Notes By Lawal

Notes By Lawal "Past and present, told like never before—join us."

Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye is a living testimony to the depth of Nigerian and African intellectual excellence. Trained first i...
13/01/2026

Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye is a living testimony to the depth of Nigerian and African intellectual excellence. Trained first in Nigeria and refined through global medical practice, he led a historic surgery at just 23 weeks of pregnancy, temporarily removing a fetus to save her life and safely returning her to the womb. This achievement reflects years of discipline, precision, and relentless pursuit of mastery. Olutoye’s story affirms that African minds belong at the frontiers of innovation. It challenges a new generation to reject limits, commit to excellence, and prepare to make impact on the world’s highest stages.

Notes by Lawal

Do you know Rwanda uses autonomous medical drones to deliver blood, vaccines and emergency supplies across the country w...
13/01/2026

Do you know Rwanda uses autonomous medical drones to deliver blood, vaccines and emergency supplies across the country within minutes?

Built by Zipline, this network bypasses rough terrain and slow road transport, reaching remote clinics faster than ambulances. Rwanda became the first nation with a nationwide drone delivery system integrated into public health.

What looks futuristic elsewhere is already routine there. It’s an example of technological leapfrogging — adopting advanced solutions before richer countries do.

The Language With No Words for Left or RightDo you know the Kuuk Thaayorre people of Australia navigate the world withou...
13/01/2026

The Language With No Words for Left or Right

Do you know the Kuuk Thaayorre people of Australia navigate the world without saying “left” or “right”? Instead, they use absolute directions — north, south, east and west — at all times. A child might say, “Move the cup to the southeast,” even indoors. This constant orientation creates exceptional spatial memory and awareness. They can point north accurately without thinking and remember journeys with a precision most people can’t match. Their language reveals how deeply words shape cognition. Remove left and right, and the human mind learns to anchor itself in the world differently.

Archbishop Benson Idahosa: The Man Who Dared a Nation to BelieveLong before Nigerian Christianity gained a global voice,...
12/01/2026

Archbishop Benson Idahosa: The Man Who Dared a Nation to Believe

Long before Nigerian Christianity gained a global voice, Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa (1938–1998) was already pushing boundaries—of faith, culture, and fear. Born into deep poverty and often dismissed as a sickly child, few would have imagined the future he would shape. But Idahosa was never driven by background or privilege. He was driven by conviction.

In the 1970s and 1980s, when much of Nigerian Christianity played it safe, Idahosa preached boldly. He talked about faith that worked, excellence that showed, and a God who cared about everyday life. He took the message beyond church buildings—into television, education, leadership spaces, and international platforms. While many still saw Africa as dependent, Idahosa spoke confidently about responsibility, influence, and global relevance.

He founded Church of God Mission International, laid the foundation for what became Benson Idahosa University, and earned a seat at global Christian tables when few Africans were welcomed there. His message was simple, but it challenged many: faith should produce results, and Christianity should shape society.

He had critics, no doubt. But even they couldn’t ignore the shift he sparked.

What do you think, has Nigerian Christianity grown braver or more comfortable since Idahosa?

11/01/2026

Super Eagles all the way.

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is one of Nigeria’s leading construction and infrastructure companies. Founded in 1965, it beg...
11/01/2026

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is one of Nigeria’s leading construction and infrastructure companies. Founded in 1965, it began as a German-based firm and later became fully established in Nigeria. The company is known for executing major projects such as highways, bridges, airports, dams, and large buildings across the country. Julius Berger has played a significant role in Nigeria’s urban development, including landmark projects in Abuja and Lagos. It is widely respected for its engineering expertise, quality standards, and use of modern technology, making it a key contributor to national infrastructure development.

Ike Ekweremadu is one of Nigeria’s most influential yet controversial political figures. Born on 12 May 1962 in Enugu St...
11/01/2026

Ike Ekweremadu is one of Nigeria’s most influential yet controversial political figures. Born on 12 May 1962 in Enugu State, he built a long career as a lawyer and legislator, representing Enugu West Senatorial District for nearly two decades. He made history as the longest-serving Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate (2007–2019), playing a central role in legislative reforms, constitutional review processes, and debates on federalism and restructuring. He also served as Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament, strengthening Nigeria’s legislative influence in West Africa.

For years, Ekweremadu symbolized political stability and institutional experience. However, his legacy became deeply complicated by legal troubles in the United Kingdom. In 2022, he and his wife were arrested and later convicted under the UK Modern Slavery Act for conspiring to bring a young Nigerian to the UK for illegal organ harvesting. The court ruled that the victim was deceived and that desperation, status, or parental motive could not justify violating human dignity and the law.

The case shocked Nigeria and sparked intense debates about power, privilege, desperation, and accountability. It forced many to confront a hard truth: long service does not guarantee moral immunity.

So what truly defines a leader’s legacy—years of impact or one defining failure? Share your thoughts.

Banks, Fintechs, and Nigeria’s Cashless JourneyBanking in Nigeria did not begin with apps or instant alerts. It began in...
10/01/2026

Banks, Fintechs, and Nigeria’s Cashless Journey

Banking in Nigeria did not begin with apps or instant alerts. It began in 1894 with the Bank of British West Africa, now First Bank of Nigeria. For decades, banks symbolised trust, physical cash, and face-to-face transactions. To bank was to visit a branch.

By the early 2000s, consolidation and recapitalisation reshaped the sector. ATMs and digital platforms emerged, but access remained rigid and bureaucratic.

A major turning point came in 2012 when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced the cashless policy, starting in Lagos and later expanding nationwide. The policy aimed to reduce cash use, promote electronic payments, and deepen financial inclusion. POS terminals, transfers, and withdrawal limits became part of everyday life.

Policy opened the door, but innovation determined the pace.

Interswitch, founded in 2002, laid Nigeria’s digital payment foundation. A new wave of fintechs followed in the 2010s — Paystack, Flutterwave, OPay, and Moniepoint — offering faster, simpler, mobile-first services. They met Nigerians where they already were: on their phones and through agent networks.

During COVID-19 and the 2022–2023 cash scarcity, fintechs became essential tools for daily transactions.

Today, banks are becoming more agile, fintechs more regulated, and the lines increasingly blurred. Nigeria’s financial future will belong not to institutions with the longest history, but to those who understand the moment and the customer best.

Notes by Lawal

10 facts about the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.1. He is Nigeria’s 16th...
10/01/2026

10 facts about the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

1. He is Nigeria’s 16th President, sworn in on May 29, 2023, after winning the 2023 general election.

2. Tinubu was a former Senator, representing Lagos West Senatorial District from 1993 to 1994 during the short-lived Third Republic.

3. He served two terms as Governor of Lagos State (1999–2007), a period widely credited with laying the foundation for Lagos’ modern revenue and administrative reforms.

4. Before politics, he worked in the private sector, including roles at Arthur Andersen and Mobil Oil Nigeria, where he built a background in accounting and finance.

5. He is often called the “Jagaban of Borgu,” a traditional title reflecting his strong political influence, especially in the South-West.

6. Tinubu played a key role in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, becoming a leading figure in NADECO after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.

7. He lived in exile during the military era, spending time abroad while opposing military rule before returning after democracy was restored in 1999.

8. He is widely regarded as a political kingmaker, instrumental in the emergence of several governors and national leaders, particularly in Lagos State.

9. Tinubu was a central figure in the formation of the APC, the party that ended the PDP’s 16-year hold on power in 2015.

10. His presidency began with major policy shifts, including the removal of fuel subsidy and moves toward exchange-rate reform, signaling a break from previous economic policies.

Notes by Lawal

Today in history — January 91970 – Biafran leader General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu delivered his final address as Hea...
09/01/2026

Today in history — January 9

1970 – Biafran leader General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu delivered his final address as Head of State before departing into exile in Côte d’Ivoire, marking a decisive moment at the end of the Nigerian Civil War.

1431 – Joan of Arc was put on trial in France at age 19, charged with numerous offenses including heresy. The trial eventually led to her ex*****on later that year.

2005 – Mahmoud Abbas was elected president of the Palestinian Authority.

2001 – Apple introduced iTunes, transforming digital music and laying the groundwork for later devices like the iPod.

1960 – Construction began on the Aswan High Dam in Egypt, a major engineering project that reshaped the Nile’s use.

1861 – Mississippi became the second U.S. state to secede from the Union during the lead-up to the American Civil War.

1839 – Louis Daguerre announced the daguerreotype, the first commercially successful photographic process.

Notes by Lawal

History has a funny way of repeating itself, especially in Nigerian politics.Once upon a time, powerful godfathers decid...
09/01/2026

History has a funny way of repeating itself, especially in Nigerian politics.

Once upon a time, powerful godfathers decided who stayed and who fell. Governors came and went, but the real power sat elsewhere. Fast-forward to today, and Rivers State is starting to feel like one of those old political textbooks again.

With Wike and Fubara, the question sounds very familiar: Who really holds power - the man in office or the man behind the scene? And as 2027 approaches, parties may once again choose alliances over loyalty.

Same playbook, new actors.
History or coincidence? 🤔

Mak una chuk mouth for this matter.

Notesbylawal

Today in History — January 81790 — George Washington delivered the first U.S. State of the Union address. 1815 — Battle ...
08/01/2026

Today in History — January 8

1790 — George Washington delivered the first U.S. State of the Union address.

1815 — Battle of New Orleans: Andrew Jackson’s forces defeated the British in the War of 1812.

1998 — Ramzi Ahmed Yousef was sentenced to life for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

2011 — U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in an assassination attempt (she survived).

2016 — Mexican drug lord “El Chapo” was captured.

2023 — Supporters of former Brazilian president stormed government buildings in Brasília.

Notable Birthdays

1935 — Elvis Presley, American singer and actor.

1942 — Stephen Hawking, British theoretical physicist.

1947 — David Bowie, British singer and cultural icon.

1937 — Shirley Bassey, Welsh singer.

1967 — R. Kelly, American musician.

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