Mercedes-Benz Opens Doors to the Public for Art Portrait Exhibition

On Saturday, 26 November, 2016, Friends, families and art enthusiasts trooped into the Mercedes-Benz center for the opening reception of an art exhibition by Tayo Ayelowo, themed “Standing with the Kings”. The showroom was transformed to an art gallery for portrait paintings of various traditional rulers in Nigeria, thus illustrating creativity in its most scintillating form. The public is welcome to come watch exemplary royal leaders come to life as they take a tour around the classic cars on display for the next two weeks as the art exhibition is set to hold from 26th November to 12th December, 2016. Mercedes-Benz Centre is located at Gottlieb Daimler road, Ikate (third roundabout from the 1st toll gate) Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos. Photo Excerpts:

As a king, I can’t see my new born baby until 90 days –Akiolu, Oba of Lagos

The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, in this interview he  speaks on traditional practices in a metropolitan city like Lagos and his experience so far

Would you say it has been easy being the Oba of a cosmopolitan city like Lagos?

I don’t have reservoir of knowledge and that is why the position of an Oba or a leader demands that you should be close to God. It is not that I know how to do it, but the blessing of the Almighty God and the support of well-meaning people of Lagos; both Lagosians and non-Lagosians. The closest person to you can disappoint you, but God cannot. That is why if you are close to God, you are good to the people and you tell people the truth, they will always like you. I have spent 13 years plus on this throne. Any right thinking and God-fearing monarch ought to have the feeling of his people in mind and I try within my knowledge and wisdom from God to be frank to a fault in my dealings with people. Nothing is permanent in this world and I have made it abundantly clear to my friends, family and children that whether I like it or not, no matter the number of years I spend on this throne, I would have to leave this place one day. May God spare my life. I succeeded somebody, and it is an axiom that I would be succeeded by somebody, so I don’t deceive myself at all. The day I attained 60, October 29, 2003, was the same day Island Club clocked 60 years, and openly, at the Premier Island Club, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said you either like Lagos or you leave Lagos. And that is the truth, and Lagos has just started. Lagos welcomes everybody. Like the late Yusuf Olatunji said, the town or community that does not welcome visitors would always be scanty. We are not going to drive anybody from Lagos, but they have to operate and submit to the indigenous traditional wishes of the owner of Lagos. By the grace of Almighty Allah, the benefits of all that is to happen in Lagos would be reaped in greater proportion by Lagosians. That is my prayer. When Lagos was to be named Lagos, it was named Eko Akete, the home of wisdom, a town that makes visitors prosper, but visitors should not belittle the indigenes. Tell me any well-to-do person in Nigeria today who has not had one or two things to do with Lagos. The blessing in Lagos is so much and we have not reached anywhere, what Lagos will attain, during and after my reign.

Before Lagos became an enviable city that it is today, could you take us through some practices in the past that have now been abolished?

In the olden days, right from what they call State House in Marina up to Elegbata area, up to Oke Ipa, where they are sand-filling now that would by God’s grace become Diamond Estate, belongs to this palace, and that is why when people say the Oba of Lagos is extensively rich, it is what we have inherited from our fathers. Also, like in the time of Oba Oluwole, it is believed that everything in the town is under the care and custody of the king. All the markets in what is called Lagos in those days belonged to this palace, and every five days all the markets would have to contribute something and bring it to the palace. The king’s household was not buying anything. When the Oloris were going to the market, the palace staff would follow them and any place they got to, the seller there would bend down and the palace staff would take whatever the Oloris wanted, without paying anything. That no longer happens. I always tell my children that any monarch who goes ahead with the ancient custom and removes somebody’s head, according to an old adage, the government would cut the person’s head. There are now social changes in the world. Then, whenever the Oba got up in the morning, before he did anything, they had to consult the Ifa oracle to know what he should do. Let me tell you, even though I’m a Muslim to the core, I believe in the Quran; I have been to Mecca, but the Ifa divination does not tell a lie.

Did you have the opportunity to be close to any of the past kings?

I had a very good relationship with the late Oba (Adeyinka) Oyekan. I was very close to him. He didn’t hide anything from me and I didn’t hide anything from him. There are few places in this world that we didn’t go together. In fact, there was a time he requested that I should come and sleep by his side, I had to spread a blanket and slept. I was under 21 when Oba (Adeniji) Adele died, that was on July 12, 1964. When you talk of diplomacy, intelligence, administration and historical knowledge of  Nigeria, and Isale Eko in particular, Oba Adele was the first to be reckoned with, and he maintained the integrity of this house. There was a particular occasion he had some disagreements with his childhood friend, the late Ayeni. Some elders in the town were trying to settle it but Ayeni said they should leave the king alone and that he would not go to the palace again. Oba Adele cautioned him that nobody talks like that to the owner of Lagos (Olowo Eko), and that if he said he would not come to Iga Idunganran (palace of the Oba of Lagos), it would be so for him. When the man left, it wasn’t up to one week when he fell sick. Elders had to come around and appeal to the king to forgive him. If you do something that is unjust and ungodly to a monarch, I mean a real monarch, not politician-made monarchs, and that monarch reports to his ancestors, I won’t say more than that.

All those times you were close to the late Oba Oyekan and Oba Adele, did you know you would one day become the Oba of Lagos?

It is only a bastard prince that would not wish to succeed the throne of his father. And that was what I made abundantly clear to some of my top princes who are emirs in the North today, when they were trying to accuse someone that he said he wanted to become the Emir of Kano. I asked what was wrong with that. With due respect to the late Emir of Kano (Alhaji Ado Bayero), May God spare him and grant him Al jannah Firdaus, the day he was attacked by the dreaded Boko Haram and he was to be taken for treatment, he spoke to me on the telephone and requested that I should thank my son and take good care of him, he was talking about Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. He said the plane that was taking him for treatment was arranged by him (Sanusi) and that he did what a son should do for his father. But people were talking all sorts of things in the media that he wanted to kill the Emir so he could become king. There is no prince who does not want to become king. I believe my own was destined by God because I had brothers.

Were there signs that gave an inkling that you would be a king someday, since you said yours was destined by God?

