Zone 6A, District 404B2 calls for expanded membership, effective service delivery

The International Association of Lions Clubs, District 404B2, Zone 6A under the leadership of Lion Blessing Modupe Umebali,NLCF. NLEF. on Sunday, January 28, held the 3^rd District Governor’s Advisory Council Committee Meeting at Sporta Club, Agidingbi, Ikeja Lagos. It was designed to scrutinize issue of membership and service under the theme “Expanding Our Membership Strength for Effective Service Delivery” which was delivered by Lion Gertrude Akhimien, PMJF. NLCF. SUCCESS DAMIAN reports.

The District Governor’s Advisory Council Committee of District 404B2 was designed ostensibly to look at the challenges militating against the noble objectives of Lions Clubs, proffer solutions and reporting findings to the District Governor, Lion Asiwaju Ayobola Samuel JP. MJF. NLCF. This is to ensure that the Lions remain alive to their responsibility of putting smiles on the faces of the less-privileged.

At the 3^rd edition of Zone 6A Governor’s Advisory Council Committee Meeting, Lion Gertrude Akhimien, Region Chairperson and Speaker of the day captured the essence and benefits of Lions Clubs in her speech titled “Expanding Our Membership Strength for Effective Service Delivery.”

She said “The most important benefit of being a Lion is the satisfaction and recognition that comes with serving the less privileged in your immediate community, making positive differences in their lives and also supporting humanitarian efforts the world over.”


Akhimien disclosed that “The international Association of Lions clubs has always encouraged efforts to increase its members. The reason is not far-fetched. In every Organisation there must be plans put in place to ensure its survival. This usually includes the grooming of young managers who will take over the mantle of leadership.

“In addition, as individuals we can only do so much, but when we work together as a team, we can make the impossible a reality. Each new member that accepts to join a lion’s club represents an opportunity to help more people and such a person will bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to the club. In addition Clubs who bring in new members are also recognized by the parent body of lions club International in Oak Brook.

“The Club must plan activities that serve the needs of the society. The community should be engaged to determine their needs before the activities are carried out. The activities must be impactful so that people in the community can be impressed and new members can be invited to join the club,” the Region Chairperson stated.

Akhimien further said that the clubs must publicize their activities so that people get to know about lions and their activities through newspaper publications, TV and other media.

Meanwhile the Zone 6A Chairperson, Blessing Modupe Umebali in her welcome address said Membership in Lions Clubs means an opportunity to meet and work with other individuals in a spirit of fellowship, striving towards common goals.

“Lions have responded to many challenges and to many opportunities. We have acted to meet the needs of our communities and have accepted the responsibility to make life meaningful for others. Membership however, is by invitation. The sponsor of a new member has vital responsibilities to educate, orientate and guide the new Lion while the new member has the obligation to give his/her time, talent and treasure to serve,”Umebali stated.

She continued, “As leaders in our various clubs the District Governor Lion Asiwaju Ayobola Samuel is calling on all members of clubs to imbibe the spirit of Adding Quality Members who believe in serving others with their 3t’s time, talent and treasure.”

Lion Tolulope Senbanjo, President Ikeja Dynamic Lions Club and Zone 6A Secretary speaking on the work of District Governor’s Advisory Council Committee said “At the Zone level we organize the Committee to see the challenges we are facing then we can report directly to the District Governor. Today is the 3^rd in the series of the committee meeting and the decision we reach here would be forwarded to the District Governor, We talk about issues ranging from Membership to finance, how to grow sustainable club members, so far the report we have been getting is laudable.”

On the achievements of the Advisory Council Committee, Senbanjo said “I think for one when people are not monitored they become complacent, but with this, members are monitored, you are kept on your toes, making sure your clubs are carrying out projects to ensure the purpose of being a Lion is achieved.”

On the challenges of the Zone, he said “Finance has always been the problem, it is difficult to make people part with their money, but those that don’t have money they make it up with their time and talent.”

