Headline

Sanwo-Olu, Kuku, Saraki, Momodu, Adetu, Ajayi, Others Hail Ovation Editor, Michael Effiong James As He turns 50, becomes President Rotary Club, Ikeja South

Published

6 years ago

November 16, 2019

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

It was an admixture of fun, class, colour, glamour and showmanship as celebrated Nigerians from all walks of life lauded Editor, Ovation International Magazine Editor, Mr. Michael Effiong James as he hit the golden age of 50 in addition to becoming the 33rd President of the Rotary Club of Ikeja South.

Held at the Main Hall, Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja, the venue was filled to capacity with heavyweights and Compere, popular Comedian, Tunde Adewale Tee A had a herculean task recognising guests in the course of the wondrous ceremony.

The multifaceted gathering which witnessed the installation of Michael Effiong as the 33rd President of the Rotary Club of Ikeja South, celebration of his 50th birthday, induction of new members into the Rotary family and inauguration of members Board of Directors, kicked off with the singing of the Rotary grace shortly after the arrival of the dashing journalist, his delectable wife, Oluwakemi and two adorable children-Kufreabasi and Anietientebasi.

With a call to order by Immediate Past President, Rtn Yinka Adeosun, the business of the day kicked off properly just as the Doyen of Past Presidents led the procession that joyfully ushered in the President-in-waiting after which he took his place among notable dignitaries on the top table such as Olor’ogun Dr. Sonny Kuku (Chairman), Otunba Seni Adetu (Guest Speaker) & wife, Janet, HRM Oba Adedokun Abolarin, HRM Oba Saheed Elegushi, Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi & Husband, Dr Ademuyiwa Ajayi and Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the event and Co-Founder, Eko Hospitals, Oloro’ogun (Dr.) Sonny Kuku, described Mr. Effiong James as a personality who has given his best to his profession and has affected the lives of many with his work. Dr. Kuku encouraged him to continue be his original self and live his life to supply succour to all and sundry. He promised guests a wondrous and fun filled time.

The Installation Chairman, Past present Azuh Arinze thanked guests for attending the event and noted that the event has been planned to be exciting and memorable. He reminded guests that the day was to raise funds as well as have fun.

Guest Speaker, Otunba Seni Adetu in a very incisive and cerebral presentation titled “Winning in the Corporate World”, 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.

Chief Dele Momodu and Prince Bisi Olatilo

Adetu also highlighted that for any leaders 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 after which he and wife who were celebrating their 29th birthday were presented a surprise cake by members of Rotary Club of Ikeja South.

Then, after a speech outlining his achievement, the immediate past president, Rtn Yinka Adeoson aided by past presidents and Oba Saheed Elegushi installed the new president.

Royal father

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. Full of emotion, he called for a minute silence in honour of his departed parents. While itemising his projects, he stated that he has various water, sanitation and education projects that will be executed in Lagos State but noted “the project closest to my heart is the refurbishment of the dilapidated state of Temidire Primary School, Olambe, Ogun State’

His speech was punctuated with a short documentary on the dilapidated state of the institution prompting dignitaries to make pledges to the delight of all present.

The evening also saw awards being presented to Olajide Adediran of Jandor Foundation and and Hurlag Technologies Limited. The newly inducted members were Dr Elisha Attai, Fateema Aduke Mohammed, Nelson Ndubuisi Collins and Casmir I. Anyanwu.

In their individual remarks, special guests showered encomiums on Effiong, describing him as an achiever of no mean abilities.

The Chairman of Ovation media Group, Chief Dele Momodu, who doubles as Effiong’s immediate boss was also full of joy having produced a ‘worthy successor’ to the Ovation dynasty.

He said: “Tonight, I’m letting the cat out of the bag. We call Mike the Olorogun of Journalism. And that was the reason he got another Olor’ogun Dr Sonny Kuku to be Chairman of today. He is my second in command, and has been very dutiful, very loyal. It is impossible not to know Michael if you know Ovation. That means that Michael is synonymous with Ovation. And I always say it that a successful man without successors is a useless man. So I’m very proud to say we have a worthy successor in Olorogun Mike.

