Oladapo OJ Adewunmi Honored by the Mayor of Brampton During Nigeria’s 65th Independence Celebration in Canada

Renowned Nigerian entrepreneur and entertainment visionary, Oladapo OJ Adewunmi, CEO of Apollo Endeavor, has once again been recognized internationally for his remarkable contributions to the Nigerian community and global creative industry.

During the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary held in Brampton, Ontario, Adewunmi received a prestigious recognition award from His Worship Patrick Brown, the Mayor of Brampton.

The recognition was presented in acknowledgment of Adewunmi’s outstanding role in promoting African creativity, entrepreneurship, and cultural unity both in Nigeria and across the diaspora. His work has continued to inspire a new generation of innovators and creatives, strengthening cultural ties between Africa and North America.

Mayor Patrick Brown commended Adewunmi for his consistent dedication to building communities through entertainment and business, describing him as a bridge between cultures and a leader who represents the progressive image of the African continent.

The event, attended by dignitaries, cultural leaders, and members of the Nigerian community, served as a powerful moment of unity, pride, and recognition of excellence among Nigerians in Canada.

In his heartfelt speech, Oladapo OJ Adewunmi expressed his gratitude and reflected on the significance of the honor, saying:

‘October has always been a special month for me, and receiving such a prestigious recognition during Nigeria’s Independence celebration is truly humbling. Contributing to building our community-both at home and internationally-has always been my calling, and this recognition reinforces that mission. I’m here to serve.’

Adeweunmi’s recognition by the City of Brampton marks another milestone in his expanding global influence, following previous accolades including his Certificate of Recognition from the City of Brampton earlier this year and his recent win as Iconic Entertainment Entrepreneur of the Year at the 100 Iconic Personalities Awards 2025.

Through Apollo Endeavor, Adewunmi continues to empower creatives, create employment opportunities, and expand Africa’s creative and entertainment footprint across international borders. His work stands as a testament to the power of vision, purpose, and cultural collaboration in shaping a better global community.

Lola Young in legal dispute with producer

English singer Lola Young has been involved in a legal dispute with one of the producers of her hit song ‘Messy’.

Lola, who filed a suit against music producer Carter Lang, claimed she had no choice after the producer stated that he co wrote four of her songs, including ‘messy’.

‘It is with immense disappointment, especially given recent events, that we have had no choice but to respond to recent writing credit claims from Carter Lang on four Lola Young songs by issuing legal proceedings on her behalf. Carter’s claims are strongly refuted and we will not allow Lola’s reputation and integrity to be called into question – particularly so long after the sessions took place and agreements were put in place. Lola has always been authentic in her songwriting process and acknowledges songwriting contributions where appropriate. This dispute has been ongoing for several months and we look forward to the truth being established,’ Lola’s lawyer stated

Carter, however, is yet to respond to the lawsuit.

Again, Daddy Freeze opens up on church rejection

Nigerian media personality Daddy Freeze, has spoken about religion and what made him stop attending religious activities.

The controversial critic, while speaking with Chude Jideonwo, opened up on how he was treated by the church during his divorce. He revealed that he felt rejected during a difficult time of his life.

‘Divorcees and separated women are ostracized by the church. And I believe that’s one of the reasons why Osinachi died. The church is not going to chase you for divorcing, but are they going to allow you to be the lead singer?,’ he stated.

Daddy Freeze went on to stress his claim, stating that women are usually stigmatized by religious bodies when they are divorced or separated.

‘It happened to me. I was very cool with my pastor then. When I was going through my divorce, it was one of the things that drew me away from the church. My pastor said, ‘Yeah, you can come to church, but you know you’re going to sit at the back!. I’m going through a divorce and getting married to somebody else, so that means I can’t bring the person to this church again? Then I remembered John 4, the woman at the well who had had five husbands and was living with one who wasn’t her husband. That is so powerful. I’ve only divorced once,’ he explained.

Toyin turns lemon to lemonade, makes directorial debut with Oversabi Aunty

It was one of those viral moments that could have easily gone the wrong way, but not for Toyin Abraham.

Per Second News observed that the storyline came to life when she got dragged online for allegedly ‘doing oversabi’ at the wedding of Priscilla Ojo and Tanzanian singer Juma Jux.

Clips and memes flew across social media, with many poking fun at her exaggerated gestures at the star-studded event.

Instead of letting the ridicule linger, Toyin flipped the script in the most unexpected way.

She turned what could have been a stain on her public image into the title and theme of a brand-new movie.

That bold move is now being hailed as a classic case of turning lemons into lemonade.

