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Fisayo Fosudo, Others Make JCI Nigeria 2025 Ten Outstanding Young Persons List
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The honourees for the 2025 JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) of Nigeria have been announced by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria.
TOYP is a platform used to celebrate the achievements of young leaders and innovators across the nation.
At the unveiling of the nominees at a ceremony in Lagos held in commemoration of International Youth Day, the Representative and Chief of the Taiwan Mission in Nigeria, Mr Andy Yih-Ping Liu, underscored the pivotal role of young people in global development.
According to him, “Youth are not just the future, but are the driving force of innovation, creativity, and resilience needed to shape stronger societies.”
Drawing parallels from Taiwan’s development, he highlighted how investments in education, technology, and youth empowerment have been central to national growth and transformation.
He urged Nigerian youths to embrace leadership, entrepreneurship, and civic responsibility, stressing that their energy and ideas are indispensable in addressing today’s challenges and advancing sustainable development.
Mr Liu reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to supporting platforms that recognize and celebrate youth changemakers, such as the JCI TOYP initiative, describing it as a vital tool for nurturing leaders who will drive progress not only for Nigeria but for the world.
The 2025 TOYP honourees represent excellence across diverse fields and embody the power of youth leadership and innovation.
These individuals are recognized for their significant contributions across various fields: Aramide Kayode [Academic Leadership and Accomplishment]; Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti [Business, Economic and/or Entrepreneurial Accomplishment]; Prada Uzodinma [Contribution to Children, World Peace and Human Rights]; Morenike Olusanya [Cultural Achievement]; Praise Akobo [Medical Innovation]; and Jumoke Dada [Moral and Environment Leadership]. Other awardees are Tobiloba Ajayi [Humanitarian and Voluntary Leadership]; Elizabeth Oshoba [Personal Improvement and Accomplishment]; Chinwe Okoli [Political, Legal and Governmental Affairs]; and Fisayo Fosudo [Scientific and Technological Development].
Delivering the keynote address on the theme Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Ms Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya, emphasized the critical role of young leaders and changemakers in advancing sustainable development.
“The SDGs are not abstract concepts. They are concrete challenges and opportunities visible in our neighbourhoods, cities, and states. The role of changemakers within JCI underscores the profound impact that dedicated individuals can have at the local level. Through initiatives like TOYP, we see how local action fuels global change,” she said.
The aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu urged JCI members and young people across Nigeria to align their projects within specific SDGs and leverage partnerships with local governments, civil societies, and the private sector to strengthen impact and build stronger communities.
In her welcome remarks, the chairperson of the 2025 JCI Nigeria TOYP Program, Ms Yetunde Oyeyipo, described the ceremony as a platform to celebrate giants and inspire the next generation of leaders.
“Today, we have gathered here because of giants who came before us – dreamers, doers, and daring trailblazers who believed in the power of youth to shape nations and transform futures.
“Hence, it is our responsibility to serve as giants to other young persons and help them see further than their circumstance, environment, and resources would ever permit. Each of our nominees is proof that local action can fuel global change. They are living examples of transformational leaders who are not waiting for permission to act,” she said.
The 2025 President of JCI Nigeria, Ms Oluwatoyin Atanda, also reiterated the organisation’s commitment to empowering young people as the driving force of positive change.
“The TOYP platform is an opportunity to honour exceptional young Nigerians who exemplify excellence, courage, and innovation. Their legacy inspires us to continue to encourage, empower, and celebrate the transformational role of youth in shaping a brighter tomorrow,” she said.
The event also featured a panel session themed Global Youth Alliances – Breaking Barriers, Building Sustainable Bridges, where speakers shared insights on strengthening youth-led collaboration for long-term social impact.
One of the highlights of the event was the formal announcement of the global voting phase, as JCI Nigeria announced that the duo of Aramide Kayode (nee Akintimehin) and Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti have been nominated on the global stage for the 2025 JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) recognition.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Onamusi Onadeko, has been sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N50,000.
