Theresa May congratulates organisers of Annual Gathering of Africa's Best GAB Awards 2016 as event holds in London's Canary Wharf on Sunday

Ahead of Sunday's November 27th  2016 date for the 18th Annual Gathering of Africa's Best (GAB) Awards the British Prime Minister - Theresa May MP, has sent a message of congratulations to organisers of the Annual Gathering of Africa's Best (GAB) Awards.

In her Goodwill Message, the Prime Minister stated that: "I would like to congratulate Trumpet Media on its 18th Annual Gathering of Africa's Best Awards."

"These awards are an opportunity for us all to recognise the incredible achievements of successful African men and women across sectors including financial services, retail, media, the arts, science and technology and sport.

"I would like to congratulate the organisers and volunteers for making these awards such a successful event and wish everyone involved all the best."

Earlier organisers have released a list of recipients who have amassed votes for recognition at the London financial district epicentre venue, the Hilton London Canary Wharf.

 According to the Founder of the GAB Awards and Publisher of the 21-year old Trumpet Media Group - 'Femi Okutubo, "Against the backdrop of numerous negative stereotypes about Africa and Africans, we must continue to celebrate Africa's Best. There are many, including unsung heroes who are putting Africa and Africans on a positive map - they deserve to be celebrated."

Watch: GAB Award 2016 post award presentation dance at Hilton Canary Wharf https://youtu.be/L-ECsL1Gk1g Recorded by KBJOJO.com The first batch of names of individuals and organisations who have made it to the Finalists stage of the GAB Awards Nomination process, includes Nollywood Stars Funke Akindele, Tonto Dikeh and Rita Dominic who are to be conferred with GAB Special Recognition Awards in The Arts category.

Those in the running for GAB Awards for Excellence include: Simeon Adewole Ademolake - Education; Africans Unite Against Child Abuse (AFRUCA) - Advocacy; Atlantic Solicitors - Legal; Priscilla Anyabu - Future Leader

Dame Betty Asafu-Adjaye - Community Development; Daniel Ford International - Property Services; Employment Rights Representation and Advisory Services - Advocacy; and Yemisi Jenkins-Lewis MBE - Community Engagement.

Others include: Alice & Lifted Joshua (Alifted Music) - Entertainment; Cllr. Joy Laguda MBE - Community Engagement; MC Mark - Entertainment; Mo Obadina - Business Consultancy; Obaseki Solicitors - Legal Services; Akpos Ogagbe - Entertainment; Pastor Lola Owolabi - Community Development; Purple Premium Ltd - Property Services; The Reapers Choir - Gospel Music; Simon Bethel Solicitors - Legal Services; and Lily Mensah Yeboah - Marketing Consultancy.

Recipients will be revealed during the glamorous GAB Awards ceremony on Sunday November 27 at Hilton London Canary Wharf - in London's financial district.

The GAB Awards was founded in 1999 by The Trumpet Newspaper.

The GAB Awards rewards excellence among Africans and Friends of Africa on the continent and in the Diaspora who are contributing the positive image of Africa and Africans.

Tickets to the event can be purchased via www.gabawards.eventbrite.com or by telephone: +44 (0) 7956 385604.