The oldest man in the Akiolu family now, Alhaji Rasheed Animashaun, known as Baba Ibadan, who took care of me when I was young, told me that there was a time I was sick when I was young and they took me somewhere in Ibadan. He said the person they went to meet asked if I was from a royal family. He said the person told them to take good care of me because when he saw me, he could see a royal tree springing up again. He also said when I was young, I used to assemble children around me, and I would sit in the centre and whatever I was given at home, I would give to them. Beyond these, he said it was raining one day when the wall of the house we were living in fell and that my father screamed because I was seated around that place before the incident, and that before they got there to check if I was there, I had left the place. So, there were signs.

Since you had brothers who were also entitled to the throne, were they not interested in becoming the king?

Many are called but few are chosen. Let me tell you, at the time Oba Afaolu became the king, out of all the children of the late King Dosunmu, he wasn’t used to talking much. He wasn’t a wretched person but he hadn’t got much. So, God gives leadership to whoever he wants. There were many contestants during my time as well. Even my own younger brother went and assembled people in the family secretly, and they were with him. He said they should propose him because he said I’m a very difficult person. But the chiefs and God almighty Allah know what is good for Lagos. There is no place where there is no struggle when an Oba is to be selected. I always make sure the palace open to all of them. After the selection, it is administration, good relationship and governance that should follow; no more competition. And that was what I told (Governor Akinwumi) Ambode that if people who opposed him during election asked him for a favour, he should do it to show that he is the father of all. We have to forgive.

How tough was the competition, knowing that the seat of the Oba of Lagos is an influential and enviable one?

When the race was on, I must be honest with you, it was Prince Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu versus others. The person who felt he could influence it did everything possible. With the influence of the late Ooni of Ife, he did not have a single vote. I hate pretence. I was the closest to this person I’m talking about. Even his late father on several occasions advised me on certain things, which is not good for me to disclose. The man told me that the person was like a lantern that lightens up the space for people to see but its own base is covered in darkness. When somebody over 100 years old tells you something like that, you should pay attention to it. It is not that I know how to do it but I’m a product of what God has destined. I can proudly tell you that, to all intents and purposes, I’m the first to be a descendant of about nine chieftaincy houses and the Oba of Lagos. Up till now, there are people still going to court. And some of them are not genuine – some of them are from Igbomina and Togo. But I’m a lawyer, so I don’t want to make any comment on it. Until I get to court, they will know the type of person Oba Akiolu is. What they don’t know that I know, I will tell them. I don’t want to say anything here. After the judgement of the court, you will still come back to hear what I want to say.

The installation of a king is usually characterised by rituals and sacrifices. Do we also have such traditional practices even in Lagos, being such a metropolitan city?

An adage says what an elderly person uses to eat pap is hidden under the leaves of the pap (which implies that there are details that are not meant for public consumption). That is it, but you see this Iledi Osugbo, I have told the elders there that every January 1, let us make this thing open so people would know that there is no more human sacrifices to become the king. Some people would also say a new king is expected to eat the heart of the previous king, but it is a lie. But, there are certain things that we do here, including alms giving. Alms giving drives evil away from the giver. There are social changes in the world and we have to keep it that way. God has designed the position of the Oba to be the way it is. The politics had been there even before the British came. They were the ones who named Eko to be Lagos, meaning ‘Lagoon de Curamo’ that is ‘land near the water.’ And we still have the throne room in the old palace and some artistic works which are over 500 years old. Let us leave it that way.

Is it true that the seat of the Oba of Lagos tookts root from Benin Empire?

The tradition of this house is partly Benin and partly Yoruba, because the first Oba of Lagos is a descendant of the Oba of Benin, and that is why when a new Oba is installed in Benin, there is a way we greet ourselves.

With Lagos being a metropolitan city, do we also have taboos here in spite of its elitist colouration?

There is nowhere there are no taboos, in Benin, Yoruba cultures. For instance, in this house (palace), if a child is born to me today, I will not see him or her and he or she will not enter this house (palace) until 90 days. And there are some drinks and food anybody with royal blood in this palace must not put in his mouth. That is why the Yoruba adage says the practice in one household is an abomination in another household.

Why can’t you see your child and what are the food and drinks that such persons from the royal lineage must not taste?

Just like I said, an adage says what an elderly person uses to eat pap is hidden under the leaves of the pap (which implies that there are certain details that cannot be made public).

Beyond the ones in the palace, what are the taboos that millions of Lagos residents should know?

When it comes to taboos, Yoruba would say whoever does what no one has ever tried would see what no one has ever seen. The normal taboos in Yoruba customs are many. Like it is in the Quran, all sins can be forgiven, except two. One is that anybody who deliberately kills another person cannot be forgiven and anybody who deliberately takes his mother to the holy mosque in Mecca, during the Ramadan fast, to go and have affair with her there, will not be forgiven. But, people should know their limits. Like the popular adage, a farmland cannot belong to father and son without having a boundary; they would know their boundaries. And that is why nobody can ill-treat anybody around me here. Anybody who feels he can come and do anything unjust in Lagos here should know that it will not work.

The title ‘Oba of Lagos’ sounds like the traditional ruler of the whole Lagos, but we have Obas in other parts of Lagos. What is the jurisdiction in this context?

That is why the Oba of Lagos is the permanent chairman of Council of Obas in Lagos State. The city is expanding with urbanisation and development and you need people who would look after each area. That is why we have Council of Obas and Chiefs, for which I’m the permanent chairman. Politicians have attempted to put somebody there, because of politics, and they knew the result of that. There is nothing politicians cannot do, but we thank God. So far so good, all these Obas cooperate fully with me on any programme. We throw issues open among ourselves before taking the final decision and government has been very cooperative. Eight of our traditional rulers just came back from England. A prominent airline, owned by a prominent Lagosian, was doing anniversary; I was there for the first anniversary but I couldn’t make it this time around. At his own cost, they went there, they arranged accommodation for them and they spent some time there before coming back. Even the state government encourages me to expose all the other traditional rulers to seminar conferences within and outside the country. Like I always tell the other Obas, instead of selling their land, they should encourage those buying the land to set up factories and make life better for the benefit of everybody in that area. Anybody who thinks of himself alone is not a good leader.

In some cultural settings, we also have the tradition of new kings inheriting wives of former kings. Does it also happen in Lagos and how many did you inherit?

