News

Dele Momodu Unveils 5-Star Leadership Centre in Ibadan

Published

7 months ago

May 15, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Accomplished journalist, and Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Aare Dele Momodu, has unveiled his audacious facility for the training of aspiring leaders, tagged Dele Momodu Leadership Centre.

Flanked and supported by close friends within and outside the media, and family members, led by the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and his entourage, a happy Dele Momodu, who has dedicated about 40 years of his life to journalism and impacting humanity, told all who cared to listen that this is his own gift to humanity as he celebrates his 65th birthday.

Situated at the serene-most part of the ancient city of Ibadan, known as the Alalubosa (GRA) Estate, the Centre is a twin duplex stylishly placed in the middle of the expanse of land surrounded by utility facilities including a cozy swimming pool and other recreational amenities for soft relaxation.

The building is a made up of four expensive bedrooms and general areas for the comfort of residents at every point of time.

Speaking on the reasons behind the concept, Momodu gave glory to God, and the need to attention to planning and execution of ideas, noting that the event of the day, was product of five years of consistency and dedication, with the need of giving to the society uppermost in his mind.

“The idea is a derivation of what applies with the Rockefeller Foundation, where scholars are giving all facilities to bring to life their concepts in a serene environment. We are basically replicating that gesture here in Nigeria. The idea is to grant scholars full access to our facilities once their applications have been approved.

At the moment, there four bedrooms of 5-star quality among other comfort-based facilities,” Momodu said.

He added that every resident has a residency duration of one week for now so as to afford others on the queue the opportunity to use the facility as well, stressing that the facility will serve as a resource centre for researchers at no cost.

Responding, Osun State Governor, Adeleke, who performed the tape-cutting ritual to declare the leadership centre open, praised the dogged nature of Momodu, saying a project of this magnitude could not just occur, but by intense planning, down to earth execution and working with the best of professionals.

“Chief Dele Momodu is a unique breed, a genius within humanity, and a free mind with progressive ideals about our society,” Gov Adeleke revered the global citizen.

While going down memorylane to his friendship with Dele Momodu, the governor harped on the need for all to keep their friends very close, their position in the society notwithstanding.

As dishes of every kind and assorted beverages made the rounds in ceaseless supply, ageless entertainer, Sir Shina Peters, was on ground to provide undiluted music and dance to the applause and admiration of the capacity filled open arena.

The unveiling of the leadership training facility is a prelude to the 65th year birthday celebrations of the Ovation publisher, which comprises The Dele Momodu Leadership Lecture at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and a soiree to the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, all in Victoria Island.

News

Appeal Court Affirms Ruling Barring VIO from Impounding Vehicles, Fining Motorists

Published

3 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday upheld the judgment that stopped the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing vehicles or imposing fines on motorists.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court found no basis to set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling of October 16, 2024, which restrained the VIO from harassing motorists.

The appeal filed by the VIO was dismissed for lacking merit. Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi delivered in the lead judgment.

The high court had earlier ruled, in a judgment by Justice Nkeonye Maha, that no law authorizes the VIO to stop motorists, impound vehicles, or impose penalties for alleged traffic offences.

The case arose from a fundamental rights suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by lawyer Abubakar Marshal.

Marshal informed the court that VIO officials stopped him at Jabi in Abuja on December 12, 2023, and seized his vehicle without lawful reason. He asked the court to determine whether their actions violated his rights.

Justice Maha agreed and ordered the VIO and its agents not to impound vehicles or impose fines on motorists, describing the actions as unlawful. She held that only a court can impose fines or sanctions.

She ruled that the VIO’s conduct breached the applicant’s constitutional right to property under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter. She further held that the VIO has no legal authority to seize vehicles or penalize motorists, as doing so infringes on rights to fair hearing, movement and presumption of innocence.

Although Marshal, represented by Femi Falana, SAN, requested ₦500 million in damages and a public apology, the court awarded ₦2.5 million.

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its Director, its Abuja Area Commander at the time (identified as Mr. Leo), team leader Solomon Onoja, and the FCT Minister were listed as respondents.

They appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

News

Tinubu Nominates Ibas, Dambazau, Enang, Ohakim As Ambassadors

Published

3 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State and a former Chief of Naval Staff, as a non-career ambassador.

Tinubu also nominated Ita Enang, a former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, as non-career ambassadors.

News

Senate Confirms Chris Musa As New Defence Minister

Published

4 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence.

The announcement was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

Musa, who retired from the military just 40 days ago, was nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday to succeed former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds.

According to Onanuga’s statement, the Senate approved Musa’s appointment on Wednesday through a voice vote, following a thorough screening session during which lawmakers posed numerous questions.

“Senate confirms Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence The Senate has confirmed the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Senate confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after a rigorous screening session in which lawmakers asked him many questions,” the statement read in part.