Lion John Oriazowa Second Vice President, Ikeja Metro, said “The major objective of Lions Clubs is to care for the needy, to see how we can put smiles on the less-privileged,”

On his club’s activities he said “On the 26 of January we carried out a project where we were able to provide for the less privileged children, we also taught people how to raise money to balance their homes. That is what we stand for, to deliver quality service and make sure people are okay.”

Deji Tinubu, SA to Ambode slumps, dies

Success Damian:

Deji Tinubu, the Special Adviser to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Commerce, is dead.

Information reaching Newworldnewsng has it that Deji, who was the former Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, died late on Thursday during a novelty match in the Epe area of Lagos State.

The State Executive members and other top government functionaries are in Epe for a retreat.

It also was learnt that Tinubu slumped in the field and was confirmed dead at a hospital in Epe.

Forget 2019, Obasanjo writes Buhari, APC, calls for Coalition for Nigeria Movement: Full text

Success Damian:

Chief (Dr.) Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President has written to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to “honourably dismount from the Horse” and join the league of the country’s former leaders whose “experience, influence, wisdom, and outreach can be deployed on the sideline for the good of the country.”

 “He has a role to play on the sideline for the good of Nigeria, Africa, and humanity and I will see him as a partner in playing such a role nationally and internationally, but not as a horse rider in Nigeria again.”

“The lice of poor performance in government – poverty, insecurity, poor economic management, nepotism, gross dereliction of duty, condonation of misdeed – if not outright encouragement of it, lack of progress and hope for the future, lack of national cohesion and poor management of internal political dynamics and widening inequality – are very much with us today,” he wrote.

“With such lice of general and specific poor performance and crying poverty with us, our fingers will not be dry of ‘blood’,” he added.

OBJ thanked Buhari for the way he handled the Boko Haram crisis but pointed out that he failed to be efficient in other areas. He admitted knowing that Buhari was weak in handling the economy, he went ahead and voted for him because at the time “it was a matter of ‘any option but Jonathan’” and because he thought Mr. Buhari would appoint qualified Nigerians to help out in that area.

He slammed Mr. Buhari for turning a blind eye to corruption within his government saying it amounted to condonation and cover-up saying whoever is “going to justice must be with clean hands.”

He also berated Mr. Buhari for allowing the clashes between herdsmen and farmers to go “sour” and messy saying the endorsement of the President by some governors to seek re-election barely 24 hours after 73 people who were killed by herdsmen in Benue State were given mass burial was “a sad symptom of insensitivity and callousness.”

But Mr. Obasanjo reserved his harshest words for what he described as Mr. Buhari’s clannishness, lack of understanding of the dynamics of politics, and his tendencies to pass the buck of his government’s inadequacies to the immediate past administration.

“But there are three other areas where President Buhari has come out more glaringly than most of us thought we knew about him. One is nepotic deployment bordering on clannishness and inability to bring discipline to bear on errant members of his nepotic court. This has grave consequences on performance of his government to the detriment of the nation. It would appear that national interest was being sacrificed on the altar of nepotic interest. What does one make of a case like that of Maina: collusion, condonation, ineptitude, incompetence, dereliction of responsibility or kinship and friendship on the part of those who should have taken visible and deterrent disciplinary action? How many similar cases are buried, ignored or covered up and not yet in the glare of the media and the public?

“The second is his poor understanding of the dynamics of internal politics. This has led to wittingly or unwittingly making the nation more divided and inequality has widened and become more pronounced. It also has effect on general national security.

“The third is passing the buck. For instance, blaming the Governor of the Central Bank for devaluation of the naira by 70% or so and blaming past governments for it, is to say the least, not accepting one’s own responsibility. Let nobody deceive us, economy feeds on politics and because our politics is depressing, our economy is even more depressing today. If things were good, President Buhari would not need to come in. He was voted to fix things that were bad and not engage in the blame game.”

Mr Obasanjo thus argued that neither Mr Buhari nor his party, the All Progressives Congress hold the solution to the country’s problems. He suggested that Mr Buhari was not healthy enough to withstand the rigour associated with running a country like Nigeria neither does his party capable of providing the answer needed to sail the country through its difficulties.

