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Tinubu and the generation of Astyanax bimaculatus by Idowu Ajanaku

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9 years ago

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APC Presidential Primary: Lagos Speaker Congratulates Tinubu, Urges For More Support

 

“Stab the body and it heals, but injure the heart and the wound lasts a lifetime.”
― Mineko Iwasaki

The grand conspiracy and recent desperate attempts to de-construct and indeed, de-mystify one of Africa’s most decorated political colossuses, who, incidentally remains an enduring metaphor for what true democratic culture represents in Nigeria smirks of gross ingratitude. The pain runs deep, considering the incontestable fact that the masterminds are some of the greatest beneficiaries of his patriotic struggles, at one time or the other over the past five decades.

One is talking about none other than Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the famed Jagaban, the one man who stood firm, like Zuma rock in the whirlwind of Nigeria’s politics, against the brutal and bruising boots of late Abacha’s dictatorship. Our subject was the guiding light of the struggle for the realization of June 12,1993 mandate as won by late Chief MKO Abiola. He was  the  former executive governor of Lagos State(1999-2007) and has remained the constant star in the firmament of Nigeria’s progressive political spectrum.

But for the commitment of this national Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), perhaps Nigeria’s then rudderless ship of state would long have capsized into the vast ocean of corruption under the clueless, Jonathan-led administration. That was then. But this is now, as he is being paid back in coins he never traded for the survival of democratic culture in his dear country, Nigeria.

So, it rankles; it shocks one to the marrow, more so because acts of sheer deception and bitter betrayal as reflected in some of William Shakespeare’s plays of the 16th century now play out in the 21st Century Nigeria, with uncanny semblances! And for what?  All because of transient fame and fortunes.  For instance, in the play Macbeth the lead character betrays King Duncan (to whom he has sworn allegiance) by killing him when he is a guest at his home.  But why, one  may ask?  It is in an overtly ambitious attempt to gain the crown that Duncan wears.  He also betrays his friend, Banquo, just to retain the power and position of being King. Thereafter, he murdered sleep!

But that is man for you; vacillating like the tropic weather. Today, he pretends to be the most loving and loyal friend or ally, only because he is in dire need of the other’s help, most likely to get out of a sticky situation. But tomorrow he turns coat at the drop of a hat, that is when the price is right. There are  scruples but he has none. No binding philosophy of commitment to a cause. Greed for instant gains and an unquenchable desire to be seen as the man- of -the -moment are his propelling passion; his odious guiding credo.

Worse still, Tinubu’s traducers are going about it as if he is one desperate politician, who wants power at all costs and by all crooked means. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. If memory serves, Tinubu’s political trajectory took off when he pitched tent with the Musa Yar’Adua’s  political dynasty. That was the Social Democratic Party(SDP).Before long, he was championing the struggle for the actualization of the June 12, 1993 mandate, as freely given by the good people of Nigeria to Chief MKO Abiola(of blessed memory). He made a lot of sacrifices; of precious time, energy, finance, strategies, wise counsel and other incalculable resources in this noble cause.

And still sticking to his political guns, to forever remain on the side of the people through a democratic structure he, it was who warned Dapo Sarumi, who was then the patriarch of the Primrose Group not to jump ship into the IBB contraption of an Interim National Government. Back then, the group was the most dominant in Lagos politics in 1992-93. Tinubu vowed to break rank with Sarumi should he not heed his piece of patriotic advice. But the other was far too gone in his quest for political relevance under the military government to heed it. That singular wrong choice led to Sarumi’ political oblivion, till this day.

If Tinubu was desperate he would have joined the bandwagon as one of the infamous carpet baggers. It would also be recalled that when he, Tinubu was the Chairman, House  Committee on Finance at the Senate he was offered the juicy post as the Minister of Finance by the Abacha-led military government but he rejected it out rightly out of sheer national interest. Yet, that was not all.

