Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Dr. Habeeb Olalekan Okunola MON, OFR is a prominent figure in Nigeria’s business landscape, known for his extensive experience and remarkable achievements. As the President of CINI Holdings, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and business acumen, traits that have been evident since his formative years. Dr. Okunola embodies the principle that opportunity meets preparedness; he skillfully navigated the complexities of the business world, achieving significant milestones early in his career.

Affectionately referred to as the Akosin of Yoruba Land, he is not only recognized for his professional successes but also for his commitment to philanthropy. Dr. Okunola is a generous benefactor, known for his willingness to offer financial support to those in need, embodying the spirit of giving. He detests the sight of anyone suffering and consistently goes out of his way to bring joy to the less fortunate. This passion for uplifting others led him to establish the Habeeb Okunola Foundation, a non-profit NGO dedicated to fostering educational development, empowering women, enhancing health welfare, and providing various forms of assistance to those in distress.

Despite holding an undergraduate degree in Philosophy from the University of Lagos, Dr. Okunola has never confined himself to traditional academic pursuits. While many of his contemporaries pursued more superficial interests, he chose to deepen his knowledge base and expand his skill set. In 2020, he attended Harvard Business School, where he completed a course in Leading Global Business, equipping himself with strategic insights applicable to a global marketplace. More recently, earlier this year, he furthered his education at the Wharton Aresty Institute of Executive Education at the University of Pennsylvania, reinforcing his commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

This combination of leadership, philanthropy, and ongoing education illustrates Dr. Okunola’s dedication not only to his own success but also to the betterment of society as a whole.

Popular beauty queen and model, Nwaoma Ukachukwu, has expressed deep concerns over the alarming rise of poverty in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, stressing that children remain the most vulnerable victims.

In a statement to the media on Friday, Nwaoma warned that if the trend continues unchecked, it could trigger an unprecedented uprising among children.

‘I see children crying across different states in the country. I see them carrying stones and knives in revolt. These children are hungry and angry. This is a word of caution to our government and those in leadership positions across Africa and Nigeria. Something must be done now,’ she said.

While acknowledging the looming danger, Nwaoma stressed that solutions are within reach if urgent steps are taken to ease the burden on vulnerable children.

According to her, poverty in Africa and Nigeria has become a ticking time bomb, especially because it directly threatens the future of young people.

‘The future of Africa and Nigeria lies in the hands of our children. If, for any reason-whether through neglect or the weaponization of poverty for political gain-these children are abandoned on the streets, then Africa should brace itself for a shocking revolt that could shake the continent to its core.

‘I therefore caution that urgent action must be taken. Every child deserves not just to live, but to have access to the best life possible.’

Speaking further, she noted that her foundation has toured different parts of Africa and witnessed firsthand the painful realities of children trapped in poverty.

‘This is why we have now mobilised and empowered vulnerable children in Owerri, Imo State. Their school fees for the year have been cleared,’ she added.

Nwaoma emphasised that beyond the efforts of her foundation, government must play a decisive role by providing affordable schools, quality healthcare, decent housing, and an enabling environment for children to thrive.

She concluded that only through such interventions can the growing divide between the children of the rich and the poor be bridged.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027. He is from the Southwest.

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned its presidential ticket to the South, although there is still controversy over the push for micro-zoning.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is yet to open talks on zoning. But discerning Nigerians know that the camp that came out of the PDP split is better described as ‘Atiku Democratic Congress,’ because the former vice president who is the lead visioner of the inexplicable coalition is likely to be the presidential candidate. The eminent politician is from the Northeast.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso appears to be in a fix. A section is rooting for mass defection to the APC from where the former Kano State governor defected some nine years ago. But notable figures are resisting his move to return to base. All presidential candidates covert the highly populous and electorally viable Kano.

If Kwankwaso stays on in NNPP, he would be firing arrows from a weak point.

Labour Party (LP) is still in disarray, the judgment that affirmed the leadership of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) headed by Senator Esther Nenadi-Usman notwithstanding. The party is the best bet for Peter Obi, who is from the Southeast.

The question is: what are the Northcentral groups, which are also agitating for the presidency, up to as the country warms up for 2027?

If each of the six geo-political zones could have its way, the target is the presidency, the towering base of power and influence. Thus, their leading lights are building up arguments and justifications for rotation and power shift.

The NorthCentral is not left out. Leading the agitation in the region is the Northcentral Renaissance Movement (NCRM), a coalition that has called on the major political parties in the country to cede the presidential ticket or at most, the vice presidential slot to the region during the next general election.

