Flowerbud News

Year: 2026

  • Ojude Oba a symbol of unity, culture, economic growth- Abiodun

    Ojude Oba a symbol of unity, culture, economic growth- Abiodun

     

     

    By Abiodun Lawal 

    Ijebu Ode (Ogun),  The ancient town of Ijebu-Ode on Friday came alive with colours, glamour and cultural displays during the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that thousands of residents, tourists, dignitaries and cultural enthusiasts stormed the venue in celebration of one of Africa’s foremost cultural festivals.

    The festival featured horse-riding processions, traditional music, richly embroidered attires and elegant performances by various Regberegbe groups.

    Speaking at the festival, Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun described Ojude Oba as a symbol of peaceful coexistence and communal harmony.

    Abiodun said the state government had positioned the festival as a flagship of its tourism development agenda.

    According to him, the festival has significant cultural and economic value for Ogun state and Nigeria at large.

    “We are building a state that honours its heritage because culture remains our identity and a source of economic opportunity,” he said.

    The governor noted that hotels, businesses, artisans and transport operators benefitted immensely from the festival.

    He said the government would continue collaborating with stakeholders to expand the festival’s global visibility.

    Abiodun described the 2026 edition as historic, being the first celebration since the passing of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

    He paid tribute to the late traditional ruler, describing his 65-year reign as transformative for traditional leadership and Ijebuland.

    According to him, the late Awujale insisted before his transition that Ojude Oba must continue uninterrupted.

    Abiodun commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting Ijebuland during the King’s transition period.

    The governor also urged Nigerians to remember victims of insecurity and pray for families affected by violence nationwide.

    He praised the organisers and Regberegbe groups for preserving the cultural heritage of Ijebuland.

    “Today, Ojude Oba stands as a symbol of unity, continuity and cultural pride,” the governor added.

    He urged younger generations to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage handed down by their forebears.

    Chairman of the Ojude Oba Planning Committee, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, described the festival as a celebration of identity and continuity.

    Okuboyejo said the 2026 edition was emotional and historic following the demise of Oba Adetona.

    Dignitaries at the event included Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Minister of State for Health, Dr Isiaq Salako, former Governor Olusegun Osoba and other traditional rulers. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

  • Sallah: Ansar-Ud-Deen Society’s president charges Nigerians on kindness, love to fellow citizens

    Sallah: Ansar-Ud-Deen Society’s president charges Nigerians on kindness, love to fellow citizens

     

    National President,
    Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Mr Mosediq-Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, has urged Nigerians, especially leaders and privileged members of the society, to extend kindness to fellow citizens.

    Kazeem, in his Sallah message made available on Wednesday to newsmen, also urged Nigerians to show love on the occasion of this year’s Eid-ul-Kabir.

    The president, who acknowledged the economic challenges in the country, said that by coming together as a people, the country would overcome all challenges.

    According to him, many Nigerians continue to face difficult realities, adding that families are making extraordinary efforts to meet basic obligations and provide for their loved ones amid economic pressures and uncertainties.

    “Many citizens remain concerned about issues affecting their daily lives, including the cost of living, security, social cohesion and opportunities for the future.

    “As people of faith, we must not be indifferent to these realities.

    “We must acknowledge them with sincerity and respond with compassion, understanding and a renewed sense of collective responsibility and purpose.”

    Kazeem stated that true devotion required discipline, patience and selflessness and reminded us of higher responsibilities owed to humanity and society.

    He also reminded those entrusted with leadership that this season should serve as a reminder that public office remained a trust.

    Kazeem advised citizens to reject dishonesty, corruption, intolerance and actions that could undermine the progress and stability of the nation.

    “For parents and guardians, it is a reminder of the responsibility to nurture future generations with sound values, discipline and education.

    “For religious leaders and community leaders, it is a call to continue promoting moderation, peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding.

    “For those whom Allah has blessed with resources and opportunities, Kazeem said the celebration was an opportunity to extend support and kindness to the less privileged and vulnerable within our communities.”

    He urged citizens to resist every tendency that could create divisions among the people.

    “We must choose dialogue over hostility, understanding over prejudice and cooperation over confrontation,” he said.

    According to him, nations flourish when their citizens unite around common ideals and shared responsibilities.

    “We therefore have a collective duty to build bridges of understanding across ethnic, religious and social boundaries,” he said.

