Aviation Minister Receives ‘Workers Minister of the Decade Award’ at NPS 2026
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has been honoured with the “Workers Minister of the Decade Award” for his outstanding leadership and commitment to workers’ issues.
The award was presented to the Minister during the 2026 National Pre-Retirement Summit (NPS 2026), held on September 24 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
The presentation was led by veteran labour leader Comrade Chief Godwin Abumisi, President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, alongside Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Presenting the award, the organisers described the recognition as a reward for “outstanding leadership and commitment to workers’ issues,” acknowledging the Minister’s contributions to matters affecting workers and pensioners.
The recognition formed part of activities at the two-day summit, which brought together representatives of more than 100 public and private sector organisations to deliberate on retirement planning, financial preparedness and post-service wellbeing.
The summit, convened by XEM Consultants Limited, was held under the theme: “Own Your Retirement: From Planning to Action.”
The event provided a platform for stakeholders from government, organised labour, the private sector and other institutions to examine strategies for preparing workers for a secure and productive retirement.
The “Workers Minister of the Decade Award” adds to the growing recognition of Keyamo’s engagement with labour and workers’ concerns in the course of his public service.
The Minister, who received the award in the presence of labour leaders and other stakeholders, expressed appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed the importance of protecting the dignity, welfare and rights of workers, both during their active service and in retirement.
Aviation Minister Calls for Stronger Intra-African Air Connectivity, Says Aviation Must Make Africa “Smaller”
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has called for stronger intra-African air connectivity, stressing that aviation must play a central role in deepening economic integration across the continent.
The Aviation Minister made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while declaring open the 35th Airports Council International (ACI Africa) Annual General Assembly, 76th Board and Committee Meetings, Regional Conference and Exhibition.
The Minister said it should not be easier to travel between an African city and a destination outside the continent than to travel between two African cities.
He called for stronger cooperation among African governments, airlines, airport operators and regulators to develop commercially viable airports, appropriate regulatory frameworks and improved connectivity across the continent.
According to him, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) provides an important framework for achieving stronger intra-African connectivity, while the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is creating a larger economic space in which aviation must play a critical role.
“When African airports connect Africa more effectively, Africa becomes smaller, and opportunity becomes larger,” the Minister said.
Keyamo also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing aviation transformation, including the country’s 91.45 per cent Effective Implementation score following the 2026 ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission, describing it as Nigeria’s highest-ever result.
He said the Federal Government was also modernising airport infrastructure, expanding aviation value chains and encouraging private-sector participation in airport infrastructure and services.
The Minister emphasised that next-generation African airports must be safe, efficient, financially sustainable, technologically enabled, environmentally responsible and resilient to disruptions.
He urged participants at the ACI Africa conference to translate discussions into practical policies, partnerships and investments that would strengthen the continent’s aviation industry.
He said Africa possesses the market, people, geography, tourism assets and entrepreneurial energy required to unlock enormous aviation potential, but must build the infrastructure, connectivity and institutional capacity to convert that potential into sustainable value.
Keyamo also commended the leadership of ACI Africa and acknowledged Nigeria’s contribution through the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, who serves as Vice-President of ACI Africa.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with African governments, airport operators, airlines, regulators, investors and development partners to build a safer, more competitive, sustainable and resilient aviation sector.
PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION: CHRIS OKAFOR FOUNDATION BRINGS RELIEF TO GRACE NATION CITIZENS
“The Most Effective Prayer Is Praying in the Holy Ghost” — Dr. Chris Okafor
In a time when many are weighed down by economic hardship, the Chris Okafor Humanity Foundation has once again demonstrated that the Gospel is not only preached with words but also with works of love.
The Foundation, under the visionary leadership and spiritual guidance of the Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, The Generational Prophet of God, Dr. Chris Okafor, has made charity and human welfare a cardinal pillar of its divine mandate.
According to the Generational Prophet Dr Chris Okafor, Grace Nation is not just a church but a divine movement committed to three major assignments: Winning Souls into the Kingdom, Monitoring their Spiritual Upliftment, and Making Provision for their Welfare which is the true commandment of God.
