You have to venture to win

By Joseph Chibueze

When Mr. Tunji Olugbodi left Prima Garnet in March 2007 to set up his own company, Verdant Zeal, many saw it as a right move that was wrongly timed. But the question is ‘what is the right time to move?’ It is this fear of the unknown and waiting for the ‘right time’ that has kept many who would have been successful entrepreneurs locked up in what could be described as a fool’s paradise called the comfort zone even when they are no more comfortable.

It was an election year with all its uncertainties, businesses were not willing to make new commitments and investors were holding back to know the direction the country would go after the elections. It all looked gloomy, even more so as he took off from ground zero, with no clients and just a few hands to work with.

But he was not deterred because for him, it is not about how much you have in your pocket or how fair the weather is, but the values you are bringing to the table. 

Just under eight years, Verdant Zeal has become a multinational marketing communication group comprising various corollary businesses. F2M (First to Market), the experiential marketing arm of the group, Gr8 Measures Media (Media Independent), Brainbox I Media (New Media), Red Gecko (Pr & Content development) and Neo Mantra (an intellectual property company with interest in brand and events management).

The company is also now the only Nigerian marketing communication company that has full fledged offices across the West Coast- Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Background
Born in Lagos on March 26, 1964, to the family of Pa Joshua Oyedele Olugbodi, from Ara town in Osun State; his father retired from the Central Bank of Nigeria while his mother, Mrs. Grace Olabisi Olugbodi, a trader, hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State. Tunji attended Salvation Army Primary School, Iyun Road, behind the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos between 1969 and 1974, but had to move to Ejigbo, Osun State for his secondary education, where he attended Baptist High School between 1974 and 1979. “I really couldn’t explain why my parents just decided I should go to Osun State for my secondary school education,” he says. “But my parents knew why they took that decision and I have come to realize that they meant well for me. Today, I don’t have any regrets because part of my experience in my formative years was informed by my experience in Ejigbo. My stay in that rural environment allowed me to appreciate people from different backgrounds. There is something original in that rustic environment. I was lucky to have schooled in a society where people value lives. The spirit of being one’s brother’s keeper is still in me up till now.

“I attended what could be termed ‘regular’ public schools, but I must say these compared well with some of the best private schools we have today. There was professionalism and dedication by the crop of teachers, who took great pride in the development of their pupils.”

For his university education, Olugbodi attended the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, between 1983 and 1987 and read English Language. His father actually wanted him to study law ostensibly so he could accomplish what he himself could not accomplish having dropped out of law faculty of the then University of Ife because he had no one to fund the programme for him. “My father saw my admission as an opportunity for him to realise his dream. I didn’t want anybody to dictate my course of study to me and I decided not to pursue the admission.”

Career
Olugbodi started his career first as a journalist with The Guardian as a judicial reporter and sub editor. After about five years he became a bit restless and wanted to explore new horizons. He then moved to a medium sized agency, called SAAL as a copywriter and just after three months moved on to Promoserve where he had the first real taste of professional marketing communication as a client service and business development. “Promoserve was one of the biggest and most active agencies then, with several blue chip accounts. I had the privilege of working with some of the best brains in the industry then and it was quite enlightening; a great eye opener,” he recalls.

In January 1992, he joined Prima Garnet where he spent 15 years and rose to the position of an executive director. He however quit Prima Garnet in March 2007 to start Verdant Zeal.

His person, his philosophy
Olugbodi who likes to describe himself as a clear minded, easy going person, also sees life as an opportunity God has given to man to be able to do something positive. He believes that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. “And for you to think of getting something done means that you have the mindset of somebody who wants to venture, somebody who wants to step away from his comfort zone. For many years I was unable to do the things I needed to do because I was living in what I can call a fool’s paradise. I was in a comfort zone where I did not want to rock the boat and I wanted to maintain the status quo. It took time for me to realize that the only way you can make progress in life is by taking a risk, a calculated risk and every risk has its own reward. 

Sometimes it may not be positive but even if it is not positive, it is usually a temporary set back because for every venture you step out to take, there is always something to learn, even if it is to learn how not to do certain things, so that next time you know how to avoid those pitfalls.”

Making a move
For Olugbodi, God has given to each person a fair amount of gifts and aptitudes to do certain things. The only problem according to him is that most people do not take time to search out and understand what these gifts are. In his words, “Because we have not understood what has been deposited inside of us to enable us succeed, sometimes we devalue ourselves which makes us sometimes to look down on ourselves or sometimes makes us lack the confidence to be able to move ahead. So for me if there is anything you want do, you have to make a move.

“In making a move, you also have to know whom to trust, for me, I put my trust in God that if God is with me in anything it will not fail. Next to that is that you have to have faith in yourself. Because you are a reflection of God, if you don’t have faith in God, there is no way you are going to have faith in yourself. So the measure of the faith you have in yourself, is also the measure of the faith you have in God because really, every day living is a risk, every step you take is a risk but if you trust God, he will never leave you nor forsake you. You are not running on your own skills even if it appears so, but you are running God’s programme because he has given you brush so that you can make your own strokes. That is very comforting and reassuring.

