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KASHIM SHETTIMA’S OUTBURST AND ARMY COMMENDABLE EFFORTS

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2022: CELEBRATING THE ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA AMID SECURITY CHALLENGES
KASHIM SHETTIMA’S OUTBURST AND ARMY COMMENDABLE EFFORTS- Tosin Osho, a NAOSRE member, writes on the commendable efforts of the Nigerian Army for a safer Nigeria
Only recently, precisely on December 11, 2020, at Oriental Hotel, Lagos, the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, engaged players and stakeholders in the security circle to provide options that would assist government and service chiefs in strategic security policy formulation and implementation.
The underlying reason for that humongous gathering stems from the commitment of the association to collective efforts at achieving a safer Nigeria.
At the  dinner summit and interestingly so, stakeholder unanimously pushed for appropriate funding and corporative support for military operatives.
This, they believe, would facilitate arresting what has turned out a security menace as Nigeria struggles against itself through the most trying period, comparable only to the civil war between 1967 and 1970.
At the centre of this is the Nigerian Army that has to undertake the often painful professional  yet inexorable push towards reclaiming areas that hitherto occupied by the insurgents and deploying the best of professionalism to minimize innocent casualties, being asymmetric battle.
Evidently, the success of reclaiming the local government areas that were taken over by Boko Haram  is basically because the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai  understands the nuances of the country, which he has translated into security success  in line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari to make life comfortable for Nigerians.
 He may not have succeed 100 percent, but it is obvious that it is no longer business as usual.
However,  within the purview of international media, the story has been different. Indeed, recent comments, specifically from Borno public office holders have been extraordinary in a most dire sense.
To say the least, Kashim Ibrahim Shettima, immediate past governor of Borno State’s statement, denigrating military efforts,  is rather unfortunate and understandably outrageous.
His outpour contrasts with the thinking of most  patriotic Nigerians who align with the views of Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, a security analyst and a counter-terrorism expert who also convenes  Coalition of Civil Society Groups Against Terrorism in Nigeria.
In Odeyemi’s recent statement, he maintained that Senator Kashim Ibrahim Shettima is the least qualified to dictate to President Muhammadu Buhari on tenure of Service Chiefs.
Senator Shettima and Governor Zulum’s persistent attacks on the nation’s gallant troops and service chiefs provoked further reactions from Odeyemi.
Said he:
“Senator Shettima dived into treasonable territory with his latest utterances on national security and acted in an unconstitutional and self-serving manner by trying to dictate to the President the tenure of service chiefs whose briefs start and stop at the table of the President and Commander-in-Chief.
“In fact, as Nigerians, we have to seriously interrogate the motive of Senator Shettima in his apparent attacks on our Service Chiefs, I’m equally using this medium to call on our security agencies, the Department of State Service, the Directorate of Military Intelligence and others to begin to ask the former governor some questions such as, what is his interest in the national security architecture? Can he appoint new Service Chiefs for the Present? Is he the one that appointed the Service Chiefs? What is his interest in the Service Chiefs?
“Is he aiming at overthrowing the democratic government, if the Service Chiefs are not removed? I found it appalling that this same Shettima who was shedding tears like a baby when Boko Haram overran his state pre-2015 before this same President Buhari and the current Service Chiefs he is now vilifying came to his rescue by reclaiming the local governments taken by the insurgents and restoring peace in the state.
“He has also forgotten too soon or refused to remember the current set of service chiefs ensured that his second term as governor was relatively secured and elections were peacefully conducted to bring in his successor and he also won his election to go the Senate under this current military leadership.
“I believe that Shettima was only playing to the gallery to shove up his personality in the North ahead of the 2023 race, though that’s left for our security agencies to determine, otherwise, how and why would he be dictating to President Buhari who he should appoint or work with?
“I think the basic question to ask is why is Shettima raising his voice at a point like this, soliciting for media appearances when there is a sitting governor in the state? Does this not indicate clear politicking? Can’t he seek an audience with the President or is he trying to be more democratic and more representative than the President who got the highest votes of over 15 million across the Country compared to his votes of just a Senatorial zone of less than 300,000?
“On Zulum, I think he should know that a house divided against itself cannot stand. If there is anytime that intense synergy is needed, it is now. He shouldn’t forget where the state is coming from. It will be a big oversight on his part to allow those who are apparently envious of him to misguide him in what they themselves couldn’t do,” he stated.
No well meaning Nigerian can agree less given that what is required is co operation with the Buratai to complete the good work he has started and certainly not denigration.

