Today, it is a pleasure to celebrate Sir Oyoze Baje, a man whose life is a testament to intellectual curiosity, firm dedication, and a spirit that refuses to be confined by boundaries.
As President of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria (GPAAN) and Chairman/CEO of Oyoze Creative Concept, he embodies the power of creativity and the importance of critical analysis in shaping our world.
Having earned national prominence as a regular panelist on Galaxy Television’s highly-regarded Editors’ Forum, captivating viewers with his insights every Saturday for over a decade.
His engagement on that platform, along with contributions to MiTV’s weekly programme, The SUMMIT, and LTV’s morning show, sparked a desire to cultivate a community of public affairs experts.
Driven by this inspiration, he founded the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria (GPAAN), a Non-Governmental Organisation registered with the CAC on November 2, 2017.
Oyoze Baje, the son of a famous farmer and philosopher, Elder Sadiku Umeche Jatto, and the mother, a cloth-weaver and trader in food products, Madam Awawau Ormeyi Sadiku hails from Oboroke-Ihima, Kogi State.
He was married to Princess Medinat Baje (Late) and blessed with four children – Jimmy, Oiza, Joy, and Sunday. He never fails to acknowledge his parent’s influence on how he comports himself and his affairs, here is an excerpt from Sir Oyoze during his 70th Birthday interview “.
Oyoze Baje: Relishing life at 72
“My heart swells with gratitude when I speak of my parents, now resting in peace. Perhaps it seems I’m singing their praises, but I assure you, they were truly extraordinary individuals.
They embodied discipline, resourcefulness, creativity, unwavering diligence, and absolute honesty. Their home was a haven of hospitality, always open to all, regardless of tribe or creed.
They painted for me a vivid portrait of true manhood: a life centered on self-discovery, treating every soul with the same respect and kindness you desire for yourself, and embracing humility, no matter how towering your successes become.
His student has this to say, she speaks of Sir Ayo as a man of rare brilliance, an iconic figure whose diligence, discipline, and passion for knowledge have left an indelible mark on generations.
Olori Lizzy Akinsolotu (née Nyamida), one of his former students, recalls his exceptional versatility as an educator. She describes him as a man who believed that anything worth doing was worth doing well.
Back in their school days, his depth of knowledge was so profound that students often wondered what subject he had been officially assigned to teach.
He seamlessly stepped in to cover Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Fine Art, Mathematics, and English whenever needed. Beyond academics, Oyoze Baje introduced clubs that shaped many careers—Writing and Creativity Club, Quiz and Debating Society, Fine Art Club, and Dramatic Club, among others.
Above all, Sir Baje was a disciplinarian, instilling values that guided his students long after they left his tutelage. His ability to blend warmth with firm guidance made him an unparalleled mentor. As Lizzy reflects, “Ever since, I have never seen your match.”
Sir Oyoze Baje, you are a beacon of inspiration to us all. May your life be filled with joy, purpose, and the unwavering support of those who admire and love you. Happy Birthday!
Elon Musk’s Starlink has already transformed global internet access, but now it’s taking connectivity a step further. The latest innovation—Direct-to-Cell—enables standard iPhones and Android phones to make calls from anywhere on Earth, without requiring additional hardware.
This development could change the way we think about mobile networks. Picture yourself deep in a remote jungle, out at sea, or hiking in a desert—all places where cell towers are nonexistent. Thanks to Starlink’s expanding satellite infrastructure, soon you won’t have to worry about losing signal ever again.
No New Devices Needed—Just Your Smartphone
Unlike traditional satellite phones, which require bulky equipment and specialized SIM cards, Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell service works with any LTE-enabled smartphone. This means that if your phone can connect to a 4G network, it will be able to tap into Starlink’s satellites for calls, text messages, and eventually, even data services.
A report to the FCC confirms that Starlink has already tested its service on leading smartphone brands, including Apple, Samsung, and Google. The results? Crystal-clear calls from urban centers to isolated regions, proving that satellite connectivity can seamlessly integrate with existing mobile networks.