“Tied to that is that there must always be a vision. I am driven more by what I see as greater vision of many things that I need to do rather than the small things. And that in itself helps a great deal because it gives the eye of the mind the ability to plot a trajectory, a sort of roadmap and I have discovered that in my own case every road map that I have given some thought to, prayed and meditated over, written down formerly, most often than not usually comes to pass almost the way I have written it down. So that is a big encouragement.”

Sustaining power
What is it that keeps him going even in the face of difficulties? He replies that there are no secrets. According to him, “Every victory and every defeat starts first of all from the mind, so the mindset is extremely important. I will give you an example, as we sit here, I do know there is going to be many challenges in 2015 and maybe beyond, it is obvious, the price of oil is going down, it is not likely to go up any soon and the reasons also are very obvious, politics in Nigeria come with its uncertainties, there is insecurity, so everything points out that the indices are heading south. But what I do know is that in spite of that, in fact most often than none, when there are problems or challenges is when there are opportunities. So in our mind, what we have done is to say we prepare for the worst and hope for the best. So you look at the worst case scenario and say this is the worst that can happen, how do you survive, how do you navigate? In doing that you are able to look at the opportunities that will come from the challenges that we have in the environment, in the economy. And in doing that, you say to yourself, I am going to survive by doing XYZ because I can envision what those challenges will be. So your mindset is extremely important. First and foremost is to accept the reality of challenges and not to live in denials.

“The second thing is, what are the concrete steps that you need to take to make things happen, what are the adjustments you need to make? So for me those are the indices where you have success or victory, it is really about micro managing the issues before they emerge and it is even better when you are able to anticipate what the issues will be and that helps you to take steps that will help you over come those challenges. So you have to think ahead.”

NUGGETS
-Have faith in God and yourself
-Whatever you have to do, do it well
-It is not about the dept of your pocket, it is about the values you bring
-Trust God

First Published in the CRS Watch International Magazine 2015

First Viola Competitions Presents ''Hours with the Masters'' – A Choral Competition Fused With An Art Exhibition

First Viola Competitions - Nigeria's First International Choral Music Competition Platform...

Come 13th February 2016, First Viola Competitions (FVC) - Nigeria’s First International Choral Music Competition Platform would be debuting an event in Nigeria tagged ''Hours with the Masters''.

This event is a Chorale Competition among-st chorale groups in Nigeria which is also fused with an Art Exhibition from Artistes around the world. In addition, there would also be entertaining performances from celebrity singers.

According to the organizers, the idea behind the event is to further develop chorale excellence in Nigeria and beyond, whilst promoting arts and culture.

The aims and objectives of FVC also include the organization of international chorale festivals and competitions to further raise the quality of chorale art and to foster international peace and harmony. 

Furthermore, having regular activities aimed at bringing young people closer to indigenous choral art music, identify, nurture and develop talents among-st other things are key objectives of this organization. 

Choral competitions add value and meaning to the Nigerian life by fostering the creativity and positive impact of choral art music whilst engaging the public in the extraordinary experience of competition performances. It also helps participants develop their talent which leads to a lifelong learning as well as experiencing teamwork, self-discipline, life- long friendships and individual expression.

FVC is managed by First Viola, a global leader in music projects / events that combines high principles of management with a wide range of services.

Details of ''Hours with the Masters'' would be fully unveiled by the organizers, in a crescendo-like-manner, later in the month of January 2016.

Nigerian Lecturer, Opeyemi Enoch Solves 156-Year-Old Mathematics Problem, Wins $1Million

A Nigerian lecturer, Dr. Opeyemi Enoch who lectures at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) has made a name for himself across the globe after solving the 156 years old Riemann Hypothesis, the most important problem in Mathematics.

This enviable feat makes him the fourth person to be able to resolve one of the Seven Millennium Problems in Mathematics. The Riemann Zeta Hypothesis is one of the seven Millennium problems set forth by the Clay Mathematics Institute with a million Dollar reward for each solved problem for the past 16 years and he has won himself a million dollar reward.

The mathematicians is said to have made his presentation on the proof during the International Conference on Mathematics and Computer Science in Vienna, Austria on November 11, 2015. Making it more interesting is that it coincides with the exact day and month 156 years after the problem was delivered by a German Mathematician in 1859.

Prior to this achievement the Kogi state born genius has worked on mathematical models and structures for generating electricity from sound, thunder and Oceanic bodies.

http://www.nigerianmonitor.com/2015/11/16/photo-nigerian-lecturer-opeyemi-enoch-solves-156-year-old-mathematics-problem-wins-1million/

Fatima makes history at Law School

A genius, Fatima Bombom Sani, made history on Wednesday, 21 October 2015 when she was honoured with standing ovation by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, other members of the Body of Benchers (BOB) and the Council of Legal Education (CLE), other dignitaries and the new wigs (her colleagues just called to Bar).

Fatima broke existing record in the Nigeria Law School by bagging nine separate awards compared to existing record of seven awards ever received at the Call to Bar of Nigerian Law School.

The awards include the “Best Student of the Year (1st Prize)’’ donated by Sir Adetokunbo Ademola , Dr. Taslim Elias and Justice Atanda Fatayi-Williams; the ‘’Council of Education Star Award’’; Corporate Law Practice donated by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN; Best Overall Female Student of the year award donated by National Association of Women Judges; and Best Female Student in Criminal Litigation award donated by Mrs. Oluwatoyin Doherty.

