Entertainment
YEMI FAROUNBI: A COLOSSUS/IDEALIST @80
It is extremely difficult to find words suitable enough to describe this man named AKINYEMI FAROUNBI, but who always prefers to be simply called Yemi Farounbi. I came in contact with this man in 1977 through an uncle, late Babatunde Oyerinde, when he offered me a freelance job that would start me up in life. That was almost five decades ago. We thank God that this generous and amiable “youth” of that period has today joined the octogenarian club. How time flies!
I must say that applying my pen to compose a tribute to this highly celebrated man, Dr Yemi Farounbi, who is not only a boss, but a father-figure to me, is a most arduous task. How best can I, in a single write up, describe him or his numerous accomplishments and impacts on humanity?
Yemi, as he was fondly called by the Late Cicero of Esa-Oke, Uncle Bola Ige, is like a sprawling road: the more you travel on it, the more it extends. Yemi Farounbi is like the elephant explored by a blind man, with each part touched forming an impression and describing the massive beast, based on the part of it he experienced.
Yemi Farounbi in his forte – the media, either as a practitioner; administrator and/or as a teacher, is an all-rounder and a doyen in Communication Arts. A very distinctive personality with the frame and revolutionary posture of
the famous Cuban President, late Fidel Castrol. Sitting under his mentorship was like brooding under the eagle watch of *Orisa nla* . It is not an hidden fact that his revolutionary bent impacted his mentees so profoundly as to provoke the sobriquet – “Radical- in – chief” by a section of the young media entrepreneurs.
Yemi, reputed as an administrator per excellence, was conferred with the national honour of OON by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. His brilliance and outstanding performance at the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), earned him this unique recognition. His credentials in Philippines where he served as Nigerian Ambassador also speaks volumes about his ability to maneuver unknown landscapes.
Dr. Yemi Farounbi is a man much sought after by those who love to drink from the reservoir of knowledge that God had bestowed on him.
1992, as a Regional Correspondent of the defunct Champion Newspapers for the West, I was mandated to Osogbo to cover the Social Democratic Party primaries in the newly created state Osun state that produced the late Isiaka Adeleke as the first Executive Governor.
Akinyemi Farounbi presided over the conduct of the party primaries with the full support of the National leadership of the party under Ambassador Baba Gana Kiginbe. I travelled round the 30 local governments in the state to monitor the conductt of the primaries it was an herculean task. I arrived Osogbo late in the evening and headed straight to the party Secretariat along St.Charles Grammar school road. Osogbo township road had been deserted due to tension generated by the party stalwarts in the fierce context that almost thrown the state into political tumoil. Security had been beef up by then Militay Adiministar Col. Leo Ajiborisa and mobile policemen stationed at stategic locations at the state capital. Movement were also restricted except for those on essential duty could move. Commuters and public transport sent off the road to restrict movement with those on essential duty walking long distances. I suffered the same fate. Trekking between 15 to 20 kilomtres before getting to party Secretariat where the results were being collated.
The state received many visitors and virtually all the hotels were fully booked. On my arrival at the party Secretariat another task to get round the security check is another daunting task but for the intervention of Dr. Farounbi who sighted me afar off sent words the police to allow me in that I’m on official assignment to cover the primaries. Since the was on the outskirt of the town, there was no electricity an indication that they to close early. I became apprehensive efforts to secure accommodation failed the hotels are fill to the brim He sensed there was no place to stay for the night since I came from outside the state, he allay my fears when he announced I should come with him we both slept on the same bed with a statement to tease Lanre, you would be my companion and a guard angel for the night…”, the statement was completely lost on me. Not knowing the Master strategist had been tipped off on the plans by politicians to trapped in hotel and lobbied him to play ball by switching ballots. It was an intensive one which lasted hours forth and back deal. All the talks YF as his younger Muyiwa usually reference him refused to be drawn into falsification of results in dispute.
The announcement of the results of the Osun State SDP governorship primary was an intensive one which lasted several hours. In all the talks, Yemi Farounbi, usually fondly referenced as YF by his younger brother, Muyiwa, refused to be drawn into the planned falsification of the results of the primary.
The trump card was quickly dropped to send the lobbying politicians away: Yemi Farounbi announced that he had a journalist guest inside the hotel who should not hear that he was been lobbied to tampered with the rules. This last joker sent off his guests as they all scampered away, in disappointment.
I witnessed the above live and direct; it enabled me see the other side of Yemi Farounbi. Wearing his usual grinning smile on his face, he refused to go under the pressure mounted on him. The full story is for another day.
I hereby seized the opportunity of the occasion of his birthday to call him by his first name, Yemi, the incorruptible politician.
Happy birthday, my incorruptible Oga.
Ogundipe Former President,
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)
and African Union of Journalist(AUJ)
writes from Abuja
Tears and grief enveloped Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday as veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.
