CWON President Dame Mary Gonsum mobilises Catholic women leaders against COVID-19

Success Damian:

As the third wave of COVID-19 affects the global health and economic community, Dame Mary Ashibi Gonsum, President, Catholic Women Organisation Nigeria (CWON), has engaged Catholic women leaders across the nine provinces and fifty-five dioceses of the Catholic Church in Nigeria as part of the concerted efforts to reverse the trend of the pandemic.

Speaking at CWON’s National Conference Closing Ceremony on Sunday, in Jos, she urged the respective Provincial and Diocesan Presidents of the organization nationwide to engage in sensitisation programmes at the provincial, diocesan, deanery and parish levels to curtail spread of the third wave of the coronavirus.

“The fear of COVID-19 third wave is the beginning of wisdom, the rate of the infection is again on the increase. We need to do everything necessary to stay away from getting infected. As leaders, we have to constantly be in touch with our leaders at the diocesan, deanery and parish levels to ensure they sensitise their members on the third wave of the virus and the need to stay safe.

“The guidelines are simple, we expect our members not to relent in wearing face masks, washing their hands, using hand sanitisers, maintaining social distancing among other measures, not only at meetings but wherever they are at any time. They should ensure that their families do likewise.

“The national, provincial and diocesan presidents should therefore mobilise, sensitise and convince our leaders and members at all levels especially at the Parishes to maintain COVID-19 protocols and other public health interventions such as COVID-19 risk education, prevention, presenting themselves for COVID-19 testing when necessary and take-up of a vaccination,” Dame Gonsum stated 

Noting that while some people do have valid fears and questions regarding the efficacy and safety of the vaccine, the CWON President advised the women to be careful about misinformation but rather look out for objective facts and take the vaccine.

On a final note, she prayed for recovery for those affected by the virus as well as the health workers and other professionals on the front lines of the unexpected battle. Reminding the women that God is in control, Gonsum said, “We believe God is our healer and He never fails. I’m confident that we will live and see the goodness of the Lord at the end of this pandemic.”

 

LASU 78th Inaugural Lecture: Prof Afolasade recommends Preventive Counselling method to ensure general wellbeing

Success Damian:

Professor Afolasade Airat Sulaiman, Professor of Councelling Psychology, Faculty of Education, Lagos State University (LASU), has recommended Preventive Councelling method as best means to enhance the general well being for all.

Sulaiman took the position while delivering the 78^th Inaugural Lecture of the institution at Ojo, on Tuesday, July, 2021.

In her recommendations and steps to be taken towards ensuring the wellbeing of all through preventive counselling intervention, Sulaiman said that counsellors should be employed and functional at all levels of education, in all institutions and organisations as stated in the National Policy on Education.

While applauding the existence of a counselling unit in the Lagos State University, she however urged the institution to facilitate effective service delivery and optimise professional best practices, and that the counselling unit should become a centre on its own. “This will further enhance the counsellor's role in ensuring proper adjustment of every individual to ordinary day-to-day developmental challenges and probably eliminate the need for remedial or compensatory counselling intervention. Counsellors are mandated to be more disposed to preventive counselling than remedial or compensatory counselling in their service delivery to maximise the extent to which they could be broadly helpful to a larger number of individuals.”

Sulaiman further maintained that the populace needed to be informed about the presence of counsellors and the importance of their services to individuals and the community in general. Hence, the need to extend counselling services to the community through education and massive enlightenment programmes using the media.

She said for proper integrative religious counselling, mainstream counsellors should receive adequate training in the two major religions in the country and the body regulating University programmes -National Universities Commission (NUC) and the national body of counselors Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) should facilitate compliance and enforcement.

She asserted “There is also the need for collaboration between counsellors , pastoral and mainstream , and the clergy to enhance the role of both counsellors and clergy. The collaboration will be an avenue for both parties to learn about salient issues and related themes about each other's religion.

She disclosed that it is not just about establishing inclusive schools, the government at all levels (Federal, State and Local) should ensure proper adjustment of the inclusive schools to physically and psychologically reflect the presence of persons with disability in the schools, adding “Interconnected path ways, rails, tactile orientation, electronic/mobility equipment, special education teachers and support staff must be available in the schools. There must be continuous and constant evaluation of inclusive education in inclusive schools to ascertain areas of needs for prompt interventions. Mandatory laws and policies to enhance commitment and reduce the neglect of students with disabilities in schools and community should be enacted.”

She said the change in pattern of sexual violence calls for a more drastic approach to prevent the spread. “All concerned; the rapists, their victims, religious bodies, law makers, law enforcement agencies, various levels of government and non-governmental organisations and civil societies must develop a zero tolerance for sexual violence of all forms.

“Part of zero tolerance is being vigilant; parents, guardians and teachers should be more careful and vigilant, especially with the girl child. They should not be left in the care of any male/suspicious adults and receiving of gifts from any adult should not be ignored or taken for granted. Parents should constantly remind their kids about the acronym PANTS and other defensive /preventive skills.”

She added that Sexual violence should be treated as a criminal offence and legal actions should be more proactive and responsive. Government should support all agencies to ensure that all laws on sexual violence are enforced.

Sulaiman said reporting rape cases will expose perpetrators and facilitate Prosecution. “Victims need to have the assurance of getting justice without delay and not being stigmatised or victimised. Encouraging victims to speak up and report the crime to law enforcement agents without entertaining any fear of intimidation or stigmatisation could serve as deterrent to perpetrators, realising that there would be no escape from justice irrespective of their position or status.

“The media should be used to educate the populace on the consequences of rape on victims, the need for victims and perpetrators to get assistance/treatment, preventive/defensive strategies and the need for reporting and getting justice,” she stressed.

Finally, Sulaiman said, teaching sexuality education in schools and institutions should be a must. “Adequate knowledge about misconceptions, symptoms and long-term effects associated with sexual abuse is the first step of assistance; knowledge will influence behavioural change. Students need to learn about different defensive/resistance strategies and social skills for prevention and protection,” she said.