The custom in this house is that all the Oloris left behind by any deceased Oba would have to be inherited by the new king, and that is the tradition, even up till now. I won’t say more than that. There was one Olori who had children for three Obas. It was the quarrel of Dosunmu and Akintoye which escalated to something else that disrupted that arrangement. When I became the Oba, I had the intention to encourage all the previous Oloris to remain here. But one of the royal fatherly instructions late Oba Oyekan gave to me (as if it was his wish that I should succeed him) was that I had to look after them. He told me the ones that I should allow to go; he told me the stuff they were made of. Some of them are still living while the elderly ones have died. During this week, the daughter of one of them still came to see me in the palace. Whether I like it or not, I’m going to give up the ghost one day, and someone must succeed me, but definitely not my own son.

Why is that?

Because it is not father to son, like in the past. Not anymore. My children can aspire to be Oba somewhere else in this Lagos, but I will not say more than that.

Your comment towards the 2015 election sparked outrage…

(Cuts in)…Those who knew me well know that one of my intimate and best friends in this world today is Alhaji Abdulaziz Ude, he’s an Igbo man. The same thing with Obiora, Prof. Pat Utomi and the Obi of Onitsha. If something is against me, I will talk, and there is nobody I cannot tell the truth. Nobody. By the grace of almighty Allah and my ancestors in this house (palace), nobody can get to the position of authority in Lagos without the approval and consent of the almighty Allah, the ancestors and the Oba of Lagos and I mean it; either now or in the future. Let anybody plan anything. And they have seen the examples and they are still going to see more. Anybody who is close to people in authority should not tell them what they want to hear, but the truth that is in the best interest of others. Which of the favours of the almighty Allah can we deny? None. You cannot predict any human being until he has money and is in position. But, so far so good, God and the ancestors are still with the governor (Ambode) with what he’s doing and I pray he will continue like that.

Being a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, are there things you like to do before that you can no longer do?

I still go to parties to enjoy myself and dance. And I don’t pretend as if I don’t like good things. I only reduce the degree of my troublemaking because I’m getting older. But, honesty, closeness to God, frankness and saying the truth are things I can’t leave until I die. I will never condone injustice or take advantage of people. Anybody who wants to do something illegal for Lagos would at that time know who Oba Akiolu is. They say Lagos people used to quarrel over land, that can never stop, but I will never encourage anybody to do thuggery. Even last week, I was still warning some of my close relations that nobody should take the law into their hands; if anybody encroaches on their land, they should go to court. I was still warning one of my cousins, the Chief Olumegbon of Lagos, that nemesis will catch up with those doing thuggery someday.

You once said you like beautiful women. Has that changed now that you are older?

By the grace of almighty Allah, till I die, I will still like beautiful women.

Does it mean you could still take more wives?

Future belongs to God. I even tell my wives that the door is not closed yet. I don’t deceive myself, and they know the kind of person I am. As a Muslim and as an Oba, it is not wrong, and I could invite you if it happens.

What was one of the memorable things you did when you ascended the throne?

When I assumed this position, I told the people their health and welfare would be my concern, so I began to appeal to some of my friends on the need to make life better for people. As its corporate social responsibility, Zenith Bank, under Jim Ovia, Peter, Ebenezer and the present governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, who supervised the project, built a N400m health centre over for the people of Lagos. The first person to approve some money for us to start was Lamido Sanusi, the present Emir of Kano. He was in First Bank at that time, and they were the first to give us N50m, before Jim came to do the whole thing. And he detailed the present CBN governor, Emefiele, who was in Zenith Bank then, to be in charge. In the whole of Lagos State, there is no health centre that can match that facility. Baba Ijebu (Chief Kessington) Adebutu, has also agreed to build the second one for us, I’m just waiting for the government to evacuate the plank sellers. And that is the way to go; everybody must contribute because government cannot do it alone. If there are vacancies, I could use my God-given position to assist them. There are many things we are still planning. Any leader who thinks of himself alone is not a good leader. Anybody who works and labours for something should be adequately rewarded. Leadership should be supported, and leadership has to acknowledge the contribution of those who made it possible. I won’t say more than that. God should not make us ingrates.

-PUNCH.               

Lagos stops monthly environmental sanitation

The Lagos State Government has stopped the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in the state.

The government said the exercise, which used to hold for three hours on the last Saturday of every month with restriction on movement, needed to go to pave the way for a much-needed reform.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, in a statement on Wednesday, said the decision to cancel the monthly exercise followed a resolution adopted at the State Executive Council meeting.

He said the members of the executive agreed that it was no longer appropriate to restrict movement of people for three hours in a megacity like Lagos at a time they should be pursuing commercial activities.

He said, “Lagos has grown exponentially with the attendant environmental problems associated with managing 20 million people. The environmental laws and procedures being practised in the state have not been able to match the growth and the dream of a 24-hour economy.”

Ayorinde said the state government was also aware of a recent Court of Appeal judgment, which made restriction on movement during the monthly sanitation illegal.

He said, “After a careful consideration, the State Executive Council has therefore resolved that the present economic climate can no longer support the continued lock down of a megacity like Lagos, hence the need for the reform

“Furthermore, Government will also accelerate the introduction of fresh reforms through the passage of new harmonised environmental laws that will drive meaningful changes in areas of harmonised billing, waste management, modern landfill sites, noise pollution, introduction of an environmental trust fund and an environmental advisory council.”

Ayorinde said the government was committed to a clean and secure environment for the benefit of Lagos residents and would continue to provide the necessary leadership to meet the environmental challenges of the state.

“Lagosians and visitors alike are therefore urged to embrace these changes and imbibe a culture of voluntarily maintaining and preserving their environment to create a beautiful and healthy city that we all can be proud of,” Ayorinde added.

He said the government would thenceforth be tougher in ensuring enforcement against contraventions of its policies and regulations.

The commissioner urged the residents to voluntarily comply with the necessary laws and support government in its bid to have a clean and healthy environmen

Phone Theft: Seun Egbegbe, spends second day in custody

Contrary to a report credited to Seun Egbegbe that he was neither arrested nor beaten by any mob, PUNCH Metro gathered on Wednesday afternoon that the film-maker was still in police custody.

Egbegbe was mobbed on Tuesday for allegedly stealing nine iPhones, after which he was taken to the Area F Command in Ikeja.

