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Exclusive: Kola Abiola Tasks Members of Abiola Family to Attend Award Ceremony on June 12

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8 years ago

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By Eric Elezuo

The first son of the Abiola family, Abdul-Lateef Kola Abiola, has prevailed on members of MKO Abiola extended family to endeavour to attend the award of Grand Commander of Federal Republic GCFR award billed to take place at the Presidential villa, Abuja, saying that is exactly what Bashorun MKO Abiola would have wanted.

Abiola made the request in a letter titled: NATIONAL HONOUR FOR LATE BASHORUN MOSHOOD KASHIMAWO OLAWALE ABIOLA AND DESIGNATION OF JUNE 12 AS DEMOCRACY DAY, dated June 8 2018, and made available to TheBoss, which he wrote to members of the family.

He wrote: “In our hearts, we have also always felt that June 12 was the rightful Democracy Day for Nigeria. It produced the democratic credentials on which on which the Nigeria polity now thrives. It would be entirely appropriate for as many of us as possible to attend the award ceremony on Tuesday, June 12 at Aso Rock in Abuja.”

See full text of letter below:

8th June, 2018
The Wives
The Children
The Grandchildren
of Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, GCFR Nigeria and the Diaspora

Dear Family,

NATIONAL HONOUR FOR LATE BASHORUN MOSHOOD KASHIMAWO OLAWALE ABIOLA AND DESIGNATION OF JUNE 12 AS DEMOCRACY DAY

As you must all be aware by now, President Muhammadu Buhari has heeded our plea and conferred on our beloved Daddy the highest National Honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic(GCFR) and designated June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria going forward.
On our collective behalves, I have accepted these honours and expressed appreciation to the President and the people of Nigeria.

The award was the only befitting recognition of the importance of Daddy’s fight for democracy for Nigeria which culminated in 4 years in incarceration/solitary confinement and decimation of his business and financial interests, before the ultimate sacrifice, being his life at the age of 60, rubbing us all our anchor, mentor and beloved Daddy. In our hearts, we have also always felt that June 12 was the rightful Democracy Day for Nigeria it produced the democratic credentials on which the Nigerian polity now thrives.

It would be entirely appropriate for as many of us as possible to attend the award ceremony on Tuesday June 12 at Aso Rock in Abuja. I know the notice is short and many of us have previous engagements or are abroad. Any of us that are able to attend should please indicate so to Alhaji Akinteye by 10am on Monday so we may ensure proper clearance by the Villa ahead of the day.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. This is what Daddy would have wanted.

Yours sincerely,

Abdul-Lateef Kola Abiola

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Gunmen Abduct Ex-Power Minister Adelabu’s Sister, Her Two Sons in Ibadan

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4 days ago

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June 3, 2026

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Suspected gunmen have abducted the sister of a former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The family of former minister and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) confirmed the abduction, disclosing that Mrs. Olaide John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons were kidnapped by the gunmen on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

According to a statement issued by Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, the victims were kidnapped at about 7:30am while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her children to school.

Mrs. John-Paul, the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu, reportedly retired voluntarily from her career at First Bank Pension Custodian in 2025 before relocating to Ibadan with her children.

She was said to be making arrangements to join her husband, who had earlier relocated to the US.

The family expressed deep concern over the development but stated that security agencies had already commenced efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.

“We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest,” the statement partly read.

While appealing for calm, the family urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information that could undermine ongoing rescue operations.

“We are deeply distressed by this unfortunate incident, but remain hopeful that the victims will be rescued safely. We appeal to the public to remain calm, avoid speculation and support ongoing efforts with prayers,” the statement added.

The family also called on anyone with useful information that could aid the rescue operation to promptly share such intelligence with security agencies through the appropriate channels.

It assured that it would continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities and provide updates as investigations and rescue efforts progress.

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Adeboye Proposes 90 Days Ultimatum for Security Chiefs to Eradicate Terrorism or Resign

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4 days ago

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June 3, 2026

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The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called on the Federal government to issue a 90-day ultimatum to security chiefs to end terrorism in Nigeria or step aside.

Adeboye made the appeal in a video shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, expressing deep concern over the country’s deteriorating security situation.

He emphasized the need for urgent and decisive action, stressing that security chiefs must be held accountable for tangible results in the fight against terrorism.

According to him, while citizens can only advise the Commander-in-Chief, it is within the government’s power to set clear expectations and timelines for security leaders.

