Monday 31 August 2015

Bishop Oyedepo Commisions Church Built 15 Megawatt Power Plant




Bishop David Oyedepo commissions church owned Multi-Billion Naira 15 Megawatt Power Plant at Winners' Chapel Headquarters in Canaan-land Ota Ogun State.
 

Bishop Oyedepo is the Founder and Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church World Wide, also known as Winners Chapel. The Headquarters of the church is reported to be the largest church auditorium in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. This auditorium named 'Faith Tabernacle' seats 50,000 worshipers.
 

The idea of owning a power plant by the church originated from an urgent need to curb the ever increasing power bills as well as the huge amount spent on diesel.
 

Another power consuming issue was that of Covenant University situated inside the Cannanland also owned by the Church. In 2012 alone, Covenant University, according to reports, expended over N700 million on diesel in addition to other costs incurred in running the university which made the move to get a power plant inevitable. 

Construction of the power plant began in 2014 and on Monday 31st August 2015, the plant was commissioned by the Bishop alongside his wife and principal officers of the church .
 

As announced by the Bishop, the church is willing to supply power to major housing estates within Ota and environs.

BULLET PROOF MANUFACTURER-POLICEMAN GIVEN SPECIAL PROMOTION BY IGP DECORATED WITH NEW RANK


DECORATION OF NEWLY PROMOTED INSPECTOR GODWIN HOSEA FOR EXHIBITING EXCEPTIONAL TALENT 

You may recall that on the 22nd July, 2015 during a one-day working visit to Bauchi State Police Command by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase NPM,fdc, one F/No 218346 Sgt Godwin Hosea presented a fabricated bullet proof jacket which he manufactured locally and at affordable price to the Inspector-General of Police during a lecture parade at the Bauchi Police Command State Headquarters. As a result, a visibly happy IGP instantly promoted the Sergeant to the rank of Inspector with effect from 22/07/2015.

While decorating the newly promoted Inspector, the Commissioner of Police Bauchi State Command, CP Mohammed K. Mohammed psc(+) congratulated the Inspector and urged him to rededicate himself to duty and reciprocate the gesture done to him by the Inspector-General of Police.


He further enjoined other officers and men to emulate the newly promoted officer and harness their God given talent in order to move the Force and the Nation forward.

The CP finally thanked IGP Solomon E. Arase, NPM, fdc for giving personnel welfare a top priority in his administration.

DSP Haruna Mohammed,
Police Public Relations Officer,
Bauchi State Police Command.

President Buhari Congratulates National Men's Basketball Team, Assures Them Of Full Support Ahead Of Olympics


President Buhari has congratulated D'Tigers on their remarkable victory over Angola at the FIBA Africa Basketball Championship in Tunisia.

According to a statement by the special adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the President expressed his delight over the team's strength of character coupled with a high quotient of patriotism as well as great skill and courage displayed by them at the competition

The President assured the team of his fullest support to ensuring a most successful outing at the Rio De Janeiro 2016 Olympics.

He urged the team to also work harder so as to secure a global laurel at next year's Olympic Games.

Nigeria won it's first continental title in Basketball at the AFROBASKET 2015 competition in Tunisia by defeating the defending champions Angola 74-65 . This automatically qualifies Nigeria for Rio Olympics in 2016.


Sunday 30 August 2015

LAGOS CITY CHORALE AT THE 2ND EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL CHOIR OLYMPICS/ COMPETITION IN MAGDEBURG GERMANY




Magdeburg, the capital of state of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany was aglow with international music festival and competition from 5th – 12th July 2015. Over one hundred choirs drawn from 35 countries of the world participated actively at various levels of the festival , some in competitive categories while others took part in non-competitive programme.

The aim of the organizers of the world choir Olympics ‘’The Interkultur’’ among other things is to foster peace among the nations of the world through choral music as the world choirs sing together. Magdeburg from 5th-12th July was indeed a meeting point for various world cultures. About five thousand choir members from different countries and cultures co-habited in hostels, fed together at a central feeding point, had a very healthy contest in various categories of the competition, shared same stage in friendship concerts and cut friendship across borders and various cultures of the world in a very convivial atmosphere.

