society

BETWEEN PATRIOT FALEKE AND HIS STEWARDSHIP OF SELFLESSNESS

Published

10 months ago

June 24, 2025

Sahara Weekly

BETWEEN PATRIOT FALEKE AND HIS STEWARDSHIP OF SELFLESSNESS

By Ali A. Ali

In the corridors of power, where politics often wears a mask of self-interest, Hon. Dr. James Abiodun Faleke stands out as a shining beacon of hope. For two years, he has walked the halls of the 10th Assembly, leaving a trail of transformative impact in his wake. With every bill sponsored, every motion moved, and every town hall meeting held, Faleke has demonstrated a deep commitment to the people he serves.

His is a leadership style that embodies transparency, accountability, and empathy – a refreshing change from the status quo. As his constituents rejoice in the fruits of his labour, Faleke’s legacy as a champion of the people continues to grow, inspiring a new generation of leaders to follow in his footsteps.

There is a growing trend for demand of parliamentarians with shared value orientations, inclusivity, a community-driven approach, and emphasising such attributes as transparency, accountability, and empathy. Over time parliamentary representative democracy has witnessed leaders devoid of stewardship, unaccountable, without integrity, and self-centered egoistic lawmakers.

For Hon. Dr. James Abiodun Faleke, parliamentarians must include an intrinsic attribute and demonstration of those rare responsibilities of the wise and frugal management of resources. In the past two years, therefore, more than any member of the 10th Assembly, Chief Faleke resolved to be answerable for all his actions at the Green Chamber, demonstrating humility and reverencing the electorate.

Through the periodic town hall meetings, Chief Faleke has successfully taken time to consistently inform the constituents with a blow-by-blow experience, deliberations, and several interventions that he has made on their behalf, including the Bills and motions sponsored both on their behalf and that of the entire country.

His deployment of an enhanced sustainability plan, which tends to ensure that legacy projects, programs, and various interventions and preserved for the future generation of his constituency has greatly endeared him to them and made him an enviable and exemplary leader.

One remarkable attribute and indeed lasting achievement of Chief Abiodun is his transparent handling of all issues. He has been able through direct and open conduct to lay bare every decision made on behalf of the constituents. His life of challenging integrity has set for him followers who are daily willing not just to emulate his high standard but are ready to deliberately work with him because they are convinced of his efficiency and disposition for effective optimization of both human and other forms of resources for the good of all.

In the present competitive environment where the pressures of globalization and westernisation have added to overstretched resources, the democratic sphere needs men like Dr. James Faleke who are competent enough to be able to protect and preserve scarce resources for the prosperity of all.

His ethical and radical transformative disposition to legislative democracy has ensured responsible management of everything necessary for the constituency and the general good of humanity.

A beacon of light and fostering lasting ties, Chief Faleke has consistently and intentionally demonstrated a high level of transparency, an open decision-making process, always answerable to his constituency, and responsiveness to their pain points while sometimes using their resources to adequately take care of their needs.

Chief Faleke has promoted trust, responsiveness, and oversight in representing his people and in governance.

A deliberate forward thinker and father of political loyalty, his in-depth people-oriented parliamentary responsibilities have set him out, making tremendous progress and achieving landmark distinctions in all aspects of human development.

Rt. Hon. Faleke is the fulcrum of modern-day democracy and transformational leadership, rewriting it through such criteria as transparency, empathy, and accountability, which are all factors of stewardship.

Through his several interventions, Alhaji Faleke has also in the past two years, redefined social services in terms of the provision of landmark durable health services, road constructions, renovation and construction of schools, provision of solar-powered boreholes and streetlights, and the provisions of learning and educational materials all geared towards alleviating poverty, creating a better standard of living and bringing about amenable and conducive ambiance for the socioeconomic livelihood of his people to grow and develop.

Chief Faleke’s blend of parliamentary and stakeholder interventions has led to great improvements that were not otherwise experienced within the constituency and indeed the State.

Indeed, Rt. Hon. Chief Dr. James Abiodun Faleke has promoted distinguished leadership, sponsoring scholarships for constituents both within and outside the country. He has also empowered hundreds of constituents with various skills.

In his past two years at the 10th National Assembly, the reality is that Rt. Hon. Chief Dr. James Abiodun Faleke is focused on the complete remodeling of the institutions of governance and the liberation of the people not just of Ikeja Federal Constituency but the entire nation through sustained outstanding contributions, dedication, tireless efforts and remarkable quantifiable people-based developmental service, devising new found trajectories of impactful roles and changing his constituents from the state of lack to that of prosperity in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Ali PhD wrote this piece from Ikeja, Lagos.

society

Lagos 2027: Obasa hosts Hamzat, Promises Support for Governorship Bid

Published

2 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Lagos 2027: Obasa hosts Hamzat, Promises Support for Governorship Bid

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, on Thursday, played host to Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat at his official residence in GRA, Ikeja, promising to galvanise his expansive political structure to ensure Hamzat’s victory at the forthcoming governorship election.

Dr Hamzat is the presumptive APC candidate for the Lagos governorship seat, and the engagement was part of his ongoing strategic consultations with All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders and leaders.

Speaker Obasa extolled Hamzat’s pedigree, commitment to infrastructure development, and loyalty to the party, adding that for the continued development of Lagos State, every discerning electorate must rally round him.

