Personality in Focus
Gbajabiamila Warns Against Rising Vices, Pledges Support for Ugokwe’s Special Committee
The Presidency has affirmed its support for the Special Committee on Campaign Against Social Vices in Secondary and Tertiary Institutions, describing its mandate as critical to Nigeria’s future.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, gave the assurance, on behalf of the presidency on Thursday, during a meeting with members of the committee led by its chairman, Professor Jerry Ugokwe at the State House, Abuja, according to a statement signed by the State House Director of Information & Public Relations, Abiodun Oladunjoye, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
He expressed confidence in the integrity and capacity of the committee, noting that its designation as a “special committee” underscores the importance of its assignment, which centres on the wellbeing and moral development of young Nigerians.
The Chief of Staff warned that rising social vices among youths constitute a growing national concern, stressing that although young people are often described as the future, deliberate and coordinated action is required to secure that future.
According to him, many of the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms are forward-looking and targeted at the younger generation, cautioning that failure to properly guide and support youths could undermine the long-term gains of those reforms.
Gbajabiamila emphasised that tackling the menace requires a whole-of-society approach involving parents, teachers, religious leaders, communities and relevant institutions. He noted that the challenge has assumed near-pandemic proportions globally.
“It takes a community to raise a child, it’s not just about the parents anymore, it’s about the clergy, your neighbour, the teachers, so we all stand in locus parentis for the children.
“We cannot sit-back and do nothing and expect this country to grow or develop if you do not start from the foundation”, he noted.
He also underscored the strong link between law and morality, describing moral re-orientation as fundamental to addressing social vices in schools and campuses.
The Chief of Staff highlighted that government of the day has introduced policies and reforms targeted at youths and encouraged them to take advantage of the windows of opportunities offered.
While urging the committee to think innovatively and adapt to changing realities, Gbajabiamila drew from his experience of engaging students directly through school visits, saying such interactions have produced positive feedback.
He assured the committee of the Federal Government’s readiness to collaborate, adding that efforts would be made to mobilise support from corporate organisations through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and to explore possible budgetary provisions.
As a demonstration of personal commitment, he announced a ₦50 million seed donation to support the committee’s work, to be released in two tranches beginning with ₦25 million. He further assured members that his office would remain open for sustained engagement.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Jerry Ugokwe, expressed appreciation for the audience and for the vision behind the committee’s establishment.
He said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to confronting social vices among Nigerian students through a structured presidential intervention, describing youth moral wellbeing as a national priority requiring sustained institutional attention.
Professor Ugokwe explained that the committee’s mandate includes identifying and addressing social vices in schools, promoting discipline and responsible leadership, and collaborating with institutional authorities and security agencies to combat cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice, cybercrime and related offences.
He added that the committee is also responsible for organising sensitisation campaigns and recommending policies to strengthen student welfare, campus security and academic excellence.
The chairman noted that since its inauguration, the committee has moved from policy to action, successfully holding major engagements in Edo and Kwara States as part of its nationwide drive.
He therefore appealed for the Chief of Staff’s strategic backing and stronger institutional ownership, including approval and logistical support for a proposed grand national launch of the campaign at the State House Conference Hall.
Professor Ugokwe assured the Presidency of the committee’s commitment to transparency, measurable outcomes and sustained stakeholder engagement.
Also speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Comrade Sunday Asefon, who led members of the committee to the State House, highlighted the urgency of the intervention, citing a tragic case of a university student whose death was linked to drug intoxication.
He said such incidents underscore the need for a coordinated national response to rising social vices among young people.
According to Asefon, the committee was deliberately structured as a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together education authorities, religious leaders and other critical actors to drive holistic value reorientation among students.
He disclosed that following the committee’s inauguration, his office engaged the Federal Ministry of Education, which subsequently made a budgetary provision for the committee in the 2025 fiscal year, describing it as a useful starting point.