The rest are Best Student in Civil and Criminal Litigation award donated by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN; and the prize for 1st Class Students donated by the Director General of the Nigerian Law School (NLS).

Born to the family of Mr and Mrs Engr Abel A. Sani 26 years ago, Fatima hails from Adavi-Ege in Adavi LGA of Kogi State and attended University of Abuja where she had her LLB with Second Class (Upper).

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/law/fatima-makes-history-at-law-school/116555.html

Meet NSFDW’s Most Creative Designer Of The Year 2015 ‘Miss Hauwa Liman’!

Complete Fashion in this interview brings to you Hauwa Liman the overall winner at the 2015 Nigerian Student Fashion and Design Week (NSFDW) as the most creative designer.

Q: Who is the person behind the “AFRIK ABAYA” Brand?

Hauwa: Hauwa Liman is the one behind the “AFRIK ABAYA” Brand. She is from Daura Local Government Area of Katsina State. I had my early school days in Kaduna and Katsina States. I attended Federal Government Girls College Bakori for my secondary Education and proceeded to Bayero University in Kano where I studied Economics and Development Studies. I am a self taught tailor with a passion for Arts and craft and an advocate for women empowerment.

Q: How did you find your way into fashion as an Economics student?

Hauwa: This is an interesting one. I have always had a love for fashion. The way fabrics are cut, twisted, folded and in some cases even pressed to produce outfits really fascinates me. I can say that the consciousness of my present day entrepreneurial pursuit in fashion design was influenced by fascination of class work in the study of Art and Craft back in secondary school and my mother who happens to be a seamstress. While the Art and Craft module exposed me to the early rudiments of patterns, designs, and use of color, having a sewing machine at home made it easy for me to keep trying to change the style of my Sallah clothes each holiday. That was how I taught myself how to sew and have been sewing my clothes since 1998, but I never planned on making a career out of it. Matter of fact, I never saw myself becoming a fashion designer full-time. My dream was to become an educationist and lecture in the university and I have worked towards that since gaining admission into the university by striving to be among the best in my class. I was the best female student in my class. However,at a point I thought of doing the two but along the line, I realized that it was not possible for me and the vision I have cannot be realized if I continue to see my fashion interest as a mere hobby as such. The constant demand for my clothes from family and friends ,that informal attention to details of tailoring at home coupled with my love for originality, artistic work, African fabrics and above all, that of the Abaya, crystallized the passion for garment making that today becomes the bedrock of our business at “AFRIK ABAYA” where we focus on Abaya (The traditional Arabian outfit), Kaftans and Kaftan tops by creatively infusing African fabrics and accessories to give it an African touch.

Q: How did you hear about the Nigerian Student Fashion And Design Week?

Hauwa: Sometime in 2014 around November to be precise, I accidentally came across the NSFDW on the internet. I instantly became interested told myself I should be part of this next year. With that on my mind, I kept checking the website for updates. Around March /April this year, while going through the website as I frequently do, I saw that the registration of designers for this year’s edition has started. I tried registering but encountered some difficulties, I then called the phone number that was there and an application form was sent to me and I registered. That was how this journey began.

Q: You were shortlisted for the Tony Elemulu Entrepreneurship Programme, tell us more about your experience?

Hauwa: The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) as you are aware is an entrepreneurship programme of the Tony Elumelu Foundation that was launched this year. It is aimed at identifying 10,000 African startups and entrepreneurs with ideas that have the potential to succeed in the next ten years. The programme plans to help grow the businesses through business skills training, mentoring, access to seek capital funding, information and membership in the Tony Elumelu Foundation Africa-wide alumni network. It provides the much needed supportive platform to young compelling businesses with strong market feasibility, clear financial models and run by capable teams. I happen to be among the first 1000 that made up the first class (TEEP2015) those that were selected out of the 20,000 that applied. We just completed the twelve weeks online training programme and the Boot camp that took place at Convenant University in Ogun State. The online training and Boot camp were intensive, highly impacting and offered an excellent opportunity for networking with young entrepreneurs from 50 African countries. It gave me the opportunity of meeting other young fashion entrepreneurs from across Africa and we are helping each other. I connected with entrepreneurs from South-Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Egypt, Zambia, South Africa, Sudan, Madagascar and Mali aside the many that are from all over Nigeria. It was indeed a life changing experience and opportunity. I am glad and proud to be part of it all because the benefits can only be quantified in the long run. As my business is centered on exploring African cultures particularly different African fabrics that represent different cultures across the continent, the networking opportunity on this platform is enormous and will help me greatly. Matter-of-fact, I have already started seeing the impact of it because the NSFDW took place a day after the Sallah celebration, my family and friends from the North couldn’t make it to Lagos to show me support as I showcased, but I did not feel it at all because my TEEP FAMILY were there and one interesting thing was that I have not even met some of them even at the boot camp or via the learning portal before, but the fact that I was a TEEP15 member, they were there an some even invited their friends.. I am still relishing in the euphoria of it all. With the completion of the 12 weeks training, and mentoring. We were able to come up with a comprehensive business plan that was examined and an access to a seed capital. The boot camp gave us the opportunity of having top-class resource persons and established entrepreneurs lecture us. Having the likes of Mr. Tony Elumelu himself, The vice president, Gov.El-Rufai,Mr.Lanre Olusola (The Catalyst),Mr Adewale Ajadi,Sam Nwanze, Mrs.Arunma Oteh, Mo Abudu, Omotola Jalade, Rasheed Olaoluwa of the Bank of Industry and others. It was a once in a lifetime experience that really shaped us and gave us all it takes in moving our businesses, country and Africa forward. It was a fulfilling and rewarding experience. I urge all young aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups especially women to watch out for the next TEEP in 2016 as it will definitely take their businesses to the next level

Q: What made you think up this collection?