Specifically in 2003, when as the Lagos state governor he became the last man standing at a time OBJ’s rigging machinery raged through the South West geo-political zone Tinubu’s commitment, dedication, determination and personal sacrifice re-engineered the progressive community to retrieve the zone from the conservative People’s Democratic Party, PDP. The eventual emergence of Kayode Fayemi  and Rauf Aregbesola as the governors of Ekiti and Osun states respectively became the turning point for the progressives’ relevance.

Another remarkable and in fact, epochal moment in the South West politics came in 2007.When the market din swirled in Lagos over the emergence of Babatunde Raji Fashola -then a political neophyte-as the governorship candidate of the AC it was Tinubu who made another sacrifice of his Senatorial ambition, giving the ticket to Ganiyu Solomon.

It was Fashola’s victory at the polls in 2011 that empowered, emboldened and paved the way for the subsequent victories of the progressives in Oyo and Ogun states in 2011.And it was also in the spirit of Asiwaju’s sacrifice that made it possible for Ibikunle Amosun, well-known then as a diehard conservative politician to clinch the coveted governorship seat in Ogun State, in spite of the array of other progressive politicians on ground.

Ditto for Abiola Ajimobi in Oyo sate who had earlier abandoned Alliance for Democracy, AD for ANPP. Ordinarily, if Asiwaju was one desperate politician, as being insinuated  such politicians would not have ridden to political prominence on the back of the Jagaban. Worthy of note too, is that it was the sacrifice made by Tinubu out of love for  his country that led to the historic merger amongst the ACN,CPC,ANPP and a faction of APGA  to form  APC. And for the first time in the political evolution in Nigeria the party was able to dislodge the incumbent greed-driven PDP-led administration.

Were he one selfish politician he would have been contented being a king in his South West enclave. But no. Even when the then presidential flag-bearer, Muhammadu Buhari offered him the post of his running mate in the presence of Chief Bisi Akande, who was the Interim Chairman of the party Tinubu declined the offer. He nominated Professor Yemi Osibanjo instead. This is an incontrovertible fact. It was borne out of his patriotic zeal, taking cognizance that the PDP had then polarized Nigeria along  ethnic and religious lines. Unfortunately, one John Baden, a total stranger to Nigeria’s political evolution has stood logic on its head by claiming otherwise in his recently launched biography of Mister President.

Having achieved such political feats, out of a rare sense of patriotism it is a crying shame that some lucky individuals who rode on his back to fame are now hands-in-glove with the Hausa/Fulani  hegemony to attempt to rubbish his good image which he has built over the decades. What is their aim? To gain entrance into the hearts of the new generation of Yorubas.

But they must learn from the unfailing hands of history that the Akintolas, Omoboriowos and Babatopes who had travelled such ignoble paths have been consigned into the dustbins of political history. No Yoruba man who has jettisoned the collective interest of their people ever survived their ill-fated journeys. More instructively, they may have to read the accounts of Shakespeare characters in Julius Caesar. For instance, the wily one named Antony betrays his commitment to Cleopatra by marrying Octavia. Conversely, Mena betrays Antony, Lepidus, and Caesar by suggesting that Pompey should kill the trio. On the other hand, Ahenobarbus betrays Antony by deserting Antony when the latter is at his most vulnerable point in life. As if to literally turn tables, Cleopatra herself endures betrayal from both Caesar as well as her own treasurer. This deception, coming from among one’s closest servants, constitutes great betrayal. Instructively, they all ended on the sad side of history.

It would therefore, do the Yoruba political traitors in Abuja, who, like the Astyanax fish  species betray their own , are now  hell-bent on doing Tinubu in to have some moment of sober reflection. Even Ayodele Fayose,  Ekiti State governor in his characteristic blunt manner has warned of the dire consequences for those so involved. They should remember that in the market square of life, it is always honourable and rewarding to be grateful to those who lift us up, instead of turning round to spit on their faces. God, who created us all is watching. As the only one to who vengeance belongs He will surely take recompense. For, anybody who abuses grace will soon have nothing to eat but grass.

