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Centenary Posthumous Birthday Tribute of a Quintessential Anglican Priest, Venerable Archdeacon Michael Alatake Olupona (August 27, 1924 – August 5, 1983)

Published

7 months ago

August 26, 2024

Eric

By Hon. Femi Kehinde

A man’s good deed and impact on the society will certainly outlive him, centuries after his departure. The Nigerian society would forever be kind to its early pathfinders – Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ernest Ikoli, Obafemi Awolowo, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa, Anthony Enahoro, Dr. Kofo Abayomi, Sapara Williams, amongst several others. Venerable Archdeacon Michael Alatake Olupona would certainly find a sweet place in the company of these eminent pathfinders and makers of Nigerian history, particularly in Christian evangelism, and most especially in Anglican liturgy and Anglicanism – The faith which he served until he breath his last, on the 5th of August 1983 at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan.

Anglicanism is a church noted in protest. It was founded in 1534 by King Henry VIII Act of Supremacy, which pronounced the church of England independent of the catholic church in Rome. Today, the Anglican church consists of more than 86 million members worldwide in over 165 countries. Collectively, these national churches are known as the Anglican Communion, meaning all are in communion with and recognize the leadership of the Archbishop of the Canterbury.

Samuel Ajayi Crowther (1809 – 31st Dec 1891) was a Clergyman, and the first African Anglican Bishop of West Africa. He also translated the English Bible to Yoruba Language in 1843. He was a pathfinder that brought in the Anglican church, and placed it on a firm ground in Nigeria. Samuel Ajayi Crowther was consecrated Bishop in 1864, with his seat in Lagos.

Venerable Archdeacon Michael Alatake Olupona was born on the 27th of August, 1924 in Ute, Owo Division to Daniel Olupona, a licensed lay reader and Yeye Olupona. Michael was baptized on December 4, 1931 in Ute, and confirmed on March 17, 1945. He married Henrietta Olalonpe (nee Aderemi) on August 14, 1950, and were blessed with Eight (8) children; Taiwo, Kehinde, Idowu, Alaba, Oluwafiropo, Soledemi, Babatunde and Odunayo, out of which four (4) survived him.

He attended St. Stephen’s Primary School in Ute between 1934 and 1939, and continued at Government School, Owo, from 1940 – 1943, and St. John’s College, Owo, where he trained under the late Bishop I. O. C. Okunsanya for Elementary Teachers’ Certificate Examination (1948 – 1949), and later for the Higher Elementary Course, completing Grade III in 1949, and Grade II in 1955. He was subsequently trained at Melville Hall, Ibadan (now Emmanuel College) between 1956 and 1957.

He had a long and varied career.

Michael was Headmaster at several schools in Ondo, including St. Andrews School, Oke-Igbo in 1950, St. Peter’s School from 1954 to 1955. He was named Deacon in December 1957, and preached his first sermon on the 31st of that year. Five months later, in May 1958, he was Priested, and later attained Cannonry on July 13, 1969 in Ondo Diocese. He became Archdeacon on April 19, 1974.

As a Clergyman, he worked in numerous stations; he served as a Vicar in St. Peter’s Church in Ile-Oluji between 1958 and 1966, during which he was sent to England, and had a one year curacy. After his curacy in England, he returned to St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Ile-Oluji. He was in its Vineyard until 1966. He was Vicar and Chairman of St. Paul’s Anglican Church Igbara-Oke District Council, Ondo State (1967 – 1970), and held the same position at St. Paul’s Anglican Church Idanre District Council, Ondo State, from 1970 – 1971.

As a clergyman in Gbongan, he was the Chairman of the Oke-Osun District Council Church, and First Archdeacon of Oke-Osun Archdeaconry. While in Ile-Ife, he was Chairman, Ife District Council, and Archdeaconry at St. Philip’s Church, Ile-Ife, 1975 – 1981. Finally, while he was an Archdeacon at St. David’s Church Kudeti, Ibadan, Oyo State between 1981 and 1983, where he was also the Synod Secretary for the Ibadan Diocese beginning 1980. He was also the Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Evangelism, and was one of the founders of Operation Good News. He was also a member of the Bible Society of Nigeria.