The movement has also declared that APC, PDP and ADC will lose votes from the zone if they fail to acede their demand.

Its chairman and convener, Professor K’tso Nghargbu, urged other geo-political zones to support the Northcentral quest for presidency.

The grouse of the zone, according to the campaigners, is that it has never produced an elected president and vice president since independence.

According to members of the movement, the last time the region produced a president was between 1967 and 2975 when Gen. Yakubu Gowon from Plateau was military Head of State and between 1985 and 1993 when Gen. Ibrahim Babangida was military president. Both were not elected.

Other former Nigerian leaders are President Nnamdi Azikiwe (Southeast), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Northeast), Muritala Mohammed (Northwest), Olusegun Obasanjo (Southwest), Sheu Shagari(Northwest), Muhammadu Buhari (Northwest), Ernest Shonekan (Southwest), Umaru Yar’Adua (Northwest), and Goodluck Jonathan (Southsouth).

The vice presidents are: Alex Ekwueme (Southeast), Atiku Abubakar (Northwest), Jonathan (Southsouth), Namadi Sambo (Northwest), Yemi Osinbajo (Southwest) and Kashim Shettima (Northeast).

The grouse of the Northcentral is thst in this Fourth Republic, it has neither produced either the president or vice president.

The understanding of zoning is that power should rotate between the North (Northwest, Northeast and Northcentral) and South (Southwest, Southeast and Southsouth). This means, according to observers, that Northcentral can only push for micro-zoning when the slot is zoned go the bloc North.

The Northcentral is made up of six states – Niger, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa and Kwara State. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is also part of the zone.

Nghargbu said the current ‘zoning understanding’ has led to the marginalisation of the Northcentral. He said the region is blessed with enormous political resources to solve the leadership challenges confronting the country, especially in the face of the growing bitterness between the far northern political elite and their counterparts from the South.

He said apart from experienced politicians and leaders like Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, who has signified interest to contest for the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the PDP, other top politicians from the zone will be joining the race.

The university don, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, said: ‘Today, we found it dutiful, an act of responsibility towards our people to once more make an appeal to the fact that the North Central geo-political zone seeks, makes requests, makes demand that political parties should cede or rather consider giving a political human capital or human resource from North Central geopolitical zone their presidential ticket.

‘This is important, given the growing disaffection now I’m talking about the political class, growing resentment, growing suspicion, growing bitterness between the northern political elites and their counterparts from the southern part of Nigeria. Once again, the North Central zone surfaces or emerges as the best solution towards national unity.

‘We are appealing to the five other geopolitical zones, and especially the major political parties in Nigeria that they consider giving their presidential ticket to people from the North Central geopolitical zone. We say this with all sense of stewardship to the great country called Nigeria, without any prejudice towards national upliftment and development.’

He added: ‘We say this not as a threat, but emphatically that any political party that despises and continues to despise our position will also be despised by our votes. So Nigerians, Nigerian voting populace, Nigerian political elite, and of course, the major political parties, once again we reiterate that patronising us means having our votes.

‘Despising us means losing our votes. I want to believe that we have spoken adequately to the political conscience of Nigeria, which begs for more peace, tranquilly, and prosperity.’ Nghargbu supported for the move to entrench the independent candidacy in the Constitution, saying it will provide opportunity for aspirants who are denied tickets by political parties to pursue their ambitions independently.

He stressed: ‘The independent candidature is one of the answers. It is one of the solutions that Nigeria is looking towards, checking the excesses of political parties that are money-drunk and godfather-drunk. Let me put it that way. So, the North Central movement is very much in support of the inclusion of independent candidates in the Constitution.’

The group has not elaborated on what it would do that that would affect the chances of parties that ignores its call.

Nghargbu merely warned that ‘any political party that ignores the call will pay at the polls.’

He added: ‘Patronising us means having our votes. Despising us means losing our votes.’

The Church of England has named Dame Sarah Elisabeth Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first woman to occupy the office in the more than 1,400 year history of the Anglican Communion.

Mullally, who has been serving as Bishop of London since 2018, emerged the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury following the approval of the Crown Nominations Commission and confirmation by the monarch.

Born in Woking, Surrey, in 1962, Mullally trained first as a nurse and rose to become Chief Nursing Officer for England before turning to the priesthood.

