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Glamour as Ovation Editor, Michael Effiong Becomes 33rd President of Rotary Club, Ikeja South

Published

4 years ago

November 12, 2019

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The banquet hall of the Sheraton hotel, Ikeja, came alive Sunday when the cream d la cream of the society gathered to witness the installation of the Editor, Ovation International Magazine, Mr. Michael Effiong as the 33rd President of the Rotary Club of Ikeja South as well as celebrate his golden jubilee anniversary.

The two-in-one event kicked off earnestly as guests from all walks of life trooped in in their numbers for what many has described as a mother of all events and a landmark in the life of Michael Effiong.

Beaming with unquantified joy, Effiong arrived the venue in company of his delectable wife and two adorable children with close friends, family members and colleagues cheering him on.

With a call to order by Immediate Past President Yinka Adeosun, the business of the day kicked off properly just as the Doyen of Past Presidents led the procession that ushered in the President-in-waiting after which he took his place among notable dignitaries as already recognised by the master of ceremonies, Comedian Tunde Adewale, better known as Tee A.

Giving his speech, the chairman of the event and Co-Founder, Eko Hospitals, Olorogun (Dr.) Sonny Kuku, described Mr. Effiong as a personality who has given his best to his profession and has affected the lives of as many that comes his way. Dr. Kuku encouraged him to continue be his original self and live his life to supply succour to all and sundry.

The event also saw the presentation of some Rotary traditions including raffle draws and rotary songs conducted by PAG Bade Oke shortly before a welcome address by Installation Chairman, PP Azuh Arinze was presented. Azu highlighted how the committee went about the task that manifested into the magnificent installation and appreciated all who turned up.

“I welcome you all…to this auspicious and momentous occasion, and on my honour as well as that of the ‘prestige of Rotary, particularly my fellow committee members who were exceptional and spectacular, working assiduously and conscientiously to make today both grand and great…” Azuh said.

The stage was set for the lecture of the day, which was undertaken by the guest speaker and Member, Fidelity Bank Board of Directors, Otunba Seni Adetu.

Otunba Adetu, whose wedding anniversary coincided with the installation ceremony titled his lecture Winning in the Corporate world. He identified three areas which needed attention in order to move ahead in the corporate world. They include speeding up technological advancement, giving attention to infrastructure development and enhanced leadership.

Adetu also highlighted that for any leadership to live up to expectation, six key functions must be undertaken, and they are:

Hold your destiny
Less is more…meaning that few things will deliver more impact
Focus your energy on what you can change
Measure yourself against the best
Inspect what you expect, and
Take calculated risk

Adetu’s presentation was loudly appreciated and he was gifted a fabulous cake in honour of his 29th year marriage anniversary.

The moment everyone at the gathering was waiting for finally dawned as IPP Yinka Adeosun supported by past presidents and senior officers of the Rotary Society installed Mr. Effiong as the official president for 2019/2020 period amidst applause and screams.

In his acceptance speech, Effiong expressed his heartfelt joy at the honour, giving glory to the Almighty God, and appreciation to his parents, who unfortunately could not live to witness his day of reverence. While itemising his projects, he stated that “one of these is so close to my heart, and that is about the dilapidated state of Temidire Primary School, Olambe, Ogun State’

“I will call it our school because the story of Temidire Primary School is a testament to the spirit of giving that Rotary espouses. The school was established by Rotarian Remi Bello when he was president. He donated his farmland to the community and marshaled funds to establish a school…you will agree with me ladies and gentlemen that these students deserve better,” Effiong reasoned.

His speech was punctuated with a short documentary on the dilapidated state of the institution prompting dignitaries to make donations towards its rehabilitation. Among those who committed to the project were CEO, Esther Ajayi Foundation, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, chairman, Ovation Media Group, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Chairman Biscon Communications, Prince Bisi Olatilo and Olorogun Sonny Kuku.

