Featured

The Boss Celebrates VP Yemi Osinbajo at 62

Published

7 years ago

March 8, 2019

Eric

By Eric Elezuo (with agency report)

Here is a life that came, saw and is continually conquering. It is the prolific life of Nigeria’s second citizen, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the executive Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as he celebrates 62 years of life on earth.

Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCON was born into the family of Opeoluwa Osinbajo on March 8, 1957, in Lagos.

He was educated at Corona Primary School, in Lagos. Between 1969–1975, he attended Igbobi College Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. where he was the winner of the State Merit Award (1971); the School Prize for English Oratory (1972); Adeoba Prize for English Oratory (1972-1975); Elias Prize for Best Performance in History (WASC, 1973); School Prize for Literature (HSC, 1975); and African Statesman Intercollegiate Best Speaker’s Prize (1974).

Thereafter, he studied for his undergraduate degree at the University of Lagos between 1975-1978 when he obtained a Second Class Upper Degree in Law. Here, he also won the Graham-Douglas Prize for Commercial Law. In 1979, he completed the mandatory one-year professional training at the Nigerian Law School whereon he was admitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor of Nigeria’s Supreme Court. In 1980, he attended the London School of Economics & Political Science, where he obtained a Master of Laws degree.

From 1979–1980, Osinbajo served the compulsory one year youth service as a legal officer with Bendel Development and Planning Authority (BDPA), Bendel state.

In 1981, he was employed as a law lecturer at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. From 1983 to 1986, he was Senior lecturer of Law at the University of Lagos. From 1988 to 1992, he was an Adviser (legal advice and litigation) to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Bola Ajibola. Osinbajo began lecturing at the age of 23.

From 1997 to 1999 he was made Professor of Law and Head of Department of Public Law, University of Lagos. From 1999 to 2007, Osinbajo was Member of Cabinet, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, also Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

From 2007 to 2013, Osinbajo was once again employed as a Professor of Law, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos. In 2007, Osinbajo was made Senior Partner, Simmons Cooper Partners (Barristers and Solicitors), Nigeria. Osinbajo was also a Senior lecturer at the Lagos State University.

Other past roles include:

Staff Member, United Nations Operations in Somalia, Justice Division, UNOSOM II.
Member, United Nations Secretary General’s Committee of Experts on Conduct and Discipline of UN, Peacekeeping Personnel around the globe, Member, 2006.
Partner in Law Firm of Osinbajo, Kukoyi & Adokpaye.
Senior lecturer at faculty of law, Lagos State University Lecturing public law.

Yemi Osinbajo was also the Pastor in charge of the Lagos Province 48 (Olive Tree provincial headquarter) of The Reedeemed Christian Church of God, Ikoyi before his inauguration into office as the Vice President of Nigeria. He however still insists that he remains the pastor-in-charge of the said province and he is only on loan to the Federal Government. In his words, “Just like Pastor Ibitayo has said we are on loan. I am still the pastor-in-charge of Province 48 in Lagos and my wife remains wife of the pastor-in-charge and wife of the Vice President.”

After the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, Yemi was tasked, with other notable Nigerians, to design and produce a manifesto for the new political party. This culminated in the presentation of the “Roadmap to a New Nigeria”, a document published by APC as its manifesto if elected to power. The highlights of the Roadmap included a free schools meal plan, a conditional cash transfer to the 25 million poorest Nigerians if they enroll children in school and immunise them. There were also a number of programs designed to create economic opportunities for Nigeria’s massive youth population.

On 17 December 2014 the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, retired General Muhammadu Buhari, announced Osinbajo as his running mate and vice-presidential candidate for the 2015 general elections.

On 31 March 2015, Buhari was confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the presidential elections. Thus Osinbajo became the Vice President-elect of Nigeria. They were both sworn in on 29 May 2015.

As the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is expected to oversee the economic planning team and report, as well as make recommendations, to the president who takes the final decision. Because of his legal background and antecedents as a commissioner for justice in Lagos state for eight years, many expect that he will contribute a great deal to the much needed reform of the judicial system at the national level.

A workaholic of repute, during the 2014/2015 campaigns of the All progressives Congress, Yemi Osinbajo held numerous town hall meetings across the country as against the popular rallies that many Nigerians and their politicians were used to. He followed it up with visiting many markets across the country with the N-Power project where he distributed 10, 000 naira to men and women in the market.

On May 9, 2017, he became the Acting President after President Muhammadu Buhari wrote a written declaration to the president of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives on his decision to embark on a medical trip.

Ruthless as a leader in taking the right decisions, on August 7, 2018, he fired the State Security Service boss, Lawal Daura for illegal invasion of National Assembly by armed and masked operatives of the department. Daura was replaced with Matthew Seiyefa, who was removed by Buhari when he returned from medical leave.

Osinbajo is married to Dolapo (née Soyode) Osinbajo, a granddaughter of Obafemi Awolowo. They are blessed with three children- two daughters, Kiki, Kanyinsola and a son, Fiyinfoluwa Osibanjo.

We wish the Vice President, who has won another term of four years, a resounding happy 62 years birthday.

Congratulations sir!

Featured

Court Reserves Ruling in Times Multimedia Suit Against Afreximbank Over CAX IP Dispute

Published

29 minutes ago

July 5, 2026

Eric

By Andrew Orolua

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has reserved ruling in the intellectual property suit between Times Multimedia Ltd. and the African Export-Import Bank, Afreximbank, and others, following arguments on a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

The matter came up on Thursday, July 2, 2026, before Honourable Justice Osiagor.

Times Multimedia Ltd., a Nigerian media and events company, is the originator and registered proprietor of “CAX” – the Creative Africa Exchange.

Court documents state that Times Multimedia conceived CAX in 2017/2018 as a continental trade and investment platform designed to finance, market, and monetize Africa’s creative and cultural industries. In 2018, the company formally presented the CAX concept, framework, and business model to Afreximbank for partnership and institutional backing.

Following engagements with Times Multimedia on the CAX proposal, Afreximbank in 2020 launched its own initiative known as the Creative Africa Nexus, CANEX. Times Multimedia alleges that CANEX substantially adopted the core concept, objectives, and structure of CAX without license, attribution, or contractual agreement, leading to the present suit for intellectual property infringement.

Afreximbank and other defendants filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection, contending that the bank enjoys immunity from judicial proceedings in Nigeria under the _Afreximbank Establishment Agreement, 1993_, Section 9 of the _Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act_, Cap D1, LFN 2004, and the _African Export-Import Bank (Privileges and Immunities) Order, 2014_.

Afreximbank was established in October 1993 by African governments and investors to promote intra-African trade. Nigeria is a founding signatory. Article 50 of the Establishment Agreement provides that the Bank enjoys immunity from legal process except to the extent that it expressly waives such immunity.

Counsel to Times Multimedia Ltd. opposed the objection. Counsel argued that the immunity claimed by Afreximbank is not absolute, and that the same Establishment Agreement contains provisions contemplating circumstances where the bank may be sued or subjected to judicial proceedings, particularly in respect of commercial transactions.

The claimant’s legal team further urged the court to interpret the relevant instruments holistically and to avoid any construction that would unjustifiably deny an aggrieved Nigerian entity access to court in the absence of a clear and express exclusion of the court’s jurisdiction, as guaranteed under Section 6(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.

Counsel for both sides argued extensively for over one hour. At the end of proceedings, Justice Osiagor reserved the matter for ruling and adjourned the case to Monday, 29 September 2026.

The ruling will determine whether the suit can proceed against Afreximbank before the Federal High Court.

Featured

Fake Agency Scandal: NDC Demands Gbajabiamila’s Sack

Published

2 days ago

July 3, 2026

Eric

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to an alleged multi-billion-naira corruption scandal involving a purported non-existent government agency, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the opposition party described the allegations as grave and said Gbajabiamila’s continued stay in office could compromise any credible investigation into the matter.

The NDC’s demand follows allegations made by Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the PFIPC, an agency the Presidency has publicly denied exists.

According to the party, the allegations raise serious concerns about transparency, accountability and integrity within the Tinubu administration.

The NDC alleged that despite the Presidency’s denial of the agency’s existence, the PFIPC purportedly secured budgetary allocations in the 2026 Appropriation Act and opened a domiciliary account, a Pound Sterling account and a Treasury Single Account (TSA) domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The party questioned how an agency described as non-existent could allegedly establish multiple high-level government financial accounts without official approval or the required documentation.

It also called on the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to explain whether forged documents were used in processing the accounts.

The statement further alleged that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved 314 staff positions for the purported agency, describing the development as another issue requiring urgent explanation.

According to the NDC, the allegations also include claims that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s take-off grant, reportedly valued at N27.39 billion, a request Adeyemi allegedly rejected.

The party also cited Adeyemi’s claim that he secured his appointment through the Chief of Staff after allegedly paying N600 million, of which N400 million was allegedly paid through proxies, while N200 million remained outstanding.

It said the alleged unpaid balance reportedly contributed to the Presidency’s subsequent denial of the agency’s existence.

The NDC further alleged that the claims point to a wider pattern of institutional corruption, including the alleged sale of public appointments.

The party also linked the controversy to the death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom it described as an intermediary between Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff.

According to the statement, Tanimola reportedly died in a fire incident at a hotel in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, a day after the police reportedly received a petition from the Chief of Staff.

The NDC also referenced Adeyemi’s claims that he survived multiple assassination attempts, including an attack along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on September 7, 2025, and alleged that certain individuals within government are plotting to eliminate him.

Against the backdrop of the allegations, the party demanded the immediate removal of Gbajabiamila to allow what it described as a full and impartial investigation.

It also called on President Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel to examine the alleged operations of the PFIPC, including its budgetary allocations, financial transactions, account openings and staff recruitment.

The NDC further urged investigators to probe the circumstances surrounding Tanimola’s death and the alleged assassination attempts on Adeyemi, while recommending that Adeyemi be granted witness protection.

The party also demanded that the Chief of Staff produce all official documents signed since assuming office for forensic examination.

In addition, it called for the questioning of officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation over their alleged roles in the matter.

The opposition party also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force to commence what it described as a thorough investigation without fear or favour.

“The NDC will not accept the usual tactic of issuing a mere defensive press release from the Presidency as a deflective ploy. Nigerians deserve to know the truth through a transparent process that promotes fairness and justice,” the statement said.

The Presidency has previously maintained that the PFIPC is not a recognised government agency.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila had responded to the fresh allegations contained in the NDC statement.

Featured

Glo-sponsored African Voices Features Former CNN Anchor, Isha Sesay

Published

2 days ago

July 3, 2026

Eric

Accomplished journalist and former Cable News Network (CNN) International anchor, Isha Sesay, will this week return to the studios of the global news network, not as an interviewer, but as the subject of its celebrated 30-minute magazine programme, African Voices, sponsored by telecommunications giant, Globacom.

The episode will shine a spotlight on the remarkable journey of the distinguished broadcaster whose career has traversed some of the most influential corridors of international journalism.

The 50-year-old British-Sierra Leonean media personality, born on January 6, 1976, rose to prominence through an illustrious career at CNN, which she joined as a news anchor in 2005 after distinguished stints with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Sky News. Over the years, Sesay became one of the most recognisable and respected faces in global television news, bringing clarity and composure to some of the world’s most consequential stories.

An alumna of Trinity College, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Sesay steadily carved a distinctive niche for herself in broadcast journalism. In 2009, she became the host of the inaugural edition of International Desk, CNN’s weekly news programme, further cementing her reputation as a journalist of substance and international standing.

Her career afforded her the opportunity to engage with numerous eminent personalities, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and his successor, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, among other notable global figures.

Sesay also contributed to Anderson Cooper 360° as presenter of the 360 Bulletin, a role she assumed on January 17, 2011. Subsequently, she was reassigned as anchor of another flagship news programme, CNN NewsCenter, continuing a professional trajectory that reflected both versatility and excellence.

Beyond the newsroom, Sesay has demonstrated a deep commitment to social impact. In 2014, she launched her educational and humanitarian non-profit advocacy initiative for the African girl-child. The organisation, aptly named Women Everywhere Can Lead, has since provided educational support and empowerment opportunities aimed at nurturing a new generation of female leaders across the continent.

More recently, Sesay captured public attention with her personal journey into motherhood, welcoming her first child through In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) as a single mother. Her experience has resonated with many women around the world, adding another compelling chapter to a life story already rich in courage, resilience and inspiration.

On this edition of African Voices, Sesay will share insights into her distinguished career, her enduring advocacy for girls’ education and empowerment, as well as her new and deeply personal adventure into motherhood. The programme will air on Saturday at 7.30am.

Repeat broadcasts will follow at 11.00am on the same day, while additional screenings are scheduled for Sunday at 3.30am and 6.00pm. Further rebroadcasts will air on Monday at 3.00am and 5.45pm, and on Tuesday at 5.45 pm, with the same time belt continuing into the following week until Monday at 3.00am