Personality in Focus
Food for Living: Tribute: Celebrating My Mentors
By Abdulakeem Sodeeq Sulyman
Waiters believe the right time will come for them to start working on their dreams; but achievers believe in the opportunities every time – positive or negative – posed to them to actualize their dreams” – Abdulakeem Sodeeq Sulyman
Today is one of the most important days of my life because in a few hours, I will be officially admitted into the league of the recipients of the Presidential Lifetime Award. Being a recipient of the prestigious award is, to me, as a devoted Christian, is nothing short of the grace of the Most High God, who has been my ultimate guardian and pillar of support and encouragement. I will alway glorify His holy name!
But beyond that, I wouldn’t have attained this peak of greatness without the influence of my parents, family members, friends, mentors, acquaintances and most importantly, my doubters. Your respective roles in nurturing me for the greatness I was destined to achieve really shaped my life’s trajectory by instilling the right values in me and energizing me in pursuing my aspirations and dreams.
To start with the order of the people I mentioned earlier, I owe everything I become in life to my parents because they were the embodiments of my standards. I cannot thank my parents enough for their sacrifices for me and my brothers and sisters. My parents’ guidance and support were indelible! Comparing my humble backgrounds with where I am today deepens my affections and admiration for my parents. Their teachings and conduct affirmed the old-time principle that “In the race of life, you need to start from somewhere in order to get to where you want to be.”
I think I would be an ingrate if I failed to acknowledge the roles of family members on my upbringing because these are people who went outside their comfort zones to make life bearable for us – my brothers, sisters and me – when the time was tough. Our family members stood by us during the time life posed the daunting challenges of coping with our father’s and mother’s demises. Today is one of the days yourDear Destiny Friends, respective deeds will affirm to you that the greatest investment in life is the one made on humanity.
Also significant to my greatness are the roles of my friends. Overtime, I have lost direction in life and made damning mistakes – like all other humans. However, I also have the rare opportunity of getting my life back on track because I am surrounded by friends who know that I have purposes to accomplish, believe in me and support me to birth my purposes. During the course of my life, I have been privileged to meet and connect with wonderful people, who all proven to me that I am bound to change the course of humanity if I don’t give up on myself.
At every point in our life, we are bound to come across people who will make us better and prepare us for the nitty-gritty of the possibilities we are meant to create with our lives. These people, without being equivocal, are our mentors. In my own life, I owe these people more than the world because of the roles they played in grooming me for the world that mirrors the purposes God wants to fulfill. My mentors, at every corner of the world, gave birth to the Henry Ukazu you all know today.
Since I was mentored by some people to become the version of myself, what would be my contributions towards sustaining the chain of mentorship? Answering this question birthed in me the necessity of being a guiding light to the people our paths crossed. Consciously or unconsciously, I have gained more from the people who believed they have much to learn from me. You may be tempted to ask how I gained from my prospective learners. I gained from them because I know that their commitment to learn from me places more responsibility on me to learn more, so that I will not disappoint them.
No man ever attained the peak of his aspirations by compliments alone. To do great things, you must be talked out of the way by doubters or challengers. But if you don’t let their words or deeds deter you, you will eventually prove them wrong! It is normal for people to write you off; it is normal for people to take advantage of you and it is normal to feel you don’t have anything to offer. I don’t know what your story is, but all I can say is appreciate the trials, challenges and disappointments that come with achieving greatness.
This was exactly my storyline. I cannot count the number of times I was discouraged from doing what I believed. But because I know I am working on purpose, my energy is always refilled anytime I am told something cannot be done by me. This principle is highly working for my turnarounds. If you want me to break boundaries, tell me I can’t. Your doubts will challenge me to see possibilities and make them happen.
That has been the secret of my leadership as I learned from Peter Drucker, the famous management expert, that “Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to higher sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.” I am here today because I saw beyond the place of my birth and didn’t allow any obstacle to limit me.
Thank you all for being parts of my success!
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
A new chapter in clinical leadership has commenced at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, with the appointment of renowned Consultant Nephrologist, Dr. Olusola Adebisi, as the institution’s new Head of Clinical Services (HCS). He officially resumes duty today, Monday, June 15, 2026, following the expiration of the tenure of his predecessor, Dr. A.S. Adediran, whose stewardship contributed significantly to the advancement of clinical services within the tertiary healthcare institution.
The appointment, approved by the 7th Board of Management at its 6th Extraordinary Meeting held on June 8, 2026, is hailed as a strategic move that places one of the hospital’s most experienced clinicians and respected administrators at the helm of its clinical operations. With a distinguished career spanning renal medicine, healthcare leadership, organized medicine, and community service, Dr. Adebisi brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for excellence to the role.
