Abeokuta shuts down as dignitaries gather for wedding of Yemi Kolapo’s daughter

Obasanjo, Emir Sanusi, Top Generals, Politicians, Media Icons, Nollywood Stars Grace Grand Celebration

The ancient city of Abeokuta stood still on Saturday, August 23, 2025, as a constellation of Nigeria’s most influential figures converged for the Nikkah (wedding) of Faizah Omoteniola Kolapo, daughter of Dr. Yemi Kolapo, Publisher of The Point Newspaper and Iya Sunnah of Egbaland, and AbdulHakeem Jimoh, son of retired military officer, Brig. Gen. Olanrewaju Jimoh.

A celebration of love and legacy

The beautifully adorned marquee of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library served as the venue for the grand affair. The event attracted guests from across the country and beyond, paying tribute to the philanthropic legacies of both families, according to a report by Freedomonline.

Dr. Kolapo, who is also President of the Media Transformation and Empowerment Foundation and Ameerah General of Ogun State, received high praise for her impact in media and religious spheres.

The groom’s father, Brig. Gen. Jimoh (rtd), was equally celebrated for his years of service and contributions to the society.

Sanusi, Obasanjo, Amosun lead distinguished guests

Among the most prominent guests was His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, Emir of Kano and ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Despite last-minute travel changes due to the burial of the Emir of Zuru, Sanusi ensured his presence, describing it as a personal duty to honour Dr. Kolapo.

Other notable figures in attendance are:

• Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Bola Obasanjo
• Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former Governor of Ogun State
• Aremo Olusegun Osoba, veteran journalist and former Ogun State Governor
• Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom
• Ambassador Sarafa Isola, former Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK
• Capt. Raji Rasheed (rtd), former Military Administrator of Sokoto State and Baba Adinni of Egbaland
• Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, businessman and political associate of Obasanjo

Governors, senators and political stalwarts present

Kogi State Governor Alhaji Usman Ododo, who lost his father just two days prior, was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, alongside a team of special advisers.

Other political dignitaries included:

• Senator Shuaib Salisu (Ogun Central)
• Senator Lekan Mustapha, Aare Musulumi of Ogun State
• Senator Adesoji Akanbi, Okanlomo of Ibadaland
• Hon. Ladi Adebutu, PDP chieftain
• Hon. Segun Showunmi, Convener of The Alternative
• Alhaja Salmot Badru, former Ogun Deputy Governor
• Rt. Hon. Suraj Adekunbi, two-term Speaker, Ogun Assembly
• Prof. Anthony Kila, Pro-Chancellor, Michael & Cecilia Ibru University
• Chief Ralphs Nwosu, Founding Chairman, African Democratic Congress

Strong media presence

The Nigerian media industry showed up in full force. Attendees included:

• Mr. Ademola Osinubi and Mr. Joseph Adeyeye, former and current MDs of Punch Newspapers
• Mr. Gbemiga Ogunleye, ex-Provost, NIJ
• Chief Raheem Adedoyin, Secretary-General, International Press Institute
• Mrs. Funke Egbemode, ex-Osun Information Commissioner and past NGE President
• Mr. Mustapha Isah, former NGE President
• Mr. Femi Adesina, ex-presidential spokesman
• Dr. Reuben Abati, media personality and former presidential aide
• Mr. Tunde Rahman, SSA on Media to President Tinubu
• Mr. Eze Anaba, current NGE President
• Chief Chris Isiguzo, NUJ leader
• Dr. Kabir Garba, NGE Vice President
• Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, Saturday Tribune Editor

Corporate communications heads from top banks and firms also attended, including:

• Nasir Ramon (UBA)
• Kunle Aderinokun (Access Bank)
• Tajudeen Ahmed (BUA Industries)

Clerics and Islamic scholars deliver powerful messages

The spiritual aspect of the Nikkah was led by top Islamic scholars, including:

• Sheikh Saadallah Bamgbola, Chief Imam of Egbaland
• Sheikh AbdulQuadr Junaid, Chief Imam of Remoland

Prof. Kamaldeen Balogun, Chief Imam of Gbagura and wedding lecturer

• Sheikh Sulaimon Farouk Onikijipa, Grand Mufti of Ilorin
• Sheikh Sulaiman AbdulAzeez, Imam Gambary of Ilorin

Prof. Balogun emphasized loyalty, patience, and mutual support in his sermon. The Emir of Kano also offered heartfelt advice: “In everything you do in marriage, ask yourself — is this something you would do to someone you truly love?”

