Personality in Focus
We Must Come Together to Change the Narratives, Says Ondo PDP Guber Candidate
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The Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election, Chief Agboola Alfred Ajayi, has said that he intends to leverage on the natural potential of the state to give the people maximum comfort, sense of belonging and dividend of democracy if elected in the November 16, 2024 off circle election in the state.
The PDP flagbearer made the revelation during a chat with members of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), who paid him a courtesy visit in his office, in Akure. He frowned at the level of hunger ravaging the country at the moment, saying that no one is spared of the impending doom if all hands are not put together to work out something positive and enduring.
“What is happening here is something that if we don’t come together we will become casualties in the future,” he said, noting that casualties are not just those who are wounded or very poor, but include those who stay at home, and in their comfort zones.
He narrated a personal experience to buttress the poverty in the land, saying “for instance, I know the number of people that are asking money from me everyday; school fees, feeding and so on, I got a message this morning, the person is telling me, i need money so my kids can eat and I was force to send money to the person, I don’t know the person. I receive this similar message more than 50 everyday.
“I watch a video last week and I really felt sad for this country, where a guy was distributing bread, in Lagos, if you see how people were pushing themselves because of it, so you can see the level that we have reduced ourselves to in this country.
“We must come together to change the system, change the narratives.”
Chief Ajayi reiterated that though Ondo State is blessed, only somebody like him, who has the intelligence and contact, and knows how to activate the resources to produce should occupied the seat of governor, in order to affect the people positively.
“Our state (Ondo) is blessed, no doubt but we must activate those resources, we are sitting on money, gold, resources in Ondo state, so how do we tap into it; we need somebody with high level of contact and intelligence, who has the vision, who understands the terrain, somebody that can actually unlock the potentials,” he said.
He noted that his plans when elected as governor includes tapping into the untapped resources of the state, which includes building a seaport, thereby decongesting Lagos, and make commerce much more easier and accessible to the people.
“There’s no land in Lagos, no gold, no petroleum, no resources, all you are enjoying there is the commerce that is coming from the sea, that discharging gate you have, but what we have in Ondo state is times 50 of untapped resources.
“So if we harness that, we will decongest Lagos State, and our people will be busy. We will create job, a lot of us will be emergency clearing and forwarding agent, and everybody will be busy. So, instead of you going to spend 2/3 weeks in Lagos, to the port and all that, you just go to Ilaje Local Government here and offload your goods and come back same day,” he explained.
Responding, the leader of the NAOSNP delegate, and its president, Mr. Oki Samson, thanked the governorship candidate for his warm reception, stressing that the Association is in the state for firsthand assessment of the security situation and measures put in place to achieve a hitchfree election.
“As a security-oriented association, we have deemed it fit to pay a visit to the state to have a firsthand security knowledge of the situation so that a hitchfree election will be achieved.
“Our visit will also take us to other stakeholders including the security apparatuses to ascertain their level of readiness to tackle every form of challenge,” Oki said.
Chief Ajayi is one of the favorites, running to grab the Ondo State seat of power as governor. He is a former deputy governor of the state among a retinue of his credentials and experience.
By Eric Elezuo
Premier commercial bank, the United Bank of Africa (UBA) has announced the retirement of its chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu after 12 years of meritorious service. The retirement notice will take effect from August 21, 2026.
The announcement was made on Monday after a meeting of the Board of Directors, according to a statement titled NOTIFICATION OF RETIREMENT OF GROUP CHAIRMAN OF UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA AND APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR, and made available to Pointblank.ng.
Elumelu will be replaced by Non-Executive Director of the bank, Mr. Emmanuel N. Nnorom, chartered accountant with over forty years’ experience in banking, finance and audit.
Expressing his appreciation for the privilege of serving the bank for 12 years as Chairman, Elumelu noted: that “Serving United Bank for Africa has been one of the great privileges of my career. UBA has established a unique competitive position, across Africa and globally, and I leave the Board with great confidence in UBA’s future. Emmanuel Nnorom is a leader of integrity, experience and sound judgement, and I am confident that the Bank will continue to thrive under his leadership.”
In his acceptance speech, the incoming Chairman, Emmanuel Nnorom remarked that “I am honoured by the trust the Board has placed in me and deeply conscious of the legacy I inherit. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board, Management and our staff across all our markets to sustain UBA’s momentum and continue delivering long-term value to our shareholders, customers and stakeholders.”
The statement quoted the Board as placing on record “its profound appreciation to Mr. Elumelu for his visionary leadership and exceptional contribution to the strategic vision and institutional strength of the UBA Group.”
It added that “Mr. Elumelu’s tenure has been a defining chapter in the Group’s history. Under his stewardship, UBA was transformed into a pan African institution, operating in 20 African countries and 4 global financial centres and serving over 50 million customers.”
