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Gov Oyebanji Felicitates with Wole Soyinka at 90

Published

2 years ago

July 13, 2024

Eric

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated the Nobel Laureate and world-renowned literary giant, Prof. Oluwole Akinwande Soyinka, on his 90th birthday.

The 1986 Nobel Prize winner in Literature who was described as one “who in a wide cultural perspective and with poetic overtones fashions the drama of existence”, was born in Abeokuta on July 13, 1934.

Governor Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, said Prof. Soyinka deserves to be celebrated for making Nigeria and Africa proud by the great impact he has made in the literary world and on humanity.

The Governor described Prof. Soyinka as a pride to the Black race, a legend of the arts and a multi-talented genius whose influence and impact transcended several generations.

According to Governor Oyebanji, the world has felt the impact and has been blessed by Prof. Soyinka’s roles as a writer, an author, a playwright, a novelist, a dramatist, a scholar and pro democracy activist.

The Governor noted that the high point of the nonagenarian’s career was winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986 which sent his name into history books as the first African writer to achieve the feat.

Besides arts, Governor Oyebanji also hailed Prof. Soyinka, affectionately referred to as “Kongi” by his admirers, as a voice for the oppressed, a civil rights activist, a pro-democracy icon and a social justice crusader who speaks truth to power.

He pointed out that Prof. Soyinka, at the risk for his life, stood to be counted in the fight to end military rule in Nigeria and his advocacy contributed immensely to the return of civil rule which was achieved in 1999.

Hailing the decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to name the National Arts Theatre after Prof. Soyinka, the Governor described it as a befitting birthday gift for the literary giant.

He prayed God to grant the literary giant more fruitful years of service to Nigeria and global community and sound health to enjoy the rest of his life in the land of the living.

“ On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I congratulate this literary giant and global citizen, Prof Soyinka whose life and works continue to inspire many to dare to be great. Our prayer is that you will

Live the rest of your years in joy and sound health.”, the statement added.

Featured

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

Published

13 hours 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

18 hours 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

20 hours 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.