Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing Celebrates Olubadan Ladoja at 81
The Aare Apesinola of Ibadanland, Sir Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing KOF, has joined the sons and daughters of Ibadanland, Yorubaland, and well-wishers across Nigeria in celebrating His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, FNSE, on the auspicious occasion of his 81st Birthday Anniversary.
In his glowing tribute, Aare EmmanuelKing described the monarch’s life as “a rare blend of divine grace, uncommon wisdom, and unflinching devotion to humanity.” He extolled the Olubadan as a leader whose humility, integrity, and fatherly compassion have defined his personal journey and endeared him to generations.
“Your 81st year is a crown of honor upon a life richly invested in service, truth, and compassion. It is the celebration of decades spent building bridges of peace, fostering unity, and safeguarding the heritage of Ibadanland. Truly, you stand as a towering symbol of Yoruba culture and an enduring inspiration to all who cherish noble values,” he said.
He further noted the divine significance of this milestone, stressing that celebrating the monarch’s 81st birthday within the period of his coronation is a historic convergence of grace and glory. “This rare alignment speaks to God’s favor upon your reign, a powerful confirmation that your life, age, and throne are woven together in destiny for the peace, unity, and prosperity of Ibadanland,” he said.
Aare Adetola Emmanuelking also emphasized that the monarch’s attainment of this octogenarian milestone is both a personal triumph and a collective blessing, reaffirming God’s abiding favor upon the throne and upon the land.
“As you mark this glorious 81st birthday, I pray that the Almighty continues to renew Your Imperial Majesty’s strength like the eagle, fill your reign with joy in abundance, and grant you the grace of long, peaceful years. May Ibadanland and the entire Yorubaland continue to flourish under your wise counsel and royal guidance,” he prayed.
He extended warm felicitations to the monarch, reaffirming his loyalty and prayers for greater glory in the years ahead.
“Happy 81st Birthday, Kabiyesi! May your days be long, peaceful, and eternally blessed. Long live the Olubadan of Ibadanland!”
A Paris court on Thursday convicted former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on charges of criminal conspiracy but acquitted him of corruption and accepting illegal campaign financing in his trial into accusations late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi helped fund his victorious 2007 presidential run.
The trial is the latest in a string of legal troubles for the right-wing ex-leader, 70, who denies the charges.
Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012, has already been convicted in two separate cases and stripped of France’s highest honour.
Judge Nathalie Gavarino said Sarkozy,as a serving minister and party leader at the time, had “allowed his close collaborators and political supporters over whom he had authority and who acted in his name”, to approach the Libyan authorities “in order to obtain or attempt to obtain financial support”.
The court’s ruling however did not follow the conclusion of prosecutors that Sarkozy was the alleged beneficiary of the illegal campaign financing. He was acquitted on a separate charges of embezzlement of Libyan public funds, passive corruption and illegal financing of an electoral campaign.
Sentencing is due to be announced later in the hearing, with prosecutors requesting a seven-year prison term for Sarkozy.
He was present in court for the verdict, accompanied by his model and musician wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
Two former close aides were also convicted. His former right-hand man Claude Gueant was found guilty of passive corruption and falsification while former minister Brice Hortefeux was found guilty of criminal conspiracy.
Eric Woerth, Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign treasurer, was acquitted.
In a dramatic coincidence, the judgement was issued by the Paris court two days after the death on Tuesday in Beirut of Franco-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine, a key accuser of Sarkozy in the case.
Takieddine, 75, had claimed several times that he helped deliver up to five million euros ($6 million) in cash from Kadhafi to Sarkozy and the former president’s chief of staff in 2006 and 2007.
He then spectacularly retracted his claims before contradicting his own retraction, prompting the opening of another case against Sarkozy and also Bruni-Sarkozy, on suspicion of pressuring a witness.
Prosecutors argued that Sarkozy and his aides devised a pact with Kadhafi in 2005 to illegally fund Sarkozy’s victorious presidential election bid two years later.