The former lawmaker, who represented Ogun East Federal Constituency in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2003, was sentenced by Justice Chizoba Oji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
He was found guilty on count 11 and convicted for making inconsistent statements but discharged and acquitted on counts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Mr Onadeko’s journey to the court started in 2017, when he was charged by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for his alleged involvement in the award and execution of a N68.7 million contract.
The politician, according to a statement from the ICPC, was accused of using his private companies, Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines Limited, to execute several constituency projects while working as a Senior Legislative Aide to late Senator Buruji Kashamu, who represented Ogun East Senatorial District between 2015 and 2019.
The commission, had in the course of the eight years trial told the court that several contracts like buying of ambulance vehicles, supply of hospital equipment and drugs for Primary Health Centres, as well as construction of classrooms for some selected schools in six communities of Ogun East Senatorial District, were awarded to both Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines, where the convict doubles as a Managing Director and nominal Director, respectively, an action that violates Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
ICPC also accused Mr Onadeko of making an inconsistent statement that contradicted the one previously made to the Commissioner for Oaths, where he stated that he is a Director of Haines and Baines Limited in an affidavit dated June 30, 20216, but subsequently wrote another statement while under investigation on May 5, 2017, that he is not a shareholder or Director of Haines and Baines Limited.
This action violates Section 25(1)(b) of the ICPC Act and, upon conviction, is liable to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
However, Mr Onadeko, through his counsel, Mr Wahab Olatoyebi, argued in the course of the trial that his client was not a public officer as his appointment at that material time was on a short-term basis and non-pensionable, hence he, (Onadeko) did not fall within the category of those that could be tried under Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 which criminalize and punish abuse of office by public officers.
But this argument was rejected by Justice Oji, who stressed that based on the defendant’s letter of appointment as well as the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Federal Government of Nigeria v. Farouk Lawan, legislative aides are public officers and therefore could be prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abduction of students and teachers from Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The governor formally inaugurated the commission at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde said that although the successful rescue of the victims brought relief to the state, it did not provide complete closure.
He explained that the decision to set up an independent commission was not intended to undermine the efforts of security agencies but to ensure that every question surrounding the incident is thoroughly addressed and lessons are learnt to prevent a recurrence.
He charged members of the commission to conduct a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based investigation, assuring them of the state government’s full support. He also called on individuals and relevant institutions to cooperate fully with the panel.
Speaking on behalf of the commission, its chairman, Professor Mojeed Owoade, pledged that members would carry out the assignment with integrity, professionalism, and fairness. He added that the panel would seek an extension if necessary to complete its work.
Governor Makinde gave the commission four weeks to submit its report.
Earlier this month, the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, eight of the kidnappers had been arrested, but the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 23 sentenced three suspects in the abduction to life imprisonment.
According to the court, the sentencing of Mr Abdulrazak Umar, known under the alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Mr Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Mr Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, will start from the date of their arrest.
Before their sentencing by Justice Salim Ibrahim, counsel for the defendants pleaded with the court to sentence them on liberal terms, adding that they were first-time offenders and had pleaded guilty.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Two Chinese, Mr Zhang Hong Lin and Mr Gao Pei Hai, have been convicted and sentenced by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for conspiracy and the illegal mining of solid minerals.
They were both found guilty on all five counts levelled against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and sentenced each to five years’ imprisonment on each count, with an option of a N50 million fine covering all five counts.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the mineral resources recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The defendants were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and the unlawful possession of mineral resources intended for export without lawful authority.
“That you, Zhang Hong Lin, Gao Pei Hai, and Gao Pei Yu (currently at large), sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court, conspired among yourselves, with the intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of revenue accruing therefrom, and without the permission of the appropriate authority, engaged in the exportation of mica products, copper-bearing, and lithium-bearing mineral resources out of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(8)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983, and punishable under Section 8 of the same Act,” one of the charges read.
The defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them, with the prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, calling the investigating officer, Matthew Orogwu, who reviewed the facts of the case and tendered documentary evidence before the court.
After presenting the evidence, Kofarnaisa urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants in line with the charges.
