News
BREAKING: Grief, Lamentation as Popular Lagos Title Holder Dies
Otunba Adekunle Ojora, revered Lagos royal, passed away on January 28, 2023
Ojora was instrumental in preserving Yoruba cultural heritage and unity among Lagos chieftaincy families
His impactful life and legacy earn widespread mourning and heartfelt tributes from Nigerians
A prominent Lagos royal family member and boardroom genius, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, who also doubled as the Otunba of Lagos and Lisa of Ife, has reportedly died.
His death was announced in a statement by the family, where it was confirmed that the patriarch and revered traditional leader had his last breath in the early hours of Wednesday, January 28.
Born into the Ojora and Adele royal families of Lagos, Ojora held traditional titles as the Otunba of Lagos and the Lisa of Ile-Ife.
He pursued a career across journalism, business and public service.
He studied journalism at Regent Street Polytechnic in London and worked at the British Broadcasting Corporation, where he rose to the position of assistant editor.
In 1955, he joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation as a reporter and was later transferred to Ibadan as an information officer in the office of the regional premier.
Ojora joined the United African Company in 1961 as public relations manager and became an executive director in 1962.
His public service roles included membership of the Lagos City Council in 1966.
In 1967, he was appointed managing director of Wemabod Estates Limited and chairman of the Nigerian National Shipping Line.
He later invested in several companies, including AGIP Nigeria Limited, where he served as chairman from 1971 until its acquisition by Unipetrol in 2002.
He also founded Nigerlink Industries, Unital Builders and Lagos Investments.
His business interests covered oil and gas, shipping, real estate, insurance, manufacturing, publishing, ICT and finance.
Ojora served on the boards of several local and foreign-linked firms operating in Nigeria following the Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Act.
These included Bowring Group, Inchcape, Schlumberger, Phoenix Assurance, UTC Nigeria, Evans Brothers and Seven-Up.
He remained active in corporate governance into his later years and continued to participate in board activities and industry events.
He was a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management, the British Institute of Directors, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and the Royal Society of Arts.
Ojora received an honorary doctorate from Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio, in 1992.
He was also awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger.
He stayed away from party politics, stating in a 1990 interview that he had no interest in political office.
Adekunle Ojora is survived by his children, including Toyin Saraki.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Many Nigerians have mourned the demise of the Lagos monarch.
Below are some of their comments.
Mohd Bashir Abdulyekeen wrote: “Though Baba is aged and we thank God for a life well lived, his passing will certainly be painful as he’s a family pillar and support. With total submission to God, I join Y.E, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to condole with the family, friends, and associates of the Ojoras. Baba will be missed.” Baba Idris prayed for the Saraki’s family:
“May God grant Your Excellency the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”
Adeyemi Ishola wrote a tribute to the deceased: “My deepest condolences to @ToyinSaraki, the entire Ojora family, and my leader, Dr. @bukolasaraki, on the passing of our beloved Papa.
A truly dignified life well lived. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljannah Firdaus and give the family the strength to bear this great loss. Ameen.” Oniyere prayed for Allah’s mercy on his grave: “May he receive Allah’s mercy as he returned to his creator. May God grant you and your families the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Ola Saheed Agbaka extended his condolences to the family: “My condolences, sir. May Allah grant him eternal rest”
His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, has announced the date for Eid al-Fitr in Nigeria.
The Emir, who is the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, has not reported the sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal, 1447AH, today, Wednesday, the 29th of Ramadan .
This was contained in a statement posted on the Facebook page of the Daular Usmaniyya , signed by the Wazir of Sokoto and Chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee of the Sultan’s Palace, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.
The statement stated that the Sultan’s Palace Moon Sighting Committee had not received any reliable reports of moon sightings from anywhere in Nigeria. According to this information, Thursday, March 19, will be the day to complete the 30th day of Ramadan.
The Sultan of Sokoto has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the day of the lesser Sallah, i.e. the 1st of Shawwal 1447AH.
He urged Muslims to use this time of Eid al-Fitr to pray for peace, unity, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The statement said: “His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, and Chairman, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has received the moon sighting report, which showed that the crescent moon was not sighted today, Wednesday.
“Accordingly, he declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as 1 Shawwal 1447AH (the Day of the Small Prayer). He also congratulated the Nigerian Muslim community on the occasion, and wished them the guidance and blessings of God.”
“He also called for continued prayers for peace, progress, and development of the country . He also wished Muslims a peaceful and prosperous Eid. May Allah (SWT) accept our acts of worship, amen.”
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approves ₦19.6 billion Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola The Adamawa State government says the hospital aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Adamawa State Fintiri explains that the facility will serve as a training center and improve healthcare services in the North-East.
