Featured

More Troubles for Farotimi As Court Bars Publication, Sales of His Book

Published

2 hours ago

December 11, 2024

Eric

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, has issued a restraining order against human rights activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi, prohibiting him from further publishing, selling, distributing, or advertising his controversial book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Peter Kekemeke following an ex-parte application brought by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and managing partner at Afe Babalola’s law firm.

The court’s order extends to Farotimi’s agents, publishers, distributors, sellers, or anyone else involved in the dissemination of the book, whether in hard copy, digital formats, or through electronic or social media channels.

The injunction will remain in effect pending the determination of a motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction, filed on December 6, 2024.

Justice Kekemeke also directed the Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other security agencies to seize all physical copies of the book wherever found.

These agencies are required to submit an affidavit of compliance within 72 hours of receiving the order.

In a related case, the Oyo State High Court granted a similar interim injunction against Farotimi, barring him or any associates from further printing or distributing the book.

Justice Mufutau Adegbola issued the order after hearing an ex-parte application filed on December 9, 2024, by Adebayo Adenipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Afe Babalola’s firm.

The Oyo court directed Farotimi’s lawyers to be notified of the motion, which has been adjourned for hearing on January 7, 2025.

Featured

Okpebholo Fumbled at Budget Presentation Because He’s Not a Thief, Says APC Chairman

Published

3 hours ago

December 11, 2024

Eric

The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Arrett Tenebe, has excused Governor Monday Okpebholo’s budget presentation blunder as a mark of his integrity.

Governor Okpebholo faced an awkward moment while presenting the state’s 2025 appropriation bill of N605bn to the state assembly.

The governor, who struggled to articulate the figures, repeatedly stuttered, and elicited laughter and murmurs from lawmakers.

“The Edo State Appropriation Bill of six billion… 605 billion… 76 million…” Okpebholo said before halting, as he could be seen visibly confused.

“Let me take it again. 506 billion… 605 billion… sorry… 776 billion… sorry, it’s confusing me,” he continued.

The video went viral on social media, attracting mockery from Nigerians.

Reacting, Tenebe dismissed the backlash, claiming that the governor’s struggle with numbers is proof of his honesty.

“Social media has been agog with the governor’s budget presentation about a mistake on N605 billion and the rest of it all.

“It’s a normal thing. People make such mistakes. I don’t know figures… and that’s how to know original and innocent people.

Tenebe stressed, “Monday Okpebholo is not a thief and he is not familiar with figures. Anybody who wants to talk and continue to talk is nonsense.

“He is the governor of the state, he is performing, and he’ll continue to perform. Anybody who does not like his face should go to hell and burn to ashes. Period!”

Meanwhile, the N605bn budget proposal represents a 25 per cent increase from the 2024 budget of the state.

Featured

Jamil Eniola Gushes Over Wife, Omolara, on First Wedding Anniversary

Published

7 hours ago

December 11, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Love is a beautiful thing, especially when one finds his real soulmate. This is expressed in the life of the President, University of Ibadan Alumni Global Network, and Founder, HEN Foundation, a not for profit charity organisation, Mr. Jamil Eniola, who is spending the day gushing over his beautiful wife and soul mate, Omolara, as the duo celebrates one eventful year of marriage.

In a message the international figure and humanitarian advocate dedicated to his wife, and made available to The Boss, Eniola could not hold back his joy as he reminisced over the last one year of matrimonial bliss and inestimable camaraderie he had shared with his wife.

He wrote:

“My Pearl, ma beauté, My Muñeca, My Noor, Al Ayn, My fofinha حبيبةMy, My 甜心

“Happy Anniversary, my love! Every moment with you has been a blessing, and I am so grateful to walk this journey of life by your side. Your love, strength, and beauty continue to inspire me every day. Here’s to many more years of love, laughter, and memories together.

“I love you more than words can express.”

Recall that on December 11, 2023, two prestigious venues, The Delborough and Monarch Event Centre in Victoria Island and Lekki respectively, hosted the solemnisation in holy wedlock of Eniola and the then Omolara Tawakalitu Tijani before a crowd of witnesses.

The Nikkai was conducted by renowned Islamic cleric, now late, Alhaji Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello, who was popularly referred to as ‘Oniwasi Agbaye’ (Global preacher).