Hauwa: Like most of my designs, I was driven by the richness of two cultures, and the quest to merge two fashion trends. Inspired by the way floral patterns are beautifully combined with geometric elements in the Vlisco fabric and some unique fabrics, I thought of creatively incorporating these African fabrics into the traditional middle-eastern fashion trends. Thus, combining modesty, creativity and style. THE AFRIK INVASION celebrates the stylish modest fashionista.

Q: Does African design necessarily involve the infusion of Ankara because we noticed that in your collection?

Hauwa: No, not at all. Africa is diverse and rich in culture. Ankara is not the only African fabric as such African Designs must not be defined by the infusion of only the Ankara fabric. I used the Ankara for this collection and I intend to explore other African Fabrics like the Adire, Kente and many more in my coming collections. Also,Its not only the fabrics that define African designs. So many other things that tell the African story can give a designer the inspiration for a collection. For example, I was fascinated with the last collection from Lanre Da Silva Ajayi where by the inspiration came from the famous “OLUMO ROCK”. Clearly, African designs go beyond the infusion of the Ankara fabric alone.

Q: What determines the “African-ness” of a design?

Hauwa: To me, the African-ness of a design can be determined from the “AFRICAN TOUCH/CONTENT” incorporated into it. The diverse culture of Africa revolves around our numerous life settings from east, west, north and south of the continent, our lives, lifestyle and trends to dynamism of inward and outward, looks and feels are wrapped in grandeur all telling our rich cultural history and showing the ease at which we explore each others culture. Take for instance the ability of Africans irrespective of regional divides to cross-sell their diverse apparel uniqueness to one, another and the world at large. Kente for example is traditionally from Ghana. It is unique and cherished not only in Ghana. It commands a mass appeal around the globe for those who respect and have the desire to uphold African originality.

Q: How does it feel to have emerged as the most creative designer at the Nigerian Student Fashion and Design Week?

Hauwa: Matter of fact, I am overwhelmed. A feeling of excitement that I just can’t express .The fact that out of the about 30 designers that showcased I was adjudged the most creative. It gives me the encouragement to work harder and remain focused. It has also given me the zeal to go all out and achieve my goals.

Q: What was the most important lesson you learnt as a brand during the show?

Hauwa: The most important lesson I learnt is to always believe in myself and my ideas. When I registered and was preparing for the show, many people tried to discourage me. It was like-What are you going to do in a Fashion show in Lagos? Your designs are not for Lagos. Lagos is not your market, focus on Kano, Kaduna and Abuja! It is not worth the stress, it’s a waste of time energy and resources! But deep inside me, I believed in myself and my ideas. I knew what I wanted, I am fully aware of the path I was threading; I know that my designs can be styled in different ways. A lady in Lagos can style my top without a jean or leggings, a lady in Abuja with a jean and a lady in Kano can wear same top with a skirt and they will all look gorgeous. So also the Abayas. They can be styled in an African way with the Ankara head or the Arabian way with the veil, and a lady can rock the Abaya alone as I demonstrated at the Fashion week. It was a pointer to me that the Nigerian Fashion industry is really thriving and it’s left for us to tap into the gaps as upcoming designers.



Q: What do you think it takes to establish a successful fashion brand in Nigeria?

Hauwa: So many things are involved but looking at the competitive nature of the Fashion industry, I can say that creativity is one. The ability to come up with new ideas .This is necessary because everyday many fashion designers come on board. So, to be successful, the fashion designer should be able to deliver something different, something new and unique, and something that defines that brand and makes it appealing. Also, Mr Kola Kuddus of KOLAKUDDUS COUTURE once said that it takes PLANNING, FOCUS AND PERSEVERVANCE to succeed in the Nigerian fashion industry. In my candid opinion based on my own experience so far, these three words summed it up. With them, a successful fashion brand will surely be established.

Q: Your showcase fee will be fully funded at the African fashion Week Nigeria 2016, how does that make you feel?

Hauwa: I am so excited. It is really interesting and pleasant. In this business lots and lots of factors always interplay. Growing up from the North of the country and being exposed to the elementary rudiments of cloth making then the flairs that comes with nominal classroom art and craft session. I have always understood that my heart desires are not far away from the glorious heights of industry pioneers and pacesetters such as Mrs. Abbah Folawiyyo, Mrs. Bensons, Zizi Cardow ,Tiffany Amber, Deola Sagoe,Lisa Folawiyo,Lanre Da Silva Ajayi and lots of others too numerous to mentioned that lighten up the torch. To be candid, I feel so excited that am being sponsored for such a huge project and it further ignites the passion for excellence in me. I believe my aspirations of following in the footsteps of the above mentioned industry top-notchs is gradually unfolding. I am delighted beyond words knowing I now have the opportunity of showcasing on a bigger and better platform. It is awesome and thanks a million for this wonderful opportunity and all the support and encouragement I am getting.I am proud to be part of NSFDW. AFRIK ABAYA will surely do you proud there!