Until his appointment, Dr. Adebisi served as Head of the Nephrology Unit at FMC Abeokuta, where he earned recognition as one of the leading authorities on kidney-related illnesses within the West African sub-region. A passionate advocate for preventive nephrology, he has spearheaded numerous community sensitization initiatives, including annual World Kidney Day campaigns aimed at promoting early detection and management of kidney disease. He has also mentored and supervised generations of resident doctors, medical officers, and specialized nephrology nurses, helping to sustain a culture of clinical excellence.
His leadership credentials extend beyond clinical practice. Dr. Adebisi previously served as Chairman of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), FMC Abeokuta Chapter, where he was instrumental in fostering professional harmony and academic advancement among consultants. He currently serves as Faculty Treasurer of the West African College of Physicians (WACP), a role that underscores his financial discipline, organizational trust, and administrative competence. His earlier engagements with the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) further enriched his understanding of Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
Beyond medicine, Dr. Adebisi is actively involved in civic and community development. He currently serves as President of the Rotary Club in the Oke-Ona Egba District, championing humanitarian, maternal health, and community empowerment initiatives. He is also the Social Secretary of the Abeokuta Sports Club, contributing to social cohesion and cultural development within Ogun State.
A devout Christian and committed family man, Dr. Adebisi is widely respected for a leadership style rooted in integrity, compassion, and service. As Head of Clinical Services, he is expected to focus on strengthening patient-centred care, enhancing clinical research and residency training, improving interdepartmental collaboration, and promoting institutional harmony across all clinical cadres.
Speaking on his vision for the office, Dr. Adebisi emphasized the need for innovation, professionalism, and teamwork in healthcare delivery. “Our objective remains clear: to deliver compassionate, world-class, and accessible healthcare to our immediate community and beyond, fueled by clinical innovation, integrity, and absolute dedication to human life,” he said.
With his assumption of office today, stakeholders within and outside FMC Abeokuta express optimism that his blend of clinical expertise, administrative experience, and people-centred leadership will further strengthen the institution’s position as a leading centre of excellence in healthcare delivery, training, and research.
Personality in Focus
June 12: Tinubu Confers National Honours on Kolade-Otitoju, Dasuki, Okei-Odumakin, Others
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honours on several prominent pro-democracy activists, journalists, civil society leaders, and retired military officers in recognition of their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic struggle and the historic June 12 movement.
The announcement was made during the President’s nationwide Democracy Day broadcast commemorating Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.
According to President Tinubu, the awards are intended to immortalize the sacrifices of individuals who endured persecution, imprisonment, solitary confinement, harassment, and exile during the fight against military dictatorship and the struggle to actualize the June 12, 1993 presidential election mandate.
Tinubu Honours Democracy Heroes
The President emphasized that the honourees played critical roles in defending democratic values and laying the foundation for the civilian rule Nigeria enjoys today.
Among those recognized are veteran journalists, media executives, civil rights advocates, and leaders of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), whose resistance to military rule helped shape the nation’s democratic journey.
Media and Civil Society Leaders Recognised
Notable recipients in the media and civil society category include:
* Gbemiga Ogunleye, former Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ)
* Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, Director of News at TVC News and veteran journalist
* Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, renowned human rights campaigner
* Chief Ayo Opadokun, NADECO chieftain
* Sam Omatseye
* Oladele Alake
* Olatunji Bello
* Louis Odion
* Tunde Fagbenle
* Richard Akinnola
* Debo Adeniran
The recognition highlights the pivotal role played by the media and civil society organizations in resisting authoritarian rule and advocating for democratic governance.
Retired Military Officers Honoured for Opposing Dictatorship
In what observers have described as a historic and groundbreaking move, President Tinubu also created a special category to honour military officers who worked from within the armed forces to challenge authoritarian rule and support democratic ideals.
The honoured retired officers include:
* Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd)
* Colonel Lawan Gwadabe (retd)
* Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe
* Major General Ishola Williams (retd)
* Major General M.A. Garba
* Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
The President noted that these officers risked their careers, personal freedom, and lives in pursuit of democratic governance during one of Nigeria’s most turbulent political periods.
Celebrating 27 Years of Democracy
The national honours ceremony forms part of activities marking Democracy Day, observed annually on June 12 in remembrance of the 1993 presidential election widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to preserving democratic institutions, protecting civil liberties, and ensuring that the sacrifices of June 12 heroes remain permanently etched in Nigeria’s national memory.
The honours have been widely viewed as a significant step toward acknowledging the contributions of individuals and groups whose courage and resilience helped restore democratic rule and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
Personality in Focus
Prof Favour Ayodele (OFA): The Carpenter of a New Nigeria and the 2027 Political Reset Agenda
By Theresa Moses
As Nigeria gradually builds momentum toward the 2027 general elections, the political atmosphere is once again filled with familiar uncertainties; rising public frustration, economic strain, insecurity, and a growing demand for leaders who can move beyond promises into measurable national repair.