“I just returned from Abuja, and the conversation remains the same – Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat is the next Governor of Lagos State. You have demonstrated unquestionable loyalty to our great party and even greater competence in serving Lagos. We love you, we support you, and we will do everything to ensure that we win the election,” Speaker Obasa declared.

Responding, Dr Hamzat expressed gratitude for the warm reception while highlighting Obasa’s legislative experience and political network, which he said are invaluable. He reiterated his focus on collaborative governance, saying, “Lagos is a collective project. My consultations are not about personal ambition but about ensuring continuity, innovation, and inclusive development for our people,” Hamzat said.

society

Police Repel Coordinated Kidnap Attack In Sokoto, Launch Manhunt

Published

5 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Police Repel Coordinated Kidnap Attack In Sokoto, Launch Manhunt

Security operatives in Sokoto State have foiled a coordinated kidnapping attempt by armed bandits targeting two communities, killing one suspect and launching a manhunt for others who escaped with injuries.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Ahmad Rufa’i, the operation was carried out in the early hours of Thursday following a distress call received at about 12:30 a.m. reporting simultaneous attacks on Illela Village, also known as Achida Town, and Kwargaba Hamlet.

“The Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with other tactical teams, responded swiftly to the distress call,” he said. “Our operatives, who were already on high alert, engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel and successfully repelled the attack.”

Rufa’i disclosed that the security forces overpowered the assailants after a prolonged exchange of gunfire, neutralising one suspect who was dressed in military camouflage, while others fled with gunshot wounds into the nearby Gundumi Forest.

“An intensive manhunt is ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects who escaped into the forest with varying degrees of injuries,” he added.

However, before the arrival of security personnel, the bandits reportedly shot and killed a member of the Kwargaba community vigilante group. His body has since been recovered and released to his family for burial.

The police spokesperson urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or individuals to the nearest security agency, assuring that efforts are being intensified to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.

society

The Kendrick Brothers, Cameron Arnett, Kingdom Story Company, Bright Wonder Obasi Train 60 Christian Filmmakers in Nigeria

Published

8 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Sahara Weekly

The Kendrick Brothers, Cameron Arnett, Kingdom Story Company, Bright Wonder Obasi Train 60 Christian Filmmakers in Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria – April 23, 2026

Successful actors, producers and movie makers like; the Kendrick Brothers, Cameron Arnett, Kingdom Story Company, Bright Wonder Obasi were among the facilitators who trained 60 Christian Filmmakers in Nigeria at the just concluded Africa Gospel Film Project (AGFP) 2026.

The groundbreaking 6-day Intensive Filmmaking Masterclass and Spiritual Formation Program, were 60 emerging Christian filmmakers from Nigeria and Zambia were trained in Abuja was held at the Gospel Cinema International /High Definition Film Academy (HDFA) Facility in Gwarinpa.

The program brought together a distinguished lineup of facilitators from Nigeria and the United States, positioning AGFP as a leading platform for faith-based filmmaking development in Africa.

Among the international facilitators was Stephen Kendrick of the Kendrick Brothers, known for films such as The Forge, War Room, Facing the Giants, and Courageous, Overcomer, Fireproof, who delivered a powerful session titled “Heart of The Filmmaker.” Also featured was Cameron Arnett, who led sessions on “Christ Over Career” and acting for film.

Other notable speakers included Nick Carey (Kingdom Story Company), who spoke on “The Making of a Faith-Based Blockbuster Movie,” as well as Bob Saenz (Screenwriting Masterclass), Beverly Holloway (Acting Masterclass), David Cook, Adam Drake, Prince Daniel (Aboki), Lummie Adevbie, Chris Odeh, and Jennifer Keltner (Identity & Storytelling), among others.

The program opened with a strong spiritual foundation, including worship and a keynote by the Convener, Bright Wonder Obasi, titled “Calling & Identity: Film as Spiritual Influence/Programming,” which challenged participants to view storytelling as a tool for cultural and spiritual transformation.

Participants were grouped into four production studios—House of Gideon, House of Caleb, House of Joshua, and House of David—and underwent three days of intensive masterclasses and workshops across screenwriting, directing, cinematography, acting, editing, and producing, alongside deep spiritual formation.

On Day 4, teams developed and pitched short film concepts for professional review and approval. Day 5 was dedicated to full-scale production, with all four teams executing their projects under real industry conditions.

The program culminated on Day 6 with:

A Pitch-A-Thon, where 20 filmmakers presented original projects for funding and collaboration.

A public screening of four short films produced during the program

Professional feedback from a panel of judges.

Certification of all participants

Awards for best Screenplay, Cinematography, directing, editing, acting, and overall best short film.

The closing ceremony featured a powerful commissioning session led by Pastor Ikenna Okeke, where participants were prayed for and consecrated as “God’s Creative Army.”

Speaking after the event, the Convener, Bright Wonder Obasi, described AGFP 2026 as “a movement to raise storytellers who will shape culture and influence nations through truth-driven films.

Films that honor God”

With its successful debut, AGFP is now preparing for its next edition, following its mandate to train 300 Christian filmmakers across Africa and develop a slate of six global faith-based films over a three-year period.

The Africa Gospel Film Project continues to position itself as a catalyst for purpose-driven storytelling, industry excellence, and spiritual transformation in African cinema.