Personality in Focus
Victoria Island PCRC Celebrates CP Ahmed Kantagora with Gala Nite
It was a colourful evening of celebration and felicity in honor of a fine gentleman officer who has just gotten a new rank of Commissioner of Police in the Nigeria Police, CP Ahmed Mogaji Kontagora. The evening of super fun, sumptuous meals, graceful dance proved to be a time to unwind for many friends of the new CP Kontagora.
Many police officers who due to the intensity of work rarely have time to relax were able to let down the hair even as they salute their colleague, CP Kontagora who will soon to be moved out of the Lagos State Police Command to a new command, Oki Samson of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP report. The gala was attended by many police officers including some who are higher in rank than the new CP Ahmed Kontagora.
The special guest at the gala, the AIG in charge of Zone 2 (comprising Lagos and Ogun state commands), AIG Adeleke Adeyinka Bode noted that himself and Kontagora had been friends for over 30 years. ‘Kotangora is my coursemate. So if there is anyone who knows him, I am. I have known him for the past 30 years. He is a gentleman officer and very likeable.’
The host of the event, Mr. Matthew Ibadin who is also the Chairman of PCRC Victoria Island took the opportunity to celebrate Kontagora whom he described as ‘reliable police officer and an excellent operations person.’ He wished the new CP well in his new endeavor.
Speaking on behalf of the officer-colleagues, DCP Umar Shelleng shared: ‘Kontagora is a very industrious person. We have known each other right from when we were younger officers. We worked together in INTERPOL for a very long time when he had the opportunity to represent Nigeria Police in INTERPOL office in Cote D’Ivoire.
He is a very nice, amiable, humble, and down-to-earth person which has been attested by others. He is firm, straightforward and has a way of addressing issues without being unnecessarily harsh or aggressive.’
‘I wish you well. I congratulate you. Promotion comes with a lot of responsibility and I am very sure that your posting will soon be announced’, he told Ahmed Kontagora.
Celebrating the CP Kontagora on behalf of his civilian friends, Otunba Ayoola reiterated that Kontagora has a way of addressing issues. ‘You won’t even realize that someone is there. There was an experience where a lawyer ran to Alagbon over a rent issue after a kongaroo judgement. He didn’t even know the person but we were all surprised the way he addressed the issue quietly without noise.’
‘Above all, he is very patriotic. He loves the job. Sometimes 2am is when he retires to his home. I celebrate him’, NAOSNP gathered from Otunba Ayoola.
On behalf of media professionals whom CP Ahmed Kontagora often interacted with, President of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, Oki Samson noted that the newly promoted CP is media-friendly, ‘He is always responsive to address issues of public importance which arise from their activities as Police. He is a fantastic operations officer who puts the maintenance of law, order, and security as a priority. May you continue to rise to greater heights in the Nigeria Police.’
The Chairman of PCRC in Lagos, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo while giving the toast at the event said: ‘I appreciate this wonderful, friendly, very gentle man who is always ready to help. Whatever the issue is, he is looking for solutions.’
‘We are happy that God has elevated him, may God continue to elevate him the more. May he experience exponential growth in every sphere of life’, Apostle Showemimo concluded.
Before his promotion, CP Ahmed Kontagora held the position of the DCP in charge of Operations in the Lagos State Command where he excelled tremendously under the leadership of CP Sylvester Abiodun Alabi. He also worked with the former Lagos CP, the retired AIG Hakeem Odumosu.
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.
