Actor Wumi Toriola

From Part 1 through Part 3, the narrative flows seamlessly, with no wasted moments. Entirely in Yoruba, the dialogues are steeped in rich proverbs and cultural expressions, showcasing the elegance and depth of the language. The suspense is gripping, keeping you glued to your screen, while the emotional depth lingers long after the credits roll.

At its core, Konge explores friendship, trust, self-reflection, and the silent struggles of single mothers in society. It’s a reminder to guard our own sense of trust as fiercely as we trust others. For those who treasure their friendships like family, this story will strike a deeply personal chord.

No spoilers here, this is a movie you need to experience firsthand. But one thing is certain: Konge is a powerful celebration of Yoruba storytelling and the timeless beauty of the Yoruba language (Èwà èdè Yoruba).

To Wumi Toriola and her team, thank you for gifting us this remarkable work.

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The court also affirmed the judgment of the Industrial Court delivered on the 11th March 2024 in respect of Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023.

The court held that the appeal filed by Najeem Usman Yasin, Tajudeen Agbede and others challenging the decision of the Industrial Court that recognised Baruwa as President lacked merits and therefore dismissed it.

In a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement with Appeal No. CA/ABJ//CV/293/2024 delivered on Friday, November 8 by a three-member panel; Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi, also declared Baruwa as bonafide and legally elected President of the union.

The appellate court also awarded the sum of N100,000 against the Appellant in favour of the Respondents.

The court enrolment order reads, “THIS COURT ON FRIDAY THE 8TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2024

“UPON READING the Record of Appeal compiled and transmitted before this court together with the respective briefs of argument; AND AFTER HEARING, O. I. Olorundare, SAN with F.T Sotikare, esq) Jimoh Balogun,

COURT OF APPEAL ABUJA DIVISION

CERTIFIED TRUE COPY

Esq O. D. Emole, Esq 1. Yunanah Esq) for the Appellants Tolu Babaleye Esq with Adeniyi Adejoke Esq Maku Oluwatoyin Esq B. T Ataine Esq for the Respondents.

ALHAMDU S UMARU HEAD PROCESS

HAMMA A. BARKA JUSTICE COURT OF APPEAL IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

1: This Appeal is devoid of merit and the same is hereby dismissed.

1 affirm the Judgment of the Trial Court delivered on the 11th day of March, 2024 in respect of Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023.

 I award the Cost of N100,000 against the Appellant and in favour of the Respondents”

While addressing a press conference in Abuja over the purported inauguration of Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Alias (MC Oluomo) as President of the union, Baruwa described the action as blatant disregard and disrespect for the rule of law and affront to judiciary.

He said the purported inauguration was not only laughable but also an affront on the judiciary as it violates the March 11th and November 8th judgments of the National Industrial Court and Court of Appeal which restrained the Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin led interlopers from interfering in the activities of the union and the day-to-day administration of Alh. Comrade Ibikunle Tjudeen Baruwa led National Executives of NURTW.

He said NURTW is a creation of the law with an approved constitution that stipulates the guidelines for elections into offices.

He called on the Inspector General of Police and Attorney General of the Federation to intervene to ensure the enforcement of the Court judgment in the interest of peace, order and tranquillity, and the rule of law.

The statement read, “The law-abiding National Executives of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were jolted on Monday 11th November 2024 as we read with utter disbelief, news on social media, the purported inauguration of Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo as the President of NURTW in flagrant disobedience to subsisting judgments of both the National Industrial Court and Court of Appeal delivered on 11th March and November 8th 2024 respectively; which affirmed the election of Alh. Comrade Ibikunle Tajudeen Baruwa as the legitimate President of the NURTW for a term of four years.

“The purported inauguration is not only laughable but also an affront to the judiciary as it violates the March 11th and November 8th judgments of the National Industrial Court and Court of Appeal which restrained the Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin led interlopers from interfering in the activities of the union and the day-to-day administration of Alh. Comrade Ibikunle Tjudeen Baruwa led National Executives of NURTW.

“The action of Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin led lawless group that undermines the authority of the judiciary and also a serious threat to democracy.

“The NURTW is a creation of the law with an approved Constitution that stipulates the guidelines for elections into offices of the union which were brazenly disregarded.

“It is an indisputable fact that Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, MC Oluomo has since lost his membership of the NURTW in line with the Constitution of the union having voluntarily exited the union in March 9th 2021 during which he publicly tore his membership card.

“There is no vacancy in the office of the President of NURTW and so the purported and illegal inauguration is to that extent null, void and of effect whatsoever.