It was learnt that the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, had visited the Area F Command, where Egbegbe was being detained, and was briefed on the investigationEgbegbe’s problem started at the Computer Village, Ikeja, after he was accused of stealing the iPhones from a shop.

After buying the phones, he reportedly told a sales boy in the shop that he wanted to pick money from his vehicle outside. He allegedly attempted to escape with the phones in the waiting jeep when the sales boy raised the alarm.

However, he was said to have told the police that he wanted to pick the money when the sales boy screamed for help and alerted the mob.

But Egbegbe on Wednesday denied the incident.

The statement, which was credited to him and went viral, stated that he was neither arrested nor beaten up by any mob.

The statement read, “The story is pretty laughable and better left in the court of public opinion. Ordinarily, I do not want to join issues with the writer of the publication, but I have a responsibility to set the records straight for my fans, friends and foes, in the defence of the truth.

“To say the least, the news did not only grossly misinform unsuspecting public; it also portrays traces of campaign of calumny by some mercenary hell bent on destroying my name, for reasons best known to them.

“I want to state here categorically and emphatically that though I was at the Computer Village to address some issues, I was never arrested for stealing 10 iPhone 7s, as stated by the writer of the story. The matter has since been resolved by the police; and the issue of me stealing phone is devilish from the said writer.

“It is germane to note that I am a charitable, humane, and grass root person, who has exhibited selflessness in communal service, which have used as a veritable tool for social development.

“Finally, I wish to inform the generalpublic to discard the report. I am presently at home relaxing.”

However, a police source at the command told our correspondent at about 3pm on Wednesday that the film-maker was still being held for interrogation.

The source said, “He (Egbegbe) is still in our custody. His associates have been debunking the allegation. He is still in detention. The CP even came to interrogate him this afternoon (Wednesday).”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said Egbegbe was still under investigation in the command, adding that the public would be informed on the outcome of the investigation on Thursday (today)

She said, “The case is still under investigation. We will properly brief the press on the stand of the command on the case by tomorrow (today).”ommenting on the online statement, the PPRO said, “You are aware that he was arrested. If an online publication is saying he was not arrested, and the police said he was arrested, which one do you want to believe?”

Jegede is now PDP candidate, says INEC

In a judgment lasting three tension-soaked hours, the Appeal Court, Abuja, resolved the controversy surrounding the governorship ticket of the Ondo Peoples Democratic Party in favour of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, sending the PDP supporters in the 40-year-old state into wild jubilation.

The judgment delivered on Wednesday by the Justice Ibrahim Saulawa-led three-member panel lifted the pall of uncertainty hanging over the governorship ticket that had pitted business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim, against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Eyitayo Jegede.

In the landmark judgment, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja by which the Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Ibrahim the PDP’s governorship candidate for the November 26 election in Ondo StateThe three-man panel of the appeal court in a unanimous judgment, upheld the appeal by Jegede, who was earlier dropped by INEC and replaced with Ibrahim, as the governorship candidate of the party.

In a separate judgment delivered by the panel, the appeal court also upheld the appeal by a factional chairman of the party, Ahmed Makarfi, and the secretary of the faction, Ben Obi, against the judgment of the Federal High Court, recognising Biyi Poroye and eight others as state executive members of the party in their various states.

All the three Justices on the panel, Justice Saulawa, Justice George Mbaba and Ignatius Agube, agreed on the decisions reached on the two judgments.

Poroye and others who are backing Ibrahim as the governorship candidate of the party belong to the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the PDP.

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on June 29, 2016, delivered a judgment recognising Poroye and others as the authentic state executive members of the PDP in their various states.

Subsequently, the judge, in a post-judgment ruling delivered on October 14, 2016, ordered INEC to drop Jegede and substitute him with Ibrahim as the governorship candidate of the PDP in the election slated for Saturday.

Justice Saulawa, in setting aside the two decisions on Wednesday, described them as “highly misplaced and most fraudulent”.

He resolved all the seven issues formulated for determination in favour of Jegede, describing the failure of the judge to grant fair hearing to Jegede, who was not a party to the suit before the Federal High Court, as “violent attitudinal disposition to rule of law.”

He said the judge committed a “grave error by violating the principles of natural justice” which he said required all parties that could be affected by an order of court to be heard before judgment was delivered.

Another member of the panel, Justice George Mbaba, who read the lead judgment on Makarfi’s appeal, also described Justice Abang’s judgment, as a “charade and fraud”.

Justice Mbaba ruled, “The entire proceedings leading to the judgment delivered on June 29, 2016, were, in my view, a fraud and it was intended to defraud the appellants. It appeared to be arranged by the same people who paraded as the plaintiffs and tthe defendants.

“The first to ninth respondents (Poroye and others) did not have a proper course of action.”

He noted that Justice Abang was “a willing party to achieve an ignoble goal”.

The appeal court held that Justice Abang acted without jurisdiction when he made orders against those that were not parties before him.

The panel also faulted the order granted in favour of Ibrahim on the grounds that the governorship candidate of the Sheriff faction was never a party to the suit and the prayer asking that he be recognised as the governorship candidate was not sought by the plaintiffs.

Justice Saulawa held that Justice Abang contravened judicial principles by granting an order not sought by the party.

He said Justice Abang, having earlier in the main judgment delivered on June 29, ruled that the recognition he granted Poroye and others as state executive members of the party was with respect to the 2019 general election, the judge on his own, in his October 14, 2016 ruling, “targeted his orders at the November 26 governorship election”.

“The court mistook his robe for that of Father Christmas and was handing out orders like Christmas gifts,” Justice Saulawa ruled.he appeal court also nullified the primary said to have been conducted by the Poroye-led state executive of the Sheriff faction of the party which produced Ibrahim as the governorship candidate of the party in the state.

The appeal court described the primary that produced Ibrahim as an “illegal contraption” with “no legal effect or equitable remedy”, adding that the only valid primary could be the one conducted by the National Working Committee of any political party.

The court also held that the provisions of section 287 on which the October 14 post-judgment ruling was based could not be applied for judgment enforcement as Justice Abang did, describing the proceedings as fraudulent.

The court also dismissed Exhibits B21, B23 and B24 relied on by Abang as inadmissible because they were not properly certified.

Justice Saulawa ruled, “Having come this far. Having resolved each and all the total number of seven issues in favour of the appellant, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), what else should the court do?