Sulaiman said Counselling is a one-to-one, person-to-person, interpersonal relationship between two individuals, a client or group of clients and a trained counsellor who helps the client(s) to understand and clarify their views of their life space and learn to reach their self-determined goals through meaningful, well informed choices and through resolution of problems of an emotional or interpersonal nature.

 

Alumni support is key to institutions' growth, ranking, says Panelists at LASU alumni inaugural webinar

Success Damian:

A combined team of season administrators and academic icons, who were speakers at the Lagos State University (LASU) Alumni Association Inaugural Webinar have agreed that the support by the Alumni Association of any higher Institution is key to its development, survival and global ranking 

The webinar was held via Zoom on Saturday, 24th July, 2021.

The president of the Lagos State University Alumni Association, Maj. Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd), welcoming all participants, was delighted to have everyone on the journey.

The Chief Host recalled how the association was enmeshed in some crises in the past and how the challenges were resolved."With this webinar, we will hear what alumni is all about, role of the executives, members, relationship with the Institution and more from the speakers. Thank you for being part of this adventure," he ended.

The Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Oyedamola Oke, in his opening remarks, outlined his own idea of Alumni Association as "to help in building relationships, mentorship, assist others build their careers, attract funds to the Institution, sustainable development and more".

Speaking further, Prof. Oke noted that the contributions of the Alumni are a factor considered in ranking of the Institution. He advised the LASU Alumni to bring into their fold the young graduates, adding that they have been excluded in the scheme of things. He wrapped up by thanking the Alumni for its contributions to the Institution and asked the body to do more.

The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Paul Idomigie, SAN, in his remarks asked if the vision and mission of the founding fathers of the university were still on course.

"LASU is ranked 2nd best University by Times Higher Education (THE), also, 1st among under 50 universities recently and Centre of Excellence in Africa. Those are achievements for me. Associating with LASU is noble, no wonder, We are LASU, We are proud slogan", the chairman said.

Speaking on the roles of the Alumni, Prof. Idomigie reeled out the functions to include organising matriculation, orientation for newly admitted students, networking, award of scholarships, mentorship, career support to students, amongst others, saying that the relationship between the university and the Alumni Association must be symbiotic. Thereafter, he declared the webinar open.

The Lead speaker, immediate past Vice Chancellor, LASU, Prof. 'Lanre Fagbohun, SAN, NPOM set the tone for the evening with his paper *"ALUMNI DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSTITUTION, LASU IN CONTEXT"*.

 The Professor of Environmental Law set off by pointing out that crises would undermine the quality of research and the ranking of any Institution that worth its salt, so, stability is key for giant strides. He maintained that understanding what Alumni is all about would help the key actors of the Alumni to support the institution. 

Prof. Fagbohun went down memory lane and confessed that as the Vice Chancellor, LASU, he had no illusion as to the great help the Alumni could render.

"On frontier projects, the LASU Alumni responded well and when we started the LASU Career Development Centre, the association came handy.

The National Productivity award winner listed some of the functions of the Alumni as providing support for the Institution, building the institution's brand, marketing, acting as brand ambassador, nationally and globally, mentoring, providing internship for students, career opportunities etc.

He ended his presentation by enjoining the Alumni to avoid conflict of interest, personality clash and crisis, alluding that for the Institution to grow, the Alumni must respond to contemporary issues and act as partners of growth alongside the Institution.

On the part of Prof. Odion Odaman, he was of the view that the Alumni must help raise the profile of the Institution, assist to boost the reputation, constantly maintain membership, help to broaden the admission base, connect on Linked in, not only on television or radio as well as have robust engagement on social media platforms, in order to sustain relationships.

Furthermore, he admonished the Alumni to make use of the Instagram for pictures of events, create photo albums, provide information on events, collect data, celebrate achievements of members and students. He said all those actions would attract others to the Alumni and help the Institution to grow in leaps and bounds.

Next to speak was Amb Folake Marcus Bello, an alumnae of LASU. She tasked the association to bring everybody in, those with degrees, certificates and even short courses must be brought into the Alumni nest.

The one time Nigeria's ambassador to Zambia and Malawi advised the Alumni to incorporate a system that would bring every graduate in, right form graduation. On registration and how to raise funds, she insisted that all fingers are not equal and the stake should not be too high. She added that the Alumni must show members the benefits of being a member of the association.

"The Alumni should open a shop for ties, scarfs, pins and other materials. Alumni must hunt for egg heads and pay for their Ph.D programmes. It must support the university. The university Management must respect that the Alumni too is an entity on its own and not competing with the Management. We must look for people who have passion for this university", the principal legal practitioner at Folake Bello& Co signed off.

Prof. Omi Ujambi, Former Dean, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ambrose Alli University said the duties of Alumni Association include endowment of chairs, awards to deserving members of staff, donations of books to departmental and faculty libraries, provision of networking opportunities to students, capacity building and others.

The Professor of Geophysics admonished that the culture of Alumni should be incorporated in the students in the system, so, that by graduation, it won't be new to them." 

The bond between university and Alumni should be organic and of mutual benefit", he wrapped up.

Another female contributor, Career Specialist, University of Houston, USA, Mrs Ayo Ogunye averred that the biggest organ of the university where she works is the Alumni Association. She said from her experience, the newsletter must be topnotch with great contents and the Alumni's website must be attractive, adding that the Alumni must take full advantage of technology to attract more members.

She stated "engagement is key. The Alumni must look after people, those who are out of jobs, how to connect them with members who are doing well. Also, those students who can't pay their bills, Alumni can engage high flying members to help in this regard. Lifetime membership will help to generate funds, which could be spread over the time. Lifetime membership will help members to be committed and always think of doing something for the Institution. Mentor/ mentee relationship is very important.

On a final note, the LASU alumnae voiced out that Alumni Association has to be territorial, saying what works elsewhere may not work here, a lot should be taken away from this webinar and hoped a working group would be put together to drive home all the submissions.

Adding his voice, the immediate Past President, LASU Alumni Association, Mr Lekan Ogunbamwo was excited the webinar was put together. He called on all members to show utmost interest in the happenings of the Alumni and be fully committed. 