“This charade as orchestrated by Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin, the former President of the union who benefited immensely from the union is an insult to the judiciary and our democratic institutions. We will therefore not stand idly and watch our union hijacked disgruntle element lead by Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin who have no regard for the rule of law for their selfish interests. It is on record that Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin has served out his two tenures of 4 years per term as President of the union.

“The Inspector General of Police to kindly use his good offices in ensuring the enforcement of the Court judgment.

“The Attorney General of the Federation to kindly intervene immediately in the interest of peace, order and tranquillity, and the rule of law.

“All members of our great union across the country to remain calm as we explore every legal means towards ejecting the Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin led interlopers from the NURTW NHQs.”

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Its President, Dayo Arogbo, disclosed this during her investiture and fundraising as the 7th President of the club in Lagos.

Cataract surgery is a procedure that replaces a cloudy natural lens in the eye with an artificial lens. It has a high success rate in improving eyesight.

Cataracts are prevalent in Nigeria and are the most common cause of blindness and severe visual impairment in the country.

The 2018 Nigerian National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey (NNBVIS) estimated that cataracts accounted for about 43 per cent of visual impairment cases in Nigeria.

Arogbo noted that Lions Club had a long history of fighting major causes of preventable and reversible blindness and assisting those who are blind or visually impaired.

Ms Arogbo

“Our core project for 2024/2025 Lions year is actually to sponsor 20 cataract surgeries, however, based on consultation with my team, we’ve increased the number to 50 surgeries.

“Our partners have subsidised the cost of each surgery to N150, 000 and this will enable us to impact more lives which is the essence of Lions,” she said.

According to Arogbo, her core projects also include facilitating the external flooring of Anthony Village Health Centre and continuing the building of a school Assembly hall for Ajao Estate Junior High School.

She disclosed that at the start of the 2024/2025 lion’s year, the club had conducted some projects, such as tree planting within its community and converting a point into a recreational area, done in collaboration with the District.

Arogbo added that the youths were also engaged and trained in healthcare, skill development, digital literacy, and raising awareness against drug addiction.

“We also donated sanitary items, including cash donations to the Oncology Ward at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

“We have also conducted eye screenings, distributed free eyeglasses, and continue our monthly humanitarian community outreach to fulfil our global causes,” she said.

Arogbo acknowledged that the task ahead was daunting; however, expressed confidence that collaboration would assist in achieving desired targets and excelling in its service to humanity.

Similarly, Dr Folasade Shotomide, District Governor, District 404A3 Nigeria, advised the club to strive for excellence in its service and create a brighter future for its community.

“Go for the best, and always remember that our service is not just about what we do, but how we make others feel,” Shotomide said.

Lions Club is an international service organisation, with the mission of empowering volunteers to serve their communities, meeting humanitarian needs, and promoting peace and understanding worldwide.

Lions focus on projects that address local and global challenges, emphasising eight core projects, which include hunger, sight, diabetes, youth development, environment, childhood cancer, disaster relief, and humanitarian.

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It was a three-in-one program that culminated in bold plans to impact society positively.

In attendance was the Adokun of Igan Okoto, Ogun State, Oba (Dr) Mukail Akanbi Salako as a special guest to discuss the state of the African culture and traditions, especially as it concerns the recent happenings. Of particular concern is the spate of kidnapping of Yoruba monarchs. Oba Adokun said: “There was a way our forefathers did things in their days and recent developments have shown that we need to toe that line, and I can confirm that many of my colleagues (obas) embraced into that”. In its communique after the conference, the group declared: “We have to appease the gods that such sacrilegious killing of our obas should stop.” It urged all concerned, including the state and federal governments, to wake up to the responsibility of protecting the interests of African traditions and cultures. “It is an abomination to kill traditional rulers. In the olden days, you hardly saw a king much more thinking of kidnapping him. People feared kings then. All kings in Yorubaland from time immemorial had what their forefathers used to organize towns, soothe the towns, and ensure peace and tranquility when there was neither Christianity nor Islam’’.