Investigators believe that in return Kadhafi was promised help to restore his international image after Tripoli was blamed by the West for bombing a plane in 1988 over Lockerbie, Scotland and another over Niger in 1989, killing hundreds of passengers.
Kadhafi was ultimately overthrown and killed by opponents in 2011 during the Arab Spring as NATO military intervention — in which France under Sarkozy played a key role — enforced a no-fly zone.
The prosecution’s case is based on statements from seven former Libyan dignitaries, trips to Libya by Gueant and Hortefeux, financial transfers, and the notebooks of the former Libyan oil minister Shukri Ghanem, who was found drowned in the Danube river in Vienna in 2012.
Sarkozy has faced a litany of legal problems since his mandate and has been charged separately with corruption, bribery, influence-peddling and campaign finance infringements.
He was first convicted for graft and sentenced to a one-year jail term, which he served with an electronic tag for three months before being granted conditional release.
Separately, he received a one-year jail term — six months with another six months suspended — in the so-called “Bygmalion affair” for illegal campaign financing. Sarkozy has gone to France’s top appeals court to appeal that verdict.
He has faced repercussions beyond the courtroom, including losing his Legion of Honour — France’s highest distinction — following the graft conviction.
Legal woes aside, the man who styled himself as the “hyper-president” while in office still enjoys considerable influence and popularity on the right of French politics, and is known to regularly meet with President Emmanuel Macron.
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said the fight against poverty and the pursuit of national development cannot be left to the government alone, stressing the need for collective responsibility by faith-based organisations, the private sector and individuals.
Abiodun made the call in Lagos on Tuesday while chairing the 12th Annual Public Lecture of The Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria, themed “Poverty Alleviation, Economic Development and Stability of the Nigerian Economy,” held at The Marquee, Harbour Point, Victoria Island.
According to him, the complexity of governance makes it impossible for the government to carry the burden of development single-handedly.
“The burden of governance cannot be shouldered by government alone, and the church has effectively demonstrated this belief through its initiatives,” he said.
He commended Foursquare Gospel Church for going “beyond the pulpit” to provide social interventions through schools, hospitals, humanitarian outreaches and empowerment programmes that had impacted countless lives.
Abiodun added, “The problem of poverty requires economic stability which must be anchored on inclusive growth where opportunities are extended to all citizens, especially the vulnerable.
“Economic development and stability are two sides of the coin. Without stability, the economy is short-lived. Without development, poverty persists. As leaders, whether in the government, church or private sector, we must collaborate to break the cycle because poverty is not just an economic statistic, it is a human reality. We must care for the vulnerable.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, said no nation could achieve development and stability without deliberately tackling poverty.
“Poverty is one of the greatest challenges confronting Nigerians today, and it can only be removed or minimised through a collective battle by government, faith-based organisations, committed parastatals, and individuals,” he said.
Aboyeji noted that with 70 years of continuous presence in Nigeria, the church considered it a “sacred duty” to contribute to national progress, hence its commitment to the annual lecture as a platform for intellectual discourse and policy engagement.
Delivering the lecture, Senior Fellow and Associate Professor at Lagos Business School, Dr Doyin Salami, lamented the volatility of the Nigerian economy, warning that the current 3.2 per cent growth rate was inadequate for poverty reduction.
According to him, Nigeria needed sustained growth of at least 6.5 per cent annually for a decade to achieve meaningful results.
“Recent data shows that increases in investment in Nigeria are not strong enough to stimulate growth. We must avoid the mistakes of the past and ensure that our investments are the kind that stimulate, support and drive development,” Salami said.
He recalled that Nigeria was ahead of China in poverty indices as far back as 1992, but by 1996 China had reversed its fortunes while Nigeria lagged behind.
He also warned that Nigeria’s reliance on services over industry was deepening its de-industrialisation and undermining prospects for sustainable growth.