A Lifeline for Emergencies and Everyday Use
While this advancement is great news for travelers and adventurers, it’s also a potential game-changer for emergency responders and people in rural areas with unreliable service. Current satellite phone systems often come with severe limitations—restricting users to pre-set messaging formats or requiring expensive, dedicated hardware.
With Starlink’s system, users can send fully customizable messages using their preferred apps. This flexibility could make all the difference in an emergency, allowing for clearer communication than ever before.
What’s Next for Starlink’s Satellite Calling Service ?
Starlink plans to roll out its Direct-to-Cell service as part of a commercial package, though pricing details are still under wraps. But Musk’s ambitions go far beyond simple voice calls. According to the FCC filing, Starlink is already exploring satellite-powered web browsing, IoT integration, and enhanced voice communication.
The broader impact? This technology could bridge the connectivity gap in underserved regions, giving people in rural communities the same access to reliable, high-quality mobile service as those in major cities.
A Future Without Dead Zones?
For those accustomed to flawless fiber-optic internet, Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell service may not seem like a huge leap. But for the billions of people still struggling with patchy coverage, this innovation could be life-changing.
Elon Musk’s vision of a fully connected world is inching closer to reality. Whether you’re working remotely from the mountains, sailing across the Pacific, or simply living in a rural area with poor reception, Starlink’s satellite connectivity could redefine mobile communication as we know it.
In a resolute and uncompromising enforcement initiative designed to restore traffic discipline and facilitate the unhindered movement of vehicles, operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have apprehended 125 recalcitrant commercial buses and 48 privately owned vehicles for flagrant violations, including unauthorized parking and severe road obstructions. This sweeping crackdown was executed across notorious gridlock-prone corridors such as Idumota, Ijaye Street, Martins, Ereko, Nnamdi Azikiwe by Tom Jones, Ebute-Ero, Oyingbo, Ijora, Adeniji Adele, and Iddo.
This rigorous enforcement underscores LASTMA’s unwavering commitment to eradicating chronic traffic congestion and mitigating reckless road practices, particularly among commercial transport operators and private motorists who flout established regulations. A significant number of the offenders were caught engaging in perilous maneuvers, such as driving against traffic (one-way) and executing hazardous reversals from Iddo to Idumota to pick up passengers—reckless actions that have precipitated multiple road accidents and senseless loss of lives.
Spearheading this decisive operation was the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, acting under the strategic directive of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa. The initiative specifically targeted unauthorized garages that have long served as catalysts for intractable gridlocks, inflicting undue hardship on commuters and residents alike.
Reaffirming that this crackdown represents an ongoing and sustained effort, Mr. Bakare-Oki emphasized its alignment with the overarching vision of the Lagos State Government to optimize the efficiency of the metropolis’ transportation infrastructure.
“The state government remains resolute in its enforcement of traffic regulations and the restoration of order on our roads. The proliferation of illegal garages and indiscriminate obstructions by both commercial and private vehicles continues to be a formidable impediment to our goal of achieving seamless mobility within Lagos,” he asserted.
These stringent enforcement measures serve as an unequivocal warning to all road users that flagrant disregard for traffic laws will no longer be tolerated.
“Our ultimate objective is to cultivate a transportation ecosystem that is safe, orderly, and highly efficient for all road users. This enforcement drive represents a pivotal step toward actualizing that vision,” Mr. Bakare-Oki reiterated.
He further highlighted that notorious congestion hotspots such as Iddo to Idumota, Oyingbo, Ebute-Ero, and the Adeniji Adele roundabout have been perpetually plagued by illegal parking and the proliferation of makeshift garages—an issue that must be decisively addressed.
“The indiscriminate operations of commercial bus drivers not only obstruct vehicular movement but also constitute a grave hazard to pedestrian safety. LASTMA’s intervention is imperative to dismantle these bottlenecks and facilitate seamless traffic circulation in these critical locations,” he added.
