celebrity radar - gossips
Celebrating Excellence: Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR, the Olu of Warri, African Royalty and Change-Makers Honoured Among 100 Most Reputable Africans
Celebrating Excellence: Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR, the Olu of Warri, African Royalty and Change-Makers Honoured Among 100 Most Reputable Africans
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In an inspiring convergence of tradition, leadership and excellence, the May 15th 2025 edition of the 100 Most Reputable Africans was held in South Africa, gathering visionary individuals from across the continent. Hosted by Reputation Poll International (RPI) and the Global Reputation Forum (GRF), the prestigious event recognized Africans who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity and service across governance, business, culture, philanthropy and academia.
Among the celebrated personalities was His Imperial Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, the revered Olu of Warri, who was honoured both as a special guest of honour and as one of the award recipients. His presence brought regal dignity and spiritual gravitas to the occasion, as he represented not only the Warri Kingdom but also the long-standing cultural institutions that continue to shape Africa’s identity.
He was joined by high-profile guests and honourees such as Her Excellency Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa and former Executive Director of UN Women; Maryam Bukar Hassan, a renowned Nigerian poet and social activist; Thebe Ikalafeng, the branding guru behind Brand Africa; and a long list of distinguished professionals, including William Wilson, Vumile Msweli, Shilongo Shilongo, Byaruhanga James, Bala M. Wunti, Dr. Sindiswa Mzamo, Clariza Botha, Kenneth Raydon Sharpe, Karen Matsiko, Robert Muchinta, Chawinga, Dr. Tuma Adama Gento Kamara and Dr. Tonye Rex Idaminabo.
Representing traditional leadership across the continent, Nkosi Zuzifa Buthelezi stood in for the Zulu King and served as Chairman of the Kings in Council, underscoring the growing influence of royal institutions in the broader African renaissance.
A Majestic Keynote from the Olu of Warri
Taking centre stage as the keynote speaker, Ogiame Atuwatse III delivered a speech that captivated the audience and firmly placed culture, history and indigenous wisdom at the heart of Africa’s developmental discourse.
“Africa’s renaissance will not come from mimicking foreign models. It must be forged from within and rooted in our culture, driven by our values and led by men and women of vision and integrity,” His Majesty declared.
Ogiame Atuwatse III, who has been widely praised for his transformative reign since ascending the throne in 2021, challenged leaders to tap into Africa’s untapped social capital and indigenous institutions. He emphasized that African monarchs are not relics of a bygone era, but living custodians of wisdom, cohesion and leadership.
“Traditional institutions are not ornamental. They are foundational. The future of governance in Africa must be Afrocentric, blending modern governance with the resilience of our ancient systems,” he said to thunderous applause.
An Enlightening Fireside Chat
Following the keynote, a riveting fireside chat was held between Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Busie Matsiko, the President of the New York Africa Chamber of Commerce. The discussion focused on women’s leadership, economic empowerment and transforming Africa’s image globally.
Dr. Mlambo-Ngcuka, known globally for her relentless advocacy for gender justice, remarked:
“When we empower women, we do not just change homes; we change economies. Africa’s future must be gender-inclusive if we are serious about prosperity.”
Their conversation highlighted the need for inclusive policymaking and the importance of mentorship for the next generation of African female leaders.
Goodwill Messages from Pan-African Leaders
Several notable figures shared goodwill messages, each reinforcing the necessity of collaboration, ethical leadership and visionary governance:
Ambassador Benjamin Quashie, an ECOWAS diplomat and advocate for regional integration, urged Africans to transcend nationalistic divisions:
“The unity of Africa is not a political option, it is a survival imperative.”
Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, Namibian business magnate and philanthropist, emphasized integrity in leadership:
“You cannot build a continent on corruption and expect prosperity. Ethics must be the new oil of Africa.”
Mrs. Tuma Adama Gento Kamara, Sierra Leone’s trailblazing political leader, called for increased investment in education, particularly for rural girls.
Dr. Sindiswa Mzamo, a leading public health expert from South Africa, reminded participants of the importance of equitable healthcare systems in ensuring social justice.
Theme and Purpose: Articulated by Sarah Goroh
Sarah Goroh, ambassador of JetAge Nation Builders and an accomplished public affairs professional, opened the event with a stirring address on the theme and purpose of the awards.
“Africa is not lacking in excellence; it is often just uncelebrated. This event is a clarion call to recognize those who embody the Africa we aspire to create ethical, competent, resilient and transformative.”
She explained that the aim of the gala is not just celebration but also affirmation; an affirmation that Africans can define success on their own terms and build legacies of impact that resonate globally.
Reputation, Recognition and Responsibility
The “100 Most Reputable Africans” is more than just a list; it is a moral compass. Every individual honored carries a responsibility to use their platform, voice and influence to shape narratives, dismantle stereotypes and build institutions that serve the people.
