Connect with us

celebrity radar - gossips

Nigeria at 65: Completing the Work of Freedom By O’tega “The Tiger” Ogra

Published

on

Top Presidential Aide Reveals Why Student Loan Program Is A Game Changer

Nigeria at 65: Completing the Work of Freedom

By O’tega “The Tiger” Ogra

Independence is not a single moment in history. It is a covenant that each generation must renew with sacrifice. In 1960 our fathers and mothers lifted the green and white flag and claimed political freedom. Sixty-five years later we stand again at a turning point. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu now carries the burden of a second independence, one that must deliver economic sovereignty, social justice, and the dignity of safety and prosperity for every citizen.

Our story has never been easy. We have endured civil war, dictatorship, squandered wealth, and the quiet pain of dreams deferred. We have known inflation, poverty, and insecurity. Yet Nigeria has never surrendered. We bend but we do not break. We stumble but we do not fall apart. That resilience is the deepest proof that the idea of Nigeria is greater than its trials.

But resilience is not enough. A nation cannot survive on endurance alone. It must transform resilience into progress. This is why President Tinubu has chosen the difficult road of reform. Fuel subsidies that drained the treasury have been removed. We now export more than we import. Federation revenues have grown by over 400% since May 2023. A distorted exchange system that enriched a few at the expense of many is being dismantled. These choices are not easy. Rent seekers who once benefitted from the distortions in our economy are fighting back. The reforms stretch households, they test patience, they invite criticism. But they are the choices of a leader who understands that nations are not built on illusion but on truth.

President Bola Tinubu knows this because he has lived it. He was exiled for demanding democracy. He was persecuted because he refused silence in the face of dictatorship. The courage that once secured our political freedom is the same courage now driving his mission to secure our economic freedom. Leadership is not about avoiding pain. It is about facing it so that the next generation may inherit strength rather than weakness.

We must be honest about where we are. Insecurity still troubles our borders and our highways despite the serious gains of our security agencies and armed forces. Too many children remain out of school even though going to school is no longer a burden on families. Too many young people are still searching for jobs despite the opening up of the economy for productive enterprise. These are not statistics. They are lives. They are the reason the Renewed Hope Agenda puts security, education, and opportunity at its heart. A stronger currency and balanced finances matter only if they become schools that teach, hospitals that heal, jobs that restore dignity, and communities that are safe.

At sixty-five our duty has never been clearer as leaders or as citizens. We must secure our land. We must educate every child. We must create work for our young people and give them reason to hope at home. We must prove that the green and white flag is not only a relic of history but a promise of justice, unity, and greatness.

This anniversary is more than a celebration. It is a summons. It calls citizens to stand firm. It calls leaders to act with urgency and integrity. And it declares to the world that Nigeria is not a story of decline but a nation in the making.

Nigeria is not yet what it must be. But Nigeria is not finished. With the help of God, with the resilience of our people, and with the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we will complete the work of freedom.

And when history tells of this moment it will not speak of despair. It will speak of a people who chose courage over comfort, discipline over drift, and hope over fear. It will also speak of a President who carried the sacrifices of the past into the promise of the future. It will speak of a Nigeria that refused to fail. A Nigeria on the path to shared prosperity.

Nigeria will rise. Nigeria will endure. Nigeria will prevail. And Nigerians will rise with her.

~ O’tega Ogra is the most senior adviser to the Nigerian President, President Bola Tinubu, on Digital Communications, Engagement and Strategy. He heads the Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy in the Office of the President. He writes from the State House, Abuja.

Business

Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

Published

on

Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

 

 

 

Laffmattazz, one of Nigeria’s foremost comedy and live entertainment brands, is pleased to announce its official partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for the highly anticipated Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour, themed “Next Chapter: A New Season of Laughter.”

 

Now in its 15th year, Laffmattazz—the brainchild of renowned Nigerian comedian Gbenga Adeyinka (Gbenga Adeyinka 1st)—has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its seamless fusion of comedy, music, and live stage performances.

 

The 2026 tour, which kicked off on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey. Building on over a decade of success across Nigeria, this year’s edition signals a bold expansion into the international market, with a multi-city run in Canada, alongside major stops in Akure, Abeokuta, and Lagos.

 

This strategic partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited underscores a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. It is also aligned with FirstBank’s First@Arts initiative—a significant and ongoing program dedicated to supporting the creative arts, entertainment, and cultural sectors. Through this initiative, FirstBank provides financing, advisory services, and actively fosters a sustainable value chain for artists and creative entrepreneurs, while supporting key industry platforms such as the Nigerian Entertainment Conference.

 

Speaking on the collaboration, the Laffmattazz team stated:

 

“We are delighted to welcome First Bank of Nigeria Limited as a strategic partner for the Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour. As we mark 15 remarkable years of Laffmattazz, this partnership reinforces our vision to take premium Nigerian entertainment beyond borders, while delivering even bigger, better, and more memorable experiences for our audiences.”