    He extended warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations to all Muslims in Nigeria and across the world on the occasion of this year’s Eid-ul-Kabir celebration.

  • Case transfer: Supreme Court okays NIMASA’s appeal against lower court judgement

    Case transfer: Supreme Court okays NIMASA’s appeal against lower court judgement

     

    The Supreme Court has okayed an appeal filed by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) against a judgement of the Appeal Court transferring a case to the Federal High Court (FHC).

    The Court of Appeal in Lagos, in its consequential order, had directed a Lagos State High Court to transfer a suit filed by two claimants against NIMASA and three others to the FHC for accelerated hearing and determination.

    The appellate court held that the Lagos court had no jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

    Dissatisfied with the appellate court judgment, NIMASA approached the Supreme Court for proper interpretation.

    The regulatory agency named the claimants; the Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd and its Chairman, Cap. Emmanuel Ihenacho (rtd.), a former Minister of Interior, as 1st and 2nd respondents in the appeal.

    In its appellant’s brief filed by Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, NIMASA argued that Section 15 of Court of Appeal Act which the Appeal Court relied on was wrongly invoked as the trial Lagos State High Court lacked powers to transfer a matter to the Federal High Court.

    The agency argued that there was no provision in the High Court Law which empower the trial court to transfer cases in which it lacks jurisdiction to the Federal High Court.

    It submitted that while FHC could make an order transferring a matter in which it lacked jurisdiction to a state high court based on Section 22(2) of the Federal High Court Act (as amended), the latter court cannot make the same order of transfer under Section 22(3) of the Act.

    On their part, the 1st and 2nd respondents, represented by Emmanuel Ekpenyong Esq. of the law firm of Fred-Young & Evans LP, urged the apex court to determine whether the court below rightly invoked the provisions in contest.

    Ekpenyong, who prayed the court to dismiss the appeal, inter alia, submitted that Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act vests the court below with the power to make any order in ensuring matters are determined on their merit.

    “The consequential order made by the Court of Appeal was pursuant to its powers under Section 15 of its Act,” he said.

    A five-panel member of the apex court, in a unanimous judgement delivered by Justice Moore Adumein, set aside the Appeal Court decision.

    Although the apex court judgment was delivered on April 17, its certified true copy was sighted on Friday in Abuja.

    The panel held that what the appellate court ought to have done was to strike out the suit, having found that the High Court of Lagos State had no jurisdiction to hear the suit.

    “It should be noted that the general principle of law is that where a court lacks jurisdiction to entertain a cause or matter, the appropriate or proper order to make is to strike it out.

    “It also is settled that the Federal High Court has the competence to transfer a cause or matter to a High Court of a state or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja by virtue of Section 22 (2) of the Federal High Court Act (as amended).

    “On the other hand, the High Court of a state, like the High Court of Lagos State, cannot transfer a cause or matter to the Federal High Court, where it has no jurisdiction to entertain it.

    “And it has no rule of procedure which enables it to transfer the action, cause, matter or suit to the Federal High Court,” the apex court held.

    The claimants; the Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd and the ex-minister had filed the suit marked: LD/ADR/91/2013 at the Lagos State High Court.

    They named NIMASA, Ziakade Patrick Akpobolokemi, Barrister Callistus Nwabueze Obi and Hajia Lami Tumaka as 1st to 4th defendants respectively, and demanded N90 billion, N349 million in damages.

    The claimants also sought an order of injunction compelling the defendants to publish a retraction and an apology on NIMASA’s website, Guardian, Thisday and Punch Newspapers over the arrest of the former minister and allegations of oil theft and involvement in illegal oil dealings against the company.

    But the defendants filed statements of defence and preliminary objections challenging the competence of the suit.

    NIMASA, in its objection, argued that the suit ought to be struck out because the Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, and it was an abuse of court process in the light of pendency of another suit, marked: FHC/L/1177/2012, at Federal High Court in Lagos.

    But Justice S.B.A Candide-Johnson of the Lagos State High Court dismissed the objection.

    Dissatisfied with the ruling, NIMASA approached a Lagos Court of Appeal challenging the ruling.

    The appellate Court, in its judgment, held that the appeal was meritorious.

    The panel allowed the appeal and set aside the ruling of the trial court.

    The appellate court further ordered that the suit be transferred to the Federal High Court Lagos Division for assignment by the FHC Chief Judge for accelerated hearing and determination.