“Against the background of the foregoing, there is no gainsaying the fact that the appeal is meritorious and it is hereby allowed.”

But the court said it could not make any “consequential order” because Jegede’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), only prayed the court to allow the appeal and set aside the order of Justice Abang of the Federal High Court and nothing more.

Justice Saulawa explained that a court was not allowed to make an order not sought by parties, adding that Jegede’s prayer in his notice of appeal“is incongruous” with the prayers his lawyers asked the court to grant during hearing.

Justice Saulawa ruled, “The reliefs are incongruous and rather mutually exclusive. It is the law that the court does not grant the prayers not sought by parties.”

The Supreme Court had on Tuesday given the Justice Ibrahim Saulawa panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which was handling the various cases relating to the dispute over the PDP governorship ticket in the forthcoming election in Ondo State, the nod to continue with its proceedings.

In two separate rulings,  the five-man panel of the  apex court led by the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, unanimously dismissed the motions asking for a stay of the appeal court’s proceedings and others seeking an order disbanding the Justice Saulawa panel.

The two categories of motions dismissed by the apex court on Tuesday were filed by nine applicants led by Poroye.

The apex court arrived at the decisions when 14 separate appeals relating to the dispute over the PDP’s governorship ticket for the forthcoming election in Ondo State came up for hearing on Tuesday.

Other members of the Supreme Court’s panel – Justices Tanko Muhammad, Kumai Akaahs, Kudirat Kekereekun and Ejembi Eko – all agreed with the lead rulings readby Justice Onnoghen.

I’ll get judgment at Supreme Court –Ibrahim

 Jimoh Ibrahim has reacted to the judgment which ordered INEC to remove his name as the candidate of the PDP in Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State.

Ibrahim said in a statement shortly after the judgment that he was sure of getting justice at the Supreme Court.

He said there was no way the incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Dr.  Olusegun Mimiko, would succeed himself by planting Jegede  as his successor.

His statement read in part, “I have read the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered today (Wednesday).  We have nothing to lose as the Supreme Court sits on the same case tomorrow. We shall get justice at the Supreme Court and if the PDP wins Saturday election, we shall have our four-year mandate to rule Ondo State.

Jubilation

No sooner had the judgment been delivered than wild jubilation broke out among Jegede’s loyalists in Akure.

 Hundreds of women stormed the INEC office at Alagbaka, in the state capital to jubilate the ruling.

 From Oyemekun Road to NEPA, Arakale, Alagbaka, Isikan, Oluwatuyi, Ijapo, Stadium Road, Hospital Road, Owode, Araromi, and Ilesa Garage areas, hundreds of jubilant supporters of Jegede trooped out singing and dancing.

 The supporters, who displayed posters and campaign banners of Jegede, sang and danced in front of the INEC office while the armed security operatives deployed there monitored them closely.

 Ibrahim’s party secretariat deserted

 The campaign secretariat of Ibrahim was deserted following the ruling by the appeal court.

Our correspondent, who visited the secretariat around 4pm observed that although few cars branded in the posters of Ibrahim were parked in the front of the campaign office, people inside the office were less than 20.

The secretariat of the Poroye-led executive of the PDP, which is some few metres away from Ibrahim’s campaign office, was also deserted.

Afikuyomi to Lalong: Tinubu is not sick

Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, a close ally of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has refuted the claim by the Plateau State Governor, Solomon Lalong, that the former governor of Lagos is sick.

Lalong had claimed that Tinubu was absent at the last Saturday’s Ondo State APC governorship rally because of ill-health.

But in a press release issued in Lagos on Tuesday, Afikuyomi described the claim credited to Lalong as absolutely incorrect.Afikuyomi, who claimed that he travelled to the United States of America with Tinubu to witness the recent US elections, said that the former governor “Is in a remarkable state of mental and physical wellness.”

He said, “It is therefore absolutely incorrect and most embarrassing for anyone to attempt to invent such a laughable reason for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s absence at the rally. The fact that somebody went for medical check-up does not mean he is ill.

“In the likely event that Asiwaju, like all mortals, was ill at all, I doubt if Mr. Lalong would be the first to know by reason of relationship, proximity and trust.

“Prominent politicians like the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, have been speaking with Tinubu. Governor Amosun particularly communicated with him a day before the Ondo rally and he can never claim not to have spoken with him. I have also remained in constant touch with Asiwaju Tinubu since my arrival in Nigeria. We speak daily as a matter of fact.”

Trump considers ex-rival, Ben Carson as housing secretary

Donald Trump’s one-time presidential rival, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, appeared to be a cabinet shoo-in Tuesday after both men mentioned his possible Housing and Urban Development appointment.

“I am seriously considering Dr. Ben Carson as the head of HUD. I’ve gotten to know him well–he’s a greatly talented person who loves people!” the president-elect said on Twitter.

Carson himself indicated on Fox News that the HUD position “was one of the offers that’s on the table.”

“Our inner cities are in terrible shape and they definitely need some real attention,” he told the broadcaster, adding that he had been interested in housing for a long time Carson quit the presidential race in March, only to endorse Trump one week later.

Trump similarly telegraphed his support for General James Mattis as a potential secretary of defense

“General James ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis, who is being considered for Secretary of Defense, was very impressive yesterday. A true General’s General!” Trump wrote Sunday.

On Tuesday, The New York Times quoted the real estate tycoon as saying he was still “seriously considering” Mattis for the job.

Trump is in the process of forming his cabinet, with a stream of would-be appointees making the pilgrimage to his Manhattan tower and traveling to New Jersey over the weekend where they met the president-elect at his golf club.

Trump’s picks so far include ultra-conservative Senator Jeff Sessions as attorney general, hawkish congressman Mike Pompeo as CIA director and retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn as his national security adviser.

on Twitter over the weekend.teve Bannon, seen as an ideologue of the ultra-conservative alt-right movement, was named as chief strategist, while Reince Priebus, the head of the Republican National Committee, was named White House chief of staff.

Trump is reportedly considering former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani for the secretary of state post.

