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FORMER THISDAY SOCIETY EDITOR, LANRE ALFRED, RELEASES NEW BOOK ON NIGERIA @60
Last Sunday, former Society Editor of ThisDay Newspapers, Lanre Alfred, released his book, Nigeria @60: Foremost Nigerians in the Last 60years; before a colourful assemblage of the Nigerian media and high society.
The all-colour, all-gloss book, which has been widely hailed by many prominent Nigerians as a worthwhile educative and historical work, is published by Alfred’s Old English Partners, publishers of the widely popular coffee table books; Titans…The Amazing Exploits of Nigeria’s Greatest Achievers; and Highlife – Lifestyles of Nigeria’s Rich and Famous; and biographies like Pacemaker – Triumphs of IghoSanomi at 40; The Lion of Afia Nsit – Triumphs of Scott Tommey at 45; Julius Rone…The Jewel of the Delta; and Dapo Abiodun…The Heart of Prince.
Speaking, Alfred said that he was motivated to write the book because, “One of the biggest errors of our heritage as a nation is the failure to properly and periodically document in enduring forms, significant events of our national history and the roles of the personages. Such an important document helps to prevent the distortion of the feats and facts of our heroes and leaders.”
He added, “Whether we want to believe it or not, Nigeria is a nation guilty of not keeping data, which has, over the years, led to the distortion of her history. Many of those who came before us, despite their monumental talents and achievements, refused to pass on to us lessons from their trajectories. Our generation is the poorer for it because many do not have a sense of where they are coming from or where they are headed.”
Alfred said he made up his mind long ago that whatever it takes, he would do everything to be on the right side of history by deploying his resources, experience and skills to documenting for posterity and today’s youth – who are bereft of quality role models – the inspiring exploits and attainments of Nigeria’s foremost citizens of the last six decades whose contributions have been of an immense boost to nation-building.
According to him, “This book captures a critical period in our 60-year history as a nation; and fills a long-abandoned vacuum by bringing out of the shadows of history a silent army of men and women especially those that had until now, been unacknowledged and under-represented, despite their contributions to the nation we now proudly call ours. Through the individual stories and exploits of our heroes past and present, we’re given an insight into the strength and stamina that they evince (d) in the face of a system geared against them.”
Endorsed by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, the Director-General, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, said the book is of significant historical and cultural value to this generation especially as Nigeria celebrates her 60th independence anniversary.
“This is a trans-generational effort that is in tandem with the Federal Government’s appreciation of the need for proper documentation in enduring forms, significant events of our chequered history and the roles of outstanding men and women who created the history.” Runsewe further said.
In his Prologue entitled ‘Enriching the History of a Giant’, former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki espouses Nigeria’s greatness which he agrees had been tested in several ways, adding that though Nigeria might not have fully fulfilled the aspirations of her citizens and the rest of the world, she has continued to play a major role in stabilizing her region and the continent at large. Thus, he says he welcomes any attempt to give a good account of Nigeria’s existence as an independent country in the last six decades.
“This book by Lanre Alfred, a journalist with many years experience, is definitely going to add fresh pages to the body of literature and biographical work on this great country. This unique attempt at recounting our national history also seeks to put on display the roles of the selected players in national development over the years. It also presents a challenge for those key players, who are alive to strive to improve on their roles while also giving the rest of the citizenry the opportunity to honestly and genuinely assess the account and the roles it ascribes to these individuals.”
The former two-term governor of Kwara State concludes that Nigeria will overcome her challenges and fulfil her manifest destiny because there are several ways of leading Nigeria out of the woods; “One way is the one Lanre Alfred has taken with this book; celebrating the nation’s birthday through a revisit of the role of some of the key players.”
The Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in the Foreword, writes that Nigeria is an amazing story and an evolving power whose destiny is far beyond the convulsive spasm that often diminishes the narrative of her undeniable glory. “This lesson is what has attracted the intellectual lens of Lanre Alfred in this insightful book. He takes us through an undulating labyrinth of the Nigerian story and points our attention to the mesh of our socio-cultural plurality, which ultimately makes ours a complex political experiment.
“(Alfred) depicts the nation’s foundational challenge as that of a sailing mission without a rudder and a flying expedition without a compass. For it was clear that, at independence, there was no consensus around vision, purpose and strategy for the actualisation of the nation’s dream.”