"We just have to sit up. We need to set up an active secretariat in the university, employ capable hands to interface with the students, university authorities and other stakeholders. The Alumni must work with whoever emerges the next vice Chancellor of this great university", the former Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Television posited.

The last speaker of the day, ace broadcaster and owner BISCOM, Mr Bisi Olatilo, on his part, commended the Alumni for the *LASUITE* magazine. He insisted that for any organisation to grow, peaceful environment is non negotiable. He gave the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof. Fagbohun, a pat on the back for the feat and equally appreciates the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Oke for sustaining the momentum.

Mr Olatilo, an alumnus of LASU called on Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, the visitor, LASU to give the Governing Council a marching order to quickly select a substantive vice Chancellor for the university.

In his goodwill message, the Head of Service, Lagos State, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, an alumnus of LASU, who was part of the Webinar, thanked all the speakers and the organisers. He believed the submissions would bring about greater development for the Alumni and the university.

 

Experts harp on collaboration, quality research as LASU School of Transport holds Training Workshop ... Task institutions to build strong research culture

A Training Workshop organised by the School of Transport and Logistics,  Lagos State University, with the support of Kuhne Foundation titled "Deepening Transport and Logistics Research Capacity in Nigeria”, was concluded with a charge for researchers to embrace collaboration with colleagues in the academia and the industry, to develop practical solutions and attract funding opportunities. SUCCESS DAMIAN reports.  

Prof. Adegoke Oke of the W.P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University, USA, who was the Guest Lecturer at the one-day programme tasked researchers to develop top quality research works that are capable of being published in international reputable journals.   

Delivering his lecture titled "Leading through Research in Logistics and Supply Chain Management" the multiple grants and award winner said: "when it comes to doing quality research, the impact of collaboration cannot be overemphasized. You must collaborate, whether with colleagues in the academia or the industry, seek collaborations. Our collaboration with the industry is what yields our largest funding in Arizona State University....As a researcher, you must train yourself, read widely, find the right kinds of Journal for quick wins, stress the paper contributions,  seek expert review feedback, have a submission plan for each year and present your work at conferences. 

He further challenged researchers to develop quality research: "as a researcher, you must consistently do valid and impactful research. The quality of our research translates to the quality of what we teach our students. Quality research leads to quality teaching, practice and policy recommendations, demonstrates the capability of the researcher, raises the profile and motivation of the researcher." 

He also stressed the leadership roles in building a research culture in the University, noting that it is important for Universities to have a research culture: "what makes up a research culture are the symbols institutions deliberately put out, power structure, the stories her people tell, the organisational structure, the routines and rituals observed, incentives, mentoring as well as the control systems put in place. Leaders should put these in place to foster research culture in the University."

The Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, who joined the lecture virtually, in his contribution, praised the LASU School of Transport and Logistics for taking research in Transportation forward. 

"For years, this is something we have been clamouring for. Transportation is becoming a big issue in Lagos State and it's important we have professionals who can advise government on the right course of action to take us out of the challenges we are facing", he said. 

The immediate-past Dean, School of Transport and Logistics, Prof. Samuel Gbadebo Odewunmi, speaking at the beginning of the event, praised the Kuhne Foundation for its support for the international conference and the School as a whole. He revealed that LASUSOT&L enjoys its most productive partnership with Kuhne Foundation, adding that the Foundation currently funds research at the Masters and PhD levels, in addition to sponsoring experts for fully funded TTT programmes. These he said, are in addition to the sponsorship of international distinguished lecture series. He urged the Foundation to consider sponsoring at least two additional PhD students in the School.

The Coordinator, Kuhne Foundation, Stephen Akut, in his response, said that the need to build capabilities in Logistics and Supply Chain Management motivated the Foundation's support for the workshop. "We need to build our capabilities to be able to manage process of logistics and supply chain considering how expensive transportation has become. This is the way to go not just for LASU, but for every University in Sub-Saharan Africa.  No one will fix our economy for us. Our problems will be fixed by us and this workshop is an opportunity to tap from the Diaspora with Prof. Adegoke.

The Director, Directorate of Research Management and Innovation, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, who was represented by secretary to the Directorate,  Mr. Oluwaseun Asesanya, promised that the Directorate would continue to do more in order to strengthen research culture in the University, praising the organisers for the brilliant programme. 

The Dean, LASUSOT, Prof. Charles Asenime, on his part was full of appreciation for the sponsors, the lecturer and all who attended the programme both physically and virtually. 

The Workshop was well attended by dignitaries from within and outside the University, including former Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State, Dr. Dayo  Mobereola; the University Librarian, Dr. Emmanuel Layi Adebayo and scholars from within and about five other countries. Several members of academic and Non-Academic Staff from across different faculties in the University were also present.

The programme held on Friday, 23rd July, 2021 at the Conference Room, School of Transport and Logistics, LASU Main Campus, Ojo.

Roseline Idimogu commends constituents, joins husband in empowering constituents at Eid-El-Kabir

Success Damian:

Lady Roseline Idimogu, wife of Honourable Jude Chukwuemeka Idimogu, lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 02 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, has extolled the virtues of men and women in the constituency.

Lady Idimogu made the commendation on Monday, July 19, 2021 during the distribution of food items to the constituents by the family of Idimogu to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

Speaking on the reason the women of Ejigbo and Isolo constituency 02 so much believe in her, she said “We all know that it is not easy to lead people, it takes a lot of patience, and one thing with women is that if you promise them something and fulfill it, they will stand by you, anytime and anywhere. I always encourage them that we women should try to be role model to our children because if people see our children outside, and look at you, if the children are the other way round, they will be wondering, are you sure these are these people’s children.

“So when you train the children in Godly way they will not depart from it. And I thank God for all the women for believing in me because they know that I always try my best.”

Lady Idimogu also spoke on some of her activities to assist the women “Many of the women always come for assistance like school fees, house rent, even for their businesses, and I always try my best to offer assistance to the best of my ability.

“We like to touch people’s lives, we like seeing people happy. If you come to us with tears, you go home with joy in your heart. At least we want to leave a legacy behind for people to emulate, because we can’t be there forever,” she said.

