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Nigeria-born Professor Elected President Of An International Organization

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Professor Akinwumi Ogundiran
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The largest African archaeological association in the world, the Society of Africanist Archaeologists, has elected Professor Akinwumi Ogundiran as its 18th president. Professor Ogundiran, an eminent archaeologist and historian, will be the first Nigerian to lead the 51-year-old organization.

Professor Akinwumi Ogundiran

Professor Akinwumi Ogundiran

 

 

Archaeologists are professionals who use ancient objects to write history and study past cultures.

 

The Society of Africanist Archaeologists is an organization of more than 1,500 members from all over the world. It is dedicated to the study of Africa’s deep history and archaeology. Its members are known for making major archaeological discoveries all over Africa. In a statement released by the Nominations and Elections Committee of the organization, Professor Ogundiran received the majority votes in a pool of three candidates who vied for the presidency position.

 

Dr. Kolawole Adekola of the University of Ibadan and a member of the elections committee noted that the election of Professor Ogundiran to lead a renowned international organization at this time demonstrates the impacts of Nigerian archaeologists in the world and the role that Professor Ogundiran has played in advancing the study of Nigerian history and archaeology globally.

 

Professor Akin Ogundiran has thanked the world organization for their confidence in him. He promised to work hard to advance the mission of the organization. “I will use my tenure as president of the Society of Africanist Archaeologists to “prioritize working with African and other international partners on initiatives to preserve African archaeological heritage sites and integrate these concerns into policy-making processes. I will also use my position to facilitate collaboration among Africans and their counterparts in Europe, America, Asia, and other continents.”

 

Professor Ogundiran is a native of Ibadan. He attended Okusehinde Primary School, Aremo, in Ibadan, and African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta. He earned his B.A. (First Class Honors) from Obafemi Awolowo University, M.Sc. from the University of Ibadan, and Ph.D. from Boston University in the United States.

 

The eminent scholar is widely known for his groundbreaking research on Yoruba history and the African Diaspora, leading to the publication of six books and more than 60 other publications. His recent book, The Yoruba: A New History, won two awards, the Vinson Sutlive Prize & Isaac Delano Prize.

 

Professor Ogundiran is a highly decorated scholar. He is the Editor-in-Chief of African Archaeological Review, the leading journal in African archaeology. He is also a seasoned administrator who served as the Department of Africana Studies Chair for more than 10 years at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States. Until recently, he held one of the university’s three Chancellor Professorship titles. He is scheduled to take up an endowed professor chair at Northwestern University in September.

 

He is also a Senior Research Fellow at the prestigious Dumbarton Oaks, a major research center in Washington DC, United States, and a Visiting Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at his alma mater, the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

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Tinubu To Wife At 66: I’ll Choose Same Road That Led Me To You

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid an intimate tribute to his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.

 

He declared that if given another chance to begin life afresh, he would still choose the path that brought them together.

In a personal message marking the First Lady’s 66th birthday today, the President described his wife as his “truest friend and confidante,” recalling the difficult years, sacrifices, and private moments that have defined their journey together.

“If life returned me to the beginning, I would choose the same road that led me to you. Through every mile, my heart has always remained at home with you,” President Tinubu said.

The President, who addressed his wife affectionately as “Oluremi mi,” said she has stood beside him with patience, grace and “uncommon courage” through different seasons of their lives.

He recalled a Yoruba saying: “Ìyàwó rere ni adé oko ree”, meaning “a good wife is her husband’s crown,” stressing that the First Lady has given practical meaning to the expression in his life.

President Tinubu also drew from the biblical Book of Proverbs on the worth of a virtuous woman, saying his wife has remained a source of strength, counsel, and prayer, particularly during periods of uncertainty.

“You have stood by my side through every season. The burdens that were mine to bear often found their way onto your shoulders. The thoughts I could not put into words somehow found their way to you.

“In difficult times, when the future was uncertain, you stayed calm beside me and prayed with me. Through all these years, you have remained the one who truly understands me,” he said.

The President said the First Lady often knew when he needed advice even before he sought it, adding that there had been occasions when her presence alone provided the counsel he needed.

