Chief James Onanefe Ibori, the ebullient Urhobo man who superintended over the affairs of Delta State as governor between 1999 and 2007, strides today into the sexagenarian club as he turns 60. The people’s man, once described as “Apamaku 11” by then governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is as robust and full of life today as he was then when he was governor for eight years way back.

I was not even allowed to squat. In the evenings I would go and stay in the common room where students gathered to watch television. The television stations operated from 6pm to 12 midnight. And when the students leave by 12, I would bring my mat and pillow to sleep there

In the next few months, there will be a change of baton in the State of Osun. It has been eight tough years since a Marxist took the state by storm, after a protracted and iconic struggle. From Lagos, I drove to Osogbo on a Sunday morning, consuming the over 200 kilometers in three hours. The cloud had been threatening heavy downpour at dawn, but it turned out to be brag. 

Toyin Oyewole, popularly known as Toyin Oyes, is an award winning gospel artiste whose musical talent is, no doubt, a gift from God. Meanwhile, rather than go secular, he chose to explore this talent to glorify his Maker.

Mrs. Kudirat Fashola is the CEO of Kuddy Cosmetics. From her small beauty shop located on Lagos Island in 1986, she now has 17 shops and centres all over Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Abeokuta with over 100 staff strength. She ventured into business at the age of nine. Now at 60, Fashola takes us through her journey into beauty products, challenges, her lifestyle and lots more.

Founder of IPI Solutions, Adamu Garba, tells how desire, faith, and persistence propelled him to great heights. He achieved that by shutting his ears to discouragement and focusing on long-term goals.

The cosy grounds of the home of former Oyo state governor Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala was already a beehive of activities by the time WW went calling  on a sunny  Sunday  morning. The lady of the house and a woman of faith had already coordinated the day’s worship and was on hand, as was their 10 year old  son  Olamikunle, himself a budding but highly talented saxophonist.  First Ladies are generally taken for granted as being seen, not heard, and their roles are hardly appreciated. Not one to lose sight of herself, her values and her essence, Oluwakemi Akala offers a peek into how she was able to adjust to public life while remaining ‘real’.
Well known as a philanthropist and counselor, everyone who knows the beautiful former First Lady knows that her quietness does not detract from her style; and Oluwakemi was at her most urbane and gracious as WW engaged her on this and  a few issues. Excerpts:-

A member of a choir in Chibok, Dorcas loved to sing, even while cooking, her mother said, breaking out into her daughter’s favorite tune

Adene Eromosele Peter, an Edo State-born graduate of Computer Engineering, Babcock University is a Nigerian musician who began his music-making craft with the formation of a music group called ‘The Corpershun Diaries’,TCD, while observing his compulsory National Youth Service Corp program. In this interview with Star Tracker, the budding singer speaks on his music, aspirations and what he’s doing to empower Nigerian youths .

The ones we can reconcile with their families, we reconcile, and the ones we can we give a new lease of life, we give a lease of life. Some people think Area Boys are completely wasted people

Capt Aliyu “Blade’ Umar, a security expert, is the chief executive officer of Goldwatetr & RiverSand Consults, an organisation that offers consultancy and oversight advisory services on a broad range of national security issues. In this interview, he examines Nigeria’s security architecture and advises that politics, religion and ethnicity should stay out of security issues

Major General Garba Ayodeji Wahab (Retired) is graduate of the prestigious Royal College of Defence Studies, UK. Nicknamed ‘Sankara’ in the armed forces, he was highly revered for his abilities in the training of officers and men as well as his charisma. He was at several times, Principal Staff Officer to COAS, Director of Operations, Army Headquarters, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Infantry Division, Kaduna, and Chief of Administration at Army headquarters. In this interview with Vanguard, he bares his expert opinion on the security challenges confronting the country, the war against Boko Haram, Herdsmen-Farmers crisis and some decisions of the present administration concerning spending of funds ($1billion) which has raised questions. He then suggests the way forward.

When I started the programme, I had a course adviser, the late Okunuga, who told me I was not too old to learn and that there is no end to education

EditorIn his first major interview after being elected National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, former Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State and former Commander of the Presidential Air Fleet, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, Rtd, speaks on what could bring about lasting peace to Nigeria’s oil-producing region and equally stabilize the foundation for the country’s peace, growth and development in general.

When the war ended in 1970, we managed to go back to school, studying under trees because there were virtually no schools standing, but we managed to proceed under that condition