Oba (Dr) Mukail Akanbi Salako, the Adokun of Igan Okoto, Ogun State addressing members of the newly formed association over the weekend…

The second part of the conference discussed the aboriginal umbilical cord of the Kegites Club that is fast losing the sauce that brought them to the club, some over 35 years ago. The theme: “The Kegites Club, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” was extensively debated. Three members from outside the US presented papers on this topic; Chiefs Abiodun Sorinmade (Gbosiah the Jew -Canada, Adesina Sodipe (Ojola Ibinu) –United Kingdom and Prince Adeyemi Olaoti (Oghene Olu Dester) –Nigeria. It was concluded that there is hope, as long as the members who have enjoyed the club in the past decide to be the mirror of the past, in all their engagements so as to redirect the present for the future. In the communique, the Egbe Agba Elemu agreed to be the “mirror of the standard that we wished the comradium to be, symbolically to represent self-reflection, wisdom, vanity, and truth.”

Elder Valentine Olaseinde, the Asoju Egbe Agba, rolled out what the group stands for, stating  “We will use our secular experience and influence to work for peace, love, justice, and a sustainable Kegites Club of the past, by engaging global leaders and civil society through private diplomacy and public advocacy, to address existential komradic threats, promote global solutions, and encourage ethical cultural leadership that supports the dignity of all worldwide members of Kegites Club in particular and human beings in general”.

He continued: The Universal Archaival Elders is an internationally registered non-governmental organization of Achaival entities, whose membership of the club is over 35 years, irrespective of their past portfolios while in school.”

In conjunction with Global Alliance for Africa, The Chalker Foundation for Africa, The West African Health Foundation (WAHF) and African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) the Ẹgbẹ́ Àgbà Elemu (EAE) will be organizing a medical outreach code-named COMO (Community Medical Outreach where members would in two days have increased access to a range of health services. These include expanded primary health for Indigenous people in the treatment and management of chronic diseases.

The EAE COMO will focus service delivery on the following chronic conditions: diabetes; cardiovascular disease; chronic respiratory disease; chronic renal (kidney) disease; and cancer. The Chairman of COMO, Elder, Gbenga Victor Odususi (Otun Basorun, Ẹgbẹ́ Àgbà Elemu) gave a glimpse of what COMO day would be like.

“A website for Egbe Agba Elemu would be the vehicle for the launch, registration of potential members for consultation, volunteers, professionals, agencies, information such as staff CVs, letters of support, or other documents supporting the outreach, and Cost Proposal Instructions – i.e., a budget detailing the costs associated with the program and a justification for it. We are looking at February 12, 2025 for the UAE COMO.”

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Mr Abiodun Bankole-Ojo , State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism,  stated this on Friday while addressing journalists at the grand finale of the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival in Osogbo.

According to him, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has already set up a special committee,  comprising the state Ministries of Water Resources and that of Environment, toward ensuring that the Osun River is free from pollution.

He said though the state government was working to clean, and ensure the water is potable, devotees believe that the water cures them, irrespective of its colour, state or appearance.

“The governor is concerned about the safety of the water, and he has set up a special committee,  headed by the ministries of water resources and environment, to ensure the pollution is removed.

“If you look at the water now, it is far much better than last year, and I am assuring you that by next year, it will be much more better.

“Our people believe drinking  this water cures them. Even though we don’t want poison added to what our people drink, we know that practically and technically,  nobody can stop devotees from drinking it.

“We will, however, do our best to improve on the quality of the water,” he said

Speaking on the Osun-Osogbo Festival,  the commissioner said the festival is the source of the Osogbo people, and by extention, the Osun people, as the state derived its name from the Osun River.

“Osun State derives its name from the Osun River, while the Osun River is the home of the Osun goddess, the goddess that the people, (devotees) are coming to worship.

“Gov. Adeleke has, however, put so much into the festival, to ensure the groove is accessible,  beautiful and usable.

“We are putting a lot of efforts to making the festival great, spiritually,  socially, and in terms of tourism culture, ” he said.

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The police said the deceased was a 23-year-old woman, and the wounded a 22-year-old man.

The couple had come on a camping tour and set up near the Uda Diyaluma waterfall, according to the police.

The police said the marauding elephant was there when police and residents of the area arrived following a distress call from the injured person.

The human-elephant conflict had been increasing in Sri Lanka in recent years.

The death toll of the conflict hit a record high in 2022 with 145 people and 433 elephants killed, according to official data.

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Ewuare II, represented by his brother, Aghatise Erediauwa, gave the commendation at the Benin Bronzes repatriation ceremony in Washington DC on Tuesday.

It was reported that 29 Benin Bronze artifacts were returned by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, one from the National Gallery of Art, and another from the Rhode Island School of Design Museum.

The traditional ruler said the decision of the Smithsonian was now being emulated by numerous other Museums around the world who had continued to hold onto heritage art.

“The accepted narrative is that works which were looted or acquired in ethical ways should be returned to their places of origin,’’ he said.