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UBA’s Abiodun Coker Named “Future Leader in Media Management” at The Industry Summit/Awards

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UBA’s Abiodun Coker Named “Future Leader in Media Management” at The Industry Summit/Awards

UBA’s Abiodun Coker Named “Future Leader in Media Management” at The Industry Summit/Awards

The communications team at United Bank for Africa (UBA) has another reason to celebrate as Abiodun Coker, Media & External Relations Lead, has been honored with the “Future Leader in Media Management” award at the upcoming 6th edition of The Industry Summit/Awards.

UBA’s Abiodun Coker Named “Future Leader in Media Management” at The Industry Summit/Awards

Organized by The Industry Newspaper, the leading brand marketing publication in West Africa — the prestigious awards recognize outstanding professionals shaping the future of brand marketing and communications across the region.

The award jury, chaired by Mr. Tolulope Ogunjobi, renowned broadcast business correspondent and Business Editor at TVC News, cited Coker’s exceptional achievements in the public relations field during the year 2024. Particularly noted were his masterful handling of UBA’s 2024 Rights Issue, which successfully closed on December 24, 2024, and the impactful execution of the bank’s 75th Anniversary Campaign, both of which were described as commendable and exceptional.

A seasoned professional, Coker’s journey from an acclaimed financial journalist at BusinessDay Newspapers to a powerhouse in corporate communications has been nothing short of inspiring. With over eight years of robust journalism experience, coupled with leadership roles at top-tier public relations firms such as BD Consult Ltd and Quadrant, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to transform and manage leading brands successfully.

According to the jury, Coker’s management of UBA’s media ecosystem during the year under review was remarkable, with several media professionals praising his public relations craftsmanship and ability to skillfully manage the image of one of Africa’s most formidable financial brands.

“Abiodun Coker’s achievements in 2024 are a beacon for greater accomplishments ahead,” the jury noted. “He is undoubtedly one of the strategic communication experts to watch in 2025.”

The Industry Summit and Awards held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at CIBN House, Adeola Hopewell, Victoria Island, Lagos, and the awards ceremony took place at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Abiodun Coker’s recognition further cements his growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic and future-ready communications leaders, with his eyes firmly set on redefining the media management landscape.

He is purposefully forging his path at UBA Group, widely regarded as a formidable team player in the communication strategic industry, his contributions are both impactful and impossible to overlook. He is undoubtedly a strong candidate for future leadership roles in the communications industry.

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President Tinubu: Anambra visit and the petals of inclusive leadership, by Fredrick Nwabufo

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President Tinubu: Anambra visit and the petals of inclusive leadership, by Fredrick Nwabufo

In botanical terms, inclusive leadership is like a flower of which beauty proceeds from the anatomy of each petal or the leaves of its corolla. It takes different parts to form a whole, and there is no stronger force than a united people.

President Bola Tinubu has steadily demonstrated a rare rallying quality; pulling together and not setting asunder. Whether north, south, east, or west, he has remained consistent as an even-handed arbiter, dealing graciously and honourably with everyone.

On May 2, he visited Katsina State, where he made bold and decisive declarations against banditry and terrorism in the North-West zone. He reiterated his resolve that Nigeria would never succumb to the designs of terror and asked the military to intensify its efforts to remove the vestiges of the menace.

The President visited Enugu State on January 4. The visit, his first port of call in the year, underscored the importance accorded to the South-East zone, as well as the President’s genuine effort at bringing all Nigerians together.

In Enugu, President Tinubu interacted with a melange of leaders in the South-East, listening, taking note of their concerns, and ending with a fine lexical smorgasbord of unity, hope, and compassion.

In Anambra, his second visit to the South-East in 2025, the President reprised his accustomed nationalistic aspect – not a performance or a contrivance, but an organic and time-honed disposition.