Featured

Henry Ukazu: Celebrating a Catalyst of Pathfinding

Published

1 week ago

December 3, 2024

Eric

By Abdulakeem Sodeeq Sulyman

In a world where everyone uses others’ yardsticks to measure their progress, the trailblazers are set apart by the utmost pursuit of their passion to actualise their purpose.” – Abdulakeem Sodeeq SULYMAN

Those who are familiar with Henry Ukazu would have heard about his life’s trajectory and a certain point in his life would prompt them to ask how a potentially-thoroughbred legal practitioner turned to a leadership trainer, self-discovery coach and youth advocate, using his platform to transform lives globally. For those who are still in the wilderness, imagining how Henry Ukazu settled for the path he had chosen, the answer is not far-fetched. The turning points in everyone’s life beckons when we realise what we have to do to carve a niche for ourselves.

The above assertion perfectly depicts the life of Henry Ukazu. Another aspect of Henry Ukazu’s life that can cause one to raise eyebrows is knowing that Taxation Law was his major during his master’s in New York Law School. Those who are familiar with the arithmetical demands of taxation would know that settling for it as a practitioner goes beyond being faint-hearted! Yet, Henry Ukazu overcame all odds by not only graduated in taxation; but also earning a laurel by winning the Dean’s prize.

Knowing that Henry Ukazu won the Dean’s prize in Taxation Law and still chosen another path makes it important to stress that the hallmark of every life’s achievement is the one connected with personnel fulfillment. It was the pursuit of this fulfillment that made Henry Ukazu swerved from legal practice and taxation into the pursuit of enculturing people for their purpose and nurturing them for lifetime impact. To me, Henry Ukazu is a replica of Robin Sharma, a trained lawyer, who abandoned one of the Ivy-league chambers, to pursue the quest of leading people to harness their healthset, heartset, mindset and soulset.

Don’t get me wrong readers. I am not saying that Henry Ukazu wouldn’t have attained greatness if he had chosen to venture into legal practice. I know many legal practitioners who are lightening people’s lives through their works; many of those lawyers I have unalloyed admirations for! What I am trying to say is that how Henry Ukazu abandoned the temptations of the social recognitions and financial rewards that accompanied the revered, learned profession is uncommon.

That reflects Henry Ukazu’s selflessness and dedication to worship God with everything he has. A revered pastor, Rick Warren, states that the human potential begins to manifest when they believe in God and allow Him to take absolute control of the courses of their lives. He cited the likes of Abraham, Joseph and others, who, despite being chosen by the Most High, faced their challenges with positive attitudes. Their beliefs in God slotted them in admirable places in the books of histories.

Henry Ukazu’s personality is one that exudes the aura of companionship and humanity. Any encounters I have with him always prompt me to think about the words of Gary Thomas, in the book, “The Sacred Pathways,” where he outlined nine ways human beings worship God, the supreme being. To me, Henry Ukazu is an enigma, who falls into the realms of Ascetics, Activists, Enthusiasts, Caregivers, Contemplatives and Intellectuals.

Henry Ukazu is an Ascetic because he devoted certain hours of his days to worship God in solitude and simplicity. There are certain hours of the day that he would neither receive calls nor respond to messages all because he is strengthening his ties with his Creator. Henry Ukazu is also an Activist by using his resources to battle evil, fight injustices and strive to make the world a better place. To him, nothing makes the world when its adherents are suffering! This justifies why Henry Ukazu is always ready to spend his last penny on appreciating talents and ingenuities.

Anyone who had witnessed Henry Ukazu’s celebration of successes and landmarks would attest to his Enthusiastic nature. No doubt that as today marks his birthday, it is very certain that his mouth would be full of praise for God’s favours showered upon him! Moreso, I can also say that Henry Ukazu is an Intellectual because he worships and loves God by studying other people’s minds. Anyone meeting Henry Ukazu for the first time without narcisurfing about him would never have a clue of his intellectual mettle. He is an intellectual of yore imbued with sound and robust absorptive capacity.

As the day breaks daily to set people apart for what they would be celebrated for, it is imperative to state that Henry Ukazu is one of the global icons that have deployed their intellectual and spiritual resources to brighten the lives of many. His utmost devotion to the pursuit of God’s purpose for his life has distinguished him, positioned him to stand with the giants and catapulted him to the heights of his ambitions.

Today, I joined other colleagues, acquaintances, protégés, well-wishers, friends, brothers and family members across the world to celebrate Henry Ukazu, thank God for his life; pray to God to continue to perfect his ways and crown his efforts with rewards that will elevate him to the league of change-makers and life-changers.

Many more productive, fulfilling and prosperous years!!!

Abdulakeem Sodeeq SULYMAN is an Author, Librarian and Researcher, who writes from Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. He can be reached via +2348132226994