Personality in Focus
Lagos CP Decorates Matilda Ngbaronye with New SP Rank
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has decorated the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (DPPRO) in the Command, Matilda Umiah Ngbaronye with her new rank of Superintendent of Police (SP). Ngbaronye was recently promoted with other deserving officers.
During the decoration ceremony anchored by the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, the deputy image maker of the Command who was recently appointed on December 12, 2020, expressed deep gratitude to God, the Police hierarchy and her boss, CP Hakeem Odumosu.
In a chat with Trek Africa Newspaper, SP Matilda Umiah Ngbaronye remarked: ‘I am opportune to be among the newly promoted SPs. I have been in the Command for some years. I have worked with different formations in the state. Being promoted under the leadership of CP Hakeem Odumosu is what I am really grateful to God for. I am happy with where I am, and I pray for more.’
“As an SP, you are more like a supervisor. You are expected to work without supervision. You are expected to showcase all you have learned and gained since you joined the Nigerian Police. As a Police officer, your primary rule is discipline. Discipline in yourself. Discipline in carrying out your roles and executing your duties.’
In her word of advice to fellow newly promoted officers, Ngbaronye noted: ”It is a level for more responsibilities. We should all step up to the plate. We should not disappoint the IGP and all our mentors that have been there for us. Let’s join hands to build a Nigerian Police that is deserving for all Nigerians. The citizenry expects so much from us. I am telling them we are a new breed. We are professionals, we can step up to the responsibilities placed on us.’
On her thoughts on community policing, she said, ‘We have seen the IGP harping on community policing. Community policing is the way to achieve the desired results. It is the strategy to make it easy for us to relate well with the community.
In his advice to the newly promoted officers, Commissioner of Police, CP Odumosu, charged them to take the promotion as a challenge.
“Don’t say you have been promoted and go to rest, and you will give assignment and not find out how it’s been done. The higher you go, the hotter it becomes. May God make it easy for you. You are now ASP, DSP, SP, CSP, God will be with you. I pray for you,” Odumosu said.
Enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on April 19, 2010, Ngbaronye has served in various capacities in Lagos State Police Command.
Currently, the DPPRO in the Command, her past experiences include the Crime Officer, Dolphin Estate Division, Ikoyi; General Investigation/Fingerprint Expert at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCIID Panti; Officer-in-Charge, Public Complainants Bureau, (PCB), after which she was deployed to African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) where she made the country proud and excelled as the Public Information Officer (PIO).
SP Matilda Umiah Ngbaronye has attended numerous courses like the Advanced Detective Course, (ADC), Human Rights Protection Course among others within and outside Nigeria.
The beautiful, tall and light skinned officer has been described by many as an exemplary and intelligent image maker.
Since her assumption of office as DPPRO, she has in no small measure continued to assist the Lagos State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, to coordinate media engagements for the Commissioner of Police and the Command.
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.