Nigeria was visibly represented in this global contest by a 30-man contingent of the Lagos City Chorale directed by Sir Emeka Nwokedi. The group arrived Magdeburg through Leipzig Airport on 4th July and was lodged in a four-star Maritim Hotel.

At the official opening ceremony which was held at Jonanniskirche, Magdeburg on Sunday, the 5th of July, Nigeria’s Lagos City Chorale representing Africa was among five choirs from different continents specially invited to perform for a select high profile audience which include Reiner Haseloff, the Governor of the State of Saxony-Anhalt; Lutz Trumper, the Lord Mayor of the City of Magdeburg and Gunter Titsch, the President of Interkultur. The performance was evidently outstanding by the reaction of the audience which gave a resounding ovation at the end of each song.

Competitions started in earnest on the 6th of July. Lagos City Chorale contested in three categories in the open Competition- Folklore, Chamber Choir, and Musica Contemporanea (Contemporary Music). Also, the Nigerian group, LCC performed in two friendship concerts.

In all the performances, Lagos City Chorale exhibited Nigerian rich culture embedded in her indigenous choral music, traditional music instruments, costume and unique dance to the admiration of a global community that constituted the audience.

At the award ceremonies which was held between 9th and 11th July, the Director of Lagos City Chorale was invited to the podium three times to receive a GOLDEN DIPLOMA AWARD for each of the 3 categories the choir contested in. In addition, Lagos City Chorale, Nigeria received a special DIPLOMA of HONOUR for continued contribution to the ideal of international understanding and peace initiative through music.

The event was rounded off with a very colourful Parade of Nations which started from Magdebuger Dom following the main street ‘’ Breiten Weg’’ to the market place ‘’ Alten Markt’’. This really was as outstanding display of different cultures of participating nations. Lagos City Chorale showcased Nigeria’s nation attire in a colorful green and white Adire fabric. They were the cynosure of all eyes with loud ovations as they paraded with other choirs along the streets of Magdeburg. As all the participating choirs gathered at ‘’Alten Markt’’ at the end of the parade, the Mayor of Magdeburg, Lutz Trumper, once more thanked all the choirs for attending the European Choir Olympics in Magdeburg and bade them farewell. The President of Interkultur, Gunter Titsch, in his congratulatory message to the choirs also invited them to the next World Choir Games in Sochi, Russia scheduled for July 2016.

Lagos City Chorale’s participation in various global cultural festivals and Choir Olympics has been a way of rebranding Nigeria and showcasing her positive abilities at international stages. It also represents Nigeria’s contribution to fostering peace and harmony in the world through harmonious choral music as Nigerian Choir sings in unison and in harmony with choirs from other nations of the world.

It would be recalled that Lagos City Chorale has over the years won Laurels (Gold and Silver) for Nigeria at various world’s largest Cultural Festivals/Choir Olympics. These laurels were won at Cincinnati, Ohio USA in 2012, Graz, Austria in 2013, Riga, Latvia in 2014 and in Magdeburg, Germany, 2015.

Complementing these achievements, Emeka Nwokedi has also led the Diploma School Choir of t7he Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) to win accolades at the 29th World Conference of the International Society for Music Education in Beijing, China in August 2010, and was invited again in October of the same year by Nigerian Embassy in China for a gala night to celebrate Nigeria’s Golden Jubilee with Ambassadors of different countries of the world in attendance.

In October 2014, the Choir contested in the 7th International Choir Festival and competition ‘’ Isola del Sole’’ in Grado, Italy and won one Gold and one silver medal in the two categories of the competition.

Recently, the MUSON School Diploma Choir under his direction got outstanding result ‘’ Distinction’’ in the Advanced Choral Music Exams conducted by Associated Board of the Royal College of Music (ABRSM, London)

Through these efforts, Nigerian music is gradually spreading to all nooks and crannies of the world with a trail of positive notion about Nigeria and her people. 


Photos
 
Rehearsal Time - Most Nigerian compositions have an accompanying dance pattern. No stone was left un-turned by the contingents. The group tried to remain flexible to swinging the waist for the dance steps. Even the conductor was not left out.

