Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, says the seeming fights among politicians are not real but only to entertain Nigerians.

Speaking during his 60th birthday thanksgiving service at St. Martins’ Catholic Church, Isan Ekiti, on Sunday, Fayemi downplayed the perception of animosity between political figures, emphasising that many of the supposed rivalries exist only on social media.

“So, all these things you read on social media are for your entertainment,” he said. “Many will wonder why Governor Segun Oni is here. During his birthday, I spent the entire day with him, and Governor Ayodele Fayose too would have been here without hesitation if he was around.”

He said irrespective of political political differences, Ekiti politcians are not enemies.

He said, “The vision we have always had is a state that will not be separated by political divide. We might belong to different political parties, but there is one party that we collectively belong to—that is the Ekiti Party, Ekiti Progressive Party—and our governor is carrying on with that.”

Reflecting on his journey, Fayemi said his 60th birthday was a moment of gratitude and rededication to service. “I am a product of grace, and I have so many reasons to be thankful to God at 60,” he said.

“I also want to thank our governor for making me proud. it could have been otherwise. Things could have gone awry, but he is also a product of grace and that is why in spite of the travails that one might experience in the world of politics, we have a very cordial relationship based on mutual love and mutual respect.”

Prominent Nigerians, led by President Bola Tinubu, celebrated the former governor and ex-minister for his contributions to governance.

Tinubu, in his tribute, commended Fayemi’s role in the 2013 merger of opposition parties that formed the All Progressives Congress.

“As a two-term governor, he (Fayemi) served the people amid severe economic challenges. There is no doubt that he made his mark in the governance of Ekiti State,” Tinubu stated. “Dr. Fayemi has exemplified service as an academic, author, administrator, and development expert. As he turns 60, I wish him continued health and fulfillment in the years ahead.”

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, described Fayemi’s 60th birthday as a celebration of “a life dedicated to service and excellence.”

He said, “The only thing I am going to say is to thank you for your support and for handholding me. Thank you so much for all you have done for Ekiti people, thank you so much for all that you have done for your mentees all over the world. I thank Erelu Bisi Fayemi and Folajimi for sharing you with us. We are proud of you, Ekiti people are immensely proud of your achievements; it has been 60 years of progressive impact.”

The event attracted dignitaries including the first civilian Governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo; former Governor Segun Oni; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye; wife of the Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; and former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Oladokun.

Others present were former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; Chairman, CAVISTA Holdings, Mr. John Olajide; Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group, Hon. Wale Osun; APC Chairman in Ekiti State, Sola Elesin; serving and former members of the National Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, and members of the State House of Assembly.

We all have secrets.

Something only you or maybe a few people know. I have a closely guarded secret; one that often elicits surprise whenever I share.

I don’t watch football. Yes. All ye football fans, please forgive me. I don’t watch because think football is over-rated and the margins of error are too many. Eleven men is a lot to control and harness their skills yet coaches make it work. But I try to follow the game. I follow the players, I know the scores, I take note of the stats and I often marvel when I see grown men become depressed when their favourite team loses.

And so, here I am borrowing a football metaphor to look at the work Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is doing at the apex bank.

Football is, at its core, about strategy; about identifying your opponents’ strengths and weaknesses and aiming at the Achilles’ heel of the opposition. It is a game in which resilience and perseverance can make the difference because a team, which, for instance, is at the top of the league table in September, could tire out by February and be nowhere near the top by April.

My profound apologies to Manchester City fans!

Football is akin to an orchestra with the coach as the conductor whose every wave of the arm is like a talisman of hope and opportunity. That is something every leader comes to learn on the job or as they prepare for the job.

The coach can, in that sense, make or mar a team which is also why a coach is allowed wide latitude to buy and sell players to make his vision come true, the way a CEO is allowed to choose a team to make sure his strategy for his organization is realised.

When Yemi Cardoso was appointed CBN governor, there was a shuffling of the deck and this led to the appointment of new deputy governors as well as sundry advisers and consultants.

Who are they and what do they bring to the table? First, the head coach. What are his bonafides?

Yemi Cardoso spent over 29 years in commercial banking, culminating in his tenure as Chairman of Citibank Nigeria Ltd, from 2010 to 2022. He had previously served as Executive Director at the Citizens International Bank Limited and Principal Partner at FBC Associates Limited from 1997 to 1999.

His public service credentials are no less stellar. Olayemi Cardoso was Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State from 1999 to 2005. Reform minded, he implemented the blueprint which catalysed economic development in the state with Lagos emerging as the leader in IGR.

He graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Managerial and Administrative Studies (with concentration in Finance and Accounting) from the Aston University in Birmingham, United Kingdom and subsequently obtained a Master’s degree in public administration and Management from Harvard University, Massachusetts in 2005 with (Concentration in Economics and Finance).

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, he was conferred with a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) (Honoris Causa) by the Aston University in 2017 in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the private and public sectors.