    It said the order was in line with the powers conferred on it by Section 15 of the Court’s Act and acting inconsonance with Section 22(3) of the Federal High Court Act 2005 (as amended).

  • Alleged withheld entitlements: 176 retired comptrollers sue Minister, NIS, others

    Alleged withheld entitlements: 176 retired comptrollers sue Minister, NIS, others

     

    Former officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), who retired on the rank of Comptroller of Immigration, have sued the Minister of Interior over alleged failure to pay their withheld entitlements.

    The aggrieved ex-officials, in a suit filed at the the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), alleged that NIS and other relevant bodies had failed to accord them their entitlements since they retired years ago.

    The 176 claimants, led by Abalaka-Betty Ajuma, through their lawyer, Maroof Giwa, named the Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as 1st defendant in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/146/2026.

    They also named the NIS’ CG, Kemi Nandap; NIS; the Civil Defence; Correctional, Fire and Immigration Board (CDCFIS); the CDCFIS Chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr lateef Fagbemi, SAN, as co-defendants.

    The claimants stated that by the condition of service of the NIS, published in a gazette released by the Federal Government in 2015, they were entitled to a car, domestic staff, among others, upon their retirement at the rank of Comptroller.

    They, however, alleged that the entitlements had been denied since they exited service honourably years ago.

    They gave the name of the gazette as: “Unified and Reviewed Conditions of Service for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Fire, Nigeria Immigration and Nigeria Prisons Services hereinafter referred to as “Conditions of Service, 2015.”

    The claimants stated that the gazette expressly provides that any officer of the NIS, who retires on the rank of Comptroller of Immigration, shall be entitled to one official car and the services of five domestic staff on various salary levels.

    The retirees, who said they satisfied all conditions for the enjoyment of the retirement entitlements, stated that “it is customary and obligatory on the defendants to give out cars to retiring personnel on the rank of Comptroller of Immigration and above.”

    They added that despite their retirement on the qualifying rank of Comptroller of Immigration, “the defendants have failed, refused, and neglected to provide them with the official cars or the monetary equivalents thereof.”

    The claimants stated that they retired at different years, adding that upon retirement, they became immediately entitled to the benefits on retirement, stipulated in the gazetted condition of service of the NIS.

    They said their decision to sue was informed by the alleged failure of the defendants to heed their demands contained in the many reminders and pre-action notices sent by their lawyers.

    The claimants want the court to, among others, declare that each of them is entitled to be provided with one car as benefits on retirement under the gazetted condition of service of 2015, having retired on the rank of Comptroller of Immigration.

    They also seek a declaration that the defendant’s alleged failure to provide them with the said entitlements as stipulated in the unified condition of service is unlawful, wrongful and unconstitutional.

    The aggrieved retirees want the court to issue an order directing the defendants to provide them with the entitlements or N15 million each in the place of a physical car.

    The case, assigned to Justice Rakiya Haastrup, had been fixed for June 23 for hearing.

  • Cabota Power Ltd opt for reconciliation as court adjourns matter

    Cabota Power Ltd opt for reconciliation as court adjourns matter

     

    A firm, Cabota Power Company Limited has broken its silence on the ongoing case before the Federal High Court of Nigeria, saying the dispute stems from a currency swap deal with Ocean Lord Limited and stressing that business operations remain unaffected.

    Speaking through its legal team, led by Bar. Solomon Muazu, on Friday, the firm noted it would not delve into issues reserved for the court.

    Muazu, in a statrment, said this was out of respect for judicial sanctity and the subjudice rule.

    According to the statement, the matter arose from a commercial transaction within an existing business relationship between Cabota Power and Ocean Lord Ltd.

    The company described it as a contractual disagreement, not a breakdown of operations.

    Cabota Power disclosed that it had already made substantial payments exceeding ₦450 million under the swap arrangement.

    The company said the complainant grew dissatisfied with the pace of payments, prompting legal action.

    The firm added that both parties have continued constructive talks aimed at settling the outstanding balance.

    Recent court filings, the statement said, reflected those ongoing settlement discussions.

    At the last adjourned sitting, the Federal High Court was briefed on the payment negotiations.

    The judge then adjourned the matter to dates in July and October, after the court’s annual vacation, to allow parties time to finalise a settlement agreement.

