CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO THE NEW CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF, (COAS, Nigerian Army) MAJOR GENERAL WAIDI SHAIBU BY COMRADE OLADIMEJI ODEYEMI.

On behalf of my family, friends, and associates, I heartily congratulate a gallant and senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Major General Waidi Shaibu on his well-deserved appointment as the 29th Chief of Army Staff of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Your appointment is not only a recognition of your sterling professional record, but also a well-earned reward for decades of discipline, dedication, and excellence in service to our great nation. From your days as a young officer of the 41st Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy to your recent command as the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), your journey has been defined by brilliance, courage, and an unshakable commitment to national security.

Your vast academic laurels, from multiple master’s degrees to advanced strategic training reflect your intellectual depth and preparedness for this historic role. The Nigerian Army — and indeed the entire Armed Forces — can only look forward to a new era of precision, professionalism, and innovation under your visionary leadership.

On a personal note, I am proud to celebrate this moment with you — not just as an admirer, and a partner to the Nigerian Army, but as a witness to your lifelong passion for excellence, integrity, and patriotism, though from afar. Your humility, calm disposition, and people-centered leadership have always stood you out as a man destined for greatness.

I have no doubt that under your command, the Nigerian Army will be reinvigorated in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, delivering enhanced operational projection, deeper intelligence integration, and stronger national defence outcomes.

My dear General, I wish you a most successful and impactful tenure — one that will further etch your name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s military history.

Congratulations once again, Major General Waidi Shaibu.

Signed:
Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

*Primate Ayodele to Visit YABATECH, Offer Scholarships to Disabled Students On November 6

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, is set to storm Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) on Thursday, November 6, 2025, with massive empowerment initiatives and scholarships, especially targeted at disabled students.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele confirmed his attendance and explained that his visit to the prestigious institution is aimed at supporting the less privileged in their academic pursuits.

According to him, education has become increasingly expensive and unaffordable for many, particularly for the physically challenged, hence the need to step in and assist.

“Education is becoming unaffordable for the less privileged, and especially for the disabled who can’t do much to raise money for their academic pursuits. It’s becoming unbearable for most of them who don’t have people to support them,” he said.

“The fact that one is disabled or less privileged doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be educated. When people are passionate about learning, finances should not be a hindrance to their dreams. Someone has to support them, and this is why we are contributing our quota to YABATECH to support disabled students.”

The cleric further noted his deep concern for those who desire education but are limited by financial constraints.

“I love it when people are educated, and it hurts me to see those who genuinely want to study but are held back due to lack of funds. For this reason, we have taken it upon ourselves to do whatever we can to reduce the number of people in that category,” he added.

Beyond scholarships, INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church will also launch its Students’ Fellowship Programme, which will be open to students of all religions and denominations.

Unlike other fellowships, this initiative will not be exclusive to INRI members or promote the doctrines of the church but will welcome anyone who loves God and desires to be part of a transformative project.

In addition, discussions will be held on the affiliation of a School of Communication and Public Relations to YABATECH — an initiative expected to provide Mass Communication students with more hands-on opportunities to practice what they are studying.

It will be recalled that Primate Ayodele recently donated over N2 million to some students of YABATECH who visited his church a few weeks ago. During their visit, he promised to do more for the students while urging them to take their studies seriously.

*…”You remain our pride” *Governor Okpebholo praises Lancelot Imasuen pledges support for his 30-years behind camera celebrations*

In furtherance of the upcoming celebration of DGuv at 30, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, has received Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen and his team in Edo’ Government House.

Governor Okpebholo during the visit pledges Edo State Government’s support and showered praises on DGuvnor for his steadfastness and the beauty he has brought to the Edo’s culture by using his films to showcase and preserve the culture and the people of Edo.

He was full of praises for Ambassador Lancelot in the presence of the members of his cabinet, which comprises of the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, Secretary to the State Government, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Arts, Culture and Digital Economy, and many other top hierarchies of his government, including the State’s Head of Service.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of the official shirts of DGuv at 30 celebration to the Governor, who received it with pleasure, after which the Governor and Lancelot’s team went into a close-door meeting.

On Lancelot’s entourage was the Chairman Association of Movie Producers, Edo State chapter Mr Derek Igbinakenzua, the Vice Chairman Directors guild of Nigeria Edo state chapter Mr Billy kings , Edo celebrated female filmmaker And member Directors guild of Nigeria Mrs Lovebest OGIE, Administrator of Benin film academy MIss Chidinma Joy Ewuzie, mr Nicolas Benson-Imasuen member Creative designers guild of Nigeria and frontline production designer, Actor producer Mr Uyi Stanley Agbontean.