According to him, there is no moral or legal basis for persistently retaining cultural property which was looted during military expeditions or in unequal negotiations for that matter.

He said the position of the Government of Nigeria was that all returned artifacts should be handed over to the Head and Custodian of the community from where such works were taken.

(Left) The brother of Oba of Benin, Aghatise Erediauwa; Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Chief Charles Edosomwan of Benin kingdom at the Benin Bronzes Repatriation Ceremony on Tuesday at Washington DC

The Oba recalled the relationship between the Smithsonian and the Royal Court of Benin, noting that the relationship dated back to the reign of his father, Oba Erediauwa, whose portrait has adorned this museum for many years.

“It was Oba Erediauwa who started the agitation for the return of our bronzes. His father before him, Oba Akenzua II, had written to Queen Elizabeth of England II to request the return of a beaded ceremonial robe.

“The request was granted, and we have this robe, and it forms part of coronation regalia. We are expecting soon from Germany some bronze stools which are also used in some palace rituals.

“The clamor and struggle for our religious works started very many years ago and we are grateful to those, on side of truth, acknowledge where these works truly belong.’’

He, however, called on the management of Smithsonian to fulfil its promise to assist in training, capacity building and possibly establishing a foundry in Benin for the benefit of the youth.

“I request the Smithsonian, in conjunction with philanthropist benefactors, assist with financing the construction of the Benin Royal Museum which is the primary abode of our returned artifacts and for which we have a site close to the Palace.

“The museum will be overseen by the Board of Trustees headed by Professor Wole Soyinka and other eminent Nigerians.

“The National Commission for Museums and Monuments have requested and obtained my written mandate to negotiate the return of our Bronzes on our behalf,’’ the Oba said.

It was reported that the ceremony featured cultural performance by Edo Association of DC.

Cultural performance by Edo Association of DC

The Kingdom of Benin is renowned for the exceptional quality and diversity of its royal arts fashioned in copper alloy, ivory, terracotta, wood, iron, and coral beads.

In 1897 during a British raid on Benin, the royal palace was torched and looted, and the Oba (ruler) was exiled.

The British confiscated all royal treasures, giving some to individual officers and taking most to auction in London.

The estimated 3,000 objects eventually made their way into museums and private collections around the world.

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All her life, she loathes unnecessary media attention, rather she would celebrate her quiet wins with her team, while allowing results to speak for her. Since she resumed as the Managing Director of GTBank, she has kept a low profile which has kept many wondering about her whereabouts. According to close sources, the trained Pharmacist from the University of Ibadan is silently making moves that are sustaining the bank’s winning streak.

Despite hard times, she is ensuring that the bank maintains its lead as a top shot in the banking business. In doing that, she needs undivided attention devoid of loud attention.

“Those who think she is not in charge are getting it wrong. She has been a result-oriented person since her rookie days in the banking profession. It has been her own style of doing things. She prefers to operate behind the scene and allow her team to take the glory. She has been a team player, that’s why many people are not hearing much from here or seeing her grace public functions. All she is currently interested in ensuring that the bank is delivering top-notch services to its numerous customers and also ensuring that investors get increased dividends as returns on investment. If you see all she has achieved with a short while in charge, you will marvel. When the results start materializing, those who are criticizing her will sing her praise,” a source said.

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Isha Sesay, UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Goodwill Ambassador, said this in a virtual interview with our reporter in Abuja on Wednesday.

The interview was part of activities by the West and Central Africa Regional Office of the UNFPA to mark the 2021 International Women’s Day (IWD).

The day is annually marked on March 8 to raise awareness on the plight of women and girls and to celebrate women making giant strides in different areas of endeavour.

The international day has “CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE” as its theme for this year.

Sesay, a British journalist who described women as very important group in every industrial sector, however, said the COVID-19 lockdown had greatly affected the income and earnings of millions of women around the globe.

She explained that women were hard hit in terms of impact on livelihood as a lot of industries where women dominate as major workforce remained shut while the COVID-19 lockdown lasted.

She said “we want to draw attention to the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on women; we want to see more support for small rural farmers in Africa, majority of whom are women.

“Women in developing countries struggle a lot to access capital to start businesses; they are rural farmers but support families and communities; they need support.

“It has been particularly hard for women during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown as caregivers, doctors, scientists have been on the frontline to save lives.”

The UNFPA ambassador, who emphasised greater access to capital and support for women to achieve self sustenance, added that “we should ensure that women access enough capital; they have been feeding families and communities with their meagre income.”

