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Tinubu Honors Nike Akande on Her 80th Birthday
President Bola Tinubu has extended congratulations to Olori Onikepo Olufunmike Akande, OON, CON, as she joyously celebrates her 80th birthday on October 29.
A true trailblazer, Onikepo Akande made history as Nigeria’s first female Minister of Industry and the second woman to lead the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Her huge achievements have paved the way for many women in leadership roles across the nation.
In honouring Olori Akande, President Tinubu emphasizes her significant contributions to both the public and private sectors in Nigeria.
Known affectionately as Nike, she is highly respected not just for her professional accomplishments but also for her integral role in her community and family life.
As the Iyalaje Iyalode of Ibadanland, Nike Akande is revered as a remarkable leader and an influential figure within her community.
She is a devoted wife to Oba Adebayo Akande, the Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, and takes great pride in her roles as a mother and grandmother, cherishing the achievements of her family.
Nike Akande’s career began in the early 1990s, when she held key positions as a director of the National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NICON) and the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank, now recognized as the Bank of Industry.
Her contributions extended beyond these roles as she served on the Board of Trustees for the National Centre for Women Development in Abuja from 1992 to 1994.
Her efforts during this period were crucial in promoting women’s empowerment and development across the country.
President Tinubu commends Nike Akande for her exceptional service in various capacities, including as a boardroom leader, public administrator, community advocate, philanthropist, and business executive.
Her tenure as Minister of Industry is particularly noteworthy; during this time, she dedicated herself to fostering economic progress and innovation in Nigeria, establishing policies that would benefit both businesses and the broader community.
Nike Akande’s academic credentials, which include an education from Harvard University, have further solidified her reputation as a leader in investment and economic development.
Her work has garnered numerous accolades both nationally and internationally, particularly for her initiatives aimed at empowering women in commerce and entrepreneurship.
She has served as an inspiration for many aspiring female leaders and entrepreneurs, demonstrating the impact of dedication and hard work.
In his message, President Tinubu expresses profound gratitude to Nike Akande for her commitment to mentoring and uplifting others in society.
He describes her as a role model for countless women throughout Nigeria, highlighting the importance of her contributions to the nation’s development.
The President honours Nike Akande not only for her professional achievements but also for embodying values of beauty, diligence, courage, affection, and kindness.
He acknowledges her exemplary role as a supportive partner to a respected traditional ruler and as a nurturing mother whose children have achieved remarkable success in their respective fields.
As part of his tribute, President Tinubu prays for God Almighty to bless Nike Akande with continued health and longevity.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reportedly declared a strike at Taraba State University over outstanding salary-related demands and delays in payments.
The strike is scheduled to begin today, October 12, 2026. According to the union’s chairman, the union had been engaging the Taraba State Government over its outstanding demands since February 2026.
“The union had exercised considerable patience and demonstrated its commitment to dialogue since February 2026, when it began engaging the Taraba State Government over the outstanding issues,” Mbave said.
“The union had earlier suspended its planned industrial action following an appeal by the government for additional time through the Office of the Head of Civil Service, in the interest of maintaining industrial harmony,” the chairman added.
The Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Torseer Yina, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the ancient town.
The curfew takes effect from Thursday, October 8, 2026, following unrest and violent protests in the area.
According to reports, the action was taken to contain the unrest and violent protests by members of BEMOA following the death of one of its members by unknown gunmen.
The protest, which was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums, turned violent after an angry mob burnt two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
The Gboko council chairman said the curfew takes effect immediately and warned that anyone caught flouting the order or breaching public peace would be decisively dealt with.
Nine people have died in a fatal road crash along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The crash occurred on Monday at about 4:55pm around the Bethel area along the Ijebu-Ode/Ore axis of the expressway. It involved a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus belonging to Delta Line and a white Sino truck operated by Bill Gas Solution Ltd.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), all nine people involved in the crash, comprising three males and six females, died in the incident.
The FRSC said the crash occurred while it was raining and the road was wet, with preliminary investigations identifying speed violation as the probable cause.
The FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the report, while the bodies of the victims were taken to the General Hospital Morgue in Ijebu-Ode.
The Ogun State Sector Commander, Oludare Ogunjobi, urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to obey speed limits and exercise extra caution when driving in the rain.
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