“If I were to make a suggestion, I would say the government should act swiftly and direct the service chiefs to eradicate terrorists within 90 days or resign,” he said.

The cleric also urged authorities to go beyond targeting terrorists alone, insisting that their sponsors must equally be identified and dealt with, regardless of their social or political influence.

“When issuing directives, it should be made clear that both terrorists and their sponsors must be eliminated, no matter how powerful they are,” he added.

Adeboye recalled that a former Nigerian president had once issued a similar three-month directive to security chiefs to end the Boko Haram insurgency but failed to enforce the order after the deadline expired.

Reflecting on his interaction with the late president, Adeboye noted that although initial efforts were made, the lack of follow-through undermined the directive’s effectiveness.

He maintained that his current recommendation is informed by that experience, urging the government to ensure strict enforcement if such a timeline is adopted.

His comments come amid renewed concerns over persistent terrorist attacks, banditry, and kidnappings across the country, with increasing public pressure on authorities to take stronger action against insecurity.

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TAS Pushes Sustainability Training Drive to Bridge Africa’s ESG Implementation Gap

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4 days ago

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June 3, 2026

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As global conversations around sustainability, governance and responsible development continue to intensify, attention is increasingly turning to Africa’s need for practical capacity building to translate environmental, social and governance (ESG) awareness into measurable action.

This was the central focus of Train Africans on Sustainability (TAS), an initiative founded by Dr. Orlando Odejide, which is working to equip Africans with the knowledge, skills and tools required to actively participate in the global sustainability agenda.

According to sustainability professionals involved in the programme, TAS was created in response to a growing gap across the continent between awareness and implementation of sustainability principles. While understanding of ESG frameworks and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has expanded in recent years, many individuals and organisations still face challenges in applying these concepts due to limited access to structured, practical training.

The initiative is designed to close that gap by shifting participants from awareness to action through hands-on, context-driven sustainability education. At the core of the programme is Odejide’s vision of training 50,000 Africans, aimed at building a new generation of sustainability-focused leaders and professionals capable of driving long-term change across the continent.

TAS operates as a capacity-building platform focused on sustainability, ESG principles and SDG implementation. It targets a wide audience, including young professionals, corporate organisations, public sector institutions and individuals seeking to strengthen their understanding of sustainability and its real-world application.

A defining feature of the programme is its emphasis on practical implementation. Participants are exposed to how sustainability functions within organisations, how ESG frameworks can be integrated into business operations and how sustainability performance can be measured and reported. The training is also tailored to African contexts, ensuring that global sustainability concepts are adapted to local economic, environmental and institutional realities.

The importance of such education has become increasingly evident as Africa faces mounting environmental, social and economic pressures alongside rapid population growth and development demands. Decisions made today, stakeholders note, will have long-term implications for future generations.

Sustainability education, therefore, is seen as a critical tool for balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social inclusion. It helps translate broad global frameworks into practical approaches for decision-making, innovation and long-term planning. Industry practitioners associated with TAS say one of the key barriers to sustainability adoption is not lack of interest, but uncertainty about implementation, a gap the programme aims to address through structured learning and practical guidance.

Since its launch, TAS has recorded steady participation, with 548 registered participants and 212 individuals certified as 2030 Agenda for SDGs and ESG (IWA48) Champions. Beyond certification, many participants are applying their learning within their workplaces and communities.

Some graduates are now leading sustainability-focused discussions within organisations, while others are aligning projects and initiatives with the SDGs. This shift from passive awareness to active engagement is viewed as a key indicator of the programme’s growing influence. Reports of participant-led initiatives and awareness campaigns are increasingly visible across professional platforms, particularly LinkedIn.

Looking ahead, TAS is focused on expanding its reach across more African countries, strengthening partnerships and improving the quality and depth of its training programmes. The long-term ambition is to establish the initiative as a leading sustainability capacity-building platform across the continent through collaboration with private sector organisations, government institutions and development partners.

The programme also provides multiple avenues for participation. Individuals can enrol to build sustainability competencies and join a growing professional network focused on sustainable development, while organisations can partner to train employees, sponsor access programmes or collaborate on ESG-related projects.

Through this collaborative approach, TAS aims to bring together stakeholders across sectors in support of a shared goal: advancing sustainable development across Africa. By prioritising education, capacity building and practical implementation, the initiative is positioning itself as a driver of sustainability transformation on the continent.

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