In response to this initiative, residents and business owners have expressed strong approval, acknowledging its profound impact on easing daily commutes and revitalizing commercial activities.
LASTMA has assured the public that this operation will be systematically extended to other areas afflicted by unauthorized parking and related infractions.
The General Manager urged all motorists to adhere strictly to traffic regulations and cooperate with authorities to avoid punitive measures. Additionally, he called on the general public to actively contribute to maintaining order by promptly reporting abandoned or broken-down trailers and trucks to LASTMA via the agency’s toll-free hotline: 080000527862
In a resolute and uncompromising enforcement initiative designed to restore traffic discipline and facilitate the unhindered movement of vehicles, operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have apprehended 125 recalcitrant commercial buses and 48 privately owned vehicles for flagrant violations, including unauthorized parking and severe road obstructions. This sweeping crackdown was executed across notorious gridlock-prone corridors such as Idumota, Ijaye Street, Martins, Ereko, Nnamdi Azikiwe by Tom Jones, Ebute-Ero, Oyingbo, Ijora, Adeniji Adele, and Iddo.
This rigorous enforcement underscores LASTMA’s unwavering commitment to eradicating chronic traffic congestion and mitigating reckless road practices, particularly among commercial transport operators and private motorists who flout established regulations. A significant number of the offenders were caught engaging in perilous maneuvers, such as driving against traffic (one-way) and executing hazardous reversals from Iddo to Idumota to pick up passengers—reckless actions that have precipitated multiple road accidents and senseless loss of lives.
Spearheading this decisive operation was the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, acting under the strategic directive of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa. The initiative specifically targeted unauthorized garages that have long served as catalysts for intractable gridlocks, inflicting undue hardship on commuters and residents alike.
Reaffirming that this crackdown represents an ongoing and sustained effort, Mr. Bakare-Oki emphasized its alignment with the overarching vision of the Lagos State Government to optimize the efficiency of the metropolis’ transportation infrastructure.
“The state government remains resolute in its enforcement of traffic regulations and the restoration of order on our roads. The proliferation of illegal garages and indiscriminate obstructions by both commercial and private vehicles continues to be a formidable impediment to our goal of achieving seamless mobility within Lagos,” he asserted.
These stringent enforcement measures serve as an unequivocal warning to all road users that flagrant disregard for traffic laws will no longer be tolerated.
“Our ultimate objective is to cultivate a transportation ecosystem that is safe, orderly, and highly efficient for all road users. This enforcement drive represents a pivotal step toward actualizing that vision,” Mr. Bakare-Oki reiterated.
He further highlighted that notorious congestion hotspots such as Iddo to Idumota, Oyingbo, Ebute-Ero, and the Adeniji Adele roundabout have been perpetually plagued by illegal parking and the proliferation of makeshift garages—an issue that must be decisively addressed.
“The indiscriminate operations of commercial bus drivers not only obstruct vehicular movement but also constitute a grave hazard to pedestrian safety. LASTMA’s intervention is imperative to dismantle these bottlenecks and facilitate seamless traffic circulation in these critical locations,” he added.
In response to this initiative, residents and business owners have expressed strong approval, acknowledging its profound impact on easing daily commutes and revitalizing commercial activities.
LASTMA has assured the public that this operation will be systematically extended to other areas afflicted by unauthorized parking and related infractions.
