A hundred years is more than a measure of time; it is a rare passage through history, a lifetime of memories and a testament to the grace that sustains us.
I warmly felicitate Ogbueshi, the beloved father of Osita Chidoka, on the magnificent milestone of his 100th birthday.
Born in 1926, Ogbueshi has journeyed through a century of profound transformation—from colonial Nigeria to independence, through years of national trial, to the restoration of democracy and the remarkable age of digital connection. The world around him has changed beyond what anyone could once have imagined, yet at 100, he remains alert, curious and in touch with family and friends, embracing the modern world with admirable ease.
His long life has held both celebration and sorrow. He has known the blessing of raising a family and the deep pain of bidding farewell to his siblings and two beloved wives. Through every season, he has stood firm—his resilience a quiet strength, his faith an enduring anchor, and his presence a cherished blessing to those around him.
I join Osita, his family and all who hold Ogbueshi dear in thanking Almighty God for a century so richly lived. May this milestone bring him the honour, affection and joy befitting a life of such depth and grace.
Happy 100th birthday, Ogbueshi. May your remarkable journey continue to inspire all whose lives you have touched. Your life is a testimony to God’s enduring grace. -AA
Our Flamingos have made history! I warmly congratulate Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team on their 2–1 victory over Japan to claim our first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title.
Captain Harmony Chidi spoke of a dream that would make her teammates and country proud. Tonight, that dream belongs to every Nigerian. I salute her, her teammates, Coach Akeem Busari, and the entire technical and support staff for this unforgettable achievement.
These young women remind us of what Nigerian talent can achieve when it is nurtured and given the opportunity to flourish. May their triumph inspire more girls to pursue their dreams with confidence and courage.
Thank you, Flamingos, for giving our nation this moment of joy and unity. We are immensely proud of you. -AA
IN 1993, I LAID ABTI’S FOUNDATION; TINUBU FORFEITED $460,000 IN THE U.S. — ATIKU
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s latest attack on his investment in education, describing it as a desperate attempt to distract Nigerians from the failure of his administration.
In a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said:
“Again, Bola Tinubu has told Nigerians why they should not allow him to continue as president after his first tenure. He also chose to question my investment in education and ask how I built an educational institution while serving as Vice President.
“The answer is simple: my investment in education predates my time in public service. In 1993, while a U.S. court ordered the forfeiture of funds in an account in your name, describing them as proceeds of narcotics trafficking or funds involved in unlawful financial transactions, I was laying the foundation for ABTI Academy. That Academy has since grown into the American University of Nigeria.
“That moment captures the difference between us. My history is traceable. I can show Nigerians how I built my name, achieved success in business and entered public leadership. Your own history remains clumsy and foggy. You cannot erase it by attacking my record in education.
“A president who has plunged the country into a crushing cost-of-living crisis has no business asking Nigerians for another mandate. The real conversation about the 2027 election is how to repair the damage your government has done.
“You say Nigeria cannot return to subsidy and must move forward. But you cannot even tell Nigerians where you are taking them. Forward into deeper poverty, mounting debt, insecurity and mass unemployment?
“Since your inauguration in 2023, your leadership has become synonymous with hardship, pain and despair. Your record is a working example of how a country should not be led. You have created poverty on an industrial scale, pushing more than 79 million Nigerians into extreme poverty.
“Your campaign’s Director-General says hungry Nigerians are simply lazy. He delivered that statement in grammar so badly constructed it could wake the dead. This government does not even believe Nigerians are hungry. How can you solve a problem you refuse to acknowledge?