Prominent Nigerians, international golfers honour Second Republic Politician, Bible translator, Deacon Stephen Ejueyitsi Aganbi

Hold Classic Golf Tournament, Cocktail Night, Award Presentation in Delta State

Nigerians will assemble in Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area on Friday, April 25 to pay homage to the memory of Bible translator, Deacon Stephen Ejueyitsi Aganbi,

‘’Late Pa Aganbi was a lawyer, a community leader and a lover of God. He was a highly reputed politician of the Second Republic in Nigeria and the Olare-Aja (community leader) of Koko’’.

The nonagenarian, gifted interpreter and scholar died on Thursday, March 19, 2020.

The 99-year-old legal luminary, politician par excellence and an astute intellectual was interred on Saturday, May 9, 2020 in his hometown.

"Deacon Aganbi was a man of character, courage and compassion. He advanced an agenda that elevated his people"

A statement by the family announced a competitive golf tournament in honour of Deacon Aganbi.

"On behalf of Canaanland and Country Club, we are pleased to extend a warm invitation to you for the upcoming Late Olare-Aja of Koko Golf Classic scheduled for April 25 to 27, 2025. The event commemorating his legacy and celebrating the vibrant culture of our community will feature an array of sports for non-golfers, including badminton, table tennis, darts and traditional games such as Ayo and Ludo. We will also host a Cocktail Night on Friday, April 25 and an award presentation party on Saturday evening to celebrate the spirit and values our father cherished"

The statement issued by the Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Group, Felix Aganbi said the late Bible translator’s life brought a greater dignity to the country.

‘’The golf tournament celebrates the life and legacy of Deacon S. E. Aganbi, the revered founder of Canaanland, who served his people with unwavering dedication until his passing. Through this event, we aim to honour his enduring values of leadership, integrity, love and cultural stewardship, reflecting the profound impact he made during his life time’’

The statement praised Aganbi for inspiring generations of lawyers, writers and clergymen.

Deacon Aganbi served as chairman for the Itsekiri Bible Translation Project, the team that completed the Old and New Testament translation in the Itsekiri language.

"Deacon Aganbi was committed to his family and lived a great life marked by service to his people.

The statement further praised Deacon Aganbi for putting his learning to the service of the Church, using the Bible to nourish the faith and life of believers as well as for serving as a spiritual guide to many.

"The title of Olare-Oja holds deep significance in Itsekiri tradition, bestowed upon the eldest man in the community. As a custodian of heritage and wisdom, the Olare-Aja guides progress while preserving the cultural identity of the Koko community within the historic Warri Kingdom. Deacon Aganbi embodied this role with grace, balancing forward -thinking vision with a steadfast commitment to tradition"

The statement emphasized Aganbi’s extraordinary moral leadership.

‘’Deacon Aganbi lived a noble life full of meaning and purpose.  He inspired people through the power of his example.

The statement praised the accomplished translator for his well-known vision and linguistics competence in the languages of the Niger-Delta region.

He would be remembered as a modern and progressive community leader, a committed citizen.

“Deacon Stephen Aganbi was a quintessential Nigerian. Throughout his political years, he proved to be an honest and courageous administrator. He also added charisma to education and astuteness both of which he displayed at difficult times’

NOSDRA Boss, Engr. Chuwuemeka hosts Renaissance Energy Group, Reaffirms Commitment to Mitigating Oil Spill Incidents

Engr. Chuwuemeka Woke, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), has reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to mitigating oil spill incidents across Nigeria. This statement was made on Tuesday during a significant courtesy visit by Renaissance Energy to the agency's headquarters in Abuja.

 

Engr. Woke emphasized that the prevention and management of oil spills is a critical priority for NOSDRA, especially considering the environmental and socio-economic implications of such incidents. The Director General highlighted the necessity of collaboration between regulatory bodies and energy providers to ensure the implementation of robust safety measures and quick response strategies to oil spill occurrences.