Full List of Finalists

Special Recognition Awards

Funke Akindele  - The Arts

Tonto Dikeh  - The Arts

Rita Dominic  - The Arts

Awards for Excellence

Sam Adebanjo - Gospel Music

Simeon Adewole Ademolake - Education

Africans Unite Against Child Abuse (AFRUCA) - Advocacy

Atlantic Solicitors - Legal

Priscilla Anyabu - Future Leader

Dame Betty Asafu-Adjaye - Community Development

Annette Bee - Media

Malcolm A Benson - The Arts

Broadreach Training Services - Education

Covenant Voices - Gospel Music

Daniel Ford International - Property Services

Employment Rights Representation and Advisory Services - Advocacy

Gospel Touch Choir - Gospel Music

Heat Factory ICI Productions Ltd - The Arts

High Achievers Academy - Education

Okoli Chukwuka Ikenna - Youth Empowerment

Yemisi Jenkins-Lewis MBE - Community Engagement

Alice & Lifted Joshua (Alifted Music) - Entertainment

Juliana Asthma Cause - Health

Kaft Trendz - Fashion

Dr Oladimeji Kareem - Health

Cllr. Joy Laguda MBE - Community Engagement

MC Mark - Entertainment

Migration of African Music - Entertainment

Mo Obadina - Business Consultancy

Obaseki Solicitors - Legal Services

Dr. Dapo Odumeru - Health

Akpos Ogagbe - Entertainment

Yemi Ogundipe - Gospel Music

Martins Ojo - Youth Development

Anu Omideyi - Legal Services

Pastor Lola Owolabi - Community Development

Purple Premium Ltd - Property Services

The Reapers Choir - Gospel Music

Tonia Shodunke - Gospel Music

Shoggy Tosh - Sport

Simon Bethel Solicitors - Legal Services

Lily Mensah Yeboah - Marketing Consultancy

The GAB Awards was founded in 1999 by The Trumpet Newspaper.

The GAB Awards rewards excellence among Africans and Friends of Africa on the continent and in the Diaspora who are contributing the positive image of Africa and Africans.

Further information is available at www.gabawards.com

Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) Elects New Leadership!

PRESS RELEASE

Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) Elects New Leadership!

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) elected new 

leadership during the just concluded 2016 Annual General Meeting (AGM) 

held in Athens, Greece on Saturday 12th November, 2016. The Election AGM 

had in attendance delegates from 14 countries Chapters across Europe.

The newly elected members of the Central Executive Council are:

1)    Hon. Kenneth GBANDI (Germany) – Chairman

2)    Engr. Cornelius OBOT (Netherlands) – Vice Chairman

3)    Engr. Abiodun OGUNSAKIN (UK North) – General Secretary

4)    Sir. Chibuzo UBOCHI (UK South) – Legal Adviser

5)    Engr. Adeyemi ADEMUYIWA (Germany) – Financial Officer

6)    Megan ADAOBI Clement (UK South) – IT Officer

7)    Dr. Camillus KONKWO (Austria) – Social, Welfare and Event Officer

The Election AGM was attended by Hon. Barrister Rita Orji, Chairperson, 

House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs and the co-host, 

His Excellency, CDA, Mr. Ogah Usman Ari, the Nigerian Ambassador to 

Greece. In their respective speeches, both were specifically and 

genuinely interested in assisting NIDOE to refocus on the original goals 

and objectives of pursuant to National Development for which it was 

created.

During the course of the AGM, both dignitaries worked extensively with 

the NIDOE General Assembly to review and resolve all outstanding 

misunderstandings. At the end, all parties agree with the proposal by 

the dignitaries to join hands together to move the organisation forward. 

A member of the hitherto aggrieved party that were initially opposed to 

holding the election later moved the motion for the General House to 

proceed with the election; the motion was seconded and thereby carried 

by General House.

Both dignitaries remained in attendance from the beginning of the AGM 

till the end, participated as observers throughout the entire period of 

the election, and monitored the counting of votes. They both 

congratulated the newly elected Central Executive Council members, the 

entire NIDOE General House, and the Electoral Committee, for conducting 

such a free, fair and credible election. Hon. Barrister Rita Orji 

further charged the newly elected leadership to reach out to any 

remaining aggrieved members not present at the AGM to ensure that all 

hands are on deck in the new era of peacekeeping, unity and cooperation 

to jointly move the organisation forward for the development of our 

country Nigeria.

It was agreed by the General House and both dignitaries in attendance 

that the remaining positions that could not be occupied during the 

election shall be filled through co-option or possibly in a by election 

to be held at a later date.

