Tobore Otite, C.E.O of Oghenevwede Ashley Kemete Foundation reflects on achievements so far

Written by Blessed Adjekpagbon 

Mr Adedolape Oki, organiser of
everything about the late son of
Lady Flora Otite, poses with her
during the reunion event in the UK.

Oghenevwede Ashley Kemete Foundation was founded in 2019. It was officially registered as a non-governmental organization in 2021. It is meant to immortalize the name it bears, which belongs to a young Nigerian who was killed under questionable circumstances in the UK some years ago. The foundation's vision is to help the most vulnerable children and women in Nigeria. 

Since its establishment, it has empowered some folks in the area of education in Nigeria. The first project it embarked on was the enrolment of a young lad, Festus Erigbe into the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria, to study a four-year Computer Science programme.. Bes
ides, there are other folks who have been recipients of the Social Development Goals (SGDs) of the foundation in terms of educational development and women and young girls empowerment programmes. 

The C.E.O of the foundation, Lady Tobore Otite, a U.K-based Nigerian, had a chat with Bulkybon News recently, and shared some of the things she and her team have been able to do for needy folks, through what she calls "The grace of God," over the years. This was as a result of a recent reunion event that took place in her late son's school in the UK in August 2025. 

Back row, left to right: two men and a lady
extreme right: Mr. Matthew Otite,
Mr. Marcus Otite and Mrs Josie Osie. 
Front row: left to right:
    Chief Mrs Vivian Oghenekaro, Lady Tobore Otite,
and Mrs Irene Mobuno

She informs that, "During the time we sponsored the Computer Science student, Festus, for a four-year-programme, we also assisted a physically challenged young lady to realize her dream to become a great woman in the future. Her father had told her that he won't spend a dime on her because she was physically challenged. But when her case was brought to the foundation's notice, with the grace of God's providence, we also enrolled her to study in Delta State University, Abraka, where she graduated among one of the best sets of students as a Medical Lab Scientist." 

Speaking further about the various activities the foundation has been carrying out to bring positive changes and development to folks in Delta State, she pointed that, "We also provided books, uniforms, medications and food items to over 30 students of different schools in Oghara Kingdom. Other communities where we repeated the same gesture include Okpara Inland, Ovu, Agbon,, Ekakpamre, Ugono, Orogun and Unuame et cetera." However, she stated that the foundation has assisted over 70 students to enroll for the West African Examination Council (W.A.E.C) and National Examination Council (N.E.C.O) examinations, since its inception. 

Left to right: Tobore Otite 
and Mrs Aghogho Ugen

 To show how much the foundation places high value on educational development, Otite added that, "We have also enrolled over 80 students for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination. We are currently sponsoring over 50 students across boards in various schools in Delta state. Through the sponsorship of the foundation, three folks are now university graduates, namely Festus Erigbe, Ms. Ejiro Onosigho and one other lady. And at present, another recipient of the foundation's educational sponsorship goal is Ms. Happy Victor, who is currently in the 200 level in Delta State University." 

Aside from the aforementioned educational activities, she said the foundation has been involved in other humanitarian projects in the sector, such as the stationing of good signboards at the entrance gates of over 30 schools at primary and secondary levels. It has also assisted in providing over 500 school badges, sandals and books et cetera to various schools in the state. 

Furthermore, the foundation's C.E.O added that, "In terms of empowering artisans, we have trained five ladies to acquire tailoring skills and they are now self-employed. We also assisted some other ones to go through hairdressing trainings and are also presently self-employed. Apart from that, we also sponsored the sinking of a borehole in Okpara community for the availability of clean water for the residents and folks living in its neighbourhood." 

She recalls that, "In 2022 we had a Memorial Lecture and Essay Competition in honour of Mr Ashley Kemete, which has become a yearly event. Winners are given laptops and various educational gadgets as prizes amongst the participating students. Some schools that were hitherto lacking hygienic water, clean toilets and first aid boxes, have also been equipped with such basic facilities." 

