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OONI HOSTS SULTAN, CANADIAN MAYOR, FATHER MBAKA, AS JACK-RICH UNVEILS S/WEST EMPOWERMENT PROJECTS

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The Arole Oodua & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II on Tuesday played host to several traditional rulers across the six South West region of the country, during the unveiling ceremony of an empowerment project initiated and sponsored by the prominent oil magnate, Mr. Jack-Rich Tein Jnr.

While addressing the gathering, Ooni Ogunwusi expressed his belief that project is capable fast tracking an all-round development in the Region, calling on traditional rulers to support the initiative.

“The Jack-Rich’s BELEMAOIL Producing Limited is the only indigenous company in the country’s oil sector with a very high profile of Corporate Social Responsibility.

“He and his family are renowned for helping others especially the poor and other vulnerable members of the society. This South-West (Oduduwa States Initiative) will benefit our subjects in the areas of education, infrastructure and more.” The Ooni noted.

While unveiling the project titled ‘South-West Nigeria Project’, Mr. Jack-Rich explained that the project is designed to empower its beneficiaries in the areas of Women and Youth development as well as the issuance of scholarship opportunities for the less privilege children in the South-West.

Also, it shall include the construction of several infrastructural projects like roads and water projects across the region.

“We have not come to showcase wealth but love, we are aware of the economic and social situation across the country and we can’t afford to watch without doing our best.

“We keep multiplying in this country every day but we are not making use of the population to improve the country’s productivity, this is the reason behind the rising cases of insecurity which we must carefully examine.

“This project is designed to transfer wealth to youth Nigerians and women towards making them realize their dreams, and we thank our father the Ooni of Ife and all traditional rulers across the region here present for their presence and show of solidarity.” Mr Jack-Rich noted.

In his words of appreciation, the Ayangbunrin of Ikorodu, Lagos State, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, thanked the Jack-Rich family for counting the Southwest region worthy of such lofty project, promising that it will get the needed support for a successful execution.

In the same vein, the Ajero of Ijero, Ekiti State, Oba Joseph Adewole, described Jack-Rich as a detribalized Nigerian who is interested in the development of the country, adding that such attribute should be emulated by other privileged members of the society.

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Soliu Adetunji, Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, Oba Olu Adeyemi, Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole, Olugbon of Ile-Igbon, Oba Olusola Alao, Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo, Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba E.A. Adebayo, Oloye of Oye, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abduganiyu Adekunle, Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege and the Elerinmo of Erinmo Ijesa, Oba Michael Odunayo were among the traditional rulers present at the event.

Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar of Sokoto who missed the event due to delayed flight arrived the Ooni’s at about 10:35pm and ushered into inner chamber of the palace held private discussions with the Ooni only joined by Mr Jack Rich and his wife. Both kings later moved to the banquet hall for a dinner where Sultan gave his speech.

The Sultan expressed his delight for making it to Ile-Ife despite the delay, saying his love for the Ooni motivated his determination to make the trip which he found so important and inevitable.

“By my calculation,I had hoped to be in Ife by 2:00 pm to honour my dear brother the Ooni of Ife and other Yoruba kings for the launching of South west empowerment project by the Jack Rich Foundation. But God is the ultimate decider as the weather in Akure and Ibadan delayed and had to route through Lagos from Abuja and from Lagos to Ife, it took me five and half hours to arrived Ife.

“If it’s possible I would have driven from Sokoto to Ife to show our love that we are one in this country. We are brothers and sisters living in different regions of the world.

“I made up my mind that no matter what it takes; I have to be in Ife to be with my brother Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, Ooni of Ife who is doing a lot for the unity, peace and progress of this country to celebrate with him on the project launched today by the Tien Jack Rich.

“As for Jack Rich, I’m not surprised because that is what he(Jack Rich) normally does. He has done the same in North and now doing it in the Southwest starting from the source Ile-fe.

“The essence of our living is to bless the poor and the vulnerables which Jack Rich is doing and I know as he continues doing that; God will keeps blessing him.

“I have utmost belief that we would be here together in no distant time to commission it for the benefit and use of mankind.” Sultan said.

Rev father Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry based in Enugu who also had a similar delayed flight experience like the Sultan arrived the Ooni’s palace received by Mr Jack Rich and the Ooni’s Director of media, Comrade Moses Olafare who ushered him to meet the Ooni for a private meeting.

Earlier, the Lord Mayo of the city of Brampton in Canada, Mr Patrick Brown had described Ooni Ogunwusi as a special gift to the humanity, Africa is blessed to have such a dynamic visionary leader as a foremost king.

Mayor Brown who is on a 3-day working visit to Nigeria said this while making his speech at the palace of the Ooni during a courtesy visit to the Spiritual head of the Yoruba race worldwide. Mr Brown said his encounter with the Ooni has educated him better about Nigeria.

“Your majesty, you came to Canada and visited us in Brampton and you proclaimed Brampton as a city of love and Canadian city of the Africans. We promised to reciprocate the visit and we are here today in your palace”

“You are indeed a special gift to the humanity and Africa is so blessed to have such a dynamic visionary leader like as a foremost king. I am really feeling at home here.

We have seen this a tourist hub, we will look at business opportunities in tourism and in oder areas like agriculture, mining, healthcare and renewable energy and ultimately, we are going to really strengthen cultural relations between Brampton and Nigeria.” Mayor Brown said.

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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