    Cabota Power reiterated its commitment to lawful conduct and responsible commercial practice.

    The company said it is pursuing all legitimate mechanisms that can lead to an amicable resolution in line with Nigerian law and standard business practice.

    The company also dismissed concerns about its financial health.

    It stated that the court case does not affect its operational capacity, business continuity or corporate obligations.

    Cabota Power cited active engagements with Access Bank UK Limited, which has offered a $16 million working facility, and ongoing repayment of the $3.7 million already drawn.

    “Additional partnerships with Zenith Bank, investors, technical partners, and other stakeholders remain intact,” the firm said.

    Management expressed confidence in the judicial process and optimism that the adjournment period will allow room for a commercially reasonable resolution.

    The solicitors commended stakeholders, clients, and financial institutions for their maturity and continued support.

    Cabota Power concluded that disputes rooted in contracts are often resolved through structured settlement and reconciliation, especially where there is evidence of substantial performance and willingness to settle.

  • ADC leadership crisis: CJ reassigns Nafiu-Bala Gombe’s case against Mark, Aregbesola

    ADC leadership crisis: CJ reassigns Nafiu-Bala Gombe’s case against Mark, Aregbesola

     

     

    The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), Justice John Tshoho, has reassigned a case filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of African Democratic Party (ADC), to another judge for adjudication.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered on Friday that the suit, which was before Justice Emeka Nwite, had been reassigned to Justice Peter Lifu following the former’s recent elevation to the Court of Appeal.

    The National Judicial Council (NJC), at its 111th meeting on May 13, had recommended the appointment of 12 new justices of the Court of Appeal, including Justice Nwite, to President Bola Tinubu for approval.

    Gombe, in the suit, is seeking an order restraining Sen. David Mark, the embattled National Chairman of ADC; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the National Secretary, and members of their interim National Working Committee (NWC) from parading themselves as the party’s leaders.

    He had argued that the emergence of Mark, Aregbesola and other NWC members as party’s leaders breached the provisions of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

    Gombe had sued ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Ralph Nwosu as 1st to 5th defendants respectively in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025.

    Nwosu was the former ADC National Chairman who stepped down for David Mark leadership of the party.

    Justice Nwite had, on April 14, adjourned the case sine die (indefinitely) following Gombe’s request to await the Supreme Court’s judgment in the appeal filed by Mark.

    However, the Supreme Court, on April 30, set aside the order made by the Court of Appeal in Abuja ordering the maintenance of status quo ante bellum in the leadership dispute in ADC, on which INEC acted in derecognising the Mark-led leadership of the party.

    The apex court ordered the parties to return to the FHC for expeditious hearing of the case filed by Gombe, an aggrieved chieftain of the party.

    When the case came up on May 8 before Justice Nwite following the Supreme Court order, Luka Haruna, SAN, who appeared for Gombe, sought the transfer of the case from Nwite to another judge.

    Although no reason was given, Haruna said a letter had been written to the CJ to the effect.

    But lawyers to the ADC, Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu, disagreed with the application.

    ADC’s counsel, Rilwan Okpanachi; Suleiman Usman, SAN, who appeared for Mark; Mohammed Sheriff, who represented Aregbesola; P. I. Oyewole, counsel for Chief Ralph Nwosu, and other lawyers in the case vehemently opposed Gombe’s request for the case transfer.

    The lawyers, who said that Gombe’s letter had not been served on them, described Haruna’s application as “an ambush.”

    They also considered the request as an attempt to fustrate the order of Appeal Court for accelerated hearing which was sustained by the Supreme Court.

    The defence lawyers, who described Gombe’s application as ‘forum shopping,” said the only good thing the application for the transfer of the matter had achieved was that the intergrity of the court had been confirmed.

    They said this was so because nothing had happened since the last adjournment.

    The lawyers said they maintained absolute confidence in the intergrity, impartiality and sound judicial discretion of Justice Nwite’s court.

    “The so-called letter in a normal view, is a fundamental breach of procedure, amounting in law to an illegality and not a mere irregularity,” they argued.

    They said they would have insisted that the court should go on with the hearing but for a certified true copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgmemt which was yet to be obtained, in order for the trial court to be properly guided by it.

    They, therefore, sought an indefinite adjournment to enable them furnish the judge with the CTC of the judgment and Justice Nwite adjourned the case sine die (indefinitely), pending when its CTC is gotten.

