By Adeniyi Oluwasegun, Ibadan

Almost everyone is familiar with the story of King Saul, who was favoured as the first king to rule over Israel and was destined to reign until his death. However, his repeated disobedience to God’s servant led to the untimely end of his reign.His first major act of disobedience was recorded in 1 Samuel 13, when he took it upon himself to offer a sacrifice that should ordinarily have been performed by a priest, who at the time was Samuel. He was not patient enough to wait for Samuel, and this marked the beginning of the end for Saul.When Samuel arrived and saw that Saul had already offered the sacrifice, he was saddened and said:”You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart.”It appeared that King Saul had a penchant for disobedience, as he repeated the same mistake when God’s servant instructed him to completely destroy a nation. Instead, he kept some livestock, claiming they would be used as sacrifices to God. This ultimately led to the end of his reign. He had God’s servant with him, who warned him several times, but he ignored the warnings. Consequently, the same priest, Samuel, announced the end of his kingdom. Samuel possessed the guidance that could have ensured Saul’s kingdom was established forever, had he listened.”For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king.” (1 Samuel 15:23)Though these events occurred centuries ago, they appear similar to the situation involving former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, his ambition to govern Oyo State, and his conflict with Primate Elijah Ayodele, along with the consequences that followed.Some months ago, Bayo Adelabu, who was still serving as a minister at the time, petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest Primate Ayodele for allegedly speaking against his governorship ambition. The former minister claimed that the prophet had requested N150 million from him and that, after he refused to provide the money, Primate Ayodele began attacking his aspiration.He did not stop at writing a petition to the DSS. He also released text messages in an attempt to substantiate his claims, publicly disseminating private conversations between himself and the cleric. However, the messages did not support his allegation that Primate Ayodele requested N150 million. Rather, they showed that the prophet had asked him to purchase 1,000 trumpets, which the minister himself estimated would cost about N150 million.In response, Primate Ayodele confirmed that he had indeed spoken with the minister, who was seeking spiritual guidance regarding his governorship ambition. He explained that he advised Adelabu to purchase 1,000 trumpets, not for his personal use but as a spiritual item symbolising victory. According to the prophet, he never demanded a specific amount of money but merely asked the minister to inquire about the cost through any of his aides. Adelabu reportedly rejected the suggestion, and that marked the end of their conversation.However, the minister became upset when Primate Ayodele publicly declared that his governorship ambition would fail. During a live church service, the prophet stated that Adebayo Adelabu would not become the next governor of Oyo State.These were his words:”You have made a wrong mistake and a wrong pronouncement. Why must you say Emilokan? It is in the past, and this means you have failed. Adelabu, you have failed. Either you adjust it now, or you have failed, including the APC. I am giving you advice and a warning from God. With the word Emilokan, you have missed that governorship seat.”Instead of exercising patience and heeding the advice of the man of God, who urged him to adjust his statement because of its spiritual implications, Adelabu proceeded to petition the DSS in what appeared to be an attempt to ridicule the cleric. However, the DSS took no action, and the effort yielded no result.Just as Saul had access to the guidance that could have secured his kingdom forever but chose to follow his own path, Adelabu appeared to believe that intimidating God’s servant was the best way to advance his ambition. Little did he know that, just as Saul’s reign was rejected because of disobedience, his own ambition would also be rejected for not only disregarding spiritual counsel but also attempting to intimidate a man of God.Unfortunately for Adebayo Adelabu, his ambition was rejected not only by God, as some may interpret it, but also by members of his own party. A minister who resigned to contest in the primaries failed to secure the ticket, and the APC did not publicly release the detailed results. The party simply announced Alli Sharafadeen as its candidate in Oyo State, with President Bola Tinubu endorsing his candidacy.Adelabu could have secured victory—or at the very least earned the opportunity to have his name on the ballot—but, according to this perspective, his disobedience and impatience, much like Saul’s, led to his ultimate rejection. In previous election cycles, he at least appeared on the ballot, even though he lost to Governor Seyi Makinde. This time, however, his name will not even appear on the ballot paper.

Quest Merchant Bank Limited successfully held its 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM), during which shareholders approved the Bank’s Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, and commended the institution on its strong financial performance, successful recapitalisation, and long-term strategic direction.The recent AGM follows the successful acquisition of the Bank by Everquest Acquisition LLP a special purpose vehicle led by Custodian Investments Plc, as well as the attainment of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ₦50 billion minimum capital requirement ahead of the regulatory deadline.Quest Merchant Bank delivered a strong financial performance for the 2025 financial year, with gross earnings increasing by 29% year-on-year to ₦81.5 billion, driven by growth in net interest income and stronger asset yields. Profit before tax expanded by 23%, while operating efficiency improved significantly, with the Bank’s cost-to-income ratio improving by 2.3 percentage points.The Bank also maintained strong liquidity and asset quality indicators while further strengthening its governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks in response to evolving regulatory expectations and market dynamics.The Ag. Managing Director/CEO, Afolabi Olorode, stated that the Bank’s performance reflects a deliberate strategy anchored on operational excellence, client-centricity, innovation, and disciplined execution.“Our strategic focus remains clear: to build a leading merchant bank anchored on strong capital, innovation, execution excellence, and deep client relationships. With our enhanced capital base and the launch of our 2026–2030 strategic plan, Quest Merchant Bank is exceptionally well-positioned to support critical sectors of the economy while delivering superior value to shareholders and stakeholders alike,” he said.He added that the Bank would continue to deepen its capabilities across corporate and investment banking, wealth management, and global markets, while accelerating investments in technology, talent development, and operational resilience.Shareholders at the AGM also approved key resolutions, including the payment of dividend, election of directors, and amendments to the Bank’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.In line with its commitment to inclusive development and sustainable impact, the Bank expanded its corporate social responsibility initiatives during the year through financial literacy programmes, youth empowerment initiatives, healthcare interventions, and inclusive education partnerships.Looking ahead, Quest Merchant Bank reaffirmed its commitment to strategic expansion, innovation, and sustainable finance while continuing to support Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda through strategic financial intermediation and advisory services.

As healthcare systems across Africa continue to evolve, the need for innovative technologies, strategic partnerships, and knowledge-sharing platforms has never been greater. This is why industry leaders such as PPC Limited (www.ppcng.com) and VINNO, alongside healthcare professionals, hospital administrators, policymakers, distributors, and technology providers, are looking forward to WHX Lagos 2026, taking place from the 2 to 4, of June 2026, at the Landmark event centre, Lagos. The event provides a unique platform to showcase innovation, exchange ideas, and explore solutions that will shape the future of healthcare delivery across the region. Here is why you should attend this year’s event.

1. A Showcase of Healthcare InnovationWHX Lagos 2026 is expected to feature some of the latest advancements in medical technology, diagnostic imaging, laboratory solutions, healthcare infrastructure, digital health, and patient care systems.Visitors will have the opportunity to experience live demonstrations of cutting-edge equipment, interact directly with manufacturers and solution providers, and gain valuable insights into technologies that are transforming healthcare delivery around the world.

2. Networking Opportunities with Industry LeadersOne of the key attractions of WHX Lagos is the opportunity to connect with healthcare leaders, clinicians, medical equipment suppliers, distributors, and decision-makers from across Nigeria and beyond.The exhibition provides a platform for building strategic partnerships, exchanging ideas, and exploring collaborations that can drive healthcare development and improve patient outcomes across the region.

3. Educational Sessions and Industry InsightsBeyond the exhibition floor, attendees can look forward to educational sessions, expert-led discussions, and presentations focused on some of the most pressing issues facing healthcare today.Topics such as healthcare infrastructure development, digital transformation, diagnostic excellence, medical equipment management, and access to quality healthcare are expected to feature prominently during the event.

4. Exclusive Offers and Product DemonstrationsVisitors to the VINNO booth will have the opportunity to experience live product demonstrations and enjoy special discounts on selected medical equipment throughout the exhibition.Healthcare providers looking to upgrade their facilities or invest in new technologies will have the opportunity to compare solutions, engage directly with technical experts, and take advantage of special exhibition offers available only during the event.

5. Driving the Future of Healthcare in AfricaAs Africa’s healthcare landscape continues to expand, events such as WHX Lagos play an important role in bringing together the people, technologies, and ideas needed to accelerate progress.Whether you are a healthcare professional, hospital executive, distributor, investor, or policymaker, WHX Lagos 2026 offers an opportunity to gain insights, discover innovative solutions, and contribute to the conversations shaping the future of healthcare across the continent.For more information on how you can get the WHX discount, send an email to marketing@ppcng.com.