“When I asked him how his birthday was going to be, he told that it was not about his birthday, but about giving back to the society. That it is Rotary event and his birthday is secondary. That is a selfless man. I know that Olorogun Mike will tonight receive more from Almighty God and mankind,”

The Ovation Family

Delivering Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s message, his representative Mr. Kanmi Osobu, said it was a good thing to be at Effiong 50th birthday celebration and installation as 33rd president of Rotary club, Ikeja South. He described the celebrant as a worthy journalist who has used his profession to elevate society. He also praised the good work of Rotary and the organisation’s tremendous philanthropic work.

Lending credence to the already selfless life and character of the celebrant, former aide of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa said she had known Michael as a young reporter in Fame and has remained consistent. She wished him well and promised to support his cause.

Prayerful Woman of God, Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi on her part, showered the celebrant with prayers and then promised to ensure that he will accomplish his dream projects. Noting the President’s tenure is already a success going by the calibre of people that turned out at the event.

The presence of the wife of former Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki, was felt as she sent a recorded goodwill message from Nairobi, Kenya where she described the Rotary President in glowing terms, urging him to continue the good work of putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged.

Flanked by his immediate family, the highly elated man of the moment cut his birthday cake amidst deafening cheers and glad wishes. It was not without the cascading of prayers from the one and only K1 the Ultimate, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, who performed for a few minutes to the delight of all present. Guests were further thrilled by the famous Shuga Band and World-class DJ, Cool DJ Jimmy Jatt. Guests were also pampered with canapés by Saheeto & Cocktails by Depotters while Ksquare Security ensured everyone was safe and sound. Of course, Segun Inawole of Inawolay Creates & Abelini handled decor and technicals.

An elated Michael Effiong, who adorned a pin-tripped suit by David Wej noted that he was humbled by the expression of love. He thanked God God for keeping him hale and hearty, and promised to ensure that he delivers all the projects he had planned in order to make the necessary impact.

The roll call of guests at the event which was rounded with a vote of thanks by Club Doyen, Rtn Oliver Ogbonna included: HRM, 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, Janet; 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 of Vivid Imagination, Mr Lanre Ogunlesi of Sofisticat, Hajia Bisi Shuabu, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Benny Obaze, Arch. Biodun Fari-Arole, Mr. Abisoye Fagade, Pastor Dotun Ojelabi, Pastor Femi Faseru, Gbemisola & Kunle Aluko, Femi Akintunde-Johnson (FAJ), Rtn Bala Yesufu, Rtn Ade Adenekan, Rtn Niyi Adelaja, Chief Gbenga Obasa, Rtn Ehi Braimah, District Governor-elect, Jire Anifalaje, Kunle Afolayan, Rtn Bola Oyebade, Rtn Winifred Igweonu, Rtn Uche Ukah & Annie Esseinette.

Former Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru and accomplished entrepreneur, Mr. Bayo Fatusin, Otunba Dayo Adeneye, Dayo Adedayo, Dr Reuben Abati, Femi Awoyemi, Lanre Ogunlesi, Charles Otudor, Ayo Animashaun, Ayeni Adekunle, Wale Adebajo, Debo Ayoade, Solomon Kolade Olotu, Fela Amosu, Hakeem Anjolaiya, Richard Akinnola, Mayor Akinpelu, Prince Damola Aderemi, Ayo Aminu, UBA’s Ramon Nasir, Access Bank’s Abdul Imoyo, former Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, accomplished entrepreneur, Mr. Bayo Fatusin, Remi Aboderin and Mudi.

