Vote for a thief, if we are thieves, Bishop Otusanya tells Nigerians

Success Damian:

Bishop (Dr.) Olufemi Otusanya (Omomajemi), the Prophet of the Most High God & General Overseer of True Covenant Church of God (TCCG) has asked Nigerians to vote for a thief if they, Nigerians are thieves.

Otusanya stated this during the Church dedication of Alapere-Ketu Branch of TCCG and Fund Raising for Musical Instrument which took place on Sunday, January 27, 2019.

While advising Nigerians on the upcoming general election in 2019, the young bishop said “Nigerians should pray very well. If we did any mistake now, it is going to be a problem, because the outcome of this election is going to be the defining moment, Nigerians depend on this election so much in order to move forward or move backward.

“I am telling you the truth. We should not make mistake in choosing.  Again Nigerians should pray very hard because there is going to be some bloodshed, we should pray against that. Third we should try and choose right,” Otusanya said.

On his choice of presidential candidate in the 2019 presidential election he said “I will just tell Nigerians, if we are thieves, we should vote for a thief, but if we are not thieves we should vote for somebody that is fighting against corruption.”

On his take on the anti-corruption fight by the present administration he said “Though some people complain that they are not satisfied, I agree with that, but all is politics. I also believe if the man comes back the second time he will change the system.”

Speaking on his vision for Alapere branch, he said, “Alapere is going to have another branch that is bigger than this particular branch. I see that in two years’ time, it will get bigger because people want us in Alapere. God is going to use us mightily in Alapere.”

Otusanya has advice for the youths “Our youths must be calm, we should be prayerful; they should believe more in God because it is only God that can do it. And I believe Nigeria will be better by the special grace of God. I always think about the youth because government has not done much for the youth.”

On empowerment, he said his church has empowerment programmes under the Bishop Omomajemu Foundation. “I want to empower many women, the youth, many less-privileged, we are going to start this month, so I want to do more.”

Otusanya spoke further “The youth is the future, but I don’t see that future yet, because the people in government continue to recycle themselves, the government should please pave way for the youths in their administration so that the youth can prepare for the future. When it comes to religious matter as leaders of tomorrow, God has used some of us, so tomorrow is going to be okay when it comes to religious matter in Nigeria.”  

NOSA rewards excellence in Newland, promises scholarship

Success Damian:

Newland Old Students Association (NOSA) was brought to existence with vision to be model Alumni association worthy of the name of the great institution it represents and help develop the alma-mater to its fullest capacity.

It is also part of its mission statement to develop sound and latest communication network to reach all the old students as well as harness resources in a pool which will be beneficial to not just members but the current students, teachers and society at large.

NOSA recently gave out awards to 10 best students of Newland Secondary School, located among the 19 schools at the Tolu Schools Complex in Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government of Lagos. The students were chosen based on their excellent performances in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

Kunle Adebambo, the initiator and global president of NOSA said membership of the association currently is made up of set 1987 to 2018. “I graduated from this school in 1993 and since then, we started this association, and we registered the association with the corporate affairs commission two years ago and since then we were able to bring together all the other sets and we have been coming to the school on a quarterly basis, to give motivational talks to current students, as well as encouraging them, including scholarship and awards.

‘Last year we gave award to best students in art, science and commercial, the same as today. We have also extended award giving and scholarship giving to the best ten students; that graduated from the school. The association will take care of their tuition fee from first year till graduation,” Adebambo revealed.

While stating that the school was established 37 ago, Adebambo revealed that he leveraged on information Technology especially Facebook and Whatsapp platforms to coordinate the entire 31 sets which the school has produced.

Adebambo spoke also on various initiatives designed by the group to assist members, and the school as a whole “As I speak to you we have a cooperative society running under this alumni, The Newland Alumni Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited (NACOMS LTD), a registered society under Lagos State Cooperative where interested members pool funds together for lucrative and legitimate Business opportunities, we also have a registered cooperative society on Ogun State, Newland Alumni Farmers’ Cooperative, as I talk to you we have a farm, I am talking of the business arms.

On the membership strength he said once you graduate, automatically you become a member of the association. We have over 16,000 members.

He said the current First Lady of Kogi State graduated from the school in 1996 and most of the NOSA members are doing well in their various human endeavours. So we are working towards bringing every member in Newland as time progresses.

Among the students awarded for their excellent performance were Joy Ekeh, Best in Humanity; Onyegbule Christian, Adetinehin Daniel, among others.

Nwankwo Victor the Best student in Sciences as well as Overall Best Student speaking on behalf of other awardees thanked NOSA for the award. He said the award goes beyond the medal and cash reward, it is an added motivation to do better in all their human endeavours.

Hyacinth Ahaneku is a 1993 graduate of the Newland Secondary School, currently practicing Medicine in America as a doctor. He said the Association is an opportunity to connect with school.

On impact of the association on the student he said it is an opportunity for the students to find their role models, and to connect with people that have been there before. One of the things being talked about today is an opportunity to give back to the society, if we can shape as many of the students leaving our schools today, then we can shape our future.”