She was ordained in 2001, consecrated bishop in 2015, and appointed Bishop of London in December 2017. She has also served as Dean of the Chapel Royal since 2019.

Her appointment comes at a time the Church is still reeling from the leadership crises and abuse scandals that trailed the tenure of Archbishop Justin Welby, who has stepped aside amid mounting criticism of his handling of safeguarding failures.

Mullally has been outspoken on the need for reforms, pledging to strengthen safeguarding standards and restore trust in the Church.

She has also been noted for her careful handling of sensitive issues such as the place of women in ministry and the debate on sexuality, which continue to divide the global Anglican family.

Reactions to her emergence have been mixed. Advocates of gender equality in the Church see it as a historic breakthrough, while conservatives in parts of Africa and Asia are expected to view the development with caution.

Mullally will now face the dual challenge of healing internal divisions and navigating relations across the worldwide Anglican Communion, where theological and cultural differences remain pronounced.

Clerical observers say her background as both a public servant and a church leader gives her a unique mix of administrative competence and pastoral sensitivity that will be critical in her new role.

With her election, the Church of England has taken a bold step that many say could redefine its identity in the years to come.

Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe was a colossus who walked through the business landscape with his footprints boldly planted on the sand. He was primarily and professionally a pharmacist. But, by the time he bade the world bye on September 22, 2025, at age 97, he had made his mark in many sectors of the economy.

Starting as a pharmacist at Central Hospital, Lagos, in 1950, and establishing his own pharmacy store, Palm Chemists, in 1952, he never looked back in leading the pack of indigenous pharmacists.

He was the pioneer chairman of Spectrum Books, a publishing firm, a director of Barclays Bank, chairman of Procter and Gamble, an international pharmaceutical company and West African Portland Cement.

He was equally involved in birthing the IBTC, Chartered Bank, R.T Briscoe and Nigerian Tobacco Company (NTC), among many others. He did not stop at that, he was also involved in the Nigerian Union of Pharmacists where he was the general secretary in the 1950s, and later the fourth President of the Pharmacists Society of Nigeria (PSN).

Nigeria was lucky to have had a man like Chief Akinkugbe, acclaimed as a man of integrity who was committed to national development as President Bola Tinubu said in his eulogy at his death. Although he was a self-effacing man, he still got involved in public service as he served on the economic advisory board of his state, Ondo, and at the federal level, where he demonstrated his patriotism.

The greatest legacy that the boardroom guru gave to Nigeria was his uncompromising commitment to business ethics. This is one thing missing in the private and public sectors of the country.

Most people are out to fleece the country, contending that they are merely taking their share of the national cake. At a time that we are reviewing the contribution of the late Chief Akinkugbe to national development, young Nigerians have to look into his impeccable works as chairman of the University of Ife (later Obafemi Awolowo University) and the Morgan Wages Commission.

To shape Corporate Nigeria, he made his mark in the Ibadan Chamber of Commerce, and as Vice President of the National Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

He was also one of those who thought it wise to bequeath the Lagos Business School to the nation to ensure that the model of modern business is firmly planted in the country.

Chief Akinkugbe was lucky to have received the gift of long life, which he fully used to the good of Nigeria. He believed in the institution of the family, and showed good example by his marriage to Janet Akinkugbe that yielded children they were proud of.

The couple was united for seven decades and, when his wife died on September 11, just 11 days before him, Chief Akinkugbe said, ‘Janet has been my partner in everything; whatever I achieved, I achieved because she stood beside me’. This is one other example he showed to the younger generations.

Other pioneers in the corporate world now have a duty to guide those currently flying the flag. If Nigeria is to soar high, it will be because the private sector fully aligns with the public service. Time is running out as there are a few Akinkugbes to guide the young ones.

Chief Olu Akinkugbe, born in Ondo, Ondo State, on December 5, 1928, had played his part. Truly, it could be said that he came, he saw, and conquered. He was certainly a man of many parts.

The Chief Executive Officer of Luxe by Glamoholic and founder of the Lachlan Foundation, Ambassador Dr. Princess Akawor has been honoured with the UNIPGC and Jewel Howard Taylor Leadership Excellence and Distinguished Personality Award at the Global Leadership Investment Summit and Peace Awards (GLISPA).

It was held at the House of Lords, UK Parliament.

The international recognition, organisers said, celebrates Akawor’s transformational leadership, advocacy for peaceful coexistence, and contributions to good governance.

A seasoned entrepreneur with over 15 years in the fashion industry, Akawor leads Luxe by Glamoholic, a brand with outlets in three major Nigerian cities.

