Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

The Nigerian Navy has inaugurated a solar-powered industrial borehole and a community town hall in Adiabo Akani Obio, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, as part of efforts to strengthen civil-military relations and improve the welfare of residents.

The projects, executed under the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme, include a 50,000-litre Braithwaite water storage tank, a solar-powered industrial borehole and perimeter fencing.

The intervention was undertaken in honour of the Chief of Operations, Rear Admiral Patrick Effah, an indigene of the community.

Speaking at the ceremony, Effah said the project was inspired by his childhood experience of watching residents, particularly women and children, endure the hardship of trekking a hill to fetch water from a stream.

Effah stressed that he consulted community elders and youth leaders before deciding on the location of the borehole to ensure that the project addressed the immediate needs of the people.

He said the facility had begun attracting residents even before its formal inauguration, with people queuing to access the water.

The chief of operations said the intervention was designed to provide residents with access to safe water, promote improved hygiene and complement the efforts of the state government in providing basic amenities.

He said he also undertook the renovation and completion of the community town hall after observing that the facility had been abandoned and had deteriorated considerably.

Representing the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Naval Transformation and Innovation, Rear Admiral Chijioke Onyemaobi, said the projects underscored the Navy’s commitment to meaningful civil-military cooperation.

Onyemaobi said access to potable water was critical to the socio-economic development of communities, while the town hall will provide a suitable venue for community meetings and social activities.

He commended Effah for identifying the needs of his community and leveraging the Quick Impact Project Scheme to provide infrastructure that will directly improve the lives of residents.

The naval chief urged the beneficiaries to take ownership of the facilities and ensure their proper maintenance for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, who was the special guest of honour, commended the Nigerian Navy for the intervention.

The monarch congratulated Effah on the recognition and appealed to residents of Adiabo Akani Obio to protect the facilities against vandalism.

‘I thank the Nigerian Navy for the initiative, and I urge the people of Adiabo Akani Obio to take ownership of the projects and protect them from vandalism,’ he said.

He said the intervention will further deepen the relationship between the Nigerian Navy and host communities while promoting grassroots development and improving the living conditions of residents.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Ogun East, Abdul Hamid Femi Omotayo, has commenced his campaign in the district, promising effective representation, infrastructure development and equitable distribution of resources if elected in 2027.

Omotayo began the campaign with rallies in Sagamu, Ijebu-Igbo and Ijebu-Ode, attended by PDP leaders, stakeholders and supporters from the senatorial district.

Those present included the PDP governorship candidate, Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu; his running mate, Alhaja Lateefat Kolapo Sowunmi; Dr. Nurain Sunday Solarin, Deputy National Organising Secretary of the PDP; Otunba Adenaike Ololu; and former state House of Assembly Chief Whip, Honourable Gbenga Lekuti.

Speaking at the Ijebu-Ode rally, Omotayo urged PDP supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and use their votes to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

He pledged to provide robust legislative representation for the district through bills and initiatives, addressing the needs of the people, while prioritising infrastructure and equitable distribution of resources across the nine local government areas.

Omotayo said his educational background, exposure and experience had prepared him for the responsibilities of serving in the Senate, expressing confidence that his qualifications compared favourably with those of his opponent.

Explaining his decision to contest, he said he was motivated by claims that there was no strong candidate from Ijebu-Ode capable of challenging for the senatorial seat.

He declared that the Ijebu people will no longer accept being relegated to the background.

The candidate urged PDP members to take ownership of the campaign by engaging voters at the grassroots and communicating the party’s programmes to residents.

Sowunmi urged women in the district to lead house-to-house mobilisation while assuring supporters that a PDP victory will bring what she described as better governance.

Adebutu also endorsed Omotayo and urged voters to support the party’s candidates, citing poor roads, healthcare facilities and other public institutions as reasons for demanding a change in government.

