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How I started with Selling Pepe and Vegetables on the street. Edo Businessman and Philanthropist, Joseph Osawaru.

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He’s humble Business man who always focus on God and dedicated to working Hard, Joseph Osawaru has been doing Edo State proud with his Philanthropist gesture and Youth empowerment. He recently opened the long awaited Exquisite Homes 2 Hotel and Lounge in Benin City, Edo State the first of its kind to revive Entertainment and Hospitality Business. In this exclusive interviews with Ben tv London’s Adeniyi Ifetayo, He discuses his grass to grace Story to inspire the youth and the reason behind the sudden fame of Exquisite Homes 2 hotel and Lounge. Enjoy the excerpt.

What makes your Exquisite Homes 2 hotel and lounge difference from Others?
Exquisite homes 2 hotel and lounge is a very unique one, looking at edifice, we try to bring in a new innovation in hospitality business because when you travel abroad, you will see different hotels and structures so I decided to bring this one not only Nigeria alone but to my State (Benin City,Edo State). Most of the hotels we have in this state don’t have lounge. You don’t expect your guests to lodge and be looking for where to hangout and have fun. We decided to bring these concepts of having an hotel and a lounge at the same time. Ever since we opened, we have had 50% patronage which is very good for a start. The environment is well secured in terms of security, that’s why people like to come here. When I drives in here and looking at the edifice and how we transform this place, it gives me Joy.

During the opening ceremony, you brought Zlatan Ibile and a week after you brought Naira Marley and other notable comedians to party here and it was a massive show, what are you trying to achieve with this entertainers?
You know, when you opened a new place and our people here love Entertainment and to visit new place so I decided to bring in the rave of the moment in Entertainment industry Zlatan Ibile the Zanku Master and Naira Marley to come and thrill our people and make them feel what’s happening at Exquisite Homes 2 Hotel and Lounge in the heart of G.R.A so when we brought zlatan, we didn’t collect a dime from our people, it was a free show so we also brought Naira Marley back to back, it was free show as well. I want give back to my people, make them happy and Music is very key to achieve this. Like one of my friends will say “A soul that does not love music is Dead”. Music brings Joy and Life. We will not stop here so we are planning a big one in December to bring in Kiss Daniel or Wizkid. In fact, we are in touch with Wizkid just waiting for him to give us a date in December. We have done it before and we will do it again. I want to commend Naira Marley for his professionalism, despite the fact that all flight coming to benin were canceled, to my greatest surprise, he came by road and I gave kudos to him. All our customers are happy when they saw him because Exquisite homes 2 don’t just talk but we act and fulfill our promises.

Customer’s satisfactions and Maintenance are things that can make a customers to come back, how do you plan to maintain these core values?

Customer satisfactions and Maintenance are not negotiable, even before all my staff resumes, I took them to Protea for One Month training to see how its been done. I want to make sure we give our Custormer “Protea Standard “ and thanks to the General manager that collaborated with us when we started to make sure the dream becomes a reality. He said “If you want to do a thing like this, service is the key” when you give your customer the best service because they are paying for it and left their home so you must give them the best, better than what get in their various houses. We want to serve you better and stick to customer oriented service. If you want to retain your customers in the hospitality business, it all depends on your services. We also have deposit with our vendors , electricians, plumbers are on ground to attend to any repairs and Maintenance. We also have yearly maintenance so that every year we will do General Maintenance so that it will always look as a new hotel.

Some said you’re an entertainer, some said you are a businessman while some said you are a Philanthropist, who is Joseph Osawaru?
Well they’ve said it all, You know when you’re dancing on the street, you can rate the level of your performance so its only the spectators that can say you are danced well. When you are good, people must know and when you’re bad people must know it and they will say it. The reason why we are diversifying is to empower my people and creates jobs to help ease the burden of the government and to reduce crime because an idle mind is the devil workshop. As some of our people are working here, I don’t think they will be thinking on how to commit crimes so I’m just a partner in progress. I’m not going to stop here, God helping us, we will build five stars hotel in the next two years, All these are just to empower my people at home before we expand to other states.

You have been doing well for your people, if you get a ticket from your people to represent them at the National Assembly, will you take a shot at politics?

Well, I’m a businessman for now but if my people come to a conclusion in the nearest future that I should represent them so that I can serve, why not I will, Its all about service but at the moment, I don’t belong to any political party.

What’s your advise to the Youth that are looking up to you as a role model?
My advice for them is for them to be focus, they should not run above their shadow, don’t look that man riding Mercedes Benz or Range Rover now because your time will come. I was not born with a silver spoon , I was born in the village because my Parents were farmers so when I came to benin, I started with “Garri School “ then there was no nursery school, I did a manners of petty trade even after school hours. I started hawking from my primary school, I started with Pepe, vegetables then I graduated from there selling sweet, biscuits and chew gum in the traffic light. Bendel line (Now Edo line) and Ogbe stadium used to be our preferred location to hawk. I used to trekked to a long distance and he got to a point my Daddy said that he had a lot of children so everybody should go and fend for themselves. I was paying my school fee through my petty trade but I had the belief that I have a greater future. My dear youth be focus, embrace God and stay out of crime.

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BURATAI URGES ECOWAS UNITY, CALLS FOR RETURN OF SAHEL STATES AT VON FORUM

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Buratai Urges ACF to Lead Bold Northern Agenda, Boost Food Security at 25th Anniversary

BURATAI URGES ECOWAS UNITY, CALLS FOR RETURN OF SAHEL STATES AT VON FORUM

ABUJA – In a powerful appeal for regional stability, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai (rtd), has called on ECOWAS and the African Union (AU) to prioritize the return of the Association of Sahel States (AES) to ensure the survival of West African integration.

