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Pat Utomi tried to hustle N200 million from me with fake leadership award: Ibikunle Amosun
Former Ogun state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has alleged that political economist, Pat Utomi, organised a fake leadership award to extort N200 million from him as a way of getting a refund of the investment he claimed to have lost during his tenure in office.
Mr Amosun’s accusation was in response to Mr Utomi’s “snide remarks” about him on X on Sunday, where he slammed the former governor for violating the contract signed by his predecessor, Gbenga Daniel, with a Chinese investment group in 2007 out of malice.
Following the comment, Mr Amosun said Mr Utomi was only sulking because he refused to feed his entitlement mentality, stating that the professor’s N200 million claim shares similarities with that of the investment group, Zhongfu International Investment FXE.
Sharing his side to the story, the senator said upon his assumption into office as governor in 2011, he found out that the state house of assembly had already blacklisted Mr Utomi as a personal non grata and named him an enemy of the state.
“Before I came into office, the Ogun State House of Assembly had passed a personal non grata on Utomi, and put its resolution in the state’s black book. So, I was curious when I became governor and called Utomi to ask what the issue was. This was entirely at my discretion and not because he reached out to me. But I reckoned that as one with some degree of name-recognition, that should not be, and I wanted to know what happened,” Mr Amosun explained.
He said Mr Utomi, “however, told me, amongst other things, that there was an ongoing construction in an Ogun State property that had become controversial. I immediately raised a team for verification and to know what to do.”
“The team I sent said the land was inappropriate because the said construction was being done in the car park of the Ogun property on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Road in Lagos State. My team then suggested somewhere else. But he didn’t want another place because, according to him, the place in question gave more visibility,” said Mr Amosun.
He explained that, “after our in-house assessment, my team concluded he could not have spent more than N35m or at most, N50m on the construction as of then. At that point, I decided to visit myself.”
“In addition, it was discovered that the so-called work done was hurriedly executed in the wake of the realisation that another political party had won the governorship election and would take over the reins of leadership in the state,” he added.
He stated that the move by Mr Utomi was an attempt to ambush the state government under his watch and presenting his administration with a Fait Accompli, which he described as a situation that would have led to controversy about demolition of an on-going project.
Mr Amosun further revealed, “just so that his investment in the state would not go to waste, I committed to making a refund of N100 million as against his claim of N200 million. He pressured me ceaselessly to pay him N200 million, but I did not yield.”
“As part of his determination to sway me, he deployed his Centre for Value in Leadership, CVL, through the instrumentality of an Award. At first, it all looked curious that I’d just been in office for about two years, and here I was being given an award, so I rejected it.
“But he insisted that I honour his CVL SOLUTION CONFERENCE SERIES with my presence, which I did, and I was given a plaque for participating. But I did not change my position on the refund of N100 million as against his N200 million claim,” he narrated further.
Mr Amosun said Mr Utomi complained to some people few years later with the intent to malign him, stating that, “when I heard, I called to tell him off because his problem was purely one of entitlement mentality,” adding that, “He even boasted, asking me: ‘Do you know who I am?’ Imagine! But I ignored him because I immediately saw through his true colour. In my book, it’s one law for everyone, no matter who you are.”
The former governor challenged anyone to meet him at the construction site to see the said N200 million investment Mr Utomi claimed to have made there, as he wondered what benefit the project would have been to the state.
He said, “Nobody can talk me down in order to look good. I served Ogun State passionately with all my strength, and I did with my shoulders high. I stand by every decision I took, whether or not people like Pat Utomi were in agreement with me.
“Utomi knows his case did not even have any legs to stand on. He is not different from Zhongfu International Investment FXE. He knows he can not lay claims to any lawful damage done to his investment. All he has tried to do is a ‘me too’, which is very disgraceful,” the senator added.
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FemyWalsh Limited Makes History: Appoints Chief Julie Coker as Africa’s Oldest Female Journalist (Photos)
In a groundbreaking move that underscores its commitment to inclusivity and excellence, FemyWalsh Limited has proudly announced the appointment of Chief Julie Coker, an 85-year-old trailblazer in African journalism, as part of its esteemed team.
This historic milestone cements FemyWalsh Limited’s position as a leader in championing diversity and recognising the value of experience across generations.
Chief Julie Coker, a celebrated icon in the media world, brings decades of experience, insight, and unparalleled expertise to the organisation. With a career spanning over six decades, she has been instrumental in shaping the narrative of African journalism, inspiring generations of journalists with her dedication, resilience, and pioneering spirit.
