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Professor Patrick Okedinachi Utomi is a renowned Nigerian political economist, management expert, academic, author, and entrepreneur.

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Professor Patrick Okedinachi Utomi is a renowned Nigerian political economist, management expert, academic, author, and entrepreneur. He is widely respected for his contributions to Nigeria’s economic thought, leadership development, and policy advocacy.

Early Life and Education

Pat Utomi was born on February 6, 1956, in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, but hails from Igbuzor, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. He grew up in a middle-class family and showed exceptional brilliance from a young age. He attended primary and secondary schools in Northern Nigeria before proceeding to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he earned a degree in Mass Communication.

Due to the Nigerian civil war and university closures during that period, Utomi also studied for some time at Indiana University in the United States. He later obtained a Master’s degree in Communication Arts and a Ph.D. in Political Economy from Indiana University, Bloomington, USA. His educational background formed the foundation for his deep interest in leadership, development economics, and public policy.

Academic and Professional Career

Upon returning to Nigeria, Pat Utomi worked briefly as a lecturer at the University of Lagos, where he taught political economy and management. His intellect and clarity of ideas made him one of the most respected young academics in the 1980s.

Utomi’s career took a turn toward public service when he was appointed Special Assistant to President Shehu Shagari in 1982 at the age of 26. However, his time in government was short-lived due to the military coup that ended the Second Republic in 1983.

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Afterward, he joined the private sector and became the Corporate Affairs Manager of Volkswagen Nigeria, where he established himself as a dynamic business leader. He later co-founded several organizations and think tanks focused on business growth and good governance.

Academic Work and Leadership Roles

Professor Utomi returned to the academic world and became a Professor of Political Economy and Management at Lagos Business School (LBS), where he taught for several years. He is one of the founding faculty members of the Pan-Atlantic University and helped build LBS into one of Africa’s leading business schools.

He has also been a visiting scholar at Harvard Business School and the American University in Washington, D.C., where he contributed to discussions on African economic development.

Entrepreneurship and Advocacy

Pat Utomi is the founder and CEO of Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), an organization established to nurture a new generation of ethical and visionary African leaders. Through CVL, he has mentored young professionals, promoted entrepreneurship, and organized leadership seminars across Nigeria and Africa.

He also founded or played a major role in several other organizations, including:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and The Big Tent Coalition, movements promoting credible leadership and governance reform.

The African Heritage Institution, which conducts research on governance and economic policies.

The Centre for Applied Economics at Lagos Business School.

Political Involvement

Utomi has been deeply involved in Nigerian politics, though not always as a career politician. He has consistently advocated for ethical governance, democracy, and economic reforms.

He was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but later joined other political movements as Nigeria’s political environment evolved. He contested for the presidency of Nigeria in 2007 under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and has since remained a vocal critic of corruption, bad leadership, and policy inconsistency in Nigeria.

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In more recent years, he has aligned with reformist groups like the Labour Party and The Big Tent for Recovery Nigeria, working to build a coalition for good governance and youth political engagement.

Publications and Thought Leadership

Professor Utomi has written and contributed to numerous books, articles, and papers on economics, leadership, and governance. His works often emphasize the importance of values-based leadership, institutional reform, and the development of a productive private sector.

Some of his notable publications include:

Managing Uncertainty: Competition and Strategy in Emerging Economies

Critical Perspectives on Nigerian Political Economy and Management

To Serve is to Live: Reflections on Leadership and Purpose

He is also a frequent guest speaker at conferences and seminars on economics, business, and national development.

Awards and Recognition

Over the years, Pat Utomi has received numerous awards for his contributions to academia, business, and leadership, including:

The National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) award.

Recognition as one of Nigeria’s most influential public intellectuals.

Various honorary doctorates from universities in Nigeria and abroad.

Personal Life

Professor Utomi is married to Dr. Ifeoma Utomi, a dental surgeon and university lecturer. They are blessed with children. He is known for his humility, intellectual depth, and passion for youth development and nation-building.

Legacy and Impact

Pat Utomi remains one of Nigeria’s most respected thinkers and reform advocates. Through his writings, mentorship, and leadership initiatives, he continues to inspire a generation of Nigerians to embrace integrity, innovation, and service. His vision centers on building a Nigeria where leadership is defined by values, competence, and accountability.

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Declare Your Lineage – Royal Family Tells Musician KWAM 1 Over His Interest In Becoming Next Awujale Of Ijebuland

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KWAM 1, in a letter dated December 3, 2025, addressed to the chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Agunsebi Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, announced his interest in the stool, describing himself as a “bonafide son” of the ruling house.

The Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode, next in line to produce the new Awujale of Ijebuland, Ogun State, has instructed Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, to confirm his family’s royal lineage to validate his membership in the ruling house.

KWAM 1, in a letter dated December 3, 2025, addressed to the chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Agunsebi Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, announced his interest in the stool, describing himself as a “bonafide son” of the ruling house.

