Afe Babalola Day

NEWS RELEASE

Professor Ademola Azeez to Speak at Ekiti Summit People of the Year Award Ceremony

Ademola Azeez, a distinguished Nigerian academic renowned for his contributions to Political Science, governance, and development studies, will serve as a guest

speaker at the Ekiti Summit People of the Year Award Ceremony.

The event, themed “Celebrating Excellence, Leadership, and Social Impact in Ekiti State,” is scheduled to hold on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Arowolo Gardens, beside TotalEnergies Filling Station, Fajuyi Area, Ado-Ekiti.

Professor Azeez is widely respected for his outstanding academic career spanning Political Science and development studies. He currently serves as a Professor of Political Science at Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), where he specializes in Governance, Democracy, Comparative Politics, and Development Studies.

Over the years, he has held several key academic and administrative positions, earning recognition for his contributions to scholarship and institutional development.

He obtained his B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Political Science from University of Ibadan and is also an alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), United States, class of 2011. In addition, he is affiliated with several professional bodies, including the African Association of Political Science (AAPS).

The Ekiti Summit People of the Year Award Ceremony promises to bring together distinguished personalities, community leaders, professionals, and stakeholders committed to celebrating excellence and transformational leadership in Ekiti State.

Members of the public are cordially invited to attend.

PRESS RELEASE

OGEDENGBE FIESTA 2026 HOLDS JULY 29–31

A 3-day heritage and cultural festival in honour of legendary Yoruba war hero and statesman, Ogedengbe Agbogungboro, will hold from July 29–31, 2026 in Osun and Ekiti States.

Theme:
“Ogedengbe Agbogungboro Legacy: Leadership, Security, and Statecraft for Modern Governance in Nigeria.”

The festival will feature:
Traditional homage at Atorin
Heritage excursion to Kiriji War historical sites in Imesi-Ile

Visits to Ogedengbe Cave, Ibu Latoosa Site & Yoruba Peace Treaty Grove

Visits to Afe Babalola Gardens, Okemesi -Ekiti

Legacy Awards & Hall of Fame Investiture in Ilesa

Distinguished Personality Lecture in honour of Aare Afe Babalola,SAN, OFR, CON
Arole Fabunmi of Okemesi -Ekiti.

The event aims to preserve Yoruba history, promote cultural tourism, and inspire conversations on leadership, peacebuilding, and governance.

Daily Time: 11:00 AM Daily
📞 Contact: FEMI ALUFA Esq +2349018414248

HAPPY EASTER!
"We must take time to appreciate people who make a difference in our lives."

Happy Easter to Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON — Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University.
A father figure, a rare benefactor, a builder of lives, and truly a living ancestor.
May this Easter season bring you renewed strength, divine grace, sound health, peace, and continued wisdom to keep blessing humanity.
Long life and prosperity, Aba Afe.

CHANGE OF DATE
EKITI SUMMIT AWARDS 2025

Dear Sir/Madam,

Please be informed that the new date for the programme is Saturday, 9th May, 2026, and NOT 7th March, 2026 as earlier announced.

The event will take place at 11:00 a.m. prompt at the same venue:

Arowolo Gardens
Beside Total Energies Filling Station,
Fajuyi Area, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

FEMI ALUFA Esq.
Publisher/CEO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PROF.BANJI AKINTOYE @91

By Femi Alufa

Professor Banji Akintoye at 91 represents a rare fusion of scholarship, statesmanship, and cultural guardianship. Widely respected as a historian and intellectual, he has spent decades shaping how Yoruba history and identity are understood, both within Nigeria and globally.

His academic work, marked by clarity and depth, helped elevate African historical studies at a time when indigenous perspectives struggled for recognition. Beyond the classroom and the written page, Akintoye became known for insisting that history is not merely about the past but a compass for collective dignity and political consciousness.

Equally defining has been his public life. In national discourse, he emerged as a voice of conviction, unafraid to engage controversial questions about governance, federalism, and self-determination. Admirers view him as a custodian of cultural memory and political principle, someone who frames advocacy not as agitation but as a continuation of historical responsibility. Even critics acknowledge the consistency and intellectual grounding of his positions, traits increasingly scarce in modern political culture.

At 91, Akintoye’s longevity itself carries symbolic weight. It reflects not only personal resilience but the enduring relevance of ideas forged through study, reflection, and experience. His life illustrates how intellectual leadership can transcend generations, reminding younger Africans that rigorous thought, cultural literacy, and civic courage are mutually reinforcing. In this sense, Professor Akintoye’s legacy is still unfolding - not confined to his years, but extended through the conversations and consciousness he continues to inspire.

Happy birthday dear Daddy, may your strength be firm.

- Femi Alufa is the Publisher of Ekiti Summit News Media Group.