I’ve always had a flair for technology and, more importantly, I enjoyed solving problems. I liked the idea that you could look at something that wasn’t working, think about it differently and come up with a solution. Technology became a very good way for me to express that. At the time, technology was also becoming the next big thing. I could see where things were going, and I wanted to be part of that movement. For me, it wasn’t just about learning how to use computers or build websites. It was about asking, ‘What can I create with this? What problem can I solve with this?’ That’s really where the journey started.

There’s also a deeper dimension to how I see creativity and productivity. I believe God created us in His own image, and part of that is our ability to think, create, solve problems and bring things forth. So, I don’t only see productivity as what we physically produce. Having an idea, developing it and bringing it into reality is also a form of productivity. Technology gives us incredible tools to do that.

You were the pioneer webmaster at Lead City University. How did that experience shape you?

Being the pioneer webmaster at Lead City University gave me an opportunity to work with technology in a real environment. It wasn’t just about experimenting anymore. You had an institution, people, processes and expectations. You had to think about how technology could actually serve people. That experience reinforced something I already enjoyed: solving problems with digital solutions.

It was rewarding to look at a challenge and think about how technology could make things work better. That experience also gave me the confidence that this was something I wanted to continue doing professionally.

How did DonDada Technologies come into the picture?

DonDada Technologies came out of that flair for technology and the desire to create solutions. We were looking at where technology was going and trying to position ourselves to offer digital solutions that could actually help businesses. At the time, having an online presence was becoming increasingly important, so we started helping businesses establish themselves digitally.

But as we worked with more businesses, we realised that it wasn’t really about just creating an online presence. It was about understanding what the business needed and using technology to help solve those needs.

So, the thinking evolved. You don’t just ask, ‘What can we build?’ You ask, ‘What does this business actually need, and how can technology help?’ That thinking has continued to shape DonDada Technologies.

You’ve now been running DonDada Technologies for more than 15 years. What has that journey been like?

It’s been very interesting. Technology itself keeps changing, so you can’t afford to remain where you were yesterday. You have to keep thinking. You have to keep learning. You have to keep evolving. When we started, we were dealing with technologies like HTML, Dreamweaver, FrontPage, Photoshop and Fireworks. A lot of things were done manually. Today, the whole development process is completely different. There are UI/UX designers, frontend developers, backend developers, product managers, testers, cloud technologies, automation and now AI.

So, running DonDada has really changed the way I see technology. You have to keep up with interesting times. But one thing has remained constant: the problem you’re trying to solve. The tools change, but the need to understand the problem and find the right solution doesn’t.

After building online presences and digital solutions for many Nigerian businesses, what have you learnt about the Nigerian market?

I’ll be very honest: sometimes it can be discouraging. The challenge isn’t necessarily that Nigerian business owners don’t want technology. Sometimes, you have to explain so many things before they understand the value of what you’re proposing. You might see a solution immediately, but the business owner may not immediately see the connection between that solution and the business. You have to explain, educate and show them what the technology can actually do for them.

But I’ve also learnt that once they understand the value, the conversation changes. That’s why I believe technology professionals shouldn’t just be implementers. We have to be consultants and educators too. The business owner should focus on getting better at the business, while technology should make things easier for them.

You still work with clients abroad. How does that experience compare?

It’s interesting because, in many cases, there is already a system around technology. The clients understand that digital systems are part of how their businesses operate. You’re not always spending a lot of time convincing them that the technology has value. They already understand the value. Sometimes they’re simply looking for someone who can help them implement, improve or connect the right solution. That doesn’t mean everything is perfect outside Nigeria, and it doesn’t mean Nigerian businesses don’t understand technology. It’s more about the environment and the level of digital adoption. Working across both environments has helped me appreciate the importance of understanding the business first, then the technology.

What do you think Nigerian businesses and technology companies need to do better?

I think we need to become much more problem-focused. If you’re building a technology solution, don’t just start because you think the technology is interesting. Look around you. What problem are people facing? What are businesses struggling with? What are people doing manually? What is costing them time or money? Then ask yourself, ‘Can technology solve this?’