KWAM 1 also stated that his candidacy aligns with Ijebu customary law and the Ogun State Chieftaincy Laws.

In an interview with Punch, the Chairman of the ruling house and former National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Abdulateef Owoyemi, said only bonafide members of the family would be allowed to participate in the selection process.

Owoyemi explained that KWAM 1, Olori Omooba of Ijebu land and others interested in the stool have been directed to complete the Fusengbuwa ruling house royal lineage data form.

According to him, the form, which requires contenders to trace their genealogy back seven generations, ensures that only genuine princes from the family can participate, thereby blocking “strangers” from claiming the throne.

He said, “The first step for anyone interested in contesting for the Awujale throne is to declare their lineage by filling the standard Fusengbuwa ruling house royal lineage data form. Once confirmed as a legitimate member of the ruling house, they can then apply for the expression of interest form.

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“We have told him, just like everyone else interested in the Awujale throne, that the first step is to declare his lineage. He will do this by completing the royal lineage data form, showing his full name, which parent and grandparent he descends from, and continuing up to seven generations.

“The completed form will be signed and submitted to the head of the ruling house unit of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, who will affirm that he is a genuine member. Only then will the process move forward.”

Owoyemi emphasised that although the application window for the throne officially closed on December 5, KWAM 1 had been given a five-day extension, which would lapse on December 10.

He noted, “We won’t shut anybody out of picking the next Awujale, but we must ensure that you are a legitimate member of Fusengbuwa. Every right comes with responsibilities. For a royal family, everyone must prove their legitimacy by completing the royal lineage data form.

“When we receive the form, we will review it meticulously. If clarification is needed, we will contact the applicant. We welcome men of influence who will use their influence to enhance the throne, not to claim it, ensuring that what truly belongs to our family is preserved.”

Owoyemi explained that the local government has given them 14 days to select candidates, and the ruling house hopes to have a new Awujale by the second or third week of January 2026.

He added, “The local government has given us 14 days to select candidates, which expires on December 18. After that, the kingmakers have seven days to deliberate and choose one candidate, whose name will be forwarded to the governor.

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“Legally, the government then has 21 days to conduct background checks and security clearance, allowing for objections or protests. After this period, the State Executive Council will ratify the nominee, and the governor will announce the next Awujale, after which coronation rites will commence.

“So, combining the candidate selection, kingmakers’ deliberation, and legal objection period, we are looking at around 42 days. Therefore, we expect the next Awujale to emerge between the second and third week of January.”

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VIDEO: I’m Married But Not In My Husband’s House; I Didn’t Have The Experience Of Living Happily Ever After – Singer Shola Allyson Reveals

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While speaking about her love life, the 54-year-old who came into limelight with a love album ‘Eji Owuro’, revealed that she is married but not living with her husband.

Sola Allyson, the popular Nigerian gospel singer, has revealed that she is not currently living with her husband.

The musician made this known in her latest interview on Oyinmomo TV.

While speaking about her love life, the 54-year-old who came into limelight with a love album ‘Eji Owuro’, revealed that she is married but not living with her husband.

Sharing her marital experience, the singer said she has never enjoyed the kind of happiness many people describe.

“I’m married, but I’m not in my husband’s house. We live separately. He in his house and I in mine.”

The interviewer asked: “You sang ‘Eji Owuro’, did you experience genuine love from your husband?

She replied, “We lied before. Those older than us didn’t inform us that it’s tough. They made us believe that so long as you both love each other, you will live happily ever after, but it’s a lie.

“That’s not the experience I have. I didn’t have the experience of living happily ever after. I did all I could to make it work.

“Marriage has been a big challenge. I hear people talk about joy in marriage, but I have never experienced it.”

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VIDEO: Shola Allyson Finally Opens Up, Reveals Why She Does Not Reference Jesus In Her Songs

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Recall that Allyson, who is regarded as a gospel singer, was dragged on social media in March 2025 for not directly referencing ‘Jesus’ in all her songs.

Shola Allyson, the renowned Nigerian songstress, has opened up on the real reason she avoids mentioning the name of Jesus in all her songs.

Recall that Allyson, who is regarded as a gospel singer, was dragged on social media in March 2025 for not directly referencing ‘Jesus’ in all her songs.

Reacting to her critics in a post on X, the songstress stated that “No one can bully me into joining their darkness that looks like light because indolent souls find comfort in it”.

Finally revealing her reason for not mentioning Jesus in her songs, Shola Allyson on Saturday during her latest interview on Oyinmomo TV, stated that Jesus did not ask her to do PR for him.

She said “I’m not a religious singer. As I am, I have never introduced myself as a gospel singer. My name is Shola Allyson. I’m a singer”.

Interviewer; “Some people said you don’t mention ‘Jesus’ name’ in all your songs”.

She quickly responded “Jesus did not instruct us to mention his name in songs nor did Jesus ask us to do PR for Him”.

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