This time, she’s taking full creative control, stepping into the director’s chair for the first time in her career. And the movie? Aptly titled Oversabi Aunty.

According to Toyin, Oversabi Aunty is more than just a comedy but a mix of chaos, drama, and valuable life lessons wrapped in one.

‘It’s my first big screen directorial debut,’ she said. ‘And I wanted to make it relatable, funny, but also reflective. Because sometimes the same thing that people mock you for becomes your strength.’

The timing couldn’t be more perfect. The film is set to hit cinemas nationwide on December 19, just in time for the festive season.

With Nollywood audiences craving laughter and escape during the holidays, Toyin seems to have found the sweet spot for maximum impact.

This debut also marks a new chapter in Toyin’s career.

For years, she has been celebrated as an actress who throws herself completely into her roles. Now, she is taking on the challenge of shaping not just her character, but the entire vision of a film. Industry watchers say it’s a daring but necessary move for someone of her caliber.

When Oversabi Aunty finally lights up cinema screens on December 19, it won’t just be about the laughs. It will be about a woman who refused to be defined by viral banter, and instead chose to turn her moment of ridicule into an unforgettable Nollywood debut behind the camera.

DTI to study imposition of safeguard measures on cement imports

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to study the imposition of a definitive safeguard measure on cement imports following the recommendation of the Tariff Commission (TC).

‘DTI will review the recommendation of the TC,’ Trade Secretary Cristina Roque told The STAR.

The DTI will be making the final decision on whether a definitive safeguard measure would be imposed on cement imports.

In its final report on the formal probe on safeguard measures on cement imports, the TC recommended the imposition of a safeguard duty amounting to P349 per metric ton or P14 for a 40-kilogram bag of imported Portland cement Type 1 and blended cement for a period of three years.

The TC made the recommendation after finding a causal link between the serious injury to the local cement industry and increased imports of cement products.

The recommended safeguard duty is the difference between the weighted average importers’ price of imported cement and the weighted average factory gate price of local cement for 2024.

‘Since it addresses the extent of price undercutting by cement imports based on the latest available data, the commission deems that this level of safeguard duty is sufficient to alleviate the serious injury to the domestic industry and facilitate its adjustment to the adverse effects of increasing cement imports,’ the TC said.

The TC said the definitive safeguard duty would not apply to imports from developing countries with de minimis import volumes such as Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

Back in February, the DTI imposed a provisional safeguard duty of P400 per metric ton or P16 for a 40-kilogram bag of imported cement after it found a link between increased cement imports and injury to the domestic industry.

Under the Safeguard Measures Act, the government may put in place safeguard measures to protect domestic industries from increased imports that cause or threaten to cause serious injury.

Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines Inc. executive director Rey Baja earlier said that the industry needs the safeguard measure for local cement manufacturing to remain viable and to protect local jobs.

Cement manufacturing contributes at least one percent to the country’s gross domestic product. It also provides around 130,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Odunaro becomes Osorun of Isaga-Orile Kingdom, promises growth, devt

The new Osorun of Isaga-Orile in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Chief Kayode Odunaro, has promised to use his title to contribute to the growth of the community.

Odunaro, who is the Chief of Staff and Media Adviser to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, said this shortly after his installation by the Onisaga of Isaga-Orile, Oba Joseph Tella, on Saturday.

He hinted that the chieftaincy title belongs to his lineage, and that the position was last held by his uncle who died in 1988, having been installed in 1958.

Odunaro, who is also the Baa’royin of Imala,added that Osorun titleholder is one of the kingmakers in the ancient kingdom.

He stated further that the title would bring him closer to his roots and participate more in activities of Isaga traditional council, particularly in the selection of a new traditional ruler in the town.

While submitting that his new title is unique and will demand high responsibility from him, he expressed appreciation to Oba Tella, Isaga-Orile Traditional Council and the Osorun Family, the erstwhile Chief Press Secretary to former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, declaring that he would bring the experience he had garnered as the spokesperson to three past administrations in Ogun, to bear on the new title.

‘I am delighted that I have just been installed as the Osorun of Isaga-Orile Kingdom. This is a very important traditional title in the kingdom as Osorun is one of the kingmakers.

‘The title belongs to our family; my late uncle was installed in 1958 and held the title till he passed in 1988. So, for decades, there was a vacancy in the position of Osorun. Therefore, I am highly elated that I am feeling the vacant position today after so many years of interregnum.

‘For me, it is a higher call to traditional responsibility, and I will ensure that I bring experiences I garnered over the years as spokesperson of three administrations, both military and civilian in Ogun, to bear in this new title. Like I have done in public service, I will use this Osorun title to contribute to the growth and development of the Isaga-Orile Kingdom’, Odunaro submitted.adding that the position was last held by his uncle who died in 1988, having been installed in 1958.