She thanked the constituents, saying “I want to thank all our constituents both men and women, not only the women, the men too, they are so wonderful, both Igbos, Yorubas, Hausas, and others; they really believe in us. This is because what they don’t see in other leaders, they are seeing it in us, we always give them a listening ear and we always reason with them, and we say a big thank you to all of them, God will continue to bless them abundantly, strengthen them and give them life to witness another Sallah, amen.

Over 1000 men and women were empowered with various items of food to put smiles on people’s faces during the Sallah celebration and also to cushion the effect of current economic hardship in the land

The food items were also distributed without party allegiance, tribe or creed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I preach peace; I promote peace for unity, integration of both ethnic nationalities in Lagos State, Nigeria, says Eze Nwachukwu

His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr) Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, the Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State and more recently member Intertribal Traditional Leaders of Nigeria, and Eze Ndigbo no nu uzo ije (Nigerians in Diaspora) of which he is the National Treasurer, is a peace builder in Lagos State in order to ensure the Igbos live harmoniously with both hosts and other ethnic communities. In this interview with SUCCESS DAMIAN, Eze Nwachukwu told the world how he became Eze Ndigbo, the struggle for peace, the rivalry, how his photo was misinterpreted, and other national issues.

Introduce yourself

Welcome to Igbo Community Centre. I am Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, His Highness Eze (Dr) Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, you are welcome.

Some Igbo people in Lagos tend to misunderstand Eze (Dr) Christian Nwachukwu, but they don’t know the price you have paid in peace building in Lagos State, can you tell us some of these peace efforts you have put in place that have ensured peace in Lagos State?

1998, I was given the mandate of the leadership of Ndigbo, Odumegwu Ojukwu told me in particular that the war has ended, and we cannot fight war again. And His Royal Highness Eze Nri told us, in a function that we should carry our bullet which is the voter card in our hand as bullet, not Biafra, that war has ended, that the only thing we can use now is to use our voters card as a bullet to vote the candidate of our choice. And since then I have been preaching peace, I have been maintaining peace; I have been fighting for peace in Lagos State. Asiwaju, Bola Ahmed Tinubu also assured us of peaceful coexistence among all the ethnic communities in Lagos State and he created a forum where we meet from time to time. And since then I have been organising yam festival every year out of my own personal resource. All this is to promote peace, promote tradition and promote our culture in Lagos State. 

But there are some elements, characters who want to get this position for doing nothing while they are doing all sorts of businesses in Lagos State, of which we know them. And these characters are the ones who want to destroy the institution which Ojukwu kept, which Ndigbo supported, which Ralph Uwazuruike is maintaining and which His Royal Highness, Oba of Lagos State, Oba Oyekan conferred on me and issued me certificate, means well to our people, all this is for the unity and integration of both ethnic nationalities to come together and live in peace in Lagos State, which is the paramount role of Lagos State, peace. 

A video trended that you knelt before an Emir in Kano, what actually happened?

The same characters are trying to find fault, create fault where there is none and use computer as photo trick to cause confusion everywhere. A case in question is my last visit to Kano. Before Kano we visited Kaduna, in Kaduna we met and conducted election which was free and fair and credible, which I was made to be the treasurer of all the Eze Ndigbo Home and Abroad. It is called Eze Ndigbo no nu uzo ije (Ezes in Diaspora) in Kaduna State, the election was done.

Recently we built an association of Intertribal Traditional Leaders of Nigeria which Ganduje, the Kano State Governor was the sponsor, the Emir of Kano, our father was the Patron, Sultan of Sokoto who was the Chairman of the occasion and incidentally he is the chairman of Council of All Traditional Rulers in Nigeria and Chairman Council of all Islamic Religious body in Nigeria was the Chairman of the occasion and he was the person inaugurating all the 36 states leaders in Kano State which I was one representing Lagos State. 

On that inauguration there was a led down rule, all of us followed, my own was not different. When it got to my turn I went there majestically and greeted the Emir, but when the Emir spoke Igbo language to me, it sounded great to me and I wanted to have a tete-a-tete with him, then I bent to hear him because the loud speaker was too high, I couldn’t hear him well, then I bent down to hear him well and then have a quick conversation on things I needed from him, plus appointment with him in Sokoto, which we discussed and it was fruitful, and he also was appreciative of that discussion. 

All of a sudden, social media was saying that I bowed down, I went there as a hungry person, I went there to beg for something, I went there to sell Ndigbo, I went there to discuss Nnamdi Kanu issue, and none of these was not in the discussion, it was not in the picture at all.  But mischief makers whom I know are based in Lagos here who have suffered humiliation, defeat in various areas of our struggle now went in buying social media to blackmail. But I don’t see how they can use it to degrade Nwachukwu from doing a good job I am doing for the government, party and my people Ndigbo in Lagos, and at the same time a new relationship between Ndigbo and North, in particular Sultan of Sokoto.

So I end it there, but what I am saying is that, the Bible says those that kill by sword shall also die by sword, those who destroy others for nothing, will also suffer the same fate and also those who blackmail others will also suffer the same fate in their own coins. And those who are buying it without seeing it and they are saying it, they will all suffer the same fate because they were not there, those things they are using to relate to me that are fake, that are lies will affect them; the wrath of God will face them. With this, I will not go for revenge because vengeance is of God.  

I want you to explain something here, by so doing enlighten Ndigbo in Lagos, they say Nwachukwu is Eze Ndigbo, the same with Hyacinth, Ohamadike, but there was a time you told me how the whole Ezeship of Ndigbo in Diaspora all started in Lagos. Two of you are still using that nomenclature interchangeably, and I learnt that those that brokered peace between two of you in the past allowed two of you to use the name Eze Ndigbo to maintain peace, why are people still worried about this?

People can be worried because when you built a house in a sandy hill the house has to collapse and when you are walking in a sandy hill, as you walk it will draw you down, those who build by deceit always crash. We needed peace and somebody suggested peace, yes, we agreed on the peace, but the peace is what the man now used to defraud government, defraud Ndigbo and walking as if he is a powerful man in Lagos State. 

