By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Let’s talk about Silas Adekunle, a brilliant Nigerian inventor and entrepreneur who made waves by creating the world’s first intelligent gaming robot.

Born in Nigeria, Silas moved to the UK at 12 and went on to earn a first-class robotics degree and an honorary Doctor of Technology degree from the University of the West of England, Bristol.

Silas co-founded and led Reach Robotics, a UK-based company that combined augmented reality gaming with STEM education. The star of the company’s creation was MekaMon—a four-legged robot with lifelike movements. It wasn’t just a toy; MekaMon brought video games to life with robotics and augmented reality. Alongside the robot, Reach Robotics developed an app that controlled MekaMon and served as a gateway to even more digital fun.

Silas raised $12 million in investments, growing the company to about 65 employees at its peak. In 2018, he landed a major deal with Apple to sell MekaMon in the U.S. and UK.

Adekunle is regarded as the highest paid in the field of robotic engineering, after being credited for building the world’s first gaming robot. Adekunle was able to achieve this feat after signing a mouth-watering deal with Apple Inc.

Despite these achievements, Reach Robotics faced challenges in the consumer robotics industry and closed its doors in September 2019. Later in 2022, the name “Reach Robotics” was revived by a company called Blueprint Lab.

But Silas Adekunle didn’t stop there. He turned his focus to robotics education across Africa, using MekaMon to inspire the next generation of tech innovators. He also started Awarri, a company promoting AI and robotics technology on the continent. By January 2020, he became the co-founder and CEO of R.I., a company helping developers create cloud solutions to remotely manage robots, industrial systems, and IoT devices.

Silas’s work has earned him well-deserved global recognition. In 2018, he was named one of the Financial Times’ “Top 100 Minority Ethnic Leaders in Technology” and featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Europe: Technology list.

Vanguard News

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The United States government on Friday returned $52.88 million linked to former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Madueke.

This amount was reportedly traced to assets forfeited by Galactica, connected to Madueke and her associates.

US Ambassador, Richard M. Mills Jr. and Nigerian officials, led by Attorney-General Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, formalized the agreement at the Ministry of Justice in Abuja.

The funds, as agreed, would be managed with transparency, under the supervision of the World Bank and IIJ, to ensure their proper use in projects benefiting Nigeria, and in adherence to international anti-corruption standards.

“Measures have also been put in place to ensure that the repatriated funds are not only disbursed but also utilized transparently and accountability by the World Bank and IIJ, with periodic reports to be forwarded to Nigeria and the US on the implementation of the projects.

“This robust framework will guarantee that the funds are effectively used for the full benefit of the Nigerian people in line with UNCAC and the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles,” the AGF declared at the meeting.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has formally approved the selection of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said that Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade, after thorough consultations and divinations, had been recommended by the Oyomesi and approved by the Governor of Oyo State.

According to the commissioner, a statement to this effect had been issued by the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ademola Ojo, who said that the announcement had put to rest all bickerings that had ensued since the demise of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III on April 22, 2022.

Hon. Ademola Ojo called on all citizens of Oyo State to join the Government in celebrating this momentus occasion and lend their support to the Alaafin of Oyo.

The Commissioner prayed that his reign would bring peace, prosperity, and unity to the historic Oyo Kingdom.