Despite limited resources, Asefon noted that the committee has already conducted programmes in Edo and Kwara States and is planning a larger national engagement in Abuja.
He therefore appealed for stronger institutional support, stressing that the committee’s work aligns closely with the administration’s broader youth development and nation-building agenda.
The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has assured the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) of his royal presence at the association’s Golden Jubilee celebration and Annual General Meeting scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, in April.
The revered monarch gave the assurance on Thursday when he received members of the NANTA AGM Planning Committee, led by Mrs. Lola Adewole, at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta.
Oba Gbadebo commended the association for its resilience and unity over the past five decades, noting that sustaining a professional body for 50 years reflects commitment, strong leadership, and shared vision among its members.
He also prayed for the continued growth and impactful contributions of the association to Nigeria’s cultural tourism sector.
According to the monarch, NANTA has consistently promoted Nigerian culture and the travel trade industry, earning an exemplary status that other professional associations and groups should emulate.
The Alake further assured the delegation that he would personally attend and grace the anniversary event, adding that Egbaland and Ibadan share deep historical, cultural, and traditional ties.
Earlier, the leader of the NANTA delegation, Mrs. Lola Adewole, who was accompanied by the association’s Second National Deputy President, Dr. Tokunbo Dagunduro, and Financial Secretary, Mr. Yinka Ladipo, informed the monarch that NANTA has always promoted Nigeria’s cultural tourism offerings as a vital national asset.
She explained that the association views the country’s cultural heritage as a gold mine that must be preserved and harnessed for Nigeria’s economic and social development.
Adewole noted that the theme of the association’s 50th anniversary celebration, “Embracing Our Diverse Cultural Heritage from the City of Firsts: Redefining Our Role as Global Ambassadors,” reflects NANTA’s commitment to supporting and promoting Nigeria’s cultural tourism economy.
As part of activities ahead of the anniversary celebration, the NANTA team also visited the Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, to formally invite him to the Ibadan conference.
During the visit, the delegation highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Ogun State and its importance to national tourism development and economic growth.
Meanwhile, the association, through its National President, Dr. Yinka Folami, has congratulated the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on his appointment.
In a letter dated March 9, acknowledged by the police authorities, Folami pledged the association’s willingness to collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force in addressing fraudulent activities within the travel trade sector.
The NANTA president also formally invited the Inspector-General to the association’s elective Annual General Meeting in Ibadan in April, noting that the gathering would provide an opportunity for the police chief to interact with travel trade professionals on ways to promote a secure and globally compliant travel industry in Nigeria.
Personality in Focus
Gen.W: The Evolved Woman: UBA Business Series Celebrates Female Leadership, Enterprise
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, on Thursday, hosted a captivating edition of its quarterly Business Series, bringing together accomplished female leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss the theme “Gen.W: The Evolved Woman.”
The hybrid session which was held at the UBA House in Marina Lagos and also transmitted live to participants across the globe, is part of activities to mark the International Women’s Month and focused on the evolving role of women in leadership, business, and innovation, highlighting how African women are redefining success while also creating sustainable impact across their various spheres of operation.
UBA’s Group Head, Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, who gave the opening remarks at the event, explained that the evolved woman is one who is taking charge, volunteering and making their voice heard above the noise.
The event was moderated by popular media personality and actor, Tobi Bakre; who said, “When I think about the evolved woman, I personally do not see a checklist or a finish point. In my own opinion, it is a woman who is grounded in her own self-worth and gives room for other women to be grounded in theirs, choosing herself daily and ultimately letting other women around her know and believe that they belong here too.”
The event featured panel conversations with leading entrepreneur and founder of ORÍKÌ Group, Joycee Awosika; celebrated media personality and digital entrepreneur Tomike Adeoye; founder of Fine-Funky, Olufunke Davies, and award-winning broadcaster, Ayo Mario-Ese who shared experiences around their struggles and eventual evolution as female business owners.