​Speaking Thursday at the Voice of Nigeria (VON) Forum 2026 in Abuja, Buratai warned that the region’s progress could become a “mirage” without the inclusion of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic.

​A Legacy of Sacrifice

Buratai Tasks Estate Valuers on Ethics, Tech Responsibility to Boost National Security

​Buratai highlighted Nigeria’s historic role as the “unshakable anchor” of the sub-region. He pointed to Nigeria’s decades of leadership in ECOMOG missions across Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau as evidence of the nation’s commitment.

​”Nigeria has sacrificed and invested in blood, treasure, and diplomacy to defend democracy,” Buratai stated. “Our stability is inseparable from the security of our neighbours.”

​The Path to Unity

​The General urged ECOWAS to deepen its engagement with the African Union to bridge the current diplomatic rift with the AES nations. He emphasized that the collective security of West Africa depends on a unified front, noting that democracy and regional safety are “two sides of the same coin.”

​”The unity of ECOWAS cannot be complete without Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic. Without unity, progress in the region may be a mirage,” Buratai cautioned.

​Celebrating 51 Years of VON

​The forum also served as a celebration of Voice of Nigeria’s 51st anniversary. Buratai lauded the broadcaster as a “Nigerian voice with an African heart,” praising its professionalism and pan-African vision.

​He paid tribute to veteran journalists, including the late Mohammed Okorejor and retired director Ben Shamang, while commending the current Director General for revitalizing the agency.

​The retired General concluded his message with a call to strengthen regional institutions, urging leaders to honor the legacy of ECOWAS through renewed cooperation and institutional integrity.

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GOV. LAWAL WINS BON GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR FOR ZAMFARA’S INFRASTRUCTURE

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GOV. LAWAL WINS BON GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR FOR ZAMFARA'S INFRASTRUCTURE

GOV. LAWAL WINS BON GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR FOR ZAMFARA’S INFRASTRUCTURE

 

 

The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has awarded Governor Dauda Lawal the Infrastructure Governor of the Year honour for his administration’s giant strides in the Urban Renewal project across Zamfara.

The governor received the award at the second edition of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) held at the NAF conference centre, Abuja.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the BON acknowledged Zamfara state’s unprecedented and transformative achievements in infrastructure, recognising excellence beyond the broadcasting industry.

He added that Governors Bassey Otu of Cross River and Uba Sani of Kaduna, the minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, along with John Momoh, Shyngle Wigwe, Abubakar Jijiwa, and Sa’a Ibrahim, were among the prominent Nigerians honoured at the 2026 Nigeria Broadcasting Awards.

The statement read in parts, “The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, an umbrella body for public and private broadcasters in Nigeria, was established in 1973 to promote the interests of the broadcasting industry and ensure high standards in media practices.

“The organisation conducted a thorough months-long selection process aimed at recognising professional excellence and raising standards for media practice across Nigeria.

“The Awards Selection Committee was chaired by Dr Danladi Bako, former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The awards panel included veterans and representatives from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and the NBC..

 

“The selection committee cited numerous reasons for awarding Governor Dauda Lawal, notably his significant progress across sectors, particularly for transforming Gusau into a modern State Capital.

“Zamfara has witnessed unprecedented achievements under Governor Dauda Lawal, including the historic construction of a modern International Airport in the State.

“Apart from urban renewal projects, as well as the construction and outfitting of General Hospitals, Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration has built, refurbished, and equipped over 800 schools across the 14 local government areas of the State.

 

GOV. LAWAL WINS BON GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR FOR ZAMFARA'S INFRASTRUCTURE

“This recognition by the highest broadcasting authority in Nigeria will motivate the governor to dedicate more effort to his mission to serve and rebuild Zamfara state.”

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Beauty Meets Glamour as Olaide Ogunyemi Opens New Studio in Mushin

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Beauty Meets Glamour as Olaide Ogunyemi Opens New Studio in Mushin

Beauty Meets Glamour as Olaide Ogunyemi Opens New Studio in Mushin

Popular Nollywood actress and professional makeup artiste, Olaide Ogunyemi Oluwayemisi aka Damilola, has expanded her footprint in the beauty industry with the grand opening of her new makeup studio in Lagos.

The talented thespian, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of @Dobc_makeovers_andmore, officially unveiled the ultra-modern beauty space last Thursday, April 2, 2026, in a colourful ceremony filled with glamour, fashion, and pageantry.

Strategically located at 101 Palm Avenue, right beside FitPlus and Sparklight Hospital in Mushin area of Lagos, the new studio is designed to offer top-notch beauty services, reflecting Ogunyemi’s commitment to excellence and professionalism in the ever-growing makeup industry.

The opening ceremony attracted friends, colleagues from the Nollywood industry, beauty enthusiasts, and well-wishers who came out in large numbers to celebrate the entrepreneur’s latest milestone. Guests were treated to a vibrant atmosphere that showcased creativity, style, and the evolving standards of the beauty business in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Ogunyemi expressed her excitement and gratitude, noting that the new studio represents years of hard work, dedication, and passion for her craft. She reaffirmed her commitment to delivering premium beauty services while empowering aspiring makeup artistes.

The launch of the studio further cements her reputation as a dynamic force, successfully blending her career in Nollywood with a thriving beauty brand.

With this latest development, Olaide Damilola Ogunyemi continues to inspire many young entrepreneurs, proving that talent, consistency, and vision remain key drivers of success in Nigeria’s creative and business landscape.

Beauty Meets Glamour as Olaide Ogunyemi Opens New Studio in Mushin

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