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How Dele Momodu’s 66th Birthday, Leadership Lecture 3.0 Reshaped Pan-Africanism

Published

3 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Dele Momodu Leadership Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State came very much alive during the weekend as dignitaries, top government officials, well wishers and the general public turned up in their numbers to celebrate a man, who everyone agreed has contributed immensely to the socio-economic and political advancement of the African continent, Chief Dele Momodu, as he celebrates 66 years. The 2-in-1 occasion featured a down-to-earth lecture and an all-encompassing soiree that kept the guests in jolly good mood throughout the duration.

The venue of the event, the Leadership Centre, was apt as it set the stage for an intellectual discourse geared towards creating a new path for another round of African Renaissance. The lecture, in its third edition, was coming to the Ibadan centre for the first time. The first two were held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Victoria Island, Lagos. This marks the first time the lecture was leaving; its place of conception.

Located in the serene quarters of the Government Reserve Area of Alalubosa, in Ibadan, the Leadership Centre is a forethought of creativity, reorientation, capacity building, mental and leadership re-engineering as well as intellectual and technology transfer. It was the preferred choice to bring to the front burner, the vexing topic of xenophobia; a malaise that is fast threatening to consume the entire African continent, with an unenviable in South Africa; a country that survived the most ravaging effect of apartheid regime and brutal massacre of the majority black population.

The birthday lecture, anchored by notable journalist and author, Azu Arinze, was predicated upon the fact that if any nation of the world should be fearful of foreign neighbours co-habitabitng with them, it shouldn’t be South Africa. It shouldn’t be any African nation at all.

The lecture had the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Prof Eghosa Emmanuel Osaghae, as the Guest Lecturer while the former Vice President of Liberia, Mrs. Jewel Howard-Taylor chaired the occasion. In addition, the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke featured as the Special of Honour.

Themed Ignorance and the Danger of Xenophobia, the lecture highlighted the reason Pan-Africanism and barefaced Africanism need to be re-integrated into the regions political, economic and social life of the continent in view of barefaced distrust and threat to hurt one another.

In his matter-of-factly lecture, delivered extempore, Prof Osaghae went down memory lane to bring to the present reasons behind xenophobic activities, stressing that the continent is frowning at external xenophobia, nations have found 8t difficult to deal with internal xenophobia. He noted that xenophobia does not only thrive among individuals of different nations, but also manifold among those of same nation, only differentiated by tribe, language, and most times class.

Prof Osaghae maintained that until internal differentiation of people is checked, it will be difficult to arrest external xenophobia. He noted that using South Africa as a case study revealed that the practice of xenophobia is an agelong culture among the teibes, where no one of another city/tribe is allowed to established himself in a foreign land.

“Even where it is allowed, the said individual is warned against bringing his family members. He comes alone, and leaves when he has concluded the business that brought him there,” Osaghae explained.

He quoted former Tanzanian President, Julius Nyerere, who said that ‘it took the coming of the Europeans for Africans to know that they are one’ as result of the segregated life they have lived. The notion was that since these people are Europeans, then we are Africans.

He also referred to Marcus Garvey, who initiated Pan-Africanism with his Back to Africa Movement. The idea was you need to be in Africa to be an African. He said that one thing that has stood in the way of self actualization towards realizing that Africans are one, is ignorance. It is the same ignorance that has made it difficult for countries like South Africa to realise and remember the efforts African countries made towards their freedom.

Giving copious examples ranging from entertainment, music and football, the guest lecturer decried ignorance as stepping stone to full blown xenophobia, especially as ot is playing in South Africa.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Mrs Howard-Taylor, noted the unfairness in the wrong treatment of fellow Africans in other countries within the African subregions, saying it is the greatest Africans can do to one another.

According to her, Africans are one, and should see themselves in that light. She condemned xenophobia in South Africa, and any other parts of Africa, pointing out that after what the the rest of Africa did for South Africa during the apartheid era, it is unhealthy to hear of attacks against fellow Africans.

Also speaking, the Governor of Osun State, who was the special Guest of Honour, lauded the birthday boy, Dele Momodu, appreciating for allowing his birthday party to be converted to a medium to educate all Africans.

The governor, who shared same month and year with the celebrant, appealed to all Africans to put the spirit of xenophobia behind them so the continent to forge one strong United States of Africa. He lauded Nigeria however, for being one of the world’s most accommodating people.

In his usual characteristics, the Governor led the guests in praises and exhibited a little of his dancing skills to further establish his sobriquet, the dancing governor, before he led everybody to rendering a happy birthday song for the celebrant.

In his vote of thanks, Chief Momodu appreciated the guests for turning in their number to listen to the lecture, and also celebrate him on his 66th birthday.

With the lecture concluded, the party moved to the open arena of the Centre, where guests were already seated for the mother of all entertainment, and were treated to local and continental cuisines with freeflow of choice beverages even delectable music maker and afro juju crooner, Sir Shina Peters serenaded the guests with hits from his various albums. The charged atmosphere caused guests; old and young to shuffle both feet and body to the classic rhythms of yesteryears and now.

Among dignitaries that attended the event were the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke; Deputy Governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi, Chairman, Biscon, Prince Olatilo, Wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Aderonke Ogunwusi, Olajumoke Fadeyi, SSA (Lagos Liaison) to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Michael Effiong, MD, MicCom Wires and Cables, Biodun Ponnle, SA to Osun Governor, Seyi Orolugbagbe, Sir Shina Peters, Editor, Ovation International, Eric Elezuo, Dr. Sani Sa’idu Baba, Ghana-born International Broadcaster, Natalie Fort, Mayor Akinpelu, Eniafe Momodu and a host of others.

Born on May 16, 1960, Dele Momodu, who was trained by his ‘unlettered’ mum, has come of age in carving a niche for himself, not only in Nigeria, but across the world.

He started the Dele Momodu Leadership Lecture in 2024, when Professor Barth Nnaji spoke need to make energy/power available to citizens to 2025 when as the Guest Lecturer, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, delivered an outstanding expose on making food available to the generality of the population. The first two editions were held at the NIIA in Lagos.

Dele Momodu is happily married to his wife, Bolaji, and they are blessed with four boy-children.

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

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2026

Eric

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

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2026

Eric

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

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2026

Admin

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.