The Indian Ocean archipelago of the Seychelles boasts one of the highest standards of living in Africa, driven in part by high-end tourism and fishing, but the island nation is also plagued by drug use and trafficking.
It will hold presidential and legislative elections on September 25-27.
– 115 islands –
The 115 mostly uninhabited islands and islets that make up the Seychelles represent a total of 455 square kilometres (280 square miles), barely the size of the principality of Andorra.
But, spread across an area of more than 388,000 square kilometres, the islands and their surrounding waters make up a vast economic exclusive zone of more than one million square kilometres, twice the size of France.
The islands and their waters are a paradise of biodiversity, home to a rich variety of fauna and flora, and are an important nesting site for birds and turtles.
At the heart of the Indian Ocean, the archipelago occupies a strategic position between Madagascar, Africa, and India.
Three-quarters of its roughly 120,000 citizens live on the Mahe island, where the capital, Victoria, is located, according to 2024 World Bank data.
The archipelago is vulnerable to climate change, and is facing rising sea levels, the deterioration of the marine ecosystem — particularly its coral reefs — as well as landslides, flooding, and drought.
– Young democracy –
The islands were occupied in the 17th century by the French, and then in the 19th century by the British under their rule in nearby Mauritius.
The Seychelles became a colony in its own right in 1903 and achieved independence in 1976 under the presidency of James Mancham.
In 1977, a coup brought to power France-Albert Rene, who established a single-party state and survived multiple coup attempts.
The first multi-party elections took place in 1993 after a new constitution was adopted.
United Seychelles had provided every head of state until the 2020 election, which was won by opposition leader Wavel Ramkalawan.
Ramkalawan is seeking a second term against Patrick Herminie, of the United Seychelles party.
Herminie was charged in late 2023 with “witchcraft”, which he said was politically motivated, and the charges were later lifted.
– Tourism and fishing –
Known for its white beaches and high-end tourism, the Seychelles has Africa’s highest GDP per capita income, according to the World Bank.
However, its economy is vulnerable to price fluctuations for imported products, including food and petrol, which increase the cost of living.
The employment rate is low and while extreme poverty has been almost entirely eradicated, it faces issues such as drug use and trafficking, according to the World Bank.
– Heroin, the dark side of paradise –
Government figures show between 5,000 to 6,000 Seychellois consume heroin, data based on those on a methadone substitution programme.
Other estimates suggest up to 10,000 users, equivalent to roughly 10 percent of the population.
Critics say Ramkalawan has failed to fulfil campaign promises on fighting corruption and drug trafficking.
– ‘Coco bottom’ –
Synonymous with the Seychelles and commonly known as the sea coconut, or coco de mer, is the world’s largest seed — and is shaped like a woman’s bottom.
It became popular when tourism took off following independence.
Authorities limited trade in 1978, but the restrictions were ignored by nut poachers, and since 2011, it has been on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s “red list”.
In line with its commitments of promoting sports and developmental initiatives at all levels, First Bank of Nigeria Limited is partnering the organizers of the first of its kind E1 Lagos GP an all-electric powerboat racing championship, set to hold between the 3rd and 5th of October 2025. Disclosing this at the E1 Lagos GP Stakeholder Immersion session in Lagos recently, Olayinka Ijabiyi, the Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication of FirstBank, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that engender human development across the country while cementing legacies.
“Our involvement in the E1 Lagos GP is about driving legacy and enabling the passions and aspirations that unite Nigerians. We are a bank that has been in business for over 131 years and we recognize that sports drives us as a country, which is why through our First@Sportsinitiative, we continue to invest in platforms that inspire and elevate our people. We have been supporting legacy sport tournaments like the Georgian Polo Cup which we have hosted for 105 years, and the Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship for 64 years now,” Ijabiyi said.
