Robert Francis Prevost, the first pope from the United States, has a history of missionary work in Peru but also a keen grasp of the inner workings of the Church.

The new Leo XIV, a Chicago native, was entrusted by his predecessor Francis, to head the powerful Dicastery for Bishops, charged with advising the pontiff on new bishop appointments.

The sign of confidence from Francis speaks to Prevost’s commitment as a missionary in Peru to the “peripheries” – overlooked areas far from Rome prioritised by Francis – and his reputation as a bridge-builder and moderate within the Curia.

The 69-year-old Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo, Peru, was made a cardinal by Francis in 2023 after being named Prefect of the Dicastery, one of the Vatican’s most important departments — and a post that introduced him to all key players in the Church.

Vatican watchers had given Prevost the highest chances among the group of US cardinals of being pope, given his pastoral bent, global view and ability to navigate the central bureaucracy.

Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, called him “the least American of the Americans” for his soft-spoken touch.

His strong grounding in canon law has also been seen as reassuring to more conservative cardinals seeking a greater focus on Theology.

Following Francis’s death, Prevost said there was “still so much to do” in the work of the Church.

“We can’t stop, we can’t turn back. We have to see how the Holy Spirit wants the Church to be today and tomorrow, because today’s world, in which the Church lives, is not the same as the world of ten or 20 years ago,” he told Vatican News last month.

“The message is always the same: proclaim Jesus Christ, proclaim the Gospel, but the way to reach today’s people, young people, the poor, politicians, is different,” he said.

Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Prevost attended a Minor Seminary of the Order of St Augustine in St Louis as a novice before graduating from Philadelphia’s Villanova University, an Augustinian institution, with a degree in Mathematics.

After receiving a masters degree in divinity from Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union in 1982, and a doctorate decree in canon law in Rome, the polyglot joined the Augustinians in Peru in 1985 for the first of his decade-long missions in that country.

Returning to Chicago in 1999, he was made provincial prior of the Augustinians in the US Midwest and later the prior general of the order throughout the world.

But he returned to Peru in 2014 when Francis appointed him as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in the country’s north.

Nearly a decade later, Prevost’s appointment in 2023 as head of the Dicastery came after Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet was accused of sexually assaulting a woman and resigned for age reasons.

The Vatican later dropped the case against Ouellet for insufficient evidence.

Prevost also serves as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

In a heartwarming and historic show of affection and loyalty, the 88/93 Class Set of the Remo Secondary School Old Students Association (RSSOSA) staged a grand surprise birthday celebration in honor of their own, the National President of RSSOSA, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking.

The event, which took place at the prestigious Marriott Hotel, Lagos, was a spectacular and deeply emotional affair that left the celebrant overwhelmed and moved to tears. Unknown to Aare Adetola, the surprise had been meticulously planned since January of this year, in close collaboration with his wife, who kept the arrangements a secret until the big day.

The celebration was marked by an electrifying atmosphere of joy, laughter, and heartfelt emotions as classmates reunited to honor one of their own in grand style. The 88/93 Set spared no expense, presenting Aare Adetola with gifts worth several million naira.

Adding to the magic of the occasion, members of the 88/93 Set residing in the diaspora joined virtually from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. Notable among them were Segun Osho, Rev. Fr. Oshitimehin, Sade Odesanya, Akeem Elegbeji, Gboyega Solarin, Johnson Olumuyiwa Sanya, Tope Otunba, Semeton Amosu, Yemisi Olowu, Bukky Alli, Bunmi Ojutialayo, Bolaji Desalu, Wasiu Talabi, Azeez Awolaja, Jimmy Adetayo, and Bisoye Sholuade, whose heartfelt participation further heightened the emotional resonance of the event.

The success of the surprise was largely credited to the tireless efforts and leadership of the Class Set Governor, Engr. Bola Owolabi Oladeinde, whose commitment, coordination, and attention to detail ensured a seamless and unforgettable celebration.

In his heartfelt appreciation speech, a visibly emotional Aare Adetola expressed profound gratitude to every member of the class set, describing the surprise as one of the most touching and humbling experiences of his life.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that such an elaborate and deeply moving celebration awaited me,” he said. “You have honored me beyond words, and I am eternally grateful. May God bless and replenish each of you for your sacrifices, generosity, and steadfast love.

Aare Adetola appreciated his wife for her support and for keeping the surprise a secret with such admirable dedication.”

The event was a powerful reaffirmation of enduring friendship, unity, and loyalty. The 88/93 Set of RSSOSA once again demonstrated that true brotherhood and sisterhood only grow richer and deeper with time, setting a remarkable example for alumni associations everywhere.

By Henry Ukazu

Dear Destiny Friends,

Birthdays are times for celebrations. Birthdays are times for reflections. Birthdays mean different things to different people. People celebrate their birthdays for different reasons. For me, birthdays serve as a time for gratitude and appreciation for life and impact on the world.

