Personality in Focus
We Must Come Together to Change the Narratives, Says Ondo PDP Guber Candidate
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.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has died. He was aged 90.
Oba Olakulehin, who ascended the throne in July 2024, died in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, after spending a year on the throne, and two days after his 90th birthday
Oba Olakulehin received the staff of office from Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde, on July 12, 2024, as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Oba Olakulehin ascended the throne from the chieftancy rung of Balogun Olubadan, following the demise of Oba (Dr.) Moshood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who died at the age of 81 years on March 14, 2024.
Personality in Focus
Things Fall Apart Festival 2025: Chimamanda Adichie Calls for Igbo Unity, Honoured by ATPN
Global literary icon, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has been inducted as an Honorary Fellow of theAssociation of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), in recognition of her remarkable contributions to promoting Nigeria’s cultural identity through literature. Her works, which have earned worldwide acclaim, continue to project Nigerian—and particularly Igbo—culture on the global stage.
The honorary induction took place during the Things Fall Apart Festival (TFA) 2025, held in Enugu and organized by the Centre for Memories – Ncheta Ndigbo, with endorsement from the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the ATPN, and in partnership with iTour Africa. The festival is a celebration of the legacy of Chinua Achebe’s timeless novel, Things Fall Apart.
Adichie, who chaired the festival, delivered a stirring address that emphasized the urgent need for unity and cultural pride among the Igbo people. Also present at the event were several dignitaries including Sir Ike Chioke, Managing Director of Afrinvest; Sir Emeka Mba, former DG of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission and founder of Afia TV; and celebrated actor Chief Nkem Owoh (Osuofia).
Speaking on behalf of ATPN National President Omo-Oba Adetunji Femi Fadina, the association’s Deputy President II, Wilson Uche Ugwu, emphasized the vital role of cultural identity in tourism development. He urged Nigerians—especially the Igbo—to take pride in their heritage and support initiatives that preserve and promote indigenous culture. Ugwu also reaffirmed ATPN’s commitment to professionalism among tourism practitioners and the need to avoid distorting Nigeria’s rich history and traditions.
In her keynote speech, Chimamanda Adichie made a powerful call for internal reflection and unity within the Igbo community:
“Ndigbo k’anyi tetalu n’ura. Let us wake up. Ife emebigo n’ala Igbo. Things have fallen apart in Igbo land,” she said. “We often speak of political marginalisation, and indeed any honest assessment of post-war Nigerian history acknowledges that. But before we can truly challenge external forces, we must first ‘clean house.’ We are giving those who want to marginalise us even more reasons to justify their actions.”
She stressed that unity does not mean uniformity but a conscious choice to collaborate for a greater goal despite differences.
“If all governors and senators from the Igbo-speaking states come together and set aside party affiliations, it would bestow a significant bargaining power to influence policies beneficial to the region.”
Adichie also delved into the erosion of Igbo language and identity, lamenting the decline of Igbo literature and the increasing pride in raising children who do not speak their native tongue.
“Languages are beautiful, and the more languages a child can speak, the better. But what’s happening in Igbo land is not about the ability to learn languages—it is about the lack of value for what is ours. Even our naming culture is eroding. We now give names not for their meaning, but for how ‘Western’ they sound.”
She drew parallels with the Germanic tribes, who despite having multiple dialects, united to form a modern German state. In contrast, she warned that internal divisions within Igbo society, often rooted in political rather than cultural identities, are weakening the community.
“Igbo is Igbo. Nobody is more Igbo than another. The distinctions we make today—‘Anambra Igbo,’ ‘Delta Igbo’—are political, not cultural. Our strength lies in our unity.”
The Things Fall Apart Festival 2025 served not only as a celebration of Achebe’s literary genius but also as a rallying point for cultural rebirth and communal introspection. It was a fitting occasion to honour Chimamanda Adichie, a torchbearer of African storytelling and cultural preservation.
Famous American televangelist, Jimmy Swaggart, has died at the age of 90.
Jimmy Swaggart’s death was announced on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
He reportedly died two weeks after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Louisiana home on June 15 2025.
The once most recognized Pentecostal preacher in the United States, was brought down in the late 1980s by sex scandals.
The pastor of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, was reportedly caught on camera in 1988 with a prostitute in New Orleans.
Jimmy Swaggart was embroiled in a prostitution controversy in 1988 after he accused Marvin Gorman, his fellow preacher, of infidelity.
In retaliation, Gorman hired a private investigator who caught Swaggart with a prostitute.
The development triggered a national scandal, prompting him to temporarily step down from preaching.
Addressing the incident during a tearful sermon in 1988, Jimmy Swaggart apologized to his parishioners.
“I have sinned against you. I beg you to forgive me”, he said.
After the scandal, he, however, continued preaching for decades, but with a reduced audience.