Like Saraki, Governor Fayemi concurs that the irony of the Nigeria story is that while her inadequacies are apparent to all, her progress is difficult to ignore either. “And this is the reality, which many critics and commentators have failed to factor into their evaluation of the nation’s trajectory. One of the ways to appreciate this progress might be to focus on the contribution of many compatriots, who have invested their God-given talent and creativity for the progress of the nation in the different segments of our national life,” he says.
Governor Fayemi says he is satisfied with Alfred’s optimistic approach to the appreciation of Nigeria because, “He has elected to gauge our progress in terms of verifiable and invaluable contributions of some individuals, who have greatly impacted the nation and whose contributions to her development since independence, are of immense significance.
“This approach is not only a commendable reward system; it is also an effective story-telling strategy that properly situates the nation’s milestones around the exploits of her heroes and heroines. To suggest that Nigeria has not made progress is to declare that the works of her heroes and heroines are in vain. It is to assume that, generally, nonentities had led the nation in politics, business, culture, religion and leadership!”
He also commends the efforts that went into putting the book together, saying, “Alfred has launched his fecund mind into a fertile territory that many people would have ignored. It is another demonstration of his depth, prodigious intellect and mastery of the nation’s story as a social commentator and chronicler. He has taught us a new lesson that nation-building is a collective responsibility and that a nation’s prosperity is the aggregation of the industry and prosperity of her citizens.”
Interestingly, however, Alfred announced that the book is especially dedicated to Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr, the man popularly called ‘The Bull’ as a homage to his humanity and relentless strides at rewriting the African business narrative; for standing tall and wading through odds with the courage of a knight and confidence of a champion.
Hugely successful, yet, affectionately humble, ‘The Bull’ as he is widely known is one of those risk-taking individuals that struckout on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success to prosper themselves and their society. He has proved over time that if sent to Mars, he would still treat it as a stepping stone to Saturn – the quality of constant invention and self-improvement that has earned him worldwide acclaim and prosperity.
According to Alfred, “Adenuga does not believe in impossibilities. With just tenacity of purpose and a terrier devotion to his dreams, he bestrides, successfully, the gap between creativity and commerce.He started from the scratch, but kept his nose to the grindstone and has turned many seemingly insignificant ideas into behemoth industries.The story of Globacom – how it has survived a myriad of odds including a hostile economy, harsh government policies and competition – remains his magnum opus”.
He added that he is proud to associate with Dr Adenuga’ssuccess in turning generosity, excellence and humaneness into an art form, adding, “In an era beleaguered by the infamy of the human species, Dr Adenuga’s handiwork unfurls as an undying tribute to mankind’s better nature. He challenged resolve with steely grit and exploited the arduous planes of ambition and toil, till he encountered grandeur at the crossroads where wild contemplation and hard work morph into triumph.”
Glo, proudly Nigerian company with the wellbeing of Nigerians the core of its business principle has positively impacted on the lives of Nigerians; giving many uncut talents a platform to harness their talents through its reality television shows; while gifting hundreds of lucky subscribers life-changing prizes through its promos and providing direct and indirect employments to millions of Nigerians. In the intervening years, Globacom has made home-grown stars from the entertainment industry the faces (ambassadors) of its brand, while making them worth their popularity in affluence and influence.
INTERVIEW
“Why I’m Dedicating Nigeria @ 60 Compendium To Mike Adenuga” – Lanre Alfred Opens Up
Biographer extraordinaire, Lanre Alfred, is a prose stylist and celebrity journalist remarkable for the splendid force and ornate vigour of his words. Flaunting matchless fecundity, his writing births brilliant themes, and he effortlessly imbues the blandest motif with melody, and dramatic interest. Nobody forgets the first time they read a book by Alfred; everyone wishes for an encore. His words resonate profoundly, offering each reader a personalised experience even as he inspires all to journey with him, and savour the lyrical continuum and clarity of his thoughts. Thus the grandeur of his artistry and the deserved acclaim trailing his works. At the heel of his fifth book, Alfred has produced yet another inspiring literature: “Nigeria at 60: Foremost Nigerians of the Last 60 years”, a broad narrative of the exploits and monumental achievements of Nigeria’s finest league of extraordinary statesmen, magnates, professionals and patriots in the last 60 years. In this interview with…., the maverick and prodigious writer reveals why he embarked on the project and the adventures of his soul in putting it together. Excerpts…
What inspired the book, Nigeria @60: Foremost Nigerians of the Last 60 years?