The journalist, who expressed confidence in the ingenuity of women, said the female folk had been leaders in different areas, beginning from the homes.

She added that women in leadership had excelled more than their male counterparts in many countries of the world, noting that “Rwanda has the highest number of women serving in their legislature in the world; it is phenomenal.”

She pointed out that women had right from time immemorial, distinguished themselves as shining examples in leadership of countries and organisations.

She said “there is also the need to convince religious and community leaders to know that when you educate the girl child, it is for the benefit of all; millions of girls are not allowed to finish school in Least Developed Countries.”

She, therefore, expressed hope that both women and girls, as well as youths would be able to engage government positively for the desired change.

She pledged to use her voice to help in educating and sensitising people against violation of women and girls.

Sesay is a British journalist of Sierra Leonean descent who worked as an anchor and correspondent for CNN International, but left in 2018.

As UNFPA’s goodwill ambassador, she shared her personal life experiences, her journey as a journalist and her interest in women and girls’ issues, we well as efforts to achieve an equal world.

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Our correspondent went into the archive to dig out some notable milestones in the life journey of a journalist and political gladiator.

Fondly called Baba Kekere, Jakande was the governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983 on the platform of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

He later became Minister of Works during the Sani Abacha military regime between 1993 and 1998.

Jakande, who was also a veteran journalist, was born in Epetedo Area of Lagos State on July 23, 1923, to parents from Omun-Aran in Kwara.

He studied at Lagos Public School at Enu-Owa, Lagos Island, then at Bunham Memorial Methodist School, Port Harcourt from 1934 to 1943.

He also studied at Kings College, Lagos in 1943 and then went to Ilesha Grammar School in 1945 where he edited a Literary Paper called the ‘Quarterly Mirror’.

Baba Kekere is known for his visionary leadership and for bringing development to Lagos State during his tenure between Oct. 1, 1979, and Dec. 31, 1983.

He keyed into the five cardinal programmes of the Unity Party of Nigeria, founded by a former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Jakande first worked with the Daily Service and then in 1953, joined the Nigerian Tribune where he rose to become the Editor-in-Chief.

He left Tribune in 1975 and established John West Publications on whose platform he published The Lagos News.

Jakande was the first President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).

On the political scene, Jakande ran for election as the Executive Governor of Lagos State in 1979 on the UPN platform and defeated Adeniran Ogusanya of NPP and Sultan Ladega Adeniji Adele of National Party of Nigeria.

Under his administration, Lagos state was open and full of developmental strides, especially in the education and housing sectors.

He built primary and secondary schools and provided free education.

Baba Kekere established the Lagos State University and constructed over 30,000 Housing Units in Lagos State especially in the low-cost category.

Some of the housing units include low-cost estates in Abesan, Abule Nla, Amuwo-Odofin, Anikantamo, Badagry, Dolphin, Epe, Iba, Ijaiye, Ije, Ikorodu, Ipaja, Iponri, Oke-Afa, and Surulere among others.

In the Health sector, Jakande made an impact by building about 20 health centres. He also completed the construction of the General Hospitals in Gbagada and Ikorodu, thereby improving on the health sector in the state.

Baba Kekere also encouraged the development of traditional medicine and its application for the treatment of patients when his government established the Traditional Medicine Board.

This initiative helped to make people have wider choice on the type of medical services to decide on and seek.

He also established 23 local government councils, which were later disbanded by the military.

In the transportation sector, Jakande started the Metro Line project to facilitate mass transit in the state. However, the project never sees the light of the day, following the military take-over of the government in 1983.

To tackle transportation problem coming up in the state, Jakande government was responsible for the introduction of Odd/Even Traffic System and established the first State Traffic Management Authority (Road Marshals) under the headship of Chief S. O. Ige a distinguished Lagos Lawyer).

His administration also enhanced Water Transportation by establishing the State Ferry Services Corporation.

Some other laudable achievements attributable to late Jakande also include the establishment of Asphalt Plant for the Department of Public Works as well as Electricity Board for Rural Electrification.

The Lateef Jakande government also built the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, the Lagos State Television and the Lagos Radio among others.

The tenure was halted when the military took over in 1983, headed by Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon.

Jakande was without airs and had no interest in public coffers and this exhibited when he refused to move into the comforts of the governor’s official residence.

He lived in his private residence located at Ilupeju and commuted to work in his private car.

Jakande also ensured that members of his household attended state-owned schools and accessed healthcare from state-run hospitals.

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