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PECAN Celebrates 30th Anniversary, Installs Kunle Williams as President General

Published

7 years ago

November 28, 2019

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Banquet hall of The Providence by Mantis Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, was literarily booming with excitement as guests, colleagues, well wishers, associates, friends and family members gather to witness the investiture of PCO Kunle Williams as he becomes the president General of the Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN).

The event, which brought together the who is who in pest control business, also had in attendance stakeholders in health management, notable industrialists, government and inter-government agency officials as well as men and women of goodwill. It was more importantly, a veritable platform to celebrate the association’s 30 years of existence and keeping malaria as well as other killer pests at bay.

With the theme, MALARIA ELIMINATION THROUGH EFFECTIVE VECTOR MANAGEMENT, the programme, supervised the decoration of Kunle Williams as the new president, launch of N50 million fund for mosquito control programmes in rural areas, conferment of awards on deserving members of the society and induction of new member-companies into the fold of PECAN.

The programme, solidly in the hands of a grounded Compere, Saint Black, kickstarted with the recognition of notable personalities among others present, and prompted protocol with the colourful decoration of the president in waiting.

In his welcome address, the chairman of the occasion and Chief Executive Officer, Elizade Motors, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, eulogised PECAN as well as the good work they have been involved in, in the last 30 years. He also had some good remarks for the president, Mr. Williams whose tenure he prayed will be successful and full of beneficial experience. Chief Ade-Ojo’s presence at the event was short-lived as he handed over to Chief Ayo Jakun, who deputized for him and excellently anchored affairs.

Performing the investiture, the out going president, PCO Ayo Ogunyadeeka, praised the qualities of Mr. Williams, asking him to keep the flag flying and continue to live up to expectation.

“By this investiture, you are granted the privilege to be the voice of PECAN, and never to do anything to bring it to disrepute, either in your private or public life,” Ogunyadeeka said.

Chief Ayo Jagun and Rt. Rev. James Olusola Odedeji

In his acceptance, Williams thanked the entire of PECAN for reposing confidence in him and making him their president. He also pledge utmost loyalty to the association and work to raising the standard the former presidents have set.

“On my honour, I’ll live up to expectation, and serve to better the lots of member companies and uplift the standard of the association through advocacy, inter-agency cooperation and many others. Thank you for choosing me. I promise I won’t let you down,” Williams enthused.

Rep of Lagos First Lady, Mrs Omotosho receiving award from PCO Ogunyadeeka

Williams’ investiture was followed by the lecture of the day by a Public Health Entomologist from the University of Lagos, Prof. Ayo Awolola.

Prof Awolola’s lecture titled Effective Vector Management as a Panacea for Malaria Control, was captivating, down to earth, and highly inspirational. Awolola took the audience down memory lane, explaining in copious details the whys and hows of mosquito infestation and transmission of malaria. He noted that Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo are the two countries that bear the burden of malaria in Africa. While Nigeria bears 27 per cent, DRC bears 10 per cent.

During a short drama sketch on malaria

Hear him: “Malaria cannot be wiped out just by controlling mosquitoes because there will always be mosquitoes. What we need is a strong health system to get rid of malaria, and that entails an integrated vector control management because one method cannot control spread of mosquitoes. We need an integrated approach that can attack the larva, pupa and adult stage of mosquito breeding as well as appropriate health system.”

The event was spiced up with a cultural drama presentation on the dangers of mosquitoes and how it could be curbed just as Tomi Sax and his crew serenaded the atmosphere with eloquent music in addition to excellent cuisine served from the stable of Providence by Mantis.

Tomi Sax serenading the audience

The wife of the PECAN President, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Williams, was on hand to present plaques of honour to awardees in their moments of glory. Among the personalities who were conferred with GVMP and MVP awards were the Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the wife of the Commissioner for Information, Mrs Gbenga Omotoso. Others include Dr. Chioma Amajoh (Mama Malaria), Registrar, Environment Health Registration Council of Nigeria. Dr. Dominic Abonyi, National President, EHOAN, Sanitarian (Dr.) Sam Akingbeyin, Managing Director, Refuse Management Board, Kano, Hon. Abdullahi Gwarzo; MD, Masters Energy Oil and Gas, Bar (Mrs.) Patience Dappa; Chairman, Harvetfield Industries Limited, Prince Martins Awofisayo; Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, Alhaji Mohammed Bambado; Prof Sam Awolola, Immediate Past Peresident, PCO Ayo Ogunyadeeka and Director-General, Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Timothy Osulale Olawale.

With donations from kind hearted Nigerians towards kill mosquitoes, kill malaria in rural communities initiative, to complement the efforts of various governments, it was obvious that a lot of positives will be seen at the end of the day.

A product of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Kunle Williams is happily married to Oluwatoyin, and they are blessed with two children, Oluwatomisin and Ayooluwatomiwa.

Featured

Fake Agency Scandal: NDC Demands Gbajabiamila’s Sack

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

Featured

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

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Eric

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.