Adron Homes Sponsors Olojo Festival 2025, Celebrates Heritage and Tourism Development

Adron Homes and Properties Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading real estate companies, has reaffirmed its commitment to cultural preservation and community development by officially supporting the 2025 Olojo Festival themed “Tourism for Inclusive Growth with Cultural Rebirth.”

In a press conference held recently at the Palace of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Eniitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, highlighted the festival’s enduring significance as a symbol of Yoruba heritage and a catalyst for economic and social development.

Representing the Chairman/CEO, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, the Managing Director of Adron Group, Mrs. Adenike Ajobo, described the Olojo Festival as “more than a cultural gathering, a living heritage that connects the Yoruba civilization to the global stage, strengthening local economies, uniting people, and inspiring generational pride.”

She noted that Adron Group’s sponsorship aligns with its mission to build communities that honour tradition while creating sustainable opportunities.

“Tourism and housing share a common purpose which connects people, places, and possibilities. At Adron, we believe that true development must respect heritage while driving progress for future generations. Supporting Olojo Festival reflects our commitment to inclusive growth and cultural rebirth,” she stated.

The Olojo Festival, recognised as one of Africa’s foremost cultural events, continues to attract international attention while reinforcing Ile-Ife’s status as the cradle of Yoruba civilization. With the support of organisations like Adron Group, the festival is expected to further project Nigeria’s culture globally, boost tourism, and inspire unity across communities.

Adron Group extended prayers for the continued reign of His Imperial Majesty, Kabiyesi Ojaja II, and expressed optimism that the 2025 Olojo Festival would be peaceful, impactful, and a beacon of pride for Yorubaland, Osun State, and Nigeria at large.

AIICO Deepens Bonds with Retirees, Holds Annuity Forum in Lagos, Extends to Port Harcourt

AIICO Insurance Plc, Nigeria’s leading composite insurer, today hosted another successful edition of its Annuity Forum, a yearly engagement platform designed to strengthen ties with its annuity customers, listen to their feedback, and create opportunities for meaningful interaction.

This year marks a significant expansion of the Forum. For the first time since its inception, the event, traditionally held only in Lagos, is spreading its reach to other regions of the country. The Lagos edition sets the pace, with another scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, targeting annuity customers in the South-South region.

The atmosphere at the Lagos event was lively and refreshing, with customers treated to a mix of business and leisure – including health checks, entertainment, quizzes, and refreshments, alongside constructive conversations on enhancing customer experience.

Speaking at the event, satisfied annuitants expressed their gratitude to AIICO for creating a platform that fosters connection and trust.

His Royal Majesty Oba Ogungbayi Akanni Wasiu, the Onitetiku & Oluowode of Ota, Ogun State, and a retired officer from the Ministry of Education, is one of AIICO’s delighted annuity customers who attended the event. Sharing his experience, he said: “I retired 15 years ago and started my annuity immediately after retirement. I have no regrets because AIICO has paid me every month without fail. I strongly recommend AIICO to anyone preparing for retirement because the company has been very consistent.

Mrs. Judith Chibuogwu, who retired as a Director of Nursing from Lagos University Teaching Hospital, began her annuity with AIICO earlier this year in March. Sharing her experience, she said: “It’s been wonderful. I took the advice to take on an annuity with AIICO, and it has been an amazing experience with the steady, constant payments. Today’s event has also been very enlightening, especially the conversations around retirement life, health, and wellbeing. In fact, I’ve already started talking to my former colleagues who are still in service about AIICO’s annuity.”

The MD/CEO of AIICO Insurance Plc, Mr. Babatunde Fajemirokun, while welcoming the annuitants, stated, “This annual gathering is not just a meeting – it is a celebration of your achievements, resilience, and the trust you have placed in us as your partner on life’s journey. You are not just clients – you are family. This forum is an opportunity to strengthen our bond, share updates on our industry, and reaffirm the promises we have made to you.”

