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Rotary Club Ikeja South, Old English & IDCL Unite To Fight Polio

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The Rotary Club of Ikeja South has collaborated with Old English Superstores and Indoor Design Concepts Limited to contribute to the global effort of polio eradication.
 The partnership was announced during a ceremony where End Polio donation boxes were launched at Old English Superstores, GRA, Ikeja.
In his welcome address,  President, Rotary Club of Ikeja South, Rtn Michael Effiong James told members and the general public that the End Polio Project is a battle that must be won, noting that as far as there is still one case of polio in the world, then the disease is still a major threat.
He said that it is because if this desire to end polio forever that the club had decided to team up with Old English Superstores and IDCL to raise funds to support the work being carried out by Rotary International in Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Rtn James revealed that while Old English Superstores  has offered its facilities in GRA, Ikeja, Omole Phase 1 and Isolo, IDCL has agreed to design and produce the boxes and create branding materials to promote the initiative.
He thanked the two organisations and called on other corporate organisations to deploy their CSR budgets to worthy causes like this.
In his remarks, special guest at the gathering and District Governor, Rotary International District 9110, Rtn Jide Akeredolu, applauded  the initiative of making end polio donations boxes available for all to contribute to the End Polio campaign.
He went down memory lane, giving a vivid description of how Rotary International has worked since 1985 when there were 350,000 cases of polio worldwide to today where only  few cases of the wild polio virus are found  in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“A few weeks ago, we celebrated freedom from the wild polio virus in Nigeria but we must not lose our guard. The work goes on. We should remain vigilant and keep the advocacy on so that the government and all stakeholders will be on their toes,” Rtn.  Akeredolu said.
He also tasked non Rotarians to key into the project, saying that though a lot has been done, still a lot more need to be done to kick polio out of planet earth forever.
The District Governor further showered praise on Old English Superstore and its Chairman, Akogun Lanre Alfred, for making his premises available as one of the drop points of the End Polio boxes where members of the public can easily make contributions.
“Old English Superstore is our own WalMart or Tesco just as they have in the United States of America or United Kingdom,  there you see these boxes where you are encouraged to donate your spare change for charitable causes and so this is a very good initiative that will help even raise awareness on the right against polio”
He also extended commendation to  IDCL  for participating by providing the creatively-designed boxes.
In his response, Chairman, Old English Stores,  Akogun Alfred  thanked the Rotary Club of Ikeja South for choosing his facilities for this noble cause, he said the initiative tallies with his own personal philosophy of contributing to society and humanity, he therefore pledged not only to contribute financially  but mobilize his staff, customers and friends to donate to the cause.
He revealed that though  the boxes will be present at all three locations of Old English Superstores, when the fourth store opens in Surulere next month, he will also display same, vowing that ” anywhere Old English goes the End Polio donation boxes will also go until we have a polio-free world”. This altruistic  commitment elicited a round of applause from everyone present.
While unveiling the colourful boxes, the District Governor prayed that it would be a successful project so that the efforts so far made in the eradication of polio will be sustained and monitored.
He followed up the unveiling by dropping a donation inside the box and called on everyone to  do same.
The donation boxes were thereafter placed at strategic places in the superstore for the general public to participate.
The End Polio donation boxes Project,  an initiative of the Rotary Club of Ikeja South led by President Michael Effiong James was launched as part of activities to welcome the visiting District Governor, Rtn. Jide Akeredolu.
After the launch, the District and his entourage  were hosted to a sumptuous lunch at the Club’s meeting venue, Adna Hotel, Ladipo Bateye Street, GRA Ikeja after which he met with the Club’s Board of Directors.
Later, there was a session of fellowship and networking before the Club’s regular meeting was held.
In the course of the meeting, new Rotarians, Mr. Napoleon Emeaso-Nwachukwu, a legal Practitioner and Miss Silelola Precious Adepetu, a realtor,  were inducted into the Rotary Club.
In addition, six outstanding students of the Adult Literacy Education Programme-sponsored by  Rotary Club of Ikeja South were recognised with certificates and prizes while a presentation of assorted materials were made to members of Rotaract Club of Medilag Golden by the Club’s Youth Service Chairman, Rtn. Adebayo Adesakin.
The well-attended meeting which had in attendance Prof. ( Mrs.) Tokunbo Akeredolu, wife of the District  Governor and other leaders such as District  Governor Nominee, Rtn Remi Bello,  Past District Governor, Rtn Abayomi Adewunmi, Immediate Past District Governor, Rtn Kola Shodipo, Past Assistant  Governor, Antonia Taiwo, Past Assistant Governor Bade Oke, Past Assistant Governor, Lanre Adedoyin, Past Assistant Governor Niyi Adesanya, Past Assistant Governor Sola Fatoki, District Secretary, Rtn Idowu Afelolgun, Past President Julius Nwokoro, Past President Azuh Arinze, Doyen Oliver Ogbonna,  Immediate Past President, Rotary Club of Ikeja, Rtn Niyi Adelaja and many others,  was rounded off with presentations to the Governor and his entourage.

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KFC Reacts As FAAN Shuts Down Its Operations in Lagos Airport

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The Management of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has reacted to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s move to shut down its branch at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, for violating laws protecting the rights of people with special needs.

The action was confirmed through a statement released on Thursday by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah.

The official statement, titled ‘FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA,’ highlighted that the closure was in response to the outlet’s breach of the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, specifically referencing Part C, Section 55 of the General Provisions on Discrimination.