If you look at some of the companies that have remained relevant, many of them started by identifying a real problem and creating a solution around it. That’s the mindset I think we need more of. Don’t just build because you can but because there is a problem worth solving. For technology startups especially, I think that is very important. The opportunity is all around us. There are everyday challenges that people and businesses are experiencing. The question is: who is willing to understand that problem deeply enough to create a useful solution?

Beyond building technology solutions, you’ve also been involved in youth empowerment and digital skills development. Why has that been important to you?

For me, technology is not only about building products or solving business problems. It’s also about people. Over the years, I’ve had opportunities to contribute to youth empowerment through digital skills training. I believe there are young people with incredible potential who simply need access to the right knowledge, tools and opportunities. When you teach someone a digital skill, you’re not just teaching them how to use a particular technology. You’re potentially giving them a skill they can build a career around, use to create something or even use to solve problems for other people. That is something I find very meaningful. And it connects to how I see technology generally. Technology creates possibilities, but people need the knowledge and confidence to take advantage of those possibilities.

After everything you’ve built so far, what’s next for Olalekan Dada?

I think I’m entering another interesting phase of the journey. After more than 15 years of building and implementing technology solutions, I’m increasingly moving into consultancy and advisory work. With experience, you start to realise that your value isn’t only in knowing how to build something.

Most recently, I completed the Basic and Advanced Management Development (MANDEV) programmes with the Centre for Management Development (CMD). That has further strengthened my understanding of management, leadership, training and consultancy. I think it’s important that as technology changes, we also develop ourselves as professionals and leaders. So this next phase is really about bringing together the technology experience, business understanding, leadership and consulting. And that’s also part of what led to Tech Daddy.

Tell us about Tech Daddy. What’s the idea behind it?

Tech Daddy is really the next chapter for me. After more than 15 years of working with technology, businesses and different kinds of digital solutions, I’ve accumulated a lot of experience. I realised that I don’t want all that knowledge to remain inside client meetings and projects. I want to share it and demystify technology. I want to explain things in a way that people can actually understand and relate to. It’s not a replacement for DonDada Technologies.

DonDada is the business and the foundation of this journey. Tech Daddy is the next expression of what I’ve learnt from that journey. Hopefully, as people follow the series, they don’t just learn about technology. They discover what is possible.

The family of late veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has dismissed reports that his daughter, Shakirat (Kira) Taiwo, has given birth to a baby boy.

The clarification was made by Haleemah (Lima) Taiwo, another daughter of the late actor, in a statement shared on her Instagram page on Wednesday.

Haleemah urged the public to disregard the report, describing it as false.

She wrote, ‘DISCLAIMER. Please disregard the information currently circulating that my sister has given birth. This is not true.

‘We have been receiving several calls and messages from friends and family asking about it, so we felt the need to clarify publicly.’

She further appealed to members of the public to stop circulating unverified information about the family, noting that they were still mourning the death of their father.

‘At a time when our family is mourning the loss of our father, we kindly ask everyone to stop spreading or sharing unverified information about our family.

‘Thank you for your understanding, prayers and for our privacy at this difficult time.’

The clarification followed the circulation of a video claiming that Kira had welcomed a baby boy.

The viral claim, which was accompanied by a short video, described the purported newborn as ‘My Daddy’s Carbon Copy’ and suggested that the child was born only days after Ogogo’s burial.

Ogogo, a veteran of Yoruba cinema, died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the age of 66 after battling stage-four cancer.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has been identified as the key driver behind a seven-fold increase in Nigeria’s seaborne petroleum product exports since 2023, according to the latest report by the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The U.S. agency disclosed that Nigeria’s seaborne petroleum product shipments averaged 561,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the second quarter of 2026, a significant increase from the annual average of 79,000 bpd recorded in 2023.

According to the EIA, the growth in exports has strengthened Nigeria’s position in the international petroleum products market at a time when supplies from several other regions have faced constraints.

The agency noted that the increase was largely underpinned by the commencement of operations at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in January 2024. Data from energy intelligence firm Vortexa showed that of the 561,000 bpd shipped during the second quarter of 2026, about 350,000 bpd were exported, compared to an annual average of 46,000 bpd in 2023.

