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Bimbo Ashiru Denies Certificate Scandal Allegation, Upholds Capability, Competence

Published

8 years ago

March 14, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The media team of Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, and governorship hopeful, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, has reacted to a media report, which labeled the commissioner as having ‘certificate scandal’, saying the report was just ‘a figment of the writer’s imagination’.

The accusation was contained in an article titled “Analysing 12 governorship aspirants in Ogun State”.

A statement signed by Bimbo Ashiru’s media consultant, Mr. Tayo Mabewaje, described as ‘laughable’ the allegation against the Commissioner, saying that his profile is in the public domain for all to see. It noted that it was necessary to correct the allegations in order not to give room to ‘armchair research’.

“In as much as we would not like to join issues with anybody who may engage in armchair research and broadcast such to the public, we are compelled to correct certain allegations levelled against a new breed and visionary politician, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru whose aspiration has been receiving unprecedented approval across the state in recent times.

It is a known fact that Otunba Ashiru has been consulting with major stakeholders in Ogun politics with rewarding commentaries and positive reactions which have given us leverage and audacity to move on.

The article purportedly stated that Otunba Bimbo Ashiru is ‘an aspirant with certificate scandal’. Laughable as the comment may be, we do not want to sweep it under the carpet and hence the need to set the records straight.

Otunba Bimbo Ashiru’s profile is in public domain and the unblemished history of the Ashiru dynasty in Ijebu Ode is open to verification for any body who so wishes. Perhaps, this is the first time an allegation of this magnitude is coming up and we can only term this as a figment of the writer’s imagination,” the statement read.

The statement further described the allegation that Mr. Ashiru bribed his way the screening process as a ‘fallacy’, adding that such insinuation is an insult to the integrity of great statesmen who conducted the screening exercise. The statement further recognised the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun as a straightforward administrator, who would not condone any act of lawlessness.

It read: “That Otunba Ashiru bribed his way to emerge the APC consensus candidate in Ogun East smirks of nothing but fallacy. It is one mischief taken too far and, with due respect, an insult on the integrity and persons of the calibre of distinguished statesmen who conducted the screening.

“We wish the public to know and it is a well known fact that the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, FCA, is a straightforward and impeccable character who would not condone any wrongdoing or controversy however minute. For Otunba Ashiru to be serving his second term in his cabinet is a testimony to his capability and competence . Without being immodest, Otunba Ashiru’s achievements are glaring and had even received accolades from critics. We do not need to dwell much on this.

“We wish to state for the umpteenth time that Otunba Ashiru does not see politics as a do-or-die affair but wish to seek people’s mandate to consolidate on the good works of the present administration and realise the dream of the founding fathers of Ogun State.

“We are not in anyway surprised by the unwarranted insinuations as we know the road will be rough and as well prepared for more to come. It is our belief that whoever comes to equity must come with clean hands and that is our cornerstone.

“The issue of Gov. Amosun’s successor rests on the wish of Almighty God and in Him, we trust.” the statement concluded

OBA as he is respectfully called, has been in the service of Ogun State under the present administration since inception, and is known to have contributed immensely to the development of the state, overseeing its revenue generation; a feat that has so far placed Ogun State in the map of rapidly developing states.

It would be recalled that Otunba Bimbo Ashiru was on November 17, 2017, unanimously selected as the consensus candidate for the Ogun East Senatorial district by prominent stakeholders of the zone.

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TEF Entrepreneurship: Tony Elumelu Foundation Sets March 22 to Announce 2026 Cohort

Published

1 hour ago

March 20, 2026

Eric

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs will announce the 12th cohort of the flagship TEF Entrepreneurship Programme on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

In 2026, the Foundation will empower a total of 3,200 entrepreneurs across all its entrepreneurship programmes:
1,751 entrepreneurs through Heirs Holdings Group: Heirs Energies, Transcorp Power, Transcorp Hotels, and United Capital; 1,049 entrepreneurs in partnership with the European Commission, OACPS, BMZ and GIZ; 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with Sèmè City Development Agency; 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with DEG, the German Development Agency; 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with the IKEA Foundation, UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited and the Dutch Government; and 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with UNDP and the Rwandan Ministry of Youth and Arts.

Applications to the flagship programme were received from over 265,000 young Africans, representing all 54 African countries, underscoring Africa’s vibrant entrepreneurial sector and the funding challenge for entrepreneurs. The new cohort will join the TEF Alumni community of more than 24,000 entrepreneurs.

The selection process is conducted by Ernst & Young, ensuring an independent and rigorous assessment of applicants.

Each selected Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur will receive $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, access to world-class business management training on TEFConnect, one-on-one mentorship, and entry into a powerful network of investors, partners, and other entrepreneurs.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered over 2.5 million young Africans with access to business management training on our proprietary digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed over US$100 million in seed capital to more than 24,000 selected entrepreneurs. Collectively, these entrepreneurs have generated $4.2 billion in revenue and created more than 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs. Through our support for African entrepreneurs, TEF has lifted 2.1 million Africans above the poverty line, and positively impacted more than 4 million African households, with 46% of supported entrepreneurs being African women.