If you examine my career over the past two decades, you will discover that I have specialised and excelled, to God be the glory, in chronicling people and events. Being a widely-travelled journalist has also opened up my eyes to the fact that our job as reporters does not start and end on the pages of our medium. So, a few years ago, I wrote my first book; a coffee table book called Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous. It was very well-accepted and it spurred me on to other book-writing ventures. In 2017, I published The Titans (The Amazing Exploits of Nigeria’s Greatest Achievers) and I was also widely applauded for it. But this latest effort attempts to fill a gap in our national history – the lack of books on some of our past and present heroes. Whether we want to believe it or not, Nigeria is a nation that is guilty of not keeping data, which has, over the years, led to the distortion of her history. Many of those who came before us, despite all their monumental talents and achievements, refused to pass on to us lessons that can guide us as we navigate through the labyrinth of life. Our generation is the poorer for it because many do not have a sense of where they are coming from or where they are headed. So, what this book has done is to spotlight and profile extensively those who have contributed to the development of this nation in their different fields of endeavour.
Indeed, Nigeria has many heroes and achievers across the different spectrum of the society; how easy or otherwise was it for you to zero in on those featured in the book?
That was one of my greatest challenges in writing the book. I have a close-knit team of researchers and for many weeks, we deliberated and argued, for and against, several names on the initial list. There were some people whose achievements, we felt, did not measure up to the standard of inclusion set for characters in the book, and we were unanimous and unbiased in de-listing them. Nigeria has been blessed with many great citizens; so, for instance, in football, how do you talk about Kanu Nwankwo and leave out Stephen Keshi? When you compare their antecedents, you would see that they both merit being listed but the dilemma would now be that only one of them can be profiled because of space constraints or some other of such factors. We had many of such knotty moments but at the end of the day, we are all happy with the output because no sector was left out and no worthy person was excluded.
How long did it take to write the book and what was the experience like?
I think more time was spent on researching and compiling the list than actual writing. By the time the list was compiled and I came into agreement with my team on what style to adopt, it was easy to start writing. I must confess that the COVID-19 lockdown was a blessing in disguise as it gave me a lot of time to write without the distractions of work and my other business endeavours. As regards the experience, well, I have been there before. So, it was nothing otherworldly. However, writing this book opened up my eyes to the richness of Nigeria’s socio-cultural and political history and the roles certain individuals played in her evolution.
What do you hope to achieve with this book?
That’s deep. I want this book to be available to secondary school students across the country, to read and be inspired in pursuit of greatness than those profiled in the book. Secondary school students, especially, are at an impressionable age and this is the time we, as parents and leaders, must observe a collective responsibility to present to them, a broader range of role models, and not narrow their choices to some fickle celebrities without substance. I would also like this book to be present on every library shelf in higher institutions in Nigeria and beyond.
Why did you dedicate the book to the chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga?
The story behind my decision is quite interesting. I have always followed his giant strides in the business world. After examining carefully, the impact of his business on the lives of Nigerians and Africans, in general, it was hard to pick anyone ahead of him. So, the book is especially dedicated to the man popularly called ‘The Bull’ as a homage to his humanity and relentless strides at rewriting the African business narrative; for standing tall and wading through odds with the courage of a knight and confidence of a champion. In a land dogged by human and infrastructural lapses, Dr. Adenuga’s humanity and entrepreneurial ingenuity nourishes the glands of kith and kin even as his genius oils the wheels of industry. What you would also find intriguing is that, unlike the proverbial warrior who lives to chant the poetry of his own deeds and derring-do, Dr. Adenuga remains impressively humble and immune to conceit, treading a rare path to acclaim. He attracts honour in torrents, at home and abroad. And I am happy to dedicate the book to him because his exploits continually resonate as an undying tribute to mankind’s better nature. Dr. Adenuga emerged as a worthy recipient of such honour because his deeds and recurring success establish him as a man who challenged resolve with steely grit, and exploited the arduous planes of ambition and toil, till he encountered grandeur at the crossroads, where wild contemplation and hard work morph into triumph. And interstingly, amid the ravage of the coronavirus, the widespread gloom and apprehensions of citizenry and industries caught on the receiving end of the pandemic, Adenuga has raised hopes and planted joy in the bosoms of Nigerians. His huge donations to the Federal Government and several state governments have been instrumental to the containment of the virus. These are no doubt the hallmarks of a selfless man and patriot, and are thus, worthy of being celebrated.
What do you seek to achieve with this new book?
