…Second African to lead the global membership organization will focus on peacebuilding, lasting peace

From Adeko Ukpa

A Nigerian, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, will on Wednesday take office as the President of the Rotary International.

He is the second African to lead the global membership organization.

He is a member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi in Nigeria.
A statement by Rotary International said during his one-year term, Babalola will focus on strengthening Rotary’s contribution to peacebuilding and supporting sustainable, community-led solutions that address local and global challenges and improve lives.
Babalola said: “Rotary gives people the opportunity not only to make a difference in their communities, but also to grow through meaningful relationships, collaboration, and a deeper appreciation of different perspectives.

“At a time when many societies face division and uncertainty, I believe Rotary has an important role to play in building understanding, advancing peace, and creating opportunities for communities to thrive.

“As president, I look forward to highlighting and strengthening that impact around the world.”

Babalola brings to the role decades of experience advancing community development, peacebuilding, and public health initiatives across Africa. He has been actively involved with Rotary’s Peace Center at Makerere University in Uganda – the organization’s first on the continent.

As head of Rotary’s 45,000 clubs worldwide, Babalola will lead Rotary’s top priority of ending polio. Together with its Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners, Rotary has reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent and contributed more than US$3 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect over 3 billion children from this paralyzing disease.

He has also been deeply engaged in Rotary’s polio eradication efforts, serving on the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee and advising the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee.

Rotary members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. More than US$5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service – to support these initiatives over the last 100 years.

From Adeko Ukpa

The French Government has selected Manji Wilson, an aide to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, for the prestigious 2026 Future Leaders Invitation Programme.

It is a programme of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Wilson is the Chief Technical Adviser on Development Partnerships, Strategic Linkages and Diaspora Engagements to the governor.

He has emerged as Nigeria’s sole representative for the 2026 edition of the Programme, also known as Programme d’Invitation des Personnalités d’Avenir (PIPA) – a flagship leadership initiative organised under the patronage of the Government of France.

The programme, facilitated through the Embassy of France, is designed to strengthen strategic engagement between France and a new generation of influential African leaders driving governance reforms, diplomacy, innovation, enterprise and sustainable development across the continent.

Wilson’s selection is being viewed as a major boost to Plateau State’s growing international profile.

The choice is also an endorsement of the state government’s efforts to deepen global partnerships and attract development opportunities under the leadership of the governor.

The Future Leaders Invitation Programme brings together outstanding policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics, reformers and public sector leaders from Africa and France who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, institutional impact and commitment to international cooperation.

Over the years, the initiative has become an important platform for strengthening Franco-African relations, promoting cross-border collaboration and building a network of emerging leaders positioned to shape future policy, investment and development conversations globally.

Wilson’s emergence for the programme reflects his growing influence in international development cooperation, strategic partnerships, public policy advisory and subnational diplomacy.

As Chief Technical Adviser to the Plateau State Governor, he currently coordinates high-level engagements aimed at mobilising strategic partnerships, attracting development investments, expanding diaspora participation and advancing institutional collaborations aligned with Plateau State’s economic transformation agenda.

He has also played key advisory and coordination roles in facilitating engagements between the Plateau State Government and several bilateral, multilateral and international development institutions across Europe, Africa and other parts of the world.

His contributions have reportedly strengthened cooperation frameworks in governance reform, innovation ecosystems, youth development, enterprise support, digital economy initiatives, agriculture, education and sustainable development.

Before his appointment in Plateau State Government House, Wilson had accumulated more than a decade of professional experience supporting democratic governance and institutional strengthening programmes, including assignments under European Union-backed governance initiatives in Nigeria and Kenya.

His experience spans programme management, development communications, stakeholder engagement, policy coordination, civic participation and international cooperation frameworks.

According to the statement, participation in the French programme is expected to provide opportunities for deeper engagement within European diplomatic, policy and investment circles, while also opening new windows for strategic partnerships in innovation, agriculture, education, technology, culture and enterprise development.

The programme is also expected to enhance Plateau State’s international visibility and investment positioning, while contributing to broader conversations around subnational diplomacy, international cooperation and inclusive economic transformation.

Observers say the development further reinforces the Plateau State Government’s ongoing drive to expand credible international partnerships capable of unlocking economic growth, institutional development, youth empowerment and sustainable prosperity for the state.

…Set up interim leadership, back INEC stance, warn of 2027 risks

By Adeko Ukpa

The crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) escalated on Tuesday as the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), backed by its State Chairmen Forum, announced a takeover of the party’s administration and rejected rival factions allegedly led by former Senate President David Mark and Nafiu Bala.

