Michael Owolabi Afolaranmi Marks 50th Birthday in Grand Style with High Society Celebration

 Lagos, Nigeria — It was a night to remember as renowned entrepreneur and small chops mogul, Michael Owolabi Afolaranmi, hosted a glittering celebration in honour of his 50th birthday last weekend, Gistmaster report. The event, held at the prestigious Balmoral Convention Centre, Ikeja, attracted the crème de la crème of high society, who were treated to a lavish evening of music, laughter, gourmet cuisine, canapés, and premium wines and spirits.

Though the celebration was a bit delayed, guests — many adorned in the event’s black and gold colour code — waited patiently and were richly rewarded with an electrifying atmosphere befitting the golden jubilee of a remarkable man.

Anchoring the night was popular comedian and master of ceremony MC Ajele (Ajele Adeyemi), who delivered non-stop entertainment with his signature wit. He was joined by celebrated humourist Gbenga Adeyinka, who, despite being a guest, enthusiastically took the mic and thrilled attendees with his rib-cracking jokes and animated storytelling.

One of the evening’s standout moments was the highly anticipated Best Dressed Competition, which saw fashion-forward guests competing for cash prizes. The male category had joint winners, each walking away with ₦300,000, while the winner of the female category — the striking and stylish businesswoman Kofoworola Awoyera — clinched the top prize of ₦1 million.

The celebration also featured heartfelt tributes from family and friends, reflecting on Michael’s inspiring journey, deep values, and contributions to entrepreneurship and community development.

Guests danced late into the night to a dynamic musical performance by Sharp Band, who, alongside a DJ, delivered a rich mix of gospel, Afrobeat, highlife, and old-school hits — ensuring a lively, joyous atmosphere.

Visibly moved by the overwhelming show of love and support, the celebrant expressed his deep gratitude, thanking guests for being part of his journey. He reiterated his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and national development — ideals that have defined his professional and personal life.

Michael Afolaranmi is best known for founding 12 Baskets Foods, a finger food and catering brand he launched in 2002, well before “small chops” became the staple it is today at Nigerian events. From humble beginnings, he has grown the brand into a culinary empire with multiple outlets across Lagos and Abuja, managed from a modern headquarters in Lekki, Lagos.

Beyond small chops, the business has expanded to include cocktail services, grills, event ushers, and even DJ services, setting a new benchmark for event catering in Nigeria. With over 100 staff members under his employ, Afolaranmi has become a beacon of empowerment for young people across the country, many of whom have launched successful ventures inspired by his model.

Michael Owolabi Afolaranmi’s 50th birthday was more than just a party — it was a celebration of vision, resilience, and excellence. It underscored a life well-lived and a legacy still in motion, cementing his place as one of Africa’s most admired entrepreneurs.

Stephanie Okereke Linus Reflects on 14 Years of Private Bliss and Family Life

 Stephanie Okereke Linus, the celebrated Nollywood actress and filmmaker, recently opened up about her deeply private marriage to her husband, Linus Idahosa. The couple, who tied the knot in a serene and intimate ceremony in Paris back in 2012, have managed to keep much of their family life away from the public eye—a decision Stephanie describes as a source of peace and fulfillment.

Reflecting on her choice for privacy, Stephanie shared that her early life experiences taught her the value of shielding personal moments from public scrutiny. "My early life was tough, and I learned the hard way that not everyone should know your story. That’s why I keep my marriage and family life away from the public eye. It’s peaceful that way," she explained. Only a trusted inner circle, including her sibling and mother-in-law, are privy to the intimate details of her family life.

Now celebrating 14 beautiful years of marriage in 2025, the actress revealed for the first time a glimpse into her wedding memories. A pre-wedding video, which she recently shared, symbolized the quiet strength and enduring nature of their relationship. "It felt right," she said. "Just a little reminder that love, when protected, lasts."

Stephanie and Linus are proud parents of two children, whose lives are similarly kept out of the spotlight. The actress’s commitment to privacy has not only preserved the sanctity of her marriage but also served as a testament to the power of safeguarding love from external pressures.

As fans celebrate her milestone anniversary, Stephanie's story serves as an inspiring reminder of the strength that comes with protecting one's peace and cherishing the moments that matter most.

Meet Olakunle Abiodun Afolabi, the Defender of Justice and Architect of Legal Triumphs

 Justice doesn’t always work fairly when faced with power, bias, or red tape, but Barrister Olakunle Abiodun Afolabi stands out as a voice for those who aren’t heard.

  With ten years of court experience, Afolabi has become known for defending human rights, working with constitutional law, and giving hope to people caught in Nigeria’s complex legal system.

