Personality in Focus
Women Group Celebrates Tinubu, Daughter, Assures Nigerians of Renewed Hope
By Oki Samson
As part of the celebration of the Presidential Inauguration, a women’s political advocacy group, Evolving Women In Politics (EWIP) yesterday eulogized the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima for their resilience and commitment to championing democratic ideals in the country.
The women’s group also used the opportunity to honour their Grand Matron, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo who played immense role in strengthening the advocacy organization for more than four years. It is important to stress that the Evolving Women In Politics (EWIP) was one of the few organizations which encouraged and lobbied Nigeria’s 16th President to race for the coveted seat since early 2019.
The event which took place in Abuja had the gathering of Nigeria’s top women politicians, business women. These include Iyaloja-General of Nigeria/Daughter of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Mrs FolashadeTinubu-Ojo, member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara; Abuja-based business tycoon, Mrs. Omolola Ademosu; the Vice President of Ikorodu LGA, Aarebirin Hon. Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba; former Chairman of Coker-Aguda LCDA, Hon. Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe, Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Women Affairs, Hon Asman Gogo Kabir, CEO Madel Apartments and Homes Ltd, Kamolu Olumayowa, CEO Rephilus Energy Ltd, Rebecca Theophilus, Billy Umar-Garba, CEO Choice Construction and Fabrication, Hajia Halima Apollo, Founder of Nuit de Paris, Maryam Nomvar, Amb. Tosin Sanusi, Barr. Rabiyat Aliyu Ohindase, Dr. Lee Akin Badeji, MD of Parmass Oil and Gas, Aisha Imam, and several other top women. The former Manager of NIGCOMSAT, Engr. Rufai also attended the event.
In her welcome address at the event, the National President of EWIP, Hajia Fatima Bello remarked: ‘we are here to appreciate our journey so far and to celebrate our father, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his inauguration. EWIP is a group of women supporting women to bring the best out of us.’
On the President, she noted: ‘Our principal talked about 35% women inclusion, we have visited about 200-300 Obas in 4 years and they said yes to us. His leadership is second to none. He is talk and do. Only God is 100% but we trust that he wll be able to do all that he promised. We called him to come and contest. We know he can fix Nigeria. We trust that he will appoint more women in his government. We are proud of him.’
The honouree of the ceremony and Iyaloja-General of Nigeria who personally attended the event, Chief Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo shared: ‘I want to appreciate Nigerian women. This is our turn, our hope is renewed. I must appreciate the commitment of this group, EWIP, for what we have done, the love is overwhelming.’
‘All that you have committed to this cause, may God return it to you in a million fold. What you have done for someone else, may your children enjoy it while you are alive. Thank you for being patriotic, you spent your money, time, and resources towards this cause. Thank you for your patriotism’, she prayed for EWIP.
Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara who gave a speech at the celebration said: ‘EWIP has been my baby, I have known EWIP before SWAGA happened. EWIP is very strategic and important if we want women participation in politics to increase. These women are already interested and passionate to go into politics. I want to charge us to tell more women to join EWIP.’
‘Politics is very interesting but you have to be resolute. If anybody tells you that there is shortcut in politics, don’t agree with them. Believe in merit, believe in what God has called you to do, you mwe are ust be hardworking, you must be prayerful and spiritually strong, and start from the grassroots. Look at where you are popular, is it your husband’s state or your own state of origin. For me, I am from Ogun state but my husband is from Lagos. let us be determined and resolute.’
Ogbara advised Nigerian women, ‘Finally, as women, let us be our sister’s keeper. Don’t allow men use you against your sister. What she will get can’t stop what you will get. When we are united, there is nothing that we cannot get.’
The former Manager at NIGCOMSAT, Engr. Rufai also present at the event hinted that women are better managers and should be allowed to drive the wheel of the Nigerian nation. His words, ‘According to Napoleon, give me a good woman and I will give you a good nation. It is because of this that United Nations says 35% affirmative action. When you subject your decision making process to women around you, you are likely to mitigate all the risks in it. They are better managers, that management is inherent in them. It is natural to them. I strongly advise that we should get even more than 35% when it comes to assigning responsibilities in this nation.’
Also speaking at the event were other executives of the advocacy group. The Vice President, Hajia Raliat Abdulsalam informed that this meeting is not just for celebration, ‘it is also for our sisters to mentor us, to talk to us on their journey and how they are doing it so that we can also learn’.
The Natonal Treasurer, Olori Aderonke Erinle on her part said: ‘we are here to jubilate. We are here to celebrate our new President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our father and father of our grand matron, Iyaloja-General Folashade Tinubu-Ojo. We expect so much from him and we trust that he will deliever. We all need to support him, pray for him, and build a right team for his administration. Women in politics are few, we need a good number in the cabinet because we can multitask and we have done well wherever they put us. We want more women to join us in EWIP.’
Co-convener of BringBackOurGirls Movement, Aisha Yesufu, has declared her readiness to become a card-carrying member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The activist said this on Wednesday, hours after Peter Obi defected from the Labour Party to the ADC in Enugu.
She called on well-meaning Nigerians to come together in unity to salvage the country come 2027 general elections.
“I have never been a card-carrying member of any political party, but I will be a card-carrying member of the ADC.
“Enough is enough. There’s no more time for us to keep shedding tears. We have cried too much.
“From this moment going forward, we will fight for Nigeria. We will have a great nation.
“ADC will take Nigeria to a point where the son-of-a-nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody,” she said.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has officially wed Queen Zaynab Ngohemba, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
The announcement was made public on Friday by a facebook user and member of the Dajoh family, Abraham Double-d Dajoh, via a celebratory social media post.
He confirmed the union between the high-ranking government official and the former Olori of the Ife Kingdom.
The Dajoh family described the union as “beautiful” and “uncommon,” as they formally welcomed her into their fold in Benue State.
In a statement that quickly went viral, the Dajoh family expressed their collective joy, signalling a significant chapter for the SGF’s household.
“We, the entire Dajoh Family, happily join our daddy, uncle and brother, His Excellency, The Secretary To The Government Of The Federation, Sen. George Akume Jugu Dajoh in welcoming his new and uncommon wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, into the Dajoh family,” the post read.
The family further extended their appreciation to the political associates and supporters of the SGF, urging them to remain steadfast in their loyalty to him as he embarks on this personal journey.
“We appreciate and thank the fans and supporters of Sen. Akume for always standing by him. We enjoin every one of you to continue to support his Excellency even in this beautiful union with Queen Zaynab,” the post further read.
Queen Zaynab, who was previously known as Olori Wuraola during her 17-month marriage to the Ooni of Ife (which ended in 2017), was ushered into her new home with deep cultural reverence.
The Dajoh family emphasised the importance of their ancestral roots in Mbakor and the wider Benue State.
“Welcome to Benue State, the Food Basket of the Nation, welcome to Mbakor, the seat of leadership of the Tiv nation and welcome to the Dajoh family, the home of your darling husband. Welcome home, Queen Zaynab,” the statement concluded.
The announcement coincided with the festive period, as the family used the opportunity to wish Nigerians a happy holiday season.
“We wish you all a happy Christmas Celebration and a Prosperous New Year,” the post read.
Akume, a former Governor of Benue State and a politician, currently serves as a key figure in the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The news of his marriage to Queen Zaynab—a prominent humanitarian and former royal—has become a major talking point across the country’s social and political circles.
When contacted on the telephone on Friday, Akume’s spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, confirmed the marriage.
He, however, said contrary to reports that the wedding was held on December 24, the marriage is over a year old.
“I can confirm the marriage. However, contrary to the rumour that the marriage was concretised in Gboko on Christmas eve when the couple appeared together at an event to celebrate Christmas, it was actually a marriage that is over a year old,” Odunuga said.
Source: The Punch
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has appointed a renowned novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, isiting professor as part of the drive to reposition the institution on the global academic stage.
Also appointed visiting professors are African Development Bank (AfDB) executive, Prof Kevin Urama, and Prof James Robinson of the University of Chicago.
The appointments were announced through official letters dated December 18, 2025 and signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Simon Ortuanya.
Among the roles expected of the trio, according to the letters, included teaching engagements, research collaboration, mentorship, and strategic academic interactions.
Adichie, it was gathered, was appointed based on her outstanding contributions to literature, creative writing, and global intellectual discourse.
According to the university, Adichie’s visiting professorial would enrich the arts and humanities of the institution through lectures, scholarly engagements, and mentorship of students and young academics.
Prof Urama, a renowned development economist and senior official at the African Development Bank, was appointed because of his “versatile expertise in development economics, climate policy, and evidence-based policymaking”.
“His engagement is expected to strengthen teaching, research, and policy-oriented programmes, particularly in economics, development studies, and related disciplines,” UNN said.
On Prof James Robinson, a political economist at the University of Chicago, UNN said his appointment was intended to deepen academic collaboration, advance research, and expose students and lecturers “to cutting-edge global scholarship in political economy and development studies”.
The acting Public Relations Officer of the institution, Inya Agha Egwu, said that the appointments align with the commitment of “the vice-chancellor to attracting eminent global scholars and industry leaders to UNN, in line with the vision of its founding fathers”.
He said: “The University of Nigeria was founded to be a globally competitive institution; the latest appointments represent a significant step towards reclaiming that legacy and enhancing its global relevance.”
Inya said the visiting professorships are designed to promote knowledge exchange, strengthen international linkages, and bridge the gap between theory, policy, and practice, adding that the latest appointments “bring the number to four visiting professors appointed by the vice-chancellor in December 2025”.