I was framed up, I never stole phones-Seun Egbegbe

Seun Egbegbe has now released a statement saying though he was at computer village today, he never stole iphones as it’s been widely reported. Here’s a statement released to journalists. This just confirms our source is truly in the know. The statement;

“My attention has been drawn to an online publication of the aforementioned. The story is pretty laughable and better left in the court of public opinion. Ordinarily, 1 do not want to join issues with the writer of the publication but I have a responsibility to set the records straight for my fans, friends and foes , in the defence of the truth.
“To say the least, the news did not only grossly misinform unsuspecting public; it also portrays traces of campaign of calumny by some mercenary hirelings hell bent in destroying my name, for reasons best known to them.

“Having read with keen interest the completely self-serving spirited attempt to destroy my person, it has become imperative and timely that a rejoinder is written to state the fact clearly.
“I want to state here categorically and emphatically that though I was at Computer Village to address some issues, but I was never arrested for stealing 10 I phone 7s, as stated by the writer of the story, the matter has since been resolved by the Nigeria Police; and the issue of me stealing phone is devilish from the said writer.

“Furthermore, It is rather unfortunate that the said writer will amount to cheap blackmail to deceive the unsuspecting public with a view of gaining cheap popularity.
“It is germane to note that I am a charitable, humane, and grass root person, who has exhibited selflessness in communal service, which have used as a veritable tool for social development.
“Finally, I wish to inform the general public to discard the report. I am presently at home relaxing!”

UBA CFO, Finance Team Shine at CFO Awards

Pan-African financial services group, United Bank for Africa Plc repeated the outstanding feat, it recorded last year at the 2^nd edition of Nigeria CFO awards, with a notch higher when its Group Chief Finance Officer (Group CFO) and the Finance Team bagged the treble at the awards night held on November 19, 2016 at Oriental Hotel, Lekki Lagos. The bank won the following awards; CFO of the Year; Financial Innovation Project of the Year and Finance Team of the Year.  

Ugo Nwaghodoh, UBA’s Group Chief Finance Officer was ahead of other nominees in the banking category, to emerge CFO of the year.

The Finance team of the year was also given to the finance division of UBA for their exceptional performance in the year under review, which the organiser say resulted in the bank emerging as one of the resilient performers in the Nigerian banking industry, despite the economic downturn.

Receiving the awards, UBA’s Group CFO, flanked by some of his colleagues, thanked the organizers for the recognition which is coming, second time in a row, noting that he couldn’t have done it alone and that he is delighted to be working with the best finance team in the Nigerian banking industry. He dedicated the awards to his team who he said work assiduously with the passion to always exceed expectations. Achieving a feat like this at a challenging period, only indicates that hard work and dedication truly pays. We are further encouraged by these awards but speaking the minds of my colleagues, this presents new challenges to us, as we will intensify our commitment towards setting benchmarks for the industry, particularly in our strategic roles beyond financial reporting and performance management , Nwaghodoh said.

Also speaking at the awards night, the Chief Executive Officer of Instinct Business magazine, Organisers of the CFO awards, Akin Naphtal, explained that CFOs are integral to the successes of organizations as their expansive financial perspectives help fuel growth. That is why we believe  the achievements of financial executives who have been outstanding in their profession and have contributed in no small measure to the growth of their organisations and the economy at large, must be recognized and celebrated”.

The awards nights was a colorful gathering of CFOs from different industries, including, banking, Insurance, Telecoms, Pharmaceuticals, Construction, Investment Banking, Media broadcast, Conglomerate, Logistics & transport, and Public sector across Nigeria with many lauding the organizers for the rare initiative.

Mr Nwaghodoh, UBA’s Group CFO is a seasoned financial analyst and accountant with over two decades experience spanning assurance, advisory, financial control, strategy and business transformation, investor relations, mergers and acquisitions, business integration and project management. Prior to his appointment as Group Chief Finance Officer of UBA, he was at different times, Group Financial Controller, Group Chief Compliance Officer and Head – Performance Management in UBA. Before joining UBA in 2004, he had almost one decade experience with Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers, both in Nigeria and Kenya.

He holds a BSc degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and an MSc degree in Finance and Management from Cranfield University, England. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and Institute of Credit Administration. He is also an Honorary Senior Member (HCIB) of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), and a member of Cranfield Management Association.

In his capacity as GCFO, the Bank has sustained robust level of growth by consistently recording significant and enviable financial performance.

Iginla Completes N10m(Ten Million Naira) Gift To Muslim Acid Victim, Sponsors Her Surgery In India Inbox x

 

In continuation of his philanthropic gesture, Bro. Joshua iginla, the Senior Pastor of Champions Royal Assembly, Chikakore-Kubwa, Abuja on Sunday, gave additional N5 million to complete the N10 million promised to a Muslim acid victim, Jamila Yusuf, who was bathed with acid by her boyfriend.

Bro. Iginla announced his sponsorship of Jamila’s medical trip to India for a reconstruction surgery, including her brother and a Medical Doctor, Dr. Osamaojo Eghosa, who would accompany them.

The philanthropic pastor had earlier presented N5 million to Jamila and gave opportunity to those who might want to contribute to saving her life.

He had, however, said that he had the whole money and would complete it if enough money was not raised from people to complete it.

The Senior Pastor had also processed Jamila’s Passport and Medical Visa as well as Passports and Visas for her brother and Dr. Eghosa who are accompanying her.

The additional N5 million and the previous N5 million, which completed the N10 estimated Medical bill, Jamila’s Visa and those of her brother and Dr. Eghosa to India, were also displayed Live at the Church service on Sunday.

“I am told by medical Doctors they might stay in india for up to three months. About N900,000 came in from outside apart from the N5m that I gave.

“So bring another 10,000 U.S. dollars and four bail of N500 (N1 million) to make it N10 million. I was told someone from Abuja here donated 4,300 Rupees to that,” Bro. Iginla said.

“So by this week, they are travelling to India and when they come back, we will update you again to see what has been done.

“They have gotten the Visa and her brother’s and Doctor Eghosa’s who will accompany her there.

The money in Naira, Dollars and Rupees bills was publicly handed over to Jemila immediately at d Church.

Bro Joshua Iginla of Champions Royal Assembly, again, stressed that he did not know Jamila from anywhere but was only showing love to her.

He also emphasised that his gesture was not to convert Jamila from Islam to Christianity.

His words:
“I want to tell you that I don’t know our sister and I need to stress that the money I am giving her is not a bait to turn Jemila from Islam to Christian.

“That’s why we did not give her Bible and we are not stopping her from going back to Muslim when she comes back but we are saying women should be respected and protected.