This costume was for the Folklore Category. Songs performed in this category are: *Nativity Song - Okechukwu Ndubuisi *Fun mi ni beji - Ayo Bankole *Ote Ngwo - Emeka Nwokedi. The Folklore Category accepts only indigenous chorale music from participating countries. 
The patriotism, the love, the affection for the green-white-green never left members of the Lagos City Chorale throughout their stay in Germany. It also goes with them all around the world. The Lagos City Chorale  represented Nigeria successfully.
Dotting the I's and crossing the T's

 Due to the outstanding performances of the Lagos City Chorale, the group was specially chosen to perform at the Allee Center, Magdeburg - one of the biggest shopping malls in the city.
Director of the Lagos City Chorale,Sir Emeka Nwokedi Signing an autograph for a Brazilian lady. That's what gold medals attracts.


Governor Wike’s 100 Days Achievement in Pictures




With a political phenomenon called 'Talk na Do', Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike seems committed to attending to the needs of his people. 

His mandate is anchored on protecting the governed from external resource predators and ensuring that their God-given resources are judiciously deployed for all round development.

The following Images shows how far the Governor has utilized the resources available to him :
 






























Saturday 29 August 2015

Lauryn Hill Arrives Nigeria




Foremost American singer and rapper, Lauryn Hill has arrived Nigeria ahead of her Sunday Concert at the Eko Hotels Victoria Island Lagos.

Lauryn was billed to perform four months earlier in Lagos but she cancelled at the last minute due to circumstances beyond her control. She however later apologized via a you-tube video watched by many of her fans.

The singer was spotted on arrival with a 20 man band at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport on Saturday, August 29, 2015 ahead of her concert on Sunday, August 30, 2015.

This concert would be Lauryn Hill's first performance in Nigeria.

Other stars billed to perform includes:Victoria Kimani, Capital Femi, Seyi Shay, Banky W, Rachel Kerr, Aina More, 2face Idibia, Iyanya, Sound Sultan, Tekno, Dil, and many more.

Nigeria’s National Basketball Team Qualifies For The Afrobasket 2015 Finals




Nigeria’s national basketball team, D’Tigers defeated Senegal 88-79 to reach the FIBA Finals at the ongoing Afrobasket competition in Tunisia. 

They would be meeting either Tunisia or Angola on Sunday and a victory in that final would secure for them an automatic qualification at the basketball event of the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Dangote Inaugurates $250m Plant in Douala, Cameroon




Dangote Cement Plc, on Thursday, achieved another feat with the inauguration of 250 million-dollar (N48.75 billion) cement grinding plant in Douala, Cameroon.

Dangote Group also laid the foundation stone for a 200 metre jetty in Douala.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President/ Chief Executive, Dangote Group, said at the ceremony, that the plant, with a capacity of 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa), was a great feat in the operations of the company.

"The plant is our largest greenfield project in a neighbouring country with which we not only share a boundary but also a long history of brotherly relationship dating from our colonial days," Dangote said.

He said that the company signed the investment agreement for the development and operation of a quarry and cement grinding with the government of Cameroon on Sept. 19, 2011.

He said that massive economic revolution of the Cameroonian government in the power sector, infrastructural development, industrial development and the transportation industry had impacted positively on businesses.

"We can attest to this as we have been one of the major beneficiaries," said Dangote.

He said that Dangote Cement first came into Cameroon in 2008 but signed an Investment Agreement with the government of Cameroon in 2011.

Dangote said that the investment had increased the country's economic value through creation of thousands of jobs supported the government's aggressive infrastructural development.

He listed other benefits of the investment to include; conservation of scarce foreign resources through drastic reduction of importation of cement; creation of revenue for the government through payment of VAT, royalties and taxes.

Dangote said that plans were on the way to commence the second phase of the plant which would double its capacity from the current 1.5mmtpa to 3.0 mmtpa.

He said that the company would soon open an additional quarry in the country and inaugurate more than 200 new trucks to enhance service delivery to its customers.

"Our desire to increase our investment with the Phase 2 project is based on not only the fast growth rate of the Cameroonian economy but also due to the warm welcome extended to us and the enabling environment created by its government.