He addressed head-on the negative claims circulating online about the alleged mismanagement of annuity funds, stating “AIICO Insurance ensures that your funds are kept with pension fund custodians – that means there’s no individual within the AIICO team that has access to your funds. This is the case with all insurance companies in the annuity business. – The funds are professionally managed in line with strict regulatory guidelines that have been provided”.

Mr. Gbenga Ilori, Executive Director, Retail Business Division, echoed the sentiment:

“Our business exists because of our customers, and we believe it is important to create avenues for physical interaction and engagement. These forums give us the opportunity to listen, respond to their questions, and hear their ideas on how we can serve them better. They have entrusted their pensions to us, and we consider it a sacred duty to always stay connected to them.

More and more people are placing their trust in AIICO for their annuity needs — today, we serve over 25,000 annuitants across the country, and the number keeps growing. This is why we are taking the forum beyond Lagos, with the South-South region as our next stop in a few weeks.”

With a large and growing number of annuitants nationwide and monthly disbursements of over N1.7 billion, AIICO Insurance has built a reputation as a leading player in Nigeria’s annuity market. The company continues to back this leadership position with unmatched customer service, strong financial performance, and innovative engagement platforms like the Annuity Forum.

The journey continues in Port Harcourt, where AIICO will bring the Annuity Forum experience to annuitants in the South-South. This marks the beginning of a broader mission to take the Forum across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones over time, ensuring that retirees everywhere can share in the warmth, interaction, and assurance that define our commitment. For AIICO, every retiree deserves not just timely income, but also a community that celebrates and supports them throughout their retirement journey.

About AIICO Insurance Plc

AIICO Insurance is a leading composite insurer in Nigeria, with a 60-year record of accomplishment in delivering quality service to its clients. Founded in 1963, AIICO provides life and general insurance, health insurance, and investment management services to create and protect wealth for individuals, families, and corporate customers.

Festac Residents Protest Over Deplorable Roads, Demand Urgent Government Action
By Ifeoma Ikem

Residents of Festac Town in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, have once again raised their voices against worsening road conditions that continue to disrupt daily life and cripple businesses in the community.

On Sunday, hundreds of aggrieved residents staged a peaceful protest across major streets of the estate, demanding swift government intervention to fix the decaying infrastructure.

What was once a well-planned estate has become an obstacle course riddled with potholes. Motorists now navigate dangerous stretches that damage vehicles and delay movement.

“Every week, I spend money fixing my car’s suspension,” lamented a taxi driver who joined the demonstration. For mechanics, the bad roads have meant booming business — but for ordinary residents, it has become a drain on already strained finances.

The protest drew a diverse crowd: traders, parents, health workers, business owners, and community leaders. Many carried placards with bold inscriptions such as “Fix Our Roads Now” and “We Deserve Better.”

“We cannot continue to suffer like this,” said Mrs. Agnes Uche, a mother of three who walked with her children. “School runs, hospital visits, even simple errands are a nightmare because of these roads.”

Community leaders also warned of deeper consequences if the government fails to act. Flooding and further infrastructural collapse loom large, with broken drainages already turning into breeding grounds for mosquitoes and sparking fears of malaria outbreaks.

Dr. Kola Ajayi, one of the organizers, stressed that the protest was not political but a matter of survival. “We are not asking for luxury,” he said. “We just want roads we can drive and walk on safely.”

The economic impact is equally severe. Delivery vans avoid certain areas, businesses lose customers, and transportation costs continue to rise. “It is strangling commerce,” a shop owner observed.

This is not the first time Festac residents have cried out. Over the years, several appeals and petitions have been met with promises but little visible action. Sunday’s demonstration, residents insist, is a renewed call for accountability.

Local youth groups vowed to keep the pressure on until reconstruction begins. “We will not stop until bulldozers move in,” one organizer declared.

As the peaceful walk came to an end, the message was clear: Festac residents want roads that match the legacy of their once-model estate — not pathways of frustration. This time, they say, the government must listen.