 

"We welcome Renaissance Energy's commitment to the Nigerian energy sector. Together, we can foster a sustainable environment by ensuring that operational protocols are followed diligently to preempt oil spillages and enhance environmental stewardship," Woke stated.

 

He expressed gratitude to Renaissance Energy for their historic visit, marking it as an important step

towards building a cooperative relationship. Engr. Woke also assured Renaissance Energy of NOSDRA’s readiness to offer any assistance required to facilitate their operational success in Nigeria.

 

Tony Attah, the Team Lead of Renaissance Energy Group, expressed appreciation for the warm reception and acknowledged that NOSDRA's office is the first agency they have visited since their acquisition of Shell’s assets in Nigeria. "The importance of establishing a strong partnership with NOSDRA cannot be overstated, especially as we navigate the complexities of energy production in a nation rich in natural resources. We commend Engr. Woke and his team for their prompt support and responsiveness as we embark on this venture," Attah remarked.

 

Attah further underscored Renaissance Energy's strategic focus on providing sustainable energy solutions as a pivotal factor in resetting Nigeria's economy. "By investing in cleaner energy technologies and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the economic revival and sustainable development of Nigeria," he added.

 

Both leaders expressed mutual interest in fostering ongoing dialogue aimed at enhancing operational frameworks that prioritize environmental protection and community engagement.

 

The visit culminated in a discussion on future collaborations and initiatives designed to promote environmental sustainability and efficient energy production methodologies in Nigeria's oil and gas

sector.

In Defense of Nigerian Democracy and the Role of Women: A Call for Peaceful Engagement

“Let every Nigerian—regardless of gender—feel safe, valued, and empowered to serve. Let us work together, not against each other, to preserve the dignity of our democracy.” 

 

 

By Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe

 

 

Recent international coverage surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has cast Nigeria in a negative light—portraying our political space as hostile, regressive, and oppressive toward women. While every democratic society must acknowledge and address concerns of injustice or impropriety, it is equally essential that we avoid generalizations and narratives that risk unfairly maligning the nation, its institutions, and its people.

 

Contrary to what some may suggest, many Nigerian male politicians have consistently demonstrated commitment to the inclusion, empowerment, and advancement of women in politics. From appointments to endorsements, mentorship to collaboration, Nigerian women have found strong allies among male counterparts who recognize their immense contributions to governance, policy, and national development.

 

 

Over the years, numerous women have risen to prominent leadership positions through the support and encouragement of male political leaders, who understand that the strength of a democracy lies in diversity. Nigeria has produced female ministers, commissioners, ambassadors, and legislators, many of whom were elevated not through tokenism but through recognition of their competence and dedication.

 

 

It is unfortunate, however, when political disputes are weaponized to serve partisan or personal interests, especially when they feed into international narratives that distort the nation’s image for political capital. Such actions do more harm than good—not only undermining our institutions but also casting aspersions on our collective will to progress.

 

 

While it is every citizen's right to speak up against perceived injustice, it is equally imperative that such engagements be constructive, lawful, and dignified. We must not allow allegations—especially those still under legal scrutiny—to be wielded as tools of division, nor should they form the basis for sweeping indictments of our democratic framework.

 

 

Nigeria is not a perfect society—no nation is—but we must not paint it black. Our democracy is growing, our institutions are evolving, and our people—men and women alike—are striving daily to build a fairer, freer, and more inclusive country. Progress demands cooperation, not confrontation; engagement, not estrangement.

 

 

Let us, therefore, sue for peace. Let us encourage dialogue over discord, nation-building over name-calling, and justice over judgment. We must resist the temptation to burn down the house for lack of a room. If there are grievances, they should be addressed through proper legal and institutional channels—not through damaging narratives that serve individual ambition at the expense of national unity.

 

 

Let every Nigerian—regardless of gender—feel safe, valued, and empowered to serve. Let us work together, not against each other, to preserve the dignity of our democracy.

 

 

Written by Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe,

President/ Founder 

Citizens Quest For Truth Initiative