 Left to right: Mrs Irene Mobuno
and Chief Mrs Vivian Oghenekaro

Not limiting the activities of the foundation programmes to education alone, Otite posits that her NGO has been involved in carrying out health outreach projects, through which she and her team speaks about living in good health and staying away from crime. 

According to her, during one of such events, over 600 sanitary pads were shared to various schools in Okpara community. Free medical check-ups were also administered by medical experts who accompanied the team. Some folks were diagnosed with cataracts in their eyes, while some were given glasses. Ten elderly folks with severe cataract cases underwent free cataract surgery, and later said they have noticed great improvement in their eye sight since then. 

In conclusion, she says "The foundation has been giving starter packs to women to facilitate them to begin different businesses of their choice in their local areas. This is the particular project we intend to keep doing in the remaining part of the year. In this vein, we are seeking partners to collaborate with us to put smiles on the faces of more women in need of assistance." The pictures published along with the article, show some of the numerous folks who attended the reunion as part of its highlight. 

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Makama B Ward FC wins Yola-South inter-wards football competition cup

Written by Blessed Adjekpagbon

The competition cup

The 14-day-event of the Ahmad Uthman Purelife Foundation Inter-Wards Football Competition organized by Yola South Football Coaches Council, came to end on 24 August 2025, with Makama B. Ward Football Club emerging as the final winner of the cup.

After the full-time duration of the final match between Mbaba Ward Football Club and Makama B Ward Football Club ended in a 1-1 draw, the winner emerged through penalties. Therefore, Makama B Ward FC won the cup by outscoring Mbaba Ward FC, 4 over 3 goals in the penalties shoot.

Ahmad U.Mohammed C.E.O of 
Ahmad Uthman Purelife Foundation

The third-place match between Toungo Ward FC and Bole Yoldepate Ward FC also ended in penalties after both teams scored 2 goals apiece at the end of the full-time duration. Bole Yoldepate Ward FC won 4-3 over its opponent.

The outcome of the competition produced three top teams such as Makama B Ward FC the first, followed by Mbamba Ward FC in second position and Bole Yoldepate Ward FC in third.

During an interaction with Mr. Nuhu Daniel, P.R.O of Yola South Football Coaches Council, who has the full statistics of the entire teams and players performances, he told Bulkybon News that, “The Best Coach Award of the competition was won by Ahmed Usman (Mourinho) of Makama B. The Best Player Award was won by Adnan of Makama B Ward. The Best Goal Keeper Award was clinched by Auwal Mohammed of Makama B Ward, while the Best Defender Award was given to Dangana of Toungo Ward.”

However, he further added that, “The Highest Goals Scorer Award was won by Samuel Sunday of Mbamba Ward FC, who scored 3 goals. And the Youngest Best Player Award was rightly grabbed by Iliya of Bole Yoldepate Ward FC.” 

Chigarin Adamawa and
District Head of Mbamba,
Alhaji Umar Aliyu Mustapha

It was a rain of prizes for all the stakeholders in the competition as the sponsor of the event, Mr. Ahmad Uthman Muhammed magnanimously put smiles on the faces of all and sundry. The first position team received N1.5m (One million, five hundred thousand) and the competition cup; 2nd position got N1m (One million), while the 3rd position smiled home with N500k (Five hundred thousand) respectively.

Moreover, the organizers of the event were given N1m (One million); referees = N300,000 (Three hundred thousand); commentators = N200,000 (Two hundred thousand) and each coach received N50,000 (Fifty thousand).

Hon. Saratu Elisha, Vice Chairman,
Yola-South LGA

Nonetheless, all teams that participated in the competition whether they won or lost, got N100,000 (One hundred thousand) each. To crown it up, special awards winners such as the Best Defender, Youngest Player et cetera, also smiled home with N100,000 (One hundred thousand) each.

Captain of Makama B Ward FC,
first position collecting the trophy

In conclusion, some of the dignitaries who graced the final ceremony and presentation of awards to the participants at Aliyu Musdafa College, include the sponsor - Ahmad U. Mohammed;  Vice Chairman Yola South LGA Hon. Saratu Elisha and a host of others, such as the Chigarin Adamawa and district head of Mbamba Ward, Alhaji Umar Aliyu Mustapha, who represented the Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa.