Yola, Adamawa State – Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has approved the construction of a state-of-the-art Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola. The proposed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will cost the state ₦19.6 billion, and it’s expected to be completed within 52 weeks. The landmark project is designed to significantly strengthen maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare services across the state.
The project aligns with Governor Fintiri’s commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The hospital will also improve access to quality healthcare and position Adamawa as a referral hub for specialized medical services in the North-East region.
As reported by Daily Trust, the hospital will be equipped with modern medical technology and specialized units when completed.
The state governor explained that the hospital capable units to handle high-risk pregnancies, neonatal intensive care, pediatric emergencies, and other complex medical cases affecting women and children. Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will also serve as a training and research centre for healthcare professionals.
It will help to strengthen capacity and improve the quality of medical services within the state’s health sector. It will offer other healthcare services like advanced diagnostic and laboratory services, fully equipped operating theatres, intensive care units, emergency response facilities, and modern inpatient wards designed to provide quality care for patients.
Recall that Fintiri’s administration executed over 100 infrastructural, educational, health, and social projects across Adamawa state, transforming both urban centres and rural communities. The administration completed major road networks, flyovers, and township roads, including the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Flyover, Yola, and the Nyibango-Yolde Pate Road in Yola South.
Over 100 new primary health care centres were built, while hospitals such as Numan General Hospital and Specialist Hospital, Yola, underwent comprehensive development and modernisation.
King Charles III ceremonially welcomed Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at Windsor Castle on Wednesday in the first state visit by the leader of Africa’s most populous nation in nearly four decades.
Tinubu has made less formal visits to Britain several times in his tenure, and the two countries remain major partners in trade, aid and defence. London is also home to a massive Nigerian diaspora.
King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted the president and his wife in Windsor, west of London, on a sunny afternoon as artillery fired Salutes
The Nigerian president and his wife earlier chatted with heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine at a hotel in Windsor.
The party then rode in carriages to the historic Windsor Castle, followed by cavalry in red and gold livery.
These include a Yoruba beaded throne presented to Queen Elizabeth II during an official visit in 1965.
They were also to view photographs of a Yoruba woman known as Sarah Forbes Bonetta, who became a protegee of Queen Victoria after being captured as a slave and taken to Britain by a naval captain.
In the evening, Charles and Tinubu were set to give speeches at a lavish state banquet.
‘Renewed chapter’
Nigeria’s presidency said the visit signalled a “renewed chapter” and reflected a shared commitment to “advancing trade and strengthening diplomatic ties”.
Calling the visit “historic”, London announced Nigerian companies, including banks, are expanding operations and creating hundreds of jobs in Britain, strengthening it as a global hub for African business.
Likely on the agenda are issues ranging from major Nigerian port renovations backed by Britain as well as trade, which reached £8.1 billion ($11 billion) in the year to September 2025, an 11.4 per cent year-on-year increase.
On Thursday, Tinubu is expected to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as well as members of the Nigerian community abroad, according to the official schedule.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, a Christian pastor, is set to preach at London’s Lambeth Palace — the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury — on Thursday and meet representatives of the Church of England.
The last Nigerian state visit to the UK took place in 1989, although Tinubu was received by Charles in September 2024.
Before the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022, Charles also visited Nigeria four times as Prince of Wales.
Abuja Elections: APC Drags PDP To Courts
2027 Shocker: Popular Nigerian Cleric Predicts Total Collapse of Three Major Parties
BREAKING: Sultan Receives Moon Sighting Report, Announces Date of Eid-ul-Fitr in Nigeria
Former Super Eagles Star Loses Life Savings, Duped By A Pastor of ₦1.2 Billion
These ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
I’m A Married Man, I Can Never Get Myself Involved With Such A Thing, Delta Gov Aide Reveals Why He Offered Comfort ₦500,000 Job
-
News1 day agoFull List of Ministers to Resign from Tinubu’s Cabinet
-
News1 day agoSO SAD: Lagos Top Council Administrator Dies In India
-
Tech1 day agoEl Rufa’i Ya Fara Samun Nasara a kan Gwamnati bayan Kotu Ta Soke Wani Hukunci
-
News1 day ago
JUST IN: ADC Threatens To Petition Amnesty International Over El-Rufai’s Detention
-
News1 day agoBREAKING: Nigerian Governor To Build N19.6bn Specialist Hospital, Details Emerge
-
News1 day agoBreaking: Saudi Arabia Announces 2026 Eid al-Fitr Day
-
Foreign1 day agoPICTORIAL: Tinubu, First Lady Meet Royals On ‘Historic’ UK State Visit
-
Politics13 hours ago2027 Shocker: Popular Nigerian Cleric Predicts Total Collapse of Three Major Parties