"Our choice of Cameroon for this multi-million dollar investment is strategic because it is the largest economy in Central Africa and is well endowed with abundant natural resources,” he said.

He said that the country enjoyed political stability, adequate security and growing development of infrastructure.

Dangote also said that the investment would further strengthen the bilateral ties between Nigeria and Cameroon and fast-track Africa's economic integration.

"Africa has the lowest per capita consumption of cement, an important index in measuring development, and only deliberate efforts by Africans to produce more than current requirements to force down prices can remedy the situation," Dangote said.

According to him, the company has on Aug. 26 signed a 4.34 billion-dollar contract with Sinoma International Engineering Company Ltd., a Chinese construction giant, for the construction of 11 new cement plants in 10 African countries, and Nepal in Asia.

Dangote said the total capacity of the proposed plants would be 25 mmtpa, projecting that the company’s combined capacity within Africa and outside the continent would hit 100 mmtpa by 2020.

"In Nigeria, we contributed to the successful transformation of the country from being the biggest importer to a major producer and net exporter of cement," he added.

He commended the Nigerian government for the encouragement and nurturing of the company from inception.

Dangote said that the company owed its existence to the favourable investment policies of the government which encouraged the growth of import substitution industries, especially in areas with comparative advantage like in cement.

Also speaking, President Paul Biya of Cameroon, lauded Dangote for contributing to the country's development.

Biya, who was represented by Mr Philemon Yang, the Prime Minister, said that the company had contributed massively to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through the investment.

He said the project had created hundreds of jobs and urged other foreign companies to emulate Dangote’s drive and invest in the country.

Biya said that the country's economy was liberal and friendly and willing to accommodate foreign investors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the company, with headquarters in Nigeria, currently operates in 14 African countries including Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Ethiopia.

Others are Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, Niger, Liberia, Mali and Cameroon

 NAN

Understanding Buhari in 100 Days, By Garba Shehu



The enormously popular talk show, Berekete on Love FM radio, Abuja station told the incredible, yet true story of the hardworking and respected school teacher somewhere in Plateau state who hanged himself.

He hadn’t been paid salary for seven straight months. He came home to find that no one had eaten and two of the children had medical prescriptions for which there was no money. He sneaked out without talking to anyone. After a long while, news came home that he had strangely been caught with a stolen goat.

On his day in court, the teacher confessed to the offence. The reason he stole, he told the local judge, was that he hadn’t been paid for seven months and when he got home to see what he saw, he just couldn’t stand it.

The judge allowed him to go home on bail on self-recognition given, as he said, the good impression the entire village had of the otherwise respected teacher.

All were shocked to find his body dangling from a tree the morning after. He couldn’t live with the shame.

In the recommendations and notes the Ahmed Joda transition committee presented to him as President-eIect, Muhammadu Buhari was informed that a section of the Federal government as well as 27 states hadn’t paid salaries, in some case for up to a year.

The Joda committee advised that this was a national emergency and should be treated as such.

It is on account of this that one of the activities – please note the choice of this word: activities, not achievements – of President Muhammadu Buhari in these past three months is the settlement of unpaid salaries. This is going on right now.

Like the proverbial blinking of the eye, Saturday September 5th will mark the 100th day of the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress government which took office on May 29th after the new party became the first in opposition to unseat an incumbent government in an election adjudged by everyone as free and fair.

There are many out there who say the performance of a president and his government in terms of success or failure cannot be judged in 100 days and I agree with them. But history will be written anyway. In the coming week or two, a rash of commentaries and analyses to commemorate the event will be made.

I myself don’t deny that 100 days is long enough to know and understand the man who is the head of a government.

Buhari arrived power with strong support from young men and women and this country’s poor. The new government was not favoured at election by the monied power-brokers although that did not stop the President from taking measures such as improving security that are good for business and investment. This government is business-friendly but not one that is for crony capitalism.

The new government inherited enormous problems created by the tainted PDP administration, largely caused by the lack of governance,corruption and lawlessness. This was mostly evident in the last two years of the Jonathan Goodluck administration. As the President continues to point out,the drift is most evident in the oil sector.