Family members, friends, sympathisers, fans and colleagues of the late actor gathered in his home town to pay their final respects as the burial rites were conducted.
Among those seen at the residence of the deceased were his close associates and colleagues, including Yinka Quadri, Prince Jide Kosoko and Ireti Osayemi.
An Islamic cleric also addressed those gathered at the residence, delivering a message as the burial rites progressed.
The body of the actor, wrapped in white clothing, was carried in accordance with Islamic burial rites.
Hassan died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after a battle with cancer. His daughter, Kira, had announced his death during an Instagram Live session, while his colleague, Saidi Balogun, also confirmed the development in a social media post.
The death of the veteran actor has continued to generate reactions across the Nigerian film industry, with colleagues, fans and admirers mourning his passing.
Hassan was a prominent figure in the Yoruba-language film industry and featured in numerous Nigerian movies during his career.
As he was laid to rest in Ilaro, mourners gathered to bid farewell to the actor whose death has left family, friends, colleagues and fans grieving.
David Adeleke Davido has registered his intention to play any further active role in Nigerian politics, describing it as evil.
Afrobeats superstar Davido said he wants to distance himself from Nigerian politics after his uncle, Ademola Adeleke, secured re-election as the Governor of Osun State.
Davido made the declaration while reacting to a post by APC youth leader Dayo Israel, who had attributed Adeleke’s victory partly to the singer’s influence and the people he brought into the campaigns.
Rejecting the claim, Davido said he did not bring anyone to defend him or support his political involvement, insisting that he backed his family in his own way.
“I brought no one! No one defended me! I backed my family on my own!! You guys r ruthless n disgusting! Eeewwww! I have done my job! Nigerian politics is evil AND I DONT WANT TO BE A PART OF IT TILL GOD HELPS US!”
The singer, who had been vocal in his support for Adeleke during the election, appeared frustrated by the criticism he received while campaigning for his uncle.
His comments have since triggered mixed reactions on social media, with some users supporting his decision to step away from politics, while others urged him to remain involved ahead of the 2027 general election.
@OOmale60434: “Davido you lie. You are not going to jump ship simply because your uncle has won. If you are indifferent in 2027 election then you will not have it funny. The masses stood by you and now you are trying to put them away. That’s preposterous.”
@madex_4: “If we no get the presidency right, u will still come back to this app again to FIGHT for another member of ur family bcos the system is not working for us all, e.g., @inecnigeria … those of us retweeting ur tweets by default during ur fight are not STUPID.”
@chrisMoAde: “God bless you more champ If All Celebrities can be pulling off this type of strings against ‘Them’ they might turn new leaf My late dad hate Politics and Nigerian Police like Hell More winning Sir”Geographic Reference
@Gabriel84744012: “David, you see as you supported your family and made sure your uncle win, abeg if e reach 2027 presidential election we also need same energy… which one be say you no wan be part of it again”
The Nigerian Army has arrested two serving soldiers over their alleged involvement in an unauthorised deployment during the glamorous wedding ceremony of Nigerian content creator Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, and fellow TikTok personality Jarvis.
According to report, the arrests were made on Tuesday evening following intelligence which indicated that the soldiers participated in an illegal deployment at the celebrity wedding held in Lekki, Lagos State, over the weekend.
The soldiers were apprehended on Tuesday morning as investigations into the incident commenced.
The arrested personnel were identified as 23NA/85/10007 Private Onasanya Ifeoluwa of the 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 Private Ukpai Onyinyechi, also attached to the 81DMSH in Obalende, Lagos.
”Following credible intelligence on the involvement of Nigerian Army personnel in illegal deployment during a popular social influencer’s wedding known as Peller at Lekki, Lagos, the Group arrested 23NA/85/10007 PTE Onasanya Ifeoluwa of 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 PTE Ukpai Onyinyechi of 81DMSH at Obalende this morning.
”Preliminary investigation is ongoing to establish the extent of their involvement and identify other personnel connected with the incident. Further details will be forwarded as the investigation unfolds,” the report said.
The arrests come after videos from the high-profile wedding circulated widely on social media, showing uniformed military personnel providing security around some of the celebrity guests.
One of the videos, which drew significant public attention, allegedly showed a Nigerian soldier acting as a bouncer for TikTok personality Ivanna while escorting her through the crowded venue.
The footage triggered widespread criticism online, with many Nigerians questioning why military personnel were allegedly deployed to a private social event involving influencers and celebrities.
Peller and Jarvis’ wedding, held in Lekki over the weekend, attracted several prominent entertainers, social media influencers and content creators. Videos from the ceremony dominated social media platforms, with large crowds of fans and guests in attendance.
The event became one of the most talked-about celebrity occasions of the weekend, but controversy soon followed after clips surfaced showing men in military uniforms managing access to parts of the venue and escorting some attendees.
The Nigerian Army has repeatedly maintained that serving personnel are prohibited from undertaking unauthorised private security duties or participating in illegal deployments without official approval.
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