The General Manager urged all motorists to adhere strictly to traffic regulations and cooperate with authorities to avoid punitive measures. Additionally, he called on the general public to actively contribute to maintaining order by promptly reporting abandoned or broken-down trailers and trucks to LASTMA via the agency’s toll-free hotline: 080000527862LASTMA Clapdown On Traffic Violators, Impounds 125 Commercial Vehicles, 48 Private Cars In a resolute and uncompromising enforcement initiative designed to restore traffic discipline and facilitate the unhindered movement of vehicles, operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have apprehended 125 recalcitrant commercial buses and 48 privately owned vehicles for flagrant violations, including unauthorized parking and severe road obstructions. This sweeping crackdown was executed across notorious gridlock-prone corridors such as Idumota, Ijaye Street, Martins, Ereko, Nnamdi Azikiwe by Tom Jones, Ebute-Ero, Oyingbo, Ijora, Adeniji Adele, and Iddo. This rigorous enforcement underscores LASTMA’s unwavering commitment to eradicating chronic traffic congestion and mitigating reckless road practices, particularly among commercial transport operators and private motorists who flout established regulations. A significant number of the offenders were caught engaging in perilous maneuvers, such as driving against traffic (one-way) and executing hazardous reversals from Iddo to Idumota to pick up passengers—reckless actions that have precipitated multiple road accidents and senseless loss of lives. Spearheading this decisive operation was the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, acting under the strategic directive of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa. The initiative specifically targeted unauthorized garages that have long served as catalysts for intractable gridlocks, inflicting undue hardship on commuters and residents alike. Reaffirming that this crackdown represents an ongoing and sustained effort, Mr. Bakare-Oki emphasized its alignment with the overarching vision of the Lagos State Government to optimize the efficiency of the metropolis’ transportation infrastructure.
“The state government remains resolute in its enforcement of traffic regulations and the restoration of order on our roads. The proliferation of illegal garages and indiscriminate obstructions by both commercial and private vehicles continues to be a formidable impediment to our goal of achieving seamless mobility within Lagos,” he asserted. These stringent enforcement measures serve as an unequivocal warning to all road users that flagrant disregard for traffic laws will no longer be tolerated. “Our ultimate objective is to cultivate a transportation ecosystem that is safe, orderly, and highly efficient for all road users. This enforcement drive represents a pivotal step toward actualizing that vision,” Mr. Bakare-Oki reiterated. He further highlighted that notorious congestion hotspots such as Iddo to Idumota, Oyingbo, Ebute-Ero, and the Adeniji Adele roundabout have been perpetually plagued by illegal parking and the proliferation of makeshift garages—an issue that must be decisively addressed. “The indiscriminate operations of commercial bus drivers not only obstruct vehicular movement but also constitute a grave hazard to pedestrian safety. LASTMA’s intervention is imperative to dismantle these bottlenecks and facilitate seamless traffic circulation in these critical locations,” he added. In response to this initiative, residents and business owners have expressed strong approval, acknowledging its profound impact on easing daily commutes and revitalizing commercial activities. LASTMA has assured the public that this operation will be systematically extended to other areas afflicted by unauthorized parking and related infractions. The General Manager urged all motorists to adhere strictly to traffic regulations and cooperate with authorities to avoid punitive measures. Additionally, he called on the general public to actively contribute to maintaining order by promptly reporting abandoned or broken-down trailers and trucks to LASTMA via the agency’s toll-free hotline: 080000527862
After securing a whopping deal worth over $10 million to perform at a Royal wedding in India, Davido has accumulated all the trending space on social media.
Attributed to shutting down the wedding ceremony with an electric riffing performance, fans are suggesting that Davido should have been paid more following how he made most of the moment count with his unique approach to stage performance.
Via video proofs, shared online by explorers, Davido was spotted Dancing along with the couple while performing his hit songs, including his latest song ‘Funds’.
After the show, while curiosity verged to the flair, Davido confirmed he was paid $10 million after revealing the identity of the Royal status who paid the outrageous amount on his Instagram.From this aspect, Davido warned about his incoming dominance which will yield in 2025, bragging about his qualities on Instagram.
Rivals fans dug on their nerves and heavily lambasted the Royal status for paying Davido $10 million instead of Wizkid, further ridiculing him.Meanwhile, Davido has made incredible view of deals in 2024, bagging in numbers including endorsement deals and individual deals that helped fund his luxurious lifestyle. He is recongnised as the most endorsed Afrobeat star in Nigeria, gracing over 20 vital endorsement so far.
