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

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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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‘Osun is Proud of You’, Gov Adeleke Hails Davido at 32

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Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated his nephew and global music icon, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido on the occasion of his birthday, describing him as a superstar Osun State is proud of.

In a statement by his Spokesperson Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor added that Davido’s consistency, energy and passion is evident in the result he has recorded not only in his music career but also in his life as a person.

Governor Adeleke furthered prayed for progress, more success and achievement for him while commending his continuous outreach to the orphanages and less privileged stating that it is a noble act every blessed hand in Nigeria must emulate.

He said, ” I want to rejoice with my nephew, David Adeleke Davido, on the occasion of his 32nd birthday, I am very happy we are all alive to witness it.

“Davido is a global super star that Osun state is very proud of. The consistency, energy and passion he has inserted into building his music career is evident in the result he has recorded not only in his career but also in his life as a person.

“I pray for him for progress, more success and achievement in long life, prosperity, sound health and mind.

“I equally want to commend his continuous outreach to the orphanages and less privileged. I must say that this is a noble act every blessed hand in Nigeria must emulate.

“Once again Happy Birthday to Davido”.

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Glo Festival of Joy Promo: Security Trust Boss Wins Toyota Prado in Warri

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Warri was agog with excitement on Thursday as the Board Chairman of Delta State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Daniel Mayuku, became the first winner of the much coveted Toyota Prado in Globacom’s Festival of Joy promotion.

Mr Mayuku was presented the keys to the prized asset at a ceremony held by the company on Thursday, November 21, at Gloworld, Delta Mall, Warri, by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area, Chief Anthony Ofoni. Friends, admirers and other Glo subscribers joined in the celebration which turned into a carnival in the city with electrifying performances by Ema Dance Troupe.

An overjoyed Mayuku declared: “When I received the first call that I won a Prado in Glo Festival of Joy promo, I believed it was a scam and I immediately told the caller not to call me again. However, after few minutes, I started receiving calls from friends and I decided to call my friends in Glo and they confirmed it. I was in disbelief; I thought it was a scam. I jokingly asked for the car immediately and I was told to come to Glo office for verification and today the jeep has just been presented to me. Globacom is truly Nigerian, a network that delights its subscribers every year. They are still the best.

Other lucky winners also went home with tricycles (Keke), power generating sets, sewing machines and grinding machines. Ovueve Efejiro, a native of Ughelli, who won  Keke, said, ”I just won Keke through Festival of Joy promo, I am very grateful to Glo. This Keke will help my family. My brother will use it for commercial purpose immediately”, while a generator winner Felix Gabriel thanked Globacom for always remembering Nigerians every year in its annual promos.

Speaking at the presentation, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly Hon. Emomotimi Guwor who was the special guest, said “Globacom is a network that is known for giving. Over the years, many Nigerians have been empowered by Glo. The people of my constituency in Warri South West and entire Delta people are grateful to Glo. We will continue to use Glo and I also want to be part of the winners one day soon. So, I will ensure that my line is always on and ready. Kudos to Glo and our own Dr. Mike Adenuga. Please keep on empowering Nigerians.

Similarly, the Head of licensing and operation, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Delta State office, Mrs Anwuli Efejuku, commended Globacom for the transparent nature of the promo. She said, “We witnessed the raffle draw few days ago here in Warri where it was conducted in the presence of everyone and today the winners that emerged have been presented their prizes. Congratulations to all the winners.

To participate in the Festival of Joy promo, new and existing subscribers should dial *611# to opt into the promo and to keep recharging. He added that new subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#.

“Customers are required to recharge up to N100, 000 cumulatively during the promo period to qualify for the draw for the Prado Jeep, N50, 000 cumulative recharge for Kia Picanto, N10, 000 in a month for tricycle and N5, 000 total recharge in a month to win a generator. For the sewing machine, a total recharge of N2, 500 in a month is required, while for grinding machine, a recharge of N500 in a day will be eligible for the draw. New subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#, Globacom explained.

Guests at the event included representative of  Urhobo community in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission  (DESOPADEC) Hon. Karo  Goru Jonathan; Chairman Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, Chief Anthony Ofoni; representative of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Delta State office, Mrs Anwuli Efejuku;  representatives of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Chief Okieneni  and Chief Emmanuel Eyela;  President of  of Igbudu Market Association, Warri,  Chief Rume Kugberu and Nollywood actors, Ese Eriata and comedians Gordons and M.C. Forever.

The next prize-presentation exercise comes up in Lagos, where another set of Nigerians will go home with different prizes including another brand new Toyota Prado, Kia Picanto car, Keke  and others.

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Ozekhome Hails Goodluck Jonathan on 67th Birthday

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Leading human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Prof Mike Ozekhome, has celebrated former President Goodluck Jonathan as he turns 67 today.

In a heroic-worded eulogy, the renowned author, who recently launched 50 books at once, praised the former president for his gigantic strides during his tenure, and for putting the nation above his personal interest in the aftermath of the 2015 general election.

Below is Ozekhome’s full statement:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR BROTHER AND GOOD FRIEND,DR GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR

BY PROF MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN, CON, OFR.

GEJ, you are a true democrat in the truest sense of the word.More than 8 years after you left office, many Nigerians are still yearning for your kind of humane and purposeful leadership that shunned discrimination, tribalism, sectionalism, prebendalism and cronyism.

Nigeria surely prospered under you, overtaking South Africa as the biggest rebased economy in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. For the common man,life was good. You certainly made your mistakes, like us all humans and mortals. But your gargantuan pluses far outweigh your few minuses. God has indeed been very kind to you, raising you from a bootstrap state of nadir to the zenith of power as president of the biggest democracy in the black world. But you never allowed power to intoxicate or overwhelm you as an aphrodisiac.

You showed uncommon humility and selfless leadership- a servant leader. As a living icon phenomenon, you have exemplified the quintessence of the highest virtues and nobility of a good man. At a time Nigeria was on the precipice of collapsing under a looming electoral inferno in 2015, you placed the national interest above your personal interest by conceding defeat to then candidate Muhammadu Buhari, even when votes were still being counted. Your immortal words before that historic occasion to the effect that “My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian” easily placed you in the pantheon of rare heroes. The words rekindled the genre of Abraham Lincoln’s imperishable words during his 18th November, 1863 Gettysburg declaration, that “Democracy is government of the people, for the people and by the people”. Your continuous shuttle diplomacy across the world with which you illuminate dark electoral crevices has proven you to be a world leader of respected pedigree.

Through you, Nigeria exports Democracy.

Happy birthday to an iconic and uncommon democrat.

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