Q: What should people expect from you?

Hauwa: To be a participant at the African Fashion Week is more likened to the center-stage of a global fashion event .Of course, that is exactly what it is to me at the moment. It is an opportunity to roll-out a masterpiece collection. AFRIK INVASION was rolled-out at the NSFDW with lots of mass appeal .Definitely; we are raising the bar with sizzling trends at the AFRICA FASHIION WEEK because it is time to conquer hearts with the uniqueness of AFRIK ABAYA with lots and lots of creative and beautiful designs that are a statement of African grandeur and uniqueness.





Q: What was the highlight of the NSFDW for you?

Hauwa: It was the applause that welcomed the appearance of the first AFRIK ABAYA design unto the runway and the scenario that unfolded backstage .It was amazing. So many people were like- Are you the designer? This is great, This is lovely, Wow! And some people were even congratulating me and saying- AH!e be like say na you start the show proper o. See as people just dey clap for all your designs. Imagine,people began to request for some of the outfits as the models were undressing backstage. It was awesome and I just wished the people that tried to discourage me from coming all the way to Lagos to participate were in that hall at that time. It was a great feeling. It actually gave me the opportunity to understand and appreciate the mass appeal for AFRIKABAYA by Nigerian fashionistas

Q: What are the major challenges you face as an emerging designer?

Hauwa: The challenges faced are not different from those faced by virtually all emerging small businesses in Nigeria. Issues of high cost of production resulting from erratic power supply, international shipping of certain fabrics and accessories that are not available locally and inherent tariffs, as well as quality control and the difficulties that comes with promoting a new brand as well as the lack of access to existing governmental policies to strengthen entrepreneurial dynamics. Issues of high cost of renting shops, finding good tailors and getting them to bring out the designs the way I want them is not easy at all. Also I can say that the issue of “Founder Dependence” is really affecting this business. May be because my workaholic nature is rubbing off on that as I find it difficult to let go off some responsibilities. But Thank God, I am gradually adjusting (smiles).All the same, we are striving to excel.

Q: What should we expect generally from your brand in the nearest future?

Hauwa: My desire was to break away from the norm, do something different and certify my brand with originality and appealing ideas that will always create a memorable impression. Therefore expect more creative designs that rock the jingle bell with lots of “ETHNIC INFUSIONS”.As the name implies-AFRIK ABAYA ,we are definitely going to go all out and explore different African cultures and experiment with them in our designs. AFRIK ABAYA will set a new trend in modesty fashion Nigeria and beyond in the nearest feature.

Q: Words to aspiring designers on the platform of Winasbet NSFDW?

Hauwa: They must understand that their chosen profession is a platform that connects globally, thus what you seek, you find. Aspiring designers must passionately strive for excellence and understand that the Nigerian Fashion Industry is thriving, meaning they must pursue excellence at all times in order to make it. NSFDW gave me the opportunity to reach out to the larger section of Nigerian fashionistas. NSFDW is an excellent platform that promotes new designers. As emerging designers, we need a medium to express and communicate our products and services to the larger part of the Nigerian Fashion Industry. NSFDW is an excellent platform for that. As the Biggest Fashion Week in Nigeria for Student Designers, the NSFDW is not all about the showcase alone. It comes with so many opportunities that are useful to upcoming designers; as such I will urge all aspiring designers on this platform to tap into these opportunities. An important aspect of it is the platform for business and social networking it provides. It connect designers with other emerging and upcoming fashion designers and stylists,marketers,etc.For example, we that participated in this year’s edition, all that were interested were given the opportunity of selling their products on many e-commerce platforms such as Konga, Jumia etc courtesy of NSFDW. Moreover, It it provides a link with the media particularly the fashion journalists as they are important in reaching our targeted customer segments. Therefore,I urge them to utilize the NSFDW platform judiciously and promote their brands.

                             

                              Originally published in Complete Fashion

http://completefashion.org/exclusivetocompletefashion-meet-nsfdws-most-creative-designer-of-the-year-2015-miss-hauwa-liman/

National Arts Theatre Lagos, 199 other monuments to be lit blue on Saturday – says UN envoy

United Nations – The National Arts Theatre in Lagos would be among 200 iconic monuments, buildings, statues, bridges and other landmarks across the world that would be lit up blue on Oct. 24 to mark the founding of UN.

The theatre, located in Iganmu, Lagos State, was completed in 1976 in preparation for the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in 1977.

Ms Cristina Gallach, UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, told reporters in New York on Monday that other monuments include the Empire State Building, UN Headquarters, Tokyo’s SkyTree Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Athen’s Temple of Zeus, Edinburgh Castle, and many others.

She said that the lighting up of the 200 monuments was part of an exciting new global campaign which helped unite global citizens and promoted the message of peace, development and human rights.

According to Gallach, the day is dedicated to the global efforts and achievements of the UN.

The under-secretary-general said this year’s observance would begin on Friday with a special concert featuring a Korean Traditional Music Orchestra and other renowned international artists.