The FCT Police Command is requesting members of the general public to assist the Police with any useful information that will help locate mama whose picture is attached above. Her name is Becky Mbazuan Wende, aged 68 years old, hails from Kwande LGA in Benue state; she was last seen on 7th December 2024 when she left the house to NKST church new Nyanya dressed in green Ankara attire.
Well-meaning members of the public with useful information about her should contact the nearest police station or call the PPRO FCT on 07038979348 or 08180382808
Just days after the end of the Nigerian Civil War in January 1970, disaster struck in the home of Wikina-Emmah in Kono at the heart of *Ogoniland* in Rivers State. Ebenezer Saro-Wikina, eldest son of Wikina-Emmah, suddenly passed. The *Ogoni* were among the nationalities affected by the civil war. Multitudes from the ethnic group previously sought refuge in the area delineated as *Biafra* by the secessionists. They were glad to return to their ancestral homes at the end of hostilities. Ebenezer Saro-Wikina went through the stress and drudgery of “crossing the Red Sea,” literally. He got back to his roots but sadly passed within days. The painfully departed Ebenezer was married to Grace Wikina and together they had five children. The 36-year old Grace Wikina at the time had to confront the grim reality of raising her two sons and three daughters, all by herself. “Mummy,” *Mama* or “Grandma” as she’s variously addressed, turned 90 on Sunday December 1, 2024. It is a fitting opportunity to celebrate this peculiar yet unsung matriarch.
In consonance with her name, “Grace,” Mama has been graced by God, strengthened and preserved especially through the past 56 years, playing father and mother to five children. They have turned out successfully in their separate endeavours before her very eyes. They have also blessed her with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Serial arrivals of newborns have kept Mama delightfully engaged, running the motions of *omugwo* ever so often. She’s eternally available to help with postpartum care for her children and daughters-in-law, after childbirth. This is a cultural practice long popularised by the Igbo nationality of South East Nigeria. It is seems standard Nigerian, maybe African practice though, known by other qualifications.My classmate, good friend and brother, Blessing Barikui Wikina, one of Mama Wikina’s children it was who engendered the earliest engagements between my family and the Wikinas. Blessing is Mama’s second child behind Bright Wikina. Margaret Keaniabari Wikina; Anita Dorathy Dunubari Mojekwu and Aniekan Baribefe Faith Nnadozie, are Blessing’s siblings from Mama. His half-siblings, Mama’s stepchildren include Nwifii Wikina; Barido Wikina; Sonny Wikina and Ekama Helen Wikina.
At the point of registration as a direct entry student at the University of Ilorin in the “harmattan semester” back in 1982, I met a core of like-minded classmates at various registration stops. Those were not the days of the internet or e-learning as yet, where you could enrol for studies online from any part of the world, take your courses via the same medium, write your examinations and also get graded, virtually. Members of my small circle of freshmen would subsequently share the same hostels, nurture similar extracurricular interests and proceed to become non-biological siblings for life, up till this day. The core of that team featured: Gbenga Ayeni, a professor of journalism at the East Connecticut State University, (ECSU), in the United States; Dapo Adelegan, a hardworking multipreneur and Bisola Segilola Oluwole, a sterling businesswoman. Wikina, who retired as Director from the Rivers State Civil Service, and Folake Obe-Olawuyi, were in the group. Folake was the daughter of the renowned Nigerian photojournalist, Peter Obe, who was on the frontlines of the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970, documenting the 30-month engagement. Sadly, we lost Folake a few years ago to the COVID-19 scourge early 2021.
My family lived in Ilorin at the time while the families of most of my friends lived elsewhere, in Lagos, Makurdi, Port Harcourt and so on. They adopted our Ilorin abode as theirs and usually stored their belongings in our place whenever it was holiday. During our usual banters, I would rub it in that I was their “guardian” in Ilorin and they were bound to be of good behaviour! It was my self-appointed responsibility to visit the university regularly while they were away, to keep tabs on information beneficial to us all. Hard copies of results of the previous semester’s examinations and similar updates were unfailingly pasted on the noticeboards of various departments and faculties. We had a land-line in our family house so I usually called to brief them. In the course of one of such checks after our final examinations in 1985, I discovered there was an error of computation in Wikina’s results. This could possibly cost him an additional academic year. The land-line Wikina left with me was malfunctioning. I couldn’t reach him and there was no alternative. I couldn’t contemplate having one of my closest friends repeating a year in university by no fault of his. I discussed the impasse with my parents who of course knew all my friends. I sought their blessings to travel to Port Harcourt, to save my friend from the careless oversight of some non-academic staff. My parents approved and funded my trip.