Michael was also a member of the Oyo State Health Board, and the Chairman Board of Governors of the following Schools; Yejide Girl’s Grammar School, St. Anne’s Girl’s School, St. David’s Grammar School, and St. Luke’s Teachers Training College, Ibadan.

Additionally, he was a former member of the Board of Governors of other schools, including Gboluji Grammar School, Ile-Oluji, Igbara-Oke Grammar School, Olofin Grammar School, Idanre, Gbongan/Ode-Omu Anglican Grammar School, Ife Anglican Grammar School, and Origbo Grammar School, Yakoyo, Ipetumodu, Osun State, and was actively involved in the Boys’ Brigade of Nigeria: as a trained officer, a member of the Executive Council for Oyo, Ogun, and Ondo States, as a member of the National Council of the Boys Brigade of Nigeria.

Venerable Archdeacon Olupona was a man with many special qualities, and has been described by Archbishop Omotayo Olufosoye as a man of prayer and great fortitude; one who believed and taught the faith of the Church as found in the Gospel. He was a man of imagination, able to see and encourage new ways of meeting the needs of his congregation.

A humble man, not puffed up with his own importance, he loved people, “since the love of God must be expressed in a love of God’s Creation and shown in the Joy of it all.” Above all, for his congregation, he was a shepherd of his flock.

Certainly, Venerable Archdeacon Michael Alatake Olupona would in the world beyond find a comfortable place with the pathfinders of Anglicanism in Nigeria – Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, Bishop James Johnson, Bishop Phillips, Bishop Oluwole, Bishop Tugwell, Bishop Alexander Babatunde Akinyele, and so many others.

Venerable Archdeacon Michael Alatake Olupona was survived by Prof. Jacob Kehinde Olupona, Mrs. Soledemi Jaiyeola (Nee Olupona), Barr. Babatunde Olupona, Mrs. Odunayo Aina (Nee Olupona), and grandchildren.

May his humble soul continually find peaceful repose with the Lord, Amen.

Hon. (Barr.) Femi Kehinde, legal practitioner and former member House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja 1999 – 2003, representing Ayedire/Iwo/Olaoluwa Federal Constituency of Osun State.

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Samsung’s CEO, Han Jong-Hee, Dies at 63

Published

1 day ago

March 25, 2025

Eric

The co-CEO of Samsung Electronics, Han Jong-Hee, has died of heart attack on Tuesday. He was aged 63.

A spokesperson for the South Korean tech giant confirmed this.

Han, who oversaw Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices businesses became the Chief Executive Officer of South Korea’s biggest company in 2022.

He had joined the tech giant in 1988 after earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Inha University. Before he started to run Samsung’s electronics and devices division, he was in charge of the display operations.

In a tribute to the deceased, Samsung said Han dedicated more than 37 years of his life to leading Samsung’s TV business to become a global leader.

The company said, Han as the head of its electronics and appliances businesses, contributed to its growth amid challenging business environment.

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HURIWA Tasks Fagbemi, Onanuga to Prove Fubara’s Alleged Link to Militants

Published

1 day ago

March 25, 2025

Eric

The Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) of Nigeria has criticised the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, and Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, for alleging that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is connected to militant activities in the Niger Delta.

The group described the claims as baseless and lacking credible evidence.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, addressed remarks made by Fagbemi last week, accusing Fubara of “tele-guiding militants” to sabotage oil installations.

Onanuga, in a separate opinion piece, supported the Federal government’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing intelligence reports suggesting militant threats linked to the governor.

“These are serious allegations that can destabilise not only Rivers State but the entire Niger Delta, yet no concrete evidence has been made public to substantiate them,” Onwubiko said, faulting the officials’ reliance on unverified intelligence.

HURIWA highlighted Governor Fubara’s denial of the allegations in an official statement earlier on Monday, where he rejected any ties to militant groups and labeled viral videos alleging explosions on oil and gas facilities in Rivers State as “fake and malicious.”