The UN, she said, would celebrate an extraordinary event marking its 70th Anniversary as renowned artist Cristobal Gabarron unveils his monument entitled: “Enlightened Universe” in New York’s famed Central Park.

The monument, she explained, was an interactive sculpture formed by a sphere and surrounded by a spiral of 70 figures, one for each of the 70 years since the UN was created.

She said that the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, would make opening remarks and would be joined by UN officials, staff, diplomats, city officials and global citizens.

She added that the event would take place in Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield entrance on East 72nd and 5th Avenue in New York.

After its display in New York, she said the artwork would be displayed in major cities across the globe.

Oct. 24, 1945, the UN came into force when the five permanent members of the Security Council ratified the charter that had been drawn up earlier that year.

The members were France, the Republic of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Since 1948, the event’s anniversary had been known as United Nations Day.

It is an occasion to highlight, celebrate and reflect on the work of the UN and its family of specialised agencies.

Meanwhile, many activities are organised by all parts of the UN, particularly in the main offices in New York, the Hague (Netherlands), Geneva (Switzerland), Vienna (Austria) and Nairobi (Kenya).

These include concerts, flying the UN flag on important buildings, debates on the relevance of the work of the UN in modern times and proclamations by state heads and other leaders. (NAN)

http://linkis.com/www.vanguardngr.com/kiwUu

AUN STUDENTS DEVISE SOLAR OVENS FOR VILLAGERS

Students of the American University Nigeria creates Solar Ovens and Chicken Tractors... 

Wood-free cooking and organic gardening make for a better life. Professor Charles Reith's students in CDV 107 worked toward that end on Saturday, October 3, when they fabricated solar ovens and chicken tractors to give to the nearby villages.

Rotimi Ogundijo and Matthew Abedoh helped the professor prepare and lead the learning experience.

The student teams worked at the recycling center and used simple materials, recycled when possible. The solar ovens were fashioned from recycled cardboard, glue, masking tape, and aluminum foil. 

Each oven took about 45 minutes to make based on a design first developed in the 1990s at a refugee camp in Kenya. The team used one oven to cook a pot of noodles, which took about 10 minutes to be ready for sampling by Professor Reith and others. Tender and delicious!

Two student teams also created chicken tractors from scrap metal and pieces of chicken wire that had been thrown away. Chicken tractors are screened-in boxes or portable cages used by organic farmers to prepare soil for planting; they confine the chicken in the tractor until it has eaten all the weeds, scratched the soil, and fertilized it with its guano. This is one of many ways organic growers fertilize their farms without using harmful and expensive chemicals.

The students will deliver the ovens and tractors to local villages on a November trip in which they will also install an in-ground composting system such as they built for AUN several weeks ago.

Acknowledgement : www.aun.edu.ng

Babcock University Performs First Heart Surgery

BABCOCK University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State recorded another milestone last Thursday, as the first heart surgery was performed in the institution’s Teaching Hospital, by its doctors. The operation lasted six hours.

The first beneficiary of this feat in the history of the university is a 34-year-old woman, who brimmed with exceptional spirit as she calmly walked through the door with gaiety into the theatre for a life saving venture in the human hands of cardio thoracic surgeons, Professor Kamar Adeleke, Dr. Michael Sanusi, Dr. Mudashiru Lawal and Dr. Edward Anderson, all resident doctors.

According to the institution, there are other 15 critical care personnel in the operating theatre to provide specific required services. They included perfussionists, cardiac operations nurses, internists and anesthesiologists.

Friday’s surgery was a milk valve replacement. Yesterday, another set of patients’ hearts received care from the surgeons’ hearts that care. Dozens of other patients are on the roll call and will have their turn as scheduled from now at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital.

The senior vice president of the university, Professor Iheanyichukwu Okoro, who is also a surgeon said, “So, what is going on now at the Tristate Heart and Vascular Centre of the University is not the last of such operations until all afflicted hearts are rid of that which prevents their effective functioning.”

Okoro and the institution’s Vice president, development and strategy, Mr. Olukunle Iyanda, said the medical feat couldn’t have happened at a better time than this. “This is inspirational and praiseworthy; another achievement by God through mortal men.”

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Youth creates mobile device for the Nigerian market

A Nigerian youth, Ololade Otayemi has created a mobile device that is specifically for the Nigerian market with features that could help Nigerians communicate via text easily with the aid of a keyboard that has their local languages without any misunderstanding.

Speaking during the launching of the device in Abuja, Otayemi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Orbra, an ICT firm based in Nigeria stated that his goals and objectives of creating the device was to give Nigerians a product they would be comfortable with.

Otayemi said: “We wanted to create something for the Nigeria market. Nigeria market is quite peculiar and most of the devices we use are produced for the general market and not for Nigerian market.

“We are tailoring our device for Nigerians. That is the reason the Naira sign have been included in the keyboard, which are not in other devices in the market. Nigerians would be able to send text messages in their indigenous language without being misunderstood. This device will enable us express ourselves well," he said.

According to him, the sale of the device was also aimed at helping the less-privileged in the country, adding that for each device that people buy, N500 was set aside for charity, stressing that government cannot do it alone in providing the basic amenities for the people.