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Yola-South LGA inter-wards football championship showcases skillful players

Written by Blessed Adjekpagbon

The ongoing Yola-South Local Government Area Inter-wards football competition in Adamawa State, North Eastern Nigeria, is a welcomed development for the engagement of the youths in the area for meaningful focus on life changing goals.

Mr. Anas Suleiman

While speaking with Bulkybon News on 16 August 2025, at the Aliyu Musdafa College, along Yola By-Pass, where the competition is taking place, Mr. Anas Suleiman, the representative of a Nongovernmental organisation sponsoring the event said that, “The competition is organised by a Nongovernmental organisation known as Ahmad Uthman Purelife Foundation. It is aimed at uniting the youths of Yola-South on one hand, and to fulfill some Social Development Goals (SDG:1,2,3,4 to 13) on the other.”

Mr. Shehu Abdulkadir Bako

He added that “The foundation is not just only using the ongoing inter-wards football competition to unite the youths, it has many other areas it is focusing on for youth development, such as, the provision of some basic things like note books and reading materials for primary and secondary school learners in the local government area.”

Also speaking in the same vein, Mr. Shehu Abdulkadir Bako, Secretary of Yola South Coaches Council pointed that, “Mr. Ahmad Uthman is the founder of the Ahmad Uthman Purelife Foundation. This competition is being fully funded by him. He is doing it to foster unity among the youths in the eleven wards of Yola-South Local Government Area.”

However, he further informs that, “Many of the youths are being engaged in sport, to occupy them for further competitions with other wards outside Yola-South. They are likely to compete with other wards outside Yola-South Local Government Area.”

When asked about who is responsible for the welfare of the participating wards, especially the kits they are using to partake in the championship, he stated that, “The founder, Mr. Ahmad Uthman provided kits for all the participating wards. He brought the teams under the supervision of Yola-South Coaches Council headed by Mr. Akilu Mustapha, for proper organisation.”

Nonetheless, Bulkybon News was also told that the championship is an eleven-day event which began on 14 August 2025. Trophies and cash gifts will be presented to the three top winning teams. All the participating teams are also going to receive some forms of consolation prizes.

Notably, on 16 August 2025, a match that was billed to take place at the venue of the competition between Tongo Ward and Yolde Koyi Ward did not take place, as the latter failed to show up.

Mr. Hamid Mahmud Gambo

Mr. Hamid Mahmud Gambo, the coach of Tongo Ward said, “Our opponent did not show up probably due to the time the match was fixed to take place, between 7am and 9am. Their ward is far away from the venue, and that might probably be the reason they could not come. So, we had a walk over of their team.”

Another match played on the same day by 4pm was between Adarawo Ward and Ngurore Ward. It was a highly contested match as both teams showed the stuff they are made of. However, Adarawo took their opponent to the cleaners with a well-deserved 3-1 win at the end. Adarawo scored first during the first half, while Ngurore equalized towards the end of the first half before a compulsory 15-minute interval break.

Tongo Ward team and their coach (Hamid)

In the second half, Adarawo came onto the pitch smoking with great ball control and football mastery. Their supporters added mesmerizing music to the atmosphere which further gingered the players to showcase some of their hitherto hidden skills. Hence, within a space of 20 minutes, they scored another goal to make the score line 2-1.

While still basking on the mellifluence music from their vibrant supporters, Adarawo hit Ngurore with an additional classic goal within six minutes after the second goal. This made the score line 3-1. The third goal no doubts made the opponents crestfallen. All their efforts to concentrate and make meaningful moves towards Adarawo’s goal area ended fruitless, until the referee’s final whistle sent the winning team and the supporters into a great jubilation.

Mr Sanusi Umar, Adarawo's coach.

However, spectators were highly impressed by the performances of the players in Adarawo’s team. Some of the notable players in the team include those who wore jerseys number 2 and 14. Bulkybon News correspondent congratulated the coach, Mr. Sanusi Umar and his team at the end of the proceedings. 