From her point of view, Joycee Awosika, an energy economist who has been focused on promoting the African heritage, the evolved woman is one who has awareness of who she is. “That woman does not need to ask to sit at the table, she is creating her own table and adding value. As your company is growing, you must grow too, and always do an audit of where you need to become a better leader” she stated.
To Tomike Adeoye, the question of what a woman is bringing to the table has now become obsolete, as the evolved woman is now bringing their own table. “She is now more vocal about their struggles, setting the standards and she is not ready to give up on her dreams,” she added.
Ayo Mario-Ese expressed worry about females who are usually laidback about speaking up and sharing their achievements, and said that women need to own their own stories: “A lot of women are doing phenomenal work and are sometimes afraid of showcasing what they are doing. As an evolved woman, you have to find out what you are comfortable doing, and create your own unique offering, and also be open to collaboration.”
“Creating unique designs that are affordable remains my driving force and something that has helped me grow as an evolved woman,” remarked Olufunke Davies, who confessed to having ventured into a lot of businesses before finding her niche. “It is important to do your research, streamline and think about relatability. But the important thing I will say is start where you are as it is a progression.”
The Group Head, Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, who commended the panellists and the attendees for taking their time to join the event said, “Raising each woman up is actually not that hard; because, everyone has their community as well as their story; and so as women, we need to take position so that you can give to others.”
Ladipo took time to speak about the Gen W platform, put together by the bank, as she explained that it is a lifestyle platform dedicated to the evolved woman, adding, “Through expert insights, real stories, and practical resources, the platform connects women who are building brands, creating businesses, growing careers, and leading across industries. They also have access to a plethora of discounted products and loans. The best part: it is open to every woman. No UBA account needed. This is Gen W, for the evolved woman,” she said.
UBA continues to reaffirm its commitment to empowering women and entrepreneurs through platforms such as the Business Series, which continues to serve as a hub for mentorship, knowledge exchange, and thought leadership. By convening influential voices and sharing practical experiences, the bank aims to inspire a new generation of women leaders and innovators across Africa and beyond.
As the world commemorates International Women’s Day, attention rightly turns to the extraordinary role women play in shaping families, communities, and national economies. Beyond nurturing homes and leading in boardrooms, women are increasingly emerging as powerful drivers of nation-building through one of the most transformative assets of all, property ownership.
Across Nigeria, women are steadily breaking long-standing barriers in business, governance, technology, education, and entrepreneurship. Their expanding economic influence is uplifting households, strengthening institutions, and reinforcing the nation’s financial foundation. The evidence is clear: when women earn, communities prosper; when women invest, societies advance.
One of the most visible expressions of this progress is in real estate acquisition. Property ownership empowers women with security, stability, and the ability to build generational wealth. A home is more than a structure of concrete and steel, it is a platform for legacy, enterprise, social mobility, and long-term influence.
From young professionals purchasing their first plots of land to seasoned executives expanding diversified investment portfolios, Nigerian women are redefining wealth creation and strategic future planning. Their growing presence in the property market signals a cultural and economic shift toward asset-backed empowerment.
Real estate remains one of the safest and most rewarding investment paths, and women are embracing the opportunity with confidence. Their participation is reshaping urban development patterns, influencing housing demand, and stimulating construction, infrastructure growth, and employment value chains nationwide.
At Adron Homes and Properties, empowering women through property ownership is seen as a direct investment in national progress. Every woman who secures land or a home strengthens family stability, fuels economic growth, and inspires future generations to dream bigger and aim higher.
This International Women’s Day, women are celebrated not only for who they are, but for what they build:
* Builders of families
* Drivers of economic growth
* Investors in the future
* Architects of generational wealth
To honor their impact, Adron Homes is expanding access to ownership through flexible payment plans, inclusive investment opportunities, and customer-friendly support services designed to make property acquisition simple, transparent, and rewarding.
Because when women rise, nations thrive. And when women own property, the future is secured.