The outgoing Chairman of NIDO Europe, Dr. George Manuwuike handed over 

the baton of leadership to the newly elected Chairman, Hon Kenneth 

Gbandi who in his acceptance speech, glorified the ex-Chairman, and also 

expressed his gratitude to his opponent Dr Bashir Obasekola, for all his 

services to NIDO Europe. He went further by expressing his gratitude to 

the entire NIDO Europe community for electing him to the position of 

Chairman, NIDOE Europe, and the Electoral committee for conducting a 

free and fair election. He concluded by appreciating the effort of both 

dignitaries present and promised to work very hard with the rest of his 

Central Executives Council to move the organisation forward.

While congratulatory and goodwill messages has continued to pour in for 

the new NIDOE Central Executive Council from notable individuals and 

organisations across the globe, the new NIDOE Central Executive Council 

hereby expresses sincere appreciations to the following facilitators;

-    Hon. Barrister Rita Orji, Chairperson, House of Representatives 

Committee on Diaspora Affairs.

-    His Excellency, CDA, Mr. Ogah Usman Ari, the Nigerian Ambassador to 

Greece.

-    Ambassador Sotiris Mousouris, President, Hellenic-African Chamber of 

Commerce.

-    The NIDOE AGM Committee, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Camillus 

Konkwo.

-    The Host Chapter – NIDOE Greece, under the Chairmanship of Dr Emmanuel 

Oparaocha.

-    Immediate past NIDOE BoT, under the Chairmanship of Dr. George 

Manuwuike.

-    The NIDOE 2016 Electoral Committee under the Chairmanship of Chief 

Andrew Iduh.

-    All aggrieved NIDOE members who constructively supported the entire 

program of the AGM, including the adoption of the minutes, the 

ratification of the new MEMART, and the conduction of the election 

interest of peace, reconciliation and progress of the entire NIDOE 

organisation.

The Athens election AGM is an unprecedented success in the history of 

the organisation, given the number of individuals and chapters that were 

present, presented candidates for the election, and elected new Central 

Executive Council members unopposed. The new leadership has placed high 

priority on the reconciliation of all stakeholders to ensure that all 

hands are on deck, to deliver both on its promise to the members and its 

commitment to the Nigerian national development.

Signed:

          Abiodun Ogunsakin                                   Kenneth Gbandi

    Secretary General – NIDO Europe                              Chairman 

– NIDO Europe

For and on behalf of NIDO Europe

Regards,

Engr. Abiodun Ogunsakin (Abey)

General Secretary

NIDO Europe Central Executive Council

UK: +44(0)7949783640

Nigeria: +234(0)8102441400 

http://nidoeurope.org/

N16bn Ibadan Land Dispute: Court To Deliver Ruling on Wednesday Nov. 23rd !

Following years of adjournement and protracted court proceedings an High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State capital is set to deliver its ruling on the N16bn valued land dispute involving some families and the State governement, under Sen. Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi.

The concerned families under the leadership of Prince Ganiyu Lasisi Oladigbolu and 21 others had instituted a litigation against the state governor, Senator Ajimobi and five others ‎over 404.74 hectares of land around NIHORT area in the ancient city.

 The suit, filed for the release of over 404.74 hectares of land which the Federal Government had released to the families, but which the state government had withheld was against the Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi and five others as co-defendants.

 

At the last sitting, the 3^rd prosecution witness, Adeniyi Dada Bolarinwa told the court that it was Baale Lasogun who has become one the defendants in the case that gave him Letter of Attorney as the Managing Director of STAD Investment Company Ltd. to be the representative of the entire family on the 404.74 hectares of land in dispute.

Dada who was led in evidence by his counsel, Olayinka Abiose told the court that he made three statements to the police on 2nd May, 2013, 12th December, 2013 and 20th June, 2016 in respect of the case. 

He disclosed in his evidence that he submitted a copy of the Power of Attorney given to him by Baale Lasokun on behalf of the family with the statement he made at the police station on 2nd May, 2013.

