DEATH STRIKES FORMER PUNCH CHAIRMAN AJIBOLA OGUNSOLA A MORTAL BLOW AS HE LOSES ONLY DAUGHTER

Late Yetunde Alatede Oghomienor 

It's not the best of times at all for this great Nigerian brain and a member of the renowned Aboderin/Ogunsola clan, owners of the most circulated Nigerian newspaper by name Punch, in the person of 'Chief Ajibola Ogunsola', the erstwhile Chairman of the board of Punch and Nigeria's first actuarial scientist.

Mankind's first and greatest enemy struck again like it normally does, baring its fangs and claws and leaving anguish, and pain in its wake, as she stole Chief Ogunsola's first and only daughter away from him and his beloved wife of 50 years. Mrs. Iyabo Ogunsola in London. The terribly unfortunate and totally destabilizing occurrence happened on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 after a long battle with Cancer. Yetunde Alatede Oghomienor passed on untimely at age 48.

Her second name Alatede was her paternal grandmother's surname, which her doting father gave her as a mark of respect for his mom, who had passed on about 5 decades ago now. The woman, Madam Janet Alatede was a renowned entrepreneur, in fact she was said to have been the 2nd biggest indigenous textile trader in the whole of Ibadan, during her lifetime. The birth of Chief Ajibola's only daughter, the 1st child at that out of 4, coincided with the passing of Madam Janet Alatede, hence Yetunde was so named, to reflect that the loving mom had somewhat returned back.

The now late MD & co-founder of Aframero Ltd, a leading Nigerian provider of woodworking solutions to the interior design and furniture manufacturing companies, Mrs. Yetunde Alatede Oghomienor, had her secondary education at the famous Queens College, Yaba, Lagos before going to the University of Lagos and then University of London. She is survived by her parents, her husband, Leslie Oghomienor, 2 kids and many other family members.

For Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, the unfortunate death of his daughter, is just one death too many for him, as he has also lost at least 2 other close family members too in the space of just over a year.

May the souls of all the dearly departed, especially this most recent one, find rest. 

Speech by Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN- Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing FMPWH at the FGNTownHall Meeting in IBADAN.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN 

“In 2015 the budget left behind by the previous government was N19 billion for works, N5 Billion for power, N1.2 Billion for housing, Total: N25.2 Billion

In 2017, the budget for works was N394 Billion; Power was N69.96 Billion & Housing was N64.9 Billion (Total N529 Billion).”

BRF: “We are constructing houses in 34 states in a pilot scheme to determine affordability and acceptability; and we have 90 transmission projects aimed at improving connectivity between the GenCos and the DisCos who serve you.”

“Those 90 projects are largely resuscitated because this government has recovered 690 containers of power equipment out of over 800 containers left at the Port for almost a decade because they did not pay contractors, who then could not pay the shippers & warehouse companies.”

“Those of you from Ondo and environs will agree that although the work is not finished, your travel time on the Benin-Ore-Sagamu road has reduced. Our contractor is on site and has to work while you use the road.” — @tundefashola

“The same is true of the Lagos-Ibadan Exp that connects Lagos, Ogun and Oyo; and links to Ondo. Those of you who use the road will acknowledge that you no longer have to spend the night on the road. You can go to Ibadan from Lagos and be sure that you can return on the same day.”

“Yet we have not finished. Please as you prepare to choose next year, remember those long hours on Benin-Ore, Lag-Ibadan that sometimes stretched into the Night. Do you want to go back? Ask yourself if progress on these roads in 3 yrs is better than what you‘ve seen over 16 yrs.”

“It will help you decide who to choose to ensure that the road is finished, and you can move forward. Also remember those who presided over the cuts in the budget of these roads in the 2017 budget.”

“As they plan to frustrate and slow down the Buhari Govt, the president innovates & finds solutions. There is now a Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund to ensure that the Second Niger bridge, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road, Lagos-Ibadan Exp... are not deprived of funding again.”

