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Why Engr. Dr. Funmi Ayinke Deserves To Become The Next Governor Of Ondo State

Published

1 year ago

July 4, 2023

By Osho Oluwatosin

The Governor of Ondo state, Arakurin Rotimi Akeredolu has performed excellently well for close to eight years of his administration. He has brought about reforms and innovations that have transformed Ondo state better than it was a few years back.

While Rotimi Akeredolu has performed well as the governor of Ondo state, it is a known fact that he won’t be there forever. His administration expires in 2024 and as expected, the search for who will take over as the next governor of the state has begun.

At the moment, no prominent politician has indicated interest to occupy the number one position in the state apart from a vibrant woman, Engr. Dr. Funmi Ayinke Waheed-Adekojo; is an individual who could cause a political tsunami come 2024 at the polls.

Funmi Ayinke declared her interest in the election polls some weeks back and was greeted by wide reception by the good people of the state on account of her antecedents as a worthy leader. Even though she isn’t seen as a major player in the political environment, the acceptance that followed her declaration was a testimony of her influence and proof that the people of Ondo state have been anticipating her grand entrance into the political scene.

Despite the dichotomy against women’s participation in politics, Funmi Ayinke decided to take the bull by the horn by not just declaring her intention to become the next governor of her state but becoming the first person to do so, portraying how prepared she is for the task ahead.

In Nigeria, politicians are akin to liars, deceivers, criminals, thieves, and so on but Funmi Ayinke is far from all these characters. She’s known majorly for her exploit in the engineering industry, humanitarian activities, inspirational music, and provider of job opportunities through her various establishments. The question now is, Do the people of Ondo state deserve a politician who will deceive them or a technocrat who will uplift them?

With the entrance of Funmi Ayinke into the contest, it’s clear that the trajectory of Nigerian politics is about to change from Ondo state. She may not be a thoroughbred politician like others who may declare later but one thing is clear; Funmi Ayinke is a different breed.

Over the years, She has created more than 2,000 jobs for Ondo citizens through Funmi Ayinke Nigeria Limited, contributed immensely to the growth of the youth community through constant empowerment programmes, donations of funds, setting up businesses for women and widows, paid hospital bills, sorted accommodation issues for innumerable beneficiaries.

For 20 years, Funmi Ayinke engaged in humanitarian services with her funds with the establishment of Funmi Ayinke Humanity Foundation (FAHF), and through the years, she was responsible for the school fee payments of over 5,000 students, education scholarships, sponsoring of interested students overseas to further their academics, to mention a few.

In Nigeria, politicians engage in little humanitarian services only during the election period but for Funmi Ayinke, an act of benevolence is a lifestyle and this is one of the reasons she deserves to become the governor of Ondo state. People deserve someone close to them, who can feel their pain, and solve their problems.

Ordinarily, Funmi Ayinke may not have decided to contest for the position of governor due to her personality. She just wants to impact people and nothing more but clamour from religious leaders, traditional rulers, and pressure groups within Ondo state for her to become the next governor of the state fueled her decision to declare.

For Funmi Ayinke, declaring her intention to contest isn’t desperation but a call to the service of humanity. If she can cater to the needy for over 20 years without holding any political office, becoming the next governor of Ondo state will only mean more people will benefit and the people will get to enjoy the dividend of democracy.

As a professional engineer who is recognized in different parts of the world, Funmi Ayinke has the undeniable ability to influence international investors to commit themselves to the progress of Ondo state. With her global influence and intellectual capacity, many of the untapped resources in Ondo state will be explored to increase the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR). With Funmi Ayinke as the governor, Ondo State will become the nation’s pride in no time.

Engr. Dr. Funmi Ayinke’s governorship ambition represents different things; A beacon of light for many women who want to participate in politics, hope for the youths that feel they can’t attain leadership positions, confidence for the common man, hope for democracy, among several others.

Osho Oluwatosin is a journalist and a public affairs analyst

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Dr. Abigail Olagbaye Announces Her Candidacy for ATPN Presidency

Published

6 days ago

November 16, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Dr. Abigail Adesina Olagbaye, CEO Desigo Tourism Development and Facility Management Company Ltd and founder, Sayari Dunia Sustainable Tourism Foundation, a seasoned tourism practitioner with 23 years of experience (out of which 21 years have been in Tourism), has announced her candidacy for President of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), the oldest and premier tourism trade Association in Nigeria.

With a proven track record of driving innovation and sustainable growth, Dr. Olagbaye is poised to transform Nigeria’s tourism landscape.

” Her vision is to re-position ATPN as the leading voice for Nigeria’s tourism development,” Dr. Olagbaye stated. “I’m committed to empowering our members with the training, resources, and networking opportunities they need to excel in their careers and elevate industry standards.”

Dr. Olagbaye’s campaign focuses on five key objectives:

– Strengthening Industry Partnerships: Fostering collaborations and alliances that drive growth and development.

– Capacity Building: Providing training, resources and opportunities to enhance professionalism.

– Advocacy: Amplifying the voice of tourism practitioners in Nigeria and beyond.

– Tourism Promotion: Showcasing Nigeria’s hidden gems both domestically and internationally.

– Improved Member Benefits: Enhancing the overall experience for ATPN members.

Additional initiatives to consider include:

– Faith-based International Conference Tourism: Tapping into the MICE potential of faith-based tourism.

– Medical Tourism: Promoting Nigeria as a hub for medical excellence.

– Sports Tourism: Leveraging sports to drive tourism growth.

– Language Training: Enhancing language skills to improve tourist experiences.

– Youth Tourism: creating opportunities for youths to be actively engaged in Tourism leveraging their potentials, talents and energies and enabling them to benefit from the socio-economic opportunities that tourism offers.

– Agro Tourism: Develop agro-tourism as a sub-sector of Tourism through partnerships and collaboration with the ministry of agriculture to ensure regulatory support, international organisations for cross pollination of ideas and knowledge transfer and capacity building, encourage our members to organise more farm stays, rural tours, food tourism events for more authentic experiences. Advocate for infrastructural development for rural roads and other amenities. Collaborate with locals for sustainability and inclusion.

To further enhance Nigeria’s tourism industry, Dr. Olagbaye plans to create robust social media platforms for the association. This will enable people at home and abroad to access tourism companies in Nigeria with international standard websites and social media focusing on major sites.Social media being an essential tool for promoting tourism.

As the pioneer of initiatives like Africa Tourism Climate Action Forum ATCAF and Africa Tourism Day, a nouveaux initiative in Africa which she started in 2020 in collaboration with the African Tourism Board, now in its 5th edition, Dr. Olagbaye has demonstrated her passion for sustainable tourism practices and her ability to drive meaningful change. “I invite fellow tourism practitioners to join me in transforming Nigeria’s tourism landscape,” she concluded.

Get in touch with Dr. Abigail Olagbaye:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +2349122525250
Social Media: @abbieolagbaye
@abigailolagbaye
@Dr. Abigail Olagbaye
(Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)

*Campaign Slogan:* “Transforming Tourism, Empowering Practitioners”.

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The Next Chapter of Amen City: Sade Balogun talks about TIARA Estates & Amen Phase 3 in Lagos, Nigeria

Published

6 days ago

November 16, 2024

Sahara Weekly

In a move that underscores her commitment to excellence, Sade Balogun, the mastermind behind Redbrick Homes International Limited and Amen City Ltd, has introduced TIARA Estates and Amen Estate Phase 3, expanding the renowned Amen City in a big way!

Situated in the picturesque Ibeju-Lekki area, Amen City has become synonymous with luxury and elegance. The launch of TIARA and TIARA 2.0 by Amen City Ltd soon after Amen Estate Phase 3 is set to elevate this community to new heights.
With its refined homes and superior amenities, the TIARA series embodies royalty and opulence. Amen Phase 3 enhances the living experience with modern architecture and top-tier facilities.

A nearby hospital at Amen Estate Phase 2 offers swift healthcare access, contributing to residents’ peace of mind. This proximity to medical facilities is especially important in emergencies, ensuring that help is always close by.
A large supermarket within the estate provides convenience for everyday shopping, eliminating the need for long trips to distant markets. The presence of excellent schools nearby ensures quality education for children, making it an ideal location for families. The coastal road that reduces travel time to Victoria Island to under 40 minutes makes Amen City a practical choice for professionals who need to commute to the city.
The estate 24-hour light supply from a dedicated turbine engine ensures uninterrupted power, which is a significant benefit for those seeking reliable energy solutions.

Sade Balogun’s innovative vision has transformed Amen City into a model of luxury living and community development. This expansion marks another milestone in her illustrious career, reinforcing Amen City’s status as a premier investment destination. With her ability to foresee market trends and deliver projects that exceed expectations, Sade Balogun continues to set new standards in Nigerian real estate.

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In Search of Justice: Alhaja Enitanwa Muibat Lanre Shittu’s Plea for Recognition and Dignity

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Sahara Weekly

In a world where the bonds of love and faith should transcend earthly judgments, Alhaja Enitanwa Muibat Lanre Shittu finds herself battling not only for justice but for the affirmation of her dignity and place within her late husband’s legacy.

Alhaja Enitanwa, the widow of renowned business mogul Lanre Shittu, faces an overwhelming injustice as she appeals a ruling by the Ifako Ijaiye Customary Court. This court dismissed her case by claiming it lacked the jurisdiction to do so.

This judgment, for Alhaja Enitanwa, represents a painful contradiction. The Ifako Ijaiye Customary Court had been specially designated to hear cases rooted in Islamic law—a foundation of faith and tradition that defined her marriage to her beloved husband. How, then, can this same court deny its duty to preside over the case she brings forward, a case so deeply tied to her faith and rightful place within her family?

At the heart of her appeal is a plea for recognition, not only for herself but for every Muslim woman whose rights are meant to be upheld by the legal protections guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution. Her counsel, Barrister Kayode Ademiluyi, stresses that this Constitution embraces Sharia law as a personal and protected path for Muslims, enshrining the rights of individuals like Alhaja Enitanwa to have their marital bonds honored by the law.

The Customary Court Law of Lagos State further cements these rights. By law, designated courts are empowered to adjudicate in matters of Islamic law—marriage, divorce, and family bonds. Yet, for reasons unknown, the Ifako Ijaiye Customary Court has chosen to ignore this mandate, casting aside the deeply personal matter Alhaja Enitanwa brought to its doors.

She seeks more than validation; she seeks justice. For Alhaja Enitanwa, this appeal is an urgent call for the court to correct a decision that, in its oversight, has left her in limbo, questioning the very foundations of her marriage and her place within a family she holds dear.

Her appeal will journey through the Customary Court of Appeal, a court of immense authority, with the power to oversee customary law matters. Here, the court will have the solemn duty to interpret her case in the spirit of fairness, upholding the principles of religious and personal freedoms granted under Nigerian law. Alhaja Enitanwa’s case is not just about her suffering but about restoring the dignity of every Muslim woman who looks to the law to honour her faith and protect her rights.

Let us remember that at the heart of this case lies a woman—a mother, a widow—whose only desire is to protect the bond she shared with her late husband and to honour the life they built together under Islamic law. Alhaja Enitanwa’s struggle resonates far beyond her plight; it is a struggle for justice, for the rights of Muslim women, and for the values enshrined in the law.