In the middle of this unfolding national conversation is Prof. Oluwamuyiwa Favour Ayodele (OFA), popularly known as “The Carpenter”, a presidential aspirant who has declared his intention to run for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
His emergence is not framed as a routine political ambition. Instead, OFA positions himself as a system disruptor: someone who believes Nigeria is not merely in need of policy adjustment, but of structural reconstruction.
In his framing, Nigeria is a nation battling deep institutional fatigue: a struggling power sector, widening inequality, youth unemployment, insecurity, and a trust deficit between citizens and the state. His campaign narrative insists that these issues are not isolated problems, but interconnected failures requiring coordinated national rebuilding.
A POLITICAL IDENTITY BUILT AROUND RECONSTRUCTION
Prof. Oluwamuyiwa Favour Ayodele’s branding as “The Carpenter” is symbolic. It reflects his central argument that Nigeria’s governance system has suffered structural damage over time and must be rebuilt from the foundation rather than patched at the surface.
Rather than positioning himself within traditional political alignments, he presents himself as an alternative voice driven by urgency, reform, and what he describes as a moral responsibility to restore national dignity.
His declaration statement emphasizes accountability, anti-corruption, youth inclusion, and national renewal; framed around the belief that leadership must directly reflect the lived realities of citizens.
WHY SUPPORTERS BELIEVE OFA REPRESENTS A DIFFERENT PATH
Supporters of Prof. Oluwamuyiwa Favour Ayodele’s candidacy argue that his emergence is significant not because he fits into the political establishment, but because he challenges its assumptions. They point to several reasons they believe he offers a credible alternative direction for Nigeria:
1. A Direct Focus on Nigeria’s Core Failure: Power
At the center of his Governance, Electricity and Transformation (GET) agenda is electricity reform. OFA argues that Nigeria’s development stagnation is fundamentally tied to unreliable power supply. Without stable electricity, he insists, industrial growth, education reform, healthcare improvement, and job creation remain structurally constrained.
For supporters, this focus is important because it identifies one of Nigeria’s most persistent national bottlenecks as a central governance priority rather than a secondary concern.
2. Crisis-Responsive Leadership Framing
Prof. Oluwamuyiwa Favour Ayodele’s political messaging is rooted in Nigeria’s lived realities:poverty, insecurity, inflation, unemployment, and declining public trust.
His supporters argue that his appeal lies in consistently connecting governance to everyday survival challenges, rather than abstract political promises. In their view, he frames leadership as an urgent response mechanism to national distress.
3. Anti-Establishment Positioning
A defining feature of his political identity is his outsider stance. He positions himself outside entrenched political networks, arguing that Nigeria’s long-standing governance challenges are partly sustained by recycled leadership structures.
Supporters see this as an advantage in a system where political continuity has often been criticized for limiting innovation, accountability, and reform momentum.
4. Youth and Grassroots Mobilization Strategy
With Nigeria’s population dominated by young people, Prof. Oluwamuyiwa Favour Ayodele’s movement structure; through platforms such as the Carpenter Movement Worldwide and allied civic initiatives, emphasizes youth engagement, participation, and political consciousness.
Supporters argue that this approach is critical in a country where young citizens form the majority but often feel excluded from decision-making processes.
5. Moral and Accountability-Based Leadership Narrative
Prof. Oluwamuyiwa Favour Ayodele consistently frames governance as a moral responsibility. His messaging emphasizes transparency, equality before the law, and leadership accountability.
In a political environment where public trust in institutions has weakened, his supporters argue that moral clarity in leadership is itself a necessary political correction.
THE BROADER NATIONAL CONTEXT
Nigeria today stands at a crossroads defined by economic pressure, insecurity, infrastructure deficits, and rising public dissatisfaction. These realities are shaping a political climate where citizens are increasingly evaluating candidates not only by party affiliation, but by perceived authenticity, clarity of vision, and responsiveness to national realities.
In this environment, Prof. Oluwamuyiwa Favour Ayodele’s emergence reflects a broader shift in political expectations; where movement-driven narratives, rather than traditional party structures, are gaining attention.
A CANDIDACY DEFINED BY DISRUPTION
What distinguishes Prof. Oluwamuyiwa Favour Ayodele’s political identity is not just his promises, but his positioning: as a builder entering a broken system, not to preserve it, but to reconstruct it.
His rhetoric leans heavily on urgency, reform, and national rebirth. Whether this translates into broad electoral success remains uncertain, but his presence adds a new layer to Nigeria’s evolving political conversation.
As 2027 approaches, one reality is already clear: Prof. Favour Ayodele has positioned himself as a candidate determined to disrupt conventional politics and push a narrative of accountability, reform, and national rebirth.
And in a nation searching for direction, challengers often reshape the debate itself.
