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!
How Ogun 1 Customs Under Afeni Is Tough On Smuggling, Strong On Revenue Growth
By Nigeria Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE)
At Idiroko, Nigeria’s western gateway to the Republic of Benin, security and commerce meet at one of the country’s busiest border corridors. Since assuming office in December 2025 as Customs Area Controller of the Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Oladapo Afeni has focused on intelligence-led enforcement, stronger inter-agency cooperation, revenue generation and trade facilitation. His tenure has already produced notable results in these areas.
Afeni’s anti-smuggling campaign has been particularly prominent. Within his first 11 days in office, the command reported seizures valued at more than N2 billion. They included 16 kilogrammes of heroin, 12 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, about 1,502 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, foreign food products and petroleum products. The operations reflected a strategy based increasingly on intelligence and targeted patrols.
The campaign has continued with major interceptions across the command. Between April 1 and June 23, 2026, officers recorded 146 seizures valued at about N4.63 billion. The items included 2,807 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 9,482 parcels of cannabis sativa, 16,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 2,427 pneumatic tyres, pharmaceuticals, sugar, fertiliser and footwear. In one operation, officers also intercepted foreign rice concealed beneath bags of cement.
These operations have implications beyond Customs enforcement. Smuggled goods undermine local manufacturers and farmers by creating unfair competition. They also deprive government of legitimate revenue. The interception of narcotics and other dangerous products adds another dimension to the command’s role in protecting public safety. In this regard, Afeni’s enforcement drive has combined economic protection with border security.
Revenue collection has also improved significantly. Between April and June 2026, Ogun I generated approximately N259.8 million, compared with N76.8 million during the same period in 2025. That represents a reported 238 per cent increase. The command attributed the rise to stronger regulatory enforcement, baggage assessments, auction activities and improved compliance. In 2025, it generated N454.67 million, up 47 per cent from the previous year.
Afeni has also sought to give legitimate commerce greater attention. During the second quarter of 2026, Ogun I facilitated the export of 20,972 metric tonnes of goods worth about N1.049 billion. The exports included white talc, crushed thermal coal and compressed natural gas products. The development marked a significant change from the corresponding period of 2025, when the command recorded no export activity.
Inter-agency cooperation has been another major feature of the administration. Ogun I has strengthened collaboration with the Police, Department of State Services, Immigration, NSCDC, NDLEA, NAFDAC and security authorities in neighbouring Benin Republic. A joint border-security engagement in January focused on intelligence sharing and coordinated operations. Seized narcotics and regulated pharmaceutical products have also been transferred to the appropriate agencies for further action.
The importance of this collaboration was underscored during the July 8, 2026 visit of Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, to the command headquarters. Afeni said Customs was committed not only to securing the border but also to making legitimate trade easier. He disclosed that the Joint Border Security Committee had helped reduce the number of checkpoints along the corridor, easing movement without compromising security.
The command has also engaged border communities and supported social projects under the Customs Cares Initiative. These include a hospital project in Imeko, a secondary school project in Ijofin and a jetty project in the same community. Such initiatives can strengthen relations between Customs and residents, who are often well positioned to provide information about smuggling routes and other criminal activities.
However, NASRE believes there is room for further improvement. The command should deepen digitalisation and transparency in its trade-facilitation processes, with clearer service timelines, fewer manual procedures and stronger complaint-resolution channels for legitimate traders, exporters and transporters. It should also strengthen structured engagement with border communities, traditional rulers, traders and transport unions. Such partnerships can provide useful intelligence on emerging smuggling routes while helping residents understand the economic and security consequences of illicit trade.
Overall, Afeni’s tenure has produced a noteworthy balance between enforcement and facilitation. Billions of naira worth of contraband have been intercepted, revenue has risen sharply, exports have increased and security cooperation has strengthened. The next challenge is sustainability. If these gains continue, and legitimate businesses find the Idiroko corridor safer and easier to use, Ogun I Command could establish a durable model for modern border management in Nigeria.
Adron Group Eyes Agricultural Expansion, Partners Niger Foods on Farm Estate Development
In a significant move towards transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and expanding opportunities within the nation’s agribusiness value chain, the Chairman/GCEO of Adron Group, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, paid a strategic visit to the Niger Foods Breeding and Feedlot Center to explore a landmark agricultural partnership.
The high-level engagement between Adron Group and the Niger Foods Breeding and Feedlot Center focused on unlocking vast opportunities in the livestock industry and exploring the establishment of specialised Adron Farm Estates across Niger State, with the Center positioned to play a strategic facilitation role in the proposed collaboration.
Adron Homes and Properties, widely recognised as one of Nigeria’s foremost real estate development companies, has built a strong reputation for delivering secure, affordable and premium housing developments across the country. Through this proposed initiative, the Group is set to extend its proven expertise in structured estate development into the agricultural sector.