So, off I left for Port Harcourt on my first visit ever, that day in July 1985. I knew the address of the Wikinas by heart, like I did the addresses of everyone else. In our usual, regular exchanges, it was common for us to celebrate the characteristics of our home bases. Lagosians typically pride themselves as the smartest and toughest. I would remind them I was raised in the bristling Benin City, home of daredevil toughies. Wikina serenaded us with salivating stories about Port Harcourt, the idyllic “Garden City.”So, here I was at *No 3, Wogu Street, D’Line, Port Harcourt,* home of the Wikinas. I introduced myself to the mother of the house who set aside everything she was doing to receive this friend of her son who she had heard so much about. By this time, neither Blessing nor anyone else knew my mission. I kept asking about Blessing’s whereabouts. *Mama* did all she could to make me feel at home offering me water and beverages. Blessing finally showed up. You could see the sense of agitation on his face when he came face to face with me. He had gone to play *set,* a “five-a-side” football variant, popular in the neighbourhoods and institutions of learning. My face was the least he expected to see in Port Harcourt. *Ol’ boy, wetin happen na,* he queried in apprehension… Tears streamed down the cheeks of Mama Grace Wikina when Blessing relayed the purpose of my visit to her. Following the 1970 demise of her husband, Mama secured a job in the Rivers State Civil Service.
With her meagre earnings she trudged on, focused on raising her children to be disciplined, God-fearing, focused and hardworking. Part of Blessing Wikina’s way of supporting the exertions of his widowed mother was to join the civil service, even before he pursued university education. One could only imagine just how broken Mama would have been if Blessing could not graduate on schedule…Mama attended the convocation ceremony where Blessing and I graduated with honours in Unilorin, in October 1985. Mama and her small delegation to the event stayed in our house in Ilorin. This further consummated the growing relationship between the Olusunles and the Wikinas. Upon completion of her National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) in Calabar in 1992, my fiancée at the time, my wife of over three decades now, secured a job with the Port Harcourt branch of *CSS Bookshop.* I encouraged her to take it so she could begin to build up her work experience. But there was a challenge: accommodation. I called Mama and told her my wife-to-be was in need of a place to stay having just secured a job. “I will vacate my room for her if we cannot find space for her. When is she resuming,” was Mama’s most touching response. My younger sister, Lydia Osasere-Omoruyi got posted to Port Harcourt for the NYSC shortly after my wife moved in. This heightened accommodation concerns at the Wikina’s. Mama the tough matriarch dislodged Blessing from his own room and settled her in!Years back, Mama Wikina came into Abuja with members of the family for an event.
They attempted to “sneak” into a hotel so as “not to bother us.” They were “busted” and happily rerouted to our place, even if it meant we as hosts had to fling duvets and mattresses on the floors of our living rooms within the period of their visit. My son was posted to Rivers State for the NYSC, shortly after this visit. He was received by Blessing Wikina from the Port Harcourt airport and settled in to catch his breath in Blessing’s home for a few days. He was subsequently taken to the NYSC camp in *Nonwa-Gbam,* in *Tai* local government area by his host and uncle. Such is the story of the archetypal “handshake across the Niger River,” between the Olusunles of *Okunland* in the savannahs of Nigeria’s North Central, and the Wikinas of Ogoniland in the wetlands and creeks of the South South. This was the Nigeria we knew, the lost motherland, fittingly bemoaned by the legendary novelist, Nigeria’s own Chinua Achebe in his seminal treatise titled *There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra,* published in 2012. The Wikina family has scheduled a thanksgiving service for 10am at Methodist Church, Mbonu Street, D’Line Port Harcourt on Saturday December 7, 2024. This will be followed by a grand reception at *The Authograph Event Centre,* on Sani Abacha Road, GRA Phase 3, also in Port Harcourt. A grateful Mama Wikina will be surrounded by her siblings, children, stepchildren, their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and family extensions cultivated over time and geography. We join in praying for good health and more years on earth for a spectacular woman. Congratulations, Mama *N’Court,* one of Mama’s pet names, which alludes to her being spouse to Ebenezer Saro-Wikina whose father was a colonial era court interpreter.