Sunday, 20th September, 2026, will forever remain indelible in the hearts of Some Grace Nation citizens.
At the Special Charity Sunday Service held at the International Headquarters of Grace Nation Worldwide, Ojodu-Berger, Lagos, tears of joy flowed freely as hundreds of members were lifted out of hardship through financial grants, business empowerment, Accommodations support and relief materials.
It was practical Christianity at its peak. Widows, orphans, students, artisans, and less-privileged families were all beneficiaries of the large-heartedness of the Chris Okafor Humanity Foundation.
The Foundation, over the years, has continued to discover hidden talents among youths, bring them closer to God, and empower them to be self-reliant and productive members of the society.
THE MYSTERY OF MERCY AND PRAYER IN THE HOLY GHOST
Delivering his sermon at the service, the Generational Prophet of God unveiled deep spiritual mysteries.
Teaching on Human Spirit, The Man of God said: “It takes misery to demystify misery. When mercy speaks, misery disappears. A man may be qualified, connected
and talented, but without mercy, he will still struggle. May mercy speak for you today.”
On the power of praying in the Spirit, the Man of God declared The most effective prayer is praying in the Holy Ghost. When you pray in the Holy Ghost, you are praying beyond human intelligence you are praying the perfect will of God. Holy Ghost prayer provokes speedy answers.”
The congregation erupted in intense prayers in the Holy Ghost, as the atmosphere was charged with raw presence of God.
The Charity Sunday ended with thanksgiving, and emotional testimonies from beneficiaries who could not hold back their gratitude to God and to the Generational Prophet for his large heart.
Indeed, Grace Nation continues to set the pace in balancing spirituality with social responsibility.
Ogun 2027: Hunye’s Legal Aide Accuses Yayi of Perjury, Warns APC of ‘Political Flight Risk’
The legal battle surrounding the 2027 Ogun State governorship contest has taken a fresh turn, with the legal adviser to All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Hon. Abayomi Semako Hunye, accusing the party’s candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, of allegedly making contradictory declarations in sworn electoral documents.
The lawyer, Mr Victor Olamide, said the issue before the court was not simply a dispute over Adeola’s ancestry or state of origin, but whether the senator had made materially inconsistent declarations in official documents submitted under oath at different stages of his political career.
His comments came amid Adeola’s threat of legal action against Hunye and former Nigerian Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello over claims concerning his alleged Ekiti ancestry. Adeola had challenged his accusers to produce evidence or face lawsuits.
Olamide, however, maintained that the appropriate place to resolve the controversy was the courtroom, where sworn documents and other evidence could be examined.
“We are not challenging the indigenship of Senator Solomon Adeola; we are saying he has committed perjury,” the lawyer alleged.
According to him, the Hunye legal team was interested in examining declarations allegedly made by Adeola during his earlier political career, particularly documents connected with his elective positions in Lagos State before his subsequent political activities in Ogun.
The lawyer questioned whether Adeola had consistently supplied the same information concerning his state of origin and other personal particulars in his various electoral declarations.
“On your INEC form, you must swear an oath that everything provided is true. If you held elective office in Lagos State since 2003 and filled out sworn declarations, which state did you claim in those previous forms? Was it Ekiti, Lagos or Ogun State?” Olamide asked.
He argued that if the relevant documents eventually showed materially contradictory declarations, the issue would become a matter for judicial determination.
“If he claimed another state in those sworn declarations and is now claiming Ogun State, that constitutes perjury under our laws,” he alleged.
The lawyer challenged Adeola to abandon what he described as media exchanges and take the matter before the court.
“Rather than issuing 24-hour ultimatums and grandstanding on national television, Senator Adeola should prepare to defend his sworn declarations and submit his credentials for full judicial scrutiny in open court,” he said.
Adeola had, through his media adviser, Chief Kayode Odunaro, given Hunye and Marcus-Bello 24 hours to produce evidence backing claims about his alleged Ekiti origin or face legal action. Adeola described the allegations as false and defamatory.