“It is not about converting her but about who is my neighbour. My neighbour is the one who needs my help and who I can render help.

“This is just the little we can do to preach love to all human race whether Christian, Muslim, Hindu or any religion or tribe.

“It is still a problem in Nigeria to help people outside of your religion or tribe; it is a tradition to help only people from your tribe or religion,” he said.

Doctor Eghosa, explained that all arrangements had been concluded for Jamila and the team to leave for New Delhi, India.

“Through Papa, we have made arrangement with Fortis Hospital in New Delhi and will be leaving this week by the grace of God”

“She will have osmetic approach for the neck and also surgery for the eyes and the cost will be about N10 million or more,” Dr. Eghosa said.

According to him, the team of Doctors to carry out the reconstruction surgery had been contacted and were set to carry out the surgery.

Bro. Iginla is synonymous with assisting people from all walks of life especially, widows, orphans and less-privileged.

Mohammed Babangida Set to Take Custody of Children ... As Police Hunt for Rahama

 The drama and shenanigans being thrown up and used by Rahama Babangida(nee Indimi), the estranged wife of Mohammed Babangida, first son of former military president Gen Ibrahim Babangida(rtd) to whip up sentiments and public sympathy in the unnecessary battle she is wagging against her ex husband over the custody of their four children is landing her in more and more problems.

It is on record that a court has granted Mohammed Babangida the custody of the children  but all efforts by court officials, accompanied by the police to execute a valid court order have been met with dramatic resistance from Rahama, who consistently use social media propaganda to whip up sentiments that Mohammed wants to use his influence as a son of former Military President to unjustly maltreat her.

Lately, Rahama has reportedly asked her lawyer to write a petition to the Inspector General of Police and President Muhammadu Buhari, alleging threat to her life by Mohammed.

Meanwhile, family sources disclosed to us that Rahama's father, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, the owner of Oriental Energy  is angered by all the antics of his daughter and has wash his hands of her matter.

''Alhaji Indimi has directed Rahama to release the children to their father  who has the capacity to raise them well, but she stubbornly refused to listen to her dad. The man felt disgraced by the attitude of the daughter, saying that she has destroyed an age long relationship he had built over the years with the Babangidas. Because of this, Alhaji Indimi has practically disowned her." Our source revealed.

The source further reminded that Alhaji Indimi is particularly bitter with the quantum of lies Rahama is spewing against Mohammed in this unwarranted feud.''I want to remind you once again that it was Ibrahim Babangida (Mohammed's father) that gave Indimi the break  that catapulted him into the league of billionaires in the country when the former was the military President. So, it is painful to him that it's his own daughter that is now maligning the Babangida's because of marital issues.

Meanwhile, sources disclosed that the police might arrest Rahama any moment from now for obstructing them from carrying a court order of retrieving the children for their father.

Dodge Charger Takes Inaugural ‘Hottest Sedan’ Honors

It is no news that the Mopar brand isn’t alone in choosing the Jeep® Wrangler and Dodge Charger as perfect canvasses for customization. On 1st November, 2016, the Jeep Wrangler received an award tagged “the Hottest 4x4-SUV” on the trade show floor for the seventh year in a row. This took place at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show Awards Breakfast, where the Dodge
Charger also took home inaugural honors as “Hottest Sedan.”
These awards were accepted by Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA – Global.
The brand’s booth at SEMA featured Mopar-modified Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Charger vehicles among a total of 14 customized Mopar rides and hundreds of Mopar products in the brand’s 15,345-square-foot exhibit.

“The SEMA Show and SEMA members play a critical role in identifying the hottest trends and rides in the vehicle customization industry, which is why winning a SEMA Award represents an important recognition for our company,” said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA – Global. “Enthusiasts customize vehicles they love and feel passionate about, and we at Mopar are lucky to have such a great portfolio of vehicles within the FCA umbrella. FCA vehicles are the perfect canvas for our accessories and performance parts.”
Jeep Wrangler is the most Mopar-modified vehicle, with nearly all (98%) Wrangler owners customizing their ride with at least one Mopar accessory or part. For the Dodge Charger, Mopar has nearly 150 accessories and performance parts available to personalize the world’s only four-door muscle car.
Mopar has also established 11 Mopar Custom Shops in four different countries to enable owners to personalize all FCA US vehicles even before they are delivered.
“Jeep is one of the most accessory-friendly vehicles available, having won the SEMA Award as the ‘Hottest 4x4-SUV’ repeatedly,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “Given the vehicle’s versatility as a daily driver and for off-road use, it comes as no surprise that the Jeep remains so popular among the automotive community.The elegant and athletic Dodge Charger also won the first ever “Hottest Sedan” award for the numerous customization options it bring to drivers. Dodge drivers want both practicality and power and the Dodge Charger offers the right platform for its owners.
“The Dodge Charger is an iconic vehicle among muscle cars and is an example of how an already great vehicle can be made even greater through personalization and customization. There are hundreds of products available for consumers to enhance the performance and styling of their Dodge Chargers.” - SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting
“Nigerians have embraced the FCA brand because a lot of owners do not lag behind in vehicle customization. Most Jeep Wrangler owners regularly opt for at least one accessory such as bigger tires or upper light bars. It is quite apparent that customers have unique tastes for Dodge Chargers and Jeep Wranglers. We are happy to offer customization services to suit each request as all our authorized workshops are fully equipped with the necessary facilities to render
maintenance, genuine spare parts replacements and other aftersales services” – says Stavros Diamantidis, General Manager for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram at Weststar Associates.

Mikel salary scares Marseille

 French giants Marseille are ready to rescue Nigeria captain Mikel Obi from  his Chelsea nightmare, but the player’s  reported £3.4m-a-year  salary  is set to  scupper  the  move.

Mikel, who joined the Premier League powerhouse in 2006, has been frozen out of the  team by the Blues’ Italian manager Antonio Conte, who took over the reins at the Stamford Bridge side in the summer.

French outlet Le 10 Sport  reported  on Thursday that Marseille manager Rudi Garcia was  desperate to  sign the 29-year-old Super Eagles  midfielder  in January to boost his midfield options.But Le 10 Sport   claims  the “the salary of  Mikel  Obi would be problematic”.