As Dr. Tonye Rex Idaminabo, founder of Reputation Poll International, once said:
“Reputation is the currency of trust. In a continent often misrepresented, we must honour those whose lives inspire trust, unity and progress.”
The Legacy of Ogiame Atuwatse III
In many ways, the inclusion of Ogiame Atuwatse III among the honorees serves as a reminder that African royalty when anchored in vision, humility and service remains a powerful force for good.
Since his coronation, Ogiame has redefined kingship, blending spiritual authority with a modern understanding of diplomacy, economic development and human rights. His advocacy for education, women’s inclusion in leadership and diaspora engagement places him among Africa’s most progressive traditional rulers.
“To rule is to serve,” the Olu of Warri noted during the ceremony. “A title is meaningless unless it uplifts those beneath it.”
Final note: An Africa Worth Reputing
This 2025 gathering in South Africa was not merely a celebration, it was a clarion call to Africans everywhere: to lead with integrity, to remember their roots and to rise with purpose.
The event closed with a unifying reminder: Africa does not lack heroes, it lacks recognition of its homegrown legends. Through platforms like this, the continent begins to right that wrong.
As Ogiame Atuwatse III aptly summarized in his keynote:
“We are not just building nations; we are restoring a civilization. And that restoration begins with reputation, honour and the courage to be distinctly African.”
celebrity radar - gossips
Spiritual Reality: Wicked People Are Possessed by Wicked Spirits — Dr. Christian Okafor
Spiritual Reality: Wicked People Are
Possessed by Wicked Spirits — Dr. Christian Okafor
…..“You don’t need to offend them before they attack you.”
…..“Your only true help comes from God.”
Demons are strategic and calculating. They detect threats quickly and position themselves to resist any power that may expose or overpower them.
According to the Generational Prophet and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Christian Okafor, spiritual intelligence operates both in light and in darkness—and believers must understand this reality.
Dr. Okafor delivered this message on Thursday, February 19, 2026, during the midweek Prophetic, Healing, Deliverance and Solutions Service (PHDS) held at the international headquarters of Grace Nation Worldwide in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, Nigeria.
The Operations of Demons
Teaching on the subject “Spiritual Reality” with the subtitle “Operations of Demons,” the Man of God explained that when demons possess individuals, their behavior changes. Such people may attack, bully, or resist those sent by God to help them, unknowingly rejecting divine assistance and prolonging their struggles.
“You don’t need to offend a demon before it attacks you,” he said. “What you carry is enough to provoke opposition. The greater your potential, the greater the battle.”
Dr. Okafor noted that many believers misinterpret battles as signs that God has abandoned them. However, he explained that some battles are permitted for growth, training, and divine glorification.
According to him, God may allow certain confrontations so that believers understand spiritual warfare and emerge stronger.
“Some battles are necessary,” he emphasized. “They push you into your turning point.”
He further stated that God does not respond to lies, blackmail, or bullying. He responds to His Word. Therefore, opposition is not proof of God’s absence, but often evidence of destiny at work.
The Weapon Against Demonic Attacks
Addressing solutions, Dr. Okafor described prayer as the strongest weapon against satanic operations.
“Prayer is the license that invites God into your battles,” he declared. “God does not intrude—He responds to invitation.”
According to the Apostle of Altars, understanding the principles and discipline of prayer enables believers to receive divine strategies for overcoming demonic resistance. Without prayer, he warned, spiritual help cannot be activated.
“You cannot receive help without God,” he concluded. “And you cannot engage God without prayer.”
Manifestations at the Service
The midweek gathering was marked by a strong move of the Spirit, with testimonies of deliverance, miracles, restoration, and solutions to various challenges presented before God. Several individuals reportedly committed their lives to Christ during the service.
celebrity radar - gossips
Kingdom Advancement: God Does Not Confirm Lies or Gossip — He Confirms His Word .” — Dr. Chris Okafor
Kingdom Advancement: God Does Not Confirm Lies or Gossip—He Confirms His Word
“When Doing Business with God,
People’s Opinions Do Not Count.”
— Dr. Christian Okafor
The greatest investment any Christian can make is partnering with God. According to the Generational Prophet of God and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Christopher Okafor, when a believer commits to serving and advancing God’s kingdom, no barrier, lie, gossip, or blackmail can prevail against them.
This message was delivered during the Prophetic Financial Sunday Service held on February 15, 2026, at the international headquarters of Grace Nation Worldwide in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, Nigeria.
Doing Business with God
Teaching on the theme “Kingdom Advancement” with the subtitle “Doing Business with God,” Dr. Okafor emphasized that when a believer enters into covenant partnership with God, divine backing becomes inevitable.
“God is still in the business of covenant,” he declared. “When you make a covenant with Him, He honors the terms. When you win souls into the kingdom and remain committed to His work, He rewards you with what you could never achieve by your own strength.”