Afolabi’s path comes from hard work, not luck. He graduated with honours from Lagos State University with both his law degree and diploma, then trained at the Nigerian Law School before starting a career full of impressive legal achievements. Beyond his education, he has certificates from the Mandela Institute for death penalty defence and leadership training from Rise Networks, showing his dedication to justice and doing his best work.

But it is in the courtroom where Afolabi truly shines. Licensed to practice across all 36 states and the FCT, he has become synonymous with high-stakes litigation, defending clients in cases that test the very fabric of Nigeria’s legal and moral framework. 

Afolabi’s portfolio reads like a chronicle of modern Nigeria’s legal battles. From securing the freedom of EndSARS protesters like Clement Igbudu and Adeniyi Adeyemi—wrongfully incarcerated for demanding accountability—to defending journalists under siege for upholding press freedom, his work transcends mere litigation; it is a crusade for societal equity. 

In criminal defense, Afolabi’s prowess is unmatched. He has stood fearlessly against charges of murder, armed robbery, and cybercrimes, dismantling flimsy prosecutions with forensic precision. Take the case of *Gabriel Sowunmi*, accused of cybercrime and human trafficking: Afolabi’s meticulous dissection of evidence exposed procedural malpractices, leading to an acquittal that reverberated across Nigeria’s legal community. 

His civil law victories are equally staggering. Representing giants like Huawei Technologies and MTN Nigeria, he navigates corporate labyrinths with ease, while his debt recovery triumphs for entities like Dangote Agrosacks, showcase his versatility. Yet, it is his pro bono work with Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers Without Borders) that reveals his core: providing free legal aid to victims of torture by security agencies, ensuring accountability under Nigeria’s Anti-Torture Act 2017. 

Afolabi’s specialization in human rights and constitutional law is not merely professional—it is personal. As the head of the ProCAT and eRIGHTS initiative in Lagos, he has spearheaded efforts to combat police brutality, secure reparations for survivors, and challenge systemic impunity. “The law is not a shield for the powerful,” he asserts. “It is a sword for the oppressed.” 

His advocacy extends to labor rights, where he champions fair treatment for workers and trade unions, and media law, where he battles censorship to protect journalistic freedom. Each case he undertakes—whether defending a wrongfully accused individual or challenging unconstitutional policies—is a brick in the edifice of a more just Nigeria. 

Afolabi’s success is rooted in an unshakable ethos: integrity, resilience, and an insatiable hunger for knowledge. A skilled draftsman and orator, he combines legal acumen with technological savvy—a rarity in a profession often resistant to change. His leadership at *Kunle Afolabi LP*, where he mentors young lawyers and oversees complex litigations, reflects his belief in nurturing the next generation of advocates. 

Colleagues describe him as “a thinker who outworks everyone in the room” and “a strategist who turns legal battles into masterclasses.” Yet, beneath the accolades lies a man driven by empathy. “Every client’s freedom,” he says, “is a thread in the tapestry of justice we must weave for our nation.” 

With a track record that includes appellate court victories and groundbreaking human rights rulings, Afolabi shows no signs of slowing down. His eyes are set on expanding access to justice through tech-driven legal solutions and deepening collaborations with global bodies like the African Bar Association. 

As Nigeria grapples with challenges to democracy and human rights, Afolabi’s role as a legal sentinel becomes ever more critical. His journey—from the courtrooms of Lagos to international advocacy—hints at a future where his influence could reshape legislative frameworks or even ascend to the bench. 

Olakunle Abiodun Afolabi is more than a lawyer; he is a institution. A defender of the marginalized, a corporate strategist, and a human rights icon, he embodies the rare brilliance that transcends legal practice to ignite societal change. With each case, he redefines what it means to wear the wig and gown. 

As the sun sets over Lagos, casting long shadows over its crowded streets, one truth remains clear: *the prospects of Olakunle Abiodun Afolabi are not just great—they are boundless*. For in his hands, the law is not merely a profession. It is a revolution. 

Contact Barrister Olakunle Abiodun Afolabi: 

Phone: +234 8028300421, 07039900923 | Email: kunleafolabilp@gmail.com | Website: [kunleafolabilp.com](http://kunleafolabilp.com) 

Location: 49 Lawson Street, Onikan, Lagos Island, Lagos State.

EGBESU IJAWS OF GBARAMATU FOR FUBARA WARNS PRESIDENT TINUBU

  It is a common saying in our local parlance that who ever beats the drum of war must be ready to dance to its tune. When we echoed it that ‘Asawana’ is not a love song some people clearly took it a joke; but never knew Asawana judgment day has come, because we are going to show them the definition of the true spirit of Asawana. 

Since the President fail to learn from the recent reply of Asawana in River State he should be ready our next reply. Again we have come to make it clear that the Unconstitutional suspension of our Son the duly elected Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy for 6 months by the confused President Tinubu will not stand. 