And the issue of Eze Ndigbo, yes, at that earlier stage I was the only man crowned by the Oba of Lagos and consented by Odumegwu Ojukwu and the Council of Traditional Rulers of South East led by Eze Ilomuanya, he consented to it, also a clan in my town, Eze Naze also, Eze of Umudim Town also, so in Lagos here my king, Osolo of Isolo, my mentor and Royal Father, Igbo Communities and Ohanaeze and others, consented to it, so how can somebody who was not crowned by anybody, who crowned himself can come and want to challenge me? When the matter came up, I reported him to Council of Traditional Rulers in Lagos State; he ran away to Abuja, he was doing the business with PDP, so when PDP crashed he too crashed. That is the position as of now. But I am still with my people, APC, I am still with government and party, I am still with my Ndigbo Community, I am still playing my role, maintaining peace and order when it concerns tribal problems.

I can still recall the role you played during the Okota crisis, Ladipo crisis, Alaba International crisis, among others, can you still tell us how you provided for platforms for peace in those areas?

That is part of my effort in peace building. There at Alaba International it was between Yorubas and Igbos, we moved in, with Ndubuisi Kalu and we quelled the problem, today those Igbos and Yorubas are together leaving well and having meeting together and doing a lot of things in common. In Ladipo Market when Government came and closed the market as a result of dirtiness, when the thing became out of hand, we moved in to the government and told government the importance of opening the market because if they leave this thing under lock and key these boys will enter the street and start stealing, and when that thing started happening government had to look at what we are saying and they opened the market. 

During election Obi and Vice President here, it was a serious war here, the miscreants were giving bottle injury to my men and women in this area and when we tried to control them, they were out of hand, that thing nearly made somebody to lose his life, but God shelved that problem. But when the former Local Government Chairman who sent them was not relenting in our position to bring about peace, I had to invite the Federal Police and I had to invite the state police, and the whole police came and blamed them, peace came. So all these are attributed to Eze Ndigbo of Lagos, Eze Nwachukwu here, but this other so called acclaimed such don’t do anything than extortion, money from here and there, which is illegal money, they are after money. Ours is not about money, it is about working, but those who are after money; you have seen where they have landed themselves. They can longer move, and they can no longer move from Lagos to anywhere without Nwachukwu, it becomes you are illegal, because God is trying to rearrange the situation for good. It is all about God, If God doesn’t use you, you don’t use yourself, if you do, you are forcing yourself and you will have problem, many of them will start having problem now because the position is not their own and they cannot get it by trick. That is the situation.

What are those challenges Ndigbo are still facing in Lagos and what are you doing to help surmount these challenges?

Your brothers, Ndigbo are not helping matters, but my advice is that those bloggers, those people who use social media to destroy image of government and prominent people should desist from such blackmail. As it is let everybody go back to moral way of life, in business, relationship, anything you do, your moral standard is key, that is my take on that.

Though a traditional ruler, but in as much as you are a major stakeholder championing Igbo Interest in Lagos, in your estimation, have our hosts carried Ndigbo along in the socio- politico economic activities in Lagos?

Our hosts are trying but those who are in the corridors of power are those usurping the goodwill to themselves and don’t see to the welfare of Ndigbo who are resident here. A few people who are in the corridors of power are those usurping the gesture of the Lagos State Government, so we are going to reach them to stop that situation where they are now using to make sure that something that meant for the people are for just few. Time has come, and their time is numbered.

Considering the contribution of Ndigbo in the political, social and economic growth of Lagos, is it not time to consider Igbo ripe for deputy Governor position or at least three commissioners in any administration of Lagos State? 

That is only when the Igbos are together. It is only when the  Igbos are together and they work together, and they tell themselves the simple truth, but now Igbos are money, money, money everywhere. None of them is seeking political position anywhere; it is all about what they can grab. If Igbos are ready they will think how to go into elective positions, that is the only area you can talk about Deputy Governor position, have you seen Igbo man or woman seeking to be Deputy Governor? If you don’t seek, you don’t get, they should seek before they can get, rather than pursuing money that fly everywhere, so that is the position, they should come out and seek elective positions where they can vote and be voted for.

With what is happening, it appears that history has exonerated you when you and other well meaning Igbos wanted a change in APC Apex leadership, what the occupant is doing before and now has not changed, and Igbos are complaining, that issue is still hanging. 

It cannot change because when you are born bad, you are a bad man, if you are born wicked you are a wicked man, if you are born greedy you are a greedy man. So such a man born by those explained cannot change. So by way of me being the Eze Ndigbo of Lagos, I presented Honourable Jude Chukwuemeka Idimogu, this is a man God made in Lagos State, he is a very humble man, a Christian person, and he is a man who is humble down to earth, that is the kind of person the host community can entrust anything and that thing will be useful, utilized the way they want to use it to help the people.

Your son is coming out as flag bearer of APC in his ward, what are his chances?

Well it is a test mic, election is 24th July, until after election, we will be able to talk again.

Eid-el-Kabir: Idimogu distributes gift items to less-privileged, party leaders

Cyriacus Nnaji

Honourable (Sir) Jude Chukwuemeka Idimogu, the lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 02 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has distributed various gift items to his party leaders in the state and all the less endowed people residing in his constituency to celebrate the Moslem Eid-el-Kabir.

The event which took place at his residence in Ejigbo, Lagos on Monday, July 19, 2021 saw Idimogu sharing rice to over 1000 men and women irrespective of party affiliation.

Idimogu disclosed that he has distributed about 120 bags of rice to his party leaders in the state. He has also shared cows and rams; all these were in line with his usual way of putting smiles on his people during festive periods.

He disclosed that giving is part of his nature knowing his background as someone who became an orphan at the age of eight years when he lost both parents. “I grew up as an orphan and I know what it means to be poor. It gives me joy to give and see people smile.

“I believe giving is love, sharing is love also, sometimes giving is a gift, it cements relationship, it opens doors. Beyond that, I have a very supportive wife, he helps me a lot,” Hon Idimogu stated.

