.

He said as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tribune Newspapers until her death, Mrs Oyediran helped to take the Tribune titles to new heights through her emphasis on professionalism and integrity in all their editorial offerings.

On his part, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State said the death of Mrs. Oyediran had thrown the state into mourning.

He described the late Tola Oyediran as not only an embodiment of humility and virtues, but one who has exhibited independent-mindedness, foresight and managerial acumen in all tasks thrust upon her.

According to Governor Abiodun, Mrs Oyediran was also a great Nigerian in her own right and stood as a rock of Gibraltar behind her very successful medical doctor husband and former Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Professor A.B. O. Oyediran, her successes as a home-maker cannot but be an irreparable loss to her immediate and extended family members and indeed a very painful exit for them.

Adewumi Faniran