I seek to celebrate Nigeria’s finest breed of entrepreneurs, statesmen, sportsmen, and other professionals – all patriots, across all fields of endeavour. I wrote the book keeping in mind the need to satisfy the needs of Nigeria’s upscale, intelligent, sophisticated, and proletariat demographic. The purpose is to emphasize that, whether you’re born with a silver spoon or not, it is possible for you to rise to acclaim through diligence and honest labour, as it was with the case with some of the personalities featured in the book. There is no way to emphasize my vision and sojourn in putting together this effort. I do not seek to demean or canonize any individual with impact neither do I seek to glamourise my access to Nigeria and some of Africa’s most powerful players, each person featured in the book is deserving and worthy of the appellation of ‘role model’ and ‘national hero.’ I hope that writing about them, one way or the other, will help inspire generations of Nigerian youth to greatness.
Let’s talk abour your genre of journalism. Why is celebrity journalism thriving these days?
With due respect, my genre of journalism has always been thriving, it has never suffered a lull. Celebrity journalism has always been part of journalism in plain sight. You see, there is a lot about journalism that has to do with this particular genre. Celebrity journalism, I would say, represents the kernel of journalism. It projects the essence of what is widely regarded as mainstream journalism. In a nutshell, celebrity journalism has always been mainstream. There is the argument that celebrity journalism only focuses on famous people, the filthy rich and so on, but isn’t mainstream journalism all about famous people? Isn’t celebrity journalism about famous people? If you take an indepth look into the philosophy of the five Ws and H of journalism, you would find that, journalism was and is still essentially modelled to perpetuate news about celebrities, the rich, the powerful and the famous. Journalism, basically, is about famous people and people who are extraordinary in some ways, thus standing out from the middling crowd. Journalism is also about ordinary people who become famous by doing extraordinary things. In the real sense of it, there is no difference between celebrity journalism and mainstream journalism.
You have put in almost two decades into this profession and it is obvious that you love it.
Yes, I really do love it. I believe that journalism is one of the most noble professions in the world. It is a calling and when you align yourself with that calling, it is only natural that you will love and enjoy it. And I have never had any struggle in loving the profession.
Your style of writing is particularly interesting. You begin your stories with proverbs, parables and commentaries. Why is it that you don’t like to go straight to the point?
It’s impossible for me to simply go straight to the point. Life is a dance of seduction, encompassing every living and inanimate thing into its intricate and sensual weave. And so is writing. No living thing or element can live in immunity of that slow, provocative dance of wonder and intrigues that characterises life. I apply similar wisdom to my writing. But let me hold back a bit before I start waxing too esoteric for the purpose of this interview.
I can’t write just for writing sake; I believe every story offers new opportunity to titillate the readers and lure them into the world or event being reported and the artistry of the reporter or writer. It doesn’t matter if the story you read does not bear my byline. It could be a piece I am editing; I simply can’t let a good story go unburnished with the needed shine. Even the most boring happenstance or person deserves to be reported with finesse. Writing should be rapturous to the writer and to the reader, it should be equally thriling. I write the way I do because that is who I am. Do not forget that the perfect window into the psyche of a writer is always through his writing.
One must admit that some of the intros in your stories make interesting read. But don’t you think they may not be suitable for people who are in a hurry?
I don’t think so. I believe that the man or woman who is too much in a hurry to read hasn’t the temperament or the depth for good literature.
You look so quiet and gentle, incapable of writing the kind explosive stories you write.
That is simply the way Lanre Alfred is cut out to be. (laughs). I am actually a very private fellow. I have a very close circuit of friends. And I think I attract like minds. On writing explosive stories? Well, we’ve all got a bit of thunder in us.
How do you write? Do you have some rituals or habits you must indulge in before you start writing?
I have an eclectic writing habit. But I love a bit of serenity most of the time. Yet, you would be amazed to see me scribbling away in the midst of some mad noise. Well, I will say that eclectic best defines my writing culture.
celebrity radar - gossips
DETERRENCE OR CATASTROPHE? ON THE BRINK OF A REDEFINING MIDDLE EAST WAR: A CALL FOR THE DIPLOMATIC PATH FORWARD
DETERRENCE OR CATASTROPHE? ON THE BRINK OF A REDEFINING MIDDLE EAST WAR: A CALL FOR THE DIPLOMATIC PATH FORWARD
By Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai Rtd CFR
We stand at a precipice where a single decision could redefine the future of the Middle East and send shockwaves through a fragile global order. The choice appears deceptively simple: to strike militarily in pursuit of deterrence or to withstand perceived aggression. Yet, this framing is a dangerous illusion. A direct, full-scale conflict between the United States, its allies, and Iran would not be a controlled exercise in power projection. It would be the ignition of a regional inferno with no clear exit, where the initial objective of “deterrence” would be consumed within hours by the unforgiving law of unintended consequences. The path of war promises not a decisive victory, but a cascade of devastation—human, economic, and strategic—that would leave all parties and the world profoundly poorer and more unstable. In this stark reality, diplomacy is not a sign of weakness; it is the singular, rational imperative for survival.