Mr Obasanjo said Buhari should step down at the end of his first term with honour and dignity and attend to his health and should not listen to the his “self-serving so-called advisers who would claim that they love him more than God loves him and that without him, there would be no Nigeria.”

“President Buhari needs a dignified and honourable dismount from the horse. He needs to have time to reflect, refurbish physically and recoup and after appropriate rest, once again, join the stock of Nigerian leaders whose experience, influence, wisdom and outreach can be deployed on the side line for the good of the country. His place in history is already assured. Without impaired health and strain of age, running the affairs of Nigeria is a 25/7 affair, not 24/7.

“I only appeal to brother Buhari to consider a deserved rest at this point in time and at this age. I continue to wish him robust health to enjoy his retirement from active public service. President Buhari does not necessarily need to heed my advice. But whether or not he heeds it, Nigeria needs to move on and move forward,” he said.

“I have had occasion in the past to say that the two main political parties – APC and PDP – were wobbling. I must reiterate that nothing has happened to convince me otherwise. If anything, I am reinforced in my conviction. The recent show of PDP must give grave and great concern to lovers of Nigeria.

“To claim, as has been credited to the chief kingmaker of PDP, that for procuring the Supreme Court judgement for his faction of the Party, he must dictate the tune all the way and this is indeed fraught with danger.

“If neither APC nor PDP is a worthy horse to ride to lead Nigeria at this crucial and critical time, what then do we do? Remember Farooq Kperogi, an Associate Professor at the Kennesaw State University, Georgia, United States, calls it “a cruel Hobson’s choice; it’s like a choice between six and half a dozen, between evil and evil. Any selection or deflection would be a distinction without a difference.” We cannot just sit down lamenting and wringing our hands desperately and hopelessly.

He ruled out the PDP and the ruling APC of possessing the panacea to the malaise that ails the country. Mr Obasanjo therefore called for a movement he termed Coalition of Nigeria, which he offered to be a part of, to wrest power from the present ruling class and lead the country into the path of rebirth.

“We can collectively save ourselves from the position we find ourselves. It will not come through self-pity, fruitless complaint or protest but through constructive and positive engagement and collective action for the good of our nation and ourselves and our children and their children. We need moral re-armament and engaging togetherness of people of like-mind and goodwill to come solidly together to lift Nigeria up. This is no time for trading blames or embarking on futile argument and neither should we accept untenable excuses for non-performance.

“Let us accept that the present administration has done what it can do to the limit of its ability, aptitude and understanding. Let the administration and its political party platform agree with the rest of us that what they have done and what they are capable of doing is not good enough for us. They have given as best as they have and as best as they can give. Nigeria deserves and urgently needs better than what they have given or what we know they are capable of giving. To ask them to give more will be unrealistic and will only sentence Nigeria to a prison term of four years if not destroy it beyond the possibility of an early recovery and substantial growth.

“The development and modernization of our country and society must be anchored and sustained on dynamic Nigerian culture, enduring values and an enchanting Nigerian dream. We must have abiding faith in our country and its role and place within the comity of nations. Today, Nigeria needs all hands on deck. All hands of men and women of goodwill must be on deck. We need all hands to move our country forward.

“We need a Coalition for Nigeria, CN. Such a Movement at this juncture needs not be a political party but one to which all well-meaning Nigerians can belong. That Movement must be a coalition for democracy, good governance, social and economic well-being and progress. Coalition to salvage and redeem our country. You can count me with such a Movement. Last time, we asked, prayed and worked for change and God granted our request. This time, we must ask, pray and work for change with unity, security and progress. And God will again grant us. Of course, nothing should stop such a Movement from satisfying conditions for fielding candidates for elections. But if at any stage the Movement wishes to metamorphose into candidate-sponsoring Movement for elections, I will bow out of the Movement because I will continue to maintain my non-partisan position. Coalition for Nigeria must have its headquarters in Abuja.