The EIA stated that increased production from the refinery has transformed Nigeria’s petroleum products market, by reducing dependence on imports and boosting domestic supply.

‘With increased supply of petroleum products from the country’s largest refinery, imports fell, exports increased, and Nigeria became more self-sufficient in refined petroleum products,’ the agency said.

Before the start-up of the Dangote Refinery, Nigeria’s state-owned refineries collectively shipped less than 100,000 bpd of petroleum products, both domestically and internationally. The EIA observed that shipments rose significantly following the refinery’s commencement of operations and received a further boost after maintenance and expansion activities were completed in February 2026.

The agency explained that the refinery’s crude distillation capacity increased from 650,000 bpd to 700,000 bpd following the completion of the expansion programme, enabling higher output and greater product availability.

According to the report, total petroleum product shipments increased further as supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz created additional demand for alternative sources of refined products.

The EIA reported that intra-Nigerian shipments reached 211,000 bpd in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 81,000 bpd in 2025 and 33,000 bpd in 2023, reflecting the refinery’s growing role in supplying fuel across the country.

By providing refined petroleum products to different regions of Nigeria, the Dangote Refinery has significantly reduced the nation’s reliance on imported fuels. Nigeria, which imported nearly 400,000 bpd of petroleum products in 2023, saw seaborne imports decline to less than 130,000 bpd by the second quarter of 2026, according to the report.

The EIA also highlighted growing demand for Nigerian petroleum products in international markets.

Vortexa data cited in the report showed that exports to Europe averaged 130,000 bpd in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 40,000 bpd in 2025 and 15,000 bpd in 2023.

The report underscores the increasing importance of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in enhancing Nigeria’s energy security, supporting regional fuel supply, and positioning the country as a major exporter of refined petroleum products to global markets.

Recalled that Dangote Refinery has announced plans to bring an additional 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) of fully complex refining capacity on stream by the end of 2028. This would be added to its current capacity of about 700,000 bpd, potentially taking total capacity to around 1.4 million bpd. The refinery’s CEO, David Bird, said long-lead equipment has already been procured and construction contracts are being awarded.

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has faulted former Vice President and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to return fuel subsidy, describing the position as a desperate political statement lacking the structural basis required to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said the position of the association was based on patriotism and objective assessment of government policies rather than partisan considerations.

Afeez, in a statement on Wednesday, said NANS had a responsibility to scrutinise policies affecting the country and speak whenever issues of national interest arose.

He said the removal of fuel subsidy was undoubtedly difficult for Nigerians, particularly because citizens had become accustomed to the benefits of the policy, but argued that the reform had become necessary because of its huge cost to the nation.

According to him, Nigeria must critically examine the economic consequences of continuing to spend trillions of naira on fuel subsidy while critical sectors such as infrastructure and healthcare remain underfunded.

‘Every sane and patriotic citizen who is conversant with our nation’s economy will agree with me that the removal of the fuel subsidy was a difficult but necessary economic reform aimed at ending an increasingly unsustainable system,’ he said.

The NANS president noted that the subsidy regime had consumed enormous public resources, disproportionately benefited higher fuel consumers, encouraged smuggling and limited the government’s ability to invest in critical sectors.

He, however, acknowledged that the removal of the subsidy had brought significant short-term hardship through increased fuel, transportation and food costs.

Afeez said the ultimate test of the reform should therefore not be the amount of money saved by government, but how effectively the resources freed by the policy were deployed to improve the welfare of Nigerians.

He said increased government intervention in education, healthcare, infrastructure and agriculture would help ensure that Nigerians’ sacrifices translated into sustainable development.

The NANS president consequently rejected calls for an outright return of fuel subsidy without a clear structural framework for addressing the weaknesses that made the policy unsustainable.

He argued that Nigerians needed policies that addressed the root causes of the country’s economic difficulties rather than a return to a system whose long-term financial burden had become difficult for the country to sustain.

‘As NANS President, my position is therefore clear: we must not allow the immediate pain of reform to make us abandon the need for reform itself,’ Afeez said.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure that resources freed by subsidy removal were prudently deployed to improve the lives of Nigerians and produce tangible benefits from the sacrifices being made by citizens.

Afeez also urged all presidential aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections to present clear, sustainable and long-term economic policies capable of addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

He said political leaders seeking to govern Nigeria must look beyond policies designed merely to provide immediate comfort and instead pursue measures capable of strengthening the country’s economy over the long term.

The NANS president maintained that his position was not motivated by any candidate’s political aspiration but by what he described as the long-term prosperity of Nigeria.

He, therefore, called on Atiku to reconsider his position on fuel subsidy, arguing that returning to a system that required government to commit huge resources to subsidising petroleum consumption would undermine efforts to address the country’s infrastructure deficit and other development challenges.

Afeez said Nigeria could not afford to return to a situation where governments struggled to meet basic financial obligations while huge public resources were committed to fuel subsidy.

He urged all political actors to approach the 2027 elections with policy proposals capable of strengthening the Nigerian economy rather than reviving measures that, in his view, had become financially unsustainable.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Falilat Yusuf, popularly known as Ero-Arike, has responded to critics calling for her to stop selling her products, saying she would not go hungry even if she stopped selling the balm.

In a video sighted by Tribune Online, Arike showcased some of her properties and business investments while defending her source of livelihood.

She said she had worked for years to build her businesses and had other sources of income apart from selling Ero Arike balm.

‘Whenever it was that I built this house, I built this house. If you say you want to stop me from selling Ero Arike today, hunger will not kill me. Never, ever! There is no hunger,’ she said.

Arike also disclosed that she had built houses for students in Iragbiji, Osun State, saying she had 16 such houses.

‘If I should count the houses I built for students in Iragbiji, I will count 16. Sixteen! And you’re saying that it is remaining a little bit before they pay rent and move in. So, am I going to chop up their money and eat it all?

‘Those of you saying you shouldn’t sell Ero Arike, don’t sell it. Those you want to punish, go ahead and punish them. I swear by Almighty God, those you want to punish, go ahead,’ she added.

The herbal practitioner also showed a school building she said she was constructing, explaining that she planned to install solar power and provide water for students who would use the facility.

According to her, the project was part of her efforts to support people in her community.

‘My enemies, your child will come to Iragbiji to school and will rent my house. Because we are done with this building, I will install solar so my children won’t suffer from power outages.

‘I put solar power there so they will always have light to study. Clean water is available there. They won’t lack water or electricity. Nothing will disturb them while studying at night. Everything is fully set up there,’ she said.

Arike further displayed what she described as her registered business premises and a truck belonging to her business.

She said her success was not limited to the sale of her herbal balm, noting that she also had farms and other businesses.

‘Ero Arike isn’t just a small market setup. People talk about America, London, UK, US… well, this is my estate! This is Ero Arike’s registered property. Look at this truck! By God’s power, this truck belongs to us,’ she said.

She also spoke about the people who depend on the sale of her balm for their livelihood, particularly widows and other vendors.

According to her, any attempt to stop the sale of her products could affect these people more than it would affect her personally.

‘I can never suffer. It is the widows and those hawking my balm you shouldn’t let suffer,’ Arike said.

She added that she had other investments, including seven farms in Ore, while describing herself as a hardworking woman.

‘I also have seven farms in Ore. I am an hardworking woman,’ she said.

Arike also defended the effectiveness of her herbal products, claiming that she had remedies for different ailments and promising to refund customers whose products did not work.

She said she had been known for about 31 years and maintained that her name had not been tarnished.

‘I am not saying that right now there’s no money to feed, but for any politician who wants to win, any politician who wants to… needs someone that the world has known for 31 years, someone whose name has never been tarnished,’ she said.

The balm seller also referenced the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Osun election Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and his political influence, saying he secured significant votes despite never contesting an election before.