“Major roads in the Southwest like the Lagos-Otta-Abeokuta Road, the Ikorodu-Sagamu road, which had been deserted and left to decay, now have contractors at work. Do you want to go back to that?”

“The Apapa-TinCan-Mile 2 -Oshodi- Oworonshoki road has been awarded and work should start sometime in November this year as the construction equipment are being readied. This will give a final solution for the gridlock that was inherited from the last government.”

“These are some of the examples of what has changed and is changing for the better.

Those who ran it aground for 16 years now say we are not quick enough.

The question you right thinking and well-meaning citizens should ask is which Nation has been rebuilt in 4 years?”

“It is going to take more than one election cycle to consolidate on the progress I have shared with you; and if you do not choose wisely you can reverse it.”

“A choice to go back is a choice to reverse this progress and a choice to move forward is a sensible choice to consolidate and progress.

Those same people who caused the problem cannot now be trusted to fix it.”

“You will hear from them that the country has problems as they try to weaponise our challenges to deceive Nigerians.”

“Infrastructure decayed under their watch; insurgency & bombings started under their watch; grand corruption under their watch makes it impossible to identify 1 item of critical infrastructure that Nigeria can point to in a decade during which oil price averaged $100 per barrel.”

“On the housing side, as I said we are in every state including all the states of the South West except Lagos. Each site employs not less than 1,000 people made up of builders, artisans, fabricators, and vendors and we plan to do much more.”

“Through this infrastructure commitment, the President and the government are driving the economy vehicle in the right direction. The last quarter report of the National Bureau of Statistics for Q2 of 2018 shows the following rate of growth in sectors affected by my ministry:”

“i) Transportation – (Road, rail, water and air)  – 21.76%

ii) Construction – 7.66%

iii) Electricity – 7.59%.”

“But it is not just travel time reduction, & economic growth that is impacted, the number of road traffic accidents, injuries and loss of lives are reducing month by month as FRSC figures from June & July 2018 show. While the biggest cause of accidents remains speed violations.”

“Let me close with some specific comments on power in the South West: Magboro, Mowe, Ibafo, Ondo (North and South) are communities who were never connected to power supply before. That story has changed. They are now connected and experiencing power supply. That is Change.”

“This is because we increased generation from 4,000 to 7,000 MW; averaging 1,000 MW per annum; Transmission from 5,000 to 7,000MW averaging 660MW per annum, and distribution from 2,690 MW in May 2015 to 5,222MW in January 2018, averaging 844 MW per annum.”

“We have not finished and we have not reached everybody yet; but many of you can tell the difference now and attest to the fact that things have changed for the better.”

“Ask yourself if you use your generator longer today than in 2015 or if you spend less money on diesel today than in 2015, or if you are getting power supply longer today than in 2015.

Please choose next year according to that answer.”

“Also ask yourself who has done better: 4,000 MW over 16 years at an average 250 MW per annum? Or 3000 MW over 3 years at an average of 1000 MW per annum?

I have addressed the choice before you between going back and moving forward.”

“Let me end my contribution on another issue that is critical to the decision you have to make about your future.

That issue is TRUST.”

“Who will you trust to better manage your affairs. The one who did less with more; or the one that is doing more with less.

Without a doubt, we have done more with less time and with less money. That is change and we remain committed to doing more.”

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing FMPWH

WHEN THE AFOLABIS & OMISADES TOOK OVER IBADAN FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S TRADITIONAL WEDDING AND ENGAGEMENT

Mr & Mrs. Yinka & Bisola Afolabi

YINKA & Bisola and friends 

Bisola Omisade & friend

Couple with Mariam Afolabi

Couple with Joke Sogunro & Mariam Afolabi

The venue, Jogor Center, on 1, Harvester Drive, by Liberty Road, in New GRA, Ibadan, just a short distance from the Shop rite mall as was expected was packed out, Infact totally packed to the rafters. The ancient town of Ibadan in Oyo State, knew and recognised that dignitaries from Lagos, Osun, Ogun and all over had converged on the town to witness and celebrate with the families of the Dr. and Mrs. Taiwo Afolabi, parents of the groom-Yinka and Prince and Princess Omisade, parents of the blushing bride-Bisola Omisade. She is a beautiful young lady no doubt, with a nice body.