I believe that there is enough on the ground in those 100 days to understand President Buhari, his government and what it stands for.

I will cite a few of these.

Before I do that, I will make a little confession.

In the course of electioneering, the presidential campaign had so many centres of public communication which, for whatever reason were on the loose.

There is a certain document tagged “One Hundred Things Buhari Will Do in 100 Days” and the other, “My Covenant With Nigerians.” Both pamphlets bore the authorized party logo but as the Director of Media and Communications in that campaign, I did not fund or authorize any of those. I can equally bet my last kobo that candidate Buhari did not see or authorize those publications.

As a consequence of these publications, expectations have been raised unreasonably, that as President, Muhammadu Buhari will wave his hand and all the problems that the country faces- insecurity, corruption, unemployment, poor infrastructure – would go away.

But that notwithstanding, President Buhari has given the job his best shot and the whole country is saying that we never had it so good. He has re-instituted the values of hard work and administrative efficiency. The President says times without number that this country needs to fix governance and that he won’t tolerate laziness.

Some of the other activities I wish to enumerate also include the fact of his taking relations with the country’s immediate neighbours to new heights. By their open admissions, this country’s neighbours did not have someone they could talk to on the deteriorating security situation in the Lake Chad Basin area in Aso Rock.

Buhari embarked on his foreign policy on Day Four of his administration.

When he met Barack Obama, the U.S president told the Nigerian leader that he was getting it right and that it is only when Nigeria gets it right that Africa will get it right.

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon who came calling this week said that our president is “courageous, focused and firm”.

Relations with the “G 7″ group of industrialized countries have since been “reset” and the dividends of this have begun to flow inwards.

In the area of economic management, Nigerians are already seeing things happen that they thought were not possible in so short a time.

He didn’t put a kobo to finance the power sector. Yet, reading his body language alone and knowing that there are things you cannot do and get away with under Buhari, electricity supply all over the countries has risen to unprecedented heights.

Actually, some cities are on the verge of calling 24-hour, round the clock power supply. The country generates more power than can internally be taken by the deplorable distribution system we have on the ground, which points to the next challenge that the country faces.

A framework for the management of the country’s finances has been put in place. The wobbly Naira is being stabilized and inflation is headed towards a single digit. President Buhari is keeping a close eye on the government treasury.

Agriculture is getting its own shot in the arm.

Rice importation has been curtailed and seven governors whose states are priming a massive local production of the commodity have had a strategy meeting with the President on the next steps that are coming. Americans say their intervention in our agriculture will come next year.

The Boko Haram insurgency, which had more or less been allowed to fester for about five years, is about being ended but what is even more interesting is that intelligence coming from the fired-up armed forces who now work in synergy with each other is raising hope that the Chibok girls may, repeat may be found in good numbers in a geographic location of interest somewhere in the North-East.

President Buhari is being praised at home and abroad for his ongoing fight against corruption. He said from the beginning that his government will not tolerate this vice.

Borrowing the words of India Narendra Modi’s, he said himself that “I won’t steal and I’ll not allow others to do it.” President Buhari has walked his talk since he come to office.

Himself and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have not only given up half of their salary, they have cut a good number of funding lines to their official homes and offices.

President Buhari also takes the environment seriously. He blames the lack of security in the Lake Chad region on the recession, almost drying up of the lake. He has undertaken to clean up Ogoniland.

In this country, appointments and removal from office are done usually in accordance with a spoils system.

A new government sacks officials on the basis only that it did not appoint them, but that the predecessor adminstration did.

President Buhari has shown that his government is different. He wants to look at each case on its own merit and it is clear by now that he is not ready to surrender the country to burnt out politicians. Technocrats will have a big place in his administration.

He has appointed no ministers yet, but the government is running smoothly.

In this period of three months, government certainly deserves a pat on the back for improved power, reform in the energy sector, foreign relations, fight against corruption and insurgency and the fact of Nigerians being at peace, not only among themselves but with their neighbours and the rest of the world.

In think in summary, I would like to end this piece by saying that President Muhammadu Buhari will turn out to be a leader in the tradition of Lee Kuan-Yu and India’s current reform-minded Prime Minister Modi with strong and clear emphasis on detail and execution.

