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Jubilation As Stranded Nigerians Are Ready For Evacuation Through Ooni’s Efforts.

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One of the organisers of the private evacuation flight from Nigeria to Canada and the United States of America, Ambassador Shola Agboola, has applauded Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II for his significant role in making the COVID-19 Evacuation flight a success.

Agboola and two others, Abimbola Goodman and Abbey Babatunde, who were also among hundreds of Canadians that have been stranded in Nigeria for several months due to COVID-19 pandemic said they decided to come together to find a lasting solution to their problem.

“When it became clear we were running out of options, my team and I decided to do something to help their situation and that of others.

“Rather than sit down and complain, we decided to take the bull by the horn,” he said, “That is the only way ordinary people can make a difference, when they come together to proffer solution to a common problem,” he said.

Agboola, who is the president of Nigerian Association for Young Adults of Canada and the founder and CEO of Shola Agboola Goodwill Ambassador Foundation (SAGA) expressed happiness at the success of the exercise despite the initial setbacks due to the complexity and huge challenges of organizing an evacuation flight. It would be recalled that many major airlines like Air Peace, Arik, AZMA Air have all attempted evacuation flights to Canada without success.

While revealing the Ooni of Ife’s involvement in the process, Agboola said when the evacuation was decided, assistance were solicited from the Nigerian government and none came. But the Ooni of Ife proved he was indeed a father of Yoruba and all as he promptly rose to their assistance immediately he was notified of the dilemma the Nigerians, who wished to return to the country and leave were. He pulled all strings in his power and was solidly behind the exercise till the end.

Explaining his role, Ooni Ogunwusi said, “I did not think twice when they approached me for assistance to facilitate a charter flight for them. Many have been without their families for four months or more.”

Agboola said without the fatherly role and huge financial commitments from His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, the evacuation arrangements would not have been possible.

Isaac Balami, the managing director of 7 Stars Global Hanger Limited, the company responsible for the evacuation said the chartered plane was brought from Europe.

According to Balami, “The flight was literally the cheapest flight to have been arranged for a chartered flight to Canada or USA during this pandemic. The goal was not for the profit but to help stranded Nigerians unite with their families they have left for several months.”

He said although it was a complex arrangements as his company had to work with all necessary local and international authorities to make sure it was a success. He praised the organisers for working efficiently with his staff to ensure a good coordination and hitch-free transparent exercise.

A member of the prestigious Five Points Youth Foundation Goodwill Ambassador for Nigeria, Nigerians in the Diaspora and African Communities Worldwide, Agboola, said he has been in Nigeria since March to launch another free medical equipment worth millions of dollars that his organization donated to Jigawa State before been stuck due to the pandemic.

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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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