We will resist it with all our might, Nyesom Wike should tell his puppet that we are not afraid of the military men being deployed in River state because they will hear from Asawana.

 

We the Egbesu Gbaramatu Ijaws want to heedlessly state that this madness being exhibited by Nyesome Wike and his puppet president lacking in common sense, has reach a point of no return thus, the Egbesu Ijaws in  and the Niger Delta  will not sit idly and watch it continue anymore as we are now fully ready to put an immediate end to it,  as in the coming days we shall be matching words with action as seen in the recent bomb blasts.

 

We want to make it abundantly clear to President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu who has shown he is a tool of the FCT Minister Nyesome Wike, that his recent act of illegality and senseless abuse of power by declaring a state of emergency in the State and the hasty suspension of Governor Fubara is a joke taken too far and likened to an handshake beyond the elbow.

And by the action the President and FCT Minister crossed the red line with the Ijaw Nation, therefore, should be ready to face the wroth of the Ijaw Nation and the devastating consequences that will crumble this Country before his very eyes.

 

Mr. Puppet president deploying Military men will not save you, we only just started yet the entire Nation is already running helter-skelter, but it is a pity that the President, security agencies and the Nation at large do not even know what is before them and the weapon they have activated by their stupid and thoughtless action. This is not a threat but a promise, especially to those who have drawn the battle line with the Ijaw nation. 

In no distant time the Nation shall be greeted with untold hardship, wanton destruction of national oil assets and the mother of insecurity in the creeks  of the Niger delta and in the hinterland of the Niger delta and this will be such as never been seen before in recent history of our Country.

While the Military continue to get busy in Portharcourt, we shall continue to get busy in the creeks and all oil assets in the creeks of Delta state shall suffer the consequence of the President Tinubu actions in declaring state of emergency in River State.

 

At this juncture, it is pertinent we issue this very stern warning to the dramatic persons behind the scene and those acting out this very poorly scripted fictional dramatic piece that if this comic series is not halted immediately, with our son Governor Siminalayi Fubara reinstated back to office to continue with his constitutional duties and mandate as the Executive Governor of Rivers State nobody should blame the Ijaws for how things will rapidly degenerate and we want to state it clearly that from now on anybody that goes close to any of the national infrastructures especially in the Niger Delta will be doing so at his or her own risk as the safety of these facilities is no longer guaranteed.    

 

And finally we want to state unequivocally for the benefit of those who love the counsel of the wise that, those who doubt the capacity of the Ijaws to cripple the Nation and bring it to a state of non-existence are the actual enemies of this Country, because we have our friends and allies scattered all over including the military and other nations ready to work hand in gloves with us to make good our threats and even if need be for us to declare our own republic. 

If anyone forget so soon, we shall again remind the FCT Minister and his co travelers that the Ijaw Nation host majority of the oil facilities that make up the economic back-born of Nigeria and joking with the political aspiration of the Ijaw nation means the Federal Government is joking with her daily meal and survival.

 

One thing is certain, we are not taken anything off the table in this fight for the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the first Ijaw man in history to become the Executive Governor of Rivers State including a declaration of own republic.

We want to reiterate and warn the general members of the public including members of the international community that from now on we will continue to visit national infrastructures especial oil and gas infrastructures in the Niger Delta with mayhem and anyone caught in these facility shall be victims of their own stubbornness.

 Desperate times they say calls for desperate measures. It is only the stubborn fly that follows the corps to the grave; President Bola Tinubu be warned!

IJAW NATION WILL STAND AGAINST THIS INJUSTICE

 

The current crisis in River State is an attack on the Ijaw nation. As clans and Kingdom’s of ijaw nation within Delta State and Edo state, we the people of  Egbama, Gbaramatu, Isaba and Ogbe-Ijoh, we are fully aware that these are activities aimed at silencing the voice of the Ijaw people in Nigeria. 

Eight years ago, we witnessed how an Ijaw man was disgraced from office and removed from the presidential villa. The Ijaw people were reduced to nothing because the Ijaw nation failed to act when President Goodluck Jonathan was removed. We, the Gbaramatu Ijaw, Egbama Ijaw, Isaba Ijaw, and Ogbe-Ijoh clan, have agreed in solidarity to stand by our Ijaw brothers in River State. 

This is a cry from all Ijaw youths; this is an Ijaw national battle against federal government oppression. The Ijaw nation will not take this lightly. We from Delta State and Bayelsa State will join forces to ensure that this disgrace stops once and for all. The government cannot take our oil, fight, and disgrace us while they use our oil to build Abuja and devastate our state.

 This is bigger than Fubara; the Ijaw nation will stand and defend ourselves with our last breath. We are aware that they are making further plans to wipe out the Ijaw nation from power, even attempting to take our God-given resources from us. They want to enslave us and disguise it as a political battle. 