Acoording to  talkSPORT,   Chelsea  are set to offload Mikel,  has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and four FA Cups with  the club, as he is deemed surplus to requirements by Conte.

Mikel told The Sun last week that he was ready to quit the club  during the January transfer window  for first-team football elsewhere.

He said, “Yes, maybe people will say the new manager was upset I left and went to the Olympics, that I didn’t have a pre-season with the team.

“He (Conte) probably thinks I don’t care about the team, things like that.

“But I don’t want to use those excuses. I have to keep training hard and make sure I change the manager’s mind. If not, then we’ll see what happens in January.”

Le 10 Sport    said  Mikel, who guided Nigeria to a 3-1 win over Algeria’s Desert Foxes in their Russia 2018 World Cup Group B qualifier in Uyo on Saturday,  could move to   China where he  would be guaranteed an annual salary matching what he currently earns at Chelsea.

IDFA kicks off today

The 29th edition of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA
 is kicking off  today in Amsterdam with a screening of Stranger in Paradise at the ROyal Theater Carre. The Dutch documentary by director Guido Hendrikx focuses on the asylum seekers crisis in Europe, Het Parool reports.
The IDFA runs until November 27th. A total of over 300 films will be screened, 102 of which will be making their world premier at the festival. The program includes 44 Dutch titles.
The festival is also again running a number of special programs, including The Quiet Eye, in which so-called slow documentary is discussed. And in Assembling Reality the focus is on the montage. Racism is also a topic of discussion, including through a screening of the 7.5 hour long documentary series O.J.: Made in America

Elumelu To African Youth: Your Time For Leadership Is Now

 African business leader and philanthropist, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu stated that the time for leadership amongst Nigerian and African Youth is now. Elumelu, who addressed the students of the Lagos State University, faculty members and officials of the Lagos State government, whilst delivering the institution’s 1st Distinguished Lecture Series in Ojo, Lagos, spoke on the topics of leadership and entrepreneurship.

 ‎According to Elumelu, leadership is demonstrated at all levels of an institution and he gave short thrift to the idea that not only Presidents, Governors and CEOs are leaders. “A leader is simply someone who gets results” he said, challenging the students to embrace leadership, even at this early stage in their lives, “whether you are leading a team of people, or just yourself, your responsibility is to generate, secure or deliver results. I believe you can be a leader at any stage in your life and career, and in any career path you choose”.

 Subverting some of the often-held notions about leadership, the UBA Group Chairman stated that leadership can be learned and it is important to keep learning and honing one’s leadership skills. "Just as I seek to democratise luck, with the work of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, so equally I believe every soldier carries a general’s baton in his pack. The key is self-belief – and an environment that enables" he said.

across Africa, Elumelu expressed his profound thoughts saying: “What value is wealth or money in an individual’s bank account if we cannot use it to positively impact society? The seeds we plant today will help us move the needle as it relates to the development of Nigeria and Africa. Embrace entrepreneurship, develop yourselves as leaders.  For your dreams to come true you need to be courageous, optimistic and bold. There are no shortcuts," Elumelu advised the over 1500 students in the auditorium.

  Tony Elumelu is the proponent of Africapitalism, and he had the opportunity to share this economic philosophy that encourages the private sector to invest for the long term, in sectors that advance the economic and social development of our societies. Africapitalism underpins Elumelu's investments and his belief that entrepreneurship is capable of helping to grow and develop the African continent. It drives his decision to commit $100 million dollars to identify and grow 10,000 entrepreneurs on the continent over a 10-year period.

 ‎“Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme which is in its second year, we will identify, train, mentor and seed 10,000 African businesses over the next 10 years, creating 1 million jobs and $10 billion in additional revenues across the continent.  “Your idea CAN transform Africa” he stated.

 He called on the students to embrace entrepreneurship as a career. According to him, “If you pursue entrepreneurship, your options for advancement will not be limited to just finding a job.  You can create your

 Unveiling what it means to him to assist budding entrepreneurs

own employment opportunities and create jobs for others. You can help to transform your communities, and the country,” he said.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who was represented at the event by Ms. Toyin Ademuiya, the Director of Creativity of the Lagos State government, noted that the choice of the guest speaker in Tony Elumelu and the topic he discussed, underscores the thinking of his own administration in strengthening the capacity of the University and supporting its mission to mould leaders out of students. As he thanked Elumelu for sharing his knowledge on entrepreneurship to the students, the Governor promised to continue supporting the university. " Education is the bedrock of Nigeria’s future" he asserted.

 The Chairman of the occasion and the Chancellor, of the University, Hon. Justice Adesola Oguntade (Rtd) in his remarks buttressed this saying: as he  said "Entrepreneurship is an essential topic of great essence given the current wave of youth unemployment. The choice of the guest speaker demonstrates the university's passion and commitment to excellence. Tony Elumelu is indeed an icon of success".

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Lanre Fagbohun, urged the students to follow the advice of the Guest Speaker, Tony Elumelu, who he described as a ‘serial investor and quintessential philanthropist who has continuously impacted on the continent through the creation of jobs and building young Africans in entrepreneurship’.

Top Actress, Tricia Eseigbe, Survives Boat Mishap In Delta State

                         

Report reaching us indicates that ace Nollywood actress and producer,
Tricia Eseigbe, recently cheated death in Delta State. Information scooped by us revealed that the boat conveying the actress
and her crew during a film production in Delta State capsized in the
middle of water.Tricia Eseigbe, 

we learnt, was shooting a documentary on a man of God,
when suddenly their boat reportedly hit something and overturned.Tricia was shooting a documentary on the General Overseer and Founder
of Christ MercyLand Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto
Fufeyin. 

Prophet Fufeyin recently healed star actor, Ernest Asuzu, from demonic
attack and stroke, and also empowered him spiritually and financially
afterwards. It was gathered that immediately the incident happened, members of the
crew starting saying different prayers and were thrown into confusion.However, we were informed that when one of them remembered the mantle
given to them by Prophet Fufeyin before the shoot, and prayed with it,
others followed suit. It was said that shortly after this, things took
a sweet turn and none of them lost their lives in the ugly incident.Prophet Fufeyin, who confirmed this, thanked God for saving the lives
of Boldfaces and MercyTV 12-man crew that was involved in the boat
mishap while filming his biographical documentary titled – BEHIND THE
PULPIT’

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