Personality in Focus
Polaris Bank Image Maker, Bolarinwa Emerges New President of ACAMB

The Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) – an umbrella association of communications and marketing professionals, working in Nigeria’s banking sector – has elected new executives who will pilot the affairs of the Association for the next two years.
The hugely attended AGM/ election for key positions, saw Mr. Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head, Corporate Communications of Polaris Bank emerged the new ACAMB President.
First Bank’s Mr. Oze K. Oze was elected First Vice President; Mrs. Lola Egboh of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Second Vice President, while the new Secretary-General is Mr. Sipe Babajide of Ecobank.
The position of Assistant Secretary General was won by Mr. Omede Odekina of United Bank for Africa (UBA), while Mr. Patrick Osilaja of Fidelity Bank emerged the Financial Secretary.
Wema Bank’s Mrs. Funmilayo Falola is the new Treasurer while Mr. Abdul Imoyo of Access Bank will serve as the Association’s Publicity Secretary. Also on the new executive list is Mrs. Ozena Utulu of Heritage Bank as Social Secretary.
Four distinguished members of the Association namely: The immediate past President, a staff from CBN, NDIC and CIBN respectively are to serve as Ex-officios.
The election of the new officers held on Thursday, 19 January at the Bankers’ House, CIBN Building, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In his post-election acceptance speech, the new ACAMB President, Bolarinwa, assured members that he would reposition ACAMB as a foremost professional Association that they would all be proud of.
He added that his vision also includes innovating post-retirement strategy that ensures members have a sustainable livelihood long after exiting the industry.
“I will be committed to my vision, which is to reposition ACAMB as a foremost professional Association that encourages and ensures every marketing communications professional in the Banks aspires and attains the highest level of professional recognition and fulfillment on the job while at the same time being assured of a sustainable livelihood long after exiting the industry,” he stated.
Bolarinwa, who served in the past executive as a two-term Secretary General, restated his commitment to the upliftment of members in line with his electioneering promises anchored on the four-pillar themed PEAL: Partnership & Platform, Engagement, Advocacy, and Learning & Value-addition (PEAL).
The new President further assured that ACAMB under his leadership would seek partnerships and platforms among strategic institutions and stakeholders with a view to delivering value to members, as well as enhancing professionalism.
He also said his team would embark on advocacy aimed to deepen awareness and knowledge of the banking industry and its contributions to national socio-economic growth.
Earlier, Chairman of ACAMB Electoral Committee, Mr. Segun Shonubi said all aspirants for the advertised position had met minimum requirements as outlined in the Association Constitution and therefore qualify to stand for the election.
A 1996 graduate of Mass Communication, Bolarinwa holds a Master’s degree from the University of Ibadan and MSc degree from UNESCO-certified Mass Communication department of University of Lagos. He is a member of numerous professional bodies. These include Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN); Registered Practitioner, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), and Member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
He has also attended several high- impact function-specific and leadership trainings at top business schools in Nigeria and overseas.
Personality in Focus
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olakulehin, Dies at 90

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.
Personality in Focus
Popular Televangelist, Jimmy Swaggart Dies at 90

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.