A Life of Purpose: My 50-year Journey of Impact, Gratitude and Philanthropy – By Aare Adetola Olaniyi Emmanuelking
The 2nd of April holds a profound significance for me. This year marks a momentous milestone – my 50th birthday—a celebration of half a century filled with rich experiences and impactful contributions. In stark contrast to the jubilant celebrations of my 40th birthday, which saw the streets of Lagos alive with revelry, I have chosen a path of humility and gratitude to observe this occasion. I plan to reflect quietly on my journey and offer heartfelt thanks to my creator for the many blessings I have received.
My life story is truly remarkable. The inspiration for my thriving real estate business was born during a particularly challenging period—while I was recuperating in a hospital. It was then that I envisioned a venture that would transform the housing landscape in Nigeria and beyond. Today, that vision has flourished into a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, and I have dedicated myself to providing affordable housing solutions. My work has significantly impacted the lives of countless individuals, turning the once homeless into proud homeowners. My innovative approaches have not only disrupted traditional real estate practices but have also inspired many others in the industry to explore similar pathways.
I remain profoundly grateful to my creator for enabling me to turn my lofty dreams into reality. I have focused my efforts on addressing the pressing issue of housing in Nigeria, crafting affordable home plans that have set a standard many in the industry have sought to emulate. As a trailblazer in the real estate sector, I have become known as the benchmark for real estate business success in Nigeria. Yet, I eschew lavish displays of wealth and grandeur. Rather than inviting praise from my admirers through elaborate festivities, I am instructing friends and associates to express gratitude on my behalf and to redirect their gifts toward charitable endeavors. This philosophy represents what I view as one of the greatest gifts I could receive for my birthday—bringing joy to those in need.
An embodiment of generosity and selflessness, I have intentionally opted against the extravagant celebrations common among billionaires. Instead, I encourage my community to focus their resources on philanthropy during this special time. For me, the opportunity to support and uplift the less fortunate embodies the true spirit of celebration.
In honour of my 50th birthday, I have planned a personal prayer service dedicated to me and my family, which will serve as a moment for reaffirming my commitment to a life devoted to serving God. My gratitude is especially poignant, given the challenges I have overcome. Adversity has met resilience on my journey, and I continuously witness the favour and protection of my creator, which empowers me to thrive despite life’s many obstacles.
Moving beyond personal reflection, I am also initiating plans for widespread communal betterment across Nigeria. I aim to donate substantial infrastructure improvements to underserved communities, making tangible contributions to enhance residents’ lives in significant ways. My commitment is symbolized by my pledge to commission 50 impactful projects nationwide, each representing a part of my dedication to fostering positive change and supporting community development.
While I have plans for a well-deserved retreat with my family beyond Nigeria’s borders, I remain grounded in my values and commitment to my community. As my 50th birthday unfolds, many are gathering to honour me in various ways, a testament to the profound influence I have had on their lives and the societal landscape.
In line with the wisdom of renowned playwright Professor Femi Osofisan, who insightfully noted that birthdays are not merely for the deceased, I truly appreciate the significance of this milestone, especially within a society where the average life expectancy is less than 50 years. I stand as a beacon of humility, gratitude, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others.
Ultimately, as part of my ongoing legacy, I have made it clear that my 50th birthday celebration will revolve around positive societal contributions. Instead of indulging in extravagant expenditures for personal enjoyment, I prioritize investments that will uplift communities across Nigeria. I am determined to ensure that my milestone is marked by meaningful contributions rather than mere indulgence, reaffirming my role as both a property magnate and a dedicated servant to my country and its people.
In conclusion, I want to thank you all for your love, wishes, and prayers. May heaven celebrate you all, too. Amen. Happy 50th birthday 🎂 to me.
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 18: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks before signing an executive order on expanding access to IVF at his Mar-a-Lago resort on February 18, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. Later today Fox News will air a joint interview between President Trump and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JOE RAEDLE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on Hong Kong’s police chief, justice secretary and other officials over human rights concerns after China clamped down in the financial hub.
The sanctions on Police Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee and the others will block any interests they hold in the United States and generally criminalize financial transactions with them under US law.
The sanctions mark a rare action invoking human rights by the administration of President Donald Trump, who has described China as an adversary but has shown no reluctance to ally with autocrats.