Meanwhile, as part of the activities lined up in celebration of DGuv at 30, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen will be unveiling a trip-in-motion, a memoir that chronicles his experience in the landscape of Nollywood on Thursday, 27th November, 2025 at the iconic Mike Adenuga’s elegant edifice,

Alliance Française, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The book, written by renowned poet and

author of “The Broken Cross and Bush Radio”, Godson Osarenren and will be unveiled in Lagos as climax to a two-week long celebration of Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen 30-years behind the camera.

Distinguished guests, Nollywood’s best, diplomats, captains of industries, top politicians,, socialites, and friends of Lancelot Imasuen are all expected to grace this high octane and star-studded event.

At the event, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen will be giving an award to appreciate men and women who have supported his lifelong career in the make believe world. Notable among them are; Late Captain Hosa Okubor, Senator Daisy Danjuma, Sir Emmanuel Isikaku who was the first person that funded Lancelot’s film in the year 1996 and several other notable individuals, as the launch is intended to be a packed event.

Lancelot’s 30-years behind the camera celebration will start on November 15th, 2015 with an open street casting that is going to happen in various major streets in Benin and ending at the place where he grew up as a young child. Then, the colloquium, which will be the major event, will take place in Benin, which will see the unveiling of Oduwa Imasuen Lancelot, OIL Foundation. A Foundation that is poised to help resuscitating and rejuvenating dramatic and Film Clubs across various schools in Edo State.

See The Programme’s Itinerary.

30 Years of Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen in Filmmaking

Celebrating a Visionary | Honouring a Legacy

November 15 – 27, 2025

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Saturday, 15th November – OpenStreetCasting

Meeting Point: Benin Film Academy (BFA)

Route: BFA → Ring Road → Mission Road → New Benin → Guobadia street ~BFA

Time :9:am

Street Casting Parade & Open Call

Community Engagement with Aspiring Actors

Media Coverage & Fan Interaction

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Sunday, 16th November – Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony

Location: Victor Uwaifo creative hub Benin City

Red Carpet Reception 4:pm

Formal Conferment of Lifetime Achievement Award

Musical & Theatrical Tributes

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Monday 17th – Friday 21st November – Eastern Celebration

Location: Imo State University, Owerri

Masterclasses with Film & Theatre Students

Campus Film Screenings

Interactive Panel: The Power of African Stories

Special Eastern Homage to Lancelot

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Saturday, 22nd November – Directors Guild of Nigeria ( Edo state chapter)Tribute Night

Location: 7-9 Peddie Okao Street by the skylark schools, off upper Airport Road Evbuodia, Benin City

Time : 4pm

Directors’ Roundtable: Lancelot’s Impact on Nollywood

Artistic Presentations & Guild Recognition

Closing Toast by Veteran Filmmakers

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Sunday, 23rd November – First-Ever Quadruple Movie Premiere

Location: Venue still pending Benin City

Premiere of Four Lancelot-Directed Blockbusters

Red Carpet Experience & Media Engagement

Appearances by Cast, Crew & Industry Icons

Celebration of Three Decades of Cinematic Excellence

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Monday, 24th November – Colloquium & OIL Foundation Inauguration

Location: Eghosa grammar school

Time: 1pm

Academic Colloquium: Filmmaking, Identity & Legacy

Official Inauguration of the Oduwa Imasuen Lancelot (OIL) Foundation

Unveiling the School to fame project and re-inauguration of Dramatic and film Klubs in secondary schools around Edo state

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Wednesday, 26th November – Masterclass by AGN Lagos State Chapter

Location: Lagos

Education, Legal, Intensive Acting & Industry Masterclass

Hosted and Facilitated by Amb. Dr. Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen (The Governor Himself)

Talent Networking Session

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Thursday, 27th November – Grande Finale & Book Launch

Location: Alliance Française, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi – Lagos

Red Carpet Event

Official Launch of the Book: “A Trip in Motion” by Godson Osarenren

Tributes from Industry Giants & Global Guests

Live Performances & Media Unveiling

Closing Ceremony

Let’s Honour a Living Legend

Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen — 30 Years of Impact, Innovation & Immortality through Cinema.