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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Business

Aliko Dangote Foundation, WEF Unveil 2026 YGL Aliko Dangote Fellows

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3 hours ago

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May 11, 2026

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Titans and Trailblazers: Nigeria’s Great Entrepreneurs from Abiola to Dangote — The Story of Wealth, Influence, and National Impact. By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com 

Aliko Dangote Foundation, WEF Unveil 2026 YGL Aliko Dangote Fellows

…Spotlighting Africa’s Next Generation of Change Leaders

 

 

 

World Economic Forum (WEF) in partnership with the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has announced the 2026 cohort of the Young Global Leaders (YGL) Aliko Dangote Fellows, highlighting a new generation of African leaders committed to expanding opportunity and strengthening institutions across the African continent.

 

 

 

The Fellowship serves as a critical bridge between Africa’s emerging changemakers and the global Young Global Leaders network, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and sustainable development. The YGL Aliko Dangote Fellowship supports high-impact African leaders by enabling their full participation in the Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL) programme and broader WEF activities.

 

WEF said the 2026 YGL Aliko Dangote Fellows represent diverse professional backgrounds spanning healthcare, technology, entrepreneurship, and advocacy across sub-Saharan Africa. The newly selected fellows are Dr. Esperance Luvindao; Charlot Magayi, Founder of Mukuru Clean Stoves; Rewa Udoji, Founder of Cranstoun; Dr. Stephen Modise; Dr. Musa Kika; Hatim Eltayeb; Kemi Lala Akindoju; and Vimbai Masiyiwa.

 

 

 

With a strong emphasis on empowering women leaders, the Fellowship is designed to support Africans shaping solutions to pressing social and economic challenges while strengthening leadership capacity across key sectors.

 

 

 

Over the past 14 years, the Aliko Dangote Foundation–powered Fellowship has supported more than 130 young African leaders, providing access to Davos meetings, executive education opportunities, and influential peer networks that amplify African voices on the global stage.

 

 

 

Commenting on the announcement, Fatima Aliko Dangote, Trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation and Group Executive Director, Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, described the 2026 fellows as “leaders who will expand opportunity and strengthen institutions, advancing Africa on its own terms.”

 

She added: “Africa’s future will be defined by the strength of its people. When the right leaders—especially women—are empowered and given a global voice, they do not just lead; they reshape what is possible. That is why we invest in people: because it is the surest path to lasting global prosperity, stability, and self-determination. The 2026 cohort embodies this vision.”

 

According to her: the 2026 YGL Aliko Dangote Fellows represent that future leaders who will expand opportunity and strengthen institutions, advancing Africa on its own terms while helping define a world whose future will be shaped by the continent.

 

 

 

 

 

She explained that the idea behind the YGL Aliko Dangote Fellowship is to cultivate, empower, and support exceptional African leaders under 40, ensuring they have the resources to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s Young Global Leaders (YGL) community. It specifically aims to accelerate their impact on the continent and globally.

 

 

 

 

 

Details of the new fellows in the announcement indicated that; Hatim Eltayeb, is the Chief Executive Officer of African Leadership Academy, strengthening one of the continent’s most important leadership institutions; Dr Esperance Luvindao, Namibia’s Minister of Health and Social Services, combining clinical experience with digital health and grassroots innovation; Charlot Magayi, the Kenyan founder of Mukuru Clean Stoves, linking clean energy, public health and livelihoods; Dr Stephen Modise, Botswana’s Minister of Health, bringing a data-driven approach to public health reform.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Musa Kika, Executive Director of the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa, using law to defend constitutionalism and civic space; Rewa Udoji, the Nigerian artist and finance professional whose work bridges culture, capital and women’s economic literacy; Kemi Lala Akindoju, the Nigerian producer and actor helping reshape the creative economy through talent development, financing and more grounded storytelling; and Ms Vimbai Masiyiwa, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Batoka Africa, building a model of tourism rooted in sustainability, community ownership and women’s empowerment. Together, they reflect the range of leadership the fellowship is designed to support public leaders, entrepreneurs, institution-builders and cultural actors already shaping systems in very different ways.

 

 

 

It would be recalled that Aliko Dangote YGL Fellowship has supported more than 90 Fellows from over 25 African countries, thus enabling full participation in the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders programme through access to convenings, executive education, peer networks and global platforms.