He described her honesty as one of the qualities he had treasured throughout their years together, saying she had never hesitated to tell him uncomfortable truths.

“I call you my truest friend and confidante because you speak the truth plainly, even on the days I would rather not hear it.

“After a demanding day, you wait until we are alone before telling me what I need to hear. I have always cherished you for that honesty,” he said.

The President also praised his wife for her devotion to their family, saying their children and grandchildren have grown under the influence of her prayers, faith and kindness.

According to him, the imprint of the First Lady’s devotion is evident in their home and in the values their children and grandchildren carry with them.

Turning to her public service and humanitarian activities, President Tinubu said Nigerians have come to know his wife for her compassion, generosity and steadfast faith.

He recalled her humanitarian interventions through the New Era Foundation during their years in Lagos and, more recently, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), saying the programmes have reached young Nigerians, widows, senior citizens and women farmers across the country.

President Tinubu also lauded her advocacy for people affected by tuberculosis and other diseases, describing her as a compassionate advocate for the vulnerable.

“I know the prayers you offer for people whose names you may never know. I also know many whom you have helped without ever meeting them. For you, compassion has never recognised the boundaries of tribe, region or religion,” he said.

Reflecting on their years together, the President said their journey had taught him the true value of having a dependable partner.

“A long journey teaches a man the true value of a good partner. We have travelled a long road together. I think of the difficult decisions we talked through for hours and the sacrifices no one else saw. Laughter and prayer carried us through many of them,” he said.

Expressing gratitude for their life together, President Tinubu added: “I thank you for the life we have built and the love that has held it together.”

The President prayed for many more years of good health and happiness for the First Lady, wishing that the years ahead would bring her the same comfort and happiness she had given him and others.

“Happy 66th birthday, my darling Oluremi. I pray that God Almighty will grant you many more years in good health and joy.

“May the years ahead bring you the same comfort and happiness you have so freely given to me and many others,” President Tinubu said.

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Son Announces Actor, Olu Jacobs Death At 84

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Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.

 

Report says the actor’s son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced his death in a post on Instagram on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, saying the family was grateful for his life and asking the public to respect their privacy.

“It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo.

“We call on all bloggers and social media influencers to respect our families privacy at this time,” he said.

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‘My Husband Is Upset’:Real Warri Pikin Apologises Over Viral Video With Timaya

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Popular comedienne Anita Asuoha, popularly known as Warri Pikin, has apologised following backlash over a viral video featuring her and singer Timaya.

 

The controversy began over the weekend after a clip surfaced showing the comedienne dancing on stage with Timaya in a manner many described as inappropriate for a married woman.

In a video addressing the issue, Warri Pikin accepted full responsibility for her actions and expressed remorse.

She explained that she was backstage enjoying the performance when Timaya invited a woman on stage during his Ukwu song, and, out of excitement, she rushed out.

She said she initially hesitated when asked to jump on the singer but eventually gave in to avoid disrupting his performance.

The comedienne noted that the moment felt entertaining on stage but looked different online, adding that her husband is ‘upset’ about the incident.

She appealed for forgiveness from fans and critics, stressing that the act was out of character and pledging her continued commitment to her marriage.

She wrote, “Area, abeg make Una no vex for me. I take full responsibility, make Una forgive me. Na me do am to myself; I no know say if Timaya dey perform his ‘Ukwu’ song, e dey bring women come outside. I dey backstage dey vibe when I heard him say a woman should come outside, and you know I love anything vibe, hence why I rushed out o. Na me put myself for this one.

“That’s when he told me I would jump on his body, and I said I couldn’t do it. I was very reluctant, but he said I was the one who came outside, so I shouldn’t spoil his performance. It was very funny and entertaining on stage, but online it wasn’t funny. All my online in-laws, they say make I come for the marriage; where Una wan push me go? Ikechukwu now dey vex for me; where una wan put me go?

“I don plast am for the marriage say na till kingdom come. Make Una take it easy on me. Una no dey no person? It’s not in my character. There are times you find yourself in some awkward situation, and yesterday was one of them. I owe you guys this apology because I understand where you’re coming from. Not everything is hate speech. Some people are just genuinely concerned.”

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