She is also renowned for using her platform to empower women and support vulnerable communities through the Lachlan Foundation.

Armed with a degree in Biomedical Technology from the University of Port Harcourt, she has successfully blended science and fashion to emerge as one of Africa’s outstanding female entrepreneurs.

With this award, the Nigerian fashion icon joins a growing list of local and international recognitions for her impact across business, leadership, and humanitarian service.

Family, friends and well-wishers have gathered in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, to celebrate the 80th birthday of former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran.

The event was attended by former governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni, ex-Nigerian ambassador to Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farombi, and others.

A friend of the celebrant, Dr. Olu Agunloye, who said he had been with the celebrant for over 50 years, described Adeniran as an astute scholar, whose impact could not be quantified.

He said: ‘I’m happy to associate with him, I derive a lot of inspiration from him. He is one of the productive persons I’ve ever met in my life. We have both worked with Bola Ige, Wole Soyinka, Femi Johnson, Bola Akinyemi and others. He is worthy to emulate.’

One of the daughters of the celebrant, Banke Akinsola, said: ‘I thank God for the life of my dad, for sparing him till his 80th birthday. He is a philanthropist, who always opens his door to everyone who needs his help.

‘I’m glad to celebrate and honour him today. His character and loving heart are worthy to be emulated. He is a disciplinarian, who has no tolerance for laziness. He has been inspiring me over the years and he will continue to inspire me.’

The celebrant expressed gratitude to God for His grace and mercy, saying despite all odds, he was able to attain 80.

He said: ‘I am grateful to God, because it is by his grace, despite all odds that I made it. Not only that He has granted me the grace to witness my 80th birthday, but He also ensures I have lived a meaningful life. I wouldn’t have been here today if not for God. He has been very faithful to me.”

Adeniran, who urged Nigerians to move closer to God and follow His instructions, said: ‘Let’s appreciate what God has done for Nigeria. The nation is blessed with human and materials resources. It’s now left to us to show God that we appreciate what He has done for us through our commitment to him and the society.

‘We need to transform the lives of Nigerians, for a better society. The younger generations should wake up. It is their future that is being wasted if the nation is not doing well.”

Before enlisting in the U.S. Army, Nigerian-American Yewande Olugbodi Fagunwa, popularly known as Olori Wendy, had already carved a niche for herself as a Nollywood film producer with several titles to her credit.

Today, she is blending her creative background with military discipline to champion a pressing cause – the fight against homelessness in America.

On August 1, 2025, Wendy set out from California in a rental car with a bold mission: to drive through all 48 contiguous U.S. states within a month. But beyond the adventure lay a deeper purpose – to spotlight the struggles of the homeless by immersing herself, in part, in their reality.

‘This wasn’t just about me driving around the country,’ she told The Nation. ‘It was about sharing the experience of people who live without a home, and giving them a voice.’

Throughout the journey, her vehicle often served as her home. She spent nights at truck stops, 24-hour rest areas, or curled up in the driver’s seat. She stretched her budget with packed snacks and occasional hot meals, while showers at truck stops or gyms cost up to $18. ‘Sleeping in the car wasn’t always easy, but it was part of the story I wanted to tell,’ she explained.

Her resolve was tested by storms, car troubles, and moments of doubt, yet she pressed on. Along the way, Wendy distributed relief items and money to the homeless, listening to their stories and sharing her own. ‘Sleeping in a vehicle was symbolic for me,’ she said. ‘It was a way to feel, even just a fraction, of what so many homeless people endure every night.’

Though she faced delays that stretched her schedule beyond her birthday on August 26, Wendy completed the 48-state drive. Hawaii and Alaska remain for another day, but for her, the journey has already achieved its essence – resilience, compassion, and advocacy.

‘It all started as a dream,’ she reflected. ‘But the dream became a mission. And the mission is far from over.

The National Assembly is considering amendments to the Electoral Act which will likely include the conduct of all elections in one day.

House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who gave the assurance yesterday, hinted that Presidential, gubernatorial, national, and state House of Assembly elections might be held on the same day should the bill be passed and assented to by the President.

He spoke when a delegation of the European Union Election Observation follow-up mission to Nigeria’s 2023 general election visited him in Abuja yesterday.

The Barry Andrews-led delegation also visited Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where it chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, warned that delay by the lawmakers in amending the Electoral Act 2022 could hamper preparations for the 2027 general election.