Hunye subsequently welcomed the threatened lawsuit, insisting that he was prepared to defend his position in court and that documentary evidence would be presented if the matter came before the judiciary.
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In another contentious claim, Olamide warned that Adeola could become a “political flight risk” to the APC if the party proceeds with his candidacy without adequately addressing the various legal controversies surrounding him.
The lawyer alleged that the senator was carrying “a lot of baggage” in the form of legal disputes and controversies which, he claimed, could be exploited by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2027 campaign.
“We are saying that if the APC allows Senator Adeola to proceed into the 2027 governorship election without resolving these issues, he may become a political flight risk to the party,” Olamide said.
He alleged that the opposition could make the pending legal controversies a major campaign issue, particularly if questions surrounding Adeola’s eligibility, origin and previous declarations remain unresolved.
The controversy over Adeola’s eligibility has already generated litigation and competing claims from political actors. In September, the Ogun chapters of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and BOOT Party also denied claims that they had withdrawn legal challenges concerning Adeola’s candidacy and state-of-origin questions.
Meanwhile, the PDP’s 2027 governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and Marcus-Bello have publicly challenged Adeola to pursue his threatened legal action over the disputed origin claims.
Olamide said the Hunye camp was prepared to allow the courts to determine the authenticity, meaning and legal consequences of any conflicting documents that may be presented.
He stressed that the legal process should take precedence over political statements, adding that any allegation of perjury must ultimately be established through the appropriate judicial process.
The latest development adds another layer to the growing political and legal contest within Ogun APC ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with the competing camps now preparing to test their claims through litigation and documentary evidence.
The Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) has appointed the Publisher of Gamji Reporters Newspaper, Mr Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, as its Northern Zonal Coordinator.
The appointment, contained in a letter dated September 17, 2026, and signed by the NASRE President, Comrade Femi Oyewale, takes immediate effect.
In the letter, Oyewale said Danfulani’s appointment was in recognition of his wealth of experience and contributions to journalism, media practice, publishing, editorial leadership and strategic communications.
The association also cited Danfulani’s extensive professional engagement with stakeholders across various sectors as one of the reasons for his appointment.
According to NASRE, Danfulani’s responsibilities will include coordinating and facilitating the association’s activities across Northern Nigeria, while strengthening its relationship with journalists, media practitioners and other relevant stakeholders in the region.
The association said he would also work closely with its national leadership to identify opportunities for professional development, collaboration, membership growth, humanitarian initiatives and other programmes that would advance the interests of the association and its members.
“Your appointment is in recognition of your wealth of experience and contributions to journalism, media practice, publishing, editorial leadership and strategic communications,” the letter stated.
NASRE expressed confidence that Danfulani would bring his wealth of experience, professionalism and commitment to bear in the discharge of his responsibilities.
The association added that his appointment would contribute to further strengthening its presence and activities across Northern Nigeria.
Oyewale congratulated Danfulani on the appointment and wished him a successful tenure in office.
Ogun APC in Fresh Turmoil as Hunye Challenges ‘Zero Votes’, Demands Proof of Suspension
2027: Disquiet In Ogun APC As Governorship Aspirant, Hunye Hits Back Over ‘Zero Votes’, Alleged Suspension
– Asks APC to explain how a “suspended member” was allowed to pay ₦50m form fee, undergo screening, and participate in primary election.
– Denies sponsorship by PDP’s Ladi Adebutu or waging war against Yayi.
Hon. Abayomi Semako Hunye, an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ogun State, has broken his silence over the controversy surrounding the party’s May 21 primary, dismissing claims that he was validly suspended or that he is acting as a proxy to sabotage the political interests of the Yewa region.
Addressing a press conference through a statement issued on Friday by his Media Adviser, Femi Oyewale, Hunye challenged the party’s leadership to produce documentary evidence proving he was served a suspension notice before he was permitted to purchase nomination forms, undergo screening, and contest the primary.
The political feud comes amidst a mounting crisis in the Ogun APC following the declaration of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the winner of the May 21 governorship primary election.