He disclosed that apart from being among the few lawmakers who still reside with their people, he makes sure he gives them listening ear, to hear their complaints, suggestions and advice. “I see my position as privileged, my people always come to me, I give them listening ear to hear their complaints. They always come to me but what I did today is special because it is Sallah.”

Speaking on his empowerment projects, Idimogu disclosed that he has given scholarships to deserving members of his constituency, he has also bought JAMB and SSCE forms to students in his constituency, bought vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, and Korope to empower some of his people. He said the willingness and aspiration to do more is there but the resources are lean. “The challenge is that the resources is lean, stomach infrastructure is key and I wish other well meaning people in society would join hand in empowering our people, it would go a long way” Idimogu appealed.

Idimogu who urged all those who received the Sallah gifts to sharpen their PVC and vote for APC in all elections said it is essential to remember the people because without them, the elected officials would not be where they are today “We will do more once the resources are available. It is good to remember the people because without them we would not be where we are today,” he said. 

I preach peace, I promote peace for unity and integration of both ethnic nationalities in Lagos, says Eze Nwachukwu

Eze (Dr) Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, the Eze Ndigbo Lagos State and more recently member Intertribal Traditional Leaders of Nigeria, and Eze Ndigbo no nu uzo ije (Ezes in Diaspora) of which he is the Treasurer; he has paid his dues in peace building in Lagos State in order to ensure the Igbos live harmoniously with both hosts and other ethnic communities. In this interview with CYRIACUS NNAJI, Eze Nwachukwu told the world how he became Eze Ndigbo, the struggle for peace, the rivalry, how his photo was misinterpreted, and other national issues.

Introduce yourself

Welcome to Igbo Community Centre. I am Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, His Highness Eze (Dr) Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, you are welcome.

Some Igbo people in Lagos tend to misunderstand Eze (Dr) Christian Nwachukwu, but they don’t know the price you have paid in peace building in Lagos State, can you tell us some of these peace efforts you have put in place that have ensured peace in Lagos State?

1998, I was given the mandate of the leadership of Ndigbo, Odumegwu Ojukwu told me in particular that the war has ended, and we cannot fight war again. And His Royal Highness Eze Nri told us, in a function that we should carry our bullet which is the voter card in our hand as bullet, not Biafra, that war has ended, that the only thing we can use now is to use our voters card as a bullet to vote the candidate of our choice. And since then I have been preaching peace, I have been maintaining peace; I have been fighting for peace in Lagos State. Asiwaju, Bola Ahmed Tinubu also assured us of peaceful coexistence among all the ethnic communities in Lagos State and he created a forum where we meet from time to time. And since then I have been orgainising yam festival every year out of my own personal resource. All this is to promote peace, promote tradition and promote our culture in Lagos State.

But there are some elements, characters who want to get this position for doing nothing while they are doing all sorts of businesses in Lagos State, of which we know them. And these characters are the ones who want to destroy the institution which Ojukwu kept which Ndigbo supported and His Royal Highness Oba of Lagos who consented to it, and issued certificate for it, means well to our people, all this is for the unity and integration of both ethnic nationalities to come together and live in peace in Lagos State, which is the paramount role of Lagos State, peace.

A video trended that you knelt before an Emir in Kano, what actually happened?

The same characters are trying to find fault, create fault where there is none and use computer as photo trick to cause confusion everywhere. A case in question is my last visit to Kano. Before Kano we visited Kaduna, in Kaduna we met and conducted election which was free and fair and credible, which I was made to be the treasurer of all the Eze Ndigbo Home and Abroad. It is called Eze Ndigbo no nu uzo ije (Ezes in Diaspora) in Kaduna State, the election was done.

Recently we built an association of Intertribal Traditional Leaders of Nigeria which Ganduje, the Kano State Governor was the sponsor, the Emir of Kano, our father was the Patron, Sultan of Sokoto who was the Chairman of the occasion and incidentally he is the chairman of Council of All Traditional Rulers in Nigeria and Chairman Council of all Islamic Religious body in Nigeria was the Chairman of the occasion and he was the person inaugurating all the 36 states leaders in Kano State which I was one representing Lagos State.

On that inauguration there was a led down rule, all of us followed, my own was not different. When it got to my turn I went there majestically and greeted the Emir, but when the Emir spoke Igbo language to me, it sounded great to me and I wanted to have a tete-a-tete with him, then I bent to hear him because the loud speaker was too high, I couldn’t hear him well, then I bent down to hear him well and then have a quick conversation on things I needed from him, plus appointment with him in Sokoto, which we discussed and it was fruitful, and he also was appreciative of that discussion.

All of a sudden, social media was saying that I bowed down, I went there as a hungry person, I went there to beg for something, I went there to sell Ndigbo, I went there to discuss Nnamdi Kanu issue, and none of these was not in the discussion, it was not in the picture at all.  But mischief makers whom I know are based in Lagos here who have suffered humiliation, defeat in various areas of our struggle now went in buying social media to blackmail. But I don’t see how they can use it to degrade Nwachukwu from doing a good job I am doing for the government, party and my people Ndigbo in Lagos, and at the same time a new relationship between Ndigbo and North, in particular Sultan of Sokoto.

So I end it there, but what I am saying is that, the Bible says those that kill by sword shall also die by sword, those who kill by eating people’s money will also suffer death penalty in taking people’s money or eating people’s money, and those who blackmail others will also suffer the same fate in their own coins. And those who are buying it without seeing it and they are saying it, they will all suffer the same fate because they were not there, those things they are using to relate to me that are fake, that are lies will affect them.

I want you to explain something here, by so doing enlighten Ndigbo in Lagos, they say Nwachukwu is Eze Ndigbo, the same with Hyacinth, Ohamadike, but there was a time you told me how the whole Ezeship of Ndigbo in Diaspora all started in Lagos. Two of you are still using that nomenclature interchangeably, and I learnt that those that brokered peace between two of you in the past allowed two of you to use the name Eze Ndigbo to maintain peace, why are people still worried about this?

