Personality in Focus
49th Birthday: Aare Adetona, Wife Bag Otun, Yeye Otun Asiwaju Onigbagbo Honours
As part of activities to celebrate his 49th birthday on April 2, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Adron Homes and Properties, Aare Adetola Emmanuel-king and his wife, Yeye Aderonke Emmanuel King have been inducted and decorated as the Otun Asiwaju Onigbagbo and Yeye Otun Asiwaju Onigbagbo of Remo Land.
The Asiwaju Onigbagbo honour refers a leader of all believers (Christians) in Remo Land. It’s a title given by CAN as a religious body. The conferment of the Otun Asiwaju on Aare Adetona indicates his assisting capacity to the Asiwaju Onigbagbo, who is the Senator Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State.
The event took place at the Communion Faith Assembly, Garden of Faith, Kemta House Estate, Idi-Aba Abeokuta, Ogun state.
The couple were ordained by top Ogun State clergymen and members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ogun State Chapter under the leadership of Bishop (Dr) Tunde Akin-Akinsanya. Other members of his team were Rev Dr O Oyeniyi chairman CCN, Most Rev Dr Peter Odetoyinbo Chairman CSN, Rev Dr S.O Babayomi Chairman ECWA/TEKAN, Pastor J K Onakoya (JP) Chairman CPFN/PFN and Rev Leke Sopein Chairman OAIC who also held a special service to celebrate his birthday.
It is worthy of note that Aare Adetola during his National Youth Service year in Bayelsa State, was an active member of the Christian youth corps members in Bayelsa State during his National Youth Service year, where he held the position of State Coordinator for Nigeria Christian Corpers’ Fellowship (NCCF) Bayelsa State from 2000-2001. He also served as the President of the Youth Fellowship of Living Faith Church (Winners’ Chapel) Sagamu from 2002-2004 and became the prayer squad coordinator for the Living Faith church from 2005-2007. Aare Adetola has been ordained as Deacon of the Living Faith Church (Winners’ Chapel) Sango Otta, a position he has held since 2008. This was part of the reason that led to his induction as the Otun Asiwaju Onigbagbo of Remo Land as the deputy to his excellency Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Engr. Gbenga Daniel who is the Asiwaju Onigbagbo of Remo Land.
During the induction, the officiating Bishop and the CAN Ogun state Chairman Bishop Dr Tunde Akin-Akinsanya also implored Aare Adetola and his wife Yeye Aderonke to continue to support the propagation of the gospel and also dedicate their wealth to giving immensely to the church and CAN projects in Ogun State. He also harped on the need to become worthy ambassadors for Christ as the position he holds is of great value to the Christian faith and it also plays a pivotal role in the development of Christianity within Remo and beyond the shores of Ogun State.
Aare Adetola who thanked the Christian body for finding him worthy of such a highly coveted title disclosed that he is more than happy that the induction is coming on his birthday and it’s an indication of a new beginning in his life. He also disclosed that; all he has acquired to date was as a result of the favour of God on his life and he will never derail from projecting his good works in his life and he will forever be a good ambassador of the CAN and the body of Christ at large. “I am excited and happy for this induction; it’s coming on my birthday day and it makes it more significant. I and my wife are both grateful to the CAN Ogun State chapter for this and also to our friends and associates who came to honour us. I and my household will keep investing in the work of God and we will never derail from it. This will mark the beginning of the growth of Christianity in Remo land as I will play my part accordingly and pray to God to help me fulfil all my heart desires.”
Yeye Aderonke Emmanuelking who gave her life to Jesus Christ in October 1995, joined the Eagle’s Trainers Church aka Heritage Assembly where she diligently served in the service of God within the ushering department of the church until 1998/1999 before her academic pursuit. She later joined the Redeemed Christian Church of God as a young lady and a student at the Lagos State University where she subsequently became a member of the Living Faith Church upon her marriage to Aare Adetola Emmanuelking in April 2007. Since her marriage, she has strongly enshrined the Christian faith in her home and nurtured many young persons to spiritual growth in the Christian faith. In her remarks; she disclosed her readiness to be a pillar of support in ensuring the husband focuses more on the works of God and also promised to always motivate him by ensuring he devotes his time and resources to the works of Christ. ‘As a pillar of support, I will always be by his side and also motivate him to contribute his quota to the development of God’s work.” She concluded.
Aare Adetola also disclosed that at a later date, he would be hosting his friends and family to an elaborate thanksgiving Soiree and that the induction was just an avenue to enable him to take the oath of office, blessings and other paraphernalia.
“The induction was just to receive the blessings and also do the normal rites. I will be hosting my friends at a Thanksgiving party soon. The mood of the country is not good for a massive Soiree so when things pick up in the country, I will send invitations around for a mega Thanksgiving party. I want to thank CAN for finding me worthy of this honour. I want to thank the Executive Governor of Ogun State; Prince Dapo Abiodun for his support, also the Asiwaju Onigbagbo of Remo Land; Former Governor of Ogun State Senator Gbenga Daniel and The Asiwaju Onigbagbo of Ogun State; Former President Olusegun Obasanjo for their commitment to God work. May Almighty God continue to strengthen.”
The funeral for Pope Francis will be held on Saturday, the Vatican announced on Tuesday, as world leaders from US President Donald Trump to Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky said they would attend to honour the Catholic leader.
The Argentine pontiff, 88, died on Monday from a stroke, less than a month after returning home from five weeks in hospital battling double pneumonia.