"There are a lot of people we need to take care of. We should be responsible for our country. We don't want to leave the issue of helping the people that need help only to government alone. For each device people buy, N500 is set aside for charity. There are families who cannot survive. The insurgency has brought about many IDPs, we intend to use this medium to help those type of people," he noted.

According to him, what we do basically is that we design mobile Smartphone devices, which we call Orbra Avalanche, Orbra Inferno, Orbra Smart Bracelet, which helps monitor ones fitness.

While speaking about his challenges in starting up his dream, Otayemi stated that when he started designing the device the acceptance wasn't good, adding that so far it has been increasing and the acceptance is getting better.

The young entrepreneur however, noted that Nigerian youths are creative and smart, stressing that the problem most times is that they are not always encouraged and urged government at all levels and individuals to help encourage young people as they strive to achieve their dreams.

Photos of the 2015 Osun-Oshogbo Festival by Ife Martins

The origin and story of Osun festival started over 700 years ago when a group of settlers led by one great hunter Olutimehin, settled at the bank of the river to escape the famine in their former dwelling place. Osun, the water goddess was said to have appeared to Olutimehin and requested him and his group to move up some bit to higher ground – the present Osogbo town.

Osun revealed herself to be the goddess of the grove and of the river and pledged to protect the group and make their women fruitful if only they would offer the annual sacrifice to her in return. The group agreed and vowed to sacrifice annually to the goddess if she would honour her vows. Today, the annual sacrifice has gone past just offering sacrifices to a river goddess, it has become an international celebration of cultural events attracting people from all over the world.

The Osun festival started as an annual sacrifice to a river goddess, it later became a celebration of a river goddess, but today an international celebration of cultural events with attendees from all over the world. The Osun Osogbo festival is no longer a cultural event of the Osogbo or Yoruba people, it has become a global event with tourist or believers in the Osun goddess travel from all over the world to attend the annual cultural event in Osogbo, Osun State.

The Osun Osogbo festival usually lasts for two weeks, and it is celebrated every year in the month of August. The festival commences with Iwopopo, the traditional cleansing of the town from evil, and three days after this the Ina Olujumerindinlogun (16-point lamp), a 600-year-old is lighted.

Nigerian photographer Ife Martins brings to you a few photos that captures the essence and culture of the Osun- Oshogbo Festival 2015

Acknowledgment; Nigerian Bulletin, OkayAfrica.com

Bishop Oyedepo Begins 1000,000 Capacity Fully Air Conditioned Church Project

By Julius Babatunde

*Bishop Oyedepo's Winners' Chapel begins multi-billion naira 'fully air-conditioned' 100,000 capacity church project as Faith Tabernacle attendance surpasses 300,000, becomes world's largest single 'weekly' congregation.


*Targets 700,000 worshipers every Sunday in Faith Tabernacle before end of 2015.
 
The 'Wonder Double' agenda of Bishop Oyedepo, determined to double attendance/membership of all Winners' Chapel churches worldwide seems to have achieved her desired aim, leading to the building of a new 100,000 capacity (possibly 120,000), air conditioned church auditorium. The present 50,000 capacity auditorium, the Faith Tabernacle which has remained the largest in the world for 16 years has served enormously in this mega-growth phase of the church and would finally become a Sunday school facility as the new project is completed.
 
The church has thus called in architects to begin drawings for the project which would be completed by 2018. The attendance which grew from 50,000 in Sept 1999 to 140,000 in January 2011and now to over 300,000 (24,000+ home cell groups) as at Sept 27,2015 makes the church the world's largest single congregation. The Yoido Full Gospel Church (Yoido Soon-Bok-Eum) founded by David Yongi-Cho and now pastored by Young Hoon Lee peaked at 253,000 in 2002. Additionally, the massive cell system grew to 19,515 home cell groups in the same year.
 
One major difference with the new structure is that it would be fully air-conditioned as worshipers have had to grapple with heat due to weather or after very intense praise sessions at the Faith Tabernacle. The vision by Bishop Oyedepo is to have a facility large enough to service up to a million people on Sundays so as to fulfill a prophecy on April 10, 1982 that "very soon, we shall begin to see millions gathering". The prophecies on that day included that of the printing press, church aircraft, branches, 50,000 auditorium among others. Only the gathering of millions prophecy it seems, is yet to be delivered. While the Shiloh attendance via live connection to all her branches worldwide is already in millions, the Bishop believes that the million gathering vision refers to presence in a single place. Attendance at Canaan-land during Shiloh alone is about 300,000.
 
On December 11th 2010, Bishop Oyedepo had since declared that the Faith Tabernacle had become too small and there was a need to move to a bigger place. Again on Sunday, 30th January 2011, he announced to the pastors, future plans to build a new auditorium. 

He reiterated in May 2011, that as functional as the 50,000 capacity building was, it had become inadequate. He then spoke humorously to the whole church on Sept 18, 2011 when the building clocked 12 years 

" Don't you think that we don't have to be in this Sanctuary (50,000 seater) forever, we have to start planning how to build another one. You say 'what are they going to build? Just relax! When the plan comes, you are going to see the plan and the same God who built this without putting pressure on you or me will do it again. We can't end in a small sanctuary like this. God couldn't be bringing all those people and expect that we would be here....for how long? So we have 5 services? Start service at 4am? Or 7 services then you start at 12 midnight?.....we will be stupid not to build another one because the present enlargement is for 7 years. We will also build a place for helicopters to land and there will be no place where we will have helicopters as much as we will have here for Sunday services".

