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Olufolake Ajayi Steps Out As Inner Wheel District 911’s 39th President

Published

4 years ago

August 1, 2022

Olufolake Ajayi Steps Out As Inner Wheel District 911’s 39th President

Sahara Weekly Reports That Service is a lifestyle and no one understands this better than members of the Inner Wheel Society.

On Saturday, July 16, District 911 Inner Wheel members gathered at the Ayo ROsiji Hall Cathedral to usher in the 39th district chairman and her executives for the 2022/2023 year.

Well attended by members of the society alongside Rotarians and friends, the event saw the successful installation of IWM Olufolake Morohunranti Ajayi as the district chairman.

From right: Deputy National Rep., Zainab Ikheloa, IPDC Dupe Oyeduntan, District Chairman Olufolake Ajayi, her husband PP Kehinde Ajayi, International Inner Wheel Past President Yemisi Alatise and guest lecturer Dr. Tamramat Iyabo Runsewe-Abiodun

In an exclusive interview with INDEPENDENT, IWM Ajayi shared her thoughts on Inner Wheel’s journey so far.

“We started as wives of Rotarians about 98 years ago and they used to call us Rotary Hands. When they formed the International Inner Wheel, we carried on with our work. Now, even though they admit women to Rotary, we are unique in our ways and we stand beside all Rotarians to make the world a better place. We help to support and carry on more projects in support of humanity.”

Speaking on her charge as the new district chairman, she said, “My charge is to empower women and we’ve started it but I’m going to continue and raise the bar. Train a woman and you train the whole world. We want women to be confident, competent, and to be able to stand by themselves and look after the children. We’re not talking about girl children now, we’re talking about children because if you concentrate on one gender, the other will suffer. Our focus is on children. A woman will have girls and boys, so you cannot concentrate on one and leave the other.

“We also intend to imbibe this attitude into the younger ones now in schools for them to know the ideals of personal service.”

As part of her goal for the year, she plans to empower clubs and mentor members for greater tasks ahead. She revealed that she intends to work in line with the 2022-2023 International Inner Wheel year theme ‘Work Wonders’ in the service of humanity.

When asked about her background and how she came to be a dedicated Inner Wheel member, she explained that “I was born to serve, and I have a passion to care. As a result, from youth, I made up my mind that I was going to go for Nursing and the Nursing profession is a caring profession. I’ve worked in Nursing since 1971 and I’m empowering because empowerment is my passion. I’m empowering nurses, empowering students, empowering mothers. The empowerment process is key in my life because I empowered myself to move forward. I put in as president in 1996, and that was when we completed Ikota Health Centre in my year, and we handed it over to Munira Marwa and they are using it till today as Eti-Osa Local Government Headquarters For Public Health. So it’s been in me and when I was called on to come and chair, I said ‘well, why not?’ I’ll be 70 this year believe it or not and I said, ‘Father Lord I want to serve, here I am.’ Service is my passion, it is an innate ability in me.”

While speaking about the incoming district chairman, the outgoing chairman, Modupe Oyeduntan revealed that the incoming chairman is a woman worthy of honour based on her life of service.

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Lumiegee Shines Bright: Nigerian – London Based Music Sensation Wins Silver at Global Music Awards for “Yehba”

Published

59 minutes ago

February 18, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Lumiegee, the talented Nigerian recording artist, audio engineer, and songwriter, has been honored with two Silver Medals at the prestigious Global Music Awards (GMA) for his captivating single “Yehba”.

The GMA, a top-tier international music competition, recognized Lumiegee’s outstanding work in the AfroBeats genre and the music video for “Yehba”, solidifying his position as a rising star in the music industry.

“Yehba” has been making waves in the Nigerian music scene, earning Lumiegee recognition from Soundcity TV Africa, CMJ TV UK, and other prominent music platforms. This latest accolade further cements his reputation as a force to be reckoned with in Afrobeats.

Lumiegee’s music style, a fusion of Afropop, R&B, Soul, and World music, has captivated audiences worldwide. His unique sound draws inspiration from legendary artists such as King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti, and Stevie Wonder.

The Global Music Awards is a respected music industry recognition platform, promoting award honorees through social media and press releases to over 20,000+ musicians, music managers, record labels, and industry contacts.

Website: https://www.globalmusicawards.com/honorees/home
For more information on Lumiegee and his music, visit @lumiegee on Instagram.

*About Lumiegee:*
Lumiegee, born Olumide A. d’Goke Adeisa, is a Nigerian recording artist, audio engineer, and songwriter with a decade of experience in the music industry. His music blends cultural influences, emotional depth, and catchy hooks, resonating with fans across Africa and beyond.

Contact:
@lumiegee (Instagram)
LumieTech

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Buratai Pays Tribute to Ihejirika at 70, Hails Mentorship and Legacy of Leadership

Published

4 days ago

February 14, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Buratai Pays Tribute to Ihejirika at 70, Hails Mentorship and Legacy of Leadership

Former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s immediate past Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has paid a glowing tribute to his predecessor, Lt. Gen. OA Ihejirika, as the retired General marks his 70th birthday.