Nothing tests a driver’s patience like hearing a strange rattling noise, only for the car engine to go dead in the middle of a remote highway. When there is no mechanic shop around or network reception to call for roadside assistance, staying stranded is not a safe option.

Every driver knows the routine steps: put on your hazard lights, pull over to a safe curb, and set up your caution triangle. However, when standard solutions fail, you need practical improvisations to get the vehicle moving again.

In this article, Tribune online examines five unconventional, real-world hacks that can rescue you from a sudden breakdown on isolated routes.

Using superglue and baking soda on cracked radiator

A leaking radiator hose or cracked plastic tank can overheat your engine within minutes. Combining cyanoacrylate (superglue) with common baking soda creates an instant, rock-hard chemical weld.

Wipe the cracked area dry. Pour a small amount of baking soda directly over the crack, then apply drops of superglue over the powder. It hardens immediately into a solid plastic seal, stopping the leak long enough for you to drive to the nearest town.

Sealing punctured tyre with coarse wood screw

If you have a flat tyre and your spare is bad or missing, a small puncture from a nail can ground you completely. Auto recovery experts at RAC UK note that inserting a wide-threaded drywall or wood screw directly into the hole can block escaping air.

Locate the puncture, coat the screw with engine oil or grease if available, and screw it firmly into the tread. Pump the tyre with your portable inflator or foot pump. The screw head temporarily plugs the leak until you reach a vulcaniser.

Cleaning corroded battery terminals with carbonated soda

A sudden total electrical failure is frequently caused by thick white corrosion blocking power flow between the battery posts and cable clamps.

Pouring a can of fizzy carbonated cola over the terminals neutralises the acidic build-up instantly. The carbonic acid dissolves the crust without damaging the metal. Wipe the posts clean with a dry cloth, tighten the clamps with a spanner, and start the engine again.

Clearing a jammed fuel pump with the under-tank tap

Electric fuel pumps can stall due to heat buildup, making the car crank without starting. A temporary physical shock can unstick the pump motor brushes inside the tank.

While one person turns the ignition key to crank the car, use a wheel spanner or wooden stick to firmly tap the bottom center of the fuel tank underneath. This vibration often frees the pump rotor for one final start.

Managing slipping fan belts with bath soap

A squealing, loose alternator belt can stop charging your battery or fail to turn your water pump, leading to total shutdown.

Rubbing a dry bar of bathing soap across the inside ribs of the belt gives the rubber temporary grip. The soap stops the belt from slipping over the metal pulleys, allowing the alternator to produce power until you reach a workshop.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) have expressed sadness over the sudden death of veteran journalist and Publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo.

Oladipo, a former President of the GOCOP, died at the age of 56 years on Tuesday, August 25, after reportedly falling ill.

His death has thrown the Nigerian media industry into mourning, with colleagues and professional bodies paying tribute to his contributions to journalism and the development of online publishing in Nigeria.

In a condolence message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu acknowledged Oladipo’s contributions to journalism, particularly his years of political reporting and his commitment to providing credible information through traditional and digital media platforms.

The President said Oladipo’s career demonstrated the important role of journalists in strengthening democracy by informing citizens, holding public officials accountable and providing platforms for robust public discourse.

Tinubu also recalled Oladipo’s passion for journalism and his contribution to the growth of digital media through The Eagle Online, which he founded after his career at The Punch.

‘Dotun Oladipo’s death at the age of 56 is a painful loss to the Nigerian media community and to our nation. He was a committed journalist who devoted significant years of his life to informing the public and contributing to the development of our democracy,’ the President said.

He added: ‘His contributions to political journalism and the digital media space will not be forgotten.’

On its part, GOCOP described Oladipo’s death as a painful loss, noting that he played a significant role in the growth of online journalism and the development of the guild.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Publicity Secretary, Kemi Yesufu, the guild said Oladipo served as GOCOP President from 2017 to 2021 and was among the publishers who laid the foundation for the organisation.

‘Oladipo entered online publishing with years of experience in traditional media. He had worked as a journalist and editor before moving into digital publishing and bringing that experience to The Eagle Online,’ the statement said.

According to GOCOP, Oladipo was also an early advocate of collaboration among online publishers at a time when digital journalism was still developing in Nigeria.

‘At a time when online news publishing was still developing in Nigeria, he was among those who saw the need for publishers to come together, share ideas and build a stronger professional community,’ the guild said.

It added that during his four-year tenure as president, Oladipo devoted considerable time to strengthening the organisation and representing the interests of online publishers.

‘As President between 2017 and 2021, Oladipo devoted considerable time to the Guild’s affairs. He represented GOCOP at various engagements and worked with members as the organisation navigated the opportunities and challenges of the rapid growth of online publishing,’ the statement added.

The President of GOCOP, Danlami Nmodu, described Oladipo as a key figure in the evolution of the guild.

‘Dotun played an important role in the development of GOCOP. He led the Guild for four years at a time when there was still much work to be done to establish online publishers as an important part of the media. His contribution will always be remembered,’ Nmodu said.

He added: ‘Dotun understood journalism and the business of publishing. He was passionate about the place of online media in Nigeria, and he gave his time to the growth of the Guild. We are saddened by his passing.’

Before establishing The Eagle Online, Oladipo had a distinguished career in print journalism. He served as Editor and Editorial Board member at PUNCH Newspapers and also worked with the Nigerian Tribune, Nigerian Compass and The Sun before venturing into digital publishing.

He was also the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Premium Eagle Media Limited, the parent company of The Eagle Online.

GOCOP extended its condolences to Oladipo’s family, the management and staff of The Eagle Online and the wider media community.

The guild said it would work with his family and associates to honour his memory and preserve his contributions to the development of online journalism in Nigeria.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has expressed confidence that Nigerians would witness greater contributions to national development from popular aviator and politician, Comrade Isaac Balami, in the years ahead.

The minister spoke on Tuesday at a ceremony held at the Transcorp Event Centre in Abuja to mark Balami’s 43rd birthday, attended by more than 4,000 guests, including politicians, government officials, business leaders, family members, friends and mentees.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim attributed the large turnout at the event, which caused significant traffic around the venue, to Balami’s strong connection with people across different sectors of society.

Describing him as ‘a man of the people, for the people and by the people,’ the minister said Balami’s achievements at his age were remarkable and suggested that he still had much more to offer the country.

‘Balami is a man of the people, for the people and by the people, and it’s only a matter of time before we see more of him,’ she said.

‘Balami just turned 42, and I’m sure we will all wonder at the level he has reached at this age.’

She urged Nigerians and Balami’s supporters to continue to pray for him and provide the necessary support for him to sustain his contributions to nation-building.

The celebration attracted several prominent Nigerians, including the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association and governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata; and other political leaders, captains of industry and government officials.

Akpata, who chaired the occasion, described Balami’s journey from humble beginnings to prominence as a reflection of his determination and resilience.

He said Balami had not only established himself in the aviation industry but had also founded a university, describing such achievements as evidence of his capacity and commitment to national development.

‘Despite his humble beginning, the young man established himself in the aviation industry, a sector we all know for excellence. That tells you who Isaac is,’ Akpata said.

‘Not only has he established himself in that sector, he also established a university. That tells you who Isaac is. With people like Isaac, we don’t need to worry too much about our country. Even in politics, he is giving it his all.’

He urged Nigerians to continue to pray for Balami as he pursues his various endeavours.

The event also featured musical and comedy performances, as well as a panel discussion on mentorship moderated by veteran journalist Cyril Stober and Seun Okimbaloye.

During the session, Balami explained the rationale behind the selection of 42 personalities as inductors into the Fellowship of Mentors.

He also recounted his journey from humble beginnings, including his experience working as a soakaway evacuator, before rising to become an aviator, entrepreneur, politician and mentor.

The event concluded with further tributes from family members, friends, associates and mentees, who celebrated Balami’s achievements and his efforts to create opportunities for others.