World Teachers’ Day: NUT laments man-power crisis in education with shortage of 194,876 teachers

The leadership of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called on both Federal and State Governments to take bold and urgent action to address the plight of teachers through implementation of an enhanced salary structure and robust welfare packages for primary and secondary school teachers across the country.

The Union also expressed concern about what it described as alarming man-power crisis in primary and secondary schools with shortage of more than 194,876 teachers across the country.

President of NUT, Comrade Titus Amba, made the call on Sunday in his address during celebration of World Teachers’ Day held at Eagle Square, Abuja, where he urged all tiers of Government to ensure that the right number and quality of teachers are employed to promote effective education delivery and improve learning outcomes in the nation’s school system.

He noted that the theme of 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration focuses on ‘Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession’, saying this highlights the vital role teachers play in education systems and in societies at large.

Amba lamented the low status of teachers and poor conditions under which they work, despite teachers being the soul of any education system emphasising that proper status of teachers and due public regard for teaching profession are of major importance for the full realization of educational aims and objectives.

He added that apart from low remuneration and difficulties some teachers face daily in the discharge of their duties, some state governments have refused to implement the N70,000 new national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.

Amba called for improved remuneration and welfare of teachers to make the teaching profession more attractive for younger generations and to create National Commissions to tackle teacher shortages.

He stated: ‘The wellbeing of teachers is crucial to attract and retain teachers in the profession and tackle the teacher shortage. It is also central to the realization of the right to quality education for all.

‘It was in recognition of the low status of teachers and the poor conditions under which they work that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari approved some welfare packages for teachers with a view to repositioning the education sector for greater service delivery in the country. Some of the approved incentives include: Special salary scale for teachers in Basic and Secondary Schools and harmonized Retirement age of 65 years and 40 years of service for teachers.

‘Reintroduction of Bursary Award for students studying education in Universities and Colleges of Education; building of low-cost houses for teachers in rural areas; provision of loan facilities for agriculture, housing, cars, motorcycles and others to support teachers’ earnings; and free tuition and automatic admission for biological children of teachers.

‘It is worrisome to note that apart from the new retirement age for teachers which has been implemented by 22 States and the FCT, most of the approvals made in 2020 are yet to be implemented.

‘We hereby call on both Federal and State Governments to ensure full implementation of these approved incentives for teachers to promote their effectiveness and quality learning outcomes in our school system,’ he stated.

On shortage of teachers, the NUT President maintained if the acute challenge of teacher shortage is not addressed, it would impede Nigeria’s efforts aimed at realisation of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) by 2030.

He said: ‘The shortage of teachers has become a major challenge to education systems of nations around the world, having direct implications on the quality of education. UNESCO’S Global Reports on Teachers and Early childhood care and Education (2024) indicate a shortage of about 44 million primary and secondary education teachers and at least 6 million pre-primary education teachers to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) by 2030.

‘In Nigeria, available statistics reveal an alarming man-power crisis in primary and secondary schools especially in the rural areas. According to UBEC (2024) there is a shortage of 194,876 teachers in public primary schools across the country.

‘The situation in the secondary education sub-sector is also not encouraging. Shortage of teachers in our schools undermines the nation’s commitment to providing quality education for all in line with SDG 4,’ he stated.

The NUT President also decried the removal of Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) from benefiting from Federal Government’s annual budgetary allocation.

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revisit the issue of delisting the TRCN among other regulatory bodies from Government funding and to ensure that the Council benefits from the national budget in order to provide the needed empowerment and support for the TRCN to strengthen the teaching profession for greater service delivery and productivity.

He warned against privatization and commercialization of education in Nigeria, saying it was worrisome that some Governments are adopting policies that promote privatization and commercialization of education through handover of schools to missions and voluntary agencies, rather than building and maintaining public schools that would provide the needed access and cater for the interest of all children, including the less-privileged and the vulnerable, especially the girl-child, children with disabilities and those living in rural areas.

‘It is important to state that privatization of education in any guise creates disparities in educational opportunities and social inequalities, and as such negates our collective desire and commitment, as a nation, to provide compulsory, free, universal basic education for all.

‘The NUT therefore frowns on the recent handover of some schools by the Edo State Government to missions and calls on the government to rescind its decision and rise to its obligation of providing inclusive and equitable quality education for all children in the State,’ Amba stated.

Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, in his remark, reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to welfare of teachers, while acknowledging the vital role of teachers in advancing education for sustainable development.

