Dafinone Family Promotes Culture of Tree Planting

In marking the first remembrance anniversary of the late Chief (Senator) David Omueya Dafinone, OFR, Chief Ede Dafinone, Chairman, National Executive Council of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) led his family in the tree planting exercise in Sapele today, 30th September 2019.

According to NCF NEC Chair, he said that “When a great man dies we typically say ‘an iroko has fallen’  so it is appropriate that to mark this day an Iroko tree will be planted in the garden of the crumb rubber exporting factory established by my father in Amukpe, Sapele, Delta State.”

The Chairman hopes to use this tree planting to draw attention to the need to improve on Nigeria’s dwindling forest cover which now stands at 4percent compared to the FAO recommended level of 25percent. He drummed support for the laudable conservation efforts of NCF.

He said further that tree planting to commemorate births and deaths is common in some Asian countries and if this trend is established in Nigeria, it will be one of the thrusts of NCF’s Green Recovery Nigeria (GRN) initiative will continue to flourish, where there is push to recover degenerated and degraded forests whilst establishing new forests.

He said “To plant a tree is to send signal to the rest of Nigeria that we need to preserve our land. This Iroko tree will be planted in my father’s memory. It will grow and be year 100 years, 200 years, even when we might have gone from this world. While some people are cutting trees, destroying forests, we will continue to plant trees”

Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje, the Finance and Admin Manager of Sapele Integrated Industries Ltd (SIIL) in his introductory remark revealed that Senator Dafinone established the factory in 1995 for the processing of rubber because Sapele is known back then for large rubber plantation and the founder of SIIL remained one of the largest employers of labour of the time.

Chief Ede Dafinone, who is the second son appreciated the support of the staff of SIIL and community people of Sapele, Amukpe especially as they have immortalized the Senator a day before.

Present at the event were, Chief (Mrs.) Cynthia Dafinone, widow of the Senator; Chief Godfrey Dafinone, deceased brother; Mr. Duvie Dafinone, deceased son; Mrs. Eyamba Dafinone and Mrs. Stella Dafinone, daughters in-law; management staff of SIIL, media, security agents among others.

Lagos Goes A Mile For Vultures

The nature enthusiasts, conservationists and environmentalists gathered in a cycling event organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in a bid to create awareness on vulture conservation in Nigeria on Saturday, 21st September 2019 tagged “A Mile for the Egyptian Vultures”.

Over 100 bike riders and others assembled at Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) to rally for vultures through a project being executed by NCF called “Egyptian Vulture New-Life Project.”

The procession commenced at LCC at 8:30am through the Lekki-Epe Expressway way, to Sandfill bus-stop and back to LCC amidst pomp and pageantry to create an impactful awareness campaign, calling on people to stop vulture killing, use in traditional belief based use and sales in its parts.

The Director General of NCF, Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano in his welcome address, appreciated all the participants and urged them to carry on the campaign till the goal is achieved.

A Council Member of NCF, Dr. Ade Alakija gave a health pep talk. While the Director Technical Programmes of NCF, Dr. Joseph Onoja gave a motivating statement as the riders set out.  

The environmentalists through research revealed that, vultures will soon go into extinction if drastic efforts are not made to stop the threats against the species.

Vultures are Nature’s Sanitary Officers, carrion feeders that render clean-up services of the environment. They rid our environment of carcasses and rubbish. Thereby prevent the spread of diseases.

This cycling event is a follow-up to the International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) commemoration activities that NCF carried out in 4 cities in Nigeria, Sokoto; Jalingo; Enugu and Ibadan earlier in the month.

In attendance were Save Vulture Campaign Ambassadors, a movie actor; Yomi Fash-Lanso and a musician; Tito da fire.

Lekki Concession Company, the managers of Lekki Toll and Lekki-Epe Expressway lend their support through effective management of traffic flow and provision of security.

The event ended in the Family Park of LCC at 10:30am.

April Touches Set To Hold 2nd Edition of Art And Culture Festival In Abeokuta

*Obey, Haruna Ishola, Sefiu Alao, Odunlade Adekola To Be Honoured

April Touches, the organizers of Reviving Art and Culture Festival aptly termed RANC Festival, are set to stage the second edition of the event in Abeokuta on Thursday, 26th September, 2019.

According to the brain behind April Touches, Akanbi Damilola, the event which would be holding at the Cinema Hall, June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, starting by 11 am prompt, would be notches higher than the it's first edition.

He revealed that veteran film producer/dieector and custodian of culture, Mr. Tunde Kelani, would be the Key Note Speaker, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, would be Special Guest of Honour, and HRM, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland (Okukenu IV), would be the Royal Father of the Day.

Akanbi stated further that Art Competition would be staged for 25 secondary schools in Ogun State at the event, and there would also be award presentation to distinguished personalities as well as skill acquisition launch. He listed some of the awardees penciled in as Juju  music legend, Evang. Ebenezer Obey, Apala music maestro, Alhaji Musiliu Haruna Ishola, Fuji music Star, Alhaji Sefiu Alao and movie star, Odunlade Adekola, to mention a few.