Responding to the development, KFC posted on its official X account that it opposes bias and discrimination, stressing that the incident did not reflect its standards.

The organisation disclosed that it had embarked on efforts to address the situation and urgently implemented sensitivity training for all its employees.

The statement read, “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values.

“However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.

“In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.

“We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”

KFC had during the week, denied Adebola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, access to their facility at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport  because of his disability.

Daniel had recounted his experience at the KFC outlet of the airport in a series of tweets posted on Wednesday via his X handle, @DebolaDaniel.

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Ezekiel Bolarinwa Ajayi: Mentor, Philanthropist Revels at 80

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By Eric Elezuo

The ancient town of Ile-Ife was agog weekend, when Professor Ezekiel Bolarinwa Oladele Ajayi, a renowned educationist, accomplished mentor and elder brother of veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, pulled all the stops to mark a resounding entry into the octogenarian club, celebrating his 80th birthday with fanfare, pomp and class.

The event, which attracted family members, colleagues in the academic world, friends and well wishers, was another testament in the expression of influence, clout and connection.

Held at the Rock Rehoboth Cathedral in the centre of Ile-Ife, the event brought out the best in the Stanford trained PHD holder, as beamed with contagious smiles, absorbing accolades from a crowd of well wishers and dignitaries, most of whom traveled half  way across the world to felicitate with the newest octogenarian.

A lavished reception followed after heartfelt prayers were said for the celebrant flanked by his wife of many years, children and grandchildren. The reception witnessed guests savoring the best of continental and local delicacies as well as dancing happily to the old school tunes.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the gigantic cake by the birthday boy around whom were dotting family members.

As guests expressed their profound, hearty and sincere congratulations towards the octogenarian, whose event changed the landscape of Ife, many recalled how they have come a long way from their very humble beginning in Gbongan Olufi.

Fondly called Ladele, Prof Ajayi was born on March 23, 1944 in Gbongan, Osun State, where he had his earliest beginnings.

He statted his education at the Saint Paul’s School Gbongan, before moving on to Saint Judes School, Ebute Metta, and later to Saint Stephens School, Ile-Ife, where he completed his primary education.

After his elementary education, he was admitted into the Government College lbadan, where he was described as having  ‘passed out in exceedingly bright colours’. As many that knows him has confirmed that Prof Ajayi was a walking encyclopedia, and vibrated with intelligence while at school.

It was not therefore, surprising that he later proceeded to the United States of America, after his secondary education, where he attended various prestigious Universities including Stanford University. It is worthy of note that all his appearances for university education were on different scholarships. It was also at Stanford that he bagged his PhD honours.

On the completion of his PhD programme in Stanford, Prof Ajayi was recruited by the University of Ife, as it was then known, before its transmutation to Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later became a Professor of Physics, a position he jealousy guarded until retirement from active classroom duties.

According to a very close family member and confidant, Bola Adeyemo, who spoke glowingly about their fond relationship, Prof Ajayi “also became active in things of God. Like a proverbial gold fish, he has been recognized as a Pastor. Ladele played a mentoring role in the final years of school for my twin daughters who both graduated from the medicine program in the same University.

“The mutual fondness between Ladele and I remains very much intact. Ladele and l share common ancestry. His father who was the Otun Olufi of Gɓongan was a much older cousin to my mother and was fondly referred to as baba mi ile ASORO. They both had the same tribal marks. Ladele can be classified as belonging to the royal class as his father was the OTUN OLUFI while his mother was the daughter of the ÒOSA, first class chief in Gbongan.”

A life of Prof Ajayi without a mention of prolific publisher of the Ovation brands,  Chief Momodu, remains incomplete. It is worthy of note that apart from both sharing the same mum as siblings, the Prof was instrumental in shaping and mentally mentoring Momodu on the path of education. His 80th birthday was a reminder of how it used to be in times past as it marks a form of reunion for the Ajayi extended household.

Among those who attended were his daughter, Kemi Ajayi-Ingram, who flew in all the way from the United States of America, with her entire family; his niece, Yejide Ajayi among a host of others.

We wish the ebullient octogenarian a splendid birthday, and many ore years of splendid celebrations.

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Easter, Ramadan: Adeleke Releases March Salaries, Pension, Palliatives, Approves Promotion for Personnel

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the release of salaries, pensions and palliatives for the month of March for all public servants in the state, as well as approved the promotion of service personnel due for promotion from 2023.

Adeleke’s show of love for the entire workforce, is in spite of the fact that the State allocation from the Federation account is yet to be released, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina confirmed the approval of the March salaries, pension and palliatives, noting that the fast tracked approval covered all categories of state and local government employees including tertiary institutions in the State.

“I can confirm that Mr Governor has approved the March salaries, pension and palliative wage awards, including the usual payment of the outstanding half salary for retirees under the contributory pension scheme yet to obtain their bonds. Mr Governor requested for the file and granted immediate approval.

“Any moment from now, alerts will be landing in our peoples’ accounts. This is a preemptive step on the part of Mr Governor to meet the needs of our people”, the Head of Service explained.

Governor Adeleke who has been hosting inter faith leaders at the Government House said he approved the early payment to ease the burden of the workers ahead of the Easter period.

“As I wish muslim and christian faithfuls blessed fasting season, the early payment is a gesture of support for workers whose welfare remains the number one priority of our administration”, the Governor noted.

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