The APC had claimed that Hunye was suspended from the party on April 7, 2026, following a petition from a parallel ward in Tube, Ipokia Local Government Area. The party subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on August 24, alleging impersonation and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace after Hunye challenged the primary outcome in court.
However, Hunye described the party’s timeline as contradictory and riddled with logical flaws, questioning how an allegedly suspended member was allowed to participate fully in the party’s nomination processes.
“If the APC maintains that I was validly suspended on April 7, then the relevant documents should be produced and the complete me chronology established,” Hunye stated.
“The APC says I was suspended on April 7. Yet, on April 28, 2026, I obtained the party’s governorship nomination documents from the APC National Secretariat after paying the required ₦50 million. If I had already been suspended, why was I permitted to obtain the nomination documents? Why was my application processed? Why was I cleared during the screening?”
Hunye also raised strong objections to the official primary results, which recorded him as having scored zero votes. He insisted that party loyalists voted for him during the exercise, with some allegedly facing harassment and violence.
“Is it possible for an aspirant to vote against himself?” Hunye asked, demanding that the party make public the accreditation records, result sheets, and agent signatures from the primary.
He further rejected allegations that his legal action against the primary outcome was being sponsored by Hon. Ladi Adebutu, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), or that he was working to undermine Yewa’s chances of producing the next governor.
“That allegation is false. I have never entered into any arrangement with Hon. Ladi Adebutu to pursue my political ambition, nor has anybody sponsored me to attack Yewa interests,” he said, challenging his accusers to provide concrete evidence.
Defending his decision to approach the Federal High Court in Abuja, Hunye stated that he only sought judicial intervention after the APC’s internal appeal committee failed to respond to his petition and paid public notices following the primary.
He maintained that his suit is not a personal attack on Senator Solomon Adeola, but a demand for transparency and adherence to party rules.
“I have not secretly appointed myself as the APC candidate. I have openly challenged the process through which the candidate was produced. There is a fundamental difference between saying ‘I am the recognised candidate’ and saying ‘I am challenging the process through which the candidate was produced,'” Hunye clarified.
He appealed to the party leadership to stop treating political disagreements as treason and urged his supporters to remain peaceful while awaiting the court’s verdict.
NOLLYWOOD STARS TURN OUT IN FORCE AS 19 PREMIERES IN LAGOS
Crime drama tackles internet fraud, poverty and the pressure to succeed as film heads to cinemas September 11
LAGOS, NIGERIA, Nollywood stars, filmmakers and leading entertainment industry personalities gathered at Fame, Lekki, Lagos, on Sunday for the Nigerian premiere of 19, the highly anticipated crime drama written and directed by filmmaker Tola Odunsi.
The premiere attracted a strong turnout of industry heavyweights, with Toyin Abraham, Kunle Afolayan, Deyemi Okanlawon and Wale Ojo amongst the notable personalities who walked the red carpet.
Also in attendance were Linda Ejiofor, Femi Adebayo, Darey Art Alade, Kunle Remi and members of the film’s cast and crew, who came together to celebrate the movie ahead of its nationwide cinema release.
Led by Stan Nze, Sola Sobowale, Bisola Aiyeola, Deyemi Okanlawon, William Benson and Ademola Adedoyin, 19 boasts an impressive ensemble cast that also includes Boma Akpore, Helen Enado Odigie, Tayo Faniran and Charles Okafor.
But beneath the glamour of its star-studded cast and premiere, 19 tells a much more urgent story.
Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s battle with internet fraud, the film follows Ndubuisi Madueke, played by Stan Nze, a young man whose circumstances and desperation eventually draw him into the world of internet fraud.
His journey takes a decisive turn after he encounters Usuanlele, a wealthy and influential figure in his neighbourhood who becomes his mentor.
Rather than simply portraying internet fraud as a criminal act, 19 explores the circumstances that can push young people towards it, including poverty, unemployment, corruption, peer pressure and the relentless pursuit of financial success.
According to the writer and Director of 19 Tola Odunsi, ‘“Every crime has a story before the crime. With 19, I wanted to tell that story, to ask how a brilliant young man can move from wanting a better life to losing himself in the pursuit of it. This is not a film about glorifying the fast life; it is about understanding its cost and reminding us that the choices we make today can define the lives we live tomorrow.”
