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Nigerians Celebrate Renowned Industrialist Aare Rasaq Okoya At 80
Those who witness the 80th birthday celebration of renowned industrialist and business mogul, Aare Rasaq Okoya at his panache Oluwanishola Estate will readily agreed that it was the first-class party, which will remain unforgettable in memories of those that attend the first-class party for a very long time.
The highlight of the event was the cutting of birthday cake by the celebrator flanked by Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Governor of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu among others.
The vice president, who presided over the cutting of the cake, prayed God to grant Okoya 100 years, preserve him and keep him in good health.
For a man who started from a very humble and poor beginning, eking out a living from petty trading, to rise to the topmost echelon as an industrial giant, it should not surprise anyone that his 80th has been celebrated in amidst pomp and the ceremony, starting with a thanksgiving prayer with him and close members of the illustrious Okoya family, led by prominent Islamic clerics.
The build-up of the much-awaited history-making birthday celebrations of business mogul, Alhaji Rasak Akanni Okoya clustered with the A-list guests as the ambiance is engrossed in anticipation of what to come. The guests were thrilled by renditions from different musicians, as the vice president and former President Olusegun Obasanjo stepped out with the birthday boy; Okoya on the dance floor.
As expected his circle of equally stupendously rich friends and associates are all gathered in his massive estate to celebrate the milestone age with him, likes of notable Nigerians that attended the event were the royal father of the day, Ooni Of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, businessman, Aliko Dangote as well as traditional rulers.
While his youngest wife, elegant and charming Sade Okoya, she is on her toes to make sure that the commemorative birthday party was the talk in town as she has put all necessary logistics like maximum security, sumptuous dishes, vintage drinks, good music and sundry merriments in place which make the day a memorable one.
Top on the list that grace the event is Princess Dr. Toyin Kolade, Shinna Peller, Mayor Akinpelu, Dele Momodu, Seye Kehinde, Mr Moses, Joke Shogunro, Aare Bashir Olawale Fakorede and lovely wife Yeye Aare Basirat Fakorede, Femi Pedro and his beautiful wife, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Emeka Anyaoku, Prince Subomi Balogun, Justice Oguntade and wife, Dr. Samuel Adedoyin and wife, HRM. Oba Adeyeye Ogunnusi Ooni of Ife, HRM. Oba Adesina Adenugba, Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Sir (Dr.) Adebukunola Kesington Adebutu, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Okiki Obasanjo, former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prince Samuel Adedoyin and wife Toyin, Ambassador George Oguntade and wife Modupe, Kunle and Ojuolape Ojora, Chief Subomi and Abimbola Balogun, Oba Otudeko, Mr. Demola Seriki, Sir. Segun Okeowo and wife, Sir. Alex Duduyemi, Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Mrs. Abimbola Jakande, Engr. Funso Joko Akin-George, Chief Emeka and Bunmi Anyaoku, Mr. Femi and Jumoke Pedro, Modele Sarafa Yusuff, Chief Bisi Olatilo, Chief Dele Momodu, Gbenga Adeyinka; TAA, Mrs. Daisy Danjuma, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, wife of the former governor of Lagos State, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Prof. Wale and Sade Omole, Chief Alao and Kemi Akala, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Segun and Bola Awolowo, Chief Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former Governor of Delta State, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Osile Oke Ona Egba and his Three Oloris, Senator Prince Lanre Tejuoso, Sir. JK Randle, Olori Ladun Sijuade, Professor Pat Utomi, Dame Abimbola Fashola, Mrs. Sarah Sosan, Senator Ibikunle and Funso Amosu, HE Prince Dapo Abiodun, Executive Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, HRM. Oba Saheed Elegusi, Sina Peller, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Chief Wasiu Ayinde, Sir Sina Peters, Mr. David Adeleke a.k.a Davido, Alhaji Musiliu Haruna Ishola, Chief Mrs. Nike Akande, Mr. Paul Ruwase, Chief Wale Babalakin, Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, Derin Osoba, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs. Maiden-Alex Ibru, Publisher, The Guardian Newspapers Limited, Olorogun Oscar Ibru, Chief Odein Ajumogobia, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor of Lagos State, Tessa Ikimi, Sena Anthony, Abiola Atanda, Evangelist Esther Ajayi and Husband, Mr. Kola Abiola, Mrs. Kemi Mimiko, Joe Odumakin, Members of Island Club, Lagos, Olorogun Sonny Kuku, John and Sola Momoh, Chief Florence Ita Giwa, Mr.&Mrs. Sunny Omoregie JP, many societies women who glow in various exotic attires and fabrics.