He affirmed commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards ensuring a better deal for teachers in his renewed hope agenda, maintaining that rewarding teachers is an investment in quality education, student achievement and national progress.

He said the theme for this year, ‘Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,’ resonates deeply with Nigeria’s education reform agenda, disclosing tha his Ministry initiated numerous policies to revitalize the teaching profession including the National Teacher Policy which ensures that teachers are professionally empowered and motivated.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under his annual presidential teachers award presented a car and three buses to the overall best teacher in the country for 2025 as well as outstanding schools respectively.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Eagle Square venue of the celebration of the 2025 World Teachers’ Day which had contingents from 36 states of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was carnival-like, just as it turned more or less a political rally with supporters of some state Governors nominated for outstanding performance awards by NUT taking over the venue with solidarity songs and praises.

The Kogi State Governor and his Katsina counterpart received awards at the occasion for their outstanding contributions to development of basic education in their respective states.

While some contingents spotted customized T-shirts bearing bold pictures of their Governors during the match-past, the venue of the event was unusually flooded by supporters of governors from their states, especially Kogi and Katsina States chanting songs of praises of their Governors.

Even though the celebration was held on Sunday, food vendors and sellers of memorabilia also had their field day.

PitStop redefines urban living with Lifestyle Village, ‘Phoenix’ experience in Lagos

Blending wellness, creativity, and fine dining, PitStop Restaurant has unveiled PitStop Village – a multi-faceted lifestyle destination in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The project, described by its founder, Aminadab Adegboro as a ‘celebration of Lagos energy,’ represents a shift from the brand’s beginnings as a themed café into a world-class wellness and hospitality centre.

Founded in 2019, PitStop outlived pandemic challenges while retaining its entire workforce, a decision the founder said was guided by ‘faith in people and purpose.’

At the event, where guests were treated to a six-course meal dining and wine tasting, she thanked the Lagos community, investors, and partners for sustaining the dream, while highlighting the PitStop Academy’s outreach to 400 underserved children and 45 cyclists.

‘We wanted to build a space that reflects excellence and social good,’ she said, adding that the brand’s model fuses lifestyle, learning, and empowerment. She emphasised that PitStop’s success reflects the resilience of Nigerian entrepreneurship and the city’s growing appetite for quality experiences.

General Manager, Jamal Bendghoughi, detailed the concept behind PitStop Village, describing it as an ecosystem of café, gym, restaurant, and rooftop bar designed for wholesome living. ‘Everything we serve – from bread to ice cream – is made from scratch,’ he said. ‘Our food blends French techniques with African character, ensuring every meal tells a story of craftsmanship.’ Weekly events, including DJ sessions and live jazz nights, aim to make PitStop a lively cultural hub for relaxation and connection.

The evening also featured the unveiling of Phoenix by PitStop, a premium fine-dining restaurant that extends the brand’s creative flair. Built with attention to design and acoustics, Phoenix combines food, music, and community in an intimate yet elegant setting.

The host, one of Nigeria’s finest music artiste, Dare Art Alade, described Phoenix as a restaurant designed to create memories in comfort and style saying, ‘This is not just a venue; it’s an experience.’

Among the guests was Ngozi Madueke-Dozie, a longtime member of the PitStop community, who described the event as ‘inspirational.’ She praised the founder’s story and the fusion of fitness with fine dining, highlighting the nine-course meal paired with curated wines. ‘PitStop has achieved what many thought impossible – merging a gym and a restaurant into one seamless, world-class experience,’ she said, commending the brand’s authenticity and attention to detail.

The village houses a restaurant, gym, wellness lab, sports shop, café, and rooftop bar, among other facilities.

Elon Musk set to rival Wikipedia with AI-powered Grokipedia

Billionaire Tesla and X owner, Elon Musk, has set in motion plans for Grokipedia, an AI-powered knowledge platform aimed at challenging Wikipedia by bringing ‘unlimited access to truth’ and removing bias, restriction, or hidden agendas.

Musk announced that Version 0.1 beta of Grokipedia will be published in approximately two weeks time.

The vision for Grokipedia, as described by a post by amXFreeze on X (formerly Twitter) and retweeted by Musk, is bold. ‘Grokipedia is going to be the world’s biggest, most accurate knowledge source, for humans and AI with no limits on use.

‘With Grok, Grokipedia aims for maximum truth through first principles and physics. It replaces partially masked evidences of how legacy media operates, rewriting with complete accurate context that cuts through the BS. this will combat the evil organizations and the evil minds that operating under the hood and who’ve poisoned minds for decades with endless fake news and distorted narratives through legacy media and Wikipedia, causing immense harm to young minds and manipulated the world long enough,’ it reads in parts.