This is an opportunity for Nigerian national football league coaches searching for new players to sign on, to take advantage of, by visiting the venue of the competition. 

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Farewell message from Commonwealth Foundation Director-General, Dr Anne Gallagher

 As received by me (Blessed Mudiaga Adjekpagbon) on 15 August 2025, from Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO, the Director-General of Commonwealth Foundation

Dear Blessed,

As my second and final term as Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation comes to a close, I want to share my thanks—and my hopes for the future.

Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO

It has been the honour of a lifetime to lead this small but mighty organisation during a period of profound global uncertainty. Amid shrinking civic space, deepening inequality, and escalating climate and health crises, we held fast to our mission: to amplify the voices of the Commonwealth’s people and advance a vision of fairer, more inclusive societies.

Together with you and our partners, we’ve turned strategy into action—and action into impact. Civil society actors in every Commonwealth region have shaped policies, challenged injustice, and expanded their presence in spaces where decisions are made. We’ve supported hundreds of initiatives through our grant making, launched powerful new platforms for connection and creativity, and brought the concerns of small and vulnerable states to the forefront of global debate. We’ve changed minds—and hearts.

Today, I am proud to share our Interim Report of Impact and Change, a record of what we have accomplished together since 2021. At its heart, it tells the story of the People of the Commonwealth—community leaders, artists, activists, and change-makers—whose courage and creativity continue to shape a fairer future. I hope you will take a moment to explore it.

As I prepare to pass the baton, I am delighted to welcome Razmi Farook as the Foundation’s new Director-General. Razmi brings deep experience and a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and civil society voice. I am confident that, under her leadership, the Foundation will continue to thrive—and continue to inspire.

Thank you for your support over the years. It has meant more than you can know, and I will always carry with me the energy, creativity, and commitment of this extraordinary community.

With my warmest wishes,

Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO

Director-General  

Commonwealth Foundation

 

 

AUN management installs additional solar-panels field on campus

Written by Blessed Adjekpagbon

Under the commendable leadership of Dr. Dewayne Frazier, President of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria, there has been a noticeable improvement in the quality of facilities on the institution’s campus.

One of the remarkable things that has taken place on the AUN campus in recent time, is the installation of a gigantic solar-panels field, behind the long stretch of the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) building. This will no doubt enhance steady power supply for the stakeholders, such as the students, faculty members and administrative staff, in that section of the institution. Besides, there are other solar-panels fields on different areas of the campus that make learning and working easier for both the students and personnel during public power outages.

The availability of large aerial solar-panels on various areas of the institution such as the big library structure with a 24/7 power supply has been of great advantage to all and sundry relying on it during epileptic public electric power supply. There are two other aerial solar-panels fields at the car-park of the Human Resources and Peter Okocha Hall (POH) buildings on the campus, which have been enhancing a smooth learning and working environment.  Hence, the additional installation of the solar-panels field behind the SAS Building is a noteworthy improvement in the quality of infrastructure on the campus.

Dr. Dewayne Frazier, AUN President

This makes the AUN further stand out in its own unique conducive class and high standards of learning and working, among various private universities in Nigeria and the sub-Sahara region of Africa. Other state of the art facilities in different departments are part of the key reasons new applicants are seeking admission into the institution.

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Adamawa State flooding: NIWA Yola Area Office Manager takes proactive step to sensitize people

 Written by: Blessed Adjekpagbon 

As a result of the torrential downpours that have been causing flooding in some communities in Adamawa State in recent times, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has embarked on a sensitization project to enlighten the people, to avoid exposing themselves to danger when travelling on the state's waterways.

Mrs. Nana Jika, Manager of NIWA, Yola Area Office said, "I and my management team have taken a proactive step to sensitize operators of boats transportation and people living in communities where water is the means of transportation, on the need for compliance to safety standards while travelling on the state's waterways."