He may however differ with them by not micro-managing things. 

Shehu Garba is senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity

President Buhari, VP Osinbajo welcome assurance that original inhabitants of Centenary City site have been compensated


The Presidency Friday, 8th August 2015 in Abuja welcomed an assurance from Centenary City PLC that all the original inhabitants of the site have been fully compensated.

Speaking after being briefed by the Chairman of the company's board of directors, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and members of its management team, President Buhari praised the Centenary City's main development partners from the United Arab Emirates for having enough confidence in Nigeria to agree to invest about $18.5 billion in the project.

President Buhari also welcomed the assertion by Gen. Abubakar and his team that the project will create about 250,000 more direct jobs in the Federal Capital Territory and about half a million indirect jobs.

The President noted that skills, expertise and vast experience that will be brought into country to build the Centenary City on the Dubai model, will also be of immense benefit to Nigeria's overall development.

He said that he looked forward to regular updates on the Centenary City's development.

Vice President Yemi Osibanjo who was also present at the briefing, said that the issue of the rights of the original inhabitants of the site acquired for the Centenary City had been of concern to the present Administration.

"We are glad that it is being handled," he said while welcoming the assurance that compensation had been paid to those who will be displaced by the project and that the issue of their relocation was being addressed.

Gen. Abubakar and the management of the Centenary City also told President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo that the project will be totally private sector driven.



Garba Shehu

SSA to the President

(Media& Publicity)

Friday 28 August 2015

Olabisi Kolawole Becomes Nigeria's First Female Police Public Relations Officer


The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase as appointed Olabisi Alofe Kolawole, as the new PRO of the Police Force.
According to a statement from the Force , harnessing the enormous potentials among the female police officers in the country is a necessity towards a higher productivity .

This appointment inscribes Olabisi's name in the history books as the first female police officer to be appointed as National Police spokesperson.

Olabisi Kolawole has her first degree in law, from the Ogun State University and a Masters degree in Police Leadership and management from University of Leicester, United Kingdom.

She has served in various capacities both at national and international level.

Prior her appointment as Force PRO, Olabisi was the Force Gender Adviser.

Nigeria's Fast Rising Fashion Label 'FemyToys' Unviels Its 2015 Collections



FemyToys, a fast rising Nigerian Fashion Label has carved its niche with men's clothes and has unveiled a debut Rain/Harmattan 2015 collection titled "Geometry By Toys".

This fashion label can be summarized as one for the modern man especially with its detailed geometric patterns among-st other unique features it possesses.
 
According to the lead designer, Femi Adeyemi, this year's collection is a product of good thinking using creativity at it's best to execute.

"Sequel to the success of the brands polka and floral collections, there was a need to amalgamate patterns, hence the need for Geometry'. Geometry has to do with the collection of patterns; in this context, plain shapes such as circles, polygons, aztec, paisley, floral, spirals, triangles, swirls etc" In this collection, we have been able to merge these shapes to create beautiful and appealing geometric patterns" - Femi Adeyemi



Photos of 'Geometry By Toys' Collection
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Africa's Grace Jerry Sings At Yali Event


“Find the biggest platform you can,” said Grace Jerry when asked for her advice on bringing about change, “and add your voice.”

Jerry, a Nigerian gospel singer, has a big voice. And when introducing President Obama at a gathering of 500 young African leaders, she took full advantage of it.

The journey that brought Jerry to Washington began with personal tragedy 13 years ago, when she lost the use of her legs in an auto accident and learned how people with disabilities can be marginalized.
 
She had sung in her church choir before the accident, but for a time afterward, she was depressed and lost interest in singing. As she recovered, she got serious about singing again and decided to use her voice to advocate for others with disabilities. “I want to shift the perception of people with disabilities from being viewed as those who need help to being viewed as human beings with rights,” Jerry said.

Last year, she applied and was chosen for the Young African Leaders Initiative’s Mandela Washington Fellowship, which brings 500 people from sub-Saharan Africa to the U.S. to meet others working for change.