Odesanya Olusegun Adenuga is the Principal of the School, he said since he assumed duty three was ago, “NOSA has been visiting the school every year, to donate prices to the best three students, from science, humanities, that is art and Business and commercial departments as a way of motivating the current students to work harder in their studies, they also come to give them motivational talk.”

He appreciated NOSA in the following words “It is a great idea having the old students coming to encourage the current students, because for them to sacrifice their time and money, it is very commendable, and for the current students, it is a great source of motivation. By December last year when they held their award party, the three best students were invited, it is another way of encouraging them.”

Mrs Nkechi Sandra Chikeluba Onyebuch also a 1993 graduate of Newland, now a fashion designer and a mother she advised the current students to be good to their parents, teachers and constituted authorities.

Lagos Anglican unveils Centenary logo, as Danjuma, Olumakaiye make case for the poor

Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Bishop Humphrey B. Olumakaiye, Bishop of the Lagos Diocese Anglican Communion and Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, a strong pillar in Anglican Church and Grand Patron of the Centenary Anniversary celebration of the Lagos Anglican Communion made advocacy for the poor at Lagos City Hall, Lagos Island on Saturday, during the unveiling of Centenary logo to mark 100 years Anniversary of Lagos Anglican Communion. CYRIACUS NNAJI reports.

The unveiling of Centenary Logo/Inauguration of Divine Mandate Partners of the Lagos Anglican communion attracted who is who in society.

 Speaking to the crème de la crème of the church, captains of industry and politicians who graced the occasion, Gen. Danjuma, expressed appreciation to the Diocese for the laudable centenary city project especially as it was designed to also harbor a low cost housing estate for the poor and needy. He stated that Housing and Transport were two ingredients of survival Lagosians.

Danjuma stressed his total commitment and support for the centenary city project saying “I observed the very ambitious programme to build a centenary city. I am very happy, particularly with the mention of providing housing for the poor and the needy.” He encouraged the people to ensure that funds for the project are realised as early as possible.

He also thanked the bishop of Lagos Anglican Communion for resolving in a peaceful manner all the grievances he met as soon as he assumed duties as Bishop of the Diocese.

On his part, Dr. Olumakaiye, in his address of welcome titled, ‘Our Vision: The Devine Mandate’ said it is gratifying to know that the programme for the centenary celebration include issues that deal with both spiritual and physical wellbeing of the faithful.

While he disclosed the Centenary Anniversary theme which is Stronger, Deeper & Higher, Olumakaiye, 

Olumakaiye itemized the five Divine Mandate (5Ps) of his administration which include Priestly, Pastoral, Prophetic, Prayer and Praise ministries all targeted at the spiritual and physical well-being of not just the faithful of the communion, but also the society at large.

He said as part of the centenary celebration, the diocese will commence building of a centenary city which among other facilities will include Empowerment and Youth Development Center; Rehabilitation Centre; Games and Sporting Centre and a low Income Housing Estate.

Olumakaiye said of particular interest to the dioceses was the establishment of the low income housing estate.

Sitting along the Lekki-Epe axis of Lagos and on a land mass of 2000 plots, the 1^st phase of the Centenary City project, the Bishop said, will gulp N5 billion.

While expressing appreciation to the congregation for their unalloyed support since assumption of office, Olumakaiye said his administration has found time to pay what he called Episcopal Visitation in which the diocese visited all the 121 churches under the diocese, including the Lagoon to see the struggling churches.

 

He thanked the women organization in the diocese under the leadership of Prof. Mrs. Motunrayo Olumakaiye which donated a brand new bus to the college, and said part of education programme of the church were sponsorship of some indigent students in the diocese, giving facelift to the Diocese Secondary School in Igbooye in Epe, Lagos.

“We have being able to bring on board latest development in the diocese which include electronic billboard and online radio to continue dissemination of word of God.

Experts decry low participation of private health practitioners in PPFP project

Success Damian:

Health experts have decried low participation of private health practitioners in Post Pregnancy Family Planning (PPFP) project.

Dr. Saidat Okaga, Reproductive Health Coordinator, Lagos State Ministry of Health and other renowned experts explained as unsatisfactory the level of participation of private health practitioners in PPFP and called for action. As it were, many women have died from avoidable pregnancy related issues and time to stop it is now.

The experts took the position during a media Roundtable on Post Pregnancy Family Planning organized by Nigeria Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) in collaboration with DEVCOMS in Surulere, Lagos recently.

The theme of the event ‘Post Pregnancy Family Planning (PPFP) and the Private Sector: Opportunities and Challenges”. It also included Discussions on Communications/Media Approaches to Increasing Access to PPFP Services.

Okaga who expressed goodwill on behalf of the Hon. Commissioner for Health, the Permanent Secretary Health, Special Adviser to the Governor on Family Healthcare and the Director of Family Health and Nutrition Lagos State, revealed that “while more than 60% of health care services are being rendered by the private health practitioners in Lagos, but to our greatest displeasure, data has shown us that only about 13 of this 60% of private practitioners are actually involved in the family planning programme, so we want to encourage them, that is why when the PPFP project came on board we were happy because for us to get 74% contraceptive prevalent rate by the year 2020, we have to work very hard, so we encourage more private practitioners to come on board.”