It would be recalled that the event started last year as FESTAC 17 but was later rebranded as RANC and this year's edition, according to the entertainment firm staging it, would be the talk of town when it is held.

The Inside Story of Top Actor, Kola Ajeyemi's Heartbreak That Led Him To Finding Love With Toyin Abraham

*The Bukola Adeeyo's Connection

Currently, the internet has been agog with the good news of pretty actress, Toyin Abraham's bouncing baby boy for fellow actor, Kola Ajeyemi. And congratulations are in order for the two love birds.

But not many know how far, the new father better known as "Awilo" in the Yoruba movie circle has come, as far as matters of love are concerned. Especially, how a certain heartbreak from a fellow actress, according to reports, made him resolve to find love with a bigger and far more prominent thespian in the industry than the one that broke his heart.

This writer can say authoritatively that the first known love of Awilo, when he was still trying to find his footing in the industry back then in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he was trained, was another up and coming actress at that time known as Bukola Adeeyo. It is instructive to state here that when this writer sought an interview with Awilo at a movie location then, he was quick to introduce Bukola as his love so that she too could be interviewed to project their careers together.

Meanwhile, after sometime when movie roles started coming more for them from Abeokuta movie producers and even beyond the state and their faces were becoming prominent amongst movie lovers, Bukola was said to have grown wings to the extent that she, reportedly, felt that the level of Awilo at that time was somewhat low for her to get the kind of further fillip her career required.

And it was for that reason mainly, she was said to have started having dalliances with far more prominent actors in the industry, including a top Yoruba actor who has ambasadorial deals with a couple of major brands in the country today, not minding the closeness of the said movie star to Awilo himself. And when Awilo could no longer cope with hearing and seeing fellow actors making out with his so called fiancee, he had to severe the affair, albeit, painfully.

But then, Awilo, was said to have resolved that, the best way to respond to the "insult" he got from Bukola was to be on the haunt for a bigger and more prosperous actress in the industry, no matter how long that would take him. And years after, fate apparently brought Toyin Abraham his way, and the rest of the story as they say, is history.

It is then understandable, how someone like him could easily overlook all the controversies that have trailed Toyin all through her love life, like her shadow, and decided to get engaged with her notwithstanding. One only prays that this does not come with an expiry date like the previous ones she got involved in.

OVER 20 TOP ENTERTAINERS SET TO STORM ABEOKUTA FOR BEBE MUSILIU “NO CURE FOR LAUGHTER” SHOW

Come Friday, 21st of June, 2019, all roads in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, are going to lead to the same place. Where, you must be wondering. It is the exquisite Lawrence Bankole Event Place, Opposite Asero Garrage, Abeokuta, where consummate broadcaster and naturally funny events' compere, Musiliu Adisa Sanni, popularly known as Bebe Musiliu or Mr. Bebe, would be having his first comedy show tagged: “No Cure For Laughter”.

According to the feelers reaching Saheed Ojubanire Online, the whole of Abeokuta is already agog in anticipation of the show that promises to redefine the way comedy mixed with music shows have ever been staged in the Rock City. For one, those who know Bebe Musiliu know he does not do anything in half measures. He always wait for when he is ready and able to go the whole hog.

And secondly, the entetainers he has on parade for the show are many of the best the industry has got to offer currently and that included: Woli Agba, MC Murphy, Dr. Smile, MC Governor,Koye Comedian, Wole Papa, Alayo Melody Singer, Boye Best, Amo Musical, Saint Janet, ATM, Blaqtalk, Remote, Clevaboi and Mr. Lyno.

Others are: Odunlade Adekola, Mr. Latin, Damola Olatunji, Lokocina, Segun Blessing, Lizzy Omo Ibadan and many more as DJ2SHOT would spin on the turntable. Meanwhile, for entry into the show proudly supported by Nigerian Breweries, MTN and Halaga Food Canteen, interested fun seekers only need to pick up tickets of 2k for Regular, 5k for VIP or 20k for Couples’s Table, at Royal Mandarin, Beside NUT Secretariat, Kuto, Abeokuta, Alawiye Showbiz Ventures, Jide Jones, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta or Choice Bar, Elite Road, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta. You can as well call: 08034255170, 09059392595 for the tickets.

The event packaged by Bebe Musiliu Productions and powered by The House of Emmanuels would surely let you know whether there is Cure For Laughter or not, but till then, you can keep buying your tickets.

Allegation Of Homosexuality Trails Top Nigerian Music Producer, Bolaji Bello, Whereabouts Unknown

As you read this, things have gotten out of hand for one of the most sought after music producers in Nigeria, Alhaji Bolaji Bello, as his close association with a popular gay in his neighbourhood, Tee Jay, has put him into serious trouble.

According to feelers reaching us, trouble started for Bello who is also an artiste's manager apart from being a producer, when the Muslim community in his Mowe, Ogun State abode raised concerns over a suspicion of him being into some gay activities sometime in November, 2017.