The night of class did not end without the recognition of awardees and induction of new members. Among the awardees were Chief Tunde Fanimokun, Olajide Adediran and Engr. Olasoji Olagunju of Hurlag Technologies Limited. The newly inducted members were Dr Elisha Attai, Fatima Aduke Mohammed, Nelson Ndubuisi Collins and Casmir I. Anyanwu. There was also the induction of the Board of Directors, which was the first official function performed by the new president.

The night was further spiced with quality music and virtuals from DJ Jimmy Jatt, De Potters and Saheeto while K Square Security was on hand to keep the peace.

With a vote of thanks by Doyen of the Club, PP Oliver Ogbonna, the grand ceremony wound down to a close.

Speaking to The Boss, a highly excited Mike Effiong said he feels very humbled, noting that while he expected his friends to turn up, he never knew it was going to be this huge.

“Could you imagine, I have friends from way back coming for this occasion. There are friends from my primary and secondary schools, from the University of Lagos, Nigerian Institute of Journalism and everywhere I’ve ever identified with and beyond. Honestly, it is massive. I sincerely appreciate everyone,” he said.

The roll call of influential guests at the event include His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Orangun of Oke-Ila Orangun; His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Elegushi of Ikate-elegushi Kingdom; Co-Founder/Joint Chairman, Eko Hospitals, Olorogun (Dr.) Sonny Kuku; Member, Fidelity Bank Board of Directors and CEO, Algorithm Media, Otunba Seni Adetu and wife; Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Bashorun Dele Momodu; President/Founder, Esther Ajayi Foundation, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi and husband, Dr. Ademuyiwa Ajayi; Chairman, Biscom Communications, Prince Bisi Olatilo; Founder/CEO, Fisolak Global Resources, Princess Toyin Kolade; Senator Florence Ita-Giwa and District Governor Nominee, Rtn Remi Bello.

Others are Mr. Kanmi Osobu who represented Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, AIG Tunji Alapini ( Rtd), Fuji music maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal; Veteran Sports Broadcaster, Dr Larry Izamoje, Godwin Mekwuye, Hajia Bisi Shuabu, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Benny Obaze, Arch. Biodun Faari-Arole, Mr. Abisoye Fagade, Pastor Dotun Ojelabi, Pastor Femi Faseru, Gbemisola & Kunle Aluko, Former Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Otunba Dayo Adeneye, Dayo Adedayo, Dr Reuben Abati, Femi Awoyemi, Lanre Ogunlesi, Benny Obaze, Charles Otudor, Ayo Animashaun, Ayeni Adekunle, Wale Adebajo, Debo Ayoade, Solomon Kolade Olotu, Fela Amosun, Hakeem Anjolaiya, Richard Akinnola, Mayor Akinpelu, Prince Damola Aderemi, Ayo Aminu & UBA’s Media Officer, Ramon Nasir.

Others at the glitzy event included the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Youth Engagement, Afolabi Imoukhuede and wife; Mr Ademola Adedoyin, Chief Gboyega Okegbenro, Mojeed Jamiu, Steve Ayorinde, Femi Akintunde- Johnson, Abib Aruna, Azuka Ogujuiba, Kemi Akinyemi, Bayo Ogori, Kunle Afolayan, Mike Dada & wife, Dupe; Oye Balogun and Israel Opayemi.

The presence of the wife of former Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki, was felt as she sent a recorded goodwill message to the celebrant and guests.

Headline

Breaking: Wike Plans to Attend Thursday’s PDP NEC Meeting

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The immediate past Governor of Rivers State, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, may have concluded plans to attend the much advertised National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), billed to hold on Thursday, in Abuja.

Impeccable source, who is in the know, told The Boss that the minister, whose membership of the PDP is yet to be revoked even as he frolicks with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and serving in the President Bola Tinubu government as a minister.

The Source told The Boss that Wike’s impending presence at the NECeeting on Thursday is not unconnected with plans, already hatched with some governors, to weaken the opposition PDP.