The delegation, which has been in the country for about three weeks to study the level of implementation of the recommendations contained in its report after the 2023 general election, also interfaced with the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

Abbas, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Leke Bayeiwu, told the EU team that its reports on the 2023 polls were being considered in the ongoing electoral and democratic reforms by the National Assembly.

Abbas said: ‘I want to acknowledge that the leadership of the country under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to ensuring that we improve on our electoral processes, particularly regarding the observations made (by international observers) on the 2023 elections.

‘We in the National Assembly have also been busy working to gather as many issues as possible, arising from the last elections, so that we can see how we can legislatively address them; so that our next election will be more transparent, acceptable and in alignment with international standards.’

He told the team that a recent joint Senate and House of Representatives leadership meeting resolved to isolate electoral amendment issues and accelerate their consideration and passage.

He allayed fears about the timeliness of the reforms.

He said: ‘We agreed that because of some of the amendments that we want to bring forth – (some are by way of Act of Parliament, some are by constitutional amendment) we will fast track and isolate the electoral issues and take them as one, single entity; and push them forward for the National Assembly to deliberate and take a position; and then send them to the sub-nationals (state Houses of Assembly) to also consider within a short timeframe – between now and December.’

Reassuring that the Parliament was ‘very serious’ about electoral reforms, Abbas said the National Assembly was proposing new initiatives, including reserved parliamentary seats for women, reserved parliamentary seats for Persons With Disability (PLWDs), a constitutional role and financial autonomy for traditional rulers, a single-day election, among others.

He explained that it was the thinking of many members of the National Assembly that a single-day election would not only improve efficiency and transparency in electoral conduct but also reduce costs by almost 40 per cent.

He said: ‘Like the single-day election, it is to hold the election of the president, National Assembly membership, governorship and state House of Assembly membership elections on the same day.

‘In our own thinking, it will help to reduce our electoral costs to as much as 40 per cent if we can hold the elections within a day. It will also improve transparency and increase efficiency, particularly on the turnout of voters.’

The Speaker, however, urged the EU to assist the National Assembly in the area of advocacy and publicity, especially at the subnational level.

‘One takeaway from this meeting is to take the assurance from me and my colleagues that we will not be late. We will do the needful as far as legislation is concerned to enable INEC to have all the necessary tools and provisions to make the 2027 election much better than the 2023 election,’ he said.

Leader of the delegation, Andrews, who earlier wished the Speaker a happy 60th birthday, thanked him for working with the EU on different policies.

Andrews, a European Parliamentary member, expressed the desire of the EU to see Nigeria’s democracy and elections meet international standards.

He told Abbas that part of the recommendations in the 2023 election report required legislative initiatives. He admitted that some had been carried out by the National Assembly.

‘We have a good story to tell, frankly,’ Andrews said, but expressed concerns about the possibility of an amended Electoral Act being ready for use by INEC to conduct the 2027 polls.

INEC seeks quick amendment to Electoral Act

Receiving the EU team, INEC chairman Yakubu charged the National Assembly to quicken the amendment to the current Electoral Act.

He warned that the non-existence of a new legal framework could negatively affect its preparations for the 2027 elections.

‘We appeal to the National Assembly for an expeditious consideration of the electoral reform proposal. An early passage of law is critical to our planning for the elections,” Yakubu said.

He added: ‘An Election is a process governed by law. Many of your recommendations require the review of our electoral laws. For this reason, the commission had interfaced with our National Assembly, including holding a retreat with the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters (Senate and House of Representatives).

”Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the Commission as the election draws nearer.’

The INEC boss told the delegation that their current visit was the third ‘ that the present commission is receiving such a mission.”

He said: ”I recall that in 2017, we received Mr Santiago Fisas, who led the EU Election Observation to Nigeria’s 2015 General Election.

”Similarly, in 2022, we hosted Maria Arena, who led the EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria in 2019. Today, we are glad to receive Mr Barry Andrews, who led the EU Mission to the 2023 general election.

‘In 2019, the EU EOM made 30 recommendations, out of which 11 were specifically addressed to INEC. Three of them were identified as priority recommendations, while eight were categorised as general.

‘By comparison, your 2023 report made 23 recommendations, out of which eight (34.8 per cent) require action by INEC, of which only one recommendation was listed as a priority.

”The remaining 15 (65.2 per cent) recommendations, of which five were categorised as priority, require action by other entities in the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary, as well as political parties and multiple stakeholders such as civil society organisations, the media and professional bodies.