Post pregnancy family planning (PPFP) / post abortion family planning (PAFP) is a service delivery strategy that expands access to FP through integration with the existing continuum of maternal, newborn and child health services.

It is aimed at delivering family planning services to post pregnancy women in their first two years after birth using the continuum of care to ensure that all women achieve their reproductive intentions. It is also a key investment to fulfil the FP2020 commitments and SDGs

According to Okaga, If family planning programming is accessed appropriately, it would save 30% of mothers from maternal mortality, abortion and unwanted pregnancies. She said nobody wants any pregnant woman or the one that is breast-feeding to die prematurely. “When a woman has the requisite number of babies that she can naturally, physiologically, mentally, even financially have, family planning has so many ripple effects, and not just for the health of the mother, it affects the family wellbeing generally, the children would be able to get the best both in health and education. We are not saying that women should stop having babies, no, what we are saying is space them, have the number that you can take care of so that for the woman, her body would be able to get back to normal.”

Okaga also spoke on vision FP 2020, which was designed to ensure a global partnership of everybody, women, men, children, private partners all geared towards guaranteeing a right based approach to family planning. It also enhances achievement of what she called the 3Ws. “The 3Ws include What number of children a woman should have, When she should have it, and Who she should have it with. There are so many Ws one can think of. Again, there is no coercion, no force. So vision FP2020 is for us to have right based approach for family planning”

Saidat said the role of the media in the FP2020 is to report correctly, “You have to know the initiative, the core value of post pregnancy family planning (PPFP) issues. We have seen that from the moment a woman delivers to two years post delivery period, she must be well taken care of and must have family planning services available to her before she decides to have another child. So you should be conversant with the trend.”

She said the gains of family planning may not be immediate but in the long run, you are going to feel it, “we would be able to avert millions of women dying unnecessarily.”

She encouraged the media to help in propagating the message of women and men adopting PPFP, adding also that “There a lot of stigma associated with family planning, however we should be able in our report to stress the fact that it is highly beneficial to everyone not just the woman who is taking the method.”

She said PPFP started in 2015 even as Lagos always scoring first in every initiative has already taken the lead in reduction of maternal and child mortality. “We ensured we have master trainers on board who are training our family planning providers, our managers; we have trained up to forty master trainers on PPFP because these are the ones that will train others, both in the private and in the public.

Barr. Ayo Adebusoye, chairman of Lagos State Advocacy Working Group LAWG delivered a paper on the need to scale up private sector involvement on family planning. He stressed the role of the private health care practitioner and need for them to play active role in PPFP.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter set to inaugurate women wing Executive, January 25

Success Damian:

Woman leader Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos Chief ( Mrs). Violet Uche Obiora, (Middle) with her are l-r Publicity Secretary Mrs. Joy Anurika Uzomefuna, Deputy Women Leader   Barrister Nkechi Agubuzor ,General  Secretary Mrs. Asikogu Patricia Nonye, and Public relation Officer Mrs. Chika Mareen Ashara, during a Press Conference   on the forth coming  inauguration of Women’s wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos   scheduled  to take place on muson center on 25^th January held in lagos on 23/1/2019.

Arrangements are on top gear for the inauguration of the elected leadership of women wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter.

Chief (Mrs) Violet Uche Obiora (Olaedo), the women wing leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos made the disclosure at a press conference which was held at Ohanaeze office at Surulere, Lagos on Wednesday.

Obiora stated that the event would take place at Muson Centre Onikan Lagos on Friday, January, 2019 and would involve several awards which would be bestowed on illustrious Igbo sons and daughters.

She expressed appreciations to all the women leaders and executives of the women wing representing the Igbo women in all the Local Governments and Local Council Development Council Areas in Lagos, for the success recorded at the just concluded women wing elections held on December 16, 2018.

Obiora stressed, "The essence of the inauguration is not only to legally, socially, and culturally empower the women for the great task of rebranding the image of Ohanaeze in general, but also to promoting and upholding the cause and dignity of all Igbo women in Lagos"

"The epoch-making event affords us the opportunity to give awards to deserving sons and daughters of Ndigbo and also the launching of 'Egwu Ndigbo Jibiri". 

She added that fund realised from the launch would be used for the economic empowerment of the Igbo women youths as panacea for growth.

According to Obiora, there would also be discussions on the episodic drama of Ikemefuna in China Achebe's " Things Fall Apart" which highlights the Igbo culture of Candour which is expected to take place in the month of February, 2019 and designed to ensure peace and patriotism.

The briefing which was attended by chairman of the organising committee, Chief Damian Okoye (Omeudo Nanka) and his secretary, Chief Thomson Ohia, the inauguration was described by Chief Mrs Obiora as the biggest event among Igbo people in Lagos.

