Yet Again, Araromi Monarch Bags Second Professorship Title

For the Olu-Araromi of Elerangbe Kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Hameed Adejoro Ajijola, it is an honour too many as he has yet again bagged a second Professorship Title within days.

The monarch has become a distinguished recipient of the Honorary Professor of Business Administration Title of the Global Interfaith University.

The cheering news was conveyed in a letter of appointment written by the President of the university, Emmanuel Ande Ivorgha (Ph.D) dated 4th November 2024.

The letter reads in part: "I am pleased to inform you that the Governing Council of Global Interfaith University has approved your appointment as an Honorary Professor of Business Administration. Your expertise, dedication and outstanding contributions to the field of Business Administration have set you apart as a leader and trailblazer in the industry.

"As an Honorary Professor at our esteemed institution, you will have the opportunity to share your knowledge and wisdom with our students, faculty and staff. Your insight and guidance will undoubtedly enrich the academic experience and professional development of all those who interact with you.

"We believe your appointment will strengthens our commitment to excellence in business education and research. Your affiliation with Global Interfaith University will also serve as an inspiration to our entire community as we strive for continuous improvement and innovations.

"We are excited to welcome you to our university and look forward to a fruitful collaboration."

Oba Ajijola's award of Professor in Business Administration came six days after the Chartered Economist was  awarded a Distinguished Professorship Award in Economics by the Royal University of The Kingdom of Atlantis on 28th of October, 2024 in recognition of his outstanding education, versatile knowledge, contributions towards the academic field of Economics both within and outside Nigeria for more than 20 years. 

Atlantic International Refinery Boss, Akintoye Akindele Finally Arrested

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and  detained Akintoye Akindele.

Akindele is the embattled Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.

His arrest and detention in Abuja follows a medical trip which he went for abroad while still being investigated by the commission over alleged misappropriation, money laundering and diversion of public funds to the tune of $35m

According to sources in the commission, the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board was said to have paid $35m to Akindele to build a 2,000 barrel-per-day refinery, jetty, gas plant, power plant, data centre and tank farm at Brass Free Trade Zone, Okpoama Community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

They added that after he received the money in December 2020, Akindele was accused of abandoning the projects.

One of the sources said, “Akindele, a promoter of the Energy Infrastructure Park financed by the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, in Okpoama community in Brass LGA of Bayelsa state, initially mooted the idea of the project to the board and the NCDMB embraced it with a counterpart funding to the tune of $35m.

“NCDMB allegedly paid $35m to Akindele to build a 2,000bpd refinery, jetty, gas plant, power plant, data centre and tank farm at Brass Free Trade Zone, Okpoama Community in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State.

“Since December 2020 when the payments were made, Akindele allegedly abandoned the project with little or nothing to show for the huge sum paid to him.”

Another source said Akindele allegedly received the money through the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited and sent it to four of his companies.

The source said, “Akindele received the funds through the bank account of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited and funnelled the funds into four of his companies: Platform Capital Investment Partners, Duport Midstream Company Ltd., Puissance Afrique Dynamics Ltd, Adamantine Petrochemical & Refinery Ltd and Bureau de Change outlets.

The EFCC has been on a manhunt for him for several months until he finally showed up when he could no longer bear the fire on him. He was thereafter arrested and detained at the commission’s holding facility in Abuja.

When contacted, the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed Akindele’s arrest but declined further comments.

 Osolo Throne: Judge Adjourns Fresh Suit To Nov . 11

Justice M.A. Savage of the Lagos State High Court (Ikeja Division) has adjourned to 11th of November, 2024 the hearing of a fresh suit challenging the nomination of Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Yekini-Goloba as Osolo-elect.

The presiding judge made the adjournment yesterday after counsel to the claimant, Barr. M.B. Jimoh-Akogun made an application for the striking out of the interim injunction suit and thereafter substituted it with a fresh suit.

Barr. Jimoh-Akogun requested the fresh suit should begin immediately since all the defendants were fully represented in court, arguing that it would save the court the rigour of serving notices to the defendants individually.

Defence counsel, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun did not raise any objection on the application which he had earlier claimed was an abuse of court process.

In his ruling, Judge Savage ruled that the interim injunction be struck out as applied by the claimant's counsel.

He, however, declined application for the fresh suit to begin immediately as requested by Barr. Jimoh-Akogun on the ground that he (Judge Savage) was yet to be served details of the fresh suit even as the suit is yet to be registered by the court registry.

He therefore adjourned matters to Tuesday, 11th of November, 2024 for hearing to begin on the fresh suit.

It would be recalled Justice Savage had on 26th September 2024 granted the interim order restraining the Lagos State Governor, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Executive Chairman of Oshodi/Isolo LGA, Chieftaincy Committee of Oshodi/Isolo LGA, the Executive Chairman of Isolo LCDA and the Chieftaincy Committee of Isolo LCDA from installing Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Yekini-Goloba as the new king of Isolo Kingdom.

The interim order has since been vacated by the presiding judge.

The suit was initiated by Prince Saheed Ishola Aregbesola (a.k.a SA 400).Other applicants in the suit are Chief Taoridi Faronbi (Alado), Chief Rasak Akinsanya Alabe, Alhaji Wasiu Awofe Aregbe Alabe and Mr. Tajudeen Omolade Alabe for themselves and on behalf of Alagbeji Ruling Family of Isolo.

 Olu of Araromi Bags Distinguished Professorship Award

The Olu of Araromi Elerangbe, Oba (Dr) Hameed Adejoro Ajijola has added another feather to his well-decorated cap.

The Chartered Economist has been awarded a Distinguished Professorship Award in Economics by the Royal University of The Kingdom of Atlantis in recognition of his outstanding education, versatile knowledge, contributions towards the academic field of Economics both within and outside Nigeria for more than 20 years.

The Royal University of The Kingdom of Atlantis is an Online University that provides exclusive and unique accredited education programs and rewards qualified and experienced professionals who have matured from 5 to 15 years of practical experience in their field of expertise.

The award ceremony was held on 28th October 2024 at the University Campus in New Jersey, USA.

The Distinguished Professorship Award is bestowed upon individuals who have made extraordinary contribution to their field, demonstrating exceptional achievement, expertise and unwavering dedication.

Thus, the Distinguished Title signals to the academic community and the world at large that the recipient is an exemplar of excellence.

The new award comes on the heels of a multiple awards that were earlier bestowed on him.

It would be recalled that the Ibeju-born monarch was on Saturday 7, May 2022 awarded a Doctorate degree in Leadership and Business Administration by the Swiss Management Institute, Switzerland. 

The award which was held at Rembrandt Hotel, Lagos also saw Oba Ajijola being conferred with a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Leadership Manpower and  Management Development by the Switzerland-based institute.

To make it a night of multiple honours, the Executive Director/CEO of Hobs -COF Health Systems Limited and MD/CEO, Dependable Health Services Limited, a Health Management Organisation, also  mounted the podium for the third time to receive  the Life-time Achievement Award of the same institute.

The  awards are the highest professional and national recognition in the institute bestowed on a few personalities—whose corporate track records, research works and noticeable contributions to society deserve  a mention, a reading and a grandeur recognition.

 

PALPABLE JOY AS ALHAJI ABIBU OKI BECOMES AN OCTOGENARIAN

The ecstasy of being celebrated for an accomplished life was evidently glaring as the prodigy of the famous and esteemed Oki Family, Alhaji Abibu Olad Oki marked his 80th birthday with fanfare.

All roads led to Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos on 3rdzbb November, 2024 as children, grand-children, great grand-children  friends, associates and well-wishers rolled out the drum to celebrate the Babaoja General 1 of Ladipo International Auto Market, Lagos as he became an Octogenarian.

The journey into Octogenarian hood was tough and tedious but quite exemplary as the Lagos-born businessman has remarkably risen above all odds to become a proud loving father, a caring husband and an adorable grandfather.

Alhaji Abibu Oladotun Oki was born 3rd November, 1944 into the famous Oki Family of Lagos Island. He had his primary education at Bethel Primary School, Broad Street and St. Patrick Primary School, Oko-Awo, Lagos.

He attended Egbado College, Ilaro and Iganmode High School, Ota for his secondary school education. His professional journey began with his employment at Timson & Timson, where he worked as Cargo Supretendent Inspector (Tally Clerk) for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). He later moved to City Hall, where he served as Sanitary Inspector.

The lure of greener pasture saw Alhaji Abibu Oki travelled to Canada in 1970 to sharpen his business acumen. The invaluable experience garnered in Canada enabled him to venture into the path of entrepreneurship upon his return to the country several years later as he founded De-Doort Nigeria Limited, marking the beginning of a successful venture into various industries, including construction, real estate, transportation and international trade.

From humble beginnings, his business blossomed into sprawling conglomerates, reflecting his sharp business prowess and leadership. As a result of his leadership role and immense contribution to the growth of commerce and market administration, he was crowned the Babaoja of the popular Ladipo Internation Auto Market by the late Iyaloja General, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

In a solemn gratitude for Allah's unquantified mercies, the event marking his 80th birthday celebration opened with prayer and recitation of the Holy Quran anchored by the Chief Imam of Lagos Mainland Central Mosque

Indeed, the joy was palpable and contagious as the celebrant surrounded by his children, Yetunde Akinfenea, Olawale Oki, Gabi Oki, Niyi Oki, Oluwatoyin Ogunbanwo, Eniola Afolabi, Funmi Oki and Olakunle Oki as well as grand-children  was beaming with smiles as he cut his birthday cake.

With sumptuous meals and assorted drinks, the colourful event was made perfect with the Kolobakoloba crooner,, Adewale Ayuba dishing out Yoruba crossover music to the delight of many inside Blessings Hall of Eko Club .

In her tribute, the celebrant's first child, Mrs Yetunde Akinfenwa expressed her overwhelming love, gratitude and admiration for the celebrant whom she described as her 'guiding angel.'

"From my earliest memories, you have been a father like no other. You were always there, not just as a provider but as a protector, a teacher and a friend. Your patience and strength have shaped the woman I am today. You 've  taught me the values of hard work, integrity and humility. But most importantly,you 've shown me what it means to live a life of purpose and compassion." She remarked.

On his part, her husband, Akinwunmi Akinfenwa reflected on the immense privilege of being part of the Oki Family even as he thanked almighty Allah for 'granting us the gift of this amazing man.' 

He prayed God in His infinite mercy should continue to grant the celebrant good health, strength, and more years filled with happiness and fulfilment.