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Nigeria’s PR Guru Yomi Badejo-Okusanya Celebrates 60
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Group Managing Director of CMC Connect (Perception Managers), Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, rolled out drums on Saturday, December 24, 2022, to celebrate his 60th birthday in Lagos.
Mr Badejo-Okusanya is a public relations practitioner and President of the Africa Public Relations Association (APRA). He is the first African to be inducted into the prestigious International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) Hall of Fame.
At his birthday party held at the Grace Assembly Church, Oregun, Lagos, where he worships as an ordained pastor, several personalities from all walks of life were present to honour the man regarded as Nigeria’s PR guru. Also, he is an authority in the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) sector.
The event culminated on a high note as well-wishers poured glowing birthday messages on the celebrant while close family members delivered heart-warming goodwill messages on an electronic gadget via a large screen.
In his message, the officiating minister, Pastor Ighodalo, extolled the good nature of the celebrant, whom he describes as a man that lived his life for Christ. He admonished guests to continue to love God and humanity by doing good to their neighbours.
The resident pastor of the Grace Assembly, Pastor Femi Paul, described the celebrant as his loving brother, praising his late mother as a good woman who brought up good children, including himself as his adopted mother.
Pastor Paul called out some elderly group of women from the Nigerian Widows Association. The women danced out, praising the celebrant whom they described as their benefactor that has been caring for their needs for many years.
A group of children from the youth wing of the church also came out to sing for the celebrant while two of them stayed back to play beautiful birthday tunes with their violin and saxophone to the delight of all guests.
The old students of the celebrant’s alma mater, Igbobi College, also trooped out to sing their school anthem proudly in honour of Mr Badejo-Okusanya, who is the first Vice President of the Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA).
Notable among eminent personalities at the occasion were the CEO of Airtel Africa, Mr Segun Ogunsanya; Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, the Osile of Oke Ona Egbaland and his queens; Nigeria’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, General Ike Nwachukwu; former Lagos State PDP governorship aspirant, Mr Jimi Agbaje; Chairman Phillips Consulting, Mr Foluso Phillips; Senior Pastor of Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, who officiated the ceremony; Board Chairman of CMC Connect Limited, Mr Akin Opeodu; Executive Director, CMC Connect (Perception Managers) Mr Raheem Olabode; and the Director, Re-ignite Public Affairs Limited, Mr Tola Odusote.
Others were the Group CEO of RED Media Africa, Mr Adebola Williams; Chairman of The Troyka Group, Mr Biodun Shobanjo; one of the three owners of EKO Hospital, Mr Sunny Kuku; CEO of Sony Music, Mr Funlola Okunowo; former Managing Director of Sterling Bank Plc and former Board Member of CMC Connect Limited Mr Tunde Dabiri; and CEO of STB McCann, Sir Steve Omojafor; among others.
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, will run as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Tinubu retained Mr Shettima as his running mate for re-election next year, according to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a post on Friday on X, the ruling party chairman described this as “another significant milestone in the journey of our great party.”
He also said it reaffirms the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.
It was gathered that Mr Tinubu submitted his presidential nomination forms today through his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Mr Ibrahim Masari.
The submission was done ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, attended by several party chieftains, including The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.
“The All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the party leader stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on X. He revealed that eight of the kidnappers have been arrested and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while some others were neutralised during the operation.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
He said no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the freedom of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Mr Onanuga explained that the kingpin whose release the kidnappers had demanded was neither freed nor spared, as he remains under prosecution for offences linked to his terrorist activities.
The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools: Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks. During the attack, a teacher, Mr Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape.
Another teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.
The terrorists holding the victims had reportedly made a four-point demand before agreeing to free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The Oyo State Government had consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) embarked on a month-long strike in the state to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.
It also drew federal intervention, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.
The President’s spokesperson said that security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive account of the operation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The board of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has approved a $260 million financing package for the construction of a 123-kilometre section of the Trans-Saharan Highway in Nigeria as part of more than $417 million earmarked for strategic projects across West Africa.
The approval was granted during the bank’s 99th Ordinary Session, chaired by its President, Mr George Donkor, according to a statement issued after the meeting. It was noted that the total financing will support five public and private sector projects spanning infrastructure, healthcare, housing, mining, financial resilience and regional connectivity.
EBID said the approved investments underscore its commitment to funding high-impact projects that drive economic growth, create jobs and improve living standards across the sub-region.
“The projects approved during this 99th Board Session demonstrate EBID’s unwavering commitment to financing development solutions that directly improve the lives of West African citizens.
“From clean energy and transport infrastructure to healthcare, housing and financial sector resilience, these investments will strengthen regional competitiveness and support sustainable and inclusive growth across our community,” said Mr Donkor.
That of Nigeria is to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, reduce logistics costs and support economic integration; West African CFA franc (XOF) 10 billion in a line of credit to Banque de l’Habitat de Côte d’Ivoire (BHCI) to expand housing finance and support SMEs operating across the housing and construction value chain; €80 million for the design, construction, equipment and maintenance of the 150-bed Regional Hospital of Ferkessédougou in Côte d’Ivoire under a public-private partnership;
XOF 12.82 billion (West African CFA Franc) for the renovation, operation and maintenance of the Symphonie Building in Abidjan under a public-private partnership and $47.4 million for Azumah Resources Ghana Limited to finance the procurement of long-lead process plant equipment and critical early-stage development activities for the Black Volta Gold Project.
“These approvals advance EBID’s Growth, Resilience and Optimisation (GRO) Strategy, which prioritises transformative infrastructure, human capital development, private sector growth and regional integration. Through these investments, the Bank continues to promote sustainable development and shared prosperity across West Africa,” the statement said.