Flanked by the entire executive of the women wing of Ohanaeze Lagos Branch, opinion leaders and presidents of all the women wing of the seven states of the South East Geo political zone in Lagos, Obiora said the inauguration of the executive would mark fundamentally the formal kick off of the women wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos.

While conveying the goodwill message from the President General of Ohanaeze worldwide, Chief Nnia Nwoso to Igbo women, Chief Obiora assured that her leadership would be guided by transparency, empowerment and accountability (TEA)

konga, Visa partner to drive value offerings in e-commerce sector

Success Damian:

E-commerce giant Konga has partnered with Visa, the world’s leader in digital payments to revolutionize the e-commerce sector in Nigeria. By leveraging the delivery of digital and secure payments solutions across key segments of the Konga Group’s business portfolio, the strategic partnership is positioned to drive greater efficiency in the sector.

While ensuring a digitally-driven and rewarding payment experience for consumers, the partnership will offer shoppers and merchants on Konga’s online platform, walk-in customers to its growing number of offline stores nationwide including customers who book flights on Konga Travel & Tours (KTT), a seamless digital payment experience when they pay exclusively with Visa.

Among the many exciting benefits of this partnership, shoppers who use the KongaPay app will be issued a digital Visa card which will enable them to make payments everywhere Visa is accepted. In addition, users of the KongaPay app will be able to pay digitally at the time of delivery of their items by simply scanning the Quick Response (QR) code provided by Kxpress delivery agents – a development that will lend further ease and convenience to the payment process and elevate standards in the e-commerce sector.

Furthermore, customers who book a trip with Konga Travels & Tours -  the company’s online travel agency - will be issued a Visa prepaid card, which will enable them make payments with ease while traveling.

“Partnerships are key for us at Visa, as we constantly look for new opportunities to ensure that more people have access to unique payment experiences that are seamless, fast, and secure.  We are extremely delighted to unveil this strategic partnership with Konga which is positioned to further simplify the payment process and raise standards in the Nigerian e-commerce sector,” said Kemi Okusanya, General Manager, Visa West Africa.

“When it comes to making e-commerce transactions, people are continuously looking for the most convenient and secure ways to pay for products and also use several payment platforms when they travel to other parts of the world. What we have done with this partnership is to incentivize the process and provide more value to customers who pay with Visa,” she added.

On his part, Nick Imudia, co-Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Konga Group, disclosed that the partnership with Visa holds immense potential for e-commerce in Nigeria, owing to the numerous opportunities it offers to revolutionize the payment process and optimize offerings in the sector.

“With this partnership, we are bound to witness a digitally-driven and effortless payment experience for all classes of customers on the Konga platforms – online shoppers, visitors to our offline stores nationwide, merchants, third-party clients and patrons of KTT. This development is not only momentous in view of its far-reaching implications for the growth of e-commerce in Nigeria, but one that will go a long way to boost customer experience and confidence in the sector.”

“Our excitement knows no bounds, especially in view of the many benefits this strategic partnership will unfold for our customers and millions of Nigerians in the days and weeks ahead,” he concluded.

Nigeria’s online travel booking space in search of real value

Success Damian:

Although boasting a lot of potential, Nigeria’s travel and tourism industry has remained in a state of near-misses and failed projections occasioned by the glaring gap and huge vacuum in the online travel booking space.

According to available statistics, the direct contribution of Travel and Tourism to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was N2,29bn, approximately 1.9% of total GDP in 2017 –  a figure that is expected to rise by 2.9% in 2018 and 4.3% per annum from 2018-2028, to N3,605.7bn, effectively representing 1.9% of total GDP in 2028.

On the other hand, the total contribution of Travel and Tourism to GDP was N6,205.8bn representing 5.1% of GDP in 2017 and is forecast to rise by 1.6% in 2018 and 4.8% per annum to N10,094.5bn from 2018-2018, representing 5.4% of GDP in 2028.

While the figures appear promising, it is worth considering where the Nigerian travel industry stands in the global scheme of things.

Ranked on a global list of 185 countries, Nigeria presently stands at positions 48 in total contribution and 163 in relative contribution respectively to GDP from the Travel and Tourism sector. In terms of expected real growth in the sector, Nigeria stands at a poorly 168 position and 59 in long-term growth forecast (2018-2028) in the sector.

Compared with global indices, Travel and Tourism represents 10.4% of global GDP while one-tenth of jobs worldwide are supported by the industry, representing 9.9% of global employment. Furthermore, one-fifth of all of all global net jobs created in the last decade have been within the Travel and Tourism sector.

It is an open secret that travel and tourism is an important global economic activity, with the potential to contribute significantly to a nation’s GDP. Added to this is the immense employment-generation opportunity it holds when harnessed efficiently – a point aptly embellished by Gloria Guevara Manzo, President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council when she enthused that “inclusive growth and ensuring a future with quality jobs are the concerns of governments everywhere. Travel & Tourism, which already supports one in every ten jobs on the planet, is a dynamic engine of employment opportunity.”