It was obvious that the families hosting the large crowd were highly connected and very well heeled, gauging from the kind of high calibered personalities that thronged the event, all gaily dressed to the nines and all looking super cool. These young girls at parties are some kind of people with the kinds of styles they wear leaving many crazy things to the imaginations. The frontal attacks and peripheral one too are a major high popping sights to behold. They were like a flock or better still gaggle of geese, showing off to the admiration of many.


The number king of the Yorubaland and one of the most revered Kings in Africa, the Oonirisa Adimula of Ife Odua, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, the Ojaja II, led the charge as the father of the day. Kabiyesi (the one you don't question) sat majestically all by himself and those that accompanied him say around him, at his absolute beck and call.. The Oluwo of Iwo, ever always the impressive peacock in his loud and colourful Agbada, HRM, Emir, Emperor, Oba take your pick of any of the titles to address him by, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu was there too and sat with the ever impressive Oba Alaiyeluwa, HRM Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla III, the Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi, the handsome King was in his element all through the event as he came to support Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, who he is very close to, a testament to that was how they bantered all through the time the King was around. Both Kings sat opposite the Ooni. Next to the 2 royal fathers, much nearer the stage was the Olowu of Owu Egba, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu, Amororo II, one of the paramount Kings of Egbaland. These 4 Kings were more of the well recognised and highly revered Royal fathers that attended the event. They led other not too popular Royal fathers that also attended the event too.

The 2 humongous and intimidating Rolls Royces of both the Ooni and that of the Elegushi, led the other impressive machines that were the chariots that brought the other top dignitaries to the event. There were too many important guests at the event to mention. Infact too numerous to start mentioning, but we caught a glimpse of the Waka Queen, Alhaja Salawa Abeni with other guests. Mennnn, she's changed!!! But that's a story for another day.

The one and only King Sunny Ade was on the bandstand and one of the highlights of the day's event. He did what he is known and paid for to do,.... Which is to entertain his guests. For us though, this wasn't vimtage KSA of years back, maybe because we seem to believe that we have seen all that the King can do or muster and so0 we don't expect nothing new as we don't even see nothing new at all. Same style, same songs, same not too vibrant action, left to us if not for the name, maybe a band that plays varieties or medleys of great songs, would have killed it. The king might be in his way to retirement. Except maybe he gears up extraordinarily when a certain crowd are present. That we do not know.

It was fun galore at the ceremony though, which was the traditional wedding and engagement ceremony. The 2nd and final part is slated for Lagos on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at Harbour Point, Wilmot Close, Victoria Island. And that promises to be huge by all standards. This is where Dr. Taiwo Afolabi would display his hospitality to the high heavens, as it is more his domain. We saw Ibidun-Itua-Ighodalo, up and about at the event, so maybe (just an assumption) that she might have helped to organise the event. Mennnn, she is still a disarmingly beautiful lady any day. No make-up and she still glows like the Sun.

It was like a sea of blue and some other colours at the event. And like we already mentioned, there was the overabundace of the young, well packaged ladies. Their mode of dressing showing off their young, well proportioned cleavages and shapes, which must have gotten a lot of the men googled-eyed, with eyes nearly popping out of their heads (sockets).

The bride herself looked super gorgeous in outfits. Both changes of clothes were very well sown and styled, though in our own (personal though) estimate we thought the make-up was a tad overboard, a bit too much especially that black lips????? We didnt think was great, but like it is said to each his/her own!!! It's obvious that Bisola without too much colours and layers on is a pretty damsel, so why so much?

The groom's friends, like the bride's friends too, came out enmasse to support their own every which way possible. It was obvious that a few of the groom's friends were some sort of young moneybags as they weren't shy about spraying and blowing a few wads of clean cash. At a point they were throwing it up for the wads to then cascade down on the couple.

The cake display on the right side, if you were facing the stage was impressive.

After the stress of travelling to Ibadan on that bad road, with the terrible traffic before getting to the RCCG camp, we totally enjoyed the scene at the event. There was enough to drink and eat (nibble upon), but it was obvious that proper organisation was somewhat lacking. We trust though that the Lagos end of the event would over compensate for the little shortfall in IBADAN.

All in all, it was beautiful and very well attended.

All the pictures were exclusively taken by us via our phone.

More pictures after the break.

OLUBADAN VS OLUBADAN IN COUNCIL. AND GOVERNOR AJIMOBI'S TRICKY COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

Oba Saliu Adetunji​

Governor of Oyo, Senator Abiola Ajimobi

There's already a growing sense of discord pervading the atmosphere in Ibadan land, in Oyo State, that if care is not taken to especially nip in the bud, might go overboard.

The respected monarch of the town of 7 hills, Oba Saliu Olatunji is already arrayed now against his chiefs better referred to as the Olubadan-in-council.

The bone of contention between the 2 are two-pronged. First the Olubadan-in-council are totally against the dethronement of the present Iyalode of Ibadan, Chief Mrs. Labake Lawal and the subsequent enthronement of another to replace her, in the person of Chief Mrs. Iswat Ameringun.

Their other grouse with the respected monarch who only just very recently celebrated his 1st anniversary on the throne is that their input and advice was totally discarded in the choice of the Olubadan honouring Chief Layiwola Lakojo as the Mayegun of Ibadan. The new Mayegun, a former Secretary to the Government of Oyo,  is a friend and ally of Chief Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Obasanjo, the former President of Nigeria.

The matter if not handled well and quickly could degenerate.

Just as the town is still trying to deal with the situation at hand, the executive Governor of the state in the person of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, might also have added pepper or salt to frayed nerves, by his announcement of a commission of inquiry, whose number 1 mandate is to review the process of choosing the Olubadan.

Though this commission's outcome might not adversely affect the position of the present Olubadan, what might affect him might be the whittling down of his power. Reason for this is because, the commission is also mandated to look the possibility of having more kings (royal fathers/monarch) in the ancient town, having in mind, the present size and population of Ibadan.

One just hopes all of these activities is not akin to seating on a gunpowder keg not too far from a firestorm.

The Olubadan stool has enjoyed one of the most rancour free ascension line, with all the ones to take over successively knowing about it long ahead and waiting patiently. To now rejigg at this time, though if truth be told changes are needed, is to invite chaos and anarchy. 

GNEXT PLANS HOME MAKEOVER FOR NIGERIAN NATIONAL FLAG DESIGNER, PA AKINKUNMI.

PA TAIWO AKINKUNMI

HOUSE PRESENTLY

DREAM IDEA

BATHROOM/TOILET

 Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi (MON) is presumably a household name in Nigeria being the great intellectual who designed the Nigerian flag at the age of 25 while he studied in London.

His flag design was accepted amongst other designs, for its ingenuity and depth. This undeniably shot Pa Akinkunmi into limelight and enlisted him amongst Nigeria’s heroes and icons.

Now, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, a man whose ingenious work of creativity we still enjoy each time we gaze at the Nigerian flag, coupled with Parkinson’s disease, lives in an un-befitting state in his Ibadan residence.

A group of young, impact- oriented minds under the cover of GNext Youth Organization have taken it upon themselves to give this great icon’s home a complete makeover.

 MORE INFO & PICTURES AFTER THE BREAK. PLS CLICK ON READ MORE