In a heartfelt message released in Abuja on Friday, Buratai described Ihejirika as not only a distinguished soldier and statesman, but also a commander, mentor, and “architect of leadership” whose influence shaped a generation of senior military officers.

Buratai recalled that his professional rise within the Nigerian Army was significantly moulded under Ihejirika’s command, citing key appointments that defined his career trajectory.

According to him, the trust reposed in him through early command responsibilities, including his first command posting at Headquarters 2 Brigade and later as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, laid a solid foundation for his future leadership roles.

“These opportunities were not mere appointments; they were strategic investments in leadership,” Buratai noted, adding that such exposure prepared him for higher national responsibilities.

He further acknowledged that the mentorship and professional grounding he received under Ihejirika’s leadership were instrumental in his eventual appointment as Chief of Army Staff and later as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.

Buratai praised Ihejirika’s command philosophy, describing it as professional, pragmatic, and mission-driven. He said the former Army Chief led by example, combining firm strategic direction with a clear blueprint for excellence that continues to influence military leadership practices.

“At seventy, General Ihejirika has earned the right to reflect on a legacy secured,” Buratai stated, praying for good health, peace, and enduring joy for the retired General as he enters a new decade.

He concluded by expressing profound gratitude for the leadership, mentorship, and lasting example provided by Ihejirika over the years.

The tribute was signed by Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, who described himself as a grateful mentee and successor, underscoring the enduring bonds of mentorship within the Nigerian Army’s top leadership.

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Sagamu Plantation Row: Igimisoje-Anoko Family Challenges LG Claim

Published

1 week ago

February 9, 2026

Sahara Weekly

The Odumena Igimisoje-Anoko family of Orile-Oﬁn in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State has strongly disputed claims by the Sagamu Local Government that a large expanse of land near the Sagamu–Ikenne Road belongs to the state government, insisting that the property remains ancestral land belonging to their forefathers.

The family’s reaction follows a public warning issued by the Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Ogbeni Jubril Olasile Odulate, cautioning residents against purchasing or occupying portions of what he described as a “state-owned rubber plantation” located beside the Ogun State Low-Cost Housing Estate near the NYSC Orientation Camp.

In the statement, the council alleged that some individuals were illegally selling and developing the land and maintained that the property had been earmarked for the proposed New Sagamu Government Reserved Area (GRA).

However, the Akarigbo family has countered the claim, describing the land as private ancestral property and not government-owned.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Omoba Babatunde Adegboyega Igimisoje, Secretary of the Odumena Igimisoje-Anoko family, said the land forms part of Orile-Ofin, which he described as the ancestral headquarters of Remo before the creation of Sagamu town.

According to him, the area is an inheritance from their forefathers and historically belongs to the Akarigbo lineage.

“Orile-Ofin is our ancestral land and the headquarters of Remo in those days. It was during the reign of our forefathers that Sagamu was later formed and settled in 1872, while Orile-Ofin remained our village,” he said.

He explained that the specific portion currently in dispute historically belonged to Oba Odumena Igimisoje-Anoko, whom he described as the last Igimisoje-Anoko to reign as king on the land.

Reacting to the local government’s ownership claim, Adegboyega insisted that the rubber plantation was never government property.

He said the land was only temporarily acquired by the old Western Region government in 1959 for agricultural purposes.

“In 1959, the Western Region acquired the land for rubber plantation, but that did not transfer ownership to the government permanently,” he stated.

The family further claimed that the land was later returned to the original owners.

According to him, during the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel between 2008 and 2011, steps were taken to return the land to the family, while his successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, allegedly revoked lingering government control and formally handed it back to the Odumena Igimisoje-Anoko family.

“It was duly returned to the rightful owners. So it is surprising to now hear that the land is being described as local government property,” he said.

He cautioned the council chairman against interfering in what he called a family land matter.

“The rubber plantation land is not government land and does not belong to the local government. The chairman should not join an issue he does not fully understand,” he added.

In the same vein, Prince Abdul Fatai, an executive member of the Anoko family, also warned the local government to stay away from the land, describing it as their forefathers’ heritage.

He appealed to the Ogun State Government and the Akarigbo of Remoland to intervene in the matter to prevent tension and ensure peace in the community.

“We are calling on the state government and the Akarigbo to step in so that this issue can be resolved peacefully. This is our inheritance, and we want justice,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sagamu Local Government had maintained that the land belongs to the Ogun State Government and warned that anyone found buying, selling, fencing or developing plots in the area would face arrest and prosecution.

The dispute has now set the stage for a possible legal and administrative battle over ownership, with both sides standing firm on their claims.

Residents say they hope authorities and traditional institutions will urgently intervene to clarify ownership and prevent further conflict or losses for unsuspecting buyers.