Here in Nigeria, the engine of economic prosperity inherent in the Travel and Tourism is yet to be unleashed, owing predominantly to the vacuum in the online travel booking space which holds the key to transforming the sector.

In real terms, only a small proportion (about 13%) of Nigerian air travelers currently book travel products online – a damning statistic for a country boasting a population grossing over 190 million.

For the four components of the Travel and Tourism sector which include Leisure travel (inbound and domestic), Business travel, Domestic travel and Foreign travel, the outlook remains the same: total contribution of the sector to GDP is nearly three times greater than its direct contribution.

Aligned to this is the poor experience of most Nigerians, many of whom have expressed their dissatisfaction with the level of service in the online travel booking space, despite the existence of a glut of players. For many corporate travelers, a segment that represents the overwhelming majority of online travel service consumers, the prevailing opinion is a glaring lack of real value. Same sentiment dominates among leisure travelers – many of whom are frustrated by sub-standard service and the limited choices of packages/offers available among current players – two of the most recurring pain-points that have drained confidence among customers in the sector.

Considering the nexus between technology and value-offerings in the online travel booking space, there is a growing need for a strong player backed by cutting-edge technology to fill the vacuum in the sector and take the industry to the next level. Further justifying this need is the undoubted influence of a world-class online platform and innovation in service delivery which has transformed the entire value chain of an allied sector such as e-Commerce in Nigeria, as seen in the rise and dominance of strong local players such as Konga which has re-defined the scope of offerings and customer experience in the industry.

The global travel and tourism industry is a multi-billion-dollar establishment which relies heavily on innovative technology and world-class customer experience in delivering a wide range of value offerings to all classes of travelers.

Nigeria is due for this disruption which has the potential of growing the sector’s contribution to GDP. Digital innovation is the way forward.

Ekeh inspires thousands @ RCCG Summit

Success Damian:

Serial digital entrepreneur and Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh has called on Nigerians to believe in the future of the country, noting that the world is currently in a knowledge century in which there are no barriers to wealth acquisition or achieving greatness.

He made this call at an economic summit organized by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Christ Church Parish on Saturday January 12th 2019.

With the theme – Economic Outlook and Prospects in Election Year, the summit saw Ekeh share his thoughts on Nigeria’s economy and the future of the digital industry culminating in a standing ovation at the end of his speech.

“You must anticipate the future. It is not static, otherwise you don’t have a reason to grow. The 21st Century is a knowledge century; it is one in which you have a right to be rich, even as an employee because if they under-pay you, you have a chance to get a better job,” Ekeh declared.

“If you are an entrepreneur, then you have a right to make mega-wealth. A lot of you are intimidated when you look at the profile of people like the Aliko Dangotes and Mike Adenugas but you forget that when a man is successful, you only hear the good side of their emergence but if you look back critically, you will see that their rise to the top was not an easy one. When you are psychologically defeated, you have lost the war.

“In life, you must take a conscious decision on who you want to be and if you are a human being and a citizen, you must add value to your environment, community or country. In the 21st Century, you decide who you want to be. The biggest problem with Africa is that our parents want us to make money the same way they did. It means we are all blind. If your father was a taxi driver, you cannot be the most popular taxi driver because today, we have Uber and other ride-hailing apps. But if you created an Uber, then you become the largest owner of commercial vehicles in the world.”

Ekeh who recently oversaw the acquisition of e-commerce giants, Konga from previous owners Naspers and AB Kinnevik followed by a combination of its operations with that of Yudala, declared his chosen field of technology as a leveler and the only profession in the world that can bridge the gap between the rich and the poor individuals and countries of the world.

“Technology is the only way the son of a poor man can become rich in the 21st Century and that is the only way the son of a rich man can consolidate the wealth of the family. You are a stupid, poor man if you cannot challenge the status quo. It was through technology that I transformed the media and multimedia industry and computerized them for the first time.

"Same way we helped create a reliable database of voters for Nigeria through the impressive work Zinox has done with INEC and which we have replicated in other African countries such as Guinea-Bissau. Today, we are currently looking to transit the country to e-Voting which will further go a long way in reducing post-election litigations,” he enthused.

Urging the members of the audience to retain their hopes in a brighter future for Nigeria, Ekeh encouraged the attendees to rise to the challenge and make a positive difference in their circumstances.

“Nigeria is a country with huge potential. There is a future here and no one has a right to stop you: government, individuals or even your father. You must build yourself as a collateral in order to succeed in life. The only way to build that collateral is to be a man or woman of integrity.

“In business, you must acquire a big dose of spirituality and always make provisions for your place of birth, in this case, where you do business. Many entrepreneurs transplant foreign technology or strategies here without considering our existential circumstances or the needs of the country.

“The challenges of your family or country are things that activate innovation and solutions. If you don’t disrupt, you die. In business, you must trade to lead or you get out of that platform. It is not child’s play. What made you rich will not make your child wealthy, unless they add digital style to it, which is technology. When I say we are in a knowledge century, it means no one can stop you from achieving success.