One of the lessons life has taught me is to succeed. This is so true because when one succeeds, the person will be celebrated by all and sundry.  Today, the world celebrates a destiny child, a rare gem, an uncommon achiever and a leader of excellence who has distinguished himself from ordinary and superordinary beings. He is none other than the amiable and amicable Dr. Michael Ishola Agbolade Adenuga, GCON, who will be celebrating his 72 years old on 29th of April.

Indeed, this great feat calls for celebration. It’s not easy to live for 72 awesome years and talk less of being successful. That’s like killing two birds with one stone. If truth be God has been extremely faithful to Chief Adenuga because very few minds will experience his trajectory and still come out alive. Some might even attempt suicidal thoughts when they lose one-third of his fortunes, but here is a man of uncommon courage who knows what he wants, but more importantly, he knows who he is and the spirit working in him.

Dr. Adenuga is a man of his strides, he means different things to different people. To some he’s a spirit you can’t see but can feel. To some, he’s a philanthropist, to others, he’s an uncommon businessman. Depending on how you feel or see him, you are right in your own perspective.

I began to take a closer look at this great man when I was writing my first book Design Your Destiny. My chapter two was focused on “Understanding Your Uniqueness”. I did a research of some extraordinary great minds, who have truly succeeded in unique ways, and Dr. Adenuga’s name came to my subconscious mind. I took my time to study him and his works, and I found him an uncommon being the world, and especially youths need to know. Let’s talk about Dr. Adenuga’s life and accomplishments.

Upbringing: I can imagine how grateful his parents were to see his great strides. I’m a big believer in names. Yes, names can be symbolic. The name one answers has a role to play in their life. Do you know your name can either attract a blessing or curse you. When I did a little research about his name AGBOLADE, it means “the child who has attracted wealth to his family”. Can you see how symbolic a name can be?

On his philanthropist nature. I personally think this is one of his greatest assets and arsenal. Take it or leave it, Dr. Adenuga is one of the most influential givers the world has ever known, if not the most influential. Here is a man who gives and supports people unannounced. Sometimes, he pleads to be anonymous in his generous deeds. Here is a man who doesn’t care about one’s status before he gives. He gives you what he personally uses. For instance, if he drives a G-Wagon or Mercedes Benz, he has the heart of giving his friends, similar gift not minding if you are of a lesser status than him.

A friend of mine once said to me, Henry, if I’m wealthy, intelligent and influential, it should reflect on my friends. When I reflect on that statement and juxtapose it with Dr. Adenuga’s lifestyle, I can see similarities. It simply tells me Dr. Adenuga is a very humble man.

No doubt this extraordinary man has experienced one short fall or made one mistake or the other, but which human hasn’t made a mistake in life? What is important is picking up after a mistake.

Despite his mistakes which have metamorphosed into success. If truth be told Dr. Adenuga has spent 72 years of great achievements, unrivalled philanthropy and exceptional successes. And his mistakes have culminated in this success because he failed fast and rose exponentially.

Dr. Adenuga’s love for this country is unparalleled. He knows himself and knows what he wants. That’s why he returned to Nigeria after his academic studies in the United States of America to begin his business which later transcended to a conglomerate.

It’s humbling to know Dr. Adenuga ventured into oil in his early 40’s and birthed Globalcom on his 50^th birthday. That’s a rare feat. He literally changed Nigeria telecommunication with the introduction of per second billing when his competitors were using per minute billing. That goes to show his love for humanity.

He also made it possible for Nigerians, Africans and the less privileged to have access to a SIM card at an affordable price of N5,000 as opposed to N20,000 and N30,000 prevailing by some competitors. Again, this goes to show, he doesn’t exploit humanity.

His business acumen and uncommon courage can be seen when he became the first African to successfully and independently finance a submarine cable that runs from Europe to Africa to help the continent’s telecommunication system to be better. Anyone who thinks it is easy can give it a try.

Dr. Adenuga is a man of uncommon fate. Here is a man who believes “impossible” is only found in the dictionary. He has an uncanny way of figuring this out. He’s a testament of the saying, those who are saying it can’t be done are usually interrupted by those who are doing it.

Dr. Adenuga has numerous qualities many of his counterparts don’t have, globally. Here is an extraordinary man who is dedicated to his business, he’s very detailed. He’s very diligent, he perseveres to the latter and most importantly, he has an undying faith in God. I strongly believe it is the prayer most people pray for him that has given this uncommon favor despite his own endeavors.

Dr. Adenuga’s work has received national and global recognition. He’s a proud recipient of the highest civilian award in France, the award of Commander of the Legion of Honour. He is the first Nigerian to be so decorated with the award for being “a true role model for Africa” who has contributed immensely to the growth of the African and French economy.

He also holds the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON), Nigeria’s second highest national honor, second only to the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), which is only reserved for Nigerian Presidents and Heads of state. That speaks a lot about his rare personality.

In conclusion, as we celebrate this great man, let’s learn from his wealth of knowledge, wisdom, trajectory, business exploits, philanthropist nature, extraordinary humility and most importantly his belief and faith in God.

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