“Chief Julie Coker is not just a journalist; she is a living legend,” said Victor Walsh Oluwafemi, Chief Executive Director of FemyWalsh Limited. “Her contributions to journalism and storytelling have left an indelible mark on the industry. By welcoming her to our team, we are reaffirming our belief that greatness knows no age. This appointment is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and celebrating talent in all its forms.”
This is not the first time FemyWalsh Limited has demonstrated its dedication to inclusivity. Over a year ago, the organisation made headlines by employing a 74-year-old veteran journalist, setting a precedent for valuing experience and diversity. Chief Julie Coker’s appointment further elevates this legacy, marking a significant achievement not only for FemyWalsh Limited but also for Africa’s media landscape.
Chief Julie Coker will now join FemyWalsh Media, which operates Souq News Television, The Isle 104.9 FM Lagos, and the soon-to-launch Kasuwa Radio 99.7 FM, based in the ancient city of Kano. The addition of Kasuwa Radio reflects FemyWalsh Limited’s commitment to expanding its reach and promoting quality broadcasting across Nigeria.
Speaking on her appointment, Chief Julie Coker expressed her gratitude and excitement:
“I am deeply honoured to join FemyWalsh Limited, a company that values experience and continues to break barriers. I look forward to contributing my wealth of knowledge and being part of an organisation that is paving the way for inclusivity and innovation in the media industry.”
Chief Julie Coker’s role at FemyWalsh Limited will focus on mentoring the next generation of journalists, enhancing storytelling strategies, and promoting initiatives that celebrate Africa’s rich media heritage.
FemyWalsh Media’s growing portfolio of outlets underscores its dedication to reshaping the media landscape in Africa by combining innovation with inclusivity. This historic appointment serves as a beacon of inspiration for organisations worldwide, proving that experience and age are invaluable assets in fostering progress and creativity.
About FemyWalsh Limited
FemyWalsh Limited is a leading media organisation committed to driving inclusivity, innovation, and excellence in the media industry. With ownership of Souq News Television, The Isle 104.9 FM Lagos, and the soon-to-launch Kasuwa Radio 99.7 FM Kano, the company continues to inspire through its groundbreaking initiatives and unwavering commitment to diversity.
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The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, on Thursday, called on South West Governors to take the security of their areas more seriously in view of the latest revelation concerning the new influx of bandits into the region.
Afenifere disclosed this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital,
PUNCH Online reports that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde while speaking at the 2025 annual inter-faith service for workers held at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, on Monday, disclosed that bandits being dislodged from the North-West of Nigeria are infiltrating his state.
The Governor had said, “During a security briefing this morning, I learned that some bad elements from the North-West are relocating here due to military heat in their zones.
“To underscore the seriousness of the issue, the governor related his own personal experience when he observed his quiet birthday ceremony at Fashola near Oyo Alaafin towards the end of last month.
“During my birthday retreat in Fashola, bandits had camped less than two kilometres from where I was staying. This underscores the seriousness of the situation.”
Howeve, Afenifere stated that a disclosure of this nature coming from the Chief Security Officer of a state is not something to be treated with levity.
It, therefore, called on all the governors of the South-Western States to “as a matter of urgency, hold a meeting to map out strategies to expel the bandits from the region and to ensure that such elements do not infiltrate Yorubaland at any time again.
“For these objectives to be achieved, there is the need to carry certain groups along. These are the security agencies that will implement whatever security decisions are reached, traditional rulers and heads of local vigilantes known as ‘Ode’.”
Ajayi added that whatever strategies were devised should include functional, up-to-date equipment for those who would be on the fields, attractive incentives and the deployment of modern technologies to assist in identifying the bandits and their hideouts.
While urging security agencies and citizens not to take the issue of security lightly, Ajayi concluded by saying that traditional rulers and community leaders in different parts of Yorubaland should not keep quiet whenever they notice any indication suggestive of security threat.
It added, “For example, until the governor made the revelation on Monday, such grave security danger was unknown to members of the public, yet there are people living in Fashola area where the bandits were reported to have established a camp. It is not unlikely that similar camps could be found in some other parts of the South West, hence the need for urgent and effective action.”
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FemyWalsh Limited Makes History: Appoints Chief Julie Coker as Africa’s Oldest Female Journalist (Photos)
Afenifere demands concrete action from S’West governors on banditry
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