With the event slated for the start of the fourth quarter, FirstBank is aligning its partnership with the annual DecemberIssaVybe initiative, a campaign that celebrates the vibrant spirit of Nigerians during the festive season by curating unforgettable experiences that blend culture, entertainment and lifestyle. “FirstBank is deeply woven into the fabric of society and the lives of our customers. As presenting partner, we are creating meaningful touchpoints with customers and prospects, offering them a world-class experience of relaxation and celebration that captures the true essence of Lagos during the festive season,” he added.
Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, who was also at the event, described the initiative as an event that will grow not just the sports but also showcase Lagos’s vibrant culture, dynamic people, and global relevance, while commending FirstBank for their support.
The teams owned by notable stars like Tom Brady, LeBron James, Didier Drogba, Will Smith, Marc Anthony, Steve Aoki, Rafael Nadal will compete in the Lagos leg before the 2025 season of the competition terminates in Miami in the United States.
The historic Glover Memorial Hall on Lagos Island was steeped in history and reflection on Sunday, September 21, 2025, as scholars, cultural custodians, political leaders, and members of the Lagos royal family converged for the King Kosoko Memorial Lecture 2025. This year’s theme, “The Lagos Kingship: Its Territory, Culture, Traditions, and Its Districts Before 1852,” offered a panoramic exploration of Lagos’ precolonial society and the enduring legacies of its monarchs.
Delivering the welcome address, Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, Chief Curator of the King Kosoko Memorial Museum, described the lecture as more than a scholarly gathering, but rather a moment to honor the resilience and vision of King Kosoko.
“Our story as Lagosians did not begin with colonial maps or modern skyscrapers it began with the wisdom, courage, and vision of our forebears, among whom King Kosoko stands tall,” he said.
Prince Olojo-Kosoko emphasized that King Kosoko embodied the spirit of a cosmopolitan Lagos whose influence extended beyond the island to Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry, and even into the debates of Britain’s parliament. He thanked the planning committee, sponsors, Lagos State Government, and the Royal Family of Lagos, urging participants to recommit themselves to preserving Lagos’ cultural heritage in an age of globalization.
The keynote lecture was delivered by Idris Aregbe, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts & Culture. He described the Lagos Kingship as both sacred and political, structured around the Oba, a council of chiefs, and customary institutions that ensured governance, justice, and ritual authority.
Aregbe highlighted the district system that organized Lagos’ social and economic life before 1852:
District A: Maritime hub with shrines tied to tides and markets.
District B: Agricultural hinterland trading crops with port towns.
District C: Artisan and craft quarter where guilds set norms.
District D: Fortified district with plazas for assemblies and conflict resolution.
District E: Spiritual center housing shrines and ritual specialists.
These districts, he explained, were united by alliances, intermarriages, shared markets, and customary law, creating a governance model that combined independence with unity under the Oba.
He also celebrated Lagos’ cultural richness oriki (praise poetry), drumming ensembles, masquerades, sacred shrines, and festivals like Adamu-Orisa (Eyo), Egungun, and Gelede as the fabric of precolonial identity.
Adding historical depth, Prof. Habeeb Abiodun Sanni of Lagos State University traced the monarchy’s origins to Ashipa, a representative of the Oba of Benin, who laid the foundations of the Lagos throne.
His research underscored Lagos’ hybrid monarchy: a blend of Awori traditions and Benin imperial structures, producing a kingship that was both spiritual and political. Prof. Sanni recounted how rulers such as Akinsemoyin transformed Lagos into a major slave-trading hub, while Erelu Kuti played a decisive role in preserving dynastic continuity and embedding women into the political fabric of Lagos.
He noted that Lagos’ territory expanded beyond the island to Ikorodu, Ijede, Epe, and Badagry through diplomacy, exile settlements, and commercial networks making Lagos a regional power by the early 19th century.
In her captivating contribution, Aduke Gomez offered a wide-angle view of Lagos as a pepper farm turned warrior camp (Oko to Eko), which grew into a trading powerhouse.
She highlighted the strategic location of Lagos, with its lagoon and waterways linking the West African “Slave Coast” from Ghana to Bayelsa. Large war canoes, some carrying 100 people and mounted with guns, symbolized Lagos’ strength in trade and conflict.