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 & wife, Mojeed Jamiu, Niran Adedokun, Ajayi Oyebo, Pastor Soji Adediran and wife,Tolani, the Director of Hurlag Technologies, , Abib Aruna, Azuka Ogujuiba, Kemi Akinyemi, Bayo Ogori, Kunle Afolayan, Chief Larry Ofuokwu, Oladele Ogunlana, Prince Folarin Ogunsanwo, Alara of Ilara-elect, Aare Olanrewaju Yakub, Former Lagos State Commissioner, Mr Steve Ayorinde, Mike Dada & wife, Dupe; Oye Balogun, Funso Arogundade, Mr Debo Adeniran & wife, Imisioluwa Adediran, Mrs Elizabeth Adegbite, Mrs Bisola Abegunde, Ms Deola Owolabi, Mr Deji Owolabi & wife, Wole Olagundoye, Seun Soyinka, Akin Adeoya, Mr Segun Inawole & wife, Loye Amsat, Henry Alade & Arch. Niyi Adelaja.

Headline

Opposition Parties Reject 2026 Electoral Act, Demand Fresh Amendment

Published

10 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Eric

Opposition political parties have rejected the 2026 Electoral Act recently passed by the National Assembly, which President Bola Tinubu swiftly signed into law.

The parties called on the National Assembly to immediately begin a fresh amendment process to remove what they described as “all obnoxious provisions” in the law.

Their position was made known at a press briefing themed “Urgent Call to Save Nigeria’s Democracy,” held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Thursday.

In a communiqué read by the Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Ahmed Ajuji, the opposition leaders stated:

“We demand that the National Assembly immediately commence a fresh amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, to remove all obnoxious provisions and ensure that the Act reflects only the will and aspiration of Nigerians for free, fair, transparent and credible electoral process in our country. Nothing short of this will be acceptable to Nigerians.”

Some of the opposition leaders present in at the event include former Senate President David Mark; former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, all from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ahmed Ajuji, and other prominent members of the NNPP, notably Buba Galadima, were also in attendance.

The coalition said the amended law, signed by Bola Tinubu, contains “anti-democratic” clauses, which they argue may weaken electoral transparency and public confidence in the voting system.

At the centre of the opposition’s concerns is the amendment to Section 60(3), which allows presiding officers to rely on manual transmission of election results where there is communication failure.

According to the coalition, the provision weakens the mandatory electronic transmission of results and could create loopholes for manipulation.

They argued that Nigeria’s electoral technology infrastructure is sufficient to support nationwide electronic transmission, citing previous assurances by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The parties also rejected the amendment to Section 84, which restricts political parties to direct primaries and consensus methods for candidate selection.

They described the change as an unconstitutional intrusion into the internal affairs of parties, insisting that indirect primaries remain a legitimate democratic option.

The opposition cited alleged irregularities in the recent Federal Capital Territory local government elections as evidence of what they described as a broader pattern of electoral compromise.

They characterised the polls as a “complete fraud” and said the outcome has deepened their lack of confidence in the ability of the electoral system to deliver credible elections in 2027.

The coalition also condemned reported attacks on leaders of the African Democratic Congress in Edo State, describing the incidents as a serious threat to democratic participation and political tolerance.

They warned that increasing violence against opposition figures could destabilise the political environment if not urgently addressed.

In their joint statement, the opposition parties pledged to pursue “every constitutional means” to challenge the Electoral Act 2026 and safeguard voters’ rights.

“We will not be intimidated,” the leaders said, urging civil society organisations and citizens to support efforts aimed at protecting Nigeria’s democratic system.

On February 18, 2026, President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act (Amendment) 2026 into law following its passage by the National Assembly. The Act introduced several reforms, including statutory recognition of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and revised election timelines.

However, opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have also called for further amendments, particularly over the manual transmission fallback clause, which critics say leaves room for manipulation.

The president said the law will strengthen democracy and prevent voter disenfranchisement.

Tinubu defended manual collation of results, questioned Nigeria’s readiness for full real-time electronic transmission, and warned against technical glitches and hacking.

The Electoral Act sparked intense debate in the National Assembly over how election results should be transmitted ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Civil society groups under the “Occupy NASS” campaign demanded real-time transmission to curb manipulation.

In the Senate, lawmakers clashed during consideration of Clause 60, which allows manual transmission of results if electronic transmission fails.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South) demanded a formal vote to remove the proviso permitting manual transmission, arguing against weakening real-time electronic reporting.