At a joint press conference in Abuja, NEC members and about 25 state chairmen said the move was necessary to “rescue” the party from collapse, restore internal order, and safeguard its participation in the 2027 general elections.

NEC, State Chairmen Move to “Rescue” Party

Speaking on behalf of the group, Abia State Chairman, Don Norman Obinna, said the intervention was not factional but constitutional, insisting they remain the only legitimate authority within the party.

“We are here to move the party forward, not as a faction but as elected NEC members,” he said.

The NEC warned that failure to act decisively could worsen internal divisions and ultimately jeopardise the party’s ability to field candidates in future elections.

Interim Leadership Announced

As part of immediate measures, the party leaders unveiled a 20-member interim committee to run its affairs for two to three weeks pending the conduct of a national convention.

Kogi State Chairman, Kingsley Temitope Ogah, was named interim chairman, while Edo State Chairman, Kennedy Odion, will serve as secretary.

Other members include Muhammad Jidda (deputy chairman), Kabiru Hussaini (assistant secretary), Charles Omidji (national organising secretary), Johnny Derek (deputy organising secretary), Stella Chukwuma (treasurer), Obinna (publicity secretary), and Samuel Gyang (financial secretary).

The committee is expected to oversee day-to-day operations and prepare the ground for the emergence of a new National Working Committee (NWC).

Rejection of Mark, Bala Factions

The NEC and state chairmen firmly rejected the leadership claims of the David Mark and Nafiu Bala camps, accusing them of attempting to hijack the party.

“We disassociate the ADC from David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Bolaji Abdullahi, Prof Osunbor and all members of the so-called coalition,” Obinna said.

He further dismissed Bala’s claims to party leadership, stating that he never held the position of deputy national chairman.

The group also declared that the ADC “is not for sale” and accused the rival bloc of pursuing a power grab at the expense of the party’s founding members.

Backing INEC, Court Processes

The NEC threw its weight behind the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), commending its decision to withdraw recognition from the rival factions following an appellate court ruling.

“We are in total support of INEC’s position and commend them for doing what is right,” Obinna said.

INEC had earlier announced it would refrain from engaging with the Mark-led leadership and Bala faction, citing a March 12 judgement of the Court of Appeal and a pending case before the Federal High Court.

The party leaders also confirmed that some state chairmen had approached the courts for constitutional interpretation on which organ has the authority to conduct congresses.

Congresses, Conventions Under Scrutiny

The NEC distanced itself from ongoing congresses allegedly conducted by rival groups, declaring them invalid.

Ogah argued that the processes violated the party’s constitution, noting that no properly convened NEC meeting had been held to approve such exercises.

“You cannot conduct congresses while tenures are still running. The process requires dissolution of existing executives, which has not happened,” he said.

He added that several state chairmen had formally dissociated themselves from the exercises.

Root of the Crisis

The NEC traced the origin of the dispute to August 2022 when the tenure of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, expired.

According to the committee, a Federal High Court ruling in December 2022 affirmed the expiration of his tenure and nullified actions taken thereafter.

“His refusal to step down led to litigations and rulings that his tenure had indeed expired,” Obinna said.

They further noted that the party’s Board of Trustees is currently inactive following multiple resignations, leaving administrative responsibility with elected NEC members.

2027 Elections at Stake

The party leaders warned that continued instability could have serious electoral consequences.

“If we don’t act now, we may not be able to field candidates. Any political party without representation risks being displaced,” Obinna said.

They stressed that the interim arrangement and planned convention are aimed at restoring the party’s electoral viability and relevance.

Kachikwu’s Membership Affirmed

The NEC also defended the status of the party’s former presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, describing his purported expulsion by the rival faction as invalid.

“He remains a committed and bonafide member of the ADC,” Obinna stated.

Efforts at Reconciliation Failed

The group said attempts were made to resolve the crisis through dialogue before resorting to legal action.

“We engaged widely and sought reconciliation, but when that failed, we approached the courts for clarity,” Obinna said, denying allegations of external sponsorship.

No Immediate Reaction from Rival Camps

Efforts to reach key figures in the rival camps, including the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, former National Vice Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, and former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, were unsuccessful as their phone lines could not be reached as of press time.

With the NEC and state chairmen now firmly in control, attention is expected to shift to the proposed national convention, which may ultimately determine the legitimate leadership of the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections.