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Glo Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Globacom, at the weekend hosted hundreds of school girls across the country to a symbolic walk and movie outing in commemoration of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.

In Lagos, as many as 100 girls selected from five secondary schools were received at Globacom’s head office, Mike Adenuga Towers, Victoria Island, where they held an interactive session with senior female executives of the company.

The participating schools are Vivian Fowler Memorial College, Oregun, Ikeja; Queens College, Sabo Yaba; Herbert Macaulay Girls Senior High School, Yaba; Kuramo Senior College, Victoria Island; and Victoria Island Secondary School.

Welcoming the girls, Globacom’s Director of Strategy and Board Affairs, Mrs Mojisola Ashieru Sweet, advised them to be proud of who they are and remain confident in their abilities to succeed.

Globacom’s Head of Human Resources, Mrs Jumoke Aduwo, also urged the pupils to develop strong character and determination as they pursue their goals.

The objective of the session was to encourage the pupils to aspire to excellence in their chosen academic and professional fields.

The girls took a symbolic walk from the head office to the company’s Customer Care and Information Systems departments, where they were introduced to some aspects of Globacom’s telecommunications operations.

They were afterwards treated to a movie session at Silverbird Cinemas, where they watched the Nollywood film, ‘The Serpent’s Gift’, featuring Linda Ejiofor and popular radio presenter and actor, Chico Aligwejwe.

In Abuja, girls from Al-Noor Academy, Wuse, and Redeemers Private School participated in a similar event at the Glo office and Silverbird Cinema, Jabi Lake Mall.

The same activities were replicated in Kaduna, Owerri, Port Harcourt and Benin City, where selected girls were hosted at Glo offices and later treated to the same movie.

At the end of the sessions, the pupils discussed lessons learnt from the movie, an exercise designed to boost their confidence and public speaking skills.

President Bola Tinubu has lauded Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) for its innovation in the oil sector at the new crude oil export terminal in Otakikpo, Rivers State.

The terminal, the first by a Nigerian company, and only one built in the country in over 50 years, will open an efficient evacuation outlet for marginal and stranded fields in Niger Delta region, unlocking billions of barrels of reserves and creating value for the economy.

L-R; Engr. Kayode Adegbulugbe, COO, GEIL, Hon. Min of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Chairman, GEIL, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe; and Chief Executive of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe at the commissioning of the crude oil export terminal in Otakikpo, Rivers State.

The President assured the company and other operators keeping to the terms of their licences of support. He said the project represented a new chapter and aligned with the core priorities of his administration to ramp up crude production by enabling a secure, transparent, and efficient evacuation system.

Speaking through Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, the President added that he was impressed by the company’s vision and implementation, noting that GEIL has shown leadership and innovation among others awarded marginal field operating licences about the same time.

L-R; Chief Executive of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe; Hon. Min of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and Chairman, GEIL, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe at the commissioning of the crude oil export terminal in Otakikpo, Rivers State.

Chair of GEIL, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, thanked the President for his support, saying the terminal was conceived, designed and implemented by Nigerians and was completed in record two years.

He said the facility would ‘open the door to more than 40 stranded fields in the region with over three billion barrels of reserves, long held back the lack of export infrastructure. These fields alone could contribute more than 200,000 barrels daily to our production.’

That opening phrase, by Sagoe in The Interpreters (published 1965), Wole Soyinka’s first novel, said it all. Lagos of the 1960s: a vibrant night life grooving with Highlife, the king of urban music and popular culture!

That metal chairs screeched on bare night club floors sent Sagoe grumbling about his hearing health! Lagos nights and happy chaos!

Sixty years later (1965-2025), Afrobeats might have upset Highlife; as twinkling new generation star, Modola, proved on the nite. For the more nativist, Fuji could have also elbowed aside Juju – that 1930s musical creation of Tunde King.

The eternal Lagos vibes – Ariya Eko! – propelled the MUSON mirth of October 5: the Ariya Eko Independence Music Festival, to toast Nigeria; and honour those that merit it.

Its theme: Musical Journey of a Nation at 65. Venue: Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan. Organizers: Evergreen Musical Company, the treasure the late Femi Esho left behind, flowering and booming still, under her father’s daughter, Bimbo Esho.

Sponsors: the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Pastor Daniel Olukoya’s Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) extremely rich musical arm.

The honourees: Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey (Ariya Eko Timeless Contribution), Lemi Abiodun Ghariokwu, aka ‘King of Album Sleeves’ (Ariya Eko Graphics Gifted Hands), Evang. Funmi Aragbaiye, JP, (Ariya Eko Gospel Pioneers), Uncle Toye Ajagun (Ariya Eko Muscial Peacemaker), Alhaji Kolington Ayinla, aka Kebe nKwara (Ariya Eko Fuji Revolution Doyen), Yoruba poet, Ajobiwewe: Baba Sulaiman Ayilara Aremu (Ariya Eko Esa Oriki Resilience), D Guv’nor, Ken-Calebs Olumese (Ariya Eko Night Life Legend), Mainframe genius, Baba Tunde Kelani (Ariya Eko Distinguished Film Maker) and Admiral Dele Abiodun (Ariya Eko Juju Leaders).

The others: Dr. Ola Balogun (Ariya Eko Pioneering Film Maker), Samba Queen Stella Ada Monye (Ariya Eko Cultural Values), Mrs. D. A. Fasoyin (Ariya Eko Evergreen Gospel Anthems), Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli (Ariya Eko Distinguished Flutist), King Jossy Friday (Ariya Eko Cultural Innovator), Laolu Akins (Ariya Eko Multi-Talented Producer), Queen Salawa Abeni Ibiwunmi (Ariya Eko Waka Transformer), Evangelist J. A. Adelakun (Ariya Eko Evergreen Gospel Anthems) and Premier Music (Ariya Eko Musician’s Backbone).

The list speaks for itself: the showbiz spirit of the age. MFM’s Pastor Daniel Olukoya, duly represented, also announced N500, 000 for each honouree.

Ebenezer Obey, with King Sunny Ade (KSA) drove the longest musical hegemony in Nigerian contemporary history. Such durable quality! Such classy fecundity!

Admiral Dele Abiodun, with his Adawa Super hits, carved out a fair share of the Juju market, striking a rivalry of his own, with the late Emperor Pick Peters, but no less vibrant in their own rights!

But Elder Femi Akinmade told Ripples during that memorable night, that many of the Juju hits had the muse, Ambrose Campbell (1919-2006), to thank. Campbell, a Lagos-born Saro, founded the West African Rhythm Brothers (formed 1940s), UK’s first black band.

Obey’s philosophical monster hit, ‘Eni Ri Nkan He’, was a re-make of the Campbell original. So was Dele Abiodun’s ‘It’s Time For Juju Music’. Both, of course, added own contemporary flavours!

Kolignton, with the late Ayinde Barrister – both of them Civil War veterans – were able Fuji pioneers. They transformed the Muslim ‘Were’, performed at dawn during Ramadan, into dance-floor commercial music. KWAM 1, Adewale Ayuba and co were the younger Turks that have deepened that heritage.

Were Fuji to have a female gender, Salawa Abeni’s Waka would certainly be it! Both had Islamic roots. As Afro-Juju’s Sir Shina Peters (SSP) under Prince Adekunle, Salawa was a teen-wonder, that carved out own niche, in the Lagos music world. Ariya Eko!

But on October 5, Alhaji Jamiu Salami’s Lefty Band also outed with ‘ijinle’ – rootsy -Sakara music from Isale-Eko! The original ‘Lefty’, Alhaji Salami Balogun (1913-1981) is dead and gone. But his left-handed percussion genius continues to define the group.

Left-handed Balogun would send his favourite tambourine into provocative messaging, getting instant responses from dancing patrons! The ‘Lefty’ legend was born!

On the night, Lefty leapt right from the dead, when his current inheritor ignored the compere’s appeal to wind down. With Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in-situ, as the White Cap Chiefs that represented the Olowo Eko, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and the Oniru of Iru, Oba Wasiu Lawal, the Lefty Band would be damned to let go its day in the sun!

Pray, what with the ijinle groove, went on in the governor’s mind? His Okepopo, Lagos, nativity? The Iga Jakande (Jakande Palace) just a stone’s throw away? The Igunnuko Oshodi clan at Epetedo? Or the ‘felele’ football challenge at Onola? Memories!

Obey, at own investiture by the governor, turned the Owanbe house bard, praising the governor, Lagos State and President Bola Tinubu, with other honourees – Salawa, and the Gospel pair of Funmi Aragbaye and Mrs. Fasoyin – all on the charmed roundtable!

Mrs. Fasoyin and her CAC Good Women’s Choir, Ibadan! It was the age of indigenous carol challenge at Yuletide. Prof. Akin Euba (1935-2020), leading the likes of Richard Bucknor, Art Alade, Afolabi Alaja-Browne, Roseline Ngor and Funmi Adams, outed with ‘Elu Agogo Keresimesi’. That carol hit clawed for radio air space with the traditional foreign ones.

Then, out of the blue, came ‘Odun Nlo S’opin O Baba Rere .’ from the Good Women, with sizzling dancing, native Pentecostal mirth, vocals, percussion and allied flavour! It has since become a yearly constant on radio, as the year rolls to an end!

Stella Ada Monye, the Samba queen? The globe-beater Afrobeats Stars of today have her and the likes of the late Sonny Okosuns and Bongos Ikwue – very much alive – to thank for their pioneering works.

Fela, the Abami Eda! Whoever dares talk of Fela, the patron saint of Afro Beat, in the past tense! Who? And who, more than Lemi Ghariokwu, gave graphic poetry to Fela’s irreverent and incandescent music, the blight of military tyrants?

Laolu Akins brought SSP out of a musical death-at-noon with monster hits like Ijo Shina, Ace, etc. After the pioneering efforts of Dr. Ola Balogun, Tunde Kelani and his Mainframe gave new depth and poetic technicality to the local Nigerian cinema!

The sight-and-sound of Lagos – and Nigeria – at 65!

No wonder, the likes of Baba Eto, the late Adeolu Akinsanya, also leapt alive, from the back-up orchestras, replete with the MFM Highlife band, bending old secular classics, with today’s proselytizing, to win new souls for Christ – Ariya Eko!

But then: those who make others happy, often bear deep personal woes. Dele Abiodun dedicated his award to his late daughter; and King Jossy Friday, to his late wife, who ironically died after sending a text message to her friend who just became a widow.

Stella Monye too was there with her only child, Ibrahim. Ibrahim has been battling to stay alive, after a horrendous teen accident at 11 in 1999, when his mother was away on a national assignment. Ibrahim is now 36.

Who will help fund Ibrahim’s life-saving surgeries, so Mum Stella is not fated to a future morbid dedication, after a future award? Who?

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has sacked the Chairman of Edo State Senior Secondary Education Board, Dr. Maureen Ekhoragbon.

Reasons for her sack were not made known at press time.

A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Ikhilor Musa, says Governor Okpebholo has appointed Dr. Rita Erewele as replacement.

The statement said Ekhoragbon had been relieved of her duties with immediate effect.

It described Erewele as an accomplished educationist and an administrator with over two decades of progressive experience in the education sector.

‘She holds a PhD in Educational Administration and Planning, along with a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Benin.

‘Her appointment takes immediate effect.’

A Lance Corporal attached to the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Wawa Cantonment, Akenleye Femi has killed his wife and killed himself.

The incident occured on October 11.

The soldier was said to be on duty but had taken permission from his superior to attend to a personal matter, only for the army to discover the lifeless bodies of both husband and wife in their apartment, Block 15, Room 24, Corporals and Below Quarters in the Wawa Cantonment.

Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Stephen Nwankwo, confirmed the incident, saying that the incident has left the military community in shock.

‘Preliminary investigations indicate that the soldier, who was on duty at the time, had sought permission from his superior to attend to a personal matter before the lifeless bodies of both husband and wife were later discovered in their apartment – Block 15, Room 24, Corporals and Below Quarters, Wawa Cantonment.

‘The remains of the deceased have since been preserved as a thorough investigation has commenced to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic event’, the statement read.

The Nigerian Army has also appealed for public understanding and cooperation as investigations continue while the Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins, in a condolence message, expressed deep regret over the incident and extended sympathy to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.

Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has declared defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing the decision was not motivated by fear, resentment or personal ambition, but by a desire to secure a stronger political alignment for the state and the Southeast region.

Speaking on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at a well-attended ceremony in Enugu titled: ‘Charting a New Course: Transition from PDP to APC,’ Mbah said the move was ‘a conscious step toward a more compelling future’ and an act of faith in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of national renewal.

‘We are not moving from a place of resentment or fear. We are confident of our future. We have no axe to grind, no personal point to make. But fairness, respect and integrity must guide our choices for that future to be ours,’ Mbah declared.

The Governor, who was one of the leading PDP figures in the Southeast, said leadership sometimes demands ‘difficult and even painful decisions in the service of higher principles and goals.’

According to him, the decision to move to the APC was not taken lightly, but after long reflection and consultation with his political team.

The Governor, who filled his APC membership card and was presented broom, revealed that the defection was a collective action involving members of the National Assembly, the State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, all 17 local government chairmen, councillors, and over 80 per cent of political appointees and party executives in the state.

‘For decades, the Southeast, especially Enugu, has stood firmly behind the PDP, showing loyalty that shaped the party’s success. Yet despite this history, our voices were too often disregarded when it mattered most. It has therefore become necessary to seek affiliation where our interests as a region are represented in the form of fair partnership,’ Mbah said.