The move led to a heated exchange on the floor, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio initially suggesting the demand had been withdrawn.

After procedural disputes and a brief confrontation among senators, a division was conducted. Fifteen opposition senators voted against retaining the manual transmission proviso, while 55 supported it, allowing the clause to stand.

Earlier proceedings had briefly stalled during clause-by-clause review, prompting consultations and a closed-door session.

In the House of Representatives, a similar disagreement came up over a motion to rescind an earlier decision that mandated compulsory real-time electronic transmission of results to IReV.

Although the “nays” were louder during a voice vote, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas ruled in favour of rescinding the decision, triggering protests and an executive session.

Headline

AFP: How Tinubu’s Govt Paid Boko Haram ‘Huge’ Ransom, Released Two Terrorists for Kidnapped Saint Mary’s Pupils

Published

3 days ago

February 24, 2026

Eric

The Nigerian government paid Boko Haram militants a “huge” ransom of millions of dollars to free up to 230 children and staff the jihadists abducted from a Catholic school in November, an AFP investigation revealed Monday.

Two Boko Haram commanders were also freed as part of the deal, which goes against the country’s own law banning payments to kidnappers. The money was delivered by helicopter to Boko Haram’s Gwoza stronghold in northeastern Borno state on the border with Cameroon, intelligence sources told AFP.

The decision to pay the militants is likely to irritate US President Donald Trump, who ordered air strikes on jihadists in northern Nigeria on Christmas Day and has been sent military trainers to help support Nigerian forces.

Nigerian government officials deny any ransom was paid to the armed gang that snatched close to 300 schoolchildren and staff from St. Mary’s boarding school in Papiri in central Niger state on November 21. At least 50 later managed to escape their captors.

Boko Haram has not been previously linked to the kidnapping, but sources told AFP one of its most feared commanders was behind the mass abduction: the notorious jihadist known as Sadiku.

He infamously held up a train from the capital in 2022 and netted hefty ransoms for the release of government officials and other well-off passengers.

Boko Haram, which has waged a bloody insurgency since 2009, is strongest in northeast Nigeria.

But a cell in central Niger state operates under Sadiku’s leadership. The St. Mary’s pupils and staff were freed after two weeks of negotiations led by Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, with the government insisting no ransom was paid. Nigeria’s State Security Service flatly denied paying any money, saying “government agents don’t pay ransoms”.

However, four intelligence sources familiar with the talks told AFP the government paid a “huge” ransom to get the pupils back. One source put it at 40 million naira per head – around $7 million in total.

Another put the figure lower at two billion naira overall. The money was delivered by chopper to Ali Ngulde, a Boko Haram commander in the northeast, three sources told AFP.

Due to the lack of communications cover in the remote area, Ngulde had to cross into Cameroon to confirm delivery of the ransom before the first group of 100 children were released.

Nigeria has long been plagued by mass abductions, with criminals and jihadist groups sometimes working together to extort millions from hostages’ families, and authorities seemingly powerless to stop them.

Source: Africanews

Headline

Unlawful Invasion: El-Rufai Drags ICPC, IGP, Others to Court, Demands N1bn Damages

Published

4 days ago

February 23, 2026

Eric

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has slammed a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for what he claimed was an unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.

El-Rufai, in a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, also listed the Chief Magistrate, Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, Abuja Magisterial District; Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as 2nd to 4th respondents respectively.

According to the suit filed through his lawyers, led by Oluwole Iyamu, El-Rufai prayed the court to declare that the search warrant issued on February 4 by the Chief Magistrate, Magistrate’s Court of the FCT (2nd respondent), authorising the search and seizure at his residence as invalid, null and void.

Security operatives had stormed and searched the former Governor’s residence in the ongoing investigations against him.

However, he argued in the case marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, that the search was in violation of Section 37 of the Constitution, and urged the court to declare that the search warrant was “null and void for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause thereby constituting an unlawful and unreasonable search.”