“The failure rate of startups in this country is about 75% and this is a shame to the quality of brains we have in Nigeria. The problem with most of the young people in tech – and this is one of the reasons most tech start-ups fail – is that they do more talking than content and they want to live large. You must incubate and grow. There are so many opportunities to generate creative wealth in the world today. “Knowledge is open so you need to constantly read and learn but you must embrace humility and be ready to incubate for a period and be spiritually strong. Above all though, you must be close to God. Any successful man or a quality entrepreneur that is not close to God is not really successful.”

Among the many opportunities Ekeh referenced were digital security, digital lifestyle and growing dynamism in the e-commerce sector. He also disclosed his determination to invest in incubation centres to develop youthful talents through mentoring who will transform the fortunes of the nation.

Other speakers at the summit were Dr. Biodun Adedipe, Chief Consultant, BAA Consult; Mr. Abiola Ogunrinde, CEO, Tronica Natural Ltd and Dr. Mrs. Jumoke Oduwole, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment.

Diocese of Lagos Anglican Communion gives back to society …Set to build N5b Centenary City to mark 100 years

As part of its 100 years of existence, Diocese of Lagos, Anglican Communion has mapped out several programmes to keep memory of the centenary linger in the minds of faithful and society, including construction of centenary city which will accommodate international standard facilities. CYRIACUS NNAJI reports.

Diocese of Lagos, Anglican Communion, in her strategic spiritual and physical roles to carter for her congregation and society, has unveiled plans to give something greater back to the next generation.

Rt. Rev. Humphrey B. Olumakaiye (Ph.D), the Bishop of the Diocese, made the disclosure during a Press Briefing at Bishop Palace, Marina; Lagos on Wednesday, to announce the commencement of 100 Anniversary celebration of the Lagos Anglican Communion.

Olumakaiye said the church, as part of its Centenary celebration has also concluded arrangement to commence construction of a centenary City on the Lekki-Ibeju-Epe axis of Lagos State.

While acknowledging the T.Y. Danjuma as the Grand Patron of the celebration, Olumakaiye said the city estimated to gulp N5 billion for the first phase will accommodate world class facilities such as Empowerment and Youth Development Centre; Rehabilitation Centre; Games Village and Sporting Centre; Convention Ground, Garden of Gethsemane; Retreat Centre; Luke's Global Hospital; Women Empowerment Centre, Resorts, Amusement Park and a Low Income Housing Estate.

The centenary programme which kicked off on January 2, 2019 was designed to make the 100 anniversary Celebration memorable. They include Power for the New Year comprising of fasting and praying; Unveiling of Centenary Logo; Centenary Rally; Centenary Diet which is a 40 days special journey in the word of God; Collection of Centenary Signature; Children’s camp, the memorial 21-day fasting and prayer, Mega Prayer Convocation, Choir Festival/Competition; Bishop’s Cup/Football Competition, Centenary Health Week.

Others include Centenary Walk Week; Lagos City Wide Crusade; Centenary Thanksgiving will come up on December 10, 2019 and will mark the grand finale of the centenary event.

Olumakaiye acknowledged the wonderful work of his predecessors and pledged to sustain the legacy handed to over to him and his team. “We have decided to give something greater back to the next generation that will forever be cherished as we cherish the diocese given to us 100 years ago”

Speaking on the five mandates of his administration which include Priestly, Pastoral, Prophetic, Prayer and Praise ministries which he declared with his team upon enthronement as Bishop of the Diocese, Olumakaiye said “Our five pastoral mandates priestly, to conduct faithfully divine services, performing acts of blessing of members; Pastoral, we shall tenderly feed the flock of God according to 1 Peter5: 2-6; Prophetic, to faithfully together discharge the Lords message in terms of prophecy for the encouragement, guidance, direction, correction, admonition, warning and edification; Prayer, we shall all stand together in prayer.

“We shall teach and model the acts of effective spiritual life by all. By the grace of God, we shall have our diocese convention ground. Inside the convention ground, a place will be carved out as 'garden of Gethsemane; Praise Ministry: we shall all stand together by reinforcing the acts of praise in the diocese, we shall use praise to surmount the insurmountable and do the impossible.”

He went further to spoke on the Episcopal Visitations of the dioceses saying “On October 8, 2019 we started episcopal visitation to all the churches in the dioceses and we visited all the 121 churches in the dioceses. We went across the Lagoon to visit the struggling churches there. We did this to be able to have first-hand information of all the churches to know their strength and weaknesses. We also did that in order to meet the members one-on-one.

During our ministry our visit to all these churches, we made donations to churches whose buildings had been dilapidated and some of them have started building new structures now.

We also made donations to some members who were in dire need. This is part of our pastoral ministry. Some people need money for major operations and we came to their aid and such members are back to their feet.

We were also able to settle accommodation problems for some members as well.

Nigerians should vote credible people, says His Eminence Udofia …Set to celebrate 60th birthday

His Eminence, the Most Reverend Emmanuel Udofia, the Primate of the African Church Worldwide will be 60 years on January 26, 2019. As part of preparation towards the birthday celebration, the respected man of God spoke to SUCCESS DAMIAN, on his life’s experiences, the church and national issues, especially the forthcoming 2019 General Elections. Excerpt:

Sir 60 years, first, I must say congratulations. 60 years is not a joke, so looking back, how has the journey been this past 60 years?

