Personality in Focus
Dignitaries Shower Encomiums on Tinubu at Launch of The Iconic by Samson Oki, Other in Lagos
The highly publicized book on Nigeria’s President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu titled ‘THE ICONIC Bola Ahmed Tinubu: An Inspiration to African Youths’ was on Wednesday 12th April 2023 officially launched in an atmosphere of ceremonial grandeur and glamour at the lavish Grand Ballroom of the Oriental Hotel, Lagos. The 380-page book authored by two young media gladiators and the multi-award winning publisher of Trek Africa Newspaper, Oki Olatunji Samson and Abayomi Oyelami is a mentorship book written as a legacy of knowledge and wellspring of impetus for young Africans to learn on their road to greatness. Taking cues from the life of Nigeria’s President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the book draws from his life of dedication, hard work, perseverance, and resilience, and his results are proofs.
The book hailed the sagacity, strength of capacity, willpower, and dexterity of the Aare Ago of Yorubaland and Jagaban of Borgu while using these qualities to challenge African youths to ‘take a retrospect at your life. When you were growing up, you had a lot of dreams and aspirations, where are they now? What are you doing about your own dream? Are you hungry for success? How far are you pushing for the realization of your vision? How much work are you putting into your life’s goals? ASIWAJU, the whole world knows, what about you? Hardwork will beat talent if talent does not work hard’.
It also features chapters and segments on the wife of President-elect, Senator Oluremi Shade Tinubu OON; the Vice President-elect, H. E. Senator Kashim Shettima; the President of the Republic of Liberia, H. E. George Manneh Weah; Uganda’s young presidential candidate and popular musician, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (aka Bobi Wine), media/PR giant and youth ambassador, Amb. Seyi Tinubu among other bigwigs.
Great personalities, royal fathers, young and old, from various parts of the world further sends in an array of tributes. The book has gained widespread commendation and prominence within Nigeria and outside the shores of the country.
The book launch which had the Chairman of the occasion, the Board Member of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and CEO of Executive Group, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan got the royal blessings of the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oodua of the Source, HIM Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as represented by HRM Olalekan Anthony Fasesin, the Alade Okin of Oriade, Osun state; the youngest royal father in Yorubaland, HRM Oba Oloyede Adeyeoba Adekoya, Arujale Ojima of Okeluse, Ondo state; and Sarki overall of Alimosho LGA Hausa community, HRH Sarki Ahmed Kuraja.
The event cochaired by the Executive Secretary/CEO of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun was massively attended by the staunch advocates and disciples of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Nigeria and the high and mighty from different parts of Africa who expressed high optimisms about the Renewed Hope Agenda which will deliver prosperity to the most populous Black nation.
The event also got the distinguished presence of the daughter of President-elect and Iyaloja-General of the federation, Chief Mrs. Folashade Tinubu Ojo who was represented by Mrs. Folashade Ogungboye; the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa OON as represented by Mr. Dipo Odebowale, Head of NIDCOM Lagos; former Commissioner of Police, Lagos, AIG Hakeem Odumosu (retd); the Special Adviser (Special Duties & Intergovernmental Affairs) to Lagos State Governor, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende RAK; Commissioner, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Hakeem Ajasa Bamgbola; the SSA (Housing) to the Lagos State Governor, Hon. Abdul-Akeem Ayodeji Amodu; the Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel.
Also in attendance were the Executive Chairman of Coker-Aguda LCDA, Hon. Rasaq Ibrahim Olamilekan; Convener, Asiwaju Distinguished Ambassadors Movement and Vice Chairman, Ikorodu LGA, Aarebinrin Folashade Olabanji-Oba; former FRSC Lagos Sector Commander, ACM Olusegun Ogungbemide as represented by ACC Esther E. Uzoma, FRSC Unit Commander Lagos Island; Bishop Dr. Osaze Williams from Republic of Liberia; Hon. Hammed Oladipupo, Council Leader, Itire-Ikate LCDA; CEO of Badinson Security, Mr. Matthew Ibadin; President, Evolving Women in Politics, Hajia Dr. Fatima Bello; National Treasurer, Evolving Women in Politics, Olori Aderonke Erinle; veteran Nollywood actor, Bose Joseph; foremost June 12 activist, Comrade Awa Bamiji; and CEO of Lillie’s Trend, Margaret Adewunmi among others.