People can be worried because when you built a house in a sandy hill the house has to collapse and when you are walking in a sandy hill, as you walk it will draw you down, those who build by deceit always crash. We needed peace and somebody suggested peace, yes, we agreed on the peace, but the peace is what the man now used to defraud government, defraud Ndigbo and walking as if he is a powerful man in Lagos State.

And the issue of Eze Ndigbo, yes, at that earlier stage I was the only man crowned by the Oba of Lagos and consented by Odimegwu Ojukwu and the Council of Traditional Rulers of South East led by Eze Ilomuanya, he consented to it, also a clan in my town Eze Naze also, Eze of Umudim Town also, so in Lagos here my king, Osolo of Isolo was my mentor, so how can somebody who was not crowned by anybody, who crowned himself can come and want to challenge me? When the matter came up, I reported him to Council of Traditional Rulers in Lagos State; he ran away to Abuja, he was doing the business with PDP, so when PDP crashed he too crashed. That is the position as of now. But I am still with my people, APC, I am still with government and party, I am still with my Ndigbo Community, I am still playing my role, maintaining peace and order when it concerns tribal problems.

I can still recall the role you played during the Okota crisis, Ladipo crisis, Alaba International crisis, among others, can you still tell us how you provided for platforms for peace in those areas?

That is part of my effort in peace building. There at Alaba International it was between Yorubas and Igbos, we moved in, with Ndubuisi Kalu and we quelled the problem, today those Igbos and Yorubas are together leaving well and having meeting together and doing a lot of things in common. In Ladipo Market when Government came and closed the market as a result of dirtiness, when the thing became out of hand, we moved in to the government and told government the importance of opening the market because if they leave this thing under lock and key these boys will enter the street and start stealing, and when that thing started happening government had to look at what we are saying and they opened the market.

During election Obi and Vice President here, it was a serious war here, the miscreants were giving bottle injury to my women in this area and when we tried to control them, they were out of hand, that thing nearly made somebody to lose his life, but God shelved that problem. But when the leaders who sent them were not relenting in our position to bring about peace, I had to invite the Federal Police and I had to invite the state police, and the whole police came and blamed them, peace came. So all these are attributed to Eze Ndigbo, Nwachukwu here, but this other so called acclaimed such don’t do anything than extortion, money from here and there, which is illegal money, they are after money. Ours is not about money, it is about working, but those who are after money; you have seen where they have landed themselves. They can longer move, and they can no longer move from Lagos to anywhere without Nwachukwu, it becomes you are illegal, because God is trying to rearrange the situation for good. It is all about God, If God doesn’t use you, you don’t use yourself, if you do, you are forcing yourself and you will have problem, many of them will start having problem now because the position is not their own and they cannot get it by trick. That is the situation.

What are those challenges Ndigbo are still facing in Lagos and what are you doing to help surmount these challenges?

Your brothers Ndigbo are not helping matters, people who are greedy for money, greedy for this, greedy for that cannot, and they don’t reason before they talk. Also the situation now is that let everybody go back to moral way of life, in business, relationship, anything you do, your moral standard is key. That is my take on that.

Though a traditional ruler, but in as much as you are a major stakeholder championing Igbo Interest in Lagos, in your estimation, have our hosts carried Ndigbo along in the socio- politico economic activities in Lagos?

Our hosts are trying but those who are in the corridors of power are those usurping the goodwill to themselves and don’t see to the welfare of Ndigbo who are resident here. A few people who are in the corridors of power are those usurping the gesture of the Lagos State Government, so we are going to reach them to stop that situation where they are now using to make sure that something that meant for the people are for just few. Time has come, time is numbered.

Considering the contribution of Ndigbo in the political, social and economic growth of Lagos, is it not time to consider Igbo ripe for deputy Governor position or at least three commissioners in any administration of Lagos State?

That is only when the Igbos are together. It is only when the  Igbos are together and they work together, and they tell themselves the simple truth, but now Igbos are money, money, money everywhere. None of them is seeking political position anywhere; it is all about what they can grab. If Igbos are ready they will think how to go into elective positions, that is the only area you can talk about Deputy Governor position, have you seen Igbo man or woman seeking to be Deputy Governor? If you don’t seek, you don’t get, they should seek before they can get, rather than pursuing money that fly everywhere, so that is the position.

With what is happening, it appears that history has exonerated you when you and other well meaning Igbos wanted a change in APC Apex leadership, what the occupant is doing before and now has not changed, and Igbos are complaining, that issue is still hanging.

It cannot change because when you are born bad, you are a bad man, if you are born wicked you are a wicked man, if you are born greedy you are a greedy man. So such a man born by those explained cannot change. So by way of me being the Eze Ndigbo of Lagos, I presented Honourable Jude Chukwuemeka Idimogu, this is a man God made in Lagos State, he is a very humble man, a Christian person, and he is a man who is humble down to earth, that is the kind of person the host community can entrust anything and that thing will be useful, utilized the way they want to use it to help the people. That is why we elected him as the apex leader, Joe was a claimer, a claimant, he is just claiming something people did not give to him because he doesn’t merry it at all standard, he does not merit it.

Your son is coming out as flag bearer of APC in his ward, what are his chances?

Well it is a test mic, election is 24^th July, until after election, we will be able to talk again.

 

 

 

 

 

Advancing the sexual, reproductive health, rights of women and girls during Covid-19 pandemic

By Omodele Ibitoye Ejeh:

Women and girls will need access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) which becomes more difficult to access during crises situation and in crises areas.

In partnership with Global Fund for Women, IRISE (Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery and Exploitation) has been collaborating with One Billion Rising and Virtuous Progressive Women organization, with focus on Advancing the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women and Girls, through Comprehensive Sexuality Education, leadership training, peer counseling, telecounseling/teleconferencing services .

These programs are targeted at girls and women living in low income, underdeveloped, rural communities, individuals living in urban areas, activists, women rights defenders, sex workers, trafficking survivors, community based organization/civil society organizations. Previous works of the organization (IRISE) includes working with internally displaced persons and individuals in post conflict zones.

