General
NIPR Fellows to Immortalise Alex Akinyele’s Legacy
Professionals in the Marketing Communications Industry on Thursday, January 23, 2020, paid their last respect to the late Alexander Opeyemi Akinyele, at the Night of Tributes organized by the Body of Fellows of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Ikeja.
At the gathering, Public Relations practitioners described the late Mr Akinyele, a former Nigeria’s Minister of Information and former President of the institute, as one of the best Public Relations professionals that the country has ever produced, and he will be greatly missed.
Vice President of NIPR, Comptroller Adewale Adeniyi, who represented the President of the institute, Mr Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo, said, “The late Akinyele contributed immensely to the institute and plans are on the way to immortalize the departed icon. Personally, Akinyele was a great mentor and his advice have impacted my public relations career remarkably.”
Managing Director of CMC Connect Limited and President of African Public Relations Association (APRA), Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, in his tribute, said, “Sir Akinyele was a peace maker and he helped unite the institute during crisis period. Often, when we are dissatisfied with happening in the management of the institute, we ask him to intervene.”
Coordinator, Body of Fellows in Lagos, Rev Abraham Olusola-Niyi, said, “Chief Alex Akinyele was a man of many parts; a consummate communication practitioner, mentor and role model to people in the trade, accomplished businessman, pacifist, national builder, passionately romantic, great father and cultural icon. He excelled in everything he touched. We are sorely going to miss him.”
“Judging by our own standards, one can say without fear that Chief Alexander Akinyele was a successful man. A man of vast tentacles, a Communicator, Public Relations Practitioner, Philanthropist, and an Industrialist of so many functional companies,” he added.
On his part, Managing Director of ADSTRAT BM, Mr Charles O’Tudor, said some of the lessons he learnt from the icon is to stick to what he believes in. He suggested that a foundation or a collection of his works be published to immortalise him.
At the event, the children, who were present, thanked the institute for paying tributes to their father and also applauded the move to immortalise him. While speaking about her father, Ms Bimbola Akinleye said she was delighted to hear all the good words about her father and thanked the institute for organising the event to honour him.
The first son of Mr Akinyele, Mr Akinrinmola Akinleye, said, “The institute has always been there at every major milestone with our father. I recall when he celebrated his 80th birthday, the Institute played a major role. Here today again, you are doing this in his death. What is even more elating is to hear beyond this, the institute is considering immortalizing his memory.”
The tribute was a gathering of all the gladiators in the public relations professions, including the doyens of the practice, Mazi Mike Okereke, Dr Rotimi Oladele, and Mrs Nkechi Ali-Balogun, Ronke George, Dr Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf, Mr Basil Agboarumi and the media community to mention but a few who spoke greatly about the contribution of the icon to the PR practice in the country.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The presidency has reacted to speculations that Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has been removed as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
It was alleged that Mr Gbajabiamila has been replaced with the President’s Principal Private Secretary, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
Mr Muri-Okunola went to Abuja to take up this role after leaving as the Head of Service of the Lagos State Civil Service.
Reacting to the reports on social media on the purported removal of Mr Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, the presidency said no such change has been made.
In a statement signed on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, members of the public were advised to disregard the report as “there is absolutely no truth to this story.”
“The Chief of Staff remains in his position. The Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role. Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not replaced Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff.
“The viral claim is a fabrication by mischievous purveyors of fake news whose sole aim is to create disharmony within the government.
“We reiterate that news media should always verify their information before publishing or sharing on social media,” the statement said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The new chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has assumed office with a clear message to advance the country’s upstream oil and gas sector in line with the mandate of the commission as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
According to a statement signed by Mr Eniola Akinkuotu, the Head of Media & Strategic Communications at the upstream regulator, the NUPRC boss made this assertation during her first town hall meeting with management and staff on Tuesday December 23, 2025.
She further disclosed plans to make the commission a business enabler and re-ignite investments in the upstream sector.
Recall that President Tinubu nominated Mrs Eyesan to take over the NUPRC after the abrupt resignation of her predecessor, Mr Gbenga Komolafe as well as his counterpart in the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed.
In her new capacity, Mrs Eyesan also set a firm production ambition of growing Nigeria’s output and increasing gas production.
“The goal is that we must enable the industry, we are regulators. We must enable the industry from our interactions with the stakeholders, from our interactions with everybody.
“My main objective is to ensure that we make a difference. I believe the NUPRC is at the Center of the industry,” she said.
The commission boss who has served for over three decades in the oil and gas sector, promised to entrench digitisation, transparency and efficiency in operations.
The NUPRC head said with the support of staff and management, the NUPRC will become the gold-standard regulator in Africa. She also promised capacity development, stronger technical depth and sustained engagement with stakeholders, unions and professional teams.
On leadership style, Mrs Eyesan promised an open-door policy and frequent staff engagement, while also soliciting for support and cooperation as the industry embarks on the next phase of transformation.
“If we work together we can unleash opportunities, I don’t see impediments only opportunities,” she added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance, peace, and unity, urging citizens of all faiths to reject violence and intolerance amid ongoing security challenges across the country.
In his 2025 Christmas goodwill message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President emphasised that no Nigerian should suffer discrimination or violence because of their religious beliefs, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of worship and national cohesion.
“As your President, I remain committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect all people of different faiths from violence,” Mr Tinubu said, noting that all Nigerians have the constitutional right to live, worship, and pursue their aspirations in safety and dignity.
The President acknowledged growing concerns around religious intolerance and insecurity, revealing that he had engaged extensively throughout the year with leaders of Nigeria’s two major faiths.
In the last few months, the country faced a spate of attacks including kidnapping of school children and armed terror, involving the death of a high ranking army personnel.
He also said the government would continue to build on these engagements to strengthen collaboration with religious institutions, prevent conflict, and promote peaceful coexistence.
President Tinubu described Christmas as a period for reflection on the message of Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace, urging Nigerians to draw inspiration from values of love, compassion, and goodwill that cut across all major religions.
He commended Christians in Nigeria for their contributions to national development, particularly their role in caring for the vulnerable and promoting harmony within communities.
“The love for God and love for humanity is at the heart of all the great faiths. These shared values must continue to bind us together as one indivisible and resilient people,” he said.
Reiterating his administration’s stance on security, the President said the government’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s unity and stability has remained unwavering since he assumed office in 2023. He stressed that the state would not tolerate violence targeted at any group on the basis of ethnicity or belief.
President Tinubu also appealed to Nigerians travelling during the festive season to exercise patience and discipline on the roads, wishing them safe journeys and returns.
Expressing optimism about the country’s future, the President said that with faith in God and collective resolve, Nigeria would overcome its challenges and build a nation that future generations would be proud of.
He concluded by wishing Christians in Nigeria and around the world a Merry Christmas and Nigerians a happy New Year in advance.
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