Thank you very much. Whatever I am going to say, I would base it on the scriptures because John 15 verse 5 Jesus said if you abide in me and I in you, you should bear much fruit for without me you can do nothing. So this 60 years of my existence, by the grace of God has been with more and more of thankfulness unto the lord, because I have seen his faithfulness in every area of my life. And again the bible has also told us that our delight should be in the lord and he will grant us the desires of our hearts, so because my desire is in Him, from time to time, day in day out, year in year out, the lord has been granting my heart desires, and again the bible said we should commit all our desires in Him, and trust in Him. All these 60 years, because by His grace I have been committing my ways unto Him, it has been the lord who is always faithful and who is always with us in helping us, sustaining us through this sixty years so everything has been the lord. I thank God for his faithfulness.

My lord, what can you say is your greatest source of joy over the years? There must have been an encounter that has exceedingly made you happy even from childhood.

My greatest joy in this world is my experience in the lord Jesus Christ. The bible has given us the word of God that the joy of the lord is our salvation, and that our joy comes from knowing the lord. So my salvation is an experience which only God made it to happen in my life; a gift which my parents, a gift which no human being on earth could give to me. The lord out of his benevolence gave me the grace to have a share in his salvation, in the redemptive work of our Saviour Jesus Christ, so that is the greatest source of my joy in this world, every other thing that gives me joy in this world is secondary.

Sir I know in life it is not all rosy, there is no rose without thorns, so there must have been one or two challenges along the way, tell us what they are sir.

I wouldn’t say there are no challenges, but challenges are part of our human existence, the bible says we should cast all our anxieties, all our challenges, all our cares in Him for He cares for us. So whatever has been the challenges, spiritually, physically, and otherwise, all these things have already been committed on to hm. He is the one who gives us the grace to overcome every challenge. You cannot roll away challenges because it is not every challenge is for destruction. There are some challenges that help to lift you up, to build you, some challenges make you say yes, there is nothing God cannot do. There are challenges which make you to call God more, move you closer to God. With that kind of situation you experience God the more, you experience the power of God and his glory. In fact coming out of such an experience would strengthen you the more. Some challenges make you to discover and recover what you might have lost over the years. You can come out of the storm of life without being spoiled, without being destroyed. Challenges help us rise higher and higher. So all my challenges have been so helpful to me, even the temptation that come to every believer is not to destroy us, it is to make us rise higher and higher as an eagle.

Now let us bring in the church in our discussion. Sir, how long have you been in the service of God and what inspired you to embrace God?  

By the grace of God, I am not talking about when I was a Sunday school teacher or organizing other programmes in the church, but from the time I was ordained. I was ordained in 1983, and since then I have been in the ministry of our lord Jesus Christ. So from 1983 till now, by the grace of God, this is 36 years in the ministry. So what inspired me to embrace God? As I said, it is never something that came by my own ability, or by the thing I said I could do by myself. No. I am just enjoying the grace and mercy of the lord drawing me close to himself. So how it happened, I didn’t know because He was the one. I won’t say, this is what attracted me to God, rather I would say it was God who attracted me to himself because I never merited all the lord has been doing for me. I want to believe that the day I was born so many other people were also born and again I want to say this that all that I have passed through in this life if not because of the mercy of God I would not be alive by now.

How are you able to combine church activities and still stay close to your family?

I thank God for what the lord has been doing, the lord has been so faithful, the family was instituted by God and the ministry was also instituted by God, so the two institutions were initiated by God, so if somebody is now is in God, through Christ Jesus, because with God, God’s mercy, God’s power, God’s grace and compassion, all things are possible. So combining the ministry and the family is nothing one could say is difficult. Again, family by the grace of God, myself, my lovely wife and children, since all of us are in the lord Jesus Christ also makes it possible for the ministry now to flourish, because the bible says where two or three are gathered in my name I am there in the midst of them, so you can now see the ministry did start with my family because we are more than three. From smaller ministry to the bigger ministry. So it has been so wonderful by the grace of God. By the grace of God my wife being a school teacher, my children, sometimes they will miss me for weeks, months, but having known why they have missed me, they are not regretting because by the grace of God everybody has an assignment and responsibility. We understand our responsibilities and areas of calling. God has been so faithful.

Sir, let us go a little further, what is your take on the current political happenings in Nigeria, are you satisfied and why?

As a servant of God I feel so sad because of the political tension in the political atmosphere in the country, because I listen to all the political campaigns, most of them are nothing to write home about, this is not the kind of campaigns we should be doing in the 21^st century. These campaigns are full of hate speeches, full of insults, they are full of abuses; they are full of character assassinations, full of all kinds of things, this is not what we had expected at a time like this, but it is unfortunate. I am not happy at all, going by what I have been reading on the pages of the dailies, television and radio. I believe, this is the time Nigeria should sit back, I know we should have political parties but we should know that political parties will come and go but Nigeria will still remain.

