Personality in Focus
Prof Banji Akintoye Berates the 2023 General Election
By Kayode Emola
In an interview granted to the Yoruba World Media last weekend, Prof Akintoye berated the ongoing 2023 General election stating that what the Yoruba people need is an independent Yoruba nation. Prof. Akintoye stated that the international observers will have noticed that southern Nigeria especially the Yoruba region was heavily militarised during this election. This cannot be a way to conduct a free and fair election.
The Inspector General (IG) of Police some few weeks ago made a statement that the Yoruba people were amassing guns and other weapons to disrupt the 2023 elections which was not true. It is now clear to the whole world that the IG statement was just a ruse for the federal government to intimidate the Yoruba people. We have made it clear that we cannot be intimidated in our own land and we stand ready to defend it, no matter what. A few years ago, President Buhari made a coded statement for any Fulani in West Africa to come to Nigeria even without proper documentation and since then, they have been coming in large numbers since 2015. Once arrived in Nigeria, they are automatically given Nigeria citizenship and the right to vote which is an insult to the indigenous peoples of Nigeria.
Recall that a former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has stated previously that the Fulani are planning for a war in Nigeria and it is the plan of the Fulani to conquer the indigenous peoples of Nigeria and take over their land. Prof. Akintoye stated that there is already a silent war going on amidst the election as innocent people are being kidnapped on a daily basis on the highway. Farmers are unable to go to their farms for fear of being kidnapped and maimed by Fulani militias.
It is now clear to the world that the government has always been looking for an excuse to invade the Yorubaland. We have always conducted our self-determination struggle with the utmost decorum and all our rallies have been peaceful. Our rally in Ibadan had over 1.5 million people in attendance and we thought that was big, however, when we went to other Yoruba cities, the crowd grew bigger and bigger until our rally in Ado Ekiti recorded over 3.5 million people in 2021. All we are trying to do is to take our Yoruba nation out of the barbarism of Nigeria. Nigeria is no longer a safe place for the Yoruba people and we need to get out now.
Nothing is safe in Nigeria and in the last 2 weeks, it has been madness everywhere in Nigeria. First, it was petroleum products that were not made available and then it became no currency for the people to spend. This caused distress to many of our people as some people resulted in stripping themselves naked in banking halls. The failed currency redesign has caused riots on the streets, in all of this, the government is now resulting in using the army to intimidate our people.
This is the true situation of things in Nigeria so I want the international observers to see what is happening and not the ruse that the government is projecting. What the government is showcasing to the world is untrue, the brutality on our people is inhumane and we cannot tolerate the oppressive Nigeria regime. There is a destructive war in Nigeria that the government is not showing, and this is what I want you to take back to your respective countries.
To my Yoruba people, I congratulate us as we inch closer to victory, and for being peaceful throughout our campaign. Many people have asked what happens after the elections? Elections may be taking place today but it doesn’t mean that we are happy. Even after the elections, it doesn’t mean that the country may not disintegrate. We just continue to press on with our quest for an independent Yoruba nation.
It doesn’t mean that we will cause any trouble, the trouble will come from those who are embittered by the results of the election in Nigeria and we will be ready to take our Yoruba country out by then. We will not ferment any trouble but my prayers are that there should be a situation in Nigeria that will cause will give us the opportunity to take our Yoruba nation out of Nigeria.
Even if a new president comes into office, we will continue to fight and we are now fighting better. We now have a lot of our people in several countries working for us, most of them are even doing it without us giving them any money and they are getting good results. I say to you my Yoruba people, we will be free very soon and be able to build the most prosperous black nation on earth.
Kayode Emola is the Spokesperson for Prof. Akintoye
Writers across Nigeria, under the auspices of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), have united in commemorating the 94th posthumous birthday of one of Africa’s greatest literary icons, Prof. Chinua Achebe. Achebe, renowned globally for his groundbreaking novel *Things Fall Apart*, remains an enduring symbol of literary excellence and cultural preservation.
In a statement issued by Wole Adedoyin, the President of SYNW emphasized Achebe’s unmatched contributions to African literature and his role as a beacon of inspiration for writers across generations. Adedoyin highlighted the Society’s unwavering commitment to honoring Achebe’s legacy through creative and impactful initiatives.
One of the key tributes mentioned is the *Chinua Achebe Annual Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture*, initiated by the Anambra Chapter Coordinator of SYNW, Izunna Okafor. Now in its 9th edition, the festival has become a significant platform for celebrating Achebe’s works and discussing his influence on modern African literature.