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Beejay Sax performed to the entertainment the special guests and the big stage is shared by two major compares in the MC industry, Gbenga Adeyinka the 1st and Tee-A, while The 1st Mayegun Of Yoruba Land, K1 De’ Ultimate, Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Arunna Ishola, Sir Shinna Petters, Davido and others trill the guest to unforgettable and unlimited funfair which make the birthday as a carnival alike celebration.






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Investors Affirm Support For Fidelity Bank Plc With 238% Oversubscription In The First Phase Of Equity Capital Raise

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the successful conclusion of the first tranche of its equity capital raise through its Public Offer and Rights Issue (the Combined Offer) following the completion of the capital verification exercise conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and approval of the Basis of Allotment by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
A total of 108,046 applications for 23,791,687,463 Ordinary Shares totaling ₦231,968,952,764.25 were received on the Public Offer. Out of these, 107,588 applications for 23,768,724,000 Ordinary Shares totaling ₦231,745,059,000.00 were found to be valid based on the terms of the Offer and the CBN’s verification. However, 458 invalid applications for 22,765,143 Ordinary Shares totaling ₦221,960,144.25 were rejected, while 548 applications which included odd lots amounting to 198,320 Ordinary Shares (i.e. ₦1,933,620.00) were also rejected. The Public Offer was 237% subscribed and 150% allotted.
With respect to the Rights Issue, 7,559 applications for 4,430,290,237 Ordinary Shares totaling ₦40,980,184,692.25 were received of which 656 applications for 23,037,442 Ordinary Shares totaling ₦213,096,338.50 were invalid based on the terms of the Rights Issue. The Rights Issue was 137.73% subscribed and 100% allotted.
“We are delighted to announce the successful completion of the first phase of our capital raising initiatives through a Public Offer and Rights Issue. The positive result recorded in our Combined Offer is a testament to the strength of the Fidelity Bank franchise in the capital market. It is both gratifying and humbling to note this level of investor confidence in our Bank. We extend sincere gratitude to our investors for their continued confidence in the Bank, as evidenced by the 237.92% and 137.73% oversubscription of our Public Offer and Rights Issue respectively. As we go into the next phase of our capital raising drive, we reaffirm our commitment to providing cutting-edge financial solutions to our customers and sustainable returns to our stakeholders”, commented Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, OON, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc.
The funds realised from this initial phase of capital raising will be deployed to local and international business expansion, enhancement of technology infrastructure and deepening customer service initiatives.
With the successful conclusion of the first phase of capital raising, the Board of Directors recently obtained the approval of shareholders to commence the second phase and is confident of meeting the new regulatory capital for banks with international authorisation before the CBN’s deadline of March 31, 2026.
Following the CBN’s publication of the revised minimum capital requirement for banks in March 2024, Fidelity Bank with its combined offer of June 2024, became the first financial institution undertake a public offer on the Nigerian Exchange Group.
From an offer price of N9.75 per share for the Public Offer and N9.25 per share for the Rights Issue in June 2024, the Bank’s shares traded at a high of N21.15 on February 7, 2025, a growth rate of over 116%, the highest for any financial institution in the banking industry.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 8.5 million customers through digital banking channels, its 251 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the Export Finance Bank of the Year at the 2023 BusinessDay Awards; the Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023; and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards. It was also recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023 and the Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria by the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2023.