For the Producer Bola Atta, this was at the heart of the decision to make the film.
“Internet fraud is gradually becoming endemic and is eating into the fabric of Nigerian society. Lives are being lost needlessly and families are being ruined as a result of the wrong choices made by some people.
“Something definitely needs to be done to address this situation. That is why we decided to make a movie that not only reflects this reality but also shows that there is a better path to success, one that does not have to end in tragedy or destruction.”
The response at the premiere was particularly encouraging, with audiences connecting with the film’s themes and its underlying message.
Obi Asika, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, who attended the premiere, described the film as both timely and necessary.
“19 is an important and timely film. Life is about choices, and we see that play out through Ndubuisi and his best friend, who face similar pressures but take different paths. Ndubuisi chooses the shortcut and pays the price, while his friend reminds us that legitimate pathways remain open to those with talent and discipline. These are the films we need to see more of: real issues, real stories and real decisions, told with courage and consequence.”
Also speaking at the premiere, Dr Busola Tejumola, Senior vice President of Content at Canal plus said “ 19 excellently delivers a timely message at a moment when internet fraud, cable piracy and content theft are becoming increasingly sophisticated threats to our society and our industry. The film doesn’t shy away from the real circumstances that push young people towards these choices. It is entertaining, but also necessary storytelling’
The title 19 is a reference to Section 419 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, historically associated with advance-fee fraud, a term that has become synonymous with internet fraud in popular Nigerian usage.
Written and directed by Tola Odunsi and distributed by Nile Entertainment, 19 opens in Nigerian cinemas on September 11.
With its combination of an acclaimed ensemble cast, a compelling crime narrative and a subject that continues to affect young Nigerians and society at large, 19 arrives in cinemas as more than a movie, it is an invitation to confront a difficult reality and consider the choices that shape the pursuit of success.
Fashion Entrepreneur Kayode Alfred Expands Aristocratic Clothing, Target Global Luxury Market
A nigerian fashion firm , Aristocrat Clothing, has declared its intention to reset Nigeria’s luxury fashion narrative as it opened its flagship store in Lagos.
In a statement by the Chief executive officer, of the firm Kayode Alfred, he noted that the new outlet represents a deliberate shift from imported labels to world-class, made-in-Nigeria craftsmanship.
He further added that the grand opening which will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Ogunusi , Ojodu, Lagos, he stated that the new branch of the organisation is aimed at redefining what Nigerian luxury looks like.
According to him , the Ojodu flagship was built to merge impeccable tailoring with sophistication and individuality for the modern Nigerian man and woman.
Alfred said Aristocrat is moving the industry away from mass fashion toward bespoke luxury rooted in Nigerian identity but built to global standards.
He noted that the launch comes at a time when demand for premium local fashion is rising, as consumers increasingly patronize homegrown designers over foreign brands.
“Style has always been more than what one wears. It is an expression of identity, confidence and character,” Alfred said. With this store, we are redefining what Nigerian luxury looks like.
“This is more than retail. This is the new home of the Aristocrat experience,” he said. “We are here to prove that Nigerian brands can lead in luxury.
“As the doors of this flagship open, Aristocrat Clothing is poised to take its rightful place in Nigeria’s evolving luxury landscape,” Alfred added. “We will continue to champion class, confidence and impeccable style as timeless values.”
Ogun Govt Pulls Down Hunye Campaign Banners Amid APC Governorship Battle, Campaign Team Cries Foul
– Hunye Campaign Condemns Action, Demands Explanation and Calls for Equal Application of Signage Regulations
The Campaign Organisation of Hon. Abayomi Semako Hunye strongly condemns the demolition and removal of its campaign banners in Ijebu-Ode and Abeokuta, carried out on the instructions of the Ogun State Government through the Ogun State Signage and Advertising Agency (OGSAA).
The incident, which occurred yesterday, September 7, 2026, has raised serious concerns within our campaign, particularly because the affected materials were prominently displayed campaign banners carrying the images of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Hon. Abayomi Hunye.
Among the locations affected was Folagbade Road, Ijebu-Ode, opposite Our Saviour Cathedral, where a large banner bearing the message “Hon. Abayomi Hunye Is Still in the Race” was removed. Similar campaign materials were also removed in Abeokuta.
We wish to state categorically that the core purpose of these specific banners is to inform the good people of Ogun State that the battle for the governorship candidate by APC is still active and ongoing in court. As a serious aspirant and a stakeholder in the democratic process, Hon. Abayomi Hunye owes his people a fundamental duty to enlighten, update, and keep them accurately informed about the true state of affairs regarding his mandate. Suppressing these informational banners is an attempt to keep the electorate in the dark.
We understand that the exercise was carried out by officials of the Ogun State Signage and Advertising Agency under the direction of its General Manager, Hon. Fola Onifade, acting on instructions attributed to the state government.
While we acknowledge the authority of government agencies to regulate outdoor advertising and signage, such regulatory powers must be exercised fairly, transparently, and without political discrimination. Our concern is therefore not simply about the removal of campaign materials, but about the circumstances, timing, and apparent selectivity of an action aimed at blocking civic enlightenment.
If our banners violated any applicable signage regulations, the government should come forward and clearly state the specific provisions allegedly breached. It should also clarify whether the campaign organisation was issued any prior notice or given an opportunity to address the alleged violations.
The people of Ogun State deserve to know whether this was a routine regulatory exercise or a politically motivated attempt to stifle lawful communication regarding an ongoing court process. We are particularly concerned by the perception that the signage regulatory machinery of the state may be used to favor one political interest over another. Such a perception is unhealthy for democracy and must not be allowed to take root.
We therefore call on Governor Dapo Abiodun to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding the removal of these banners and direct the relevant authorities to ensure that signage regulations are applied equally to all political aspirants, parties, and campaign organisations.
We also call on the appropriate authorities to establish:
The precise legal basis for the demolition of the banners;
Whether the required permits and approvals were in place;
Whether any notice of violation was issued before the demolition;
Why the particular locations carrying vital legal updates were targeted; and whether similar enforcement action has been taken against campaign materials belonging to other political interests across the state.
Democracy cannot thrive where regulatory institutions are perceived as instruments of political intimidation, nor where the electorate is denied the right to be informed about legitimate legal proceedings.
Hon. Abayomi Semako Hunye remains committed to pursuing his political aspirations through peaceful, constitutional, and lawful means. The removal of banners will not erase the legal facts, remove the aspirations of the people, or stop legitimate political conversations about the future of Ogun State.
We therefore urge our supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding. We will not be provoked into taking any action outside the bounds of the law.
Our campaign will continue to engage the people of Ogun State, present our truth, and defend our democratic rights through every legitimate avenue available to us.
We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. And we will continue to believe in the power of democracy and the rule of law.
Signed:
FEMI OYEWALE
Spokesperson & Media Aide to Hon. Abayomi Semako Hunye
📞 08034976772
📧 femioyewale2009@gmail.com
SEGUN ODEGBAMI AT 74: THE MARRIAGE HE LOST, THE WOMAN HE ALMOST MARRIED
At 74, the stadium roars have faded into the quiet of a solitary existence. Odegbami rarely replays old matches in his head, nor does he long for the multi-million-dollar European salaries of contemporary football. Instead, as his body ages, reminding him of his mortality, Odegbami looks forward with a striking, urgent clarity to a more fruitful, selfless twilight. From the profound lessons of unconditional fatherhood to his enduring, post-romance alliance with Oyindamola Adeyemi, Nigeria’s ultimate Number 7, aka ‘Mathematical Odegbami’ proves that his greatest victory isn’t a silver trophy, but his unshakeable grip on his own integrity.
You recently turned 74. When you look in the mirror today, who do you see, the footballer millions of Nigerians remember, or a completely different Segun Odegbami?
People remind me constantly about my relationship with football on a daily basis to the extent that I look at most of life through the prism of football. Even in maturing to the person that I am today, football (as a part of sport) has been at the core of my life’s journey – my work, my pastime, my social engagements, my projects, most things around me.
You recently described this stage of your life as the “evening” of your journey and every additional day as a bonus. Has turning 74 made you think differently about mortality, legacy and the things that truly matter?
As I get older, and refuse to acknowledge the increasing numbers in my age that stare at me, physically, my slowly ‘withering’ body makes me acknowledge mortality, the increasing aches and pains, the small health conditions, more aging and dying colleagues around. There is no ‘whole lifetime ahead’ any more, as I used to think in my younger days. Getting things done NOW, not prevaricating over issues, seeing the positives and opportunities in most things around me now, have become my response to the constant reminder of the inevitability of mortality.
If the Segun Odegbami of 1980 were playing today, with European salaries, endorsements and modern sports marketing, how big do you think “Mathematical” would have become?
Ah, very big, I believe.
I could have approached my football career differently, not just as an object of passion and for national service, but as one that had the power to take care of me for the rest of my life! I would have given it my all deliberately, and played more intentionally, packaged and marketed myself better. I ‘sold’ my career too cheaply!
People know almost everything about Segun Odegbami the footballer, but surprisingly little about Segun Odegbami the husband, companion and lover. Was that deliberate?
No, that aspect of me is just a reflection of the life I lived after sports.
You were married to Jumoke Tejumola Odegbami. Looking back today, what happened to that marriage, and what did its breakdown teach you about yourself?
I don’t like to look back at that period.
My young family moved abroad and started to live there. I did not move abroad with them. The time spent apart from family expanded to several years. It created irreversible damage. Living alone in Nigeria, with all the fame I had, created a gap that I could not fill as the years rolled by.
Let me ask you very simply: were you a good husband?
No, I was not.
I could not manage the situation I created for myself well enough.
Could you please clarify when your first marriage ended and when the divorce was officially finalized?
I married Jumoke Tejumola in February 1978. We were together for many years, but somewhere along the line, the marriage broke down and we started living apart. Eventually, I had to take the legal steps to formally bring that chapter of my life to a close. On June 21, 2012, the High Court in Ibadan granted the decree nisi for the dissolution of the marriage. It was a long and important chapter of my life, but sometimes relationships simply run their course. You accept it, learn from it and move on with your life.”
Football gave you extraordinary fame while you were still relatively young. Did fame make marriage and perhaps fidelity more difficult?
It was more the separation by distance that did the most damage. Not the game. I learned to live alone and by myself, and got used to it. That ‘freedom’ allowed me to endure all the hardships I encountered because I was by myself, accountable to no one. I had to pay a high price for that for the rest of my life.
You once publicly clarified that you are a monogamist and not a polygamist. Why was correcting that perception important to you?
Because, I was never a polygamist. There may be the perception out there in public that I have been married more than once. Since my divorce I have not remarried. I was going to try again, but it never happened.
Having experienced marriage and relationships, do you think you understand women better today than you did 30 or 40 years ago?
No. I can’t claim such authority. Women are complex. My life is complicated too.
At 74, what does companionship mean to you? Do you still believe in marriage?
Companionship to me now is having a friend you can share good times with.
I do not see marriage in the picture. I cannot cope with the complexities of multiple relationships in the family. So, no marriage for me again.
Chief, let me take you somewhere a little more personal. For years, your name and that of businesswoman Oyindamola Adeyemi were romantically linked, with different accounts of exactly what the relationship was. So, let us hear it from Segun Odegbami himself: what exactly was Oyindamola Adeyemi to you?
My best friend. Then, when we first met, till now.
She was very young and very innocent. She did not even know that I was famous, or anything like that. Because of my outdoor life style and because she was really a very private person, It took a long time for her to realize the implications of a serious relationship with me and to run away.
We became so close that we even had a family introduction ceremony that probably would have led to marriage. But it never did.
When our son came, it was like a wake-up call for her.
You know, she is a sure-footed person, strong-willed and very focused. She knew what she wanted in life and went after it. I was a distraction for her, away from where she was heading.