The proposed Adron Farm Estates are envisioned as purpose-built agricultural communities, providing structured, secure and infrastructure-driven land layouts designed to support commercial farming, livestock production and agro-processing.
During a tour of the Niger Foods Breeding and Feedlot Center, discussions between the leadership of Adron Group and the Center highlighted the critical role of modern infrastructure and structured development in addressing the challenges of Nigeria’s fragmented agricultural market system.
The proposed collaboration seeks to combine Adron Group’s extensive experience in land development and infrastructure with the agricultural expertise, livestock production capacity and market development experience of the Niger Foods Breeding and Feedlot Center, with the objective of creating a new and sustainable model for agricultural development.
Beyond enhancing food production and unlocking new opportunities in livestock and agribusiness, the initiative is expected to stimulate rural development, create employment opportunities, attract investment and strengthen the agricultural value chain across Niger State.
The collaboration between Adron Group and the Niger Foods Breeding and Feedlot Center also holds the potential to position Niger State as a major hub for integrated agricultural and real estate development, while demonstrating how strategic partnerships between the real estate and agricultural sectors can unlock new possibilities for economic growth and national development.
As discussions between both organisations progress, the proposed partnership represents another bold step by Adron Group towards exploring innovative development models that respond to emerging opportunities, create sustainable communities and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
NASRE Mourns Sola Olugbemiro, Dotun Oladipo, Calls For Better Welfare For Media Professionals
The Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) mourns the passing of two respected members of the media community, Sola Olugbemiro, popularly known as Solkem, Publisher of Access Weekly, and Mr Dotun Oladipo, Publisher of The Eagle Online.
NASRE President, Comrade Femi Oyewale, described the deaths as painful losses to the media industry, noting that both men were not only publishers and journalists but also colleagues and friends who made valuable contributions to journalism and public discourse.
“The passing of Sola Olugbemiro and Dotun Oladipo is a painful reminder of the sacrifices made by media professionals in the service of society. We mourn them as colleagues, friends and patriots who contributed in their own ways to the growth of Nigerian journalism. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones at this difficult time,” Oyewale said.
Oyewale, however, said the recent losses should also prompt urgent conversations about the welfare and wellbeing of journalists and other media professionals. He called on the Federal Government, state governments, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to provide stronger support for the media, particularly through accessible healthcare, insurance schemes, welfare packages and improved working conditions.
“Journalists cannot continue to serve as society’s watchdogs while their own welfare and healthcare needs receive inadequate attention. We urge government and corporate organisations to partner with media organisations and professional bodies to establish sustainable welfare interventions that will protect journalists and their families,” the NASRE President added.
NASRE commiserated with the families, colleagues, friends and associates of Sola Olugbemiro and Dotun Oladipo, praying for strength for their loved ones and eternal rest for the departed. The association also reiterated its call for stronger institutional support for media professionals, particularly in healthcare, insurance and journalists’ welfare, noting that those who dedicate their lives to informing and serving society deserve adequate protection and support.
IFAKO-IJAIYE 1 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HOPEFUL, ADEKUNLE SUNDAY SHOBOLA “ELELE” GREETS MUSLIMS ON EID EL-MAULUD CELEBRATION
Renowned grassroots politician and ADC Lagos State House of Assembly Hopeful for Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 1, Adekunle Sunday Shobola, popularly known as “Elele”, has joined millions across the world to celebrate with Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of Eid El-Maulud.
In his goodwill message, Elele described Eid El-Maulud as a period of reflection, love, and renewed commitment to the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
CALL FOR PEACE, UNITY AND REFLECTION
The ADC candidate for the 2027 General Election urged Muslims in Ifako-Ijaiye and across Lagos State to reflect on the core lessons of Eid El-Maulud, which center on peace, tolerance, sacrifice, and service to humanity.
“As we celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), I challenge all Muslims to reflect on the teachings of Almighty Allah on unity, compassion, and peaceful coexistence. With unity among ourselves, the development that the good people of Ifako-Ijaiye have long expected will be achieved without stress,” he said.
Elele emphasized that peaceful coexistence among all religious groups remains the foundation for progress in any community. He noted that Ifako-Ijaiye, being one of the most populated LGAs in Lagos, can only attain meaningful development when its people live together in harmony.
MESSAGE TO MUSLIMS ACROSS LAGOS STATE
The Ifako-Ijaiye 1 House of Assembly hopeful also extended warm greetings to Muslims across Lagos State, encouraging them to continue to uphold the values of faith, perseverance, and community service.
“I greet my Muslim brothers and sisters across Lagos State. I urge you to continue to believe in yourselves, to put the directives of Almighty Allah first, and to make unity and mutual respect a top priority among yourselves,” he stated.
