Personality in Focus
Princess Modupe Ozolua Bags US President’s Lifetime Award
Modupe Ozolua, a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and princess of the Benin Kingdom from Sabongida Ora, Edo State, Nigeria has received a lifetime achievement award from the United States President Joe Biden. The award presentation took place on Sunday in Houston, Texas.
According to Princess Ozolua’s publicists, Hamiltonstyle News & Views, “This is a great reward for Princess Modupe Ozolua’s lifelong commitment to helping humanity, as she received last Sunday, an award certificate and letter from the White House, personally signed by President Joe Biden.”
A Nigerian-American, Ozolua owned her first business in Los Angeles, California at the age of 21 before pioneering cosmetic surgery in Nigeria in 2001 at the age of 27 years. She has dedicated the last 19 years of her life to numerous charity milestones.
In 2003, she founded Empower 54, a US 501 C3, a non-profit organization which provides humanitarian aid in health, education and empowerment of women, girls and refugees; especially disadvantaged Africans across the continent. Late Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the Patron of Empower 54.
Prior to her latest honour by the seal of the US President, Princess Ozolua’s last 19 years of dedication to humanity have earned her many accolades, including One of Africa’s Leading Female Entrepreneurs by Elle Magazine (2015); One of 50 African Women Who Shape the African Continent, Elle Magazine (2016); Official Proclamation for Service to Humanity, City of Atlanta, Georgia, USA (2016); and Letter of Commendation for Service to Humanity from Governor Nathan Deal, Georgia, USA (2016).
Others are: Official Proclamation Declaring October 10, 2019 Princess Modupé Ozolua’s Day in Houston, Texas, USA (2019); Letter of Commendation from Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston, Texas for Princess Ozolua’s Humanitarian Activities (2019); and One of Africa’s 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria (2022). Ozolua’s latest US President’s award was presented on Sunday, February 19, 2023.
Responding to the honour done her by President Joe Biden, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, in a letter to Ozolua, signed by its Special Duties Head, Soso Muhammed, wrote: “Congratulations on the amazing news. The award is the recognition of your hard work, humility and commitment in your service to humanity.”
The Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, who is also Otun Akile of Remoland, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has joined well-wishers across Remoland and beyond to celebrate the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, His Royal Majesty Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, Torungbuwa II, as he marks his 63rd birthday.
In his heartfelt tribute, Aare Emmanuelking described the Akarigbo as a ruler whose life radiates uncommon wisdom, authenticity, and grace. He noted that under Oba Ajayi’s steady and visionary leadership, the Remo Kingdom has continued to flourish, earning him the admiration of his people and respect across Yoruba land.
He praised the monarch’s intellectual brilliance, humility, and deep compassion, qualities he described as central to the Akarigbo’s enduring impact. “Your Majesty’s wisdom illuminates minds, your presence uplifts hearts, and your life exemplifies the harmony of intellect, humility, and grace,” Aare Emmanuelking stated.
He further highlighted that Akarigbo’s reign has been one of dignity, intention, and positive transformation. According to him, it is the character of the man behind the crown that truly endears Oba Ajayi to the people, noting that his counsel often “creates ripples of influence far beyond the palace walls.”
As Kabiyesi marks his 63rd year, Aare Emmanuelking offered prayers for continued good health, peace, joy, and divine wisdom, expressing confidence that the monarch’s legacy of service and enlightenment will continue to guide future generations.
Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, who ascended the throne in 2017, is widely regarded as a progressive and community-focused leader, one whose modern, people-centric approach has strengthened unity and development across Remoland.
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence.
The announcement was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.
Musa, who retired from the military just 40 days ago, was nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday to succeed former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds.
According to Onanuga’s statement, the Senate approved Musa’s appointment on Wednesday through a voice vote, following a thorough screening session during which lawmakers posed numerous questions.
“Senate confirms Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence The Senate has confirmed the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Senate confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after a rigorous screening session in which lawmakers asked him many questions,” the statement read in part.
Personality in Focus
CM Shehu Mohammed Lauds NAOSNP over 2025 Road Safety Champion Award, Hails Staff
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mallam Shehu Mohammed has won the 2025 Road Safety Champion Awards instituted by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) at the National Conference/Awards held recently in Lagos, in recognition of his aggressive transformation agenda in road transportation safety and commitment to championing the campaign for safer road environment in Nigeria through the FRSC platform.
In his remarks at the event, the National President of NAOSNP, Mayor Oki Samson emphasized the growing responsibility of the media—particularly online security news outlets in shaping public understanding and national resilience in an era marked by complex security threats, misinformation, and rapid technological changes. Mayor Oki underscored the vital role of the press in national security discourse and called for deeper collaboration between media and security agencies to ensure accurate, timely, and responsible reporting.
According to him, the event represents not just a dialogue, but a critical partnership between those who safeguard the nation and those that shape public opinions, stressing the need for harmony that could present national understanding, cohesion and development. He called on the award winners to continue to discharge their national responsibilities with greater zeal and patriotism, noting that building and safeguarding a nation requires robust collaboration and partnerships between stakeholders.
In his Keynote address, the the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, who was represented by Air Vice Marshal Bashir Rimi Mamman underscored the critical interplay between security, governance, and national development. His called for unity, responsible journalism, and collective action to secure Nigeria’s future. “This event serves as a platform for reinforcing the media’s role in national security and commitment to safeguarding the nation,” he stated.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2 Lagos, Adegoke Fayoade, who spoke on the theme of the conference, positioned security as a foundational enabler of economic development and resource safeguarding in Nigeria, saying the two must always harmonize to produce credible results for national security and development agenda.
With the theme “Securing and Safeguarding Nigeria’s Economic Resources,” AIG Fayoade’s messages highlighted the necessity of aligning security operations with economic priorities, leveraging identity and information systems, partnering across sectors, and ensuring ethical, capable, forward‑looking security institutions. Such an approach, he said, recognises that economic resources whether tangible (infrastructure, commodities, ports) or intangible (identity systems, revenue flows, investor confidence) require integrated, multi‑dimensional protection.
”As Nigeria continues to aim for growth, investment, and resource optimisation, the link between security and economy remains central,” the AIG submitted.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed of the FRSC whose award was received on his behalf by the Sector Commander of Lagos State Sector Command of the FRSC, Corps Commander Kehinde Hamzat, reiterated that every movement starts and ends on the road. He stressed that transportation is a critical aspect of Nigeria’s infrastructure and plays a vital role in connecting people, goods and services across the country.Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed further noted that Road Traffic Crashes are the major factors contributing to disruptions in the supply chains and increase in operational costs for the transport sector.
While emphasizing the role of stakeholders in national security and development efforts, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed gave assurances that FRSC as an agency of the Federal Government charged with the lead agency responsibility of ensuring road traffic management and safety administration in the country will effectively enforce relevant reforms in transportation safety laws as government at all levels is geared toward investing more in infrastructure and combating corruption in the system.
The FRSC Boss further called on the media to continue to raise public awareness on issues of road safety, hold people accountable and disseminate information most professionally to build trust and ensure integrity of their reportage, dedicating the award to the hardworking personnel of the FRSC.
In attendance at the event which also saw the award of NAOSNP “Best Security Agency Spokesperson of the Year” to the FRSC Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide
were representative of the former Chief of Defence Staff; representative of the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam; the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Lagos, Adegoke Fayoade and the representative of the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi among security and other agencies.
It is worthy of note that NAOSNP National Security Conference/Awards has over the years become the largest media-organized security conference, gathering top public and private stakeholders in Nigeria’s security architecture.