Accomplished journalist and former Cable News Network (CNN) International anchor, Isha Sesay, will this week return to the studios of the global news network, not as an interviewer, but as the subject of its celebrated 30-minute magazine programme, African Voices, sponsored by telecommunications giant, Globacom.
The episode will shine a spotlight on the remarkable journey of the distinguished broadcaster whose career has traversed some of the most influential corridors of international journalism.
The 50-year-old British-Sierra Leonean media personality, born on January 6, 1976, rose to prominence through an illustrious career at CNN, which she joined as a news anchor in 2005 after distinguished stints with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Sky News. Over the years, Sesay became one of the most recognisable and respected faces in global television news, bringing clarity and composure to some of the world’s most consequential stories.
An alumna of Trinity College, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Sesay steadily carved a distinctive niche for herself in broadcast journalism. In 2009, she became the host of the inaugural edition of International Desk, CNN’s weekly news programme, further cementing her reputation as a journalist of substance and international standing.
Her career afforded her the opportunity to engage with numerous eminent personalities, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and his successor, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, among other notable global figures.
Sesay also contributed to Anderson Cooper 360° as presenter of the 360 Bulletin, a role she assumed on January 17, 2011. Subsequently, she was reassigned as anchor of another flagship news programme, CNN NewsCenter, continuing a professional trajectory that reflected both versatility and excellence.
Beyond the newsroom, Sesay has demonstrated a deep commitment to social impact. In 2014, she launched her educational and humanitarian non-profit advocacy initiative for the African girl-child. The organisation, aptly named Women Everywhere Can Lead, has since provided educational support and empowerment opportunities aimed at nurturing a new generation of female leaders across the continent.
More recently, Sesay captured public attention with her personal journey into motherhood, welcoming her first child through In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) as a single mother. Her experience has resonated with many women around the world, adding another compelling chapter to a life story already rich in courage, resilience and inspiration.
On this edition of African Voices, Sesay will share insights into her distinguished career, her enduring advocacy for girls’ education and empowerment, as well as her new and deeply personal adventure into motherhood. The programme will air on Saturday at 7.30am.
Repeat broadcasts will follow at 11.00am on the same day, while additional screenings are scheduled for Sunday at 3.30am and 6.00pm. Further rebroadcasts will air on Monday at 3.00am and 5.45pm, and on Tuesday at 5.45 pm, with the same time belt continuing into the following week until Monday at 3.00am
Personality in Focus
Double Honours for PLWD: Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation Opens Applications for Scholarship
The Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation (OSF) has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 OSF Scholarship Programme and the Professor Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN Fellowship, reaffirming the Foundation’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities, and developing future leaders within the disability community.
Since its establishment, the Foundation has worked to remove barriers to higher education by providing financial assistance, recognizing academic excellence, and investing in students whose determination and leadership have the potential to create lasting change in their communities.
Dr. Opeoluwa Sotonwa
Founder, Sotonwa Opeoluwa Foundation
The OSF Scholarship Program is open exclusively to Deaf and hard of hearing students enrolled in accredited tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The scholarship recognizes academic merit, leadership, resilience, and a commitment to pay it forward.
The Professor Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN Fellowship is open to law students with disabilities pursuing a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at an accredited Nigerian institution. Named in honor of one of Nigeria’s most distinguished legal practitioners, the fellowship promotes greater representation of persons with disabilities within the legal profession while supporting the next generation of advocates,
scholars, and public leaders.
Mrs Cassandra Sotonwa,
Chief Operating Officer, Sotonwa Opeoluwa Foundation
“Education has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities, and expand opportunities for generations to come,” said Dr. Opeoluwa Sotonwa, Founder of the Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation.
”Through these programs, we continue our commitment to investing in talented students whose perseverance, engagement, and character will help shape a more inclusive and equitable Nigeria. We encourage every eligible student to apply and take advantage of these opportunities.
Applications will be evaluated through a competitive review process based on academic achievement, leadership potential, community engagement, and the overall quality of each application. Priority consideration may be given to applicants who have not previously received an OSF Scholarship or a Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN Fellowship.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the application instructions carefully. Only fully completed applications submitted with all required supporting documents by the published deadline of July 30, 2026 will be considered. Incomplete applications or those missing required documentation will not be reviewed.
The Foundation maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward fraud. Any applicant found to have submitted forged or altered transcripts, falsified documents, plagiarized personal statements, or other fraudulent materials will be disqualified and permanently barred from future scholarship and fellowship opportunities offered by the Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation.
Application forms, eligibility requirements, and submission instructions are now open and available at opeoluwasotonwafoundation.org.
Interested applicants should review the eligibility requirements and application instructions before submitting their materials.
About the Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation
The Opeoluwa Sotonwa Foundation (OSF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing educational access, leadership development, and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities in Nigeria. Through scholarships, fellowships, mentorship, strategic partnerships, and advocacy, the Foundation empowers students to achieve academic excellence, professional success, and meaningful
leadership.