The Illusion of a Clear Victory
The allure of a military solution rests on a straightforward calculus: degrade critical nuclear and military infrastructure, cripple the command structures of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and deliver a blow so decisive that Iran’s regional influence collapses. Proponents envision a rapid, surgical campaign that reestablishes undisputed deterrence. However, this vision fundamentally misjudges the nature of the adversary and the dynamics of the region. As former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Andrew P. Miller cautions, even a successful strike “would likely prove a Pyrrhic victory” for broader strategic goals, failing to achieve durable political outcomes. Iran would not absorb a strike passively and capitulate. Retaliation would be swift, multidimensional, and devastating.
Indeed, as noted by Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator and scholar at Princeton University, Tehran perceives such a confrontation as an “existential war,” a stance that would “eliminate any incentive for restraint, unleashing a conflict that would be impossible to control.” We would witness not a single battle but the violent opening of multiple, simultaneous fronts. Hezbollah’s vast arsenal of precision-guided rockets would rain down on Israeli cities. Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria would target the U.S. personnel and bases with relentless aggression. The Houthis could unleash further chaos on global shipping. Most critically, Iran itself would likely launch direct missile and drone attacks against Gulf state oil infrastructure and, potentially, attempt to blockade the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for nearly 25% of global seaborne oil trade. The initial “surgical strike” would, within days, metastasize into a sprawling regional war with no defined battlefield and no clear rules of engagement.
The Unbearable Costs: A World Remade by War
The consequences would swiftly spiral beyond the military domain, etching a deep scar across global stability. The human cost would be immediate and horrifying, with casualties mounting not just among combatants but in urban centres targeted by long-range artillery and missiles. As analyzed by the BBC, a primary risk is the collapse of the Iranian regime into chaos or civil war,” which would spark “a severe humanitarian and refugee crisis” of immense proportions, a scenario where “nobody wants to see the largest Middle East nation by population… descend into chaos.”
The economic shock would be felt in every corner of the world. A successful disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, even temporarily, would trigger an instantaneous spike in oil prices, catapulting the global economy into a profound inflationary recession. Supply chains would seize, markets would panic, and the cost of basic necessities would skyrocket worldwide. This is not a speculative risk; it is a guaranteed outcome of Iran’s stated asymmetric doctrine.
Strategically, the war would unmoor the region for a generation. The delicate, if tense, balance among regional powers would shatter. Even if the Iranian regime were severely weakened, the result would not be a peaceful vacuum but a vortex of chaos. As Afshon Ostovar, an associate professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, warns of potential internal collapse, “the ruling apparatus, in other words, would collapse gradually, and then suddenly.” A fractured state could descend into civil conflict, its hardline elements unleashing terror networks, and rival powers scrambling to carve spheres of influence. The painstakingly built, if flawed, security architecture of the past half-century would lie in ruins. The ultimate outcomes of a strike are profoundly unpredictable, but none point toward a more stable or secure order for the United States, Israel, or their allies. Victory, in any meaningful sense, would be unrecognizable.
The Diplomatic Path: Not an Ideal, But a Necessity
Faced with this landscape of ruin, the diplomatic path emerges not as a naive ideal but as the only pragmatic tool for managing an existential threat. It is the circuit breaker for the escalatory spiral that guarantees mutual destruction. This is not an argument for appeasement or for trusting the untrustworthy. It is a cold-eyed recognition that only through calibrated statecraft can we navigate away from the brink. This view is echoed by regional voices, such as an editorial in The National, which asserts that “various regional actors are urging non-military ways to change relationships with Tehran” and that “now is a time for focused and determined diplomacy to chart a path away from war.”