Dr. Bala M. Bello is Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate. Bello was the Executive Director (Corporate Services) of Nigerian Export – Import Bank. A certified strategic management performance system professional, Bala holds a Stanford Graduate School of Management Certificate in Leading Change and Organizational Renewal (LCOR).

Bala who holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and an MBA from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, commenced his banking career with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc before joining the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He received commendations for outstanding performance at both organisations.

Conferred with a Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa) by Commonwealth University in conjunction with London Graduate School and Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) in Leadership and Management by ESAE University, Republic of Benin, Bala was the first indigenous Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of Sigma Pensions and Executive Director (Operations). In that capacity, he had direct administrative oversight and managerial responsibility of over $1.5 billion of pension funds/assets under management (A-U-M), Budget preparations and other financial activities of the Company.

Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi is Deputy Governor Economic Policy Directorate. A former Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget for over five years, Abdullahi is a development economist versed in economic policy formulation. He was a member of the World Bank Expert Advisory Council, a Policy Adviser at the Executive Office of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in New York, and Senior Economist at the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) where he assisted in the management of the Conditional Grants Scheme.

Sani Abduallhi graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) Honours degree in Economics. He obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Development Economics and Policy from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2009 and 2007 respectively.

Mr. Philip Ikeazo is Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability Directorate. A banker and chartered accountant, his 33 years banking career has seen him lead as the Managing Director/CEO of Keystone Bank Limited; Managing Director/CEO, Ecobank Kenya Limited; Executive Director, Union Bank Nigeria Plc; Director, Union Bank, United Kingdom; and Director Orient Bank, Uganda. He also served at various times at the United Bank for Africa Plc, as the General Manager, in charge of Corporate Investment Banking and the Director of Wholesale Banking

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Ikeazor holds a degree in Economics from the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom and is also an alumnus of the Wharton CEIBS-IESE Business School Global CEO programme.

Ms. Emem Usoro is Deputy Governor, Corporate Services Directorate. Emem is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

In her over two decades banking career she led in roles as Executive Director, North Bank, in the United Bank for Africa (UBA) where she championed sales strategies and executive management initiatives in seven regional banks and 151 branches across the Northern directorate and as regional executive at Bank PHB Plc (now Keystone Bank), in charge of developing commercial businesses and overseeing 32 branches.

An alumna of the Harvard Business School and Lagos Business School, Usoro holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biochemistry from the University of Uyo, and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in 2000.

And now we return again to football.

At the height of Ruben Amorim’s recent falling out with Marcus Rashford at Manchester United, the gaffer was so incensed he said he would rather play a 63 year old assistant coach than play the center-forward. An extreme case, I know but sometimes, a coach has to look outside the core team for the help he needs and that is where advisers and consultants come into the picture.

Ms. Shola Phillips is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Compliance & Risk. A compliance expert with over 25 years’ experience across the wholesale and retail sectors of the financial service industry, Ms. Phillip’s regulatory knowledge spans multiple jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Europe, United Arab Emirates, Hong-Kong, Singapore, Japan, United States of America, and Africa

Shola Phillips who has a degree in Economics from the University of Reading in England and an M.B.A. from Cardiff Business School in Wales was most recently the Global Head of Compliance for Risk Management at Citigroup, Inc and is currently leading the design and implementation of a new department with the mandate to improve compliance within the CBN and across the Nigerian Banking industry by fostering good governance and ethical conduct via the introduction of accountability measures.

Mr. Mayokun Ajibade is Special Adviser (Financial Markets and Economic Policy). A former Managing Director for Standard Chartered Bank in West and Southern Africa, he led the treasury and financial markets business across 14 countries.

Mayo has over 25 years of experience in building and leading businesses with a thorough understanding of markets across Africa, having been involved in policy advisory and the execution of transactions that cut across origination, structured solutions, and market infrastructure development. He is a key part of the regulatory reform efforts of the Nigeria financial markets and advises on policy and operational changes required for the transition to an orthodox monetary policy environment.

Fatai Karim is Special Adviser to the Governor with a focus on promoting growth, introducing international best practices, and providing guidance through evidence-based recommendations.

Karim’s extensive international experience is critical to driving growth, offering expert guidance on operational, technological, and risk policy matters while supporting effective monetary policy and regulation, ultimately fostering economic and financial stability.

His 32 years of experience has seen him hold leadership and management positions at Citibank Nigeria Limited, Citibank Niamey, Citibank Tanzania, Citibank Uganda, Citibank South Africa, and Citibank London.

Tony Ogufere is a Special Adviser to the Governor with a focus on ensuring the Bank’s alignment with its core mandates: monetary policies, price stability, and advisory services.

A finance and strategy expert, Ogufere is adept at formulating policies and programs to support fiscal investments and economic growth and in this role ensures that the CBN does not directly intervene in financing economic activity.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Tony holds an MBA from Columbia University, New York (Uris Hall) and is a member of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Technical Committee. He has executed transactions across several industry verticals, including Fintech, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, and Real Estate development.