The group praised Fubara’s call for security agencies to investigate the videos’ origins and prosecute those responsible.
“Governor Fubara’s insistence on peace and constitutional governance has been clear in all his public engagements. It is disheartening to see such character assassination being perpetuated from the highest levels of the federal government,” Onwubiko stated.

The association questioned why federal authorities have not presented tangible evidence if it exists, arguing, “As far as we are concerned, the dissemination of these unproven claims is not just unprofessional but a dangerous precedent in the democratic space.”

HURIWA also challenged Fagbemi and Onanuga to avoid “pettiness and rumour mongering,” urging them to base their statements on facts.

“It is disgraceful that at a time when Nigerians are yearning for stability and good governance, top officials of the federal government are busy engaging in baseless accusations, further tarnishing Nigeria’s image before the international community,” the statement added.

The group further criticized the state of emergency in Rivers State as “unconstitutional, unnecessary, and politically motivated,” asserting that no evidence of war or a breakdown of law and order, as required by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, has been shown. “The AGF and other federal agents must be reminded that the Supreme Court judgment, which is now being used to justify executive overreach in Rivers State, does not license rumour-based governance,” HURIWA noted.

HURIWA urged Fubara to pursue legal action against those making the claims, stating, “even if the judiciary is seen by some as compromised, it is essential to set the record straight by taking advantage of available legal avenues.”

The association called on security agencies to launch a transparent forensic investigation into the allegations and incidents in Ogoniland and other parts of Rivers State, insisting it must remain free of political interference. “The dangerous game of labeling peaceful citizens as militants without evidence is not only reckless but risks plunging Rivers State into avoidable chaos. Nigeria’s democracy deserves better,” the group concluded.

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Dangote Cement Achieves Higher CDP Ratings for Climate Change & Water Security

Published

2 days ago

March 25, 2025

Eric

Dangote Cement Plc (DCP) has achieved a ‘B’ score in climate change and water security disclosures according to the recently released 2024 CDP results.

CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) is the world’s largest, most comprehensive dataset on environmental action which empowers investors, companies, cities, and national and regional governments to make earth-positive decisions. Dangote Cement has disclosed its environmental practices annually through the CDP since 2018.

CDP provides a voluntary framework for companies to report on Climate, Water Security, and Forests. It rigorously evaluates corporate environmental performance, assigning scores from A to D based on companies’ transparency, governance, and measurable actions towards sustainability.

Following the release of company scores in February, Dangote Cement’s score on water security which was C was upgraded to B. Similarly, the company’s commitment to supporting a climate resilient future was also demonstrated in its climate change score of B in 2024.

Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dangote Cement, Mr. Arvind Pathak speaking on the new rating said, ‘Dangote Cement leads in Africa as one of few businesses in six states and regions of Africa to disclose through CDP.’ He further stated that ‘the 2024 score is an outcome of ongoing efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, accelerate climate action and promote sustainability across our business and its value chain’.

The Head, Sustainability, Dangote Cement, Dr. Igazeuma Okoroba in her remarks expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who aligned with the Group’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy overseen by the company’s Board which supported the achievement of an improved rating this year. She stated that ‘this year’s results are evidence that our contribution to create a world where people, planet and profit are truly balanced is paying off.’

Affirming the company’s commitment to decarbonisation, Dr Igazeuma stated that ‘Although this year’s score demonstrates our transparency on sustainability, DCP’s goal is to go beyond disclosure and take meaningful action through tangible solutions, innovations, and projects to close the gap between ambition and reality.’

Dangote Cement Plc is sub-Saharan Africa’s largest cement producer with an installed capacity of 45.6Mta across 10 African countries and operates a fully integrated “quarry-to customer” business with activities in manufacturing, sales, and distribution of cement.

The company is on track to meet its decarbonisation targets through energy efficiency measures, adoption of supplementary cement materials, carbon offsets and other sustainable practices.