The goal of diplomacy in this context is not to achieve a grand reconciliation overnight but to relentlessly pursue de-escalation and create mechanisms for crisis management. It involves empowering regional dialogue, establishing clear and direct communication channels to prevent miscalculation, and seeking hard-nosed, verifiable agreements that incrementally roll back the most dangerous threats, such as further advances in Iran’s nuclear program and its regional ballistic missile deployments. The international community, including powers with leverage in Tehran, must be rallied not to take sides but to unequivocally advocate for restraint. The collective message must be that while aggression and proliferation are unacceptable, the alternative of total war is a common enemy that will destroy all in its path.
The choice before the international community is now laid bare. One road leads into the fog of war—a fog filled with the echoes of missile fire, the screams of the displaced, and the collapse of economies. It is a path where the very concept of “victory” loses all meaning. The other road, the diplomatic path, is undeniably difficult, fraught with setbacks, and requires immense political courage. It demands negotiating through distrust and managing imperfect outcomes. But it is the only road that leads away from the abyss and toward a future where stability, however fragile, can be rebuilt. The hour is late, but the path forward remains. We must choose diplomacy, not because we believe in the goodness of our adversaries, but because we have stared into the alternative and seen an unbearable catastrophe for all.
By:
Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai Rtd CFR
Former Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army, and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.
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Senator Adeola Yayi Bags Royal Blessings at Foundation Laying of Yewa Traditional Council Secretariat in Ilaro
Senator Adeola Yayi Bags Royal Blessings at Foundation Laying of Yewa Traditional Council Secretariat in Ilaro
…Clerics, Monarchs and Political Leaders Offer Prayers for His Future Aspirations
ILARO-YEWA, OGUN STATE — The ancient town of Ilaro, headquarters of Ogun West Senatorial District, came alive on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as royal fathers, political leaders, clerics and community stakeholders gathered for the historic foundation-laying ceremony of the proposed ultra-modern Yewa Traditional Council (Obas’) Secretariat Complex.
The culturally symbolic project, facilitated by the Senator representing Ogun West at the National Assembly, Distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), attracted widespread commendation, fervent prayers and royal blessings from traditional rulers across Yewaland, alongside leaders and stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ceremony officially marked the commencement of construction of what is envisioned as a state-of-the-art secretariat that will serve as the institutional headquarters of the Yewa Traditional Council.
Stakeholders described the initiative as a landmark achievement in institutional development and a clear demonstration of Senator Adeola’s sustained commitment to grassroots development, cultural preservation and inclusive governance in Yewaland.
Royal fathers present unanimously agreed that the project represents a significant step toward strengthening traditional governance and preserving Yewa cultural heritage. According to them, the proposed secretariat will function as a unifying administrative hub, enhance collaboration among monarchs and safeguard the cultural identity of the Yewa people for generations to come.
Speaking at the event, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, Asade Agunloye IV, poured encomiums on Senator Adeola for his extensive infrastructural interventions and developmental footprints across Yewaland and Ogun State.
The monarch noted that the senator’s contributions have repositioned Yewaland on the path of meaningful progress, urging political leaders and stakeholders to embrace unity, cooperation and harmony.
He emphasized that such collective resolve remains crucial to the long-standing aspiration of producing a Yewa indigene as Governor of Ogun State in 2027.
Oba Olugbenle also used the occasion to encourage residents to actively participate in the democratic process by obtaining their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), stressing that civic engagement is the surest route to credible leadership.
“Yayi Is a Unique Son of Yewaland” — Deputy Speaker
The Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Mrs. Lateefat Bolanle Ajayi, described Senator Adeola as a “unique and incomparable son of Yewaland,” whose influence transcends Ogun West to Ogun Central and East.
“We have had good sons in Yewaland, but Yayi stands out. His impact is felt in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode and beyond. Charity truly begins at home. Even the blind can see and the deaf can hear. We must support him. Come 2027, we have a candidate,” she declared.
Clerics Offer Prayers for Success
Offering prayers at the ceremony, Imam Mohammed Tijani Jamiu, Chief Imam of Surulere Central Mosque, Ilaro-Yewa, prayed for Senator Adeola, the royal fathers of Yewaland and the successful completion of the project.
Similarly, Imam Jamiu Adeniyi Kewulere, Chief Imam of Bibire Central Mosque, Oke-Ola, Ilaro-Yewa, also offered special prayers for peace, progress and divine guidance for all stakeholders.
“A Rare Project of Global Significance” — Yewa South LG Chairman
The Chairman of Yewa South Local Government, Hon. Tunde Ogunshola, described the occasion as one of the happiest moments of his life, noting that the project is unprecedented in scope and cultural significance
.