Dr. Daphne Oterie Dafinone is a Consultant/Adviser to the CBN Governor on development finance and governance matters and her over 35 years of experience spans corporate governance, due diligence, corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, reverse-takeovers, debt restructuring etc. She was formerly audit committee chair on the board of CitiBank Nigeria.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, she started her career at KPMG Peat Marwic MCClintock Chartered Accountants in United Kingdom and began consulting for the CBN from her role as Chief Operating Officer of Crowe Dafinone.

Terri Dafinone graduated with a BA (Hons) Economics degree from the University of Manchester in 1987 and obtained an MSc Internal Audit & Management Finance from City University, London in 1996 before bagging a PhD Internal Audit & Corporate Governance in 2001 from the same institution.

Dr. Nkiru Balonwu is a Consultant/Adviser to the CBN Governor with a focus on Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Communications, Legal and high impact projects. A former CEO of Spinlet, Africa’s pioneer music streaming app, Balonwu is Founder of The Africa Soft Power Group, which includes the Africa Soft Power Project, ASP Global, and African Women on Board.

A globally recognized strategist and consultant, Dr. Balonwu has over 25 years cognate experience and holds a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley; a Master’s degree from University College London; a law degree from the University of Manchester; and has been called to the bar in England, Nigeria, and New York. She was the inaugural Lecturer of Gender & Law at the University of Lagos, a Senior Fellow from 2022-2023 at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, Harvard Kennedy School, and in 2019, she received the Powerlist UK Black Excellence International award in recognition of her innovative work with African Women on Board before being listed in 2022 among New African magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential Africans.

And there we have it; the coach, Yemi Cardoso and his “first eleven” who are assisting him with implementing the reform agenda at the CBN.

Toni Kan is a PR expert, financial analyst and biographer.

Air Peace, Nigeria’s foremost airline and West Africa’s largest carrier, proudly announces the elevation of Senior First Officer Chibuzo Mbanefo to the rank of Captain on its Boeing 777 fleet.

Captain Mbanefo has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and commitment to upholding Air Peace’s high operational standards. After undergoing rigorous training and meeting all regulatory requirements, he has now officially assumed the esteemed position of Captain, reinforcing Air Peace’s legacy of nurturing top-tier aviation professionals.

While introducing SFO Mbanefo to the Chairman/CEO Air Peace Limited, Dr. Allen Onyema and Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide, Capt. Gerald Udaya extolled his exceptional qualities. Specifically, he noted that SFO Mbanefo had completed over 4,800 flight hours on the right-hand side of the B777 and acknowledged his exceptional performance in the rigorous command upgrade training program. He expressed immense pride in Mbanefo’s elevation to the left seat as Captain, a testament to his knowledge, competence, and proficiency.

The pivotal moment of the ceremony was marked by the epaulette change, ceremoniously conferred by Dr. Onyema and Mrs. Olajide, symbolizing Mbanefo’s new status as Captain. Reflecting on Mbanefo’s journey, Capt. Iwo-Brown urged him to maintain a disciplined approach, adhere strictly to aviation protocols, and never compromise safety—a cornerstone for sustained success in the industry.

In an emotion-laden speech, Captain Mbanefo expressed deep gratitude to the Chairman, his wife, family, and the flight operations management, acknowledging their unwavering support. He fondly recalled his early days in aviation before joining Air Peace as a flight dispatcher. With the Chairman’s support, Capt. Mbanefo said he transitioned from Cadet to First Officer, undergoing intensive training on the Boeing 737. Although he could have progressed to Captain on the B737, his passion for the B777 guided his career path—a decision celebrated in this elevation ceremony.

In his remark, Dr. Onyema congratulated the newly promoted Captain, and reaffirmed Air Peace’s commitment to empowering Nigerian pilots: “At Air Peace, we believe in recognizing and rewarding excellence. Captain Mbanefo has exhibited outstanding professionalism and dedication, and we are incredibly proud to see him take this next step in his career. This promotion aligns with our mission to build local capacity and ensure our flight operations remain world-class.”

While emphasizing the importance of humility, continuous learning, and prioritizing safety, Dr. Onyema encouraged Capt. Mbanefo to embrace his new role with responsibility. Pointedly he said, “it is only your character that determines your altitude in life.” He expressed confidence in Mbanefo’s ability to lead and uphold Air Peace’s commitment to excellence and safety.

The ceremony which took place at the corporate head office of Air peace had in attendance the Chairman/CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema, Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide, along with the airline’s Flight Operations Management team, Captain Mbanefo’s wife, family members, and well-wishers.

As Air Peace continues to expand its fleet and route network, recently adding new destinations and reinforcing its long-haul capabilities with its Boeing 777 aircraft, this promotion aligns with the airline’s vision to provide safe, world-class air travel while empowering Nigerian aviators.