“This Coalition for Nigeria will be a Movement that will drive Nigeria up and forward. It must have a pride of place for all Nigerians, particularly for our youth and our women. It is a coalition of hope for all Nigerians for speedy, quality and equal development, security, unity, prosperity and progress. It is a coalition to banish poverty, insecurity and despair. Our country must not be oblivious to concomitant danger around, outside and ahead. Coalition for Nigeria must be a Movement to break new ground in building a united country, a socially-cohesive and moderately prosperous society with equity, equality of opportunity, justice and a dynamic and progressive economy that is self-reliant and takes active part in global division of labour and international decision-making.

“The Movement must work out the path of development and the trajectory of development in speed, quality and equality in the short- medium- and long-term for Nigeria on the basis of sustainability, stability, predictability, credibility, security, cooperation and prosperity with diminishing inequality. What is called for is love, commitment and interest in our country, not in self, friends and kinship alone but particularly love, compassion and interest in the poor, underprivileged and downtrodden.

Fire guts Ogoluwa Plank Market in Ifelodun LCDA, Lagos

Success Damian

It was a night of sorrow as fire descended on Ogoluwa Plank Market in Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos, destroying goods and property worth millions.

The fire which occurred about 2 am on Wednesday raised the market with no item left.

A woman who simply gave her name as Iyaloja Ogoluwa, speaking on the cause of the fire incident said she could not ascertain the cause of the fire.

“I don’t Know what caused the fire because it happened in the night. They call me say fire is happening in our market, as I come I see fire I no no wetin causam.”

On how many people were affected by the fire she disclosed that everybody in the market was affected, “The fire touch everybody. I no fit count them.” She added that the area boys in the community were battling the fire before the arrival of firefighters.

She said the market leaders have informed the Ifelodun LCDA and the Chairman has paid a visit to the market on Wednesday so as to see what happened.

Yet a woman who craved anonymity said the fire was caused by a generator, saying “A man in one house near the market de on generator and he is using handset light and the gen catch fire, when it catch fire, he carry the gen and throw it over the fence and the fire enter the market, she narrated.

A visit to the market shows that the traders were making effort to put some structures back so that they could start trading again even as the Iyaloja disclosed that the government has not done anything for now and begged the authorities and public spirited individuals and organizations to come to the assistance of the traders in the market as the place is the only avenue to get their daily bread.

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District 404B2 Nigeria holds 3 in 1 Programme, remembers less-privileged

Lions Clubs International, District 404B2 Nigeria, under the able leadership of District Governor, Lion Asiwaju Ayobola Samuel, during the weekend hosted an event termed 3 in 1 Programme which was made up of a party with the less-privileged children, Relieving Hunger and to mark the birthday of Melvin Jones & Lion (Dr.) Naresh Aggarwal. Venue was Ojuwoye Community Nursery/Primary (Inclusive) Special School, Olateju, Mushin, Lagos. There was a consensus that charity is the responsibility of all. SUCCESS DAMIAN reports.

Alms-giving, caring for the poor with their treasure, time and talent becomes the summary of the goals of Lions Clubs International, especially District 404B2 Nigeria. No wonder the club decided to host three in one event with the less-privileged children, to put smile on their faces.

Three in one commenced with protocol of the association which involved Lions International Purposes taken by Lion Oluwakemi Abimbola Eribake, Chairperson Lions Quest, while Lion Blessing Umebali, the indefatigable Chairperson, Zone 6A of District 404B2 read the Lions Code of Ethics. There was eating, drinking and dancing.

Yet there was Expo where the children displayed different range of products which include soap, detergents, beads and many other handicraft. Ideally, the District Governor and other Lions patronize the high quality products which can compete favourably with any other in any part of the world.

Speaking to Newworldnewsng, the District Governor, Ayodele Samuel said “We have three events rolled into one. As a tradition, at the end of every year, we celebrate end of year party with the less-privileged children, Again traditionally we have worldwide event for Relieving Hunger, then 13^th of January is the birthday of the Founder of Lions Club International, Melvin Jones, and the current President of Lions Club International, Lion (Dr.) Naresh Aggarwal is celebrating his birthday today. So we have to marry the three events together, first for relieving hunger, the end of year party for the less-privileged children and birthday for our founder and Lions club president.”

On the choice of Ojumoye Community School, he said “We chose the school one because of the location, secondly the school has a number of children with special needs; all we needed to do was to bring a few others to join them.”

He also spoke on the challenges facing the organization. “The challenge confronting the organization is the issue of finance probably because of the prevailing economic challenges, it is also biting hard on our members, some of them find it difficult to redeem their membership dues as and when due, so don’t forget that most of our revenue come from membership dues from members so if they find it difficult, it also reflect on the purse of the association. The economy is also taking its toll on the district.”

He said Nigerians should see charity as a way of life. “They should rather join us to expand our area of coverage and expand our service or even on their own give helping hand to the less-privileged, it is a call to service to all Nigerians regardless of whether they are Lions or not.”

Ayobola who is also the Permanent Secretary; Youth and Sports and that of Women Affairs and Social Development said he manages his time very well in other to be able to carry out his triple functions effectively.

“It is the work and glory of God. But at the human level, I tried to plan my activities, I manage my time very well, I look at the schedule of activities in my office so that they do not clash. More so, I have directors in the ministries that are equally as good, I am just lucky to be first among equals, so I delegate a lot of responsibilities to them, and follow up by monitoring them very well”.

Lion Caroline Adediran, Chairperson for Lions Device for Children was the Guest Speaker. She delivered a paper titled Rendering Service to Humanity.

She stressed the need for people to see charity as a call to service “I consider it right that we can all render service to humanity individually and corporately, your neighbor is the next person and every person.”

She said aside party for the less-privilege children, members should deny themselves of certain personal comforts to provide for the needy such as payment of school fees for the children of the less-privileged.

Highlights at the event include dance and drama by pupils of Ojumoye Community Primary School, and presentation of award to children from the district who made the club proud by coming first and third in a national competition.

Globacom mobile speaks on ‘acquisition of 9Mobile’

Success Damian:

Globacom, Telecommunications giant, has dissociated itself from media reports which suggested that it was the preferred bidder to acquire telecommunications company, 9Mobile.

In a press statement made available to media in Lagos on Friday said: “Globacom has not acquired 9Mobile as widely reported in the media.”

“We are bound by the terms of the acquisition process as stipulated by the authorities handling it and we will not in any way sway or deviate from the rules.”

The statement further stated “We repose confidence in Barclays Africa, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which are handling the process that will lead to the emergence of a new owner for the company.

“Globacom urges all stakeholders and, indeed, the Nigerian public to disregard the report,” the statement concluded

NCC announces new bidding deadline for acquisition of 9mobile

Success Damian

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a new deadline to conclude bidding for the acquisition of 9Mobile

The new date is Jan. 16, as against Dec. 31, 2017, the former date.

Tony Ojobo, the Director, Public Affairs of NCC, in a statement on Friday said that the extension was because there had not been any preferred bidder for the acquisition of 9Mobile.

He stated that an approval of the request for extension of time by the 9Mobile Interim Board was given by the two regulators, NCC and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to Ojobo, the approval set the deadline for the receipt of biding offers from the prospective bidders till Jan. 16, 2018.

“Our attention has been drawn to newspaper publications alleging that a preferred bidder has been anointed to acquire 9Mobile and otherwise speculating on the outcome of the ownership transfer process.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to provide clarification that Barclays Africa remains in full control of the process leading to the emergence of a new owner for the company.

“Barclays has not authorised any publication on the matter and is obliged to maintain full confidentiality thereon.

“Contrary to speculations that a winner will be announced on the same day (Jan.16), we wish to clarify that Barclays is expected to review the bids received by the deadline and to make recommendations to the 9Mobile Interim Board thereafter,’’ Ojobo said.

He said that the NCC and the CBN would be duly notified once the 9Mobile Interim Board accepted Barclays’ recommendations and a winning bid was determined in accordance with the terms of the exercise.

According to him, the winner will now apply to NCC, in order to commence the processes for securing the regulatory approvals necessary for full effect of the transfer. 

Scores missing after pipeline explosion

Success Damian:

Many people have been reported missing on Thursday as a heavy explosion gutted the Nigeria Gas Company pipeline in Ugbokodo community near the Warri Refinery in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.

Sources said the explosion occurred about 4am, forcing residents of the community to scamper for safety  when they discovered that the fire was advancing towards their homes.

Residents, including children, who fled into the bush following the raging fire were still missing as at about 4:30pm on Thursday

It took the combined efforts of the men of the fire services from NGC, Warri Refinery and other agencies to put off the fire about at about 8am.

So far, the authorities have not said that any life was lost in the incident.

Confirming the explosion, the Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi, said he had yet to get a full briefing about the development.

Ohanaeze Youth Council urges for restoration of Biafra through peaceful referendum

Success Damian

Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, has advised those agitating for Restoration of Biafra to focus on universally accepted peaceful referendum.

The group handed the call while directing agitators to disregard rumour of Federal Government’s plan to establish a military barracks in Afara-Ukwu, Abia State, the country home of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

In a statement signed by its National Vice President, Comrade Obinna Achionye, the group also admonished the Federal Government to urgently rebuild the Palace of Eze Israel Kanu of Afara Ukwu, father of Kanu, allegedly destroyed last September when soldiers raided it in search of the IPOB leader.

The youths said rebuilding the palace could go a long way in assuaging the anger of the community on the illegal invasion of the community by soldiers.

“After our investigation, we assure IPOB that there is no iota of truth on the planned establishment of a mini military barracks in Afara.

 “Though we are not holding forth for Federal Government or Abia state Government on the issue, but it is high time we reconcile with all agitators and heal the wounds of Python Dance which left many Igbo youths dead, many Igbo youths are still in the morgue and we are worried of how they will be buried”.

Buhari holds secret meeting with El Rufai and other Northern Governors

Success Damian

President Muhammadu Buhari has held a secret meeting with Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and other state governors from the Northern region.

The meeting held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa after the Juma'at prayers on Friday, January 12.

The meeting was reportedly held behind closed-doors at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja just minutes after the Jumaat prayers.

The governors who were at the meeting include those of Kaduna,

Yobe, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Adamawa and Kano states.

Addressing State House reporters later, Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-rufai, said they had no apology meeting the president over the 2019 presidential election.

Happy People’s Club of Lagos marks end of year, focuses on the less-privileged

Chief Emeka Anozodo, Egobutonwanne, the Chairman of Happy People’s Social Club of Lagos is wowed by the stride the club has made in its five months of existence. The club which focuses on helping the less-privileged held an end of year bash late December at Becan Hotel, Ejigbo, Lagos. SUCCESS DAMIAN reports.

The club which started with nothing had made so much progress within the shortest space of time.

Anozodo, the club chairman said “As at today the club has been registered and we have gotten our CAC from the Corporate Affairs Commission, we have opened an account in the bank, in fact, we have moved far.

“About 70% of the Founders of this club came from another club. We left the club when we discovered certain unimaginable financial discrepancies on the part of leaders of that club, we protested but they were showing some level of impunity. We felt that they would show remorse but they became emboldened, so we that have the philosophy of happiness and wanted things done in the right way had to leave that club to organize this one and called it Happiness Social Club of Lagos,” he said.

Anozodo spoke to Newworldnewsng on the aim of the club “For us the members, being in a club is not for keeping malice or being in enmity with one another but a place for happiness. We intended to call the club Ezi okwu bu ndu (Truth is life) but later we changed it to Happiness Social Club, a platform where we can gather and be happy.

“Part of our aim is to ensure that we are happy. Another is that if any of our active members has any challenge we make sure that he stands up again in order to continue to be happy with us. Again, if any of our members is having an event in the village, it is compulsory for all of us to travel and be with him. You don’t have an excuse not to travel unless where it is proven that the member is incapacitated. We don’t celebrate our members when they die, we celebrate them when they are alive. However, if a members dies, because death is inevitable, we still honour the member.

Membership is not based on money. If a rich man wants to be our member he is welcome, but money is not a criteria, we look at character and being useful to the society.

He said the club is open to people from the six Igbo speaking states and Delta, but added that those who married from any of these Igbo speaking states can also be admitted.

On the programme for the day he said there is music, drinks and dance.

Ibe Okechukwu, the Treasurer & Legal Adviser of the club said “My vision is same as the vision of the club, which is formed on the basis of love, truthfulness, oneness, unity, progress and brotherhood, and also to help the less-privileged. We are actually coming from somewhere, and we form this club and call it happy people’s club.

“You cannot compare happiness with anything, it is good to be happy, when you are happy everything moves, things move in a positive light, the club is a conglomerate of happy people.

“Just 5 months old for us to be able to afford this party tonight, it shows we are making progress, from goodwill, free donation, it shows that we are going somewhere, we are happy,” Okechukwu said

Ambode reshuffles cabinet, sacks 3, appoints 5 new commissioners

 Success Damian:

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has reshuffled his cabinet in which 3 commissioners were sacked and 5 new ones appointed.

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, on Thursday, the three affected cabinet members are Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, Mr Femi Odubiyi and Mr Anifowoshe Abiola.

The newly appointed cabinet members are Mr. Hakeem Fahm (Ministry of Science and Technology); Mr. Ladi Lawanson (Ministry of Transportation); Mr Segun Banjo (Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget); Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye (Ministry of Commerce and Industry) and Mr. Hakeem Sulaiman (Communities and Communications).

Other major deployments indicate that Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye from Commerce and Industry to Physical Planning and Urban Development; Mr. Steve Ayorinde from Ministry of Information and Strategy to Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan from Communities and Communication to Ministry of Information and Strategy; Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi Etti from Ministry of Wealth Creation to Ministry of the Environment; Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf from Ministry of Youth and Social Development to Ministry of Wealth Creation; Mr. Agboola Dabiri from Central Business District to Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

Others include: Dr. Samuel Adejare from Ministry of the Environment to Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development; Engr. Ade Akinsanya from Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development to Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

Mr. Benjamin Olabinjo has been moved from Special Adviser Commerce and Industry to become Special Adviser Civic Engagement, while Mr. Kehinde Joseph moved from Special Adviser Civic Engagement to become Special Adviser Housing. Mr. Deji Tinubu, Special Adviser Sports has been redeployed as Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce and Industry and Mr. Anofiu Elegushi moves from Special Adviser Transport to become Special Adviser, Central Business District.

The new Commissioners are expected to be cleared by the State House of Assembly, while the other redeployment and postings take immediate effect.

Omisore: weeping for the poor

Success Damian:

In his characteristics and warm-heartedness, former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has demonstrated his kindness and love to humanity by lifting retirees, pensioners and widows in Osun State on 31^st December 2017.

Senator Iyiola Omisore at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat, at Ogo Oluwa, Gbongan-Osogbo Road, Oshogbo celebrated the end of the year’s get together with this group of hapless indigenes of Osun by distributing clothing materials and food items to them.

Omisore condemned a situation where someone would have worked actively for the government for over 35 years and be neglected after retirement by a ‘callous government’ who refused to pay them their retirement benefits for over 12 months. He enumerated that the main reason for providing this succour is to wipe away their tears during the yuletide festive season.

“It is our responsibility to bring joy to the less privileged and make them realise that their cry could still be heard in the state by people like us”.

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Senator Omisore in his speech emphasised on the importance of giving, adding that giving to the needy should not be the job of the rich alone but a task for everyone who has the means in the society.

He informed the people that his foundation has been giving to the needy for over 15 years and that he belonged to other global philanthropic organisations that give to the poor around the world.

“Such institution includes the “I Will Give” programme which was initiated to help your neighbour in any way you can.  I WILL GIVE is an innovative platform to expand domestic financing from organised philanthropy, community giving and corporate social responsibility. If I could join such organisations to help people in other communities across West Africa, why should I not bring such help to my own people?” Omisore explained.

He revealed that his yearly giving programme at Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital Complex, (OAUTHC) marks 15 years this year. He used the initiative to bring joy to the hearts of the patients on January 1^st every year, in order to wipe away their tears and give them hope.

Techtiary Forum: Extraclass.ng wins N1m Taiwo Bankole Ogunyemi Priize

Success Damian

Extraclass.ng, recently won the star prize of N1 million dubbed Taiwo Bankole Ogunyemi Prize at the Techtiary Forum 2017.

The Forum was organised by Paradigm Initiative, a social enterprise, which connects youths with ICT-enabled opportunities.

The Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative (PIN) Gbenga Sesan, while presenting the N1 million cheque (mock) to the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Extraclass.ng, Onyinyechi Nmecha, commended the innovative platform and advised the team to work more assiduously in order to make good use presented by the prize money.

Sesan believes that a big part of the price money would go into building capacity of extraclass.ng to do more in the market place.

Techtiary Forum 2017 which was a two-day programme with the theme, “Geek Entrepreneur – Beyond Coding” was held on November 28 and 29 in Yaba, Lagos.

Nmecha expressed her happiness after coming on top pitching along other 30 founders, developers, teams and Co-Founders.

In an exclusive interview with The AUTHORITY, Sesan said “Techtiary Forum is an Annual event that we have for our students in tertiary institutions, hence the name tertiary and Tech. The idea is basically to work with students in tertiary institutions, so they don’t spend their time just to passing courses and getting certificates and then looking for jobs.

“The idea of tertiary is that we go through a multi-years programme where in year one students start what they would do when they graduate. They pick up relevant skills such that when they are doing their final year it is not one copy and pest thing they are doing, but a business idea or a project or something they can deploy.

On those that are qualified for Techtiary Forum, Sesan answered that it is meant for any student in Nigeria who is interested in the forum, adding that the focus is technology and that the students can come from any discipline as long as they are passionate and committed to the process.

On the choice of the panelists, he said “The choice of the panelists are based on their practical experiences, to talk to the students on how do you find money and how you do not focus on money, but by providing solutions, and then you can be rewarded with finance and other things. That is why we brought people who have succeeded, somebody who can tell them why I shut those companies, or why I open this company, practical experience.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Lucy.ng, an online superstore, Olaleye Lawoyi Lucas, who was one of the panelists said “We actually make it easy for individuals and corporate organisations to buy items for seasons, occasions and events.

He said his business has been on for 3 years and have sold about 250, 000 products worth over N80million since inception ago.

England confirm friendly against Nigeria ahead Russia 2018 World Cup

Success Damian:

England have confirmed a friendly against Nigeria scheduled for June 2, ahead of Russia 2018 World Cup.

The tune-up encounter will take place at the Wembley Stadium five days before Gareth Southgate’s men travel to Leeds to take on Costa Rica at Elland Road.

The Three Lions tactician hinged his choice of the three-time African champions and the Central American side on the fact that they would be facing teams like Tunisia and Panama from the regions in Group G at the global showpiece, hence the need to book the ties.

Buhari appoints Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, Director General for NIA

Success Damian

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Ahmed Rufai Abubakar as the substantive Director General for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

The new Director General is a retired career Foreign Service officer; till his appointment Abubakar served as Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) on Foreign Affairs/International Relations.

Abubakar had extensive experience working with the United Nations in peace support operations, mediation process, preventive diplomacy and good offices, as well as the promotion of good governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights.

He also briefly served as Senior Adviser at the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), with headquarters in Ndjamena, Chad, before his appointment as SSAP.

Abubakar holds a B.A degree in French Language and Literature, and an M.A degree in Francophone Maghrebian Literature, both from Bayero University, Kano.

He is also fluent in English and Arabic.

The appointment takes immediate effect