“This traditional council building is rare, even globally. It is being realized through the support of Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun and facilitated by Senator Adeola. When completed, it will stand as a lasting symbol of our heritage,” he said.
The Ogun State Chairman of Cultural Development, Hon. Olayiwola Taiwo, also hailed the project as a major turnaround for Ogun West, a zone he said had endured years of infrastructural neglect.
“This is a remarkable development. Senator Adeola is truly God-sent to Yewaland,” he stated.
Royal fathers including the Olofin Adimula of Ado-Odo, Oba Idris Olusola Lamidi Osolo, the Abepa of Joga-Orile, Oba Adeyemi Adekeye, and the Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite, all expressed confidence that greater projects linked to Senator Adeola would continue to materialize.
A retired Director-General in the Ogun State Civil Service, Mr. Michael Babatunde Ajayi, likened the proposed complex to the Obas’ Secretariat in Abeokuta, noting that it would reduce the need for monarchs in Yewaland to travel to the state capital for meetings.
“This will be the first of its kind in Yewaland. Kudos to Senator Adeola, whose impact is felt across Ogun State,” he said.
APC Leaders Call for Political Mobilisation
The Ogun West APC Chairman, Alhaji Azeez Adisa (Ekwume), alongside party leaders and community stakeholders, described Senator Adeola’s interventions as purposeful and impactful.
They urged party members to consolidate these gains by strengthening party structures and participating actively in voter registration and mop-up exercises, noting that broad-based participation is essential for electoral success.
Anglican Bishop Describes Project as Timely
Speaking with journalists, the Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd. M.A. Oluwarohunbi, PhD, described the project as timely and symbolic, adding that it would enhance the role of traditional rulers in governance.
“This is a very important day in the history of Ilaro and Yewaland. The proposed complex will be an ultra-modern edifice befitting our royal fathers,” he said.
He also prayed for Senator Adeola’s continued strength and the realization of his future aspirations.
At the climax of the event, Oba Olugbenle, alongside other eminent kabiyesis, offered royal prayers and blessings for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, Senator Solomon Adeola Yayi, and other political office holders across Ogun West and Nigeria, seeking divine wisdom, protection and success in governance.
The well-attended ceremony drew a diverse audience, including revered monarchs from across Yewaland, political leaders, community stakeholders and religious representatives from Christianity, Islam and traditional institutions.
Members of the League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners (LOYAMP) were also prominently represented, led by their National Coordinator, Otunba AbuSatar Idowu Hamed.
The colourful event concluded with the formal laying of the foundation stone by royal fathers and distinguished guests, symbolically ushering in a new chapter in the institutional development and cultural renaissance of Yewaland—an occasion many described as another defining milestone in Senator Adeola Yayi’s growing legacy of service and development.
Courtesy: League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners (LOYAMP)
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Shadows of Greed: Alison‑Madueke’s UK Corruption Trial and the Cost of Power
Shadows of Greed: Alison‑Madueke’s UK Corruption Trial and the Cost of Power
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
When today’s headlines speak of corruption, they often do so as a distant abstraction as a vague moral failure with little bearing on everyday life. But the unfolding corruption trial of Diezani Alison‑Madueke in a London court throws into glaring relief the real, human and systemic consequences of unchecked power merged with self‑interest. This is not merely the story of an individual on trial; it is a lens through which the world must scrutinise the fragile intersection of governance, resource wealth and public trust.
Diezani Alison‑Madueke, once Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources and later the first woman president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), now stands accused before Britain’s Southwark Crown Court of multiple counts of bribery and conspiracy. The accusations against her (which she vehemently denies) paint a portrait of opulence allegedly funded through pay‑to‑play politics that ignored the public good and rewarded those who could feed her lavish lifestyle.
A Life in Oil, a Life Under Scrutiny.
Alison‑Madueke’s tenure as petroleum minister, from twenty ten until twenty fifteen, coincided with a period of immense oil revenue for Nigeria, a country sitting atop the largest oil reserves in Africa. Yet that wealth did not translate into broad‑based prosperity for the citizens she was meant to serve. Instead, British prosecutors allege that her privileged access to that sector was exploited for personal gain.
According to court indictments, she is accused of accepting bribes not in vague promises, but in concrete, high‑value luxury benefits and including cash, chauffeur‑driven vehicles, private jet travel, the use of multiple high‑end properties in London, funded renovations, personal household staff and even costly designer goods purchased at establishments like Harrods and Louis Vuitton. Prosecutors told the court these were not mere gifts, but “financial or other advantages” given by industry players “who clearly believed she would use her influence to favour them.”