Ahead of the upcoming announcement, Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R., Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, reiterates his unwavering belief in the potential of Africa’s entrepreneurs:

“The future of Africa will be built by Africans who create businesses, generate jobs and solve the challenges of our continent. At the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we believe that empowering entrepreneurs is the most sustainable path to Africa’s economic transformation.

I look forward to announcing and congratulating the 2026 cohort of Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs and look forward to witnessing the impact they will create across our continent.”

The general public is invited to join, virtually.

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Eid-El-Fitr: Glo Felicitates with Muslims, Urges National Unity, Compassion

Published

3 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Eric

High premium Technology Company, Globacom, has felicitated with Muslims across Nigeria as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitr festival which marks the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.

In a goodwill message released in Lagos, the company commended the resilience and devotion shown by the faithful during the 30 days of spiritual reflection, sacrifice, and abstinence.

Globacom emphasized the importance of love, sacrifice, and community, encouraging Nigerians to embody these values.

The company explained that the end of Ramadan should serve as a springboard for continued personal growth, urging Nigerians to “use Eid-El-Fitri as a moment to reflect on their spiritual journey, promote the spirit of being one’s brother’s keeper, regardless of faith or background, and make sacrifices towards building a more prosperous and peaceful nation for all”.

Globacom enjoined its millions of subscribers to utilize the network’s innovative and affordable data and voice offerings to enhance their festive experience. It reaffirmed its commitment to providing seamless connectivity and ensuring that family and friends can stay in touch, share moments of joy, and exchange Sallah greetings throughout the holidays and beyond.

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Reno, Fani-Kayode’s Brains Configured to Say Anything and Delete – Dele Momodu

Published

2 days ago

March 18, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Renowned journalist and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Dele Momodu, has come down hard on two loyalists of President Bola Tinubu, Reno Omokri and Femi Fani-Kayode, who were ambassadors-designate, before being posted to Mexico and Germany respectively.

Momodu, in a statement titled Reno Omokri and Femi Fani-Kayode: A Tale of Two Shameless friends, and posted on his verified social media handles, including Instagram, noted that the two men have proved themselves as very ‘shameless’, with brains configured to say anything and delete immediately.

While referring to Reno and Fani-Kayode as two perpetual agents of perfidy’, Momodu informed that his statement was in other not to give the ‘two…friends’ the impression to think they could bully him into silence and submission.

“No. They can’t. They both have no credibility whatsoever. Together, they’ve expressed the worst views ever about BOLA TINUBU that they will never be able to erase, or clean up, in a million years, except the world finally comes to an end,” he said.

While maintaining that he stands by his qualification of President Tinubu as a dictator, he clarified that the duo of Rwno and Fani-Kayode has disparaged and said worst things about Tinubu in the past, with whom they are hobnobbying with at the present.

Momodu revealed that his suspension of his weekly column on ThisDay and The Boss Newspaper was out of respect for some Yoruba elders, for Tinubu, and not to be critical of him as he did to his predecessors, saying that he has nothing against the president except for his consistent dive into the world of dictatorship and tyranny.

The Ovation Magazine publisher berated the duo of Reno and Fani-Kayode for severally reaching out to him privately for publicity. He also boted that he is not a victim of poor upbringing as the two men constantly portray. He further contrasted himself from the two men, saying he does not fight like pigs, and unlike the duo, has a job.

Read the statement in full

RENO OMOKRI & FEMI FANI-KAYODE: A TALE OF TWO SHAMELESS FRIENDS…

I was going to ignore these two perpetual agents of perfidy but later decided to respond to them just in case they think they could bully me into 🔕 silence and submission.

No. They can’t. They both have no credibility whatsoever. Together, they’ve expressed the worst views ever about BOLA TINUBU that they will never be able to erase, or clean up, in a million years, except the world finally comes to an end.

The only reason I could adduce for Tinubu’s tolerance of both irritants is desperation and his inability to find better people to do the dirty jobs. The brains of these ones have been configured to say anything and delete immediately.

I have never disparaged TINUBU in my life. I have never called him a murderer. I have never called him a drug baron or addict. I’m intelligent enough, not to say what I have no proof of. Only morons talk without thinking. I thank God for good upbringing. I do not fight like pigs. And I have a job and manage my modest income. I’m not seeking government appoints. I know how many times Femi and Reno have reached out to me, privately, either begging for publicity or apologizing for attacking me publicly.

All I have accused Tinubu of is DICTATORSHIP and I stand by it with my full chest. I oppose tyranny because I once suffered under it. Chief Moshood Abiola won an election but dictatorship deprived him of his victory. Why should we replace military dictators with civilian slavemasters. That’s my only grouse against TINUBU. Because of our past association, I have been partial and generous to him by not being as critical of him as I did to his predecessors.
Because of TINUBU, I stopped writing my PENDULUM column on the Backpage of Thisday and The Boss newspapers. Also, out of respect for Yoruba elder statesmen, including retired Generals who pleaded that we give him time to stabilize. They are alive to bear me witness.

How Femi and Reno can continue to harass people on behalf of a TINUBU they’ve permanently damaged and sent to the cleaners really baffles me.

But this is Nigeria…

– AARE BASORUN AKINROGUN DELE MOMODU