MILESTONES: The key social events of last week that caught PREMIUM TIMES’ attention

ANNIVERSARY:

Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian president, on Saturday, March 5, 2016, clocked 79.

His birthday celebration featured some programmes, including an international colloquium with the theme, “Human Security, Violent Extremism and Radicalisation, Seeking Sustainable Solutions.”

The President, Muhammadu Buhari, while congratulating Mr. Obasanjo, said he has contributed immensely to the institutionalization of democracy in Nigeria and Africa through his “personal sacrifice, extensive local and international networks, and God-given wisdom.”

Mr. Obasanjo was military head of state between 1976-1979 when he handed over power to a civilian government.

He returned to power in 1999 through elections, shortly after he had suffered detention at the hands of another military, Sani Abacha. He left office in 2007, after two four-year terms. Mr. Obasanjo is a farmer, educationist, activist and businessman.

Ondo State 40^th anniversary, a commemoration of the creation of the state 40 years ago, featured a week-long schedule of events held between February 22 and 27 in different forms and with fanfare. The state government used the occasion to showcase some critical milestones attained at certain epochs by leaders who brought patriotism and selfless service to play.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko, also used the opportunity to flaunt his achievements as governor of the state in the last seven years.

Besides politics, residents had a lot to celebrate given the giant strides attained since the advent of Mr. Mimiko’s achievements.

At the event to mark the anniversary, visitors such as former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku and Senator Ben Muray-Bruce, praised the revolution in the health sector in the state.

Mr. Anyaoku recalled his last visit to the state 51 years ago, when he spent a night in Akure along with his wife on their way to Anambra State. He reported that the state had witnessed a huge difference and a manifest economic and infrastructural development since he first visited.

A visit to the medical village in Ondo City, which is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, was all it took to convince the visiting dignitaries  that the state had witnessed tremendous achievements.

It was also a moment to recall the sacrifices of Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Bamidele Isola Olumilua, Adebayo Adefarati and Olusegun Agagu.

The roll call of dignitaries in attendance include governors of the state during the military era. They include Wing Commander Ita David Ikpeme, Brigadier Isijolomi Tuayo, Commodore Michael Otiko, Capt. Okhai Akhigbe, Col. Ekundayo Opeleye, Navy Capt. Olabode George, Navy Capt. Sunday Olukoya, Lt. Col. Mike Torey, Col. Ahmed Usman, Navy Comm. Anthony Onyearegbulem and Col. Moses Fasanya.

Although workers of the state were owed months of unpaid salaries at the time celebration held, the moment seemed to usher in a ray of hope, and desire to persevere believing that history itself had taught enough lessons that could help refocus governance in the state.

APPOINTED:

Dakuku Peterside, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the last Rivers State election, was on Thursday, March 10, 2016, appointed Director General of Nigerian Maritime administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr. Peterside has a doctorate degree in Management Science from the University of Port Harcourt and an MBA in Business Administration.

He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.MLS) in Hematology from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

Shehu Idris, the 18^th Fulani Emir of Zauzau, was on Saturday, February 27, 2016, officially unveiled as Chancellor of the University of Abuja.

The event was part of the combined convocation ceremony of the institution, covering 2011-2015 sessions.

The Emir who had served in various capacities and in many academic institutions, immediately after his investiture proceeded to perform the confirmation of the various degrees awarded to the graduating students.

Kennedy Uzoka, who led the recent reforms in the United Bank for Africa(UBA) Group, was on Tuesday March 1, 2016, appointed the Group Managing Director of the bank, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

His appointment takes effect from August 1, 2016.

Mr.  Uzoka succeeds Phillips Oduoza, who retires on July 31 after two terms of leading the UBA Group.

He was noted to have led the transformation agenda of the bank, after returning from completing the Advanced Management Programme at the Harvard Business School.

He has over two and half decades of experience in commercial banking, strategy and business transformation.

Before his stint at Harvard, he served as Deputy Managing Director, UBA group, and was also the CEO of UBA Africa, responsible for the Group’s operations in 18 countries across Africa.

He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Benin and holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos.

Saliu Adetunji, Ogungunniso I, was on Friday, March 4, crowned the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan.

He was presented with a certificate and staff of office at exactly 1:30 p.m on that day by Governor Ajimobi of Oyo State, at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

His coronation took place amidst fanfare and royal splendor. But he had earlier undergone series of traditional rites before his official coronation.

He succeeds the late Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, who passed on in his sleep on Tuesday, January 19, 2016.

Before his selection as Olubadan, Oba Adetunji was the Balogun of Ibadan land, and was the next in rank to his predecessor.

He began his climb to the exalted stool  in 1972 when he became the Mogaji of Ladunni compound in Ibadan, and went on in 1976 to be confirmed  as the Jagun of Ibadan land, a position he held since 1973 before becoming the Olubadan.

Taofeek Adejare Owoseni, a leading business management icon, was appointed member of the Osun State University Advancement Board by the institution’s governing council.

He was appointed along with other important persons such as Kayode Sofola(SAN), Yusuff Ali (SAN), Alade Adebola, Segun Aina, Demola Aladekomo and Adumola Adepoju.

The board has a mandate to articulate strategies for attracting donations in cash and kind to the university on a continuous basis as well as create safe and adequate investment modules that would enhance the funds accruing from its activities.

LAUNCHED:

SAFFGLIA, the Segun Adeleye Foundation for Good Leadership in Africa committed to encouraging governments across Africa to embrace good governance, was on Thursday, March 10, unveiled in Lagos.

The foundation hopes to uplift the standard of living of the people through governance and leadership.

The event, which held at the Afe Babalola Hall of the University of Lagos was attended by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, the Governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, the Chairman of Bi-Courtney, Wale Babalakin, among others.

Mr. Mohammed was the guest speaker, and presented a paper on  “Setting Agenda For Good Leadership in Africa”.

The event also featured  the launch of a book: “So Long Too Long Nigeria, written by Segun Adeleye, Founder of SAFFGLIA and President/CEO, World Stage Limited.

PASSAGE:

Eskor Toyo, Renowned academic, essayist and human rights activists, was on Saturday, March 5, 2016, buried in his hometown in Ekim in Udungoko Local Government of Akwa Ibom State.

He was a retired Professor of Economics with the University of Calabar and died in Calabar at the age of 86.

His funeral was somewhat peculiar in the sense that he was buried without the involvement of Christian, Islamic or, traditional institutions.

Instead, his funeral was conducted by his comrades and colleagues from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) from across the country, as well as officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

In spite of this, the burial witnessed a lot of tributes.

“The burial did not bear any traditional or religious colouration. It was a secular burial; we buried our comrade in a comrade way,” one of his associates, Nse Paulinus, declared.

Born in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, in 1929, Mr. Toyo, a professor of Economics, was a national trustee of the Academic Staff Union of University for about two decades.

He had his early education in Oron, Lagos and later in Calabar.

Late Toyo was vice president of the Nigerian Economic Society, NES, consultant on economic issues in several Nigerian agencies and the Government of Ghana.