His funeral, which is expected to draw huge crowds, will take place at 10:00 am (0800 GMT) on Saturday in the square in front of St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.
Francis’s coffin — which he previously ordered should be of wood and zinc — will then be taken inside the church and from there to the Rome basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial.
The date was set by the first so-called “general congregation” of cardinals on Tuesday morning, which kicked off a centuries-old process that culminates in the election of a new pontiff within three weeks.
Earlier, the Vatican published the first images of the pontiff in his open coffin, ahead of its transfer to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday at 9:00 am (0700 GMT), to lie in state.
The pope’s body was photographed during a service Monday evening in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican residence where he lived during his 12-year papacy, and where he died.
Francis was wearing his red papal vestments, a mitre on his head and had a rosary between his fingers.
Tributes have poured in from around the globe for Francis, a liberal reformer who took over following the resignation of German theologian Benedict XVI in 2013.
His home country, Argentina, prepared for a week of national mourning while India began three days of state mourning on Tuesday — a rare honour for a foreign religious leader in the world’s most populous nation.
Heads of state and royalty are expected for his funeral, due to be held at St Peter’s Basilica, with Trump and France’s Emmanuel Macron the first to announce they would attend.
On Tuesday, a source at the Ukrainian presidency told AFP that Zelensky, too, would come to Rome.
Cardinals of all ages are invited to the congregations, although only those under the age of 80 are eligible to vote for a new pope in the conclave.
The conclave should begin no less than 15 and no more than 20 days after the death of the pope.
Simple tomb
The pope’s body was moved into the Santa Marta chapel on Monday evening, and his apartment formally sealed, the Vatican said.
Francis, who wore plain robes and eschewed the luxury of his predecessors, has opted for a simple tomb, unadorned except for his name in Latin, Franciscus, according to his will released Monday.
In chosing to be buried in Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, he will become the first pope in more than 100 years to be laid to rest outside the Vatican.
His death certificate released by the Vatican said Francis died of a stroke, causing a coma and “irreversible” heart failure.
He had been discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on March 23 and ordered to spend at least two months resting.
But Francis, who never took a holiday and delighted in being among his flock, made numerous public appearances in recent days.
He appeared exhausted on Sunday during the Easter celebrations, but nevertheless greeted the crowds in his popemobile in St Peter’s Square.
Argentine football great Lionel Messi hailed his compatriot — himself a huge fan of the beautiful game — for “making the world a better place”.
On Monday evening, thousands of faithful, some bringing flowers or candles, flocked to St. Peter’s Square at sunset to pray for Francis.
He “tried to get people to understand it doesn’t matter your sexual orientation, your race, it doesn’t matter in the eyes of God”, Mateo Rey, 22, a Mexican student, told AFP.
“I think that’s the closest to what Jesus intended.”
Born Jorge Bergoglio, Francis was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to lead the worldwide Catholic Church.
An energetic reformer, he sought to open the Church to everyone and was hugely popular — but his views also sparked fierce internal opposition.
In 12 years as pope, Francis advocated tirelessly for the defence of migrants, the environment, and social justice without questioning the Church’s positions on abortion or priestly celibacy.
Outspoken and stubborn, Francis also sought to reform the governance of the Holy See and expand the role of women and lay people, and to clean up the Vatican’s murky finances.
Faced with revelations of widespread child sex abuse in the Church, he lifted pontifical secrecy and forced religious and lay people to report cases to their superiors.
However, victims’ groups said he did not go far enough.
AFP
The family of Bolaji Olarewaju, popularly known as Big Bolaji has confirmed the passing of the singer following a brief illness.
According to a statement signed by the Family on Saturday, Bolaji died on Easter Saturday.
The statement said, “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Bolaji Olarewaju, affectionately known as “Big B,” a cherished father, husband, brother, and an esteemed figure in both the church community, an ordained Pastor in the RCCG and a giant in the music industry and our community. Bolaji left us on Easter Saturday, 19th April 2025, after a brief illness.
“His departure leaves a void in our hearts that can not be filled.
“Bolaji’s life was a testament to his passion for music, his unwavering faith, and his dedication to uplifting those around him. His legacy is not only in the melodies he created but in the lives he touched and the unquantifiable joy he spread.
“We take solace in knowing that his absence with us is his presence with the Lord, and the indelible mark he left on all who had the privilege of knowing him will not be erased.
“As we navigate through this time of loss, we kindly request privacy to mourn as a family. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received and ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers.
“Details regarding the obsequies will be shared in due course as we come together to celebrate Bolaji’s remarkable life and legacy.
“Thank you for respecting our wishes during this incredibly difficult time. With gratitude, The Family of Bolaji Olarewaju.”
Pascal Dozie, a renowned Nigerian entrepreneur and business leader has died. He was 86.
According to sources close to the deceased, Dozie died a battle with old age-related illness.
Dozie, was a man of many parts, best known for founding Diamond Bank and serving as chairman of Pan-Atlantic University.
He was born on April 9, 1939, in Egbu, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Dozie’s educational background includes a degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and a master’s in Administrative Science from City University in London.
Dozie also founded theAfrican Development Consulting Group, which worked with notable clients like Nestle and Pfizer. He served as MTN Group chairman but later resigned and was succeeded by Ernest Ndukwe.
Dozie received the prestigious National Award of the Order of the Niger (OON) for his contributions to Nigeria’s banking industry.
Dozie is survived by his wife Chinyere Dozie, and five children among other relatives.