 

As a key partner, First Bank will enrich the tour through innovative customer engagement initiatives, experiential activations, and exclusive fan experiences across all tour locations.

 

With its distinctive blend of humor, culture, and live entertainment, the Laffmattazz 2026 Tour is poised to connect audiences across cities and continents, bringing laughter to thousands of fans worldwide.

 

 

About Laffmattazz

 

Laffmattazz is a premier Nigerian comedy and entertainment brand, now in its 15th year, renowned for its vibrant live shows and nationwide tours. Founded by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, the brand continues to deliver high-quality experiences that celebrate creativity, culture, and laughter.

 

About First Bank of Nigeria Limited

 

First Bank of Nigeria Limited is Nigeria’s oldest financial institution, widely respected for its legacy of trust, innovation, and customer-centric financial solutions that support economic growth and development. Through its First@Arts initiative, the Bank continues to play a pivotal role in empowering the creative industry and driving sustainable growth across the sector.

Continue Reading

celebrity radar - gossips

Opinions divided over Pasuma Jaiye Kuti proposed wedding 

Published

on

Opinions divided over Pasuma Jaiye Kuti proposed wedding 

 

 

The current threading in *entertainment* world of speculated society marriage between oganla Fuji, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma with Nollywood icon, and widely acclaimed Queen of the tube jaiyeola Kuti has brought out different opinions amongst the fans and entertainment personnel.

 

What started as a rumour and mirage is gradually turning to reality and some fans are saying it’s not possible for Jaiye Kuti who is one of the scandal free Nollywood actress to be involved in such an unholy union with Pasuma

Most people who spoke with our correspondence, are of opinion that such a marriage can only happen in a mirage sessions and in Nollywood movies that apart Jaiye Kuti been responsible and married with children, Pasuma is someone who have vowed not to married and have a woman under his roof.

But to some also, it’s not impossible as artistes are known to be engaging and married to each other after denied and counter claims, which made and at the end they will go ahead and married . With this most people believe that truly there’s marriage in offspring for both celebrities While both parties refused to comment on the trend controversial issues about the whole issue , the world is anxiously waiting if this well circulated story of Pasuma getting married to Jaiye Kuti will come to pass or it will turn out to be a mirage.

Either way the die is cast as all eyes will be on Jaiye Kuti and Pasuma with searchlight on Nigeria entertainment industry once again

Continue Reading

celebrity radar - gossips

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES OTEGA OGRA ON ELECTION TO WORLD FEDERATION OF ADVERTISERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Published

on

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES OTEGA OGRA ON ELECTION TO WORLD FEDERATION OF ADVERTISERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES OTEGA OGRA ON ELECTION TO WORLD FEDERATION OF ADVERTISERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated his Senior Special Assistant on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, Mr Otega Ogra, on his election to the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA).

 

The election took place today at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting, held during the Global Marketing Week Conference in Stockholm, Sweden.

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES OTEGA OGRA ON ELECTION TO WORLD FEDERATION OF ADVERTISERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President Tinubu described the development as a significant step for Nigeria’s growing influence in global communications.

 

He noted that Mr Ogra’s emergence as the only representative from West Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa on the Executive Committee reflects the depth of Nigerian expertise and the contribution of a new generation of young Nigerian professionals to global industry standards.

 

Mr Ogra was elected to the Executive Committee on the platform of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), underscoring the role of Nigeria’s organised advertising and marketing industry in shaping representation at the global level.

 

The WFA is the leading global body for advertisers, representing over 150 multinational and Fortune 500 companies, alongside national advertiser associations across more than 60 countries, with a combined annual marketing spend running into hundreds of billions of dollars. Its Executive Committee is the organisation’s highest decision-making body, responsible for setting priorities and guiding global policy on responsible advertising, media transparency, sustainability, and the evolution of digital ecosystems.

 

President Tinubu noted that Mr Ogra’s election is both a personal distinction and a strategic opportunity for Nigeria and the African continent, placing them at the centre of global conversations on brand trust, platform accountability, innovation and the future of marketing and communications.

 

The President commended Mr Ogra, who also serves as Vice President of ADVAN, for his sustained contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s marketing and communications ecosystem, drawing on a career spanning leadership roles across the banking, manufacturing, and public sectors.

 

“Otega’s election reflects the growing recognition of Nigerian expertise and affirms our capacity to contribute meaningfully to the frameworks shaping global markets,” the President said.

 

President Tinubu added that the achievement aligns with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in advancing the creative economy, strengthening digital governance, and positioning Nigeria as a competitive hub for innovation and enterprise.

 

Josh Faulks, CEO of the Australian advertiser association (AANA), and Simon Michaelides, Director General of the UK advertiser association (ISBA), also join the leadership team.

 

Current members of the executive committee, David Wheldon, President and Philip Myers, Deputy President, who is also the Chief Institutional Affairs and Corporate Communications Officer at Ferrero, continue in their current roles, as do all regional vice presidents.

 

 

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending