The Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party(SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo has paid glowing tributes to the late Air Commodore Dan Suleiman yesterday, describing him as a man who not only defended the nation while he was alive but also fought against its adversaries right up until the moment of his death.

Prince Adebayo described Dan Suleiman as an astute leader who served the country meritoriously, only to be forced into an exile for opposing subsequent military dictatorships.

The presidential hopeful added that the late Suleiman depicts a God fearing, committed and dedicated leader who was intellectually inquisitive and most times compassionate, indefatigable, hospitable, well-meaning, resourceful,
egalitarian, charismatic, detribalised, conscientious and philanthropic to a fault.

Read the full statement below:

DAN SULEIMAN: TRIBUTE TO THE GENERAL WHO FOUGHT TILL HIS LAST DAYS

It is evident that our culture continues to adhere to the unhealthy custom of concealing all the excellent deeds, actions, and omissions until after the main character has died.

This is undoubtedly true of the
late Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, a man who not only defended the nation while he was alive but also fought against its adversaries right up until the moment of his death.

Late Suleiman was a man of destiny, having traversed many pedestals of human challenges and terrains. He was a committed and unrepentant Nationalist who believed in the unity of our dear
country. As a military officer, he was arguably the best fighter pilot the country has ever produced.

He fought to preserve the unity of the country during the civil war and up until his passing, he directed his daily activities toward fostering that unity. An astute leader who served the country meritoriously, only to be forced into an exile for opposing subsequent military dictatorships.

The climax and eloquent testimony to Dan Suleiman’s singular and enduring contributions to the development of Nigeria’s democracy was the roles he played as one of the founding fathers of SDP and NADECO leader. He was a great democrat who fought and defended
our democracy with everything he had. We at the Social Democratic Party (SDP) are proud to associate with him as one of our founding fathers. His selfless services are worthy of emulation and we are proud to be associated with his efforts. All by a dint of hard work, devotion, vision and perseverance, the great Commodore successfully transmogrified from a military leader into an unrepentant democrat cum quintessential political leader.

Air Commodore Dan Suleiman was a devout Christian with a mixed trait of the spirit of a Christlike character. It is to his eternal credit that he used religion as a tool in fostering national unity. His life
was a true example that one need not be an elected official to be relevant to one’s community or nation.

He had in his kitty, the feelings of care and empathy for the wellbeing of others. He was not only a devout Christian, he was also famed in other admirable human endeavour and pursuits. A closer look
at the other side of him depicts a God fearing, committed and dedicated leader. He was intellectually inquisitive and most times compassionate, indefatigable, hospitable, well-meaning, resourceful,
egalitarian, charismatic, detribalised, conscientious and philanthropic to a fault.

Until his last day on earth, his love for Nigeria never waned. His passion for defending the country was consistent and extraordinary. It was not his profession that made his life remarkable or significant.

On the contrary, it was his undying love towards the country. Beyond Nigeria, late Dan Suleiman touched the lives of numerous people across the globe. He was a very generous and sympathetic
personality who was always moved at the slightest spectacle of human suffering and pangs.

Late Dan Suleiman was an immensely profound philosopher. His thoughts and contributions to our political discourse are still as incisive, provoking and thoughtful as they are, when he was still alive.
They are fountain of knowledge that our generation of aspiring leaders should drink from.

As the Social Democratic Party’s flagbearer, I have made the personal decision to pick up the baton left by
Dan Suleiman. It is now our duty to make sure that Air Commodore Dan Suleiman’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s unity for sustainable development, revive our economy and combat insecurity,
usher in 24-hour electricity across the nation, restore confidence in government through transparent governance and equity, and provide free and high-quality education were not in vain.

Prince Adewole ADEBAYO
Presidential Candidate of the SDP

Lagos, Nigeria – 22nd December, 2022: Family, friends & and mentees have unveiled the newly built ‘Ibukun Awosika Sports Centre’ at the Methodist Girls high school Lagos, in honor of Ibukun Awosika, renowned African entrepreneur, international leader, businesswoman, Chairman & Founder of the Chair Centre Group, former Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria and author on her 60th birthday.

This eponymous gift which also came as a surprise to the celebrant was commissioned and unveiled at its location on the grounds of the Methodist Girls High School (MGHS), Yaba. The ‘Ibukun Awosika Sports Centre’ is purpose-built by her mentees and family for her alma mater in order to integrate sports into the lives of young girls and foster qualities such as optimism, leadership, resilience, dedication, commitment, teamwork, practice, respect, among others. As part of the gift, a 12-month mentoring programme for 30 girls at the MGHS was also announced and will kick off in 2023.

Giving the keynote address during the event, Executive Coach, Leadership Expert, Global Speaker and Founder/CEO GEMSTONE Group, Fela Durotoye said, “We are grateful for the depth of Mrs. Awosika’s wisdom. I am delighted that we are flagging off the commissioning of this beautiful sports centre with a relay race, which symbolises how Mrs. Awosika has prepared the next generation for a greater run. I am also proud of the women she has mentored. Mrs. Awosika has been fruitful and has empowered the next generation. We can’t but express our gratitude for the gift of Mrs. Awosika to our generation.”

Speaking at the event, Managing Director, What’s On Media, Chichi Nwoko on behalf of all stated, “It’s a privilege to be celebrating Mrs. Awosika today. To honour her as she marks her 60th birthday, we – her family, friends and mentees decided to join resources as a group and we have successfully used the resources to build a sports centre at the Methodist Girls High School, Yaba in her name.

“Just like Mrs. Awosika who was also an athlete as a student at MGHS, we believe that this initiative will enable young girls to build confidence and the spirit of sportsmanship to lead the future generation. We are truly delighted to honour her life and her positive contributions to the communities around her through the gift of impact.”

In appreciation of the special gift, Ibukun Awosika enthused, “I am beyond enthralled that my friends, family and mentees who know how much my alma mater means to me went all out to give in my name, this is the ultimate honour. I also appreciate my sisters for always being there for me.

“All I ever wanted was to live a fulfilling life and make it easier for the next generation to walk through the path that I walked and do greater things than I have done. I am grateful for passing through this school which taught me a lot of things and for the relationships I built here. I am in awe of this gift and I am making a commitment to ensure that I make available whatever is required to keep this facility running for the future generation.”

Among her mentees who were in attendance to celebrate her 60th birthday and contributed to the building are many of whom have participated in some of her leadership development programme such as the International Women’s Leadership Conference (IWLC) in Dubai, the 360 Leadership mentorship program and the Life Series program which has been run severally in Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean Islands of the Bahamas and virtually across the world.

The Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and one of the top contenders in the 2023 polls, Prince Adewole Adebayo has described the passing of a one time Minister of Power and Steel, Wantaregh, Paul Iyorpuu UNONGO as a huge loss to Nigeria.


Prince Adebayo expressed this in a tweet on Wednesday November 30, 2022, following the demise of Unongo in Jos on Tuesday.

” If the dreams of Paul Unongo had come to pass, Nigeria would have been today, an industrial giant,” he said..

According to SDP presidential candidate, he assured Unongo that they will work in ensuring a Nigeria that works for all in realized.

“I managed to assure Baba that we had not dropped the baton and the race continues despite headwinds and distracted leadership in today’s Nigeria,” he tweeted.

In an earlier tweet, Prince Adebayo said, “I mourn elder Statesman, Wantaregh, Paul Iyorpuu UNONGO who has died in Jos. This scion of Kwaghngise-Anure-Abera ancestry of Turan, Kwande LGA of Benue State did all he could to industrialise Nigeria and unify our people. I saw him days back and I knew days left were few. Adieu,” he said.

“All efforts I made to get Baba to talk were only met with humming of heavenly songs and soft smiles of an undefeated, unrelenting energetic spirit trapped in an ailing mortal body.

“Wherever we choose to bury Paul Unongo, Ajaokuta Steel Complex would always be his cenotaph.And the burial ground of our steely dreams.”