Tunde Olusunle, PhD, Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), teaches Creative Writing at the University of Abuja
Nigerian actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, fondly known as Omosexy, has thanked God following a life-threatening health scare that left her battling for survival.In a thanksgiving post shared on Instagram, the veteran actress recounted her harrowing experience, detailing how she underwent emergency surgery after enduring severe back and chest pain, persistent vomiting, and debilitating stomach discomfort.Omotola revealed that her ordeal began while she was busy working on her films and attending the Academy Voting Members’ screening of Gladiator II.
Despite her enthusiasm for the event, she struggled to remain upright during the screening as her symptoms worsened.The actress, who described her recovery as a “fight for her life,” used the moment to reflect on the importance of gratitude and the fragility of life.Sharing a video, she wrote, “Happy thanksgiving! please join me as I thank God for life and good health. (so my first caption didn’t post and this is another not as passionate as the first one ) arghhh.“Have you been told by a doctor ‘There’s nothing more we can do at this time’? And you still feel like you’re dying? A read ….“As you know by now, I had been getting my films ready and after the day’s edit, I proceeded for the Academy Voting Member’s viewing of the Gladiator 11 … but all through the viewing, I could not sit up… you see, I had been rushed to the ER twice that week already for back – chest pains that would come intensely and leave the next day! The doctors were checking for my now Hbp and intense acid reflux ! On the second admission, the doctor gave all the drips, blood work and sent me home to manage ? Luckily it left …However … after the movie, I knew there would be no talks with Denzel or Ridley Scott today. I needed to go! I threw up all night till there was nothing to throw up anymore.
By morning, the most filapidating stomach pain started and so l was rushed again to emergency… the third time ! This time, I was wheeled in, straight for a CT scan, ultrasound and the MRI. Then the doctor came in and said you have to go in immediately for surgery! … to remove your ball-gladder!!! It was so dilated, the doctors wandered how I was not in more pain. More pain???!So the fight for my life began and today, I am returning to give all the glory to God. So on this day, whether you’re in the US or not, there’s so much to thank God for, take some time to join in and give thanks.
Not only the gift of life, but the gift of good health. The gift of a complete body or a sane mind to even dream of a better day.
The world’s oldest living man has died at the age of 112, his family have confirmed.John Alfred Tinniswood died on Monday at the Southport care home where he lived.The lifelong Liverpool football fan became the world’s oldest living man in April this year, when Juan Vicente Pérez Mora died at the age of 114.His family said Mr Tinniswood’s final day was “surrounded by music and love”.
Mr Tinniswood, who was born on 26 August 1912, the same year the Titanic sank, became the UK’s oldest man in 2020.He was recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s oldest man in April 2024.
Born to Ada and John Bernard Tinniswood, Mr Tinniswood, a widower, leaves behind a daughter, Susan, grandchildren Annouchka, Marisa, Toby and Rupert, and great-grandchildren Tabitha, Callum and Nieve.In a statement, his family said he “had many fine qualities”.”He was intelligent, decisive, brave, calm in any crisis, talented at maths, and a great conversationalist.”They added, these qualities served him well during his military service in the Royal Army Pays Corps during World War Two, where – in addition to accounts and auditing – his work involved logistical tasks, such as locating stranded soldiers and organising food supplies.He met his wife, Blodwen, at a dance in Liverpool, and they married in 1942.Susan was born in 1943, and the couple enjoyed 44 years together before Mrs Tinniswood died in 1986.After World War Two, he worked for Royal Mail and, later, as an accountant for Shell and BP, before retiring in 1972.His family said he had an ” active retirement”, volunteering as a church elder in Blundellsands United Reform Church where he also gave sermons.
