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YEMI FAROUNBI: A COLOSSUS/IDEALIST @80

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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

 

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Entertainment

Hulk Hogan’s Daughter Reveals Their Relationship Broke Down After Father Slept With Her Friend

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Brooke Hogan has opened up about the painful breakdown of her relationship with her late father, Hulk Hogan, revealing that his affair with her best friend became a major turning point between them.

 

The former singer said she forgave the wrestling icon after he admitted to the affair, but their relationship never returned to what it had been before.

Speaking in an interview, Brooke explained how Hulk’s affair with her friend Christiane Plante affected their relationship after the wrestler publicly admitted what had happened in 2008.

The affair took place while Hulk’s 26-year marriage to Linda Hogan was already deteriorating. The couple divorced in 2009 after having two children, Brooke and Nick.

“A major turning point came after he slept with my friend Christiane [Plante],” Brooke said. “I forgive people very easily — sometimes probably too easily — and I forgave him, but something between us changed afterward. I don’t think he ever related to me in quite the same way again.”

Brooke also recalled how her parents’ divorce fundamentally altered the family dynamic, saying the “entire family structure changed” afterwards.

She said the situation became increasingly complicated over the years until the relationship she once believed could withstand anything eventually could not survive the circumstances surrounding the family.

Brooke and Hulk remained estranged before his death
Brooke and Hulk remained estranged for years before the wrestling legend died from a heart attack at 71.

After his death, Brooke raised concerns about his medical treatment and said she had heard claims about a “botched” surgery two months before his passing. She announced in June that she wanted a private examination into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Family tensions also resurfaced publicly this month when Brooke and Linda became embroiled in a social media dispute, with Brooke threatening to release “receipts” about the breakdown of their relationship.
Hulk married Jennifer McDaniel in 2010 before their divorce in 2021, then married Sky Daily in 2023.

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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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