The sanctions “demonstrate the Trump administration’s commitment to hold to account those responsible for depriving people in Hong Kong of protected rights and freedoms or who commit acts of transnational repression on US soil or against US persons,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.
Other officials targeted in the latest sanctions include Paul Lam, the city’s secretary for justice.
In response, Hong Kong strongly condemned the sanctions as “an attempt to intimidate” officials safeguarding national security and defended its moves to target pro-democracy figures abroad.
The sanction list “clearly exposed the US’s barbarity under its hegemony, which is exactly the same as its recent tactics in bullying and coercing various countries and regions,” the Hong Kong government said in a statement.
The commissioner’s office of China’s foreign ministry in Hong Kong also blasted the sanctions as “unreasonable” and said Beijing will take “effective measures for resolute retaliation.”
Hong Kong’s top official, Chief Executive John Lee, is already under US sanctions.
The officials were targeted in line with a US law that champions Hong Kong democracy.
– Visa curbs over Tibet –
The State Department also pointed to some of the officials’ roles in efforts to “intimidate, silence and harass 19 pro-democracy activists” who fled overseas, including one US citizen and four US residents.
Washington’s top diplomat has been outspoken on China’s human rights record dating back to his time as a senator.
In a separate action on Monday, Rubio said he was imposing visa restrictions on unspecified Chinese officials in response to denial of access to US diplomats, journalists and others to Tibet.
Rubio earlier also imposed sanctions on officials in Thailand over their deportations back to China of members of the Uyghur minority.
Beijing promised a separate system to Hong Kong when Britain handed over the city in 1997.
China then cracked down hard against dissent, imposing a draconian national security law, after massive and at times destructive protests in favor of democracy swept Hong Kong in 2019.
The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday, announced that she would not back out on her plan to return to her constituency for the Sallah break.
The senator also urged her supporters to disregard speculations making the round that she has cancelled her scheduled visit.
She disclosed this in a statement issued by her media team in the early hours of Tuesday.
The statement read, “We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central Senatorial District will proceed as planned.
“Despite rumours circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit.”
While stating that she has a statutory function in her capacity as the lawmaker representing her constituents, the senator encouraged her supporters to troop out en masse to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with her.
“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation.
“Her dedication to the people of Kogi Central is unwavering, and she looks forward to celebrating Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.
“We would like to assure the public that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a successful and joyous event. We invite all members of the community to join us in marking this special occasion,” the statement added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s homecoming notification comes a few hours after the Kogi State Government banned rallies and public gatherings in the state over security reports.
The government also stopped fishing and other activities, lamenting that they resulted in the loss of two lives in Kasemiya, Katubo and Umozu Ette, all in Kogi Local Government Area in Kogi West.
In a statement issued on Monday, the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said the move was to prevent any form of security breach that might destabilise the state.
Fanwo added that intelligence reports indicated that some persons were planning to “stage some violent rallies in the guise of political and religious agitations” in Kogi Central.
Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull drew chuckles Tuesday as he impersonated Donald Trump, urging the nation’s political leaders to contest a general election next month to “stand up” to the US president.
Turnbull, who was Australian prime minister when Trump first took office in 2017, briefly adopted a nasal American accent as he mimicked the US commander-in-chief during a speech.
Political hopefuls contesting Australia’s May 3 general election should not be scared of angering Trump, Turnbull said.
“That’s the challenge for our leaders — they’ve got to be able to stand up,” he began.
“If that means they get a brickbat or a Truth Social post saying ‘You’re weak and ineffectual. You don’t know anything about China’,” Turnbull added, aping Trump’s characteristic cadence.
“If you’re spooked by that you shouldn’t be in the job,” Turnbull finished while drawing laughs from the crowd.
Former conservative leader Turnbull took a swipe at Trump earlier this year, deriding his return to office as “chaotic” and “erratic”.
Trump returned to serve on his Truth Social platform, saying Turnbull was “a weak and ineffective leader” who “never understood what was going on in China”.
The pair’s relationship appeared ill-fated from the beginning.
Turnbull was among the many leaders who phoned the US president after his shock election victory in 2016.
But Trump reportedly later dismissed that call as “the worst by far”.