Mbah praised President Tinubu as ‘a partner in purpose and a leader with the courage to make tough choices for lasting prosperity,’ aligning his administration’s development philosophy with the federal government’s Renewed Hope agenda.

‘This move is bigger than politics,’ he said. ‘It is about connecting Enugu’s destiny with the central hub of broader reforms shaping our nation. I have found in President Tinubu not just a leader of our nation but a partner in purpose.’

Highlighting his administration’s achievements, Mbah said Enugu’s transformation was visible in the construction of over 1,000 kilometres of roads, establishment of smart schools and health centres across all 260 wards, improved water supply, and a 600 per cent increase in internally generated revenue.

He also listed successes in security and infrastructure, including an AI-driven Command and Control Centre, 150 distress-response vehicles, and the revival of key assets such as Hotel Presidential and Nigergas.

Mbah reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to complete all ongoing projects, assuring citizens that his government’s priorities would remain people-centred.

‘Our Igbo DNA does not change; our destiny does not change. What changes is that our vision now finds stronger reinforcement at the federal level. The progress you see today will not slow, and the projects we have begun will be completed as promised,’ he stated.

The governor thanked the PDP for the platform it provided, acknowledging its historical role in the state’s development, but said the time had come for Enugu to align with the national mainstream for greater opportunities.

‘We must stand for principles and institutions that honour transparency, trust and service to the people,’ he said. ‘True leadership is about service to the people, not service to self. Principles, not personalities, must guide us.’

Mbah concluded by expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for his encouragement, saying the defection marks ‘the beginning of a new era of growth and progress’ for Enugu State.

‘Tomorrow is here,’ the Governor said. ‘Let us gather with renewed hope to build the Enugu – and the Nigeria – that our children deserve.’

The event attracted former Senate President, Dr. Ken Nnamani; former Governore Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Barr. Sullivan Chime; APC National Deputy Chairman (North), Alhaji Alli Dalori and his Southern counterpart, Chief Emma Eneukwu; state chairman of PDP, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike and his executive members, members of the National Assembly from Enugu State led by Senator Osita Ngwu, among others.

High Chief Majobaote of Ipetu Ijesa, Amb. Ilesanmi Olaniyi, has hailed the customer-centric policies of University of Lagos (UNILAG).

This was made known during the institution’s Customer Service Week celebration on the school premises in Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.

Olaniyi, in his keynote lecture as part of the activities marking the Customer Service Week, noted that people often erroneously thought customer service started and ended within the four walls of the corporate world.

Olaniyi, also an aspirant in Osun East Senatorial District, said UNILAG deployed the core of customer service principles in dealing with the stakeholders – students, lecturers and researchers.

With the theme: ‘Mission Possible’, Olaniyi said: ‘When we think about customer service, we sometimes imagine it belongs only in the corporate world. But in UNILAG, service is woven into everything they do.’

He added: ‘The students are customers when they seek knowledge, mentorship and guidance.

‘Parents are customers when they entrust the institution with the future of their children.

‘Researchers and partners are customers when they look to this institution for collaboration and impact.’

The oil and gas mogul said: ‘Every interaction whether at a helpdesk, in a lecture hall, or within administrative offices-shapes perceptions and defines the UNILAG experience.’

ýThe event, attended by the Vice Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, Director of Customer Service Week 2025, Prof. Olufemi Saibu, faculty members, workers, students and honoured guests, was organised in commemoration of this year’s Customer Service Week.

ýOlaniyi said: ‘ýTo embrace a Mission Possible mindset is to adopt three key principles: Adaptability: The world around us is evolving. Those who succeed are not those who resist change, but those who harness it; Empathy: Excellent service begins with the ability to listen, understand, and respond to the needs of others with care: Collaboration: No mission is achieved in isolation. Every breakthrough in service excellence is the result of teamwork, shared responsibility, and unity of purpose.

‘ýImagine a UNILAG where every member of staff, every student, and every stakeholder embraces this mindset. Imagine a university where innovation is matched with empathy, where processes are defined by excellence, and where every service encounter leaves a lasting positive impression. That is the true power of Mission Possible.

‘The theme for this year’s celebration – Mission Possible could not be timelier in a world often defined by rapid change, uncertainty, and complex challenges, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that meaningful transformation is impossible, but this theme boldly declares otherwise: with commitment, innovation and collaboration, every mission can be achieved.’

The oil and gas industry czar both at home and abroad, is also known in the political circle as ‘Ijoba Federal’, which is symbolic of his aspiration to represent his senatorial district, Osun East, as a senator in 2027.

At the event, he made a generous donation of N1million (One million Naira) to the University’s Faculty of Engineering and best customer service personnel for 2025.