The Man of God stressed that God does not confirm lies, gossip, or negative narratives—He confirms His Word. Therefore, anyone genuinely committed to kingdom business should not be distracted by public opinion.
“No matter the blackmail or falsehood circulating around you, if you are focused on God’s assignment, those attacks will only strengthen you,” he stated.
He further noted that a believer’s understanding of God’s covenant determines their experience. “Your mentality about God’s covenant becomes your reality. When you truly know the God you serve, no devil can move you.”
Biblical Examples of Kingdom Partnership
Dr. Okafor cited several biblical figures who prospered through their partnership with God:
Abel
Abel served God with sincerity and offered his very best. His sacrifice pleased God, demonstrating that when a master is honored, he responds with favor.
David
David’s heart was fully devoted to God, and in return, God’s presence and favor rested upon him throughout his life.
Hannah
Hannah made a covenant with God, promising that if He blessed her with a child, she would dedicate him to His service. After fulfilling her vow, God rewarded her abundantly, blessing her with additional children.
Peter
Peter, a professional fisherman, surrendered his boat at Jesus’ request for kingdom work. Through that act of partnership and obedience, he experienced supernatural provision and divine elevation.
Conclusion
In closing, Dr. Okafor emphasized that one’s approach to God’s covenant determines the level of success and prosperity experienced. Commitment to kingdom advancement secures divine confirmation and supernatural results.
The Prophetic Financial Sunday Service was marked by prophetic declarations, deliverance, healings, miracles, restoration, and solutions to diverse cases presented before Elohim.
At 55, Omoyele Sowore Remains a Defiant Voice of Conscience
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“SaharaWeeklyNG Management and Staff Salute a Relentless Campaigner for Justice and Democratic Accountability.”
As activist, journalist and politician Omoyele Sowore marks his 55th birthday, the management and staff of SaharaWeeklyNG join millions of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to celebrate a man widely regarded as one of the most persistent and fearless voices for democratic accountability in modern Nigeria.
Born on February 16, 1971, in Ondo State, Sowore rose from student activism at the University of Lagos to become one of the country’s most recognisable pro-democracy figures. His early involvement in the student movement during the military era of the 1990s placed him at the forefront of protests against dictatorship and repression, a role that would shape the course of his life and career.
He later founded Sahara Reporters in 2006, an online investigative platform that quickly gained prominence for exposing corruption, abuse of power and human rights violations. Operating initially from the United States, the outlet became a symbol of citizen journalism and digital activism, publishing stories often ignored or suppressed by mainstream media. Over the years, the platform has reported on high-level corruption cases, electoral malpractices and security failures, earning both praise and fierce criticism from political authorities.
Sowore’s activism took a dramatic turn in 2019 when he contested Nigeria’s presidential election under the African Action Congress (AAC). Although he did not win, the campaign amplified his calls for systemic reform. Months later, he launched the #RevolutionNow movement, a nationwide protest demanding an end to corruption, economic hardship and insecurity.
In August 2019, he was arrested by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) on charges of treasonable felony. His detention, which lasted several months despite court orders for his release, sparked international condemnation from human rights groups, civil society organisations and foreign observers. The case turned him into a global symbol of resistance against state repression.
Over the years, Sowore has faced multiple arrests, court trials and travel restrictions. Yet he has remained resolute, insisting that his activism is rooted in the constitutional right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Supporters describe him as a principled crusader against injustice, while critics accuse him of political extremism. Regardless of the perspective, his impact on Nigeria’s political discourse is undeniable.
His life’s work echoes the enduring words of Nelson Mandela, who once said, “Freedom is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” For many of Sowore’s followers, his sacrifices represent precisely that spirit, an unyielding struggle for a more accountable and equitable society.
Similarly, the philosophy of Martin Luther King Jr. (that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”) resonates deeply with the trajectory of Sowore’s activism. Whether confronting police brutality, electoral irregularities or economic injustice, he has consistently framed his struggle as one for the collective dignity of Nigerians.
Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka once observed that “the man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.” That sentiment captures the essence of Sowore’s public life. For over three decades, he has refused silence, even when it meant imprisonment, harassment and personal sacrifice.
At 55, Sowore’s journey is far from over. He remains active in political advocacy, civil rights campaigns and public commentary, continuing to challenge what he describes as systemic failures in governance and leadership. His career reflects both the promise and the peril of dissent in a fragile democracy; where the line between patriotism and confrontation is often fiercely contested.
On this milestone birthday, SaharaWeeklyNG management and staff recognise Sowore not merely as an individual, but as a symbol of the enduring struggle for transparency, justice, and democratic renewal. His story is one of conviction under pressure, a reminder that the quest for a better society often demands courage, resilience and a willingness to stand alone.
As Nigeria navigates its complex political and economic realities, figures like Sowore continue to shape the national conversation. Whether praised or criticised, his voice remains a constant in the country’s democratic journey; loud, uncompromising and impossible to ignore.
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