Then-press secretary Sean Spicer then butchered Turnbull’s name twice in a press conference, mistakenly referring to him as “Mr Trumble”.
*Wema Bank Releases Audited Results for FY 2024, Profit Before Tax Soars 135% to ₦102.5bn Billion; Proposes N1.00 final dividend per share; commences N150bn Rights issue in April 2025*
Lagos, Nigeria – Wema Bank Nigeria (“Wema” or “the Bank”)) has released its audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the period ended December 31st, 2024, to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX).
Wema Bank reported profit before tax of ₦102.51bn, representing an increase of 135% over the ₦43.59bn recorded in the corresponding period in 2023. The Bank also proposed a dividend of N1.00 per share on the back of the impressive result.
The Bank’s Balance sheet remained well structured, diversified and resilient with Total Assets growing by 60% to ₦3,585.05bn in FY 2024 from ₦2,240.06bn in FY 2023. The bank also grew its deposit base year on year by 36% to ₦2,523.82bn from ₦1,860.57bn reported in FY 2023. Loans and Advances grew by 50% to ₦1,201.21bn in FY 2024 from ₦801.10bn in FY, 2023. NPL stood at 3.86% as at end of FY 2024.
The bank recorded improved year on year performance as Gross Earnings grew by 92% to ₦432.34bn (FY 2023: ₦225.75bn). Interest Income was up 92% y/y to ₦353.54bn (FY 2023: ₦184.48bn). Also, Non-Interest Income was up 91% y/y to ₦78.80bn (FY 2023: ₦41.27bn).
Return on Equity (ROAE) of 43.60%, Return on Assets (ROAA) of 2.96%, Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 19.67% and Cost to Income ratio of 56.23% underscore the commercial bank’s resilience and financial strength.
The Managing Director/CEO of the Bank, Mr. Moruf Oseni stated that the strong 2024 FY performance stems from the commercial bank’s focus on strong strategy execution in the key areas of risk management, customer relationship management and digital banking. Our people are committed to the institution’s founding ethos of supporting Nigerian businesses and individuals with the most innovative banking products and services. ALAT our flagship digital platform continues to lead in the adoption of digital banking services across the increasingly young Nigerian populace. An example of this innovation is ALAT XPlore, the first licensed banking App for teenagers designed to help teenagers ages 13-17 build their money management skills, achieve their financial goals and become financially responsible.
Despite the constrained operating environment, the bank continues to experience strong growth across all its financial indices reflecting the quality and resilience of the workforce. The performance is headlined by impressive improvements in Profit before Tax which grew strongly by 135%. The growth of Gross Earnings by 92%, Total Assets by 60% and earnings per share at 483.20kobo shows the core improvements to our balance sheet. In addition, our cost-to-income ratio of 56.23% has witnessed significant improvement from the previous period. Finally, it is important to mention that the Bank’s Capital Raise Program will also commence in April 2025 with a N150bn Rights Issue.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has explained why the Senate confirmed Dr. Bosun Tijani as Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy despite his controversial past, which included calling Nigerian lawmakers “morons.”
Akpabio revealed that Tijani’s screening in the Senate was rocky due to this remark, but ultimately, the lawmakers were swayed by their trust in President Bola Tinubu’s judgment.
Akpabio spoke on Saturday night at a special Iftar held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, to honour President Bola Tinubu who marked his 73rd birthday.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, revealed some details of the event in a statement on Sunday titled ‘President Tinubu: Why I Appointed Bosun Tijani as Minister Despite Past Criticism.’
According to the statement, Akpabio in his remarks noted that Tijani’s screening in the upper chamber was rocky after a senator recounted an instance where Tijani reportedly labelled all lawmakers as “morons.”
Akpabio narrated, “When he came to the Senate for screening, senators said, ‘No, no, we can’t have him.’
“One senator quoted from the internet where he described all Nigerian senators as ‘morons.’
“I had to stop proceedings and ask Bosun, ‘Did you write this?’ And he admitted, ‘Sir, I did because that was how I felt then.’ So I asked him, ‘And you have the audacity to stand before us and expect us to confirm you?’”
The Senate President noted that what ultimately swayed the lawmakers was their trust in President Tinubu’s judgment.
“Mr. President, we confirmed him because we knew you must have seen something special in him. You are never wrong when it comes to your judgment of people.
