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 Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has died. He was aged 90.
Oba Olakulehin, who ascended the throne in July 2024, died in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, after spending a year on the throne, and two days after his 90th birthday
Oba Olakulehin received the staff of office from Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde, on July 12, 2024, as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Oba Olakulehin ascended the throne from the chieftancy rung of Balogun Olubadan, following the demise of Oba (Dr.) Moshood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who died at the age of 81 years on March 14, 2024.
Personality in Focus
Things Fall Apart Festival 2025: Chimamanda Adichie Calls for Igbo Unity, Honoured by ATPN
Global literary icon, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has been inducted as an Honorary Fellow of theAssociation of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), in recognition of her remarkable contributions to promoting Nigeria’s cultural identity through literature. Her works, which have earned worldwide acclaim, continue to project Nigerian—and particularly Igbo—culture on the global stage.
The honorary induction took place during the Things Fall Apart Festival (TFA) 2025, held in Enugu and organized by the Centre for Memories – Ncheta Ndigbo, with endorsement from the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the ATPN, and in partnership with iTour Africa. The festival is a celebration of the legacy of Chinua Achebe’s timeless novel, Things Fall Apart.
Adichie, who chaired the festival, delivered a stirring address that emphasized the urgent need for unity and cultural pride among the Igbo people. Also present at the event were several dignitaries including Sir Ike Chioke, Managing Director of Afrinvest; Sir Emeka Mba, former DG of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission and founder of Afia TV; and celebrated actor Chief Nkem Owoh (Osuofia).
Speaking on behalf of ATPN National President Omo-Oba Adetunji Femi Fadina, the association’s Deputy President II, Wilson Uche Ugwu, emphasized the vital role of cultural identity in tourism development. He urged Nigerians—especially the Igbo—to take pride in their heritage and support initiatives that preserve and promote indigenous culture. Ugwu also reaffirmed ATPN’s commitment to professionalism among tourism practitioners and the need to avoid distorting Nigeria’s rich history and traditions.
In her keynote speech, Chimamanda Adichie made a powerful call for internal reflection and unity within the Igbo community:
“Ndigbo k’anyi tetalu n’ura. Let us wake up. Ife emebigo n’ala Igbo. Things have fallen apart in Igbo land,” she said. “We often speak of political marginalisation, and indeed any honest assessment of post-war Nigerian history acknowledges that. But before we can truly challenge external forces, we must first ‘clean house.’ We are giving those who want to marginalise us even more reasons to justify their actions.”
She stressed that unity does not mean uniformity but a conscious choice to collaborate for a greater goal despite differences.
“If all governors and senators from the Igbo-speaking states come together and set aside party affiliations, it would bestow a significant bargaining power to influence policies beneficial to the region.”
Adichie also delved into the erosion of Igbo language and identity, lamenting the decline of Igbo literature and the increasing pride in raising children who do not speak their native tongue.
“Languages are beautiful, and the more languages a child can speak, the better. But what’s happening in Igbo land is not about the ability to learn languages—it is about the lack of value for what is ours. Even our naming culture is eroding. We now give names not for their meaning, but for how ‘Western’ they sound.”
She drew parallels with the Germanic tribes, who despite having multiple dialects, united to form a modern German state. In contrast, she warned that internal divisions within Igbo society, often rooted in political rather than cultural identities, are weakening the community.
“Igbo is Igbo. Nobody is more Igbo than another. The distinctions we make today—‘Anambra Igbo,’ ‘Delta Igbo’—are political, not cultural. Our strength lies in our unity.”
The Things Fall Apart Festival 2025 served not only as a celebration of Achebe’s literary genius but also as a rallying point for cultural rebirth and communal introspection. It was a fitting occasion to honour Chimamanda Adichie, a torchbearer of African storytelling and cultural preservation.
Famous American televangelist, Jimmy Swaggart, has died at the age of 90.
Jimmy Swaggart’s death was announced on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
He reportedly died two weeks after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Louisiana home on June 15 2025.
The once most recognized Pentecostal preacher in the United States, was brought down in the late 1980s by sex scandals.
The pastor of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, was reportedly caught on camera in 1988 with a prostitute in New Orleans.
Jimmy Swaggart was embroiled in a prostitution controversy in 1988 after he accused Marvin Gorman, his fellow preacher, of infidelity.
In retaliation, Gorman hired a private investigator who caught Swaggart with a prostitute.
The development triggered a national scandal, prompting him to temporarily step down from preaching.
Addressing the incident during a tearful sermon in 1988, Jimmy Swaggart apologized to his parishioners.
“I have sinned against you. I beg you to forgive me”, he said.
After the scandal, he, however, continued preaching for decades, but with a reduced audience.