This information was received by Bulkybon News during a visit to the NIWA Yola Area office in Jimeta.  The manager said there is an ongoing sensitization programme by herself and her team members, to various communities that rely on transportation by water every day. She informs that she and her officials are preparing to visit Wuro Boki community on 22 August 2025, to sensitize operators of boats transportation and their passengers, to maintain safety standards, to avoid mishaps and unnecessary loss of live while travelling on the state's waterways. 

Mrs. Nana Jika and her team

This, she said, is very necessary especially now that the state has been experiencing heavy downpours from the weeping sky from time to time. The sensitization programme is tagged “NIWA, Yola Area Office 2025 Sensitization on Safety and Flood Awareness.”

She pointed that, "We don't want disasters to happen before taking action. That is why we are taking this proactive step to avoid 'had I known,' which is usually the expression of regret, after failing to take the necessary step that could have prevented any mishap. We recently carried out a sensitization programme in some other communities. Wuro Boki is the next.”

A large quantity of flyers and life jackets to be distributed to the operators of boat transportation and the public in Wuro Boki, for the safety of the stakeholders and passengers during the aforementioned upcoming sensitization programme by the Adamawa State NIWA officials, were shown to Bulkybon News.

The key points of the sensitization programme are: no overload, no night sailing, no travelling on hard drugs, and no life jacket no travelling. According to the manager, the distribution of the items is meant to prevent the loss of life in case of any unexpected occurrence, even though nobody prays for any mishap. She oversees the operation of the NIWA in both Adamawa and Gombe States in the North East region of Nigeria.

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Reflection on Chief Obasanjo's simple lifestyle: My visit to his residence in 2011

 Written by: Blessed Adjekpagbon

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, an erstwhile Nigerian Head of State and President at different times, is certainly an unpredictable but simple lifestyle personality. 

The day l visited his Abeokuta residence in Ogun State, south west region of Nigeria, in 2011, to try to express my gratitude to him for giving me a presidential award in 2007 for my book titled "Rhymes from the Nile"  was when l got staggered by his simple lifestyle. The house was unimpressive with a gate widely opened as if it was not a place a former president is living. I saw about five young men casually discussing under a tree close to the gate. As l was about to bounce into the open compound in the manner of a usual Lagos guy after greeting them, a drama began between me and the seemingly casually talking young men.

I was carrying an envelope containing twelve copies of my newly published books titled 'When the King cries and Other Stories" and "Fundamentals of Literature - in - English," which l wanted to personally present to the former president as my token of contribution to his library. 

During that period, Bokoharam activities were just at its skeletal level. An old man who was addressed as Baba Sikiru by the young men was called out from inside the compound to follow me to about an electric pole distance away from outside the compound's gate to inspect the parcel of books l had with me. Even though the big envelope was not sealed, the young men refused to inspect it by themselves. It was then it dawned on me that they were afraid it could be a parcel-bomb. I began to laugh in my mind, that the young men who were dressed in black suits were the former president's security personnel who did not want to die if it happened that l was a disguised suicide bomber; hence, they called out an old man to do the inspection. They asked the old man loudly from a safe distance, what the envelope contained, thus: "Baba Sikiru, kilo wa ninu e?" In Yoruba language, which translates to English thus: "Elder Sikiru or Sakiru's father, what is inside the envelope?" And the old man responded, "Iwe ni o!" (It is books o o). 

Thereafter, they asked both of us to return to meet them where they were seated under a tree outside the compound, beside the left-hand side of the widely opened gate of an unattractive one-storey building. That was when l saw different weapons tucked inside their suits. They asked me where I came from and whether I had any previous appointment with the former president. I said l came from Lagos and had no previous appointment with him. They pointed out that I cannot see him since I had no previous appointment with him, but promised to deliver my gift and letter to him. 

I left and never heard anything from the former president relating to the books donated to him. About six months later, l read in some Nigerian dailies where he apologized to everyone he had been unable to attend to their needs at any point in time from when he was a president and after his tenure. In view of that, l decided not to bother to reach out to him again, to know whether he was given the books and letter or not. That was the closest move l had ever made to see Chief Obasanjo in person for the first time, after his tenure as Nigeria's president. Till date l have never met him one on one.

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