“Yes, we have on good authority that FCT minister, Wike is planning to attend the NEC meeting tomorrow all in a bid to weaken the fabrics of the PDP, and pave the way for the continuation of the Tinubu administration come 2027, and by extension, relapse Nigeria to a full blown one party state.

“From every indication, Wike and his co-travellers, are bent on unleashing the same crisis ravaging the third force, Labour Party, and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Nigerian National People’s Party (NNPP) on the PDP for the APC to remain the only political party in the country, and ensure that Tinubu has no challenger, come 2027,” the Source said.

It would be recalled that Wike has boasted over and again that there’s no opposition against Tinubu’s re-emergence in 2027, and that they have made sure of that. He has been compensated with the Ministerial job after he withdrew support for his party, and supported the APC and Tinubu to emerge as national government.

The Source further revealed that in the attempt to actualize the intended one party state, a lot of funding is ongoing to ensure that concerned stakeholders are ‘settled’ handsomely.

Wike, prior, during and after the 2023 general elections, has been floating in between the two major political parties; the APC and the PDP. While he claim to still be a member of the PDP, he is functioning as a minister in an APC government, mocking the inability of his party to discipline him.

Political stakeholders have concluded that the outcome of Thursday’s PDP NEC meeting will determine the path Nigeria’s political trajectory will take, and that it may portend the end of multi-party system and political democracy if Wike succeeds in his plan.

Headline

Bribery, Corruption: APC Suspends National Chairman, Ganduje

Published

5 days ago

April 15, 2024

Eric

The All Progressives Congress ward in Ganduje, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, has suspended the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

The party ward legal adviser, Halliru Gwanzo, announced the suspension while addressing newsmen in Kano State on Monday.

Gwanzo cited allegations of bribery against Ganduje levelled by the Kano State Government as the reason for the suspension.

“We decided to suspend Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje from the party due to the seriousness of the allegations against him,” Gwanzo said.

Meanwhile, efforts to contact the Chief Press Secretary to the APC National Chairman, Mr Edwin Olufo, failed as his mobile phone was unreachable.

Headline

Akpabio Commits to Collaboration with Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno

Published

1 week ago

April 12, 2024

Admin

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has stated his commitment to working closely with Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Governor Umo Eno to ensure the delivery of democratic benefits to the people of Akwa Ibom State.

Akpabio stated this in his country home, Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, while briefing his constituents on the journey so far as their representative in the red chamber.

He assured the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District of his commitment to their welfare in appreciation of their total support for him, President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in last year’s election.

The Highpoint of the constituency briefing was the distribution of over 10,000 bags of rice and other essentials for his constituents from the wards, to the local governments.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio as saying, “I am here once again, to thank you for standing by me, our President and the party, before, during and even after last year’s elections. I have come to say thank you and also bring Renewed Hope to you all.

“As the President is doing his own, the Senate President is also doing his bit and being complemented by the state governor, Akwa Ibom would be the better for it. We have finished elections and politics, we are now into governance. The governor of the state must touch you, because he is the governor of all the people in the state irrespective of political affiliation.

” As I am touching you now from the political angle, I will also touch the state without any political party affiliation. Most of the projects we are putting in place would be used by people resident in the state. Relax, things are getting better.”

The former Governor of the state, assured his constituents that his current position as the Senate President would be used for the development of the state in collaboration with the President and the Akwa Ibom State Governor.

Hear him: This Senate President is not the one that would be fighting the state government. I will collaborate with , I will collaborate with , to make the state better for us all. We cannot be out of government for a long time. You have to go to a government that carries you along”

Akpabio promised to work for his constituents and Nigeria with all his strength, noting that, “as the President of the Senate, I am for the Southern region and the entire country. I may not come here regularly to tell you what I have been doing for you, but you will be feeling the impact on way or the other. Our unemployed youths would be gainfully employed. I will construct a mini stadium in all the local governments in the district, for our youths to develop their sporting potentials. ”