The STAD boss also explained that the Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development had to, through a letter dated 20th April 201, invite him on behalf of the family over the land based on the Letter of Attorney given to him by the family.

However, Dada told the court that the original copy of the letter was kept by the Ministry of Land Housing and Urban Development, and attempts to tender its copy was rebuffed by the counsel to the defendants.

The counsel for governor Ajimobi, Barr. Nuru Abiola and his counterpart for Chief Eddy Oyewole, Barr. Niyi Ajewole vehemently opposed the tendering of the copy of the letter as an exhibit, declaring that the prosecution counsel did not lay proper foundation for such and that they were not informed ahead that the copy of the letter would be tendered as exhibit.

It was at this point that the trial Judge, Justice Adegboye Gbolagunte adjourned the case to 23^rd of November 2016 for ruling.‎
Case further adjourned till January 6th, 2017. Pending the final judgement it is arguably believed that evidences are proving that the said land belongs to the claimants.

Related news: Gov. Ajimobi Faces Contempt of Court Over N16b Ibadan Land Property!

Following their intransigence on the N16bn land dispute before an Ibadan High Court, the governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi and three others may face the wrath of the court as the presiding judge, Adegboye Gbolagunte has advised the aggrieved counsel to file the necessary application against them.

At the hearing of the case instituted against Ajimobi and others over the non-release of 404.74 hectares of land formerly acquired by the Federal Government to the owner families,  Dele Akinmusuti, counsel to the families had complained that Ajimobi had, despite repeated pronouncements of the court engaged others to be working on the site. ( Court Bars Ajimobi, aides from land since March 21, 2013) Url Link Reference : http://www.punchng.com/news/court-bars-ajimobi-aides-from-land/

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi - Oyo State

While adjourning further hearing of the case till 16th of December, 2014 Gbolagunte told the Akinmusuti, who led other lawyers on behalf of the owner families to go and file necessary application papers before the court with a promise to look at it and deliver the necessary  order. 

Ajimobi and two of his Commissioners in the Ministries of Land, Housing and Survey as well as Justice had been dragged before the court over the 404.74 hectares of land worth over N16bn.

Akinmusuti however told the court that despite the court injunction restraining all parties from the disputed land, the agent of the government under the leadership of one Muhammed Buhari the CE0 of the Briclinks Integrated Services Limited had been seen engaging in building construction on the land.

Subsequently, the construction firm would join Ajimobi and his two commissioners to answer contempt charges should the counsel to the families bring up the necessary application during the next adjourned date.

Meanwhile, Akinmusuti at the hearing requested for further adjournment to clear the ambiguity in respect of the letter written to them by the Attorney- General of the state on behalf of the government. Leading the claimnants are Chief Niyi Dada (STAD) and Prince Ganiyu L Oladigbolu who are the associate property power of attorney holder and the Secretary of the Concerned Owners Family of Idi-Ishin Nihorts Land, respectively.  

The counsel recalled that it was agreed on the 24th of September that they should come and give report on the proposed out of court settlement, but, said the two correspondences received so far from the defendants would still need to be clarified before there could be any pronouncement on the way forward.

Counsel to Ajimobi and his two commissioners, Nurudeen Abiola confirmed that they had engaged in discussion with the claimants counsel and agreed that they would go and discuss the issues raised by his learned friend and tidy up some areas before final draft of the agreement.

Counsel to the 4th, 5th and 6th defendants in the suit in which Asani Lasokun and Eddy Oyewole had been joined as co-defendants,  Niyi Ajewole did not raise objection to the adjournment request made by the counsel to the claimants as he reiterated that the discussion was between the counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants and those of the claimants in which his clients were not part of.

Read also:

N16b Ibadan land dispute inches towards settlement

http://independentnig.com/n16b-ibadan-land-dispute-inches-towards-settlement/#C52qfzyGBFK3ev6v.99