Gomez revisited the succession disputes that defined Lagos politics whether primogeniture from father to son, lateral succession among brothers, or outright seizure by rivals. She noted how the rivalry between Kosoko and Akitoye led to the 1851 British bombardment and paved the way for annexation.
Importantly, she spotlighted the role of women in shaping kingship and trade:
Erelu Kuti, who safeguarded dynastic succession.
Madam Tinubu, whose entrepreneurial and political influence supported kings.
Opo Olu and other royal women, who defended Kosoko’s interests.
Gomez argued that the kings’ economic vision such as Akinsemoyin’s invitation to European traders and Kosoko’s engagement with Afro-Brazilian returnees laid the foundations for Lagos’ cosmopolitan identity as a global hub of trade, creativity, and migration.
The lectures collectively stressed that studying the Lagos kingship before 1852 is not merely an academic exercise but a strategic investment in heritage-led development.
Aregbe called for:
Curated heritage routes across former districts.
Community-led festivals that revive traditional ceremonies.
Expanded museums and digital archives to capture oral histories.
Training local artisans and guides to sustain cultural industries.
Prince Olojo-Kosoko and other speakers emphasized the need to balance cultural preservation with ethical tourism, ensuring that sacred spaces and community rights are respected while Lagos shares its authentic stories with the world.
The 2025 King Kosoko Memorial Lecture succeeded in weaving together history, culture, and policy, offering Lagosians a chance to reconnect with their roots while imagining a future shaped by heritage, creativity, and resilience.
From the Awori migrations and Benin influence, to the trade networks, succession disputes, and festivals that defined precolonial Lagos, the event underscored that Lagos was already a cosmopolitan kingdom before 1852.
As Aduke Gomez concluded, it was the “entrepreneurial interventions of the Lagos kings that transformed Lagos from a pepper farm to a megacity first the capital, now the economic and creative heartbeat of Nigeria.”
The resounding call was clear to honor the past, preserve the present, and shape a future where Lagos’ cultural heritage continues to inspire generations.
The National Youth Service Corps has announced that the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course will commence nationwide on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, across all orientation camps.
According to a a statement issued via its official Facebook page on Monday, the scheme said registration will run until midnight on Friday, September 26, while the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for the same day.
It added that the three-week exercise will end with a closing ceremony on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
However, the NYSC clarified that the orientation course in Kwara State will open later, beginning on Tuesday, September 30, and closing on Monday, October 20, 2025.
The statement said the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, urged all Prospective Corps Members to report to the camps indicated in their call-up letters, stressing the need for compliance with all registration requirements. Foreign-trained graduates are expected to present their international passports and original copies of uploaded documents.
He warned PCMs against presenting fake documents, cautioning that offenders would be handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution. Graduates of monotechnics and polytechnics are specifically required to produce their National Diploma certificates as part of the registration process.
In the event of a lost call-up letter, the NYSC directed corps members who collected theirs from their institutions to obtain a police report and sworn affidavit before returning to their schools for further action. Those who printed theirs online can reprint copies.
Highlighting safety concerns, the scheme strongly advised PCMs against night journeys.
“Once it is 6:00pm, prospective corps members are enjoined to break their journeys and spend the night at military or police barracks, NYSC secretariats or corps lodges nearest to their disembarkation point,” the statement read.
The NYSC also advised corps members to only patronize government-approved motor parks and transportation companies to avoid falling prey to criminals.
The NYSC boss was quoted as saying, “Any prospective corps member who refuses to report for service or participates illegally in the scheme will be prosecuted, as stipulated by the NYSC Act.”
He added, “Married, pregnant, and nursing mothers posted outside their husbands’ states of residence may complete the orientation course in their states of domicile, provided they present evidence of marriage, their husbands’ identification, and proof of residence.