Cynthia Maduekwe, the President of the Nigeria Society of Campus Writers, also spearheaded the *Writers Tour*, another initiative aimed at engaging young writers with Achebe’s literary philosophy. This tour exposes aspiring authors to Achebe’s timeless themes of cultural identity, colonialism, and societal transformation, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire future generations.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) reaffirmed its dedication to Achebe’s memory through these longstanding programs. Writers across the country were encouraged to reflect on Achebe’s life and works, sharing tributes and essays on social media platforms to further propagate his vision of storytelling.
Adedoyin lauded the efforts of writers like Okafor and Maduekwe, whose initiatives keep Achebe’s legacy alive.
He also urged literary organizations and institutions to continue collaborating to sustain Achebe’s impact on African literature and culture.
“Prof. Achebe’s work transcends literature. He gave Africans a voice on the global stage, presenting our stories with authenticity and pride. Celebrating his 94th posthumous birthday is a reminder of the power of storytelling in shaping society,” Adedoyin stated.
The SYNW also used the opportunity to announce plans for a series of upcoming events dedicated to Achebe in the coming year, including essay competitions, poetry readings, and book discussions. These programs aim to further Achebe’s vision of nurturing literary talent and promoting African narratives.
As the literary community celebrates Achebe’s life and achievements, his timeless words resonate: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
Achebe’s legacy continues to inspire writers to tell their own stories, preserving the richness of African culture for generations to come.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers concluded by inviting literary enthusiasts to join in celebrating Achebe’s enduring impact, emphasizing that his legacy is a shared treasure for all who value the power of words.
Personality in Focus
UBA Appoints Henrietta Ugboh Independent Non-Executive Director As Owanari Duke Retires from Group Board
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the appointment of Henrietta Ugboh as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
The appointment has been approved by the relevant regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria.
UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, CFR commenting on the appointment, said, “Henrietta Ugboh brings a track record of professional success, integrity and leadership, which will further strengthen the UBA Group Board, underlining once again the Group’s commitment to robust corporate governance.”
Ugboh holds a degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin, an MBA from ESUT Business School, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s Executive Management Program. She has over 30 years experience in banking with Citibank and is an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA).
Elumelu added that with her considerable experience and expertise, which includes commercial banking, credit, and risk management, the UBA Board is delighted to welcome Mrs Ugboh to the Group Board, “We look forward to her invaluable contribution to the Group, as we continue to execute our unique growth strategy across Africa and globally.”
The Board also announced the retirement of Mrs. Owanari Duke, an Independent Non-Executive Director, who joined the UBA Group Board in October 2012.
During her tenure, Mrs. Duke provided distinguished leadership, serving on Committees of the Bank including the Board Governance Committee, Board Audit, Governance, Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Board Credit Committee, Finance & General Purpose Committee and Statutory Audit Committee.
On behalf of the board, Mr. Elumelu expressed UBA’s deep appreciation to Mrs. Duke for her dedication and significant contributions to the Group, wishing her the best in her future endeavour.
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and related banking services.
Personality in Focus
Tinubu Hails FirstBank’s Immediately Past CEO, Adeduntan on Exceptional Service
By Eric Elezuo
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has congratulated the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan as the bank holds a splendid Sendforth party on his behalf for a meritorious service.
The president’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Information & Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
The statement reads in full:
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES DR ADEDUNTAN, AS FIRST BANK CELEBRATES EX-GROUP CEO
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulates Dr Adesola Adeduntan, the retired Group Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Nigeria Limited, for his exceptional service at Nigeria’s oldest bank.
In celebration of Adeduntan’s remarkable tenure, the 130-year-old First Bank will host a special send-off ceremony this weekend, expressing gratitude for his contributions over the past nine years.
President Tinubu commends him for steering the bank through transformative growth, which includes expanding customer accounts from 10 million to over 42 million and elevating Profit Before Tax from N10 billion in 2015 to an impressive N300 billion in 2023.
These milestones, the President said, reflected Adeduntan’s visionary leadership and commitment to excellence.
The President expresses his appreciation for Adeduntan’s willingness to serve the nation in various pivotal roles, including his contributions to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and other prominent institutions. His extensive expertise in the financial sector has significantly bolstered Nigeria’s economic landscape.
President Tinubu also lauds the bank’s solid internal management ethos, which is responsible for the seamless transition from Adeduntan to the current CEO, Olusegun Alebiosu.
President Tinubu wishes Dr Adeduntan continued success in all his future endeavours.