Military brass and public service titans in attendance

Serving and retired top brass of the military added weight to the guest list. These included:

• Maj. Gen. RO Yusuff (rtd)
• Maj. Gen. JB Olawumi (rtd)
• Maj. Gen. Oyefesobi (rtd)
• Maj. Gen. Ajetunmobi, Maj. Gen. Ogunlade, AVM Demola Durotoye (rtd)
• Maj. Gen. Faruk Mijinyawa, GOC 81 Division Lagos
• Rear Admirals Imam and Olanrewaju
• Brig. Gen. GU Nwamba, Commander, 35 Arty Brigade, Alamala
• Maj. Gen. BO Sawyerr, among others

Star Power: Nollywood graces the occasion

The wedding also sparkled with the presence of Nollywood royalty:

• Chief Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello)
• Fathia Balogun, Bimbo Akintola, Toyin Abraham and husband
• Fausat Balogun (Madam Saje)
• Doyin Kukoyi, media influencer Queen Zara Onyinye, and others

Emotional moments and speeches

The groom’s father, Brig. Gen. Jimoh (rtd), expressed deep gratitude to God and to all guests.

Dr. Yemi Kolapo said with pride: “I feel super proud that I raised a lovely daughter. My message to them is to live in peace, shut out intruders, love each other, and grow together.”

Senator Amosun described the union as “blissful” and prayed for future generations to celebrate similarly joyous occasions.

Reception Chairman, Amb. Sarafa Tunji Ishola, delivered a thought-provoking speech, likening marriage to a journey from “the ocean of fantasy to the ocean of reality.” He stressed mutual respect, responsibility, and non-violence in marital life.

A musical finish by K1 De Ultimate

The reception climaxed with a thrilling performance by Fuji legend Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1 De Ultimate), who kept the crowd entertained with his evergreen hits.

The wedding of Faizah and AbdulHakeem was more than a ceremony—it was a convergence of tradition, prominence, and goodwill, reflecting the strong reputations of both families. Abeokuta may not witness such a high-powered gathering again soon, but the memories of August 23, 2025, will live on.

Arsenal record slim victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford

Arsenal on Sunday opened their 2025-26 Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Riccardo Calafiori scored the only goal after the Italian defender pounced on a huge mistake by United’s stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.

Manchester United fought hard to find their way back but they were unable to find the breakthrough.

The Gunners held on to grab the maximum points to begin their season on a victorious note.

Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta, described the victory as a great result, praising the players for their hunger in the encounter.

He said, “A great result. In the first game of the season you come to Old Trafford. You sense the momentum that they’re trying to build with the ambition they have with the club.

“We have the hunger, desire and ability to win. I am really pleased with that.

“Last year we drew here and we probably played better.

“We came here away and won, which is a big result. We were clearly not at our best. We attacked the box and we reacted well to unusual mistakes. The team reacted time after time in an incredible way. Very proud of that because that is why we got the opportunity to win the game.

“We showed resilience and a will to win. They put you on the ropes here, you will have to have moments when you suffer. To find a way to win at this ground, I’m very happy with the team.

Arteta was delighted with the new signings’ impact after the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, and Martin Zubimendi made their debut for the club.

“They have made good impact on the team; they have a great attitude. Physically some of them are still not at the level we require for 95 minutes but we will get there.”

Similarly, Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, was proud of his team’s performance despite the defeat.

He said: “It was really hard because I think we showed that we were the better team today. We played better than Arsenal.

“A strange goal, but then we tried everything to score a goal. We have small things that will make a difference in the future. The defence felt like a different team and that is a good thing, but we need to win games.

“I am proud of the players. I said so many times that the players need to adapt.

“Intensity, the way they are sprinting. They fought for every duel. They were so brave playing one against one. They were really brave, and I am happy with that.

The Portuguese coach has called for improvement ahead of their next Premier League game against Fulham next Sunday.

Amorim said: “We deserved more and we were the better team, that is clear but in the end we lost.

“We need to work on the things we need to improve. We need to defend set pieces. We did a lot of things right. There are a lot of things without seeing the video that we need to work on. I am really proud of my players.”

Arsenal will return to Premier League action against Leeds United on Saturday while Manchester United will take on Fulham on Sunday.

Arsenal record slim victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford

Ezeh emerges ALBON president, commits to tackling luxury bus owners’ challenges 

Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), the central body of long distance, inter-state transporters in Nigeria, has elected a new executive council to run its affairs for a renewable term of two years.

The smooth and rancour-free transition saw the outgoing National President, Mr. Nonso Ubajaka, hand over the baton to his successor and Managing Director of God Bless Ezenwata, Prince Samuel I. Ezeh.

Ezeh, who like other members of the new executive emerged without a contest, was until the election the association’s 1st Vice President.

It was the highpoint of ALBON’s 18th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, which had in attendance some of the big names in luxury bus transportation and some member-companies’ managers.

The roll-call of the chieftains included Chisco Transport founder, Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, MFR; his E.Ekesons Brothers counterpart, Chief Eugene Ojukwu, MON; Mr. Frank Nneji OON, founder, ABC Transport PLC; and Prince Emeka Mamah, former ALBON President and Chairman, Ifesinachi Industries Nig Ltd.

Elected unopposed with Ezeh at the AGM, are: Hon. Obiora Egwim, Managing Director of Ifeanyichukwu lndustries. & Commercial Services Nig Limited (1st Vice President); Chief Tochukwu Nwaibe, Chairman/ CEO of Anyakamkpaele Motor Nig limited (2nd Vice President); and Mr. Frank Nneji, who is the association’s Honorary Secretary, having occupied the position in previous executive councils.

Other executive council members are: Mr Chimezie Peter Obi, Managing Director/ CEO of Gobison Transport Nig. Ltd, Treasurer; Mr Chijoke Ugwu, Chairman/CEO, Phoenix Motors Nig. Limited, Financial Secretary; and Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu, Managing Director, Silver Luxury Travel & Freight, Public Relation Officer (PRO).

In his acceptance speech, Ezeh described the mandate to the new team as a call to serve, saying, “it is my resolve to make a commitment towards that service for a better ALBON and an improved transportation system in Nigeria.”

The President appealed to the association’s members to bring “ideas and cooperate with our soon-to-be-released directives on the new way of doing this business.”

In an interview after the swearing-in, Ezeh assured that the new ALBON leaders would build on the existing cordial relationship with the Federal Government, especially the Ministry of Transport, with a view to addressing the challenges in long distance road transportation in the country.

He identified a few of the challenges as the bad condition of some of the highways, high cost of procuring new buses and replacement parts, and insecurity (including kidnapping and armed robbery) on some routes, among others.

The new ExCo, he assured, would be engaging the relevant ministries and agencies of government towards addressing the problems confronting members’ operations.

“For instance, if the government approves a concessionary exchange rate for the importation of fully built buses and components for local

assembly of buses, and then makes the highways motorable, the impact on our businesses will be massive in terms of lower cost of procuring new buses and reduced maintenance expenses.”

The gains of such reduction in costs would invariably be passed on to the members of the travelling public, Ezeh assured.

Earlier in his account of stewardship in the past two years, the out-going National President, Mr. Nonso Ubajaka, had listed some of the challenges facing inter-state transportation, including insecurity and the effect of the harsh economic situation in the country which have combined to reduce the patronage of members’ transportation services.

Ubajaka, who is the Managing Director of Izu Chukwu Transport, however, informed the meeting that despite the challenges, his executive committee recorded remarkable achievements, one of which is fostering a good relationship with the Ministry of Transportation led by the minister; Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali.

Also on his score-card are securing and taking full control of motor parks where member companies operate from in parts of the country; reinvigorating the association’s task forces; and reviewing ALBON’s by-law (constitution) to reflect prevailing realities.

He recalled the implementation of the Federal Government 50 percent transport fare subsidy by which the travelling masses paid only 50 percent of the prevailing fares during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Christmas and New Year seasons.

This, according to him, was as a direct benefit of the warm working relationship with the Federal Government through the Transportation Minister, which applauded the association for the transparent and honest manner it handled the fare palliative funds.

“The successful implementation of this programme by ALBON on behalf of the Federal Government has endeared us to our supervisory ministry, the Ministry of Transportation, as a foremost organised inter-state passenger transport association,” Ubajaka remarked,

Congratulating the new leaders, one of the leading lights of luxury bus transportation business, Okeiyi Chidi Anyaegbu, said it was gratifying to note that the association’s new generation executives have sustained the legacy of collaboration with the Federal Government which he initiated during his tenure as the President years ago.

Urging the new ExCo to continue in that direction, Anyaegbu said, “I was the one who led the association to the Federal Government. It was during my tenure that it happened. It never happened before. Today, we are having palliatives (fare subsidies) and that is because I linked the association to the Federal Government.”

The Chisco Transport founder poured encomia on Mr. Frank Nneji, who was ALBON’s Honorary Secretary even during his tenure as President, as well as Barr. Ralph Ekeh (the Executive Secretary) for their commendable contributions to the progress of the umbrella body.

“I thank God for the life of Mr . Frank Nneji. He is like the guiding father of this association. He has contributed a lot, and I give him the credit. He was the Secretary when I was the President. That I was successful during my tenure was mainly because he was the Secretary, ” Dr. Anyaegbu said.

Other ALBON chieftains who attended the AGM are: Chief Daniel Okemuo, former President and Chairman/CEO, Dan Dollars Motors; Chief Boniface Nwachukwu, Chairman/CEO, Bonyway Motors; Mr Maduburochukwu Okeke, Managing Director/CEO, GUO Transport; and Mr. Obinna Anyaegbu, Managing Director, Chisco Transport.

Chief Edwin Obi, Chairman, Eddyson Motors Nig Ltd; Chief Sabastine Udemba, Chairman/ CEO Chiemezie Motors; and Chairman/ CEO of Okeyson Motors, were also present.

Others are Engr Chijoke Ojukwu MD/CEO of E .Ekeson & Bros Nig. Ltd; Engr Chukwuemeka Onyewe, Director of Operations, Young Shall Grow Motors Nig Ltd; Mr Ekperedike Okechukwu, Chairman/CEO, Blood of Jesus Services Ltd; Mr. Nnamdi Akpawusi, Chairman, Chukwudi Transport Nig Ltd; and Chief Emmanuel Umebe, Chairman/CEO, Chukwudi Ebube Transport Nigeria Ltd.