That’s why she is such a very successful woman succeeding so well in a man’s world. She has always been a deep thinker and scholar, very knowledgeable and very well-read academically. On top of that she is very beautiful.
So, we just became very good friends with some romance. A son came wonderfully into the picture.
We are not married. We will not be married. We settled that matter over a decade ago.
There were reports at one point that the relationship was heading towards marriage. How close did the two of you actually come to getting married?
It could have ended in marriage but obviously it would not have worked out well. We were better off at been just very good friends.
In a way, we complimented each other.
Opposite ‘poles’ attracting.
What was it about Oyindamola that first attracted you to her?
She was (and still is) a very beautiful woman. Most men will salivate on seeing her. At the same time, she is very intelligent and very smart. Don’t listen to her talk on any subject because you will be enamored with the depth of her knowledge and intellect.
And she is a very very private person.
She blew my mind the first time I met her.
Two highly accomplished and strong-minded people can love each other deeply and still discover that building a life together is another matter entirely. Was that ultimately what happened between you and Oyin?
You can put it that way.
I understand her very well.
I don’t know if she understood me that well, but we complimented each other at the time because we were very different on almost all counts.
Yet, she is an amazing person.
Our wide age difference was also a hindrance, I think. She makes fun of me always with it!
Reports subsequently suggested that the relationship ended. Without intruding unnecessarily into her privacy, what happened between the two of you?
We just ended the romantic relationship a long time ago, well over 10 years now. But we kept our friendship. Nothing happened. It was as if we both knew that we had to give up the romance for the friendship to survive and with a son we both love deeply, in between.
Was losing that relationship painful for you?
We are still very good friends.
People naturally concentrate on what went wrong when relationships end. Let me turn that around: what went right between Segun Odegbami and Oyindamola Adeyemi? What beautiful memories remain?
It was a beautiful relationship. There is no romantic relationship between us anymore, but we are still the best of friends. That’s the kind of person she is. She is steely on the outside, but soft and tender inside. A great mother to our son.
Do you and Oyindamola still speak today?
Of course. We are still very good friends.
If Oyindamola were sitting opposite you now; not the businesswoman, not the woman people wrote about, just Oyindamola; and you had one completely private minute with her, what would you say?
Thank you for everything you have being to me, and done for me.
Did loving her change anything about your understanding of women, relationships or marriage?
Everybody is different. She is a different being completely. She does not fit the profile of the women that have I encountered in my life.
And perhaps the question that finally settles years of speculation: who occupies Segun Odegbami’s heart today?
No one, romantically. My children!
Strip away “Mathematical,” the national honours and the celebrity for a moment. What kind of father do your children say Segun Odegbami is?
The best father in the world. Every single one of them, bar none, would say that. We are all very close friends.
Is that different from the father you believe yourself to be?
No. My children are my best friends.
Is there anything you wish you had done differently when your children were younger?
I wish I had spent more time with them.
What has fatherhood taught you that football never could?
To love unconditionally. In football, you have to ‘hate’ your opponent a little to inflict the pain of defeat on them. And then you make up after. Unreal!
When people discuss Segun Odegbami, football inevitably dominates the conversation. Is there another part of your life you fear history may overlook?
My life is an open book.
The modern search engines in the information super highway will reveal things about me that I may not even realize are a part of my story. That’s how much the world has changed. Nothing is hidden any more.
If you were permitted to live your life again from the age of 18, knowing everything you know today, the triumphs, mistakes, heartbreaks and consequences, would you still choose football?
That’s all I really know, seeing the world through the lens of football. What I see is virgin territory of opportunities in a vast wilderness of football waiting to be discovered and exploited to make the world a better place for everyone.
If you could sit beside the young Segun Odegbami for five minutes before he became “Mathematical,” what would you warn him about?
Fame is sweet, fleeting, and ephemeral. Education is the key and a security. The two are paradise.
When the final whistle eventually blows and hopefully many years from now, what would you like Nigerians to say Segun Odegbami stood for?
He stood for integrity and good name. He came, he saw, and he made the world around him a better place!
