Personality in Focus
Varsity Confers Doctorate Honours on Lagos Neighborhood Boss, Oyekan
The General Manager of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Agency has been conferred with a Doctorate Degree by the Victoria Global University for his contribution to Culture, Management and general Human Development in his Community.
In a brief ceremony held at the premises of the Lagos State Safety Arena, Osodi, representatives of the University led by Professor Akin Ogunsakin described the Honour as a token of the University’s appreciation of Oyekan’s contribution to the general wellbeing of the people in his community and beyond.
In his expression of satisfaction with the choice of Ifalade for the prestigious Award, the University Don said, “we are happy that our choice of Ifalade has been confirmed as accurate by no other person than the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.”
Going down memory lane, he said, “Prince was in the Private sector when he was first nominated for the Award, but as we prepared for his confirmation letter from the Main Campus, he was appointed the Head of the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute, which delighted us that we had made a right choice in picking the Prince and his promotion to the post of the General Manager at the all-important Lagos State Neighbourhood Agency is an affirmation that we are indeed correct.”
Professor Ogunsakin said Victoria Global University was renowned for excellence and is highly delighted to have chosen a man found worthy for appointment and promotion by an Excellent Administrator like the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
In his response, Prince Ifalade Oyekan expressed his appreciation to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for giving him the opportunity to showcase his abilities. He said, without the opportunity given me by Mr Governor, your school would probably have presented this Awards with doubts, but thank God that the Governor gave me the opportunity to confirm your choice.”
Prince Ifalade while thanking his family for their sacrifices and his Staff for their consistent support reiterated his commitment to contributing his quota to the THEMES Agenda by ensuring the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency with the backing of the Governor becomes the foremost state owned security outfit in Nigeria and sub-Sahara Africa.
Personality in Focus
Aare EmmanuelKing Congratulates Olofin of Ilisan Remo, Oba Sonuga, on 86th Birthday
The Borokinni of Ilishan Remo, Sir Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing KOF, has extended warm birthday felicitations to the Olofin of Ilisan Remo, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Barr. Michael Olufemi Mojeed Sonuga Daniyan II, as the revered monarch celebrates his 86th birthday anniversary.
In a statement released to commemorate the royal father’s birthday, Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing described the monarch as a symbol of peace, wisdom, progress, and exemplary royal leadership, whose reign has continued to bring honor and development to Ilisan Remo.
According to him, since ascending the revered throne of his forefathers, the Olofin has consistently demonstrated purposeful leadership and unwavering commitment to the unity, growth, and cultural advancement of the kingdom, while fostering peace and harmony among the people.
He further noted that the monarch’s reign has inspired pride and confidence among indigenes of Ilisan Remo both at home and in the diaspora, adding that Kabiyesi’s dedication to community development and preservation of tradition remains highly commendable.
The Borokinni prayed for continued divine grace, sound health, long life, and greater wisdom for the royal father as he continues his impactful reign on the throne of his ancestors.
“On behalf of my family, associates, and well-wishers, I heartily congratulate His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Barr. Michael Olufemi Mojeed Sonuga Daniyan II, the Olofin of Ilisan Remo, on the joyous occasion of his 86th birthday. May Almighty God continue to strengthen Kabiyesi with peace, sound health, and many more years of fruitful reign,” he stated.
Zenith Bank Plc has announced the retirement of its Founder and Group Chairman, Jim Ovia, following the expiration of his tenure in line with regulatory requirements.
The bank disclosed this in a corporate notice issued in Lagos on May 5, 2026.
Ovia completed the mandatory 12-year tenure permitted under corporate governance guidelines for financial holding companies, non-interest banks, and payment service banks in Nigeria.
As the founder of Zenith Bank, he has been a central figure in its growth trajectory and was credited by the Board for providing strong leadership, strategic direction, and effective oversight throughout his time as chairman.
The Board noted that his commitment to governance standards and stakeholder value creation significantly enhanced the Group’s positioning and reputation in the financial services sector.
Until he was appointed Chairman, Engr. Mustafa Bello was a non-executive director in the bank.
Engr. Mustafa Bello graduated with B.Engr. (Civil Engineering), from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 1978 with Second Class Upper Division, and won the Shell prize for best project and thesis for Faculty of Engineering in 1978.
He served in the Directorate of Quartering and Engineering Service (Nigerian Army) between 1978 and 1979. He later joined the Niger State Housing Corporation between 1980 and 1983 as a Senior Civil Engineer.
He served as a cabinet Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Federal Minister of Commerce between 1999 and 2002. He was subsequently appointed Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investments Promotion Commission (NIPC) between November 2003 and February 2014.
He is currently the Chairman of Invest-in-Northern Nig. Limited, a special purpose vehicle for the economic and social transformation of the Northern Nigerian Economy.
He has been involved in several projects in Nigeria, including the CAC online project in 2002, developing a WTO-consistent Trade Policy for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, etc.
He has attended several conferences, missions, and meetings and represented the Federal Government of Nigeria.
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Personality in Focus
FirstBank Appoints Olayinka Ijabiyi as Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications
FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and financial inclusion service provider, has confirmed the appointment of Olayinka Ijabiyi as the substantive Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications. The appointment takes immediate effect and reinforces strong corporate governance at a pivotal point in the Bank’s growth and transformation journey.
Olayinka Thomas Ijabiyi is a seasoned marketing and corporate communications professional with over 25 years of experience driving brand transformation, strategic visibility, and stakeholder engagement across financial services, telecommunications, media, and international development sectors.
Ijabiyi joined FirstBank in 2011 and has served in acting capacity as the Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications from December 2024 until his recent confirmation. In his role, he leads the development and execution of integrated marketing and corporate communications strategies across the Group’s markets. He oversees brand and reputation management, executive positioning, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability as well as strategic communications initiatives aligned to the Bank’s business objectives/aspirations.
Prior to his current role, Ijabiyi has held leadership positions within the Marketing and Corporate Communications Department in FirstBank, including Head Brand Strategy and Special Projects, Head Digital Marketing and Head Brand and Stakeholder Management.
Before joining FirstBank, Ijabiyi built a diverse career across leading organizations including British Council, Multichoice, MTN and Etisalat Nigeria, where he played key roles in brand building, corporate communications and digital transformation initiatives.
Widely recognized for his strategic mindset, leadership ability to translate business objectives into impactful marketing and communications strategies, he has successfully led major brand initiatives, including milestone anniversary campaigns and brand refresh programs, while consistently delivering efficiencies and enhancing brand equity.
Ijabiyi holds a Master’s degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Lagos and a Bachelor’s degree in English Language from the former Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti. He is a Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), amongst other industry bodies.