Hailing the man that he always call ‘Daddy’, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan said ‘some of us don’t call him by name, we call him Daddy because he has touched our lives. He is a Consultant-General for winning elections. Nigerians will experience a new moment with a man like him.’
‘I believe that this man will help us fix the broken walls in our country. He is a leader of leaders, a manager of men and resources, a distinguished Nigerian, and very passionate. I look at my life at the time when I met him and now for more than 20 years, I have to give kudos to this man.’
On his part, the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun remarked: ‘Most of the youths may have views about the personality of the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But for me Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is someone I have worked with closely. I have been under his tutelage for the past 21 years, I worked with him as a principal officer of the State Assembly when he was Governor.’
‘He will encourage us to build a very smooth relationship in the House despite our divergent views which sometimes the arguments can be heated. He is someone who protects the truth, has a large heart, despite our issues then, we passed a lot of iconic legislations which have been replicated across the country’, he added.
Speaking at the event, the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oodua of the Source, HIM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi who was represented by HRM Oba Olalekan Anthony Fasesin assured that ‘the traditional institution would continue to support every laudable project that brings unification to the country and encourage youths to aspire.’
The former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, AIG Hakeem Odumosu (retd) said any book written or anything said about Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not more than what he has done, ‘Since my first encounter with him as a young commissioned police officer about 30 years ago, his spirit of forgiveness, a virtue, I have learnt from him as a quintessential leader, is golden. I have vowed to work with him and remain loyal till the last day.’
Sharing his personal encounter about the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Agency, Hon Mobolaji Ogunlende RAK commended the authors for their excellent job, adding that they were already replicating what THE ICONIC did by ‘grabbing the bull by the horns’.
‘The generation behind us will see these excellent work you have done. For Nigeria to be better, everyone has a role to play. Therefore, change and take responsibility of your community. Tinubu has set a template, a foundation for the youths’, Ogunlende remarked.
Also, the Senior Special Assistant (Housing) to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Surveyor Ayodeji Amodu called on Nigerian youths to believe in the coming government headed by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu understood what the youths needed; the tenacity at which the youths needed to be inclusive in government. He is a man that believes in the youths and ensure that a lot of them were employed into the Civil Service in 2004. You can see the LASTMA, Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch. These were people met to be street urchins, but employed them enmasse and can see what they been able to bring to the table.’
In a separate interview, the author Samson Olatunji Oki said the inspiration to write a book on the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was birthed in 2015 during the presidential campaign trail of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. ‘As a reporter craving for news, I stood close to him. I also realized that throughout the campaign, he didn’t really sit down. He looked very engaged. At a point, two chilled can coke were brought to him. He held it momentarily, opened one of it and gulped it. He took the second and did the same. From there, he moved straight to the podium to address the crowd. I thought about his personality and got inspired. He is rich, well connected and had lots of influences, yet, was so much committed. With his antecedents in government and how he has carried the youths along, I saw him as not only a role model, but a mentor and an inspiration to the African Youths.’
‘This is a book for the youths. Tinubu is an enigma; a person the youths can look up to for drive and inspiration. He is a man every youth should emulate. He carries everybody along – people of different culture and ethnic backgrounds – provided the person is talented. He is astatue and not biased’, said the awardwinning publicist cum media guru.
In the same vein, the co-author Abayomi Oyelami added that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to humanity and preservation of democratic tenets were the driving force. ‘We actually started writing in 2018 and we are glad that in 2023, we have officially unveiled the book. It is a mentorship book that looks critically at the man Tinubu; the life style, personality and the dexterity he has displayed in life.’
The fellow of Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and nonprofit leader added: ‘Everytime I was writing this book, I remembered the story of the June 12 Presidential election annulment. This was a time the media was gagged but the name: Bola Ahmed Tinubu kept recurring. That was my first impression about him’.
‘He, with others, started Radio Kudirat – in honour of late Kudirat Abiola. I saw him as a man to be studied and people can learn from because in a true democracy, free press is a key component and that is why I like to say that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a person both the youths and the media can learn from. Tinubu is, indeed, a leader. Let us learn from him’, Oyelami reiterated.
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.