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Video: I Won’t Apologise For Your ‘Forgetfulness’ – Naja’atu Muhammad dares Ribadu

Founder and Chairman board of trustees of the Northern Star Youth Initiatives, Hajia Naja’atu Muhammad, has reacted to reports of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, demanding apology over her viral TikTok video.
Naja’atu, in a recent video sighted by our correspondent, dared the NSA to go to court if he has issues with her statement, saying she’s not ready to apologise for his ‘forgetfulness’.
Meanwhile, Hajia Muhammad, in the viral TikTok video, claimed that the current NSA is serving in President Bola Tinubu’s government, whom he had criticised as ‘corrupt’ when he was the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, Tribune Online reports that the NSA Ribadu, through his lawyer, Dr Ahmed Raji (SAN), said he never publicly or privately accused Tinubu of being a corrupt government official.
The NSA therefore urged Naja’atu Muhammad to tender an unreserved apology, noting that the damage had been done to his reputation.
But Naja’atu Muhammad, while responding, said she stood by her original statement and would never be intimidated by those she referred to as “attack dogs” from the NSA.
She said, “There’s no retreat. No surrender. No apologies to Nuhu Ribadu. I’m speaking in response to the recent threats and intimidation by Nuhu Ribadu using his attack dogs and his lawyer, Ahmed Raji and Co.
“Regarding my statement that the then chairman of the EFCC had publicly accused the then Governor of Lagos State, Ahmed Bola Tinubu of being and I quote ‘a corrupt government official who will not escape justice’.”
Continuing, she noted her acknowledgment of the possibility of Nuhu Ribadu to have forgotten or retracted his past comment, but stated that her words accurately reflected her views on the matter already in public domain.
“While I acknowledged that Nuhu Ribadu might have forgotten or chosen to retract his comment from the past, I stand by my statement and do not believe an apology is warranted. Apology to whom exactly? To President Tinubu for the earlier comments made by his now National Security Advisor? Or apology to Nuhu Ribadu for his forgetfulness and master-serving mindset.
“I stand by my original statement and will not be retracting it. My words accurately reflect my views on the matter based on what is already in the public domain. And I do not believe an apology or retraction is necessary,” Naja’atu Muhammad added.
The Northern Star Youth Initiative leader urged the NSA to approach the court as he has threatened, saying, “I will not compromise my position to appease Nuhu Ribadu and his attack dogs. I will not retract my statement nor will I apologize for speaking the truth as I see it. You have issues, as you’ve threatened; please go straight to the court. But nothing will silence me.”
Video:
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Speaker Mojisola Meranda Calls For United Action To End Female Genital Mutilation

Lagos Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda has reaffirmed commitment to ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), calling for a united front against the practice.
In a statement marking the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, Meranda condemned the violation of human rights that affects millions of girls and women worldwide.
Meranda emphasised the need for accelerated efforts to end FGM, stressing that it’s a responsibility that goes beyond governments to every individual. She vowed to push for policies that raise awareness and protect potential victims, ensuring the health, dignity, and rights of young girls are safeguarded.
She said: “This year’s theme, #StepUpThePace, is a call to action. We must accelerate efforts to end this barbaric practice once and for all. It is not just the responsibility of government but of every individual – whether you are a legislator, a healthcare worker, a professional or simply a concerned human being.
“We must unite to protect the future of our daughters and ensure their health, dignity and rights are safeguarded. I commit to pushing for policies that protect girls, raise awareness and put an end to this atrocity.”
The Speaker urged everyone to take action in their respective capacities to put an end to FGM, emphasizing that together, a world free of this harmful practice is possible.
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Video: I Won’t Apologise For Your ‘Forgetfulness’ – Naja’atu Muhammad dares Ribadu