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Ovation Editor, Michael Effiong Becomes President, Rotary Club Of Ikeja South

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Editor, Ovation International Magazine, Mr Michael Effiong James has taken office as the 33rd President, Rotary Club of Ikeja South, District 9110, Nigeria.

Past Assistant Governor/ Chief Of Staff to District Governor Rtn Anthonia Taiwo , Doyen, Rtn Oliver Ogbonna with Rtn Victor Ozomoge

Mr Kunle watches on as outgoing President,Rtn Yinka Adeosun with new President, Rtn Michael Effiong James embrace

The handing over ceremony, a cosy and lively affair, held at Adna Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos was attended by personalities such as Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Bashorun Dele Momodu and Publisher, Encomium Magazine, Mr Kunle Bakare.

Past President, Adeniyi Otunuyi & Bashorun Dele Momodu enjoying a Rotary Song

Rtn Julius Nwokoro, Rtn Michael Effiong & wife, Mrs Oluwakemi James with Rtn Barth Ufoegbunam

In his handover speech, outgoing President, Rtn Yinka Adeosun thanked members for their support during the 2018-19 Rotary year and stated that his tenure recorded tremendous success in terms of membership growth and contribution to Rotary Foundation.

 

Rtn Michael James delivering his inaugural speech

He also revealed that Rotary Club of Ikeja South won Rotary Citation with Presidential Distinction from Rotary International.

Past President Azuh Arinze, Rtn Michael Effiong & District Governor Nominee, Rtn Remi Bello

Rtn Bayo Adesakin, Rtn Ibiyemi Eseyin with Rtn Akinbobola

Shortly after, he then performed the official hand over which elicited cheers from all present.

Mr Kunle Bakare, presenting his short talk

In his inaugural speech, Rtn Michael Effiong who joined the international service organisation in 2012, noted that the official installation will be held on November 10, 2019 to commemorate his 50th birthday, adding that he was humbled by the opportunity to serve humanity.

Rtn Yinka Adeosun, Rtn Olufemi Akerele, President Michael Effiong, Rtn Barth Ufoegbunam & Rtn Funmi Abe

Rtn Omolara, Segun Adebowale, GM, Ovation TV, President Michael Effiong with Rtn Barth Ufoegbunam

Pastor Adesoji Adeniran, wife Tolani & son, Imisioluwa with President

Rtn Azuh Arinze witj Rtn Anuoluwapo Oshunkeye

Rtn Bankole Shonubi

President Michael Effiong with Mr Remi Aboderin, Secretary-General, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control

Doyen, Rtn Oliver Ogbonna

Rtn James who is also Coordinating Editor, The Boss Newspaper,  revealed that his projects will focus on such areas as Basic Education and Literacy, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water and Sanitation as well as Economic and Community Development.

Michael Effiong with younger brother, Asuquo James of TV Continental

Past President Azuh Arinze,  President Michael Effiong with Past President, Rotary Club of Lagos, Rtn Ehi Braimah

Rtn Victor Ozomoge, President with Rtn Bayo Adesakin

Mr Shina Badru( far left) with other guests

Rtn Abiodun Adeloye, Rtn Barth Ufoegbunam with Rtn Kikelomo Oteri

Ovation’s Photo Editor, Adekoya Adegbite with Bianca Ugowanne, Presenter, Ovation TV

Rtn Rita Eze

Ovation Staff: Promise Osewa, Temitope Ogunleye, Anuoluwapo Openiyi & Tunde Bolarinwa

While promising to add 45 new members to turn RC Ikeja South to a mega club, he promised to introduce innovate ideas that will retain current members and improve the club’s contribution to the Polio Plus fund as well as Rotary Foundation.

PP Azuh Arinze, PP Julius Nwokoro, Mr Kunle Bakare with Presidemt Michael Effiong

 

Rtn Tosin Disu & Rtn Akunna Nworgu

Immediate Past President, Yinka Adeosun, President Michael Effiong, Club Secretary, Rtn Bernice Eriemeghe with club Treasurer, Rtn Omolara Omotosho

In the course of the fun-filled evening, where the District’s $1m Challenge was also launched, Mr Bakare delivered a talk on ” Grooming And The Secrets of Dressing Well”.

Past President, Rotary Club of Omole Golden, Rtn Abiodun Oshinibosi with District Governor Nominee, Rtn Remi Bello

Mr President, Rtn Funmi Abe, Rtn Abiodun Adeloye with Rtn Omolara Omotosho

Cross section of Rotarians:Rtn Abiodun Oshinibosi, Rtn Rita Eze, Rtn Akinbobola & Rtn Adeleke Yusuf

Rtn Yinka Adeosun, Rtn Durotimi Adeboye, President Michael Effiong &,Rtn Adebayo Adesakin

Rtn Kikelomo Oteri, Rtn Azuh Arinze, Rtn Joy Agbo,Rtn Yinka Adeosun, President Michael Effiong, Rtn Bernice Eriemeghe, Rtn Funmi Abe

Preident, GOCOP, Mr Dotun Oladipo & wife, Taiwo with Presilent Michael Effiong

 

R- l: Rtn Otunuyi, Rtn Durotimi Adeboye, Rtn Azuh Arinze with Preident & Past Assistant Governor, Adeniyi Adesanya

Guests in attendance included: Rtn. Abiodun Oshinibosi, Mr Dotun Oladipo, President, Guild Of Corporate Online Publishers Of Nigeria and wife, Taiwo, Secretary-General, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Mr Remi Aboderin, Pastor Soji Adeniran & wife, Tolani, Mrs Ayoola Ikhizama, Mr Kunle Rasheed, Mr Shina Badru, Mr Segun Adebowale, Ms Ladun Oyediran, Mrs Toyin Aiyegbusi, Mrs Bolaji Aina and TVC’s Asuquo James.

Pix by Segun Lawal for Ovation International

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Fake Agency Scandal: NDC Demands Gbajabiamila’s Sack

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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.

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

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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

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President Tinubu Addresses Wife, Remi, As ‘Iya Alakara’

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President Bola Tinubu drew laughter at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner on Thursday, after playfully referring to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as “Iya Alakara”, a Yoruba phrase meaning “the woman who sells bean cakes”

The light-hearted moment happened during the inaugural dinner at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja as the President welcomed guests.

Addressing the audience, Tinubu said: “Good evening, gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, Iya Alakara.”

The audience laughed as the First Lady smiled.

The remark referred to recent online reactions to comments made by Oluremi Tinubu about small businesses.

At a recent event under the Renewed Hope Initiative, she encouraged women to consider small businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli, saying they need little start-up capital.

Her comments sparked debate on social media, with some Nigerians saying the advice did not reflect the country’s current economic situation.

Responding to the criticism days later, the First Lady said her remarks were misunderstood and explained that the programme supports different types of small traders and provides grants to help them grow.

The President’s remark was widely seen as a light joke about the online debate over the First Lady’s comments and public concerns about the country’s economic situation.

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