Mr Tinniswood previously told the BBC he been “quite active as a youngster” and did “a lot of walking”, but said he had no idea why he was blessed with such longevity. He insisted he was “no different” to anyone else, adding: “You either live long or you live short – and you can’t do much about it.”His beloved Liverpool Football Club was founded just 20 years before he was born, and he lived through all but two of the Reds’ 66 top flight trophies – having missed the first two league titles in 1901 and 1906.He moved to the Hollies Rest care home in Southport just before his 100th birthday, where his kindness and enthusiasm for life were an inspiration to the care home staff and his fellow residents, his family said.Since turning 100 in 2012, he had received an annual birthday card from the monarch – first from the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was his junior by almost 14 years, and, more recently, from King Charles III.
The family added: “We would like to thank the many people in the UK and across the world who sent well wishes to John on his recent birthdays.”He really appreciated these birthday greetings and other messages of support.””John always liked to say thank you. So on his behalf , [we] thank all those who cared for him over the years, including his carers at the Hollies care home, his GPs, district nurses, occupational therapist and other NHS staff.”The family have requested any donations in his memory be made to Age UK, or to a charity of their own choice.The oldest living man on record was Jiroemon Kimura, from Japan, who lived to the age of 116 years and 54 days. He died in 2013.The world’s oldest living woman, and oldest living person, is Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, who is currently 116.
. The event, held in a warm and supportive atmosphere with friends and family in attendance, has sparked strong reactions and moral concerns among social media users.
In the video, the man is dressed in a suit, while the dog, his “bride,” is wearing a white bridal gown. They are seen embracing and smiling as they “tie the knot,” with guests looking on. The ceremony exudes positive energy, yet many online viewers are deeply disturbed by what they consider an extreme and controversial act.
This video comes on the heels of another unusual viral clip of the “first pregnant dad,” where a transgender man shares his pregnancy experience while expecting a baby girl. These incidents have stirred conversations about societal changes and boundaries, with many expressing disbelief and concern.
Here are some reactions from users who voiced their opinions in the comments section:
While some found the incident amusing, others voiced concerns about what they see as a moral decline. The video has sparked debates about values, legality, and the limits of personal choices.
What are your thoughts on this unusual wedding? Let us know in the comments below.
Mike Eze-Nwalie Nwogu, who is fondly known as Pretty Mike of Lagos, has listed Magodo as go-to spot for married women seeking secret trysts with younger men.
Magodo is a town in Kosofe LGA located in the northwestern part of Lagos. It is bounded by Ikosi-Ketu and Ojodu Berger.
The nightlife promoter while reacting to thesex scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, the embattled Equatorial Guinea’s anti-graft boss during a recent interview
with Arise TV, disclosed that many married women in Lagos engage in illicit relationships without their husbands’ knowledge.
Pretty Mikeargued that some societies accept open marriages, where couples consent to extramarital affairs.
“I think it is their thing. We are in a society where husbands are allowed to sleep with other women and women allowed to sleep with other men,”he said.
Mike also claimed the phenomenon is prevalent in Lagos, particularly in the Magodo area.
“In Lagos here it is heavy. Magodo is their headquarters in Lagos. Married women who sleep with young boys. Husbands of those married women are not aware.
“If you are a husband and you are not aware your wife is sleeping with other men that means something is wrong. Or it is a tight niche or a cartel where everybody is having fun.
“They know their husbands are cheating. They would just come together and say ‘you know what, our Ogas are doing this thing, let us just have our own fun’.
“Trust me, any day this video or scandal comes out, I am sure it will be small to what we saw in Equatorial Guinea.”
