A frontline business lawyer and Chief Executive of Bi-Courtney limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin SAN has promised to support the Osun State Government in its drive to take the state out of the woods.

The Senior Lawyer gave this pledge while hosting the Governor today in his country home, Gbongan, Ayedaade Local Government area.

The Governor who was in Gbongan for the burial celebration of late Pa Gabriel Adegoke Ajayi used the opportunity to appreciate the elder statesman for his numerous contributions to national development and request for his support for the State Government as no government can develop the society alone without support from societal stakeholders.

Senator Adeleke briefed the frontline entrepreneur on his triple- focussed agenda of soft, hard and stomach infrastructure as well as successes recorded so far.

The Governor narrated the underpinning principles of his leadership to include local content in procurement, contracting and workforce alongside financial transparency and open government.

“ We call on the Osun elite to join me in this task of rebuilding the state economy first through infrastructure upgrade, agro-industrial development and restoration of workers’ dignity. We are open to ideas to complement our resolute determination to take Osun to greater height”, the Governor told a small circle of top leaders including the Gbongan monarch, the revered Olufi of Gbongan, Oba Dr. Adetoyese Oyeniyi

In his remarks, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Babalakin who conducted the Governor round his 6000 seater capacity conference hall with meeting halls expressed delight at the quality of good governance being delivered by the Asiwaju of Edeland.

Dr. Babalakin pledged to deploy his wealth of experience and resources to support the government as it continues to steer the ship of the state to greater heights.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank Your Excellency, Governor Adeleke for leaving no stone unturned as you vigorously pursue your infrastructural development agenda”. Dr. Babalakin said.

The Olufi of Gbongan in his remarks said Gbongan people are indebted to Mr Governor for his immediate infrastructural intervention which he said reconnected the town and boost local commerce.

According to the royal father, “Our people are watching and they see the Governor performing, satisfying their needs. So 2026 is for the Governor by God and men

“My people are happy and pleased with Mr Governor. He is reaching out to all local governments with projects and programmes. He is a true democrat”, the royal father affirmed.

The State Governor was accompanied by the House Speaker, Right Honourable, Prince Adeale Egbedun, the publisher of Ovation, Otunba Dele Momodu who is the Akinrogun of Gbongan Land and other top officials of state.

By Eric Elezuo

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, and a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has made case for the release of Biafran nation agitator, and leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying that his release will bring the much desired political solution to unrest in the South East.

He maintained that a political solution to the continued detention of IPOB leader would douse the tension in the southeast region.

The Waziri Adamawa also condemned the killing of five soldiers by unknown gunmen alleged to be members of POB.

Recall that on Thursday, five military personnel were ambushed and killed at the Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area, of Abia State, during a clash with the IPOB terrorists.

The unknown gunmen, it was reported, were enforcing the sit-at-home declared to honour Biafra, and its fallen heroes. The 30th of May every year has been set aside by the Biafran agitators to honour Biafra, those that lost their lives in the Nigeri/Biafra war of 1967 – 1970. May 30 was the day Biafran independence was declared by late warlord, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, following killings of South Easterners in the north, and subsequent irreconcilable differences.

In a statement, however, on his X handle on Friday, Atiku lamented the impact of the sit-at-home for pupils who were writing their WAEC examination.

The statement read: “The violence that led to the killing of soldiers and civilians in Abia State on Thursday stands condemned. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who may have lost a loved one.

‘May their souls rest in peace. But even more profound is the impact of yesterday’s sit-at-home in the Southeast region of our country on students writing WAEC examinations.

“The veil of the so-called Unknown Gun Men hiding under cover to unleash death and mayhem must be lifted to ensure that criminal elements are separated from legitimate agitators.

“To this end, without prejudice to the ongoing legal processes, I think the time has come to explore a political resolution to the Nnamdi Kanu and other associated issues.

“I believe that this will defuse the compressor cooker situation in the region. It will be a win-win for all parties. -AA”

Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing treason charges before the judge, Binta Nyako, was some days behind, denied bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Ruling on Mr Kanu’s fresh bail request, Mrs Nyako said she could not exercise her discretion in granting the IPOB leader bail because he had jumped bail.

On 25 April 2017, the judge admitted Mr Kanu to bail on account of ill health after he was incarcerated for 18 months in State Security Service (SSS) custody.

But midway into the trial, the IPOB leader ran away for dear life after Nigerian soldiers invaded his ancestral home in Abia State in 2017.

Referencing the incident, the judge said persons who stood as sureties for Mr Kanu withdrew from the suit.

Mrs Nyako recalled Mr Kanu’s several unsuccessful bail applications, saying, “You have an option of appeal; please exercise your right of appeal.”

The judge warned that any attempt by the IPOB leader’s legal team to file another bail request before the court would be “a gross abuse of court process.”

Similarly, the court turned down Mr Kanu’s application seeking to either be put on house arrest or transferred to a custodial centre pending the hearing and determination of his trial.

The judge however, ordered the SSS to grant Mr Kanu access to his legal team of five persons each visiting day, and a doctor of his choice.

Nnamdi was rearrested later in Kenya, and renditioned to Nigeria in 2021, and has since remained in DSS custody. His continuous incarceration has increased the tension in the Southeast, prompting the declaration of sit-at-home every Monday in the region.

By Morakinyo Ajibade

Ovation Media Media, owners of Ovation International Magazine, The Boss Newspaper and Ovation Television, has bagged an award of excellence for its efforts in corporate social responsibility.

The award was presented at a well attended event organised by AS+A Communications Limited, a public relations company, tagged 2024 PR/Forum/CSR Exhibition and Awards with the theme, Boosting Sustainability, Social Impa t and Return on Investments Part 2, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking on the presentation, the Chief Executive Officer, AS+S Communications,  Yeye Agnes Adenike Shobajo, lauded Ovation for using its platforms to sustain humanitarian activities and affecting the society in every way positive.

“It is our profound desire to honour Ovation Media Group with this award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the society. The work it has perpetrated since its establishment is grand, and has not gone unnoticed,” Yeye Shobajo said.

In his appreciation, after receiving the award from the President, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mrs. Comfort Nwankwo, the Editor, Ovation Group, Mr. Eric Elezuo, gave kudos to the organizers for considering the company for the award. He noted that both AS+A and Ovation are partners in the great job of affecting humanity and touching lives.

“The brand, Ovation, has been in the business of touching lives for years, and so we have a lot in common with AS+A. Most of the jobs on the magazine are pro Bono. This we do to ensure that a great many Nigerians feel greatness,” Elezuo said.

Among dignitaries at the event were President/Chairman of Council, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industries (LCCI), Mr. Gabriel Idahosa; the Director General, Dr. Chinyere Almona; President, NIPR, Mrs Comfort Nwankwo; Founder, Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, Mrs Tarela Aghanti; and representative of the Lagos State Commissioner for Information,  Gbenga Omotosho.