And again political parties no matter the party someone belongs, everybody should work towards building a great Nigeria which everybody should be proud of, but unfortunately with what is happening now, we are more divided than before. Without God’s intervention I don’t know where we are heading to, because of this political hatred.

This is certainly not the kind of Country we are praying for, but I know with the prayers of the saints, we love Nigeria, God will intervene and show mercy on this nation and take us out of the hand of those who do not mean well for this nation, in Jesus name, amen.

The 2019 General Election is around the corner and the nation wants to hear words of advice, encouragement and hope from respected men of God like you, your advice sir.

I want to advise Nigerians that whatever we are looking forward to doing especially in this kind of election, we should do it with the fear of God, when anything is done with the fear of God, number one it will mean giving God the glory, that will make us first to receive God’s blessings, and so on and so forth. We must also avoid this is my time syndrome, the security agents would say this is my opportunity, this is also time to enrich myself; some would now go and connive with the electoral officials, political parties. Electorates should not say this is my own time to get whatever I want, we should do what is right.

I want to advise INEC and those in position of authority we should avoid manipulation of electoral process to favour one candidate or the other, because we have seen now that at times, the electoral processes, they don’t do it right, all Nigerians should be treated the same, all political parties should be treated the same, INEC should be neutral in all ramifications. Everybody should know that whatever we do we shall give God account. Everybody should know that if you want to play a game, you will never play a game with God. The evil that men do live after them, it may not be today, God’s judgement may not be today, but it will surely come. They should not manipulate any electoral processes in favour of anybody.

I want to advise Nigerians against violence, violence does not pay anybody, it does not add anything to Nigeria rather it subtracts, you can imagine when this Boko Haram started many thought it is not what the country should worry about. Look at the herdsmen, when it started the government did not pay attention, then the two forces now grew and became what they are today, if you want to quantify the number of casualty or people that have died through Boko Haram and through herdsmen you will see that people will be discouraged in this nation and if not because of God you will hate anybody in Nigeria.

If Nigeria wants to quantify all the casualties, all the government institutions destroyed, churches destroyed, all the mosques destroyed, all the houses destroyed, you would see that trillions of Naira can never be enough to buy all these things, and that is why Nigerians are always behaving like beggars, Nigeria that should be supporting other nations, is always asking for help from every nation. Nigeria that God has so endowed, even those nations supporting Nigeria do not have what Nigeria has, but unfortunately, because of violence, corruption, Nigeria behaves as if nothing good is coming from Nigeria.

I also want to plead with Nigerians, Nigerians, this is our country, we should vote for credible, God fearing people, because, if Nigerians vote people that are not credible or people that are corrupt, that means Nigerian treasury cannot be safe.

My lord, I am sure with your success in the ministry, I am sure you have the capacity to have as many children as possible…

I have only six children by the grace of God.

I have seen your church, schools and others, do you have any form of empowerment for your congregation and community where you operate?

When I was in one of the dioceses in the south-south, I had a sewing institute, where young boys and girls were trained even some adults, at the end of every training each person that completed his or her training, during their freedom, by the grace of God, I would make sure I bought all machines, everything to equip them; they were trained free of charge and given machines free of charge.

So since I am not there, that does not mean I have not been playing my part in empowering so many financially and otherwise. Only God knows the number of appeals, letters, messages, asking for one help or the other. And again, there are some appeals of course you cannot turn down. If I tell you what God has used me to do in this place, if you want to quantify it you will be surprised, but you cannot blow your trumpet. According to the scriptures, whatever your left hand does, your right hand should not know about it and vice versa. If not because you ask me, I don’t tell anybody this is what I have done. I don’t want human praises, I am only an instrument in the hand of God because God could have used another person.

Sir can you tell us the programmes lined up for your 60 years birthday celebration?

I planned to do it in a big way by the grace, but due to some circumstances I decided to mellow it down, I think the planning committee is doing a lot, part of the plans include visit to orphanage homes, Bible quiz for the younger ones, other things are within me which I don’t want to unravel now.

Sir your name sound Igbo, you are operating here in Lagos but a lot of things you have here, some other people would say, let me go and do it in my town, what is the driving force?

Yes, if you are a servant of God and decides to do whatever you want to do only in your home town alone, then that person is selfish, and such a person can never be said to be doing the lord’s will, because anywhere you are is your neighbor. According to bible interpretation, everybody is your neighbour, every woman is your mother, very girl is your sister, every man is your father, every young man I your brother.

It therefore means we have them everywhere, so if the person determines and say as I come from Akwa-Ibom now, I must do it in Akwa ibom, Niger Delta or South-south, that person can never do God’s will, and God cannot entrust more in his hand, because he who is faithful in little is faithful in much.

Succession, are you thinking along that line?

By the grace of God we are praying towards that, anything that concerns the church is not something that can be handled physically alone or constitution alone, it should be handled spiritually, biblically. God is the head, the next person there is only representing God.