Meanwhile, Tribune Online reports that Grok is X’s built-in AI assistant developed by Elon Musk’s xAI. Unlike generic bots, Grok’s wired into the platform itself, which means that by tagging it @grok with a prompt on X, it can answer trending questions, transcribe video tweets, draft witty tweets, and even provide sarcastic comebacks.

However, Grokipedia will, according to Musk, use heavy inference compute to assimilate sources like Wikipedia and other reference materials, then evaluate statements as true, partially true, false, or missing. It will subsequently rewrite those entries to remove inaccuracies, correct half-truths, and fill in missing context.

Musk described the project as one built on first principles and physics, free from editorial agendas. In his words, Grokipedia is being ‘built solely for the truth. free from bias or hidden agendas.’

The billionaire X owner has previously voiced frustration with Wikipedia’s perceived partiality and influence, accusing it of ideological bias, especially from a conservative perspective, and decrying its role in shaping AI training data.

Musk, on January 21, after the site updated its page on him to include a reference to the much-debated stiff-armed salute he made at a Trump inaugural event, posted on X that ‘since legacy media propaganda is considered a ‘valid’ source by Wikipedia, it naturally simply becomes an extension of legacy media propaganda!’

He urged people not to donate to the site: ‘Defund Wikipedia until balance is restored!’ according to The New Yorker.

On the technical side, in June, Musk has also indicated that the Grok engine will not only correct errors but retrain itself on the improved corpus. ‘We will use Grok 3.5 to rewrite the entire corpus of human knowledge, adding missing information and deleting errors. Then retrain on that.’

It remains unclear how the public will participate, whether through open editing, review, or appeals, or how Grokipedia will manage disputes or conflicting perspectives.

Previous projects like Conservapedia have had limited success largely because of editorial control and acceptance challenges.

Five reasons you should celebrate your teachers today

Every October 5, the world marks World Teachers’ Day. This is a moment to appreciate those who nurture dreams and build the foundation of every nation’s progress.

In Nigeria, teachers do more than teach. They inspire, improvise, and persevere, often in conditions that would break many others. They are the silent builders of tomorrow’s leaders.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at five reasons why Nigerian teachers need to be celebrated today.

1. Teachers Find Creative Ways to Teach Even With Limited Resources

Many Nigerian schools, especially in rural or underprivileged areas, face shortages of textbooks, laboratory equipment, and even stable electricity. Yet, many teachers continue to find creative ways to make learning possible.

They draw diagrams on chalkboards, reuse materials, and turn everyday objects into teaching aids. Many teachers improvise learning tools from bottle caps, sticks, and recycled paper to help pupils understand complex subjects.

This level of creativity keeps classrooms alive and ensures that learning continues, even when resources are scarce.

2. They Build Character, Not Just Careers

Beyond academics, teachers shape the values, discipline, and confidence of their students.

They are often the first to notice a struggling child, offer guidance, or encourage a shy student to speak up. In communities where mentorship is limited, teachers step in to fill that role, helping young people believe in themselves and their dreams.

Their influence extends far beyond the classroom. It ripples into society through every student whose life they have touched.

3. They Are Role Models of Dedication

Despite delayed and low income salaries, heavy workloads, and difficult working conditions, Nigerian teachers remain steadfast. Many still arrive early, conduct extra lessons, and mentor students long after school hours.

Their dedication is remarkable. It takes deep passion to keep teaching in the face of neglect or frustration. Yet they do it, not for applause, but because they understand the power of education to change lives.

This determination to teach, inspire, and persevere makes them true heroes in Nigeria’s development story.

4. They Are Innovators Shaping the Future

From digital classrooms to creative learning projects, Nigerian teachers are embracing innovation like never before.

One shining example is Olasunkanmi Opeifa, an English teacher from Abuja, who gained international recognition after being shortlisted among the Top 10 Finalists for the Global Teacher Prize. He used technology and storytelling to make English lessons engaging and fun.

Across the country, teachers are now integrating digital tools into their lessons, using WhatsApp for assignments, virtual quizzes, and interactive teaching methods. Nigerian teachers are not just adapting to a changing world; they are leading the transformation.

5. They Leave Lasting Legacies

Every great Nigerian success story begins with a teacher. From doctors and journalists to engineers, governors, and innovators, many leaders often recall one teacher who believed in them when no one else did.

Teachers may not get the loudest applause or the biggest paycheques, but their legacy endures through generations. They plant seeds that grow long after the school bell stops ringing.

Their work may seem ordinary, but its impact is extraordinary – shaping minds, building futures, and sustaining the hope of a better Nigeria.