Ojudu Babafemi Babafemi Olugbenga Alufa

HISTORICAL SUPPLEMENT
Doherty Memorial Grammar School: 71 Years of Legacy and Community Vision

By Femi Alufa

Doherty Memorial Grammar School DMGS, Ijero-Ekiti is 71 today.Born on February 7,1955 as the first community-driven public secondary school in Ekiti land, Doherty Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) celebrates its 71st anniversary, marking over seven decades of educational service and societal impact. The institution stands as a testament to the power of collective vision, rooted in philanthropy, faith, and community commitment.

Named in honour of Oga Josiah Henryson Doherty, a prince-merchant of old Lagos and renowned philanthropist, the school reflects a lineage of leadership and civic responsibility. Oga Doherty was a grandson of Ajero Agbeleja bi Arira (1821-1866), a prominent traditional ruler, through Princess Helena Fatoregun Doherty, who played a seminal role in introducing Christianity to Ekitiland in the 1890s. Her fearless evangelism and moral leadership laid the groundwork for educational and social reform in the region.

Over the decades, DMGS has nurtured generations of students, producing leaders in public service, business, academia, and religious life. Beyond academics, the school embodies the enduring values of integrity, communal engagement, and resilience.
At 71, DMGS is more than an educational institution - it is a living monument to Ekiti heritage, a bridge between past and future, and a reminder that lasting impact stems from vision, faith, and the collective will of a community.

We are very of you,our Alma mater,DOME GRAMS!
Up School! Up DMGS! Up DOMEGRAMMS!

Ekiti Indigene, Dr. Olusanmi Adeniran, to Speak at Inaugural West Africa IMT Summit

Ekiti-born Diaspora professional, Dr. Olusanmi (Olu) Adeniran, PhD, PMP, CQA, has been invited as a Distinguished Speaker at the Inaugural West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade (IMT) Summit & Exhibition, scheduled for 3–5 March 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria.

Dr. Adeniran, President of ABACOLL Solutions LLC, Dallas, Texas, USA, and an indigene of Ekiti State, was invited by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to deliver a keynote presentation at the summit’s Technical Seminar.
Themed “Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity'.

The summit will bring together governments, industry leaders, investors, and technology providers to drive the region’s industrial growth agenda.

Dr. Adeniran has also been named among the Ekiti Summit News Media People of the Year Awardees, with the award ceremony scheduled for 7 March 2026 in Ado-Ekiti.

IMO STATE @ 50: IMO GOVERNMENT TO HONOUR LATE EZE BEN OBI WITH POSTHUMOUS STAR AWARD

Owerri, February 7, 2026 -
The Imo State Government has approved the conferment of Imo State @ 50 Star Honours on distinguished personalities in recognition of their service, legacy, and contributions to the development of the State.

The approval, granted by Governor Hope Uzodimma, CON, is part of activities marking the Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary) of Imo State.

Among the recipients selected for posthumous recognition is His Royal Highness, Eze Ben Obi (OBE, MFR), a respected traditional ruler and statesman. He will be honoured under the Star of Innovation Award (SIA) category for his enduring legacy, visionary leadership, and contributions to societal development.

Late Eze Ben Obi was widely regarded as a bridge-builder whose influence extended beyond the traditional institution into community development and national service. His selection reflects the State Government’s resolve to immortalise excellence, sacrifice, and service.

The award ceremony will hold today, February 7, 2026, in Owerri, as part of the official Imo State @ 50 celebrations.

Reacting to the announcement, His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr. Amb. Goodluck Odimegwu Obi, JP, son of the late monarch and Royal Father of the Ofo Dim Ubulu Ihejiofor Ancient Kingdom, Oru West Local Government Area, described the honour as a fitting tribute to his father’s lifelong dedication to humanity.

Eze Dr. Amb. Goodluck Odimegwu Obi is also a benefactor of the Ekiti Summit News Media Group and the Ekiti Peace Day Kiriji Memorial Festival, a role he has sustained since 2019, supporting peace-building and cultural initiatives.

The Imo State @ 50 Star Honours celebrate both living legends and departed heroes who shaped the destiny of the State.

NOTE: Picture of Prince Goodluck Obi ,son of HRH Ben Obi is used as Picture Story.



Evang.Ebuka Obi

VIEWPOINT : FEMI ALUFA, EKITI’S QUIET DEFENDER OF LEGACY AND INSTITUTIONS -

VIEWPOINT : FEMI ALUFA, EKITI'S QUIET DEFENDER OF LEGACY AND INSTITUTIONS - Ekiti Standard Newspaper By Lekan Adejuwon In Ekiti State, influence is sometimes measured not by volume but by the careful stewardship of reputation, history, and institutions. Femi Alufa exemplifies this model. In an era where social media outrage often eclipses reason, Femi Alufa, a media entrepreneur, history buff, peac...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON, Founder/Chancellor, Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) celebrates Chief Emeka Anyaoku, World Statesman and Former Secretary General, Commonwealth of Nations at 93.
Happy Birthday Sir!👍.

Big shout out to my newest top fans! Osho Julius Abejide, Akin Adeoti, Olusola Tony, Prince Adetunji Dara, Elizabeth Ojo, Olaleye Samuel, Adegunle Olugbamila, Oka Akoko Indigenes