Business
OLOJO FESTIVAL: Makinde Explodes, Detonates South-West Governors Over Thoughtlessness
A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Rotimi Makinde, has hailed the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on the successful hosting of the 2017 Olojo Festival, stating that it is undoubtedly the greatest festival in the history of Yoruba land.
“This is the greatest festival being celebrated on behalf of all Yoruba in Ile- Ife as the origin of Yoruba land. It is a statement of fact that from Ife, our great forefathers founded other great kingdoms. Oranmiyan for instance was a son to Oduduwa; he founded Oyo kingdom and at the later part of his life he returned to Ile Ife where he is today being worshipped,” affirms Makinde who adds that Ife has lots of tourism potentials such as Moremi status, the tallest in the whole of Africa, the Oduduwa shrine, Yemoja shrine, and many others.
Makinde, however, urged all Yoruba sons and daughters, especially Yoruba governors of the Southwest, to make Ife their rallying point as, according to him, “the Olojo Festival is being celebrated in Ile Ife because it is the cradle of Yoruba race and is expected to be a place where all sons and daughters of Yoruba land are expected to express and share love and affection by identifying with Ooni Of Ife as a mark of respect. It should also serve as an occasion where all Yoruba monarchs must demonstrate their love to the Arole Oduduwa. All governors of the Yoruba speaking states like Senator Amosun, Ogbeni Aregbesola, Arakunrin Akeredolu, Senator Ajimobi, Dr. Fayose, and Mr Ambode are expected to visit Ife and the Oonirisa regularly and make Ife their source of power and wisdom as it originally is. Unfortunately, politics is taking the better parts of them.”
According to Makinde, who Identified with Ooni and other Royal Fathers and our culture for peace and diversification of our economy if truly you are our representatives. He expressed this while condemning the scenario that saw only the presence of only a governor from far away Gombe attending the Olojo festival when indeed Ooni is regarded as the only alternative chairman of Nigeria traditional set up councils in Yoruba Land, This is the most unfair,uncultured and very discouraging no matter our generosity towards the once in a year event. We should not have allowed politics and religion bias to make us distance from our culture. This is the same way we allow the oil boom of the 50’s to make us jettisoned our cocoa industry…World wide now,culture is perhaps one of the greatest sources of revenue for many country Makinde said.
In the same vein, the Director General of the Office of Economic Development and Partnerships ( OEDP ), Dr. Charles ‘ Diji Akinola, said that, “Olojo is one of the oldest festivals in Ife. It is a celebration of life, the mark of the beginning of New Dawn all over Yorubaland in honour of the beginning of life itself and also Ogun, the god of iron. ”
Akinola disclosed that the Ooni is the custodian of this greatest festival for Ooni is the Arole of oodua and the only living mortal among the 201 of its peers. As a way of promoting tourism and showcasing our culture, the Ifes, and by extension, adopted the uniqueness of the day to celebrate Olojo as a mark of respect for our creature, the festival is as old as the cradle of Yoruba race itself and it’s the only day the Ooni is sighted with the very crown wore by Oduduwa the progenitor himself. Akinola noted that the festival would be rebranded , presented in modern form to reinforce the notion of Ife as a foremost cultural and tourism centre.
Business
PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status
*PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status
To prevent any misunderstanding regarding our affiliation with the United Nations, we hereby provide a formal clarification on the status and identity of the United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), formerly known as IPGC.
UNIPGC is an independent Civil Society Organization and Non-Governmental Organization with continental chapters registered in the United States, Germany, Canada, and several countries across Africa. The organization is committed to promoting the values and principles of the United Nations, particularly in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), as well as advocating for good governance globally.
In furtherance of its mandate, UNIPGC has established partnerships with reputable diplomatic civil society organizations, including the United Nations Association of Nigeria and the United Nations Association of Ghana. These collaborations are aimed at strengthening its engagement with initiatives aligned with United Nations ideals.
Additionally, UNIPGC has entered into diplomatic relations with the International Organization for Economic Development (IOED), an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), to enhance its capacity for international cooperation and diplomatic engagement.
We wish to clearly state that UNIPGC is **not** an entity, agency, or organ of the United Nations.
Members of the public and media practitioners are respectfully advised to refer to the organization by its full and correct name: **United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC)**, and not as the United Nations.
Thank you.
Business
Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour
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.
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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.
Business
MREIF is Better: FirstBank’s Mortgage Loan Is the Game-Changer for Home Ownership in Nigeria
MREIF is Better: FirstBank’s Mortgage Loan Is the Game-Changer for Home Ownership in Nigeria
Anyone who has tried to get a loan to buy a house in Nigeria knows the drill: endless forms, property valuation, and eventual down payment of a minimum 25% or more on the property. Sometimes, interest rates could go as high as 30% per annum, while the typical loan limit is N50 million.
Now, FirstBank is making homeownership more attractive.
FirstBank, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), has introduced the MREIF Home Loan. MREIF loan is a game-changer, offering a single-digit interest rate of 9.75% per annum, with a loan amount of up to ₦100 million and a repayment period of up to 20 years. This is perfect for salaried individuals, including Nigerians in the diaspora, looking to purchase homes in approved locations.
The MREIF loan stands out with its lower interest rate, higher loan amount, and flexible equity contribution as low as 10%. This makes it an attractive option for those seeking affordable homeownership.
You are one quick decision away from being a landlord.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a home, FirstBank’s MREIF Home Loan is the smartest route to owning property in Nigeria today. Visit the FirstBank website https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal/loans/mreif-home-loan/ to get started.
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