In the suit dated and filed February 20 by Iyamu, ex-governor, who is currently under detention, sought seven reliefs.

He prayed the court to declare that the invasion and search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on Feb. 19 at about 2pm and executed by agents of ICPC and I-G, “under the aforesaid invalid warrant, amounts to a gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Constitution.”

He urged the court to declare that “any evidence obtained pursuant to the aforesaid invalid warrant and unlawful search is inadmissible in any proceedings against the applicant, as it was procured in breach of constitutional safeguards.”

El-Rufai, therefore, sought an order of injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further relying on, using, or tendering any evidence or items seized during the unlawful search in any investigation, prosecution, or proceedings involving him.

“An order directing the Ist and 3rd respondents (ICPC and I-G) to forthwith return all items seized from the applicant’s premises during the unlawful search, together with a detailed inventory thereof.

“An order awarding the sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) as general, exemplary, and aggravated damages against the respondents jointly and severally for the violations of the applicant’s fundamental rights, including trespass, unlawful seizure, and the resultant psychological trauma, humiliation, distress, infringement of privacy, and reputational harm.”

The breakdown of the ₦1 billion in damages includes “a N300 million as compensatory damages for psychological trauma, emotional distress, and loss of personal security;

“A ₦400 million as exemplary damages to deter future misconduct by law enforcement agencies and vindicate the applicant’s rights.

“A ₦300 million as aggravated damages for the malicious, high-handed and oppressive nature of the respondents’ actions, including the use of a patently defective warrant procured through misleading representations.”

He equally sought ₦100 million as the cost of filing the suit, including legal fees and associated expenses.

Iyamu argued that the search warrant was fundamentally defective, lacking specificity in the description of items to be seized, containing material typographical errors, ambiguous execution terms, overbroad directives, and no verifiable probable cause.

He added that the warrant violated Sections 143-148 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015; Section 36 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Act, 2000, and constitutional protections against arbitrary intrusions and several other constitutional provisions.

“Section 146 stipulates that the warrant must be in the prescribed form, free from defects that could mislead, but the document is riddled with errors in the address, date, and district designation;

“Section 147 allows direction to specified persons, but the warrant’s indiscriminate addressing to “all officers is overbroad and unaccountable.

“Section 148 permits execution at reasonable times, but the contradictory language creates ambiguity, undermining procedural clarity,” he submitted.

Iyamu stated that the execution of the invalid warrant on Feb. 19 resulted in an unlawful invasion of his client’s premises, constituting violations of the rights to dignity (Section 34), personal liberty (Section 35), fair hearing (Section 36), and privacy (Section 37) of the Constitution.

He further argued that the search was conducted without legal justification and in a manner that inflicted humiliation and distress.

“Evidence obtained without a valid warrant is unlawful and inadmissible, as established in judicial precedents such as C.O.P. v. Omoh (1969) NCLR 137, where the court ruled that evidence procured through improper means contravenes fundamental rights and must be excluded,” he said.

In the affidavit in support of the application, Mohammed Shaba, a Principal Secretary to the former governor, averred that on Feb. 19 at about 2p.m., officers from the ICPC and Nigeria Police Force invaded the residence under a purported search warrant issued on or about Feb. 4.

According to him, the said warrant is invalid due to its lack of specificity, errors, and other defects as outlined in the grounds of this application.

He said the “search warrant did not specify the properties or items being searched for.”

Shaba stated that the officers failed to submit themselves for search as provided by the law before proceeding with the search.

“That the Magistrate did not specify the magisterial district wherein he sits.

“That during the invasion, the officers searched the applicant’s premises without lawful authority, seized personal items including documents and electronic devices, and caused the applicant undue humiliation, psychological trauma, and distress.

“Now shown to me and marked as ‘EXHIBIT B’ Is the list of the items carted away.

“That no items seized have been returned, and the respondents continue to rely on the unlawful evidence.

“That the applicant suffered violations of his constitutional rights as a result, and this application is brought in good faith to enforce same,” Shaba said.

Source: Naijanews.com