“For registration, all corps members must present their original call-up letters, statements of result or certificates, school identity cards, and certificates of medical fitness issued by government or military hospitals stamped by the Nigerian Medical Association. Medical and allied health graduates are also required to show proof of registration with their respective professional bodies.”
The NYSC boss concluded by saying, “We wish all prospective corps members safe travels to their various camps and a successful service year.”
A speech by U.S. President Donald Trump will mark the opening of the 80th session of the annual General Debate of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
Other speakers on the agenda for the first day are Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Turkish President Recep Erdoğan, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The speeches are scheduled to start at 9 am (1300 GMT).
UN Secretary General António Guterres and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock are also to speak.
A session of the UN Security Council on the Ukraine war, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend, is also scheduled.
Around 150 heads of state and government are set to speak over the week ahead, with the Middle East conflict and the war in Ukraine.
The UN’s precarious finances would not be left out, along with the changing geopolitical role of the United States under Trump.
Nigeria’s Vice-President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, who is leading the country’s high-powered delegation to the annual global event, has since arrived in New York.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Shettima is representing President Bola Tinubu at the UN epochal event.
The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the rising cases of attacks and killings of security personnel across the country.
Obi, in a post via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, described the spate of violence against soldiers, policemen, members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and vigilante groups as tragic and unacceptable.
The former Anambra State Governor stressed that the sacrifices of security operatives to the nation must not go unappreciated.
“The country has been thrown into mourning yet again with the reported tragic killings of our security personnel. Our men and women in uniform have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty, dedicating their lives to the safety and stability of our dear nation,” Obi said.
He urged leaders at all levels to take urgent steps to better equip and motivate security operatives, insisting that security must form the foundation of governance.
According to him, Nigeria cannot continue to bury its security personnel while abandoning their families. He stressed the need for adequate compensation and support for the dependents of fallen officers.
“Our government must rise to the responsibility of ensuring that the wives, children, and parents of these fallen heroes are fairly compensated and supported. That is the least a grateful nation can provide. It is not charity, it is justice,” Obi added.
The former governor offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the slain operatives and assured their families of solidarity and support.
“To every fallen hero, may your soul rest in perfect peace. Your sacrifice and patriotism will never be forgotten. And to the families left behind, you are not alone. May God continue to provide you with strength and comfort,” he concluded.
Adron Homes Sponsors Olojo Festival 2025, Celebrates Heritage and Tourism Development
Adron Homes and Properties Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading real estate companies, has reaffirmed its commitment to cultural preservation and community development by officially supporting the 2025 Olojo Festival themed “Tourism for Inclusive Growth with Cultural Rebirth.”
In a press conference held recently at the Palace of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Eniitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, highlighted the festival’s enduring significance as a symbol of Yoruba heritage and a catalyst for economic and social development.
Representing the Chairman/CEO, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, the Managing Director of Adron Group, Mrs. Adenike Ajobo, described the Olojo Festival as “more than a cultural gathering, a living heritage that connects the Yoruba civilization to the global stage, strengthening local economies, uniting people, and inspiring generational pride.”
She noted that Adron Group’s sponsorship aligns with its mission to build communities that honour tradition while creating sustainable opportunities.
“Tourism and housing share a common purpose which connects people, places, and possibilities. At Adron, we believe that true development must respect heritage while driving progress for future generations. Supporting Olojo Festival reflects our commitment to inclusive growth and cultural rebirth,” she stated.
The Olojo Festival, recognised as one of Africa’s foremost cultural events, continues to attract international attention while reinforcing Ile-Ife’s status as the cradle of Yoruba civilization. With the support of organisations like Adron Group, the festival is expected to further project Nigeria’s culture globally, boost tourism, and inspire unity across communities.
Adron Group extended prayers for the continued reign of His Imperial Majesty, Kabiyesi Ojaja II, and expressed optimism that the 2025 Olojo Festival would be peaceful, impactful, and a beacon of pride for Yorubaland, Osun State, and Nigeria at large.