“I went into an executive session and told my colleagues, ‘Let us give this young man an opportunity and see what happens.’
“And today, I am happy to say that he is one of the best-performing ministers in the cabinet,” he stated.
Earlier, President Tinubu recounted how his decision to appoint Tijani as a minister was met with strong reservations from close associates who objected to Tijani’s past critical statements on social media.
Despite these objections, the President said he remained steadfast in his choice, acknowledging the minister’s talent and potential for contributing meaningfully to his administration.
“Because he criticises me does not mean he has nothing to offer,” Tinubu revealed on Saturday night at a special Iftar held in his honour at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, as he turned 73.
The President emphasised that the minister’s past criticisms were insufficient reason to discount his ability, suggesting instead that his once-vocal dissatisfaction could fuel a deeper commitment to public service.
“When I picked him, it was tough. My very close confidantes, who had read his comments on social media, came to me and said, ‘No, never.’
“I said, ‘Yes, he is talented. Because he criticises me and pours abuse on the parliament, it does not mean he has nothing to offer.
“Maybe his frustration at that time will drive him to contribute more to governance. And today, he is doing that, and I am very proud of him,’” President Tinubu stated.
Tijani, in his remarks, described how he was surprised by the President’s decision to give him “the opportunity to represent your country and contribute to making it a better place,” despite knowing the minister’s past activism and criticisms.
“I was expecting a proper scolding because of my records, but the magnanimity of the President is one that I experienced for the very first time in my life,” Tijani said, adding that during a prior meeting, some individuals questioned his record, but the President interjected with a firm, “Shut it.”
The World Bank is set to approve fresh loans totalling $632m to Nigeria today (Monday) amid mounting concerns over the country’s rising debt profile, The PUNCH reports.
The loans are to support critical areas, including nutrition improvement and quality basic education.
Information obtained from the World Bank’s website on Sunday showed that the two loans expected to be approved today include $80m for the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria 2.0 project and $552m for the HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All programme.
Both projects are currently in the negotiation stage and are expected to receive final approval later today. These new loans form part of a broader strategy by the World Bank to support Nigeria’s development agenda, focusing on healthcare, education, and community resilience.
The loans are expected to boost the government’s efforts to improve nutrition outcomes and enhance access to quality education for Nigerian children.
Meanwhile, the World Bank had already approved a $500m loan to Nigeria last Friday to support the country’s Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme.
The approval, which took place on March 28, 2025, marked a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges through expanded access to livelihood support, food security services, and grants for poor and vulnerable households and firms.
The programme, officially titled the NIGERIA: Community Action (for) Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme, is designed to provide essential support to households affected by economic downturns and bolster community resilience.
The initiative targets vulnerable populations by offering grants to households and small businesses to mitigate the economic hardships they face.
The loan approval is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s efforts to stimulate the economy through grassroots support, particularly amid ongoing challenges such as inflation and high living costs. The stimulus package will focus on improving food security and creating economic opportunities for communities hardest hit by recent economic fluctuations.
This approval occurred amid a delay in releasing funds for a previous loan targeted at poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Further checks by The PUNCH showed that the World Bank disbursed to Nigeria about $315m out of the $800m approved for the National Social Safety-Net Program Scale Up.
For over a year, Nigeria has yet to get any further funds from the World Bank on this loan project, which was approved in December 2021. The delay in funds disbursement is likely linked to the issues of fraud detected under the programme.
President Bola Tinubu launched a social safety net programme that will distribute N25,000 to 15 million homes for three months in observance of the 2023 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation was tasked with carrying out the $800m World Bank loan project.
However, the Federal Government had to suspend the cash transfer programme for further investigation and revamping following alleged misappropriations within the programme.
Former humanitarian minister, Betta Edu, was earlier suspended due to the misappropriation of N585m earmarked for palliative distribution.
Also, Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, was being investigated by the EFCC. The ex-minister is being probed over an alleged laundering of N37.1bn during her tenure as a minister.
The World Bank also issued sanctions to individuals and businesses found committing fraud under the programmes.
Earlier, The PUNCH reported that the Federal Government would likely secure six new loans totalling $2.23bn from the World Bank in 2025 as the international financial institution continues to support the country’s economic and structural reforms.
Data from the World Bank’s official website indicates that this will bring Nigeria’s total approved loans to $9.25bn over three years, reflecting a growing reliance on multilateral funding to support critical sectors of the economy, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic resilience.
An analysis of Nigeria’s loan approvals from the World Bank since 2023 under the administration of President Bola Tinubu shows a significant increase in funding commitments.
In 2023, the World Bank approved loans amounting to $2.7bn, which primarily targeted projects in renewable energy, women’s empowerment, education, and the power sector.
The funding approvals recorded in 2024 significantly surpassed those of the previous year, with a total of $4.32bn allocated to various projects. This increase was largely due to Nigeria’s growing need for financial assistance to stabilise the economy amid mounting fiscal pressures and rising public debt.
For 2025, Nigeria is looking to secure six new loans from the World Bank, with a combined value of $2.23bn. The planned loans cover key sectors, such as digital infrastructure, healthcare, education, nutrition, and community resilience.
Under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the World Bank has approved around 11 different loan projects for Nigeria.
In less than two years, the Federal Government has secured loans worth $7.45bn from the World Bank, raising concerns about the growing debt burden. According to data from the Debt Management Office, the World Bank’s share of Nigeria’s external debt amounts to $17.32bn, as of the third quarter of 2024.
The bulk of this debt is owed to the International Development Association, which accounts for $16.84bn, representing 39.14 per cent of Nigeria’s total external debt. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, another arm of the World Bank, is owed $485.08m, or 1.13 per cent.
While the proposed World Bank loans could provide much-needed fiscal relief, concerns remain over the country’s rising debt burden. Recent data from the Central Bank of Nigeria indicate that the country has spent $5.47bn on external debt servicing in the past 14 months, highlighting the strain on its foreign reserves.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, earlier said that rather than accumulating more debt, the government is prioritising alternative funding sources such as revenue generation, concessional loans, and strategic investments.
“We are at that optimisation stage, where there is less focus on borrowing, particularly from the commercial markets, which is quite high. We are focusing more on optimising assets and attracting private sector investment, whether domestic or foreign,” Edun said.
However, the consistent growth in the World Bank’s financial commitments to Nigeria, from $2.7bn in 2023 to $4.32bn in 2024, and the anticipated $2.23bn in 2025, highlights the country’s increasing dependence on concessional financing to drive structural reforms and public sector investments.
As Nigeria continues to navigate its debt challenges, experts emphasise the importance of efficient fund utilisation and transparent project execution to ensure that these loans yield meaningful economic and social benefits.
Speaking with PUNCH on Sunday, development economist Dr Aliyu Ilias expressed concerns about Nigeria’s borrowing approach, stating that while borrowing itself is not inherently bad, it has become problematic given the country’s current economic situation.
“I think borrowing itself is not bad, but at the point Nigeria is now, borrowing is becoming a bad thing,” he said.
Ilias noted that during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, borrowing was widely criticised, and many had hoped that the current government would avoid taking on new debt.
He pointed out that the Tinubu administration has generated more revenue compared to previous governments since the Fourth Republic in 1999.
He highlighted various revenue-generating measures undertaken by the current government, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, increased electricity tariffs for Band A, and the proposed tax reforms.
He also recalled that the Federal Government announced a significant increase in revenue for the Federal Inland Revenue Service earlier this year, leading to an upward adjustment of the national budget.
Ilias questioned the rationale behind further borrowing despite these revenue gains, suggesting that the government should focus on managing existing resources more efficiently.
He also criticised the reliance on the debt-to-GDP ratio as a measure of debt sustainability, warning that the proposed rebasing of the GDP could encourage more borrowing.
“I was expecting that in the first four years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the government would not embark on borrowing,” he said.
In a related development, during a media interactive session in Abuja over the weekend, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Dr Tayo Aduloju, called for a more strategic approach to borrowing.
He said, “We need to be creative about the borrowing plan. How much domestic borrowing we need to do. How much external borrowing we need to do, and at what price.”
Aduloju emphasised the importance of balancing domestic and external borrowing while ensuring that critical infrastructure projects are prioritised and tied to disciplined financing.
He noted that a well-planned borrowing strategy could enhance project implementation and public perception.
He also advocated for a shift towards an economy driven by foreign direct investment rather than excessive borrowing as a more sustainable economic model.
The Special Assistant to the suspended Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Jerry Omotsegunwa, has stated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has yet to be informed by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, about the cause of their ongoing political hostilities.
Fubara and Wike have been embroiled in a political crisis since late 2023, culminating in President Bola Tinubu declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, which led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and members of the state’s House of Assembly.
Former Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, in a recent interview with DW, suggested that the rift between Wike and Fubara was centered around money sharing.
However, Amaechi, who is also a former governor of Rivers State, condemned President Tinubu’s imposition of emergency rule in the state, calling it an unconstitutional act.
In response to Amaechi’s claim, Omotsegunwa told The PUNCH on Sunday that Wike had not clarified the reason behind his anger towards Fubara. He described Amaechi’s statement as a personal opinion, noting that the issue had remained unresolved for nearly two years.
Omotsegunwa stated, “As it stands right now, I will not dispute Amaechi’s position even though he has the right to his own opinion. This crisis has dragged on for almost two years now, and nobody has told us what the actual problem is.”
He continued, “The FCT minister has not told us anything that led to the crisis, and the governor too has not provided any clarity.”
The other day, when they talked about impeaching the governor, he asked, ‘What is my offence?’ and the FCT minister said the governor tried to destroy his structure and all. These matters put together, we’ve not been able to decipher.”
Omotsegunwa concluded by acknowledging Amaechi’s right to express his opinion but reiterated that, until Wike provides a clear explanation, the true cause of the conflict remains unknown.
“So, as much as I don’t want to say he has lied, I also say he has the right to his own opinion, and that is his personal opinion,” Omotsegunwa stated.
When contacted on Sunday for a reaction, Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, declined comment on the matter.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has expressed confidence that Nigerians have the capacity to defeat corruption through collective determination and commitment.
Olukoyede made this statement in Abuja on Sunday in his goodwill message to Muslims celebrating Eid-el-Fitr across the country.
“Tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption is achievable through courageous readiness and corporate commitments of Nigerians,” he stated.
Reaffirming the nation’s ability to overcome corruption, Olukoyede stated: “Nigerians are stronger than corruption. No corrupt act can break our common resolve and determination. We have all it takes to confront and conquer economic and financial crimes.”
He urged Muslims to internalise the lessons of Ramadan—self-denial, discipline, sacrifice, love, and purity—and channel them into a renewed commitment to shun corrupt practices.
“I congratulate Muslims and charge them to allow lessons of self-denial, discipline, sacrifice, love and purity of the Ramadan season imbued in them greater readiness and commitment to shun corrupt practices.
“At Eid-el-Fitr, Allah’s benevolence and sacrifice are greatly magnified. May the lessons of love, peace, joy, and celebration of the festival abide in us and imbue in us a greater desire to reject corruption,” he added.
Olukoyede also assured Nigerians that the anti-corruption war remains on course, stating that the EFCC is gaining momentum in its efforts to curb economic and financial crimes.
“The anti-corruption war is on course, maintaining that the EFCC is gaining more strength and speed in bringing economic and financial crimes to a halt, “ he said.
Former Oyo State governor and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, on Sunday, said the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State has ensured relative peace in the state.
The PUNCH reports that President Bola Tinubu, on March 18, 2025, declared emergency rule in Rivers State over the protracted political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to ex-governor Nyesom Wike.
Tinubu suspended the governor and the lawmakers for six months and appointed a sole administration to run the state.
Tinubu’s decision has generated a lot of controversies, with many asserting that the president breached the country’s constitution.
But Ladoja, while speaking with journalists at his private residence in Ondo Street, Bodija, Ibadan, after Eid-el-Fitri prayer on Tuesday, said the emergency rule was a wise decision by President Tinubu to douse tension and restore normalcy in Rivers State.
Ladoja said, “The emergency rule declared by the President in Rivers is a welcomed development if that is what will restore peace back to the state.”
The former governor advised suspended Governor Siminialayi Fubara and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to come together and resolve their differences if their intention is actually to serve the state.
“Some of them have approached the court; even the PDP governors had gone to the Supreme Court. The judgment will be faster. So, whatever the court says will bind both parties,” Ladoja added.