President Tinubu paid a visit to Anambra State on Thursday, May 8. He was received with flourish, elegance, and exceeding excitement — an undisputed affirmation of the Igbo saying, “Nkea bu nke anyi” (He is our own).

It was a carnival in the streets of Awka as the President’s convoy entered the city, a welcome deserving only of a well-striped warrior — Dike. The President was honoured with the foremost traditional title — Dike Si-mba of Anambra — mighty warrior/hero.

Earlier, he had inaugurated the Emeka Anyaoku Institute of International Studies and Diplomacy at Nnamdi Azikwe University; the new Government House, and Solution Funcity.

Speaking at Ekwueme Square, a stadium, where an open meeting was held with an array of South-East leaders, opinion moulders and other citizens, President Tinubu thanked the people of Anambra for the warm welcome and their support.

“I know our diversity will lead to prosperity.

“South-East, I salute your enterprise, your innovation, and commitment to progress,” the President said.

In his address, Governor Chukwuma Soludo thanked the President for honouring the state by visiting. He said the last state visit by any President was in 2012.

He commended the President for having the courage to take tough decisions that were already turning around the economy and encouraged the President to stay the course.

The governor said his support for President Tinubu was rooted in ideology and principle and described the President as the “Professor of Federalism.”

Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, also thanked the President, underscoring his expansiveness, accommodating, and fatherly disposition.

The significance of the President’s domestic trips is the exigency of solidarising, as well as of building bridges and fostering unity. Nigerians across the country can see, feel, and hear their President in the flesh. He comes to them with words of hope, encouragement, understanding, compassion, and action.

The President has shown time and time again that he is the leader that Nigeria sorely needs at this time to mend the fault lines, the fissures, and to disentangle the national antinomy.

Leadership is by example. It is in the doings. It is in the results. Little wonder Nigerians across all artificial aisles are rallying towards the President. The ability to bring people together, regardless of any unnatural boundaries, is the great stuff of leadership.

President Tinubu epitomises this outlier quality of leadership.

Fredrick Nwabufo is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement

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You Are My Everything’: Bullion Records Boss Sparks Romance Buzz with Birthday Tribute to Wife

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You Are My Everything’: Bullion Records Boss Sparks Romance Buzz with Birthday Tribute to Wife

By Ibrahim Kegbegbe

Ogun, Nigeria – May 9, 2025

It was a heartwarming celebration at the residence of the CEO and Chairman of Bullion Records, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, as he marked the birthday of his beloved wife, Mrs. Oyindamola Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, with an intimate and spiritually reflective event.

The day began with a private prayer session held at the couple’s Ogun home, attended by close family members and friends. The quiet ceremony was filled with gratitude and reverence as Ambassador Ajadi expressed deep appreciation to Almighty God for granting his wife another year in good health and joy.

Speaking to journalists after the prayer session, the businessman, philanthropist, and political advocate described his wife as the pillar of his success and the heartbeat of his household.

“To my love! You are the reason I smile every day. You are my everything. I love you more than ever,” Ambassador Ajadi said with affection. “Wishing you the happiest day, my darling. Happy birthday to my soulmate.”

Mrs. Oyindamola, visibly touched by her husband’s emotional tributes and the warm atmosphere of the day, also expressed her appreciation. “I’m overwhelmed by the love and care I’ve received today, especially from my husband,” she said. “His words touched my soul, and I am grateful to God for giving me such a wonderful partner.”

The couple, known for their public service and humanitarian work, has been a model of unity and love in both social and business circles. While Ambassador Ajadi is a rising force in Nigeria’s entertainment and political landscape, Mrs. Oyindamola is admired for her poise, compassion, and support for youth and women empowerment causes.

Friends, family members, and fans of Bullion Records took to social media to celebrate the birthday, praising Mrs. Oyindamola for her humility and strength. Many described her as a “silent engine” behind the ambassador’s success story.

As the day unfolded, plans were also revealed for a modest evening dinner in her honour, with the presence of key personalities from the music, media, and political scenes expected.

Ambassador Ajadi’s message to his wife was not just a tribute to love but a reminder of the power of strong partnerships in achieving personal and collective dreams. In his words: “Behind every great man is not just a woman, but a woman who believes in the vision and nurtures it with love, faith, and strength.”

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