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AfDB President Hints At Possible Run For Nigerian Presidency

The outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has hinted at the possibility of running for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027, stating he is “available to serve” once his tenure at the bank concludes.

In an interview with Arise Television’s news host, Rufai Oseni, Adesina, who also served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture under former President Goodluck Jonathan, affirmed his commitment to national service, saying he is open to serving “globally, in Africa, anywhere, including my own country, Nigeria.”

When asked directly about his political ambitions, Adesina reflected on his deep attachment to Nigeria, recalling a moment when he chose to retain his Nigerian citizenship despite the opportunity to obtain a U.S. passport.

“I remember telling a colleague that this passport is a Nigerian passport, a green passport. I cannot and will never trade it for anything,” he said. “God did not make a mistake in making me a Nigerian. He didn’t make a mistake in making me an African.”

Expressing his passion for public service, Adesina noted that his ultimate source of happiness is witnessing a transformative change in people’s lives.

Drawing a parallel with Nigerian pop artist Davido’s hit song, ‘Unavailable,’ Adesina playfully remarked, “I would ask Davido to change that song—‘I am available, they will see me.’”

Adesina was first elected as AfDB President in 2015 and secured re-election for a second term in 2020. His tenure at the continental financial institution has been marked by a focus on economic development, infrastructure financing, and poverty alleviation across Africa.

While he did not declare his candidacy for the 2027 presidential race, his remarks have fueled speculation about his political future.

His track record and reputation as an economic reformer have long positioned him as a potential contender for Nigeria’s highest office.

As Nigeria’s political landscape gradually shifts towards the next general elections, Adesina’s latest remarks may signal a move towards a more defined political role.

Whether he formally declares his ambition remains to be seen, but his message was clear: he is ready to serve in any capacity that aligns with his vision for change

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EFCC to Arrest EezeeTee over Mercy Chinwo’s $340,000 Royalties

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reiterated that Ezekiel Thankgod, known as EezeeTee, must appear before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi to answer allegations concerning Mercy Chinwo’s royalties.
The EFCC accuses Thankgod of laundering and dishonestly converting $340,000 in royalties meant for the gospel artiste.

According to the EFCC’s statement, Justice A. O. Owoeye ruled on Monday, February 17, 2025, that the defendant must appear in court to take his plea, setting March 6, 2025, as the next hearing date.

“The defendant, Ezekiel Thankgod, has consistently evaded arraignment despite multiple attempts by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate to serve him. This prompted the issuance of a warrant for his arrest on January 16, 2025,” the commission’s statement read.

The EFCC detailed that the former manager of Mercy Chinwo and the CEO of Eezee Global Concepts Limited are facing a three-count charge involving money laundering and dishonest royalties conversion.

One of the charges states that in 2023, Thankgod retained $260,494 in an EEZEE Global Ministry account with Zenith Bank, an amount allegedly linked to unlawful activity.

The EFCC prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, noted that the agency had been unable to serve the charges directly to Thankgod, as he remained unreachable.

However, on January 24, 2025, his defense counsel, Dr Monday Ubani, SAN, accepted service on his behalf but filed a preliminary objection to challenge the charges.

Justice Owoeye had previously adjourned the case for arraignment, but Thankgod failed to appear, opting to be represented by his counsel.

With the bench warrant still active, the EFCC insists that the accused must personally appear in court on March 6 to defend himself.

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Celebs

Veteran Nollywood actor, Columbus Irosanga Passes On

Veteran Nollywood actor, Columbus Irosanga, popularly known for his role as a native doctor is dead.

His death was announced on Instagram on Thursday by fellow movie star, Hilda Dokubo.

Sharing the news, Dokubo wrote, “There can’t be a shortage of angels in heaven that the few here are called home like this na! This one is heavy on Uniport Rivers State Nollywood.”

Beyond acting, he was a senior lecturer at the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Port Harcourt.

His most notable film roles include Issakaba (2003) and 7 Kilometre (2015).

Throughout his career, he received numerous awards, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role (AMAA), Best Actor in a Drama (City People Entertainment Awards), Most Promising Actor in Nigeria (AMVCA), and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Best of Nollywood Awards).

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Business

Dominion City’s David Ogbueli Sets Up 1 Billion Naira Entrepreneurship Support Fund

David Ogbueli

Dominion City at its recently concluded 2025 Lagos Executive Leadership Retreat for Entrepreneurs & Career Professionals has set aside N1 billion to empower entrepreneurs. President of Dominion City Global, Dr. David Ogbueli made this public at the church’s Lagos headquarters.

The five-day retreat was geared towards equipping participants with the tools and mindset to improve their economic standing through wealth creation and innovation. At the retreat, participants—both onsite and online—numbering more than 1,000 were trained and fully exposed to addressing food security via pastoral farming, shifting agriculture, subsistence farming, and commercial agriculture; economic empowerment, discipleship, and spiritual growth; job creation; global migration and expansion; resource mobilization for business funding; and healthcare, among other topics.

The President of Dominion City Global, Dr. Ogbueli, who proposed a N1 billion support fund for entrepreneurs, stated that one of the goals of the empowerment retreat is to equip congregants with the skills, resources, and support necessary to succeed in business and their careers, thereby preparing them to further empower their immediate communities.

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He emphasized the potential for exponential growth in businesses, calling for participants to achieve a 10-fold progression while advancing God’s kingdom. According to him, Dominion City is empowering God’s children to be problem-solvers and solution-givers, enabling them to turn societal problems into opportunities. Dr. Ogbueli also urged the church to embrace God’s principles and consistently provide solutions to societal problems to prosper.

“You have to give God something to work with. God’s blessings has to rest on something. You plant the seed, and God sends the rain, which brings the harvest. You are not going to prosper if you cannot find solutions to people’s problems. It is your information that will plant the seed. No amount of prophecy will guarantee the outcome if you don’t add your part to it. No matter what is prophesied to you, your choices determine the outcome,” he advised.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ogbueli called on churches to actively engage in structural economic development by empowering their members through entrepreneurship, ultimately contributing to the prosperity and well-being of society.

Some professionals addressed salient topics affecting the congregants and the nation’s economy, including Dr. Austine Maduka: “Kingdom Wealth Using Agriculture”; Mark Osang: “Discipleship and Spiritual Growth”; Alioha-Emmanuel Ihechi: “Cassava Farming and Processing”; Chidinma Okebalaman: “Global Migration/Positioning/Expansion”; and Dr. Jackie Ikeotuonye, CEO of BFA Integrative Health & Wellness Clinic: “Health and Cure.”

Others included Uzoma Ayodeji: “Attracting Grants for Social Enterprises: Practical Steps for Success”; John David: “Strategic Creativity: Organic Innovation for Accelerated Productivity in Business and Career Optimization”; and various other topics such as “Epidemiology and Control of Lassa Fever” and “Seeing and Owning the Future: The Future of Work.”

It will be recalled that Dr. David Ogbueli in December 2024 at his Abuja Headquarters personally disbursed N100,000 to over 100 church members while providing hundreds more with substantial cash gifts and food items.

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