Today, 4 years later, the church conducts 5 services, necessitating the need for a relocation.
 
Interestingly, at the time the Faith Tabernacle was completed, it was easily the largest in the world. Today, the revival in Africa has positively ensured that the Faith Tabernacle can not remain so for much longer.
 
These are the world's largest mega church projects going on presently-all located in Nigeria.

1. MFM's (Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries) Deliverance Auditorium, Prayer City, Mowe, Ogun State,Nigeria-500,000 capacity (commenced 2011-initially estimated to be completed in 5 years)-Pastor Daniel Olukoya

2. Salvation Ministries' Auditorium,Omagwa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria- 90,000 capacity (commenced 2013)-Pastor David Ibiyeomie

3. Apostolic Faith Mission's 'The Great Tabernacle', Faith City, Igbesa, Ogun State, Nigeria-75,000 capacity (commenced 2002)-Rev Emmanuel Adebayo Adeniran. #4. Dunamis International Christian Centre's Auditorium, The Lord's Garden, Abuja, F.C.T

4. Dunamis International Christian Centre's Auditorium, The Lord's Garden, Abuja, F.C.T, Nigeria-70,000 capacity (commenced 2014)-Pastor Paul Enenche

President Buhari’s Speech on Nigeria’s 55th Independence Anniversary

Being text of speech by President Muhammadu Buhari to mark Nigeria’s 55th Independence anniversary.

OCTOBER 1 is a day for joy and celebrations for us Nigerians whatever the circumstances we find ourselves in because it is the day, 55 years ago; we liberated ourselves from the shackles of colonialism and began our long march to nationhood and to greatness.

No temporary problems or passing challenges should stop us from honoring this day. Let us remind ourselves of the gifts God has given us. Our Creator has bequeathed to us Numbers – Nigeria is the ninth most populated country on the planet. We have in addition:

• Arable land
• Water
• Forests
• Oil and gas
• Coastline
• Solid minerals

We have all the attributes of a great nation. We are not there yet because the one commodity we have been unable to exploit to the fullest is unity of purpose. This would have enabled us to achieve not only more orderly political evolution and integration but also continuity and economic progress.

Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by greater coherence and unity of purpose.

Nonetheless, that we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate. We have witnessed this year a sea change in our democratic development. The fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system. Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences.

As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view to join me in working for the nation.

My countrymen and women, every new government inherits problems. Ours was no different. But what Nigerians want are solutions, quick solutions not a recitation of problems inherited. Accordingly, after consultations with the Vice President, senior party leaders and other senior stakeholders, I quickly got down to work on the immediate, medium-term and long-term problems which we must solve if we are to maintain the confidence which Nigerians so generously bestowed on us in the March elections and since then.

As you know, I toured the neighboring countries, marshal a coalition of armed forces of the five nations to confront and defeat Boko Haram. I met also the G-7 leaders and other friendly presidents in an effort to build an international coalition against Boko Haram. Our gallant armed forces under new leadership have taken the battle to the insurgents, and severely weakened their logistical and infrastructural capabilities. Boko Haram are being scattered and are on the run. That they are resorting to shameless attacks on soft targets such as IDP camps is indicative of their cowardice and desperation. I have instructed security and local authorities to tighten vigilance in vulnerable places.

On power, government officials have held a series of long sessions over several weeks about the best way to improve the nation’s power supply in the safest and most cost effective way. In the meantime, improvement in the power supply is moderately encouraging. By the same token, supply of petrol and kerosene to the public has improved throughout the country. All the early signs are that within months the whole country would begin to feel a change for the better.

Preliminary steps have been taken to sanitise NNPC and improve its operations so that the inefficiency and corruption could be reduced to a minimum. Those of our refineries which can be serviced and brought back into partial production would be enabled to resume operations so that the whole sordid business of exporting crude and importing finished products in dubious transactions could be stopped.

In addition to NNPC, I have ordered for a complete audit of our other revenue generating agencies mainly CBN, FIRS, Customs, NCC, for better service delivery to the nation. Prudent housekeeping is needed now more than ever in view of the sharp decline in world market oil prices. It is a challenge we have to face squarely. But what counts is not so much what accrues but how we manage our resources that is important.
We have seen in the last few years how huge resources were mismanaged, squandered and wasted. The new APC government is embarking on a clean up, introducing prudence and probity in public financing.

At an early stage, the Federal Government addressed the issue of salary arrears in many states, a situation capable of degenerating into social unrest. The APC government stepped in to provide short-term support to the owing states and enabled them to pay off the backlog and restore the livelihood of millions of Nigerians.

Fellow Nigerians, there have been a lot of anxiety and impatience over the apparent delay in announcement of ministers. There is no cause to be anxious. Our government set out to do things methodically and properly. We received the handing over notes from the outgoing government only four days before taking over. Consequently, the Joda Transition Committee submitted its report on the re-organisation of Federal Government structure after studying the hand over notes. It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not finalised the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of governance.

Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course. Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for CHANGE is all about.

I would like to end my address this morning on our agenda for CHANGE. Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change about. We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behavior in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens. Happy Independence celebrations. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria