Personality in Focus
World Earth Day 2023: Majekodumi Commends Unity Bank’s Sustainability Strides
Unity Bank Plc has received commendation from one of Nigeria’s foremost environmentalists, Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi for its consistent environmental sustainability initiatives and programmes aimed at protecting the planet earth.
Mr. Majekodunmi, who is the founder of Lufasi Nature Park, Lagos – Nigeria’s only urban forest reserve – gave the commendation at the Bank’s Beach Cleaning and Tree Planting exercise held to commemorate the World Earth Day 2023.
According to the nature park promoter, Unity Bank’s commitment to environmental protection through consistent investment in sustainability programmes and initiatives has set the institution apart.
Recall that this year’s edition of the Beach Cleaning exercise makes it the third year in a row that Unity Bank is holding the volunteer initiative, being an activity lined up to commemorate the World Earth Day. Unity Bank has partnered with 3 non-government organizations – Recycling Scheme for Women and Youth Empowerment, RESWAYE, MEDIC and KBG to promote environmental sustainability through the Beach Bleaning Initiative.
Majekodunmi joined no fewer than 200 volunteers, inclusive of members of staff of Unity Bank, RESWAYE team and the Lagos Kids Beach Garden within the Oba Elegushi beach environs who participated in the cleaning exercise. The volunteers picked and removed over 100,000 plastic bottles from the beach to rid the beach and ocean of plastic waste and reduce pollution.
Also as featured in the previous editions, the Bank also carried out a Tree Planting exercise in 23 locations across the country, with members of staff participating in planting at least a tree in each of the locations.
Speaking at the event, the Divisional Head, Resources, Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Hillary Ajuebon said that the World Earth Day initiatives, have become a core focus of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility aimed at promoting climate action and reduction of environmental pollution.
Citing recent reports on ocean pollution, he decried gloomy statistics stating that: “of the over 380 million tons of plastic produced globally every year, about 10 million tons of plastic waste escapes into the oceans from different coastal plains. There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste estimated to be in our oceans. While 70% of the debris sinks into the ocean’s ecosystem, 15% floats, and 15% lands on our beaches.”
While noting that plastic pollution has become one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues, he said Unity Bank would continue to join collaborative efforts aimed at eliminating plastic pollution in our oceans.
Ajuebon further recalled that in addition to the Beach Cleaning and Tree Planting exercise, the Bank had, throughout the month of April, embarked on aggressive sensitization on environmental sustainability, reinforcing the Bank’s culture of prioritizing sustainable practices, adding that the Bank has over time promoted corporate and business philosophy that encourages low paper usage, recycling and adoption of renewable energy through increased investment in solar-powered branches and ATMs.
A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Joy Ogwu, is dead.
The former diplomat reportedly died at the age of 79 years.
Ogwu, also a former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations and erstwhile Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), reportedly died of cancer-related illness.
Reacting to her passing, a former Nigerian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Usman Sarki, said: “Today, we received the sad news of the passing away of the Permanent Representative (former), Professor Joy Ogwu.
“It is very sad. She was a very fine woman; she represented Nigeria to the best of her ability under difficult circumstances,” Sarki said.
Sarki, who was deputy permanent representative during the tenure of Ogwu at the United Nations, further said Ogwu was a very decent human being.
“It is very sad, very unfortunate,” Sarki also said.
Born on August 22, 1946, Ogwu bagged both Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science from Rutgers University, New Jersey, United States, including a doctorate degree from the University of Lagos.
She was appointed Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs on August 30, 2006, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Prior to her appointment as minister, she was the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos.
On May 7, 2008, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua appointed Ogwu as Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The Delta State-born Ogwu had, during her tour of duty at the United Nations, become the President of the United Nations Security Council in July 2010 and in October 2011 respectively.
Renowned Nigerian evangelist and spiritual leader of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, is dead.
This was confirmed in a statement on Monday by his family, who said he passed away on October 6 2025 at the age of 80.
The family described his passing as a “glorious transition” from a life of devoted service to eternal rest.
Ukpai, widely recognised as a spiritual general and founding father of faith, dedicated over six decades of his life to evangelism, dynamic teaching of the Word, and prophetic demonstrations of God’s power.
“He was a faithful soldier of the cross who devoted his life to spreading the gospel with passion and integrity.
“His teachings, prophetic insights, and mentorship have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire believers for years to come,” his family said.
Over the course of his ministry, Ukpai became known for his fiery evangelistic campaigns, transformative teachings, and commitment to empowering both clergy and lay leaders.
Beyond his spiritual work, he was also celebrated as a loving husband, devoted father, and mentor to countless individuals who regarded him as a guide in faith and life.
The family expressed gratitude for the life and work of Ukpai, highlighting that while they mourn his physical absence, they rejoice that he has “finished his race and is now resting in eternal praise.”
They assured the public that details of his obsequies would be shared in due course.
Ukpai’s ministry, spanning over sixty years, leaves behind a profound spiritual and social legacy, with churches, educational initiatives, and humanitarian efforts that continue to influence communities globally.
His life, the family said, was a testament to the biblical truth that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
Arise TV has announced the burial arrangements of its late news anchor, correspondent, and producer, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu.
The update was announced in a video by the station on Saturday.
Maduagwu died in a tragic armed robbery incident on September 29, 2025. The 29-year-old was a lawyer, model, news anchor, reporter, and producer. She was killed during an armed robbery at her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja. A security guard, Barnabas Danlami, also lost his life in the attack.
According to the burial arrangement, an “evening of tributes will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the THISDAY Dome, Central Business District, Abuja.”
“This will be followed by a service of songs on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the Corpus Christi Cathedral, Kaduna Street, Port Harcourt.”
“Her internment in Anambra State on Saturday, October 18, will be preceded by a funeral mass at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Agulu,” the TV station said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command said it has arrested 12 suspects linked to the death of the news anchor.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement, disclosed that the armed robbery gang sourced their weapons from a supplier in the Niger Republic.
“Preliminary investigations showed that the syndicate procured its firearms — including a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, and a pistol — from an arms dealer operating across the Nigeria–Niger border,” Adeh said.
Adeh added that “all the suspects are from Kaduna and Katsina States and have confessed to obtaining their weapons from a yet-to-be-identified supplier in the Niger Republic.”
Explaining how the operation to apprehend the suspects was carried out, Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, deployed a special investigation team led by DCP Aliyu Abubakar and assisted by ACP Victor Godfrey to track down and dismantle the network following the murder.
