Folorunsho Alakija Unseats Oprah As Richest Black Woman

Nigerian oil tycoon, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, is now the richest black woman in the world with an estimated fortune of $7.3 billion. Mother of four, Alakija, 62, unseats Winfrey as the richest black woman in the world. According to Forbes, Oprah Winfrey is worth $2.9 billion.

Africa boasts 55 billionaires and they’re worth a staggering $143.88 billion in total, according to pan-African magazine Ventures Africa. Alakija started her career as a secretary in a bank in the mid 1970s. She then studied fashion in London and returned to Nigeria to start a label, Supreme Stitches. But her biggest break came in oil.

In 1993, her company, Famfa Oil, was awarded an oil prospecting licence, which later became OML 127, one of Nigeria’s most prolific oil blocks. The company owns a 60-per-cent stake in the block, valued at around $7.3 billion.

Nigerian Medical Student In Spain Returns €16,000 Found In Briefcase

Peter Angelina, currently studying medicine in Spain but sells tissues to complement the financial support he receives from his father who reportedly works in the Nigerian Police Force is being praised in Spain as a good Samaritan after he returned 16 thousand Euros he found in a briefcase that fell from a car.

35 year old Peter Angelina, who makes additional income by selling tissue paper at a traffic light junction at the corner of Calle Juan Diaz de Solis and Ruben Dario in Seville, Spain, was selling his wares on the 3rd of December when he noticed a small briefcase left on the roof of a car. The briefcase fell to the ground when the driver of the car pulled away. Peter picked up the briefcase and ran after the vehicle, trying to flag the driver down to return the case to him but couldn't get the attention of the driver. He then took the briefcase to a police station nearby.

According to Euronews, Spanish Police tracked down the owner of the briefcase, a 42-year-old businessman from Seville, and returned his belongings. The man later found Peter and rewarded him with €100.

“People say I could have kept the money and then thrown the briefcase away but I am not like that, and God wouldn't have liked that. I am not crazy, I am a good man.” Peter later told local media.

The Rise of Africapitalism

By Tony Elumelu

In 2015 the African entrepreneur will emerge on to the global stage, as a new generation shows the world what those of us doing business in Africa have long known: that our continent is home to some of the most exciting and innovative entrepreneurial talent.

From advanced mobile-payment systems to new agricultural-insurance models, we are already seeing how entrepreneurship is transforming Africa. But in Africa, business growth alone is not the full story. It is perhaps not even the most important part. Entrepreneurship matters especially for its potential to transform society.

For centuries, the continent was impoverished by the extraction of raw materials by colonial powers. Africa was unable to generate or sustain its own wealth, as it was forced to buy finished goods created with African resources at premium prices. And it lacked basic infrastructure except for the roads and ports built to move exports. If Africa is to transcend that chapter of its history and realise its economic potential, it must first become self-sufficient—and the private sector is vital to this process.

Imagine the same continent filled with businesses that can process crude oil into petroleum, cocoa pods into chocolate and cotton lint into fabric, all while retaining the finished-goods premium instead of sending wealth overseas. The term “Africapitalism” describes the process of transforming private investment into social wealth. As homegrown businesses meet social and economic needs by creating goods and services with an innate understanding of the local environment, they can bring private capital to vital infrastructure like road transport and power generation. And they can create jobs for Africans, which will in turn create an African middle class—a new generation of African consumers.

Entrepreneurial energy and inventiveness also have the potential to tackle pressing social problems in new ways. In recognition of the far-reaching impact such new methods can have, we will be providing $100m to 10,000 entrepreneurs across Africa through the soon-to-be-launched Tony Elumelu Entre­preneurship Programme. By democratising access to opportunity, with an emphasis on tapping into the talent of Africa’s young people, this programme strives to “institutionalise luck”, which is a key factor in the success of any ­entrepreneur.

Young entrepreneurs and those they inspire are the lifeblood of Africa’s rise. Simdul Shagaya, a serial entrepreneur from Nigeria, built his first business monetising advertising space on toll roads in Lagos before selling that company to set up Konga, a leading Nigerian online retailer. Mr Shagaya has introduced innovations that surmount Nigeria’s limited capacity for online payments and door-to-door postal delivery service.

Mike Macharia, a Kenyan tech entrepreneur, has built Seven Seas Technology into a pan-African company with operations in east, west and southern Africa. He outcompetes vendors from more traditional global IT markets, and last year bought a Portuguese technology company to gain access to their software and services.

And then there’s Funke Okpeke, who left a lucrative telecoms career in New York to assist the construction of 7,000km (4,350 miles) of fibre-optic submarine cables from Portugal to the coast of west Africa through her company, MainOne. The resulting increase in bandwidth has had a multiplying economic impact across the region.

Way beyond business

The promise of entrepreneurs like these reaches much wider than the business arena. They have the potential to transform leadership at home. Already, they are engaged in discussions with Africa’s political leaders ­on policy issues, pushing in particular for the streamlining of processes that will allow quicker business startups.

And their influence can reach beyond Africa. At the US-Africa Summit held in Washington, DC, in August, Takunda Chingonzo, a 21-year-old tech entrepreneur from Zimbabwe, elicited the promise of a review from President Barack Obama by challenging him about the negative impact of American sanctions on Zimbabwean entrepreneurs. Mr Chin­gonzo proved the game-changing potential in the young African entrepreneur that day.

African entrepreneurs will play a central role in bringing together private wealth and public need. They will prove a key tenet of Africapitalism: that it is both necessary and possible for entrepreneurs and society to prosper simultaneously. The transformative impact of economic growth unleashed by a fully ­empowered, socially conscious entrepreneurial class will dwarf the results achieved by the previous aid-driven approach to ­Africa’s development.

http://www.economist.com/news/21631956-entrepreneurs-will-transform-africa-says-tony-elumelu-chairman-heirs-holdings-and?fsrc=scn/ln_ec/the_rise_of_africapitalism

How MUSON Scholar Excels in American Varsity

Photo: Moment of passionate singing for Agatha when she hits a top 'F' key and she found herself thrilled by the wonderful sound she produced #TunImages

Miss Agatha Ibeazor, a beneficiary of MTN Foundation scholarship scheme at the MUSON centre, Lagos, and a scholar of late Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, to study music at the Truman State University in the United States, where she bagged a degree in Music. In this interview, she spoke of her feat in Music in the USA and Sundry issues in education. By VICTOR AGI. Excerpts:

Tell us about your family and educational background?

I am a native of Ogidi in Anambra State, Nigeria and the fourth child of five children, born in Ebute Metta West, Lagos, on July 13, 1989. My siblings and I were raised by my mother, Mrs. Fidelia Ibeazor because my father, Chief Francis Ibeazor died when I was just four years old. My dad was a businessman; he imported commodities and was quite successful at it, but he died at the age of 39.

After his death, my mother started her own business of running a restaurant. That was how she was able to provide for us, but we were not able to maintain the same lifestyle that we had while my father was alive. My mum struggled to take care of us and sent us to good schools.

I attended Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School and Marywood Grammer School, both in Ebute Metta, Lagos. I graduated from Marywood in 2005. Consequently, I was admitted to study Law at Anambra State University, but I had to forgo it because my mother couldn’t afford the fees.

I did Grade One MUSON Theory of Music exam, at the MUSON School of Music, Onikan, Lagos, the same year I graduated from secondary school.

The MUSON School of Music was introduced to me by my then church choirmaster, the late Stephen Olarinde. When I could not afford to go to university, he told me about the MUSON Diploma school and said that the tuition expenses were paid for by MTN Foundation for admitted students. I got admitted to study at the school and attended for two years, completing my Associate Diploma degree and graduating with the Best Prize for Voice.

Two years after my graduation, I was awarded a scholarship by former NNPC Spokesman, the late Dr. Levi Ajuonuma.

Love for singing

This enabled me to attend Truman State University in the United States, where I just graduated from with honours (Magna Cum Laude) and received my Bachelor of Music degree.

When did you realise your love for singing?