    NAN reports that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as ADC presidential candidate on May 27 after defeating two other aspirants.

  • Army says MASSOB directive on Church memorial for civil war victims illegal, disrupting peace

    Army says MASSOB directive on Church memorial for civil war victims illegal, disrupting peace

    Army says MASSOB directive on Church memorial for civil war victims illegal, disrupting peace

     

    The Nigerian Army says the directive of the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) on church memorial for civil war victims is illegal.

     

    In a statement on Friday in Enugu, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, said that the directive was aimed at disrupting the existing peace in South-East.

     

    “The attention of Headquarters Operation UDO KA has been drawn to an illegal directive issued by MASSOB, directing churches in the South-East and parts of the South-South to hold memorial services in honour of civil war victims on May 30.

     

    “Headquarters Operation UDO KA empathises deeply with families who lost loved ones during the civil war and acknowledge the sacrifices made to keep Nigeria united.

     

    “The memories of those who paid the ultimate price remain indelible in our national consciousness,” he said.

     

    Ayeni, however, said that it remained important to emphasise that there are already established national occasions legally recognised by the Federal Government to honour our fallen heroes.

     

    According to him, these included: the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Nigerian Army Day Celebration, and Nigeria’s Independence Day; as these solemn occasions provide lawful platforms for reflection, unity and remembrance.

     

    He noted that Operation UDO KA remembers with compassion the sacrifices of the fallen heroes, which can never be forgotten.

     

    “However, true honour, lies in unity, peace, and lawful remembrance, not in illegal directives by some irredentists aimed at sowing division and causing panic in the region.

     

    “The directive by MASSOB is therefore illegal, provocative, and must be disregarded by all.

     

    “Any gathering or activity outside the framework of lawful national commemorations is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

     

    “The Nigerian Army is aware that sympathisers of MASSOB and IPOB resolved to issue this illegal order to create chaos,” he said.

     

    The army spokesman advised clerics, innocent citizens and youths to stay away from such plans, which are designed to destabilise the peace enjoyed in the entire South-East.

     

    He said that Operation UDO KA reassured the general public, including churches, that they should go about their services and businesses without fear of intimidation.

     

    Ayeni said that any individual or group that disrupts public peace or religion activities would face the full weight of the law.

     

    “The Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with other security agencies remain committed to safeguarding lives, property and ensuring peace across the South-East,” he added.

  • Okolo claims victory, decries irregularities in NDC’s Enugu East/Isi-Uzo House of Representatives primaries

    Okolo claims victory, decries irregularities in NDC’s Enugu East/Isi-Uzo House of Representatives primaries

    Okolo claims victory, decries irregularities in NDC’s Enugu East/Isi-Uzo House of Representatives primaries

    An aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Enugu East/Isi-Uzo House of Representatives, Barr. Uchenna Okolo, has claimed victory and decried irregularities in the NDC’s held Enugu East/Isi-Uzo House of Representatives Primaries.

    .
    Okolo disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Nike Town Hall in Enugu East Council Area venue of the NDC Party Primaries on Friday.

    The NDC chieftain said that the mammoth number of his supporters, who are members of the NDC, filled the venue but they were denied access to be counted and participate in the primaries.

    He called on the national leadership of the party and it’s Sole Presidential Aspirant, Mr Peter Obi, to correct the charade that happened in the NDC House Representives Primaries in Enugu East and Isi-Uzo council areas that covers the Enugu East/Isi Uzo House of Representive seat.

    The NDC chieftain alleged that thugs by some “presumed godfather” of the party in the venue intimidated his overwhelming supporters, videographer and journalists meant to cover the event.

    According to him, although, my supporters, videographer and journalists were asked to leave by the thugs; but the massive voters gathered here are for me, you can see I have a massive crowd of NDC members following me.

    He said, “Even though the party said they should not declare a winner here, that it should be sent back to Abuja for them to declare a winner.

    “But it is obvious that I am the winner of the primaries they did today because people turned out for me. I am on ground. I have the capacity.

    “Nobody, among all the 10 people contesting for the seat have  the capacity to win during major election. I am on ground because I have been doing this before.

    “Even in my university days, I contested won as Financial Secretary. So, it is not a new thing for me to contest and win. Just, because, the people they call the godfather, they don’t want me to be the person.”