He prayed that the blessings of the season bring joy to every home, prosperity to the state, and lasting peace to Nigeria.
COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION
Adekunle Sunday Shobola aka Elele reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive and people-centered representation if given the mandate in 2027. He said his administration, by the grace of God and the support of the people, will prioritize programs that promote religious harmony, youth empowerment, and community development across Ifako and Ijaiye.
The grassroots mobilizer concluded by wishing all Muslim faithful a joyous, peaceful, and spiritually rewarding Eid El-Maulud celebration.
Eid Mubarak to all
SIGN
Adekunle Sunday shobola
ADC, Ifako Ijaiye 1 Lagos State House of Assembly Candidate
ADEKUNLE SUNDAY SHOBOLA “ELELE”: THE GRASSROOTS CATALYST NEEDED TO TRANSFORM IFAKO-IJAIYE COMMUNITY
Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, one of the largest and most densely populated LGAs in Lagos State and Nigeria, stands at a critical point in its political and developmental journey. With a population of over 1 million residents, diverse communities, and growing socio-economic challenges, the LGA requires visionary, experienced, and grassroots-driven leadership to unlock its full potential.
For the dividends of democracy to be felt in every street, market, and household, constituents agree that Ifako-Ijaiye needs a formidable, dedicated, and tested representative — someone who understands the people, speaks their language, and walks with them.
THE SEARCH FOR DEPENDABLE LEADERSHIP
This informed the decision by concerned community leaders and stakeholders to set up a fact-finding Machinary. The mandate was clear: to identify a dependable, reliable, and accessible leader who can bridge the gap between government and the people, and who has a proven record of service.
After months of consultations, town hall engagements, and background checks across wards in Ifako and Ijaiye, the committee came to one conclusion. The name that kept coming up from youth groups, market women, artisans, religious leaders, and community elders was Mr. Adekunle Sunday Shobola, popularly and fondly called “Elele.”
WHO IS “ELELE”?
Adekunle Sunday Shobola better known as Elele is not new to the streets of Ifako-Ijaiye. For over two decades, he has been a visible grassroots mobilizer, democrat, philanthropist, and community peace-maker.
“Elele” is a Yoruba name that conlates to “one who comes to the aid of others.” And that is exactly what constituents say he has been doing.
According to the fact-finding report, Elele is described as:
A Philanthropist:
Known for paying school fees, supporting widows, and providing medical assistance to the less privileged without regard for party lines.
A Community Peace-maker:
Instrumental in resolving community disputes, youth clashes, and market crises through dialogue and mediation.
A Grassroots Mobilizer:
A man who attends naming ceremonies, funerals, and community meetings. He is accessible — his door is open to anyone who comes his way, regardless of tribe, religion, or political affiliation.
A youth leader in Ijaiye said: _“We don’t see Elele only during elections. We see him every day. When there is trouble in the community, he is there. When a student needs help, he responds. That is leadership.”
WHY IFAKO-IJAIYE NEEDS HIM NOW
Ifako-Ijaiye faces unique challenges: Education development, drainage and flooding, youth unemployment, inadequate healthcare facilities, and the need for more inclusive governance.
Stakeholders believe these challenges require a leader who is not a “visitor” to the community, but one who has lived the realities with the people.
Experience:
Elele understands the structure of local government and how to interface with state and federal agencies to attract projects.
Democratic Values:
As a democrat, he believes in consultation, inclusion, and accountability. He has consistently advocated for peaceful elections and issue-based politics.
Track Record:
Over the years, he has facilitated empowerment programs for artisans, skills acquisition for women, and scholarship support for students.
A market leader in Ifako noted: _“Politics should be about service. Elele has been serving us without a title. Imagine what he can do with the mandate of the people.”_
THE PATH TO TRANSFORMATION
Community leaders say that electing a grassroots man like Adekunle Sunday Shobola will be the catalyst needed to transform Ifako-Ijaiye. The vision, according to stakeholders, includes:
Youth and Women
Empowerment
Expanding vocational training, providing startup grants, and creating platforms for young entrepreneurs.
Healthcare and Education:
Supporting primary health centers and advocating for more classroom blocks and learning materials.
Security and Peace
Strengthening community policing and dialogue platforms to sustain the peace Ifako-Ijaiye is known for.
The belief is that a representative who is already trusted at the grassroots will find it easier to mobilize the people for government programs and also hold government accountable on their behalf.
THE PEOPLE’S CALL
As the political space begins to shape up ahead of future elections, there is a growing call across the 11 wards of Ifako-Ijaiye for Elele to answer the call to serve.
“This is not about party. This is about the people,” said a community elder.
“We need someone who has been tested and trusted. Someone who will not abandon us after election. Elele fits that description.”
The fact-finding committee concluded that the time has come for Ifako-Ijaiye to choose competence over popularity, service over rhetoric, and grassroots connection over political godfatherism.