I do not think I realised my love for singing, because I have been singing all along. As a matter of fact, my mother said that I sang before I talked. Singing was as natural as breathing to me. I remember as a three or four year old child, when I went to church with my aunt, I always looked back at the choir. I would ask my aunt; “When would I join the choir?” She would answer; “When you grow up.” I would ask her, “When will I grow up? Would I ever grow up?” My mom would also give testimonies of how I could not read, but I could sing the words of a book to any tune that came to my mind.

I was able to join the 8am choir of St Paul’s Catholic Church, Ebute-Metta, when I was just seven. I was too anxious and caused too much trouble, so my mom convinced them to let me join the youth choir. No member was as young as I was.

Essentially, I guess the answer to the question is that singing was such a natural and essential part of my existence that I did not even think about how I loved to sing ever since I was a toddler up until age 13. When I had performed a solo for the church choir, I realised that I actually loved performing in front of an audience and bringing joy to them through my singing. People applauded and one woman even cried.

Why are you more interested in the Opera as opposed to being a recording artist?

I am a Catholic and we are more associated with Latin Gregorian Chants, which is essentially the history of classical music. So, I have always been moved by soft, slow, and soul touching music by my association with a Catholic choir. For me, classical music does it. It has that power to make you cry, laugh, be melancholic, and confused all at the same time. Can you imagine an art form that can make you feel all these emotions at the same time and sometimes with just one performance? I am more interested in changing people’s lives with my voice than just to entertaining them. I believe classical music has the power to do this, because it changed my life.

There was a critical moment in my life. On one Easter Sunday, my mom and I happened to listen to a broadcast from the Vatican on the radio, and the singing of Handel’s I Know My Redeemer Liveth entranced us both. It was like the voice of God, as I have never heard anything like that. My mom was quiet throughout the entire performance, and afterwards my mom said; “I wish you could sing like that.” I have never forgotten what she said, and Ihave never forgotten that voice on the radio that changed my history.

Do you think Opera is popular in Nigeria?

No, it is not. Even some of my classmates at the MUSON Centre had discouraged me from pursuing classical music because of the fear of not being able to make a living. It is not just Nigeria, but around the world, the art form is dying. I feel it is my duty to preserve this beautiful art that can touch so deeply, and no country needs this kind of art form like Nigeria does!

How were you selected to benefit from the MUSON scholarship scheme given by the MTN Foundation to study music?

The advert was placed in newspapers and my choirmaster told me about it, as he was a beneficiary a year before.

I realised how this was a great opportunity for me to get some form of education, so I studied hard for a whole year on my own to prepare for the entrance exam and audition because I did not know much about music theory at that time. With a lot of hard work, I auditioned, did the written exam and when the results came out, I passed. I was one of the lucky people that got admitted as it is a highly selective process.

I am truly grateful to MTN Foundation as they did not only pay for my tuition but they gave me stipends for transportation which made going to school easier. The sponsorship by MTN gave way to my dream of becoming a Nigerian Opera singer.

How was your time in MUSON School of Music, Was it exciting or was it just about learning the rudiments of music?

It was a very exciting experience. The teachers there are very learned and they know the art well. They have some of the best teachers that the country and even the world can offer. Alongside learning the rudiments of music, we also had hands-on experiences.

Acknowledgement: Vanguard; Tun Telev

Source: Vanguard

Photo Choice: Tun Images

GOVERNOR AYO FAYOSE @ 54: THAT LIKEABLE DEITY CALLED 'OSOKO'

Like him or hate him, the Ekiti state Governor, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose is a game-changer, an admirable Politician, an influential political leader who commands an 'occultic' followership amongst the ordinary people and pedestrian Ekiti masses with whom he openly fraternises and 'romances'- of the Awoist kind which no other Nigerian leader (dead or alive) enjoys, a man who thoroughly understands the language spoken by his people, an anointed Leader chosen by God inspite of his human frailty and touted personal short-comings, a thoroughbred, extremely simplistic yet overtly charismatic leader with the magic wand and electoral victory magic having roundly defeated convincingly two 'lettered' Governors and an effective public speaker! My first encounter with him dates back to year 2000 when he came with the 'spotless' brand as a Gubernatorial aspirant who shared potable water, kerosine and ran an effective mobile clinic to the nooks and crannies of Ekiti as a yet unelected 'Governor' without a budget or an office! I admired his imposing height and seriousness of the pursuit of his gubernatorial ambition. He conducted one of the most sought after medical outreach programmes during his political campaign in 2001 and understood his people's basic needs of food, water, good health and shelter just like the late but 'living' inimical sage, Pa Obafemi Awolowo and used it to warm himself into the hearts of Ekiti people. He doesn't come off as the typical Ekiti man seen as a 'connoisseur of book knowledge', but you can't take away the application of knowledge which is understanding and wisdom away from him. Perhaps the greatest undoing of his opponents and detractors, which incidentally is his strength is to always underate and undermine him. He was left to penetrate the rank and file of the downtrodden and presumed inconsequential until he became a household name in Ekiti. He has the uncurbable strength of a bullock and the wit of a tortoise as he frolicked with everyone that mattered prior to his resounding electoral victory as Ekiti Governor in his first coming. Fayose is a Governor who would knock the door of a Party leader or a ward executive at 2am in the night to converse and converge with them politically in order to accord them their sense of belonging. His profound humility prior to and after his election was legendary even though he loathed elders' cheating, manipulation and condescension. Fayose lives and operates in a world of his own. He came with a unique message of hope for the hopeless and a ray of improvement for the downtrodden.

His life bears eloquent testimony to God's extra-ordinary capacity to bring anyone from the dregs of grass to the garment of grace. Ayo Fayose is a sole testament to the axiom that irrespective of the common man's pedigree, parentage, academic qualifications, institutions attended, travails and turmoil, our dreams are valid! He has proven as a dogged fighter, that with dedication, sense of duty, commitment, sense of direction, responsibility, empathy and God's grace, impossible is nothing! Fayose has proven once again that possessing myriads of irrelevant degrees from pricey institutions alone is not a valid prerequisite for effective political leadership! He has demonstrated that a man does not require a PhD degree to know that his constituents are hungry, famished and insecure. He has shown that paper certificate rather than knowledge is not a correlate of wisdom and political sagacity!

Born on the 13th day of November 1960, Nigeria's year of independence. Mr Ayo Fayose of the People's Democratic Party, (PDP) was Governor of Ekiti State between May 29 2003 and 16 October, 2006 in his first term and was sworn-in as Ekiti Governor the same day 8years after in an unmistakable twist of fate on 16 October, 2014 till date, a position he currently occupies.

Fayose grew up in Ibadan, Oyo State where he attended Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo and the Polytechnic, Ibadan. Born to clergy parents and married to Mrs. Feyisetan, an anointed woman of God I prefer to call a Prophetess, an unshakable pillar of support and God's guardian Angel over her husband.

Peter Ayodele Fayose was the PDP flag bearer in the 2014 Governorship election in Ekiti State conducted on June 21 2014 which he won with no tinge of doubt roundly defeating the incumbent Governor with an unprecedented (never-seen-before-mould-in-the-annals-of-Nigerian-political-history) in all the 16 local governments and in 158 out of 177wards of Ekiti state.

Ayo Fayose is a bastion of inspiration, a man of great political depth and insight, a leader of leaders and a prolific master of the political game. Ayo like his name connotes is a bundle of joy and a prism of divine radiance sent to Ekiti shores. I must admire his tact and endless political maturity since taking the guubernatorial mantle in October this year. His speech is inspiring and his programmes laudable. Fayose's charismatic smile is ever contagious as he exhumes brutal frankness and effective leadership. I am deeply enthralled by his love for his people and his urge to transform Ekiti totally which earned him the sobriquet 'Architect of modern Ekiti'. This true son of the fountain is as strong as the unicorn, energetic, untiring, relentless, purposeful and focused.

Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose holds a honorary Doctorate degree in public administration of the then University of Ado-Ekiti but dropped the prefix 'Dr'. in order to bond better with his major constituents- 'the masses'. Even his vilest critics cannot deny him epithets like the 'friend of the masses' and the 'Osokomole of Ekiti land' whose prime sterling trait is the ease with which he reinvents himself when the chips seem to be down. Fayose has demonstrated time and again that he has what it takes to navigate his ship through turbulent waves of thunderstorm with a distinct nerve for calmness as an effective leader with a forthright conscience and a subliminal sense of compassion for his people, especially the downtrodden pedestrians.

The natural ability to identify with the masses who are clearly in the majority has always been the source of his inexplicable endearment to the people. He equally has the effortless capacity to steer their energies in one conscious direction. The supreme confidence that bouys his spirit which was instrumental to his lifting of Ekiti PDP from the valley of defeat to the mountain top of victory through many self-financed, life-changing projects, which his Ayo Fayose Foundation Campaign movement moved to Ekiti people still amazes me. Through the distribution of potable water in inscribed tankers which reduced drastically the deadly incidence of typhoid and other water-borne diseases in the state, Fayose marshalled out his decipherable blueprint to lift the poor masses out of poverty and poor health. This remains the policy thrust of his populist vision for a new and viable Ekiti.

Fayose enjoys the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members' unflinching loyalty including current and former local government chairmen, women and youth leaders, secretaries and treasurers in 16 local government areas of the state who have expressed confidence in the leadership of the party, adopted him as their preferred choice as Ekiti Governor and stand by him after his election. For those who deemed Fayose as politically irrelevant, they are still in shock as I write over the inexplicable landslide victory which they erroneously impinged on the new concept of 'stomach infrastructure' he allegedly evinced. His electoral victory at the polls, his continuous enjoyment of goodwill and vehement resistance of every alleged judicial coup against his candidature and freely-given mandate must have convinced and put a final stop on the dreary sentence weaved by his political detractors that he did not have the political clout to deliver Ekiti State to the PDP in any election or even rule thereby. The Nigerian Presidency is even totally shocked and altogether bewildered by the turn of events with Fayose’s current disposition as the charismatic man of the moment with tremendous political goodwill beyond Ekiti state and his capacity to deliver the Southwest for President Jonathan. He is the mighty terrible one who sends cold jitters to the weak spines of the opposition. He is the closest to the people at the grassroots and no other Ekiti Governor can claim to understand the plight of the common man better than him. His campaign strategies geared towards alleviating the plight of the masses is a testament of his recourse to communality and sense of purpose. The man Dr. Fayose is a tested and reliable quantum destined to unleash a spectre of development that would be unequalled in the annals of Ekiti State and he has shown this severally.

Fayose’s open admission of past mistakes and willingness and readiness to redress these in the light of exigencies in the state as one of the poorest in terms of monthly federal government allocation is an indication that all is on track to give Ekiti state (the fountain of knowledge) the requisite facelift deserving of the most intellectually endowed of all states in the country. It is on this note that I canvass that he be given the chance to unfurl his development blueprint for Ekiti transformation without any unwarranted political upheaval.
The opposition admittedly has an ache to contend with and his name is Ayo Fayose, the tormentor and likeable irunmale. He is not a flash in the pan as they think. Their discontent with him is his unusual 'Aworo' popularity and it is deservedly a huge cause for concern.

Driven by the desire for enduring change, Ayo Fayose says his passion is to lead the people of Ekiti State to a greater land of his dream. He is yet to renege from this ardent commitment to his promise of brighter dawns for Ekiti State. An unalloyed commitment to an ideal such as this, that holds the social contract sacrosanct is a great virtue indeed, no matter one’s human shortcomings. This is what sets this beautiful bride apart from his predecessors.

Greatness is often not hereditary as nobility is not ancestral for many. There are more men ennobled by nurture than by nature. Fayose is a classic example of an achiever blessed by nature but who excelled by nurture. I hereby join many millions of Nigerians to profusely congratulate this outstanding Nigerian, dependable compatriot, forthright Political leader, influential motivator, selfless patriot, prolific change agent, irrepressible brand ambassador, illustrious Ekiti son, amiable Political strategist, astute citizen and a firm believer in a new Nigeria on the occasion of his 54th birthday celebration which epitomises a milestone in his eventful life on the 13th day of November this year. I have thus written this piece to cloth my felicitation in form. It has indeed been a great watershed of achievement, travails and triumphs and moral conquest for this highly cerebral ideologue, seasoned Politician, shinning strobe, thoroughly helpful Political icon and compassionate Nigerian. I feel highly elated that Ekiti is ruled by the presumably 'lowly' and I am even more excited to pay him glowing well-deserved tributes. I make bold to say that with leaders like Fayose there is hope for the masses and our dear country, Nigeria.

It is not a passing mission to pay a glowing tribute to one of the few men who give the masses hope of a better generation and stands tall like an exception to the entrenchment of political dynasty and oligarchy in our national political firmament. He is altruistic, kind-hearted, stable, effective and mature. This Afao-Ekiti son has contributed so much to the political history of Ekiti state in particular and Nigeria in general. His life is a cautionary tale of an incredible rise to prominence of the ordinary Nigerian. His informal flair for excellence, non-conforming stance with bureaucratic imbroglio, effectiveness, sense of justice and service delivery strike his admirers like a raging thunderstorm! I aver that If more underdogs, ordinary people devoid of political ancestry and servant-leaders like Fayose occupy public office, Nigeria will soon stop limping in the doldrums of under-development, widespread poverty and needless corruption, lack of hope for the masses and would rather fly steadily to the airwaves of economic recovery, progress and enviable development. Fayose is not a saint and no one is, but he is a Leader quick to admit his faults and forge ahead with correction.

Fayose is a God-made person who has made history as a specialist in winning Gubernatorial elections and believing against all odds, he has unconsciously re-orientated the Nigerian citizenry about God's power to appoint and disappoint and has thus reduced political desperation. Governance thrives in Ekiti with his horde of political experience and personal accomplishments. His wealth of experience traverses the private sector, he is a prolific Public speaker, a proponent of social justice, populism and public welfarism who has personally engaged Nigerians on the notable distinction between development and growth. He is an adherent of the nugget that the welfare of the people should be the final law! Call him a social welfarist or a pragmatist and you won't be far from the truth, this man's unbridled love for teachers and civil servants is an ingenious reflection of his personal humaneness as demonstrated by his unflinching commitment to their overall welfare and professional well-being. It is not a deliberate pleonasm to constantly harp on his stellar human relationship indicial, competence at delivery, political sagacity and infrastructural accomplishments.

It is not an easy task to adequately describe this extremely complex, simple yet sophisticated, dutiful yet informal, selfless and very warm leader on many frontiers. He is principally a Scientist who cleansed freckles and spots hence his cliche, 'SPOTLESS' and a believing businessman who gave entrepreneurship a whole new meaning, momentum and character. Ayo Fayose has clearly re-written our people's ideology with his penetrating pedagogue, vivid illustration dynamism and grass-to-grace inspiring story. Strangely, he is a devout practising Christian of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry. His uncommon liberalism and tremendous respect for every human being irrespective of his or her religious belief stand him out. He is a full-fledged Nigerian of very humble background who now occupies high political office but whom has deliberately shunned the cloistered life of the affluent and the influential which he became through a sheer dint of hardwork and God's benevolence only to embrace the chequered life of the ordinary Nigerian with a lifelong fundamental engagement with the undying forces of misgovernance, crass misrule, social injustice, socio-political perversion and consequent retrogression in the contemporary Nigerian society. Fayose is a prodigy in enviable contradiction and a leveler to the core. He is a reformed true Awoist, a Pan-Africanist, an emerging nationalist and a chronic reformer who believes in egalitarianism and loathes academic racism. He identifies the vagaries of conspiracy theorists and finds constructive criticisms meaningful. He never hesitates to show his open disdain for economic class segregation, he resents unmerited cheating, social class sentiments, inequality, inverted bigotry, crass misrule and the political barrenness prevalent in our polity. He is a radical Politician and an obfuscatory mystery to many. I can't exhaust tributes on him but I just wish him a very happy birthday celebration as he leads Ekiti to the shore of political progress and economic recovery. Many Happy returns Mr. Governor. Ad multos annos.


By 'Tosin Ayo (The 'word bank') who hails from Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria. He is a seasoned Author, Legal Practitioner and Researcher. He holds a LL.M (Energy Law) degree of the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Badagry; The Unseen Jewel in the Crown

The reconstruction of the mile 2/Okoko corridor is one gigantic project the people and the city of Lagos are currently experiencing. The inconveniences caused would be for the next 3 to 5 years or so.