    Okolo also decried the alleged counting pattern of the allegedly deployed thugs, which jumps geometrically; adding: “So I thought this party is a party that will bring change to Nigerians.”

    “That is why I came back from New York to contest this, to vie for this position. But what I am seeing is almost the same thing with some political parties built on falsehood. I thought they said we want to change Nigeria.

    “They should not declare the person they said he won here the winner because the guy has no capacity and in proper election, he is not going to win because he has no capacity.

    “Nobody knows him. He is not on ground. And that is why they refuse to do the primaries. So what I’m saying and requesting from the party is to do the needful. I’m the right person for this job and I’m the right person that won.

    “So even if they do a transparent primaries 100 times, I am still going to win because I am on ground. Everybody knows me,” he said.

    He also alleged that the manipulators of the NDC primaries keep changing the venue for the primaries to be held in Isi-Uzo council area, which  covers the second council area making up the Enugu East/Isi-Uzo House of Representive seat.

    “If the party continue this way, we are not going to win the election. We cannot go with these people that are not on ground. They cannot even win the wards,” he added.

  • 2027 Elections: OOU to Host National Discourse on Leadership, Politics And Governance In Nigeria

    2027 Elections: OOU to Host National Discourse on Leadership, Politics And Governance In Nigeria

    As political activities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections continue to gain momentum, the Faculty of Social Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has announced plans to host a major discourse on leadership, politics and governance in the country.

    The event, which is the 4th edition of the Faculty of Social Sciences Open Lecture Series, is themed: “Politics and Governance in Nigeria: The Leadership Question.” It is scheduled to hold at the OGD Hall of the university’s main campus in Ago-Iwoye at 10:00 a.m.

    According to the Faculty, the lecture is designed to stimulate intellectual engagement on the persistent challenges confronting leadership and governance in Nigeria, particularly within the context of democratic consolidation, public accountability, national development and citizen participation.

    The lecture is expected to attract scholars, political leaders, policy experts, students, media practitioners, civil society actors and members of the public interested in governance and democratic development in Nigeria.

    The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ayodele Johnson Agboola, will serve as the Chief Host, while the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Dele Odunlami, is the Host of the event.

    Dr. Adebola Ismail Akindele, an entrepreneur, corporate strategist and public affairs commentator, will deliver the lecture. He is reputed for his experience in leadership, institutional management and governance.

    The Faculty noted that the choice of the lecture theme reflects growing national concern about the quality of political leadership and governance outcomes in the country amid economic uncertainties, security challenges, youth disenchantment and increasing demands for institutional reforms.

    Speaking ahead of the event, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Dele Odunlami, said the annual lecture series has continued to provide a platform for constructive engagement on contemporary national and global issues affecting society.

    He stated that the Faculty remains committed to advancing critical scholarship, policy discourse and interdisciplinary conversations capable of contributing to sustainable national development and democratic stability.

    According to him, universities must continue to provide intellectual direction and policy alternatives to societal challenges.

    “This lecture is part of our contribution to national conversations on governance, leadership and the future of Nigeria,” he said.

    Professor Odunlami further stated that the Faculty of Social Sciences has continued to expand the frontiers of research and public engagement through seminars, conferences and lectures addressing governance, democracy, media, development communication and social transformation.

    Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ayodele Johnson Agboola, described the lecture as timely, noting that higher institutions must remain active drivers of ideas, innovation and nation-building.

    He added that the university under his administration remains committed to strengthening academic excellence, research visibility and public intellectual engagement in line with the institution’s mandate and vision.

    Professor Agboola urged students, academics, policymakers and members of the public to take advantage of the lecture to deepen discussions on responsible leadership and good governance in Nigeria.

    The Faculty of Social Sciences of OOU has earned recognition for its contributions to scholarship, policy advocacy and professional training in political science, sociology, economics, psychology, geography, mass communication and criminology.

    The Faculty has also sustained active academic engagements through research initiatives, public lectures and collaborations focused on governance, democracy, sustainable development and societal wellbeing.

    The university, in recent months, has continued to host high-profile inaugural and public lectures as part of its commitment to intellectual discourse and academic advancement.

    Members of the university community, stakeholders and the general public have been invited to attend the lecture.

    Signed:
    Office of the Dean
    Faculty of Social Sciences
    Olabisi Onabanjo University

    29th May, 2026