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Transition: The Life and Times of Seasoned Diplomat, Ibukunolu Babajide

Published

3 years ago

June 22, 2023

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

A sad day it was on June 18, 2023, when the cold hands of death descended on and snatched a loving and near perfect gentleman, Ibukunolu Alao Olatokunbo Babajide, popularly and fondly known as IBK by friends, colleagues and family members.

Agile, lively and everyone’s buddy, Chief Babajide was returning to his base in South Sudan from the United States of America when he gave up the ghost during the flight, leaving behind a thriving career, rooted in humanity, philanthropism, loving family and a circle of friends anchored on camaraderie.

Born in 1961, August 3 to be precise, the family of Mr. and Mrs. Babajide, Chief Babajide’s 62 years of existence on planet earth, was eventful, inspiring and and highly innovative. He exhibited unequivocal talents of an astute, and energetic man, full of life, a prompt solution provider to everyone around him irrespective of tribe or country of origin, class or creed and portrayed high level of billiance and success. He cared for everyone.

Chief Obiora, Mr. Inaju and IBK at a UN function in South Sudan

Chief Babajide started his educational sojourn at the Lagos Baptist Academy in 1972, and graduated with the set of 1977.

It is instructive to note that Chief Babajide’s academic life was as brilliant and excellent as what he eventually became in his entire professional life. A proud alumnus of the great Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife where he studied Law between 1978 and 1982, obtaining a Bachelors of Law (LL.B) before proceeding to Law School.

Chief with former Ambassador to South Sudan, Amb. Obinna with Nigeria community Chairman, Agunnaya

His quest for continuous learning and more knowledge brought him back to the ivory tower in 1984 to pursue a Masters Degree also in Law and of the same Obafemi Awolowo University. He finished in flying colours in 1985.

IBK and the professional environment are like five and six as he dedicated his life to the pursuit of credible legacy, using the instrument of his educational and residual intelligence.

Patron IBK, Chief Obiora with Nigeria community in South Sudan

After his his graduation from the Law School, Babajide was called to the Bar, and superimposed the law profession in Nigeria for 26 years spanning 1983 to 2009. In between, the legal luminary was also an influential name at the prestigious Lincoln Inn, BAR OF England, exuding professionalism for an upward of 20 years between 1990 and 2010.

He was also a trial judge, attoney and prosecutor attached to the International Criminal Tribunal based in Rwanda from 1998 to 2010. He was purely a master of multitasking.

Chief IBK with Nigerian embassy staff and Nigerian community members

Again, between 2010 and 2023 when he passed away, Chief Babajide was a Senior Legal Advisor with the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission in South Sudan.

Nigerian Union in South Sudan observing a moment for IBK

Friends, colleagues, well wishers and family members have described Chief Babajide, who is also called BABA IBK as as an accomplished professional, a family-oriented man and a true leader. They recalled that during the sittings of the tribunal on the Rwandan genocide, he was so passionate at getting justice for the victims, and see that perpetrators of crime against humanity are brought to book. Of course, his passion paid off as he got reprieve for victims, and conviction for indeed he got some of the criminals convicted and they are serving their terms.

Nigerian Independence Day with Prince Adesanya and IBK

His quest to dish out humanitarian tendencies was also as strong as his passion to see that justice is given to victims of injustice. As a result, as part of his career growth, he was a humanitarian officer, touching lots of lives, spreading love, and ensuring that the milk of human kindness dropped to as many that comes in conta t with either on a personal of corporate capacity. His arms of love were open to all and sundry; Nigerian or foreigner while his diplomatic assignments lasted.

It was really a worthy 62 years of service you gave to your community, state, Nigeria and the whole at large. Though you are gone, your legacy lives on, and will remain an en encyclopedia of some sort.

Nigeria community in South Sudan observes a minute silence for IBK

Adieu Baba IKB. The world will surely miss you, buy is consoled by the fact that the footprints you left on the sand of time are indelible.

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Tinubu Nominates Oyedele As Minister of State for Finance, Moves Anite-Uzoka to Budget Ministry

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, has announced that “President Bola Tinubu has nominated Taiwo Oyedele as the minister of state for finance, replacing Doris Anite-Uzoka.

“Mrs Anite-Uzoka will now move to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, as the Minister of State, her third portfolio in the administration.

“President Tinubu has today conveyed the nomination of Mr Oyedele to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

“Until President Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Mr Oyedele from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State, was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

“Mr Oyedele, 50, is an economist, accountant and public policy expert.

“He attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance. He attended Oxford Brookes University and earned a BSc in applied accounting.

“He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

“Mr Oyedele spent 22 years of his working career at PwC, joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

“Mr Oyedele is also a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.”

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Defection: Atiku’s Son, Adamu, Resigns As Adamawa Commissioner

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

Adamu Abubakar, the first son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has resigned as Adamawa State’s commissioner for works and energy development, days after Governor Ahmadu Fintiri defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

Abubakar’s resignation letter, dated 2 March 2026, was addressed to the governor through the Secretary to the State Government. He gave no reason for his departure.

The timing is pointed. Fintiri announced his defection to the APC in a statewide broadcast last Friday, saying his cabinet and the PDP’s state structure had moved with him. Within 24 hours, 22 commissioners and special advisers publicly announced they were following suit. Abubakar, whose father remains one of the PDP’s most prominent national figures, was not among them.

In a statement issued Monday night, Abubakar’s media aide Abdulaziz Jauro said the former commissioner thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and pledged continued loyalty to the administration’s developmental agenda. He also expressed gratitude to his father “for granting him the moral support and blessing to serve the people of Adamawa State” — a line that, read in context, suggests Atiku was consulted on the decision.

Abubakar said his resignation was not a withdrawal from public life. “This does not mark the end of his commitment to public service,” the statement read, “but rather the beginning of new avenues for developmental collaboration.”

The resignation leaves unresolved the question of whether it reflects a political break with the governor over his defection or a personal decision unconnected to the broader party realignment now reshaping Adamawa’s political landscape.

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DSS Nabs Man over Assassination Attempt on Peter Obi

Published

2 days ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has detained a man in connection with the recent attack and alleged assassination threats targeting Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

According to AIT, the shooting incident took place on February 24, 2026, in Benin City, Edo State, during a political gathering attended by Obi and several figures from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The meeting was hosted by former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun. Gunmen reportedly opened fire at the venue, causing panic and forcing attendees to disperse for safety.

According to security sources, shortly after the attack, an individual identified as Udeme Monday Stephen allegedly took to social media claiming responsibility and issuing additional threats against Obi, warning of further violence.

Intelligence officials reportedly initiated swift investigations, employing digital tracing and forensic tools that led to the arrest of the 26-year-old suspect in Rivers State. He is said to be a teacher at a private secondary school in the Eliozu area of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

The suspect remains in DSS custody and is expected to face prosecution. The agency reiterated its commitment to responding to credible threats and safeguarding lives and national interests without bias.