Not to worry, Lagosians are known for their fortitude and ability to deal with changes by adapting and as such would not raise too much fuss until the project is completed. With the successful construction of the ten lane expressway, a new opportunity beckons for the least developed area of Lagos state, Badagry.

Badagry is the least developed section of the state and also probably the least populated. Every now and then we are reminded that one of the ideas behind building a new Lagos is to help with the dispersal of the huge population concentrated in the metropolis, thus decongesting the megacity. The decongestion philosophy gave birth to Eko Atlantic city. Whether we like it or not Eko Atlantic city is a prestigious initiative and anything prestigious is usually out of the reach of the poor or the working class.

However Eko Atlantic city must be commended as a project based on far reaching foresight. With the successful implementation of the project, the city of Lagos is meant and should give Manhattan and Dubai a run for their money. Being a status symbol, majority of those who are meant to be ushered out of the thick fog of urbanisation would find themselves not catered for. Badagry and its environs thus naturally offer people with low income or a lower social profile the opportunity of living in tranquillity away from the metropolis.

The successful implementation of rebuilding the city of Lagos must be linked with developing the potentials of Badagry by establishing a number of modern neighbourhoods. The establishment of low, Medium and probably high scale estates or probably building of a number of mini new towns in an integrated manner is a brilliant prospect. It needs to be emphasised however, that a well thought out urban renewal policy emanating from the government, which takes on board the development of new towns is the main antidote of getting the desired results.

Badagry is a good candidate for suburban development as a result of the light rail system which would emerge from the ten lane road construction, servicing Okokomaiko and adjourning areas within Badagry division. The greater part of Badagry is not directly exposed to the Atlantic Ocean unlike Lekki peninsula and embarking on a building project is potentially on a low costing ratio where the need for sand filling is greatly reduced. Most important of all is the fact that this section of the state is virgin land, where town planning implementation is easier to enforce.

The consideration of Badagry offering Lagosians the opportunity of living in good neighbourhoods without paying through their noses should be weighed against unnecessary political hanky panky and corruption. Millions of Lagosians and by extension Nigerians have always dreamed of having a decent home of their own, but such dreams have always been shot down. Government through this initiative has the rare opportunity to redeem itself, though Lagos government is not short of political goodwill at the moment.

The potentials which Badagry offers are much more than residential. The long coast line with its fascinating ocean-view is a natural magnet for the tourism and leisure industry. Resorts of different grades but of international standards if established would offer jobs for locals. Fishing has always been part and parcel of the local economy but this industry is still at its rudimentary stage. Bearing in mind the potentials in terms of output and monetary gains building on the existing fishing industry through the introduction of indigenous mechanized fishing and setting up seafood companies are attractive opportunities open to investors.

Badagry is noted primarily as an agricultural area. Farming though is still subsistence and primitive in practice. To uplift the prospect of agricultural activities in the area, investment is required in the form of mechanised farms, while local farmers are empowered through training in modern techniques and making credit available for expansion of small family holdings. The spinoff of what could be likened to an agricultural revolution would be the development and growth of a sustainable Agro allied industry, through food processing and manufacturing.

Badagry has for a long period of time had a sort of sleepy image and is often seen or perceived as the backwater of the state. This scenario may soon be coming to an end as the opening up of the ten lane corridor comes to life. The government however, must seize the opportunities unfolding before it by developing the potentials of the jewel in the crown of Lagos state.

By: Olugbenga Adebanjo: Lead Consultant Beacon 6619 Media

Nigeria blasts America, says U.S has let Nigeria down in war against Boko Haram

Disappointed by the refusal of the United States to help Nigeria procure military weapons to combat Boko Haram, the federal government has now openly expressed its dissatisfaction with the American government decision, arguing that the Americans were letting Nigeria down at her hour of need, Empowered Newswire reports.

Speaking Monday while receiving a delegation of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations, the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Professor Ade Adefuye said both the Nigerian people and the government feel abandoned by America.

According to Mr. Adefuye “I am sad to inform you that the Nigerian leadership: military and political, and even the general populace, are not satisfied with the scope, nature and content of the United States’ support for us in our struggle against terrorists.”

Continuing, the Nigerian envoy stated that “we find it difficult to understand how and why in spite of the U.S. presence in Nigeria with their sophisticated military technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming more deadly”.

Reviewing the situation further, Mr. Adefuye said that at first, Nigeria had problems with the manner in which intelligence was being shared, adding that even though the U.S. Government claims that the problem has been addressed, “it is still there”.

Categorically, Mr. Adefuye stated that “the U.S. Government has up till today refused to grant Nigeria’s request to purchase lethal equipment that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time on the basis of the allegations that Nigeria’s defence forces have been violating human rights of Boko Haram suspects when captured or arrested.”

Indeed the US government had equally explained that it would not be selling military weapons to Nigeria due to human rights allegations against the Nigerian military.

But Mr. Adefuye, in his meeting with the Council on Foreign Relations, dismissed such allegations.

Mr. Adefuye noted that Nigeria and the United States have had a long standing and healthy relationship reinforced by existing economic and geo-political realities. However he said in recent times “Nigeria has had reasons to complain about the style, nature and manner with which some United States’ policies are implemented with particular reference to terrorism in Nigeria.“

He said the United States was the first to respond to Nigeria’s call for support in its battle against terrorists and has remained a major pillar of support in the struggle against the terrorists.

But he said it is a sad commentary that right now inspite of the U.S. presence and help in Nigeria Boko Haram is becoming more deadly.

Alleging that the US might have been reacting upon claims from the opposition media with sympathy for opposition parties, Adefuye insisted that the allegations could not be substantiated as many of the allegations were meant to “embarrass the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Professor Adefuye further emphasised that allegations of human rights violation are based on rumours, hearsays and exaggerated accounts of clashes between the Nigerian forces and Boko Haram fighters.

He cited an example of an incident that happened in Baga in 2013, when human rights groups and the opposition press reported that based on pictures taken from satellite, over 1600 houses were destroyed in a village that has less than 600 houses.

Besides, Mr. Adefuye stated regarding the video reports of human rights violations involving attacks on women and children purported to have been carried out by Nigerian soldiers in Boko Haram affected areas that those activities were carried out by Boko Haram members wearing stolen Nigerian army uniforms.

He explained that disguise and subterfuge are standard practices of insurgent groups; and that the Chibok abduction of our school girls by Boko Haram succeeded because the girls thought that they were being carried to safety by soldiers of the Nigerian army.

The Nigerian Ambassador said opinions on human rights violations by Nigerian defence forces are biased and are not subjected to the necessary verification.

He went on to say that the Boko Haram issue is becoming heavily politicized especially with the approach of the general elections in 2015. Opposition media, he said, provide half-truths, exaggerated accounts which are then aired by the foreign media, forming the basis of reports sent to the capitals of Western nations.

He, therefore, implored the embassies of western nations based in Nigeria to check and re-check their facts, and not use half-truths and rumours as the basis of their reports and recommendations to their capitals.

He argued that the alleged violations are unfortunately the basis of U.S.’ refusal to sell necessary lethal equipment to Nigeria in order to fight Boko Haram.

The Nigerian ambassador then implored the Council on Foreign Affairs to put pressure on the US State Department and the US Department of Defence to re-examine the basis of their refusal to sell equipment to Nigeria, insisting that Boko Haram threatens Nigeria’s corporate existence and territorial integrity.

“A stable and secure Nigeria is an invaluable asset to America,” Mr. Adefuye said

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/170879-nigeria-blasts-america-says-u-s-has-let-nigeria-down-in-war-against-boko-haram.html

President Jonathan Congratulates ONOBRAKPEYA On Being Honored By Museum Of African Arts

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has applauded the honor conferred on Bruce Onobrakpeya, one of Nigeria’s most renowned artists, by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Arts in Washington DC on Friday. 