REMARK
Ifako-Ijaiye deserves leadership that is present, practical, and people-centered. In Adekunle Sunday Shobola “Elele,” constituents say they have found a grassroots politician and democrat with the heart to serve, the experience to deliver, and the humility to listen.
As the conversation around the future of Ifako-Ijaiye continues, one message is clear from the streets: Elele is the catalyst needed to transform and represent Ifako-Ijaiye1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly under the ADC Political Platform Come 2027 General Election.
RSSOSA National President, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, Celebrates Damola Aiyeola at 60, Commends His Legacy of Service
The National President of the Remo Secondary School Old Students Association (RSSOSA), Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has celebrated the National Vice President of the Association’s UK Branch, Mr. Damola Aiyeola, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, describing him as a God-fearing family man, committed leader and an exemplary Old Student whose years of service have continued to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and the development of Remo Secondary School and beyond.
In a special birthday message marking the significant milestone, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking described Aiyeola’s 60 years as a life of purpose, faith, family, leadership and service, noting that his contributions to RSSOSA demonstrate a deep understanding of the responsibility that comes with belonging to an association of Old Students.
The RSSOSA National President praised Aiyeola’s leadership as the National Vice President of the Association’s UK Branch, noting that his contribution goes beyond occupying an executive position to actively using his platform to advance the welfare of students and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the alma mater.
Aare Adetola Emmanuelking particularly highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by the RSSOSA UK Branch under Aiyeola’s watch, describing them as tangible expressions of the responsibility that Old Students owe to the institution that shaped them.
Some of the notable interventions include the renovation of the UK-adopted classrooms at Remo Secondary School; the donation of learning materials to exceptional students across the Senior and Junior sections of the school; and the support and funding of holiday tutorials for SS3 students. The tutorial programme was further complemented by the donation of textbooks and sanitary pads to the students, addressing both their educational and personal welfare needs.
Commending these initiatives, the RSSOSA National President described Mr. Damola Aiyeola as a leader whose influence is evident in the positive impact being recorded by the UK Branch.
According to him, Aiyeola’s leadership reflects the importance of having people who understand that alumni leadership is ultimately about service, responsibility and giving back. He noted that the story of the RSSOSA UK Branch under Aiyeola’s watch is one of Old Students turning their affection for their alma mater into measurable interventions that improve the lives of present-day students.
As Mr. Damola Aiyeola marks his diamond jubilee, the RSSOSA National President prayed that God would continue to strengthen him, preserve his life and grant him the wisdom and grace required for greater responsibilities.
He prayed for divine health, protection, prosperity, renewed strength and continued fulfilment, asking God to bless and preserve his family and reward the celebrant for his commitment to service.
He further prayed that the years ahead would be even more fruitful and impactful, with greater opportunities to contribute to the advancement of RSSOSA, the UK Branch and Remo Secondary School.
Presidency, Organised Private Sector Kick Against Atiku’s Petrol Subsidy Proposal
The Presidency and the Organised Private Sector have kicked against Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore petrol subsidy if he wins the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress candidate, said on Thursday that his plan would be different from the old subsidy system. Under his Atiku Economic Recovery Plan 2027, he proposed giving qualifying local refineries crude oil at cheaper rates, with strict conditions to ensure the benefit gets to consumers.
He said the support would be limited and included in the annual budget, while refineries would have to meet clear production and supply targets.
“My proposal is not to resurrect the old subsidy regime. We will move subsidy from importation to production, from middlemen to Nigerian refineries,” Atiku said.
He also questioned about N12tn in energy security expenses recorded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in 2023 and 2024, asking the government to explain what the money was spent on.
Atiku argued that Nigerians were already paying higher petrol prices following the removal of subsidy in 2023 and should not also bear the burden of what he described as unexplained petroleum-related costs.
But President Bola Tinubu strongly rejected the proposal, describing it as a sign of “serious ignorance on governance and economy.”
The Presidency, through the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also accused Atiku of changing his position for political reasons. It pointed out that Atiku had supported subsidy removal during the 2023 election campaign and had promised to scrap it within 100 days if elected.
The Presidency argued that bringing back subsidy would place another heavy burden on government finances and could hurt investment in local refining. It also maintained that the subsidy had already been removed under the Petroleum Industry Act.
The Federal Government has continued to defend the policy, with Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele saying the removal of subsidy, alongside the liberalisation of the naira, saved the federation N15.8tn between June 2023 and December 2025.
But for Atiku, the hardship caused by higher fuel prices makes a rethink necessary. He said his proposed model would provide temporary support for local refineries while gradually phasing out government intervention as domestic refining becomes stronger.
The debate is now shaping up as one of the key economic issues ahead of the 2027 election, with the Nigeria Labour Congress also divided over whether subsidy should return.