The gold they possess, they hoard; their cattle, they keep. But the Ijaw oil is shared among all, yet they do not want an Ijaw person in power. We will utilize all strategies at our disposal; we will cripple the economy as they have chosen to cripple our state. 

We will unite forces to reclaim our rights. They have failed to appoint an Ijaw person as Minister of Petroleum because they want total control of our resources. How can you appoint an Ijaw nation state minister of Petroleum, a position that the GMD of NNPCL is more powerful than? What an insult to the Ijaw nation; it is more like being an errand servant. As a people, we have decided to stand up and resist it. 

We are using this medium to call upon all Ijaws to join this battle. The Ijaws are not minorities; all Ijaws in Bomadi, Patani, Burutu, Ondo, Uvwie, Udu, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Edo, Lagos, and those in the diaspora should unite in this struggle for the soul of the Ijaw nation. This oppression must cease; the Ijaw nation will stand and defend its land. Asawana, wana.

Signed. 

Comr. Tamaradenyeifa Iroroyekenigha

Ogbe-Ijoh Representative 

Mr. Emizibo Seiyefa

Egbama Representative 

Comr. Ayibatari Tarila

Isaba Representative 

Comr. Binatari Ekpokememi

Gbaramatu Representative 

Sir Fetiemo Ebiwari

Bomadi Representative 

Mr. Kemepade Adibobouegbe

Burutu Representative 

Comr. Faafa Peibolu

Patani Representative

Zero Processing Fee; GTBank Removes POS Processing Fees to Support Businesses

 Lagos, Nigeria – Wednesday, 12 February 2025 - Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd has announced the removal of processing fees on all GTBank POS terminals, reinforcing its commitment to supporting businesses with cost-effective payment solutions. 

This initiative, which took effect Tuesday, 11 February 2025, communicates that merchants using GTBank POS terminals will no longer incur Merchant Service Charges (MSC) when receiving payments from customers. 

With this initiative, all qualifying SME Merchants can now receive payments at zero cost, allowing them to reduce operational expenses, whilst promoting the merchant’s enterprise, and enhancing customer experience.

Speaking on the initiative, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank Nigeria, said: “At Guaranty Trust Bank, we are always looking for ways to add value to our financial ecosystem. By implementing the zero processing fees on POS transactions, we are empowering businesses to get the full value of every payment they receive, whilst also ensuring a more seamless and efficient payment experience.”

The Zero Processing Charge campaign aligns with GTBank’s ongoing efforts to empower businesses with innovative financial solutions that drive growth and efficiency.

For more information, merchants are encouraged to contact their Relationship Managers or reach out to the Digital Banking Support Team at poshelpdesk@gtbank.com.

About GTBank

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is a leading financial institution committed to delivering innovative banking solutions that empower businesses and individuals. With a strong focus on technology and customer satisfaction, GTBank continues to redefine the banking experience across Africa and beyond.

Victory: Court Affirms Atuwatse III as Olu of Warri

 A Delta State High Court in Asaba has dismissed the legal challenge brought by Prince Oyowoli Emiko against the succession of Ogiame Atuwatse III as the Olu of Warri. Prince Oyowoli, son of the former Olu Ikenwoli, had contested the legitimacy of the current monarch’s ascension to the throne.

The court, in its ruling on case A/119/2023, determined that the claimant’s suit was statute-barred, effectively upholding the preliminary objection raised by the defendants. The presiding judge dismissed the suit “in its entirety,” dealing a decisive blow to Prince Oyowoli’s claims.

The court highlighted several crucial aspects in its decision:

The withdrawal of the previous suit (W/104/21) was found to be tactical rather than conciliatory, with the court noting it was not “borne out of a reason for peaceful co-existence” but rather an attempt to secure “another opportunity for a bite” through the new filing.

The court deemed the relief claims in the current suit premature, emphasizing that any grievances should have been presented during the 21-day period provided under Section 19 of the Traditional Rulers Council Chieftaincy Laws.

A procedural error was noted regarding the timing of the Executive Council’s letters of recommendation, which were issued after the suit was filed.

Legal Representation

The case saw extensive legal representation from various parties:

O. L. Ovwhoriole appeared for the Claimant/Respondent

A. M. Oriakhi led a team of lawyers representing the 1st, 4th, 9th, and 24th-27th Defendants

Other notable representations included O. F. Oberuoma for the 3rd Defendant and P. E. Eze for the 5th-8th Defendants

Implications

This ruling represents a significant victory for Ogiame Atuwatse III, effectively strengthening his position as the Olu of Warri. The court’s decision appears to have brought clarity to the succession dispute that has been a source of tension within the traditional institution.

The ruling also serves as a reminder of the importance of following proper procedural channels in traditional succession matters, particularly regarding the timing of challenges and the necessity of adhering to established chieftaincy laws.