In a congratulatory letter to the world-famous 82 years old sculptor, painter and print-maker who was named the Artist Honouree on the occasion of the Museum’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, President Jonathan said that Prof. Onobrakpeya’s outstanding and remarkable portfolio of works over several decades made him very worthy of the recognition by one of the most distinguished art institutions in the world. 

"You are indeed a Living Treasure of Nigeria. From your first, decisive intervention as a member of the Zaria Art Society when you and your colleagues fused colonial art practice with traditional art-forms and philosophy, you have been the consummate artist. “Indeed, there is hardly any individual more deserving of recognition at the Smithsonian’s celebration of 50 years of African art and culture. 

You have been a catalyst as well as a mentor and inspiration to generations of artists. “I note that the Washington programme at which you were honoured included an event tagged, ‘Conversations: African and African American Artworks in Dialogue’. This too is apt, for you continue to be at the forefront of dialogue between artistic traditions in Nigeria and around the world. “Closer to home, your works in the State House Art Collection have given me many moments of meaningful reflection, as I am sure they have done for many visitors to the Presidential Villa,” 

President Jonathan wrote to Prof. Onobrakpeya who received the UNESCO Living Human Treasure Award in 2006. Declaring that the celebrated artist’s works have been “a high point of beauty and dignity” in the lives of Nigerians, the President prayed that Prof. Onobrakpeya will continue to ennoble the country’s cultural space for many more years.

Reuben Abati 

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity) 

Nov 9 2014

First Nigerian To Ride a Motorcycle To South Africa

He is a chemical engineer and the co-founder/member of the Board of Trustees of the Easy Riders Motorcycle Club of Nigeria – the first registered motorcycle club in Nigeria. He is also the co-founder of Ride Easy Motorcycle Training School; co-founder and member Board of Trustees, Ride Easy Motorcycling Club of Lagos, and Superbike Clubs Association of Nigeria (SCAN)

Ogbonnaya Kanu, is one Nigerian that is used to setting and breaking records .  He was the first Nigerian rider to zoom from Lagos to Austria and then onto France, Germany, and eventually Italy. Later in mid-October, he embarked on another adventure ride to South Africa.

With this South African trip, Kanu has broken more limits by becoming the first Nigerian member of the World’s Toughest Motorcycle Riders, after riding for 1600+ kilometers in 24 hours on a bike.

Kanu has been to over 26 countries, 23 of which were with his registered Nigerian Motorcycle.

Ogbonnaya Kanu, also known as Foto Dadi is the first and returning Vice President of the Association of Nigerian Motorcycle Clubs.

Acknowledgement: Premium Times, Tun Henry.

Theodora Ibekwe-Oyebade Becomes The First Nollywood Personality In The UK To Be Conferred with A Chieftaincy Title

Multi-award winning PR Guru; Beauty Pageant CEO; TV Presenter; Promoter; Events Organizer; UK Nollywood Actress and Producer, Theodora Ibekwe-Oyebade has become the first Nollywood Personality in the UK to be conferred with a Chieftaincy Title.

On Sunday 30th November, His Royal Highness Eze (DR) H.U CHUMA (OON) alongside the Nollywood Igbo Forum, would honor Theodora with the chieftaincy title "ADA KA IBEYA NDIGBO” at the 3rd edition of IGBO AMBASSADORS AWARDS 2014 at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt Nigeria.

Over the years, Theodora has worked very hard and indeed become an inspiration to her generation and a worthy mentor to many. She has adopted a selfless approach to life and has given of herself to many worthy causes.

Presently, Theodora Ibekwe has been nominated in Britain to feature in the Black British Business (BBB) power list 2015.

Chief  Mrs Theodora Ibekwe Oyebade is indeed deserving of these honors.


Below is an excerpt of her interview with Hilda Oti of African Rays Magazine:

Can you please tell us who Theodora Ibekwe Oyebade is, what part of Nigeria are you from (State, Local government), your family background, educational background etc?

TIO: Thanks for inviting me. I am from Imo State, born in Edo State. I come from a family of Educationist. I had a disciplined upbringing and followed the family line by studying Education at Auchi Polytechnic; later studying Accountancy at University of Lagos.

What motivates you?

TIO: My desire to put a smile on others’ faces. I am a strong Christian and, my love of God and the assurance that He leads and guides me in all good things motivates me to do the best that I can.

Today you a renowned actress, film producer and founder of Miss Elegant International Beauty Pageant, how did you get involved in beauty pageants and the Nollywood industry? How long have you been in both fields? And how did you get this far in the entertainment industry where many are just managing to stay afloat? What’s your secret?

TIO: There is no secret, just hard work and determination and once again, God’s grace. I organized, along with two other individuals, Miss Nollywood, in 2008. It inspired me to set up my own pageant, Miss Elegant International. I was already a TV presenter with Mr. Dayo Olomu and had become quite well known. I got involved in a TV serial, Everyday Life, which aired on OBE. My film career began in 2006, when producer, George Kelly Toghanro approached me at an event where I stood in impromptu as MC. He cast me as his lead along with Jim Iyke, in Heavy Mama in London.

You have done charity work for Love to Work Charity Organisation, you have also supported and helped in raising funds for Clarion Chukwura's charity, supported and helped in raising funds for Theodora Children’s Trust UK, and helped in raising funds for the John Utaka Foundation, can you throw more light on these fundraising activities, what’s the driving force behind this humanitarian work?

TIO: It’s about giving back. I have not arrived yet but my heart and upbringing has dictated that I do my best to alleviate the plight of the disadvantaged. I have had the privilege to be asked to support worthy causes and will continue to do so.

You also have many awards to your credit such as: Award of Excellence 2008, Love to Work Charity Organization Award 2008, M & M Award of excellence 2009, Personal Achievement Award 2010, Women in Enterprise Award 2010, Recognition Award 2010, Pride of the Motherland Award 2010, Special Industry Award 2011, Africulture Award 2011, Female Personality of the Year Award 2011, Life Changers Award 2011, African Entertainment Icon Award 2012, CEPAN Africa Award 2012, Gathering of Africa’s Best Award (GAB) 2012 , NEA Award 2013 , Zafaa Recognition Award,2013 and Lift Effects Award. How do you feel knowing that your hard work has been recognized and appreciated, how has the numerous awards influenced you?

TIO: I feel blessed. Again, there is so much more for me to achieve but it is so gratifying that my peers recognize my contribution to various industries. I keep my feet firmly on the ground though and I thank God always.

You are one of the most prominent women in the UK with such outstanding achievements in the Entertainment Industry, can you give a word of advice to others who wish to also come into the entertainment industry?

TIO: Hard work and perseverance. That is the key. A strong will is helpful and a belief in your ability. There will be numerous auditions and knock backs, never ever give up. When you do get in, please, please do not try to be a ‘Diva’ overnight. No matter how you are treated on set by other cast and crew, hold your peace and do not throw tantrums. When you have become a star, you could become a “Diva” but not before, as you will be black listed by directors and casting agents.

Acknowledgement: Chub Magazine, Nigerians in Paris Magazine, Tun Odunayo

ADERONKE KALE, The First Female Two Star-General In The Nigerian Armed Forces

When the words 'Nigerian Army' are mentioned, the first image that flashes across the minds of many is a mass of gun-totting, stern-faced, camouflage-wearing, MALE soldiers! Let's face it, many of us do not really think of women when talking about or thinking of the Nigerian Army. 

Nevertheless, her record remains unbroken till date in the Nigerian Army and her name is MAJOR-GENERAL (Dr.) Mrs. ADERONKE KALE.

She trained as a medical practitioner . Her area of specialty is psychiatry and was inspired to become a psychiatrist by the late, Professor Thomas Adeoye Lambo before she decided to later enlist in the Nigerian Army as an officer.

As a colonel and medical commandant (Commanding Officer) in the Nigerian Army, she attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS SEC12), Kuru, Plateau State in 1990 . Upon graduation from Kuru , she returned to the Military Hospital, Benin, Edo State and resumed duties as the Commanding Officer.

From there, she was later moved to Lagos State where she served as the Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Army Medical Corps , Ojo where she was later promoted to the rank of a Brigadier General, thus becoming the first woman in Nigeria to become a one-star general.

This amiable physician was the first female military officer to reach the rank of a major-general when she became the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Medical Corps and School (NAMCS) and later bowed out without any blemish in her medical or military career.

It was later in the year 1994 that she broke the record not only in Nigeria but in West Africa with her appointment as the first ever female Major General in the Nigerian Army. Her job was to see to the psychological problems of the personnel of the Nigerian Army in addition to other duties related to administration and management. The military all across the globe, is one institution that is beset with a lot of psychological trauma and if not properly managed, could have devastating consequences.

Retirement came in 1996 under the Abacha regime. She retired honorably and till date, Major-General Kale (rtd) remains a mentor to many Nigerian women, especially those in the military. Some analysts have described her retirement as an ethnic purge by Abacha under the circumstances of an alleged coup reportedly masterminded by Lt. General Oladipo Diya of the Yoruba ethnic group as she was retired alongside a batch that included many others from her geopolitical zone.

In February 2012, she was honored at the 17th THISDAY Annual Awards for Excellence (Lifetime Achievement Awards).

Acknowledgement : Naija Archives, Abiyamo, Tun Henry

Sir George Goldie - Founder of Nigeria ?

Sir George Goldie, original name George Dashwood Goldie-taubman born May 20, 1846, was a British colonial administrator, organizer of a chartered company (1886) that established British rule on the Niger River, who was chiefly responsible for the development of northern Nigeria into an orderly and prosperous British protectorate and later a major region of independent Nigeria. Although his importance in West Africa may have equaled that of Cecil John Rhodes in South Africa, he differed from Rhodes in his preference for obscurity; he destroyed his papers and pronounced a curse on any of his children should they write about him after his death.

Educated at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, Goldie served briefly (1865–67) in the Royal Engineers. After travelling for several years in Egypt and the Sudan, he formed the Central African Trading Company in 1876 and first visited West Africa the following year. He soon conceived the idea of combining the competitive British trading firms on the Niger River to form a single chartered company, which then would govern the area for the crown. In 1879 he succeeded in amalgamating all British commercial interests on the Niger into the United African Company, but his application for a royal charter was refused in 1881 on the ground that British influence was not paramount in the Niger region. After the company had bought out its French competitors, however, Great Britain successfully claimed at the Berlin West Africa Conference (1884–85) that its commercial predominance on the lower Niger justified British rather than international political control. In 1886 Goldie’s firm was chartered as the Royal Niger Company. He became governor of the company in 1895. (He was knighted in 1887.)

By force and persuasion Goldie established control over the peoples of the hinterland of the Niger and Benue rivers, and, in negotiations with the French and German governments, he settled the boundaries of the British sphere of influence. When it appeared, however, that a private company was necessarily at a disadvantage in dealing with international questions, the Royal Niger Company’s charter was revoked, the British government taking direct control of the company’s possessions on Jan. 1, 1900. This territory and the adjacent Niger Coast Protectorate were reorganized as the two protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria.

The resting place of Sir Goldie. The title ‘Founder of Nigeria’ is boldly etched on his tomb. He died in 1925

Acknowledgement: Britannica, Tun Telev, Naija Archives

National Transformation: Fashola Urges Nigerians To Seek Change Through Their Votes

“I am convinced that we can do better if we agree that we have not done as well as we should”, he says

As the nation looks forward to a better direction in its sociopolitical life come 2015 election, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has urged Nigerians to use their votes wisely to change the fortune of the country for the better.

This, he said, was the only option left for the most populous black nation, which is currently drifting, to continue to occupy a position of reckoning in the comity of nations.

Delivering a keynote address at the Eko Hotel and Suites, venue of the 13th Annual Conference of Women In Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), the Governor noted that choice was imminent on Nigerians who must change the country for the better with their votes.

Speaking on the Conference theme, “Nigeria Rising…. Accelerating Transformation”, he noted that the decision of Nigerians in the coming election was very crucial to the existence of the country and implored them to be very determined to redirect it to the path of greatness through their votes.

He believed that the country could not continue to run its present state in which there is no appreciable transformation and progress at the centre since 1999 and insisted that Nigerians must seek a change of the current situation through their votes in the coming elections.

Quoting from the Transformation Agenda of the President which was published in 2011 as his campaign strategy, the Governor pointed out that whereas the President promised to provide more Power to Nigerians “at the earliest possible time”, to rehabilitate all existing Power generation, distribution and transmission assets, complete all NIPP projects and harness alternative sources of energy, not much of these have been achieved as the administration is winding up its term.

He recalled that in the said document titled “Jonathan Transforms Nigeria” which details policies and programmes and projects that would be delivered in key sectors of the economy if he was elected, the President set a minimum target of 16,000 megawatts which he said would be achieved by 2013, to give a minimum of 6,000 megawatts of electricity from rehabilitated existing Power generation, distribution and transmission assets and to generate an initial 13,000 megawatts of Power from alternative Energy sources.

Governor Fashola, who expressed regrets that none of these promises have been delivered, asked rhetorically, “Were these promises realistic when they were made to us? Were they made sincerely or just to catch the votes. Why was it not possible to deliver? Could we not find the men and women who could do it? Has there been a resource limitation to the Government or to the country? Don’t we have money?”

“In 2011 when this document was being presented to the public, Mr. President said, “By common consent, solving the electricity supply problem in Nigeria is the key to the country’s development as it will unleash tremendous capacity in the economy that has been hobbled by inadequate and epileptic Power supply”. But have we realized any of the promises?”, the Governor asked.

He asked the eminent women delegates to the Conference, “If, as Mr. President argues, solving the electricity supply problem in Nigeria is the key to the country’s development, the question to ask is, how well have we done? As women in business whose prosperity is dependent on regular Power supply; do your business operations and premises have regular electricity supply; have we achieved the 6,000 megawatts that was promised in 2011?”

“Have we harnessed the alternative energy sources of coal, wind and solar to give us the initial 13,000 megawatts now?”, the Governor further asked pointing out that crude oil, which is our major revenue source, has done well for almost a decade trading at $100/barrel until recently when it dropped to $80/barrel.

He noted that the nation has sold oil for a long period of time for over 100 dollars a barrel during which time Nigerians have also seen what other countries who earn their major resource from oil have done with their money adding, “Oil has now dropped to $80/barrel”.

“The question I then ask is, if we couldn’t do well when oil was selling at $100/barrel, what is the logical sense that something would change for the better if the price of oil is now dropping. Can the managers of our resources do better with fewer resources what they could not do with larger resources? Where is the new refinery that we have built in the last seven years?”, Governor Fashola asked.

Using Lagos State as basis to define true transformation, Governor Fashola itemized some of the changes that have taken place in the State in the last seven years pointing out that services in the State have become better than they were when the present administration took office in 2007.

Citing the venue of the Conference as an example of transformation, the Governor pointed out that it was not there seven years ago adding that the Conference was once held in another venue or in a tent in the premises of the Hotel.

He also drew attention to the tremendous change in the night life and night economy in the City saying as a result of the administration’s policy of lighting up the streets and the Independent Power Projects (IPP), night life in Lagos today has become much better compared to seven years ago.

Other areas of transformation, the Governor pointed out, are lane markings on Lagos roads, the environment which has become cleaner in the last seven years, construction of Maternal and Childcare Centres (MCCs), six instead of three months of paid leave for nursing mothers who are working in the State, a transit home for women and children who are victims of domestic violence and enacting a law that makes it a criminal offence for a man not to support a woman he has put in a family way, among others.

The Governor asked the women, “As women and as mothers, is it progress if our State has developed seven out of ten Children’s maternal hospitals to reduce infant and maternal mortality? Is it progress that our environment is now greener with more trees? Indeed, is it progress to deliver 200 homes every month from March this year without fail?”

“Is it progress to build Akute, Lagos Island, Alausa and Lagos Mainland Independent Power Projects to power strategic facilities like waterworks, maternity homes, hospitals, police stations and schools, is that progress? Is it progress to empower 3,000 farmers with implements and training to become self-employed and create jobs for others? Is it progress to train 26,000 people most of whom were women in such skills as dress-making, soap-making, so that they can support husbands and their homes? I leave you to answer those questions in your minds”, he said.

Urging the women to make the right choice for sustenance of the gains already made in the State in the last seven years, Governor Fashola declared, “All that I wish to say, depending on which answers you give, is to remind you that an All Progressives Congress Government governs in this State”.

“This is very serious because whether we have changed for the better or not, choice is imminent to us. That is why the choice of this topic, “Nigeria Rising…. Accelerating Transformation”, is important. Whatever answers you come up with for those questions will be important for you and for me in the coming elections and in the years ahead”, he said.

Oladimeji Adisa Honored By UK Prime Minister

Nigeria's Oladimeji Adisa- founder of The Osun Art Foundation, has been honored by the British Prime Minister with a Point of Light award for teaching people about African heritage in the UK.

Oladimeji has worked with over 500 schools within the United Kingdom with the aim of helping people especially children understand Africa's traditions in Britain's multicultural society.

The Osun Arts Foundation was birthed to create awareness and appreciation of neglected African traditional Arts and Culture, and to encourage an understanding of this within a vibrant multi-cultural society.

Using it's Participatory Combined Arts Projects, Osun Foundation offers presentations that aim to bring children and others in the community closer to African art and culture; giving them the opportunity to touch, use and interact with ceremonial art forms.

The Osun Foundation was incorporated in the United States of America but has since extended it's noble work to the United Kingdom.

Adisa's foundation has been involved with many command cultural performances in the UK, including the Commonwealth Games and the Queen's Jubilee event.

David Cameron commended Oladimeji for "doing brilliant work".

Responding to the honor bestowed , Oladimeji said it was "something special" to be chosen for the award "when there are so many people out there doing great things".

The Point of Light awards recognizes outstanding individual volunteers who are inspiring others.

Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade: Ooni Of Ife

Became the fiftieth traditional ruler or Ooni of Ife in 1980, taking the regnal name Olubuse II. Ife is a traditional Yoruba state based in the town of Ife in Osun State, Nigeria. He was crowned on 6 December 1980 in a ceremony attended by the Emir of Kano, Oba of Benin, Amayanabo of Opobo and Olu of Warri, as well as by representatives of the Queen of England.

Background

Sijuwade was born on 1 January 1930 in Ile-Ife to the Ogboru ruling house, grandson of the Ooni Sijuwade Adelekan Olubuse I. He studied at Abeokuta Grammar School and Oduduwa College in Ile-Ife. He worked for three years in his father’s business, then for two years with the Nigerian Tribune, before attending Northampton College in the United Kingdom to study business management. By the age of 30 he was a manager in Leventis, a Greek-Nigerian conglomerate. In 1963 he became Sales Director of the state-owned National Motor in Lagos. After spotting a business opportunity during a 1964 visit to the Soviet Union, he formed a company to distribute Soviet-built vehicles and equipment in Nigeria, which became the nucleus of a widespread business empire. He also invested in real estate in his home town of Ile Ife. By the time Sijuwade was crowned Ooni in 1980 he had become a wealthy man.

Sijuwade is a Christian. In November 2009 he attended the annual general meeting of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria accompanied by 17 other traditional rulers. He declared that he was full member of the church, and said all the monarchs who accompanied him would now become members. At his birthday celebration two months later, the Primate of the Anglican Communion described Sijuwade as “a humble monarch, who has the fear of God at heart”.

Supremacy disputes

When Sijuwade became Ooni of Ife in December 1980 he inherited an ongoing dispute over supremacy between the obas of Yorubaland. In 1967 a crisis had been resolved when Chief Obafemi Awolowo was chosen as the leader of the Yoruba. In 1976 the Governor of Oyo State, General David Jemibewon, had decreed that the Ooni of Ife would be the permanent chairman of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs. Other Obas led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi said the position should rotate. The dispute calmed down when Osun State was carved out of Oyo State in August 1991, but ill will persisted. In January 2009 Sijuwade was quoted as saying that Oba Adeyemi was ruling a dead empire (the Oyo Empire, which collapsed in 1793). Adeyimi responded by citing “absurdities” in Sijuwade’s statements and saying the Ooni “is not in tune with his own history”. Adeyemi, Permanent Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, was conspicuously absent from a meeting of Yoruba leaders in April 2010.

Towards the end of 2009 a more local dispute between the Ooni, the Awujale of Ijebuland and the Alake of Egbaland was finally resolved.

Sijuwade traced the dispute back to a falling out between Obafemi Awolowo and Ladoke Akintola during the Nigerian First Republic, which had led to a division between the traditional rulers. He noted that the traditional rulers were an important unifying force in the country during the illness of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

In February 2009, Sijuwade helped mediate in a dispute over land ownership between the communities of Ife and Modakeke, resolved in part through the elevation of the Ogunsua of Modakeke as an Oba. The new Oba, Francis Adedoyin, would be under the headship of Sijuwade.

Political activities

In July 2009 Sijuwade said he was concerned that Yoruba socio-cultural groups such as Afenifere and the Yoruba Council of Elders were taking partisan positions in politics. In January 2010 he attended a meeting of the Atayese pan-Yoruba group, which issued a call for a truly federal constitution in which the different nationalities in Nigeria would have greater independence in managing their affairs. Celebrating his 80th birthday in January 2010, Sijuwade conferred Chieftainship titles on a number of politicians and their wives, including Imo State governor Ikedi Ohakim, Oyo State governor Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu, Abia State governor Theodore Orji, Senators Jubril Aminu and Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello and others.

Guests at the ceremony included former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, president of the Republic of Benin Dr Thomas Boni Yayi and King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene of Kumasi, Ghana. When Peter Obi, controversial governor of Anambra State, was re-elected on 7 February 2010, Sijuwade congratulated him, saying his victory was the will of God.

In August 2010 he mediated in the ownership dispute between Oyo and Osun states concerning Ladoke Akintola University, calling a meeting attended by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, governor of Osun State, OtunbaAdebayo Alao-Akala, governor of Oyo State and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education which resulted in an action plan.

Sijuwade and Governor Oyinlola were said to have the power to decide who becomes the next governor of Osun State. In February 2010 Sijuwade and 16 other traditional rulers endorsed Senator Iyiola Omisore as candidate for Osun State governor in the 2011 elections. Later there were allegations that Senator Omisore had fallen out with Sijuwade due to his failure to maintain support for Omisore’s bid to become governor. Omisore denied the allegations, saying that the relationship was cordial and that “Ooni is our king and we should preserve and respect him as well”. In June 2010 Sijuwade and other traditional rulers endorsed the candidature of Fatai Akinade Akinbade for governor.

http://leadership.ng/features/388716/alayeluwa-oba-okunade-sijuwade-ooni-ife

LAGOS HONOURS REGISTERED RESIDENTS

The Lagos State Government, through the State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), has honoured five registered residents with significant numbers as part of efforts to encourage more residents to come forward and register in the on-going state wide registration exercise.

Presenting the awards, the General Manager of the Agency, Ms. Yinka Fashola, stated that the residents were chosen because of their significance numbers, stressing that all the five were the 600,000th, 700,000th, 800,000th, 900,000th, and 1, 000,000,000th respectively to be registered by the Agency.

She implored them to be the Agency’s Ambassador by encouraging their family members, friends, relatives and other community members to register as well.

It would be recalled that resident registration was launched on the 19th September, 2013 by Governor Fashola with the primary objective of assisting the State Government to formulate and implement policies, projects and programmes for the residents of the State.

The lucky residents are Mr. Kazeem Idowu Surakat, Mr. Ayodele Abiodun Ayanleye, Mr. Lucky Emeka Oha, Mr. Michael Ogbabor Agi and Mr. Tunde Sunday Akano. They had earlier been recognized by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, during the 2700 Days event held recently.

FIFA Celebrates Nwankwo Kanu

Thursday marked the 15th year to the day when Kanu Nwankwo’s exquisite touch brought a bit of magic to the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. It was the day the Nigerian Olympic gold medalist rescued Arsenal from the brink of defeat to a 3-2 victory. In the following story, world football governing body, FIFA, celebrates one of the moments that has come to stay in the memory of club football watchers.

Throughout his career, Nwankwo Kanu has made his living off the back of having an exquisite touch few men of his size possess, and an instinctive finishing ability that saw him shine on the game’s biggest stages.

While a veteran of three FIFA World Cup, were you only given 15 minutes of his career to see, you could do far worse than the climax to Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Chelsea. Played 15 years ago today (yesterday), the 6ft 6in Nigerian struck a memorable hat-trick that provided a perfect collage of the finer points of his game.

Two down to Gianluca Vialli’s side, who had not conceded at Stamford Bridge all season – largely thanks to World Cup-winning duo Marcel Desailly and Frank Leboeuf in the centre of defence, things looked bleak for the Gunners.

However, the former Ajax and Inter Milan striker inspired an unlikely turnaround, with his winning goal becoming the stuff of North London legend.

“I have very good memories of that game,” the Olympic gold medal winner told FIFA.com. “It felt great to score against such a formidable team as Chelsea and it just shows the game is not over until it is over.

“I was not particularly out to get the better of Marcel, Frank or [goalkeeper Ed] de Goey that day, I just wanted to play my game and bring out the best of the tricks in my bag to outwit my opponent and score for my team.”

After a pair of headers from Tore Andre Flo and Dan Petrescu had put the hosts ahead either side of half-time, and cruising with 75 minutes on the clock, Kanu took the sting out of Marc Overmars’ mis-hit shot to expertly toe-poke Arsenal back into the game.

Seven minutes later they were level, with the same duo combining. Overmars skipped into space beyond Leboeuf, before firing low across the box. He found his West African team-mate, where Kanu opened his body to cushion the ball into space, thumping the ball emphatically beyond the Dutch stopper. The momentum had violently swung, but it took until stoppage time for the Arsenal frontman to complete his treble, but it was worth the wait.

Having charged down Albert Ferrer’s clearance on the left flank, Kanu was presented with the unexpected and imposing frame of De Goey, charging along the byline and out of his area. To his credit, the former Super Eagles star was coolness personified. “I worked the goalkeeper into a position where I could sell a dummy to him, which of course he bought,” he recalled. “I lifted up my head and picked out the far top corner of the net, which I quickly curled the ball into pretty much from where I stood.”

The former African Player of the Year does himself something of a disservice, as the goal was extraordinary. Standing no more than two yards from the touchline and just inside the penalty area, placing the ball high over Desailly and Leboeuf who were stationed on the goal-line, it was an exceptional finish to cap an exceptional 15 minutes from him.

“I expected him to cross,” Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, admitted after the game. “If he hadn’t scored it could have upset you because he really should have passed. However, great players can prove you wrong. It is one of the best goals I’ve seen.”

It was a stark change in fortunes for Kanu, who had missed a penalty against Fiorentina in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, but starting in place of Dennis Bergkamp – a man Kanu fondly called “‘the eye’, because of his fantastic foresight” – he repaid the fans in perfect style.

Kanu now spends his time helping run the Kanu Heart Foundation, which has helped carry out open heart surgery on 485 children from Nigeria and around Africa to date.

“Winning the double with Arsenal and being part of ‘the Invincibles’ [who went a season unbeatenin 2003/04] are good memories but starting the foundation tops them all,” he said with earnest. “But with 300 kids still on the waiting list, we have to do all we can to save the lives of these children.”

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Celebrating Yakubu Gowon at 80, By Kayode Fayemi

I am pleased to share my thoughts on the legacy of a foremost statesman and hero of One Nigeria, His Excellency Gen. Yakubu Gowon, in tribute to him as he turns 80 this month.

As a historian, I appreciate the place of documenting the roles of key national figures in our history and making same available to as many people, particularly of the younger generation, as possible. This is particularly so in view of the dearth of heroes and role models for our younger generation, predominantly within the Public Service space in our country.

We often think of public servants as omnipotent figures that can make and remake history according to their whims and caprices. In reality leaders are shaped by their times as much, if not more, than they shape it. Assessing the records of political leaders therefore necessarily calls for understanding the temporal context in which they exercised power.

The mantle of national leadership fell on Yakubu Cinwa Gowon in very trying circumstances. The First Republic had fallen after politicians’ antagonisms had escalated into deadly rivalries. Serial mutinies heavily tinged by ethno-regional antipathies had undermined the solidarity of the armed forces and the nation at large. This coupled with the mass killings of easterners in Northern Nigeria had pushed the country to the brink of destruction.

Under these onerous circumstances, Gowon came to power as the unintended beneficiary of the chaos and immediately faced the task of preventing the giant of Africa from disintegrating. Events at the time made civil war somewhat inevitable and the challenge became that of prosecuting a war of national unity in such a way as to prevent lasting hatred from taking root. At the young age of 34, Gowon had to bear the burden of shepherding a young country through the severest test of its nationhood to date. As the legacy of inter-generational strife across Africa makes clear, this is a burden that has broken so many African leaders and their nations.

The material and human cost of the war was undeniably immense. By most accounts, it could have been far worse had Gowon not prosecuted it with remarkable magnanimity and generosity of spirit. Federal forces were issued a code of conduct that was unprecedented in the annals of warfare on the continent. There were, of course, notable and grievous violations of the code, but these were scandalous precisely because of the tone that Gowon had set for the prosecution of the war.

No Nigerian soldier was awarded a medal for valour because it was deemed unseemly to celebrate valour in a quarrel between brothers. From the onset and throughout the duration of the war Gowon maintained that the objective was not the military humiliation of the secessionists or their annihilation but reconciliation and a restoration of the union.

True to his word, the surrender of the secessionists was not followed by the genocidal slaughter predicted by many or by merciless occupation, but by a programme of reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

It is no exaggeration to say that Gowon is to Nigeria what Abraham Lincoln is to the United States, a political leader charged with the terrible duty of prosecuting a war in order to forge national peace and unity. Just as Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation ended slavery and strengthened the American union, Gowon’s famous declaration that there would be no victor, no vanquished ensured that there would be no bloody recriminatory aftermath to the civil war. It set the tone for post civil war relations and aided reintegration and rehabilitation. To say that our union has its challenges is to state the obvious. But it should not stop us from acknowledging those statesmen whose exemplary labours have pushed us a little further on our quest for a national cohesion.

Of all of Nigeria’s military heads of state, none has exemplified the model of the officer and a gentleman as much as Gowon. When he was removed in a 1975 putsch, he turned his interests to further study, obtaining degrees in political science from Warwick University in the UK. His rather austere finances after his overthrow burnished his reputation for personal integrity and honesty, a reputation that would elude many of his successors in office. His remarkable humility and unfailing courtesy also set him apart from those who have walked the rarefied heights of power. Very much in keeping with his character, Gowon’s relationship even with those who effected his removal is characterized by a lack of bile and bitterness.

In retirement, Gowon has continued to be a voice of peace and reconciliation. He provides sagely counsel to current political leaders. He founded ‘Nigeria Prays’, a faith-based organization dedicated to peace building by mobilizing religious leaders and faith communities. I am immensely proud to have hosted him and benefited from his wise counsel during one of the organisation’s campaigns that brought him to the land of honour, Ekiti State, Nigeria. He has remained a messenger of moderation and tolerance in a country where the polity is charged with petty histrionics and polarizing acrimonies. Consequently, it is not surprising that he possesses a genuine national stature which transcends sectarian divides and yet commands the respect of Nigerians across the lines of faith and ethnicity.

It is fair to say that he has set the standard for a productive post-presidential life. Even in retirement, he continues to serve the country in both official and unofficial capacities, often as a special envoy sent to mediate in conflict areas by bringing his conciliatory spirit to bear upon the adversaries.

Few leaders can lay claim to the consistency of temperament and ethical conduct over such a long period spanning their time in office and in retirement. Gowon can do so and stands out as one of the great statesmen in our pantheon of national heroes. Some argue that the term ‘statesman’ has been bastardized on our shores through its frequent and reckless application to undeserving figures. This is true. However, when we contemplate the life and service of Yakubu Gowon, we are in the presence of a rare Nigerian political figure who is fully deserving of that accolade.

As he turns 80, I join all believers in a great Nigeria to wish General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) many more years in good health.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi, expert in military studies and civil society activist, was Governor of Ekiti State 2010-2014. He wrote from Ado Ekiti.