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Donald Duke joins Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central

Former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, on Sunday, became a member of the Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central.
The induction ceremony, supervised by Past District Governor of Rotary International District 9110, Rotarian (Otunba) Bola Onabadejo, with other Rotary leaders in attendance, was the highlight of the fourth anniversary ceremony of the Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central.
Rotarian Duke, who was the first Governor of the South-South state, had been invited by the President of the club, Rotarian Muyiwa Akintunde, and delivered an inspiring speech centred on Rotary’s Four-Way test. He counselled that the ideals of Rotary should be adopted by institutional bodies and individuals as a way of life.
Emphasising that the society would have been a better place, particularly for the less privileged if these principles of selflessness had been embraced, the new Rotarian said: ‘The real wretchedness is not the people around you, but you yourself’.
He broke life into three phases of 25 years each. The first 25, Duke explained, is the period to learn to live and acquire skills. The second season is when to learn and practice how to earn, while the third phase, which takes every individual beyond 75 years, is the time to give.
Duke said that giving is not only in terms of resources, but can also be in sacrificing one’s time and talents, which is in line with Rotary “Service Above Self” mantra.
He gladly accepted his membership of the Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central as an active, rather than a honorary member, becoming the first of five new members inducted at the ceremony.
PDG Onabadejo, who was the Father of the Day, said he had always admitted Duke for his transformative and impactful projects as Governor and his principles of others above self.
He said that Nigeria needed more of its citizens to live like Duke, who related freely with guests and had no airs.
The induction ceremony was conducted by the District Governor Nominee Designate of District 9111, Rotarian Sam Ayetutu. He was assisted by the Assistant Governor for Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central, Rotarian Ibraheem Adebayo; Past Assistant Governor, Rotarian Kayode Owolabi (the pioneer AG of the club); and Executive Secretary of District 9111, AG Valentine Shomoye (also a former AG of the club), among other top Rotarians and distinguished personalities.
Other inducted members were Rotarian Temitope Faborode, Rotarian Niyi Amosu, Rotarian Ayodele Omirin and Rotarian Precious Muotoh.
Another major highlight of the night was the inauguration of the club’s League of Past Presidents. With two of them outside the country, Rotarian (Dr.) Adebukunola Soile-Balogun represented all the three Past Presidents. The others are: Rotarian (Arc.) Deji Shonuga, the Charter President (2020-2021, 2021-2022); and Rotarian (Mrs.) Olayinka Patunola-Ajayi (2023-2024).
In her year as second President of the club (2022-2023), Soile-Balogun led the club to win the third best award in the then District 9110, made up of over 140 clubs.
Akintunde explained that the League of Past Presidents would serve as advisory to the incumbent President, giving their own experience as leaders of the club. ‘But it will not be obstructive to the goals of the sitting President’.
Dignitaries at the event included Public Relations and Experiential Marketing expert, AG Ehi Braimah; former Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Bolaji Oyeleye; author and brand analyst, Mr. Ikem Okuhu; financial expert, Mr. Segun Adebayo; and Communications Consultant, Mr. Jerry Sawyer.
News
Police kill suspected vandals attempting to bomb pipeline

The Nigeria Police Command in Rivers State on Tuesday confirmed the killing of an unspecified number of suspected vandals attempting to vandalize a pipeline in the Rumuekpe Aluu community.
CP Olugbenga Adepoju, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, revealed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, stating that the suspects died on the spot.
He reported that the operation was part of the ongoing joint effort with other security agencies to safeguard Rivers.
Adepoju said: “The joint security forces successfully thwarted an attempt by miscreants to vandalise a pipeline, leading to the death of the vandals who sought to detonate it.
“The failed detonation was due to the swift response of security personnel to the incident at Allu-Rumuekpe in Ikwerre Local Government Area, LGA, of Rivers on March 16.”
Adepoju also disclosed that following the success, security forces proceeded to Onelga LGA on March 19, where they stopped another potential bomb attack by criminals.
According to him, two suspects were arrested in possession of four dynamites during the operation.
He added that the police also detonated pods, and other Improvised Explosive Device, IED, components.
News
Natasha: Senator Nwebonyi, Ezekwesili clash at sexual harassment hearing

Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, had a heated verbal clash on Tuesday.
The confrontation occurred during an Ethics Committee hearing on sexual harassment allegations involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
During the altercation, Senator Nwebonyi was heard telling Dr Ezekwesili, “You are an insult to womanhood, you are a disgrace to womanhood. People like you can never be here.”
A video clip circulating online shows Dr Ezekwesili remaining relatively composed while the senator continued hurling insults at her.
Dr Ezekwesili attended the hearing in solidarity with Senator Natasha, who was recently suspended for six months following a confrontation with Akpabio during plenary.
Senator Natasha has alleged that her suspension is linked to the sexual harassment petition she submitted against Akpabio.
News
EFCC arraigns man arrested with $578,000 in Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, arraigned a suspect, Okorie Sylvernus Sunday arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, with $578,000.
According to the Head of Media and Publicity EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the suspect was arraigned before Justice Deinde I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
“He is facing trial over a four-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and counterfeit currency”, Oyewale said.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Okorie Sylvernus Sunday, on the 19th day of March, 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of $299,000 (Two Hundred and Ninety Nine Thousand United States Dollars), which you concealed in Relaxer containers to the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and thereby committed an offence Contrary to and Punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Oyewale added that the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
“In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie, prayed the court for the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Centre and also asked for an accelerated hearing.
“She also told the court that she had a witness in court and that she was ready to proceed with the trial.
“Counsel to the defendant, U. Okoronkwo, however, pleaded with the court to remand the defendant in the EFCC custody.
“He also urged the court for a short date to enable him to discuss with his client “on the way forward”, Oyewale said.
After listening to both parties, Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter till March 26, 2025 for commencement of trial and also ordered the defendant to be remanded in the Correctional Centre, he added.
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