 

Over that period, Fellows have taken part in more than 400 engagements across Annual Meetings, regional summits and learning modules, contributing to debates on finance, climate, health, technology and governance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund Eyes Partnership with Dangote Group on Africa Investments

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3 hours ago

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May 11, 2026

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Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund Eyes Partnership with Dangote Group on Africa Investments

 

The President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has held a high-level meeting with Nicolai Tangen, the Chief Executive Officer of Norges Bank Investment Management, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund manager, overseeing assets valued at approximately $1.9 trillion.

 

At the meeting, the Norwegian investment institution expressed strong interest in partnering with Dangote Group to expand its footprint across the African continent, with a focus on strategic sectors including power, energy, renewables, agriculture, fertiliser and cement.

 

Also present at the meeting were Svein Tore Holsether, Chief Executive Officer of Yara International, one of the world’s leading fertiliser and agricultural companies, and Terje Pilskog, Chief Executive Officer of Scatec, a global renewable energy company.

 

The engagement shows growing global investor confidence in Africa’s industrial and infrastructure potential, as well as the increasing role of indigenous conglomerates such as Dangote Group in driving large-scale economic transformation.

 

For Dangote Group, the potential partnership represents a significant opportunity to deepen its investments across key sectors critical to Africa’s development, particularly in energy transition, food security and industrial capacity expansion.

 

The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, widely regarded as a benchmark for global institutional investment, has in recent years shown increased interest in emerging markets, with Africa seen as a frontier for long-term value creation.

 

The collaboration between the fund and Dangote Group could unlock substantial capital flows into critical infrastructure and industrial projects, further accelerating economic growth and regional integration across the continent.

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Bank

Fidelity Bank Provides Critical Funding Support to Abuja Special Needs Orphanage

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3 days ago

on

May 8, 2026

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Fidelity Bank Provides Critical Funding Support to Abuja Special Needs Orphanage

 

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), has funded critical support for the JKS Special Needs Academy in Abuja to ensure continued shelter and care for vulnerable children.

 

 

 

The intervention was facilitated by a group of the bank’s newly recruited employees known as Team Valorem, as part of their induction activities. Through the FHHP, employees are empowered to actively contribute to social development by dedicating their time, resources and skills to impactful projects. Projects executed under the initiative are employee-driven, with teams encouraged to identify causes, contribute fifty percent of the project funding, while the bank matches the contribution.

 

Speaking during the outreach, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications Division, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Bank’s CSR pillars focused on health & social welfare, and youth empowerment.

 

“This intervention reflects our belief that building a better society is a shared responsibility. Through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme, we empower our employees to actively contribute to meaningful social causes. The funding provided will secure the orphanage’s accommodation for an additional year, ensuring a stable and safe environment for the children. This support guarantees that these children continue to have a place they can call home,” Nwagboh remarked.

 

He also commended caregivers at the facility for their dedication and called for increased focus on empowerment and skill development for children with special needs.

 

“Beyond providing basic needs, we must provide these children with opportunities to develop skills and become self-reliant. Everyone, regardless of their physical or socio-economic status, has a role to play in the society,” he said.

 

In her response, Director of JKS Special Needs Academy, Mrs. Nifemi Ajileye, expressed deep appreciation to Fidelity Bank and its staff for the timely intervention.

 

“We are truly grateful to Fidelity Bank for this support. It will significantly improve the welfare of the children under our care and help us sustain our operations,” she said.

 

Ajileye highlighted the high cost of caring for children with disabilities, stating that, “Many of the children require continuous medical attention and therapy, which are quite expensive. Support like this helps us bridge critical gaps and continue delivering quality care. This support from Fidelity Bank is timely and it means the world to us and to these children. It will help us continue our work and secure a better future for them,” she added, while calling for sustained support from other organisations.

 

As an institution with a heart for people, Fidelity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility by driving inclusive growth and social impact through initiatives that empower communities and improve lives across Nigeria.

 

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK.

 

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

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