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Popular Ekiti Born Philanthropist, Funso Ayeni Bags PhD in US Varsity
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The erstwhile Head Of Trade Marketing at Nigerian Breweries Plc, Funso Ayeni who put in over 17years into building profitable brands,creating and selling their stories through-the- line in relevant ways has added another outstanding achievement to his basket.
Known for swimming against the tide, Ayeni recently bowed out gloriously from Nigerian Breweries and set tongues wagging on what would be his next move.
Pundits had concluded that Ayeni must have definitely secured a prime place in another multinational company but he did the unexpected.
The Ekiti born top corporate player simply heeded the call from home and joined the local politics to enable him to empower his people more. It would be recalled that prior to that move, Ayeni had invested heavily into philanthropic endeavour through his Funso Ayeni Foundation. Through the platform, and with his hard-earned income, had contributed to community development and individual empowerment.
As at the last count, over 30 communities in Ekiti North Senatorial district had benefited from his largess. It was this singular selfless act that spurred his people to drag him into politics.
The peak of this was his winning the primary election which enabled him to stand for his party -the Peoples Democratic Party in the last year senatorial contest for Ekiti North.
Meanwhile, in the midst of all the political struggle, Funso didn’t get distracted as he was still pursuing his academic target to get to the pinnacle of academic excellence. Shortly before he left Nigerian Breweries, he gained admission to pursue a Phd programme at Walden University, USA.
While working towards winning election in Ekiti, he was simultaneously dedicating a reasonable time to his research work. The big one is that a few weeks ago, Ayeni successfully defended his thesis and earned Phd in management, specializing in leadership and organizational strategy.
The journey began in 2002 when he bagged Higher National Diploma at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti and by 2005, he had added a Post graduate Diploma Applied Geophysics at the Federal University of Technology, Akure.
Rather than allowing complacency to set in especially with a good job in Nigerian Breweries, he proceeded to Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho, where he added Masters in Business Administration in 2010.
In 2018, he was in University of Salford, UK for another Master of Science and in 2023 he bagged Master of Philosophy at the Walden University, USA which paved the way for the Phd programme which he just concluded.
Reacting to why he went back to school to earn a Phd in management, the top corporate player turned politician simply said, “Sincerely, I didn’t see anything unusual in my academic journey; it’s part of the dream I have set for myself. Yes, management because I want to become a scholar practitioner to advance a greater good, become a better thinker and be able to shape experience to impact knowledge.
Iran has carried out the execution of two individuals accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, according to an official statement from the country’s judiciary.
Authorities said the two men were convicted on charges of espionage linked to Mossad, and were found guilty of working with what officials described as a hostile intelligence network operating within Iran.
According to the judiciary, the suspects had been under investigation for activities considered detrimental to national security.
Their death sentences were subsequently upheld by the country’s Supreme Court prior to being enforced.
The executions were confirmed on April 20, 2026, although officials did not provide specific details regarding the exact time or location.
Iranian authorities stated that the case is part of ongoing efforts to counter and dismantle foreign intelligence operations within its borders.
There has been no independent confirmation of the allegations, and Israeli authorities have not issued any immediate response.
The incident reflects the persistent strain in relations between the two countries, with Iran frequently reporting the uncovering of alleged espionage networks tied to Israeli operatives.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area in Ogun State.
President Tinubu also approved a special take-off grant of N15billion for the college.
The President’s approval was in fulfilment of the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, particularly with respect to the expansion of the Police Academy based in Wudil, Kano state, into multiple campuses across the country.
The intervention fund will be sourced from the TetFund 2026 allocation to finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and core training assets.
A high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) recommended the siting of the new campus in Erinja.
The meeting considered student intake capacity, funding realities, academic quality assurance, and the long-term needs of the Nigerian Police Force, which is currently recruiting more men.
President Tinubu believes the expansion will strengthen institutional governance, modern policing education and national security.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), South West Zone, has disowned a press conference purportedly held in Ibadan on Monday, which claimed that the zone had condemned the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, declared support for Governor Makinde of Oyo State and loyalty to a Turaki-led National Working Committee.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Oyeniyi, described the event as the work of organised impostors who do not represent the party at any level.
“The Zonal Chairman, Engr. Deji Doherty, was away in Abuja attending the 108th meeting of the National Executive Committee of our great party and no zonal officials held any press conference. The claim of an Ibadan press conference is therefore a barefaced lie,” Oyeniyi said.
The statement said those behind the Ibadan gathering do not speak for the party, hold no mandate, and are not recognised by any organ of the PDP from ward to national level.
Oyeniyi further said the illegality of the group was very pronounced, noting that they do not even have a Zonal Vice Chairman, which is very significant for any structure claiming to speak for the PDP South West.
“These are the ones whose agenda was to destabilise the party but they failed. Looking at them, one could see that their group is now a psychiatric ward with no staff. Destabilising elements always end up as wanderers. Karma never forgets, and wickedness by default carries consequences too,” the statement read.
According to Oyeniyi, “these ones slung toboggan, and now the stones are expectedly raining on them, and their current noise and theatrics will not substitute for acceptance by party members or the public.”
The PDP South West said its loyalty to the Abdulrahman-led National Working Committee and the National Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Wike remains unalloyed and also advised the impostors to retrace their steps and rejoin the party through the proper channels, rather than constituting themselves into a nuisance, as no amount of media stunts or paid propaganda will confer any legitimacy on illegitimacy.
He urged the general public, party faithful, and the media to disregard the publication, stating that official communications of the PDP South West Zone would continue to come only through recognised party channels in the zone under the leadership of Engr. Deji Doherty.
Iran executes two men over spying for Israel
Tinubu approves N15bn take off grant for new police academy
PDP South West Disowns Ibadan Press Conference, Calls Organisers Criminal Impostors
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