“I connected with the fellow from Ethiopia who happened to be a polio survivor, and he’s very active in research and data on challenges facing people with disabilities in Ethiopia,” Jerry said. “I met a guy from Sierra Leone with a disability who’s a human rights lawyer.” The three now work together to “create a more inclusive Africa.”

Jerry’s singing attracts attention to any issue she trumpets. Her tribute to YALI called “E Go Happen” received 100,000 views in its first 24 hours online. Likely as not, it reached the ears of someone at the White House who chose her to introduce Obama when he spoke to the Mandela fellows.

When introducing the president, Jerry said that during her visit to America, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act she had experienced “what inclusion and access should be. And I am going back to Africa to make sure that that dream becomes a reality.”

When the president came to the podium, he said, “Following Grace is a little bit like following Michelle,” referring to his wife. “You’re thinking, ‘I’m not going to be that good.’”




Acknowledgement: ShareAmerica
https://share.america.gov/africas-grace-jerry-sings-at-yali-event/

An Interview With Ekundayo Odele: How She Took Her First Steps In Business Consulting


In this interview with Arise Arizechi of Konnect Africa, Ekundayo Odele talks about her venture into the consulting business, requirements for success and many more...
  
Tell us about Ekundayo Odele – family, ethnicity, education…

My family is large, liberal and close knit. We are an exciting and eclectic bunch, probably with Dad being one of the most interesting people ever. I like to define myself as a Nigerian rather than belonging to any particular tribe. We were raised to be tolerant.

My Dad lived in Zaria (Northern Nigeria) as a child and in Port-Harcourt (South-South Nigeria) as a young man, sometime before the Nigerian Civil War. He essentially spoke Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa fluently and helped shape our world view.

My secondary education was in Enugu (South East Nigeria). Then, I went on to study Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Lagos (South West Nigeria).

When and how did you start your career?

That is somewhat difficult to answer as I have largely been focused. I had a general idea about what I wanted to do, So I started building experience as early as when I was seventeen (17) years old. I got a job and spent my holidays working.

The experience I gained working at that age defined my work ethic, etiquette and what acceptable workplace conduct meant for me. I learnt what to do and what not to do. I am appreciative of the people who gave me a chance.

You chose to be an Entrepreneur instead of being an Employee. What informed this decision?

Sometime in my third year at University, I identified that I wanted to proffer solutions to help build sustainable Nigerian and African businesses. I was not sure how to go about it, so I got into the employment market after graduation. However, I chose jobs that were leaning in the direction I wanted to go.

Having worked a few years, I felt under-utilised. This was not informed by money as I was being paid well enough. I realized I could and wanted to do a lot more than I was assigned. I was increasingly frustrated at not being given more responsibilities and concluded the only way to do the volume and type of work I wanted to do was to delve into the world of entrepreneurship.

The Managers and Business Owners I worked with as an Employee mentored me and spurred my decision. Their stories and the way they operated were inspiring and I knew it was time to take the step.

My Dad was also a Manager par excellence, having led companies with hundreds of staff. He encouraged me as did the rest of my family; so I took that somewhat difficult first step and I’m thankful I did.

You provide Consultancy services in the areas of Business Strategy, Marketing, Recruitment and Human Resources. What were your goals when you started out? Looking back, have they been met?


They have largely been met but I believe in continuous improvement. We continue to refine our service offerings and partnerships so that we continue to deliver on our promise to our Clients – a one-stop solution for their business.

This often means collaboration with several service providers, so we have built up a database of IT, Marketing, Legal and Financial Consultants. Our goal is to be a warehouse for the spectrum of business solutions.

What is your typical day like?


There is nothing typical about my days. I have a weekly plan of what to deliver and I try to adhere to set timelines which could include facilitating training sessions, preparing presentations, attending client meetings, playing tennis or going for a swim.

I mix it all up to get some balance. At the moment, I work as long as there’s work to be done and I have adopted Mondays as me days. As a service provider, I find my clients are busy on Mondays and I can become a distraction, so Mondays have transitioned to me days. I have been called to client sites on odd Mondays though. However, I take a break when I need it

Some people reading this interview may be interested in setting up their business consultancy firms. What advice do you have for them?

Be sure to identify your market,

define your deliverables,

identify and / or build up required competencies,

deliver excellent service, and

just go for it.

Getting clients can be an uphill task for Business consultants. How do you go about overcoming this challenge?

Service can be a tricky sell as it has no direct impact on the bottomline. Fortunately, businesses are beginning to appreciate the need. Once we are able to identify the value proposition, the rest is easy.

Be what you sell, deliver your promise, find relevant collaborations, ask for referrals and just keep defining and refining yourself.

After about five years of doing your thing, what are the challenges you have encountered thus far?

I wanted to be everything to my clients. It’s easy to be when you have one client but when that one becomes several, scalability becomes an issue. The mission to solve that problem became the ability to replicate what I could deliver in others.

Pricing seemed to be a contentious issue but having seen the value we can deliver, that is no longer as big an issue as it once was. This means I am also much kinder when negotiating with my fellow consultants – I know where the shoe keeps pinching.

A third challenge was streamlining service offerings. I needed to agree criteria for what we could deliver and what needed to be put on the back burner or outsourced.

What is your inspiration? What keeps you going?


My chief inspiration is my passion is for the growth of the Nigerian business and the Nigerian employee and employer. There is so much to do to bring us to global standards and we cannot rest until we get there. Even when we think we are there, we must continue to better ourselves.

I am also inspired when my clients are happy with the quality of service they receive. I get inspired to be better when I get constructive criticism.

I am encouraged by my colleagues, friends and family.

What do you enjoy most about being a Consultant?

I love learning. I have to learn about the business of my client as much as possible. This exposes me to many things.

I love that I am doing the type and volume of work I want to do and I am actually being a solution provider.

I like my unstructured working hours.

You are also a Public Speaker and you facilitate at Speaking Seminars. Can anyone be a Speaker?

I would say yes. As I have told several classes, find your ‘’voice’’; your voice being what you are passionate about. Find it, develop it and sell your message. Your passion shines through your message and that is a critical component of being a speaker.

What is the biggest challenge you faced while you honed your Public Speaking skills?

I think being clear about what I wanted to talk about. Sometimes, facing an audience that appears to be better qualified can be a huge challenge. The knowledge that your message helps you fight and win that mental battle, is required to keep getting up on the stage. I have also learnt to have fun in the process.

What words of wisdom do you have for that young person reading this interview who are considering Public Speaking?

I have already mentioned finding your ‘voice’. Be the go-to person on your message. Have fun in the process of passionately delivering your message.

Last year, you returned to your Alma mater to facilitate a Career and Teachers’ Workshop. Tell us about it and why it was important for you to make that trip.

Going back to Federal Government College, Enugu is actually an annual event although we only started our Career workshop four (4) years ago.

The school is part of the person I am today and as you know, our Unity Schools are not what they once were. What has changed is not the facilities (a lot are actually better than when I was a student), but that people have sort of settled into some sort of limbo. It was necessary to reignite the passion for teaching and learning.

The students were able to identify with us, ask questions and understand that anything is possible if they are willing to do the work. The teachers could see their former students and were encouraged to do whatever extra they needed to stand out.

It was a bittersweet experience, more than usual because this was the first time we included a teachers’ workshop. I am looking forward to the 2015 edition.

How do you relax?

This is another difficult question as I enjoy a myriad of activities. I love traveling, seeing new places, learning about new cultures and enjoying different cuisines. I love reading and have books across several genres. I cycle, swim and play tennis. I enjoy good music and art. Sometimes, relaxation is just being away from it all.

Any mentors?


Oh yes, I think everyone should have some kind of mentor. Two previous employers, a client and an older colleague in the industry. I also try to draw inspiration from others.

Where do you see yourself in another 5 years?

Being a better human being, a desired service provider and an inspiration to millions of African youths.

For you, Life is….

Simply beautiful

Africa will rise when…..

we are all selflessly driving towards a better tomorrow.

What is that one thing you would like every African youth to know? Inspire a young African in a sentence

Be the best possible version of yourself and just do it….

Many thanks for sharing with us.

You are most welcome.
 

Acknowledgement: Konnect Africa (Associate of The Unknown Nigeria)