And on hearing that he was being suspected of the ignominious  act and knowing the grave consequence of homosexuality in Nigeria and the strong stance of the Islamic religion he practices against it, Bello reportedly absconded when the heat was becoming too much for him to bear.

However, according to our impeccable source, Bello returned to the community sometime in 2018 when the initial dust raised by the suspicion seemed to have settled. Meanwhile, he seemed not to have learnt his lessons as he was said to have resumed to his suspicious 'relationship' with Tee Jay, the popular gay in the neighbourhood shortly after.

And more unfortunately for Bello, it was shortly after his return that Tee Jay was declared wanted for assaulting and defiling a young boy in the neighbourhood, a situation which also made Bello a prime suspect since Tee Jay had disappeared into thin air.

Hence, sooner rather than later, Bello, according to our findings took to his heels for fear of being attacked by the angry Muslim community who felt his cup had gone full with the development of child molestation committed by his close associate. And all efforts to locate the whereabouts of either Tee Jay or Bello since the shameful act had according to reports, been abortive.

Even, the leadership of the Islamic Musicians' Association of Nigeria (ISMAN) where Bello was said to have been their National Public Relations Officer (PRO) until he disappeared was said to have dissociated from him due to the stain the links with homosexuality would bring to them. And the association is said to have claimed not to know his whereabouts too when contacted by the search party from his community.

It would be recalled that Bello won several awards as both a music producer and Islamic artiste in respect of some of the groundbreaking albums he released which included: Good Morning Muhammed, Wal Asri (End of Time), Takbir, Islamic Chorus, Islam in London, Winner, and Agisni.

And some of the major awards he reportedly won during the course of his career included: Amen Award 2006/2007, IMAN Award 2016, and was also inducted into IMAN Awards Hall of Fame in 2017 alongside prominent figures like Dr. Seye Kehinde, the Publisher of City People Magazine, Dr. Ambrose Somide, the Managing Director (MD), Radio Services, DAAR Communications Plc., Mr. Sunday Esan, the MD of Okiki Films and Music Productions and a host of other respected personalities.

As it is, Bello was considered to be a man of honour and role model for the coming generations but his shocking suspicious involvement with gay activities frowned at by many in Nigeria has cast aspersions on all he stood for and he may have himself to blame for it sooner or later when caught as his life may be in danger.

The Islamic community and the ISMAN has never condoned anyone having something to do with homosexuality in the past and Bello's case is not likely to be anything different when ever he resurfaces. No wonder he has disappered into thin air.

US Based Nigerian Group Throws Weight Behind APM's Akinlade For Ogun Guber Race

The quest of Allied People Movement (APM)'s candidate in the Ogun State gubernatorial election has received more boost as a United States of America based Nigerian Group, International Network for Better Community, has thrown its weight behind his candidacy.

The endorsement of the group under the Presidency of Tunde Onasanya for Tripple A as Akinlade is also called is coming on the heels of the recent alliance between Ladi Adebutu's faction of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and APM, as the group was hitherto in staunch support of Adebutu's governorship ambition until it was scuttled by a judicial pronouncement which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the candidacy of Senator Buruji Kashamu as the PDP flagbearer in the  Saturday, March 9th elections.

"We support Adebutu because of what he is doing in the House of Representatives for everyone but since he is no more running, we decided to support a progressive minded person like Triple A," the group stated. And the group is said to have been created to better the lives of youths and women in the society. The group championed a campaing called: " Vote or Cry" and has a good number of representatives in Nigeria.

THE ARCHIEVERS ISLAMIC SOCIETY SET FOR 1ST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

+ MERIT AWARDS TO BE GIVEN OUT AT EVENT

...SAOTY AREWA, IYANGHANA & CO TO PERFORM

As you read this, preparations are in top gear by members of an enviable Islamic society in Lagos State, The Archievers Islamic Society, for their 1st Anniversary Celebration scheduled for Sunday, 24th February, 2019. The very organized society which was conceived by a dynamic Islamic scholar,  Sheikh (Alhaji) Sulaimon Afolabi Alawe, about a year ago would be celebrating their 1st year of not just countless members now but also of deep religious impact on their lives, at Bakre Disu Memorial High School, Dopemu, Agege, and the event is billed to kick-off by 10 A.M. prompt.

According to the feelers reaching this blog, the Chief Lecturer at the event is a widely respected cleric, Fadhilat Sheikh Alhaji Abd. Fatai Muh'd Raji Athaqofy while Anasry Production would take charge of the moderation of activities that would unfold at the event including musical performances from multiple award-winning Islamic artistes, the IMAN Awards 2018 Best Male Islamic Artiste of the Year, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Abdulsalam (Saoty Arewa), her female counterpart who also emerged as the IMAN Awards 2018 Best Female Islamic Artiste of the Year, Alhaja Basirat Olomitutu (Iyanghana), and a fast--rising Islamic artiste, Abdul Ganiy Alimi Abiola (Awoko Sheu).

There would also be presentation of Merit Awards to deserving members of the society as a means of recognizing and appreciating their immense contributions to the fast growth of The Achievers Islamic Society in the last one year. It promises to be one-in-town event when held.