‘The commission has carefully considered all eight recommendations specifically addressed to us in your report. Action has been taken on aspects of the recommendations that only require administrative action to implement.

‘Similarly, action is being taken on cross-cutting recommendations that require collective action between INEC and other bodies and stakeholders while waiting for the conclusion of the ongoing legal review by the National Assembly on the recommendations that require legislative intervention.

‘To this end, the commission has prepared a detailed response on each one of your direct observations, which we shared with you at this meeting. If time permits, we can go over each of the recommendations seriatim.

‘I must also add that your recommendations, along with similar reports from other national and international election observers, were the subject of wide-ranging consultations with critical institutions and stakeholders during our own review of the 2023 general election.

‘The review report contains 142 recommendations for electoral reform. In addition, the commission published our main 2023 general election report over a year ago. The two reports are available from our website.

‘We look forward to the next EU EOM for the 2027 General Election. As you are aware, international Election Observation Missions are deployed on the invitation of the commission. I want to reassure you that we will continue to engage with you.’

‘Very soon, the commission will send out invitations to the EU as well as the Commonwealth, the African Union and ECOWAS for the 2027 general election. We believe that the recommendations arising from your observation of our election and electoral process help to improve the quality of our elections and electoral activities.’

The delegation told Yakubu that the EU was pleased with the implementation of some of its recommendations on the 2023 general election by INEC

He insisted that Nigeria must move beyond half-measures.

Andrews pointed out that election observation is not about interference, but strengthening democracy in Nigeria, in Africa, and across the world.

Andrews warned that reforms in the judiciary, administration, and the Constitution remain too slow, with transparency in result publication still unresolved.

Former Oyo State First Lady and wife of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Ayaba Mutiat Ladoja, has donated over N2 million in cash and several million worth of items to at least 16 orphanages and care homes for Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD) as part of activities marking her 70th birthday.

She urged government at all levels, corporate bodies, and well-meaning individuals to be more responsive to the challenges faced by PLWDs, stressing that they deserve love, care, and opportunities rather than discrimination.

Ayaba Ladoja added that many PLWDs possess untapped potential that can be nurtured through scholarships and other forms of support to help them achieve greatness in life.

She said, ‘I started associating with the Persons Living with Disabilities 30 years ago. I have been using the few resources that God blesses me with to assist them.

‘They deserve our attention, love, and care. Rather than looking down on them, we should identify their potential and build on it.

‘We should let them have a sense of belonging. They are part of society. The government at all levels, corporate organisations, and individuals should intensify their efforts towards them.

‘Disabilities can come in any form. It comes with age. It can come through accident and any other forms, hence the reason we must not look down on them. We all have our disabilities.

‘When they want to cross the road, assist them instead of making a mockery of their situation. Also, assist them with the little that you have. Don’t wait until you have millions of naira in your account

‘I started what we are witnessing today 30 years ago. It has become my way of life, and I thank the likes of Babs Oduyoye for sharing the vision.

‘Today, I will be giving N100,000 to 15 Homes, two wheelchairs, two bags of rice each, two cartons of Indomie each, and cartons of soap

‘Also, five vulnerable people will be assisted with Deep chest freezers and grinding machines to start their businesses.

‘My message to us is that we should show them love, attention, and care.’

More than 200 PLD attended the birthday celebrations with members of the PLD community on the live band stand.

Delivering a public lecture earlier at the event, the Chief Imam, Oluyole Estate Extension, Southwest, Ring Road, Ibadan, Alhaji Mudashiru Bada quoted various philosophers and views of scholars that have shaped the thinking of people on perseverance and resilience.

Speaking on the topic: ‘Celebrating the woman of substance at 70’, the guest lecturer noted that Ayaba Ladoja, despite being out of government for years, has never withdrawn her support for a pet project she started while in office as the First Lady.

He described the monarch’s wife as a landscape of charity in the eyes of a discerning mind, urging her not to relent in her vision of giving succour to humanity within the limit of her visionary capacity to the glory of God and admiration of mankind.

Bada said, ‘This summarises my definitions of our dear mama of substance. Her Excellency Ayaba Mutiat Ladoja, who, despite that she is no longer in governance, has never withdrawn her profound and unwavering commitment in respect of her Idera De Pet project, her servitude to God through succor to humanity.

‘A woman of vision and a landscape in the eye of a discerning mind she is, allowing others to see the hope inside and beyond.’