The former minister, now sixty‑five, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Alongside her in the dock are two co‑defendants: oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama, both of whom deny the charges connected to the same alleged bribery scheme.
The Anatomy of Allegations.
What makes this trial especially significant is the detail and scale of the alleged benefits. Prosecutors have asserted that Alison‑Madueke was offered:
Access
to luxury homes and private residences in London, bought and maintained by associates seeking lucrative Nigerian contracts.
At least a six‑figure sum in direct cash payments.
Private jet flights and schooling fees for her children.
Vast quantities of luxury goods and services from upscale retailers.
While the prosecution concedes it has not yet produced direct evidence that she awarded specific contracts to individuals who should not have had them, it maintains that the acceptance of such benefits by a public official who oversaw multi‑billion‑dollar contracts is inherently improper and contrary to fundamental principles of public service.
Voices of Accountability.
The allegations have drawn sharp commentary from observers worldwide who see the trial as emblematic of broader governance challenges across resource‑rich nations.
Nigerian social justice advocate Aisha Bello has observed, “Corruption is not a peripheral defect in governance but a corrosive disease that accelerates inequality. When leaders treat public office as a gateway to private treasure, citizens pay with lost opportunities and diminished hope.”
Similarly, Professor John Githongo, a renowned anti‑corruption scholar, argues that “Transparency and accountability are not optional extras in public administration; they are indispensable pillars of a just society. When the public good is subverted for private gain, the very fabric of trust unravels.”
These sentiments resonate deeply in contexts where natural wealth exists alongside persistent challenges in education, healthcare and infrastructure also illustrating that corruption is not an isolated moral failing, but a fundamental impediment to development.
Corruption Beyond Borders.
What makes this case notable on the global stage is not just its connection to a former minister, but its international footprint. The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has taken up the case because many of the alleged transactions (the properties, cash flows, and luxury perks) touched British jurisdiction. This underlines a critical truth: corruption today is not contained by national boundaries. Illicit financial flows, luxury goods, and asset holding often travel across continents, making international cooperation essential in pursuit of justice.
Andy Kelly, head of the NCA’s International Corruption Unit, stated during earlier proceedings that investigations revealed “financial rewards” accepted by Alison‑Madueke that were “suspected to relate to the awarding of multi‑million‑pound contracts.” He emphasised that such impropriety has “devastating consequences for developing nations.”
This collaborative legal action reflects a growing global consensus: no public official, regardless of stature, should be beyond accountability. When a former head of state institutions is brought before a foreign court, it is not just a legal milestone but it is a moral affirmation of shared values in the rule of law.
The Nigerian Context.
In Nigeria, the oil sector has long been both a blessing and a burden. Despite generating huge revenues, mismanagement and corruption have often undermined potential gains for the wider population. A 2023 report by Nigeria’s statistics agency ranked corruption as one of the most significant challenges facing the country. It is a sobering backdrop that shapes how this trial is interpreted at home and abroad.
Former officials and critics alike have noted that transparency in governance is not merely a matter of legality but one of national dignity. As legal scholar Dr. Funke Adekola puts it, “When leaders betray public trust, they erode the very essence of citizenship. Restoring that trust requires not just trials, but systemic reform in values and institutions.”
What Lies Ahead.
The trial, expected to stretch over several months of testimony and evidence examination, is itself a test of judicial endurance and political will. It presents complex questions about proof, credibility, and moral accountability. Yet beyond the sterile halls of courtrooms, its wider implications reverberate in global public discourse about how nations manage wealth and how societies hold leaders accountable.
For ordinary citizens around the world, this case is riveting not because of luxury houses or private jets, but because it forces a collective reckoning: What price should a society pay when those entrusted with public resources place personal enrichment above national welfare?
Summative Insight.
As Diezani Alison‑Madueke’s trial unfolds before the world’s eyes, it stands as a stark reminder that the fight against corruption must be relentless and unflinching. It exposes the corrosive effects of unethical conduct at the highest levels of power and underscores the necessity of accountability, irrespective of nationality or office.
In the final analysis, justice is not only about punishment, but about restoring faith in the systems meant to protect the common good. As the British court hears testimony and as evidence is meticulously weighed, the world watches a profound test of justice, one that could shape how future generations understand leadership, integrity and the true cost of power.
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