People are being held down by religion and cultural norms, which makes it difficult for them to access Sexual, reproductive health care and education. IRISE takes its audience through  a curriculum based method of education that provides basic knowledge, skills, attitude and values  to enable persons( especially young people in this context) make appropriate and healthy choices concerning their sexual , reproductive health and rights.

This method of education promotes gender equality, it honestly acknowledges the fact that young people will be sexually active in their future, Comprehensive Sexuality education  informs, empower and enable them plan ahead to make the healthiest possible sexual decisions. CSE inform young people about their sexual, reproductive health and right, promote abstinence, and help young people, girls and women think about the importance of safe sex and contraception. It equips young people, girls, and women with the attitude, skills and knowledge needed to avoid unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, clandestine/unsafe abortion procedures which may lead to injuries, disability and death. And also lower the rate of domestic and sexual violence, thus contributing to a healthier society physically and mentally. CSE is important to reach young people before they become sexually active and when they are sexually active.

“Preparing children and young people for the transition to adulthood has always been one of humanity’s great challenges, with human sexuality and relationship at its core. Today, in a world with AIDS, how we meet this challenge is our most important opportunity in breaking the trajectory of the epidemic.”

Michel Sidibe, Executive Director, UNAID.

Education Materials: Education materials are compiled, most in question and answer form to answer questions that seem easy or common knowledge for us working on women’s rights but are actually not common and easy knowledge for most adolescent girls and women, living in low income rural areas, including girls and women living in urban areas. 

Workshops are designed to equip young people and women with information that is relevant and accurate, information that teaches life skills to promote decision making , negotiations, communication, critical thinking , and to also make certain that young people  and women have access to counseling and referral and SRHR services that are affordable and non-judgmental. To enable them: Take advantage of education and other opportunities that will impact their life-long wellbeing; Be informed about period puberty and hygiene; Avoid unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion; Improve their sexual, reproductive health and protect themselves against STI’s and HIV; Understand and question social norms and practices concerning sexuality, gender, relationships and contribute positively to society and Be better equipped to face other challenges in life, especially during the transition period from childhood to adulthood 

In addition to the good work of IRISE( Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery and Exploitation) , the organization responded urgently  and organized emergency SRHR Community Sensitization programs for 3 days in  in Kwara State during the #EndSars protest, at this time when the impact of Covid-19 has stretched and shifted household priorities. In addition to excruciating hardship, extreme poverty and hunger, women and girls now have no choice but to prioritize food over health care, contraceptives, and sanitary pads.

We are seeing recorded, an upsurge on sexual assaults and teenage pregnancy .The Lockdown increased the rate of Gender base violence, especially among rural dwellers, access to healthcare and food was difficult in low income villages where health care facilities are in far distance. Mortality rate increased significantly during pregnancy, child birth, and due to clandestine, unsafe abortion. The situation exposed large number of young women and girls in low income villages with little or no access and knowledge of SRHR education to risks. IRISE made provision for food to communities, sanitary pads, and small cash incentives to girls and young women of age 25 years and below.

The organization also gave out SHRH education materials Written in English and Yoruba languages. About one thousand , one hundred and two women and girls profited directly from this Three days emergency program, this led to a radical approach to sensitizing  communities,  preventing them from getting harmed when they try to get food, Sanitary pad or access health care, their prepaid telephone line was available for SHRH tele-counselling and referral services.

With restrictions on physical gatherings in large numbers because of  the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, IRISE organizes leadership training pop-up workshops online, and offline with not more than 20 Young people per workshop, in low income unplanned communities. Young people are being trained as champions at grassroots level with useful information on their sexuality, how to access safe services to avoid or reduce harmful practices. Our pop-up workshops are designed to equip young people to face challenges pertaining to the development of their bodies and receive accurate information about their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

^{Ibitoye Ejeh is the Executive Director, IRISE and Coordinator, One Billion Rising, Nigeria} 

Tinubu heading this country is another disaster, says Primate Ayodele

Cyriacus Nnaji

Servant of the Most High God and Founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has prophesied that handing over the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023 will be a monumental disaster.

Ayodele made the disclosure at a media parley to unveil the 2021 edition of his globally acclaimed book ‘Warning To The Nations’ at the International Headquarters of his Church at Oke-Afa, Ejigbo, Lagos on Saturday.

He said “Tinubu leading this country is another disaster. I stand as a prophet and not as a politician,; Tinubu going for the presidency, even mistakenly handing over to him is a disaster to this generation. The best thing he should have done is to keep off from politics for now and work on his health otherwise Tinubu will be a disgrace to his family.  

“Tinubu cannot be president of Nigeria. Mistakenly APC hands over to him, APC will not even hand over to him because he has problem in APC and he is one of APC problems, I am speaking as a prophet,” Ayodele emphasized.

On whether the 2023 General Election will hold as scheduled, the Prophet assured that the election will hold, but hinted of a possible shift in date. He asked “Who will stop the election? The election is that the date might be shifted but there will be election.”

Speaking on the forthcoming Anambra State November 6 Governorship Election and how Ifeanyi Ubah can win it he said “Before the primaries, if you search very well, I have said it all, who and who will emerge. Let me take it from the APC, APC has no candidate, APC will not win at all. The only APC man who can make an effort, it is not Andy Ubah, but he is George Mgbolu; that is one. Two PDP is not ready to win Anambra, the only way Ifeanyi Ubah can win is if APGA has problem. Ifeanyi Ubah should go on prayers and say God confuse APGA, otherwise, give it to APGA again. Ifeanyi Ubah will perform if he becomes Governor of Anambra State.

Speaking on 2023 presidential election he said if the election is conducted today APC will lose but the problem is that PDP has no candidate. “The question is PDP, do they have a candidate? Because this people will mess it up. So PDP will give APC another chance, because Nigerians are tired of APC, they don’t want APC again, but the problem is, does PDP have anybody?  

In his advice to the leadership of the country, Adodele told them to seek the way of God in seeking solution to the nation’s numerous problems saying “My advice to the president or government is that they have tried so many avenues and they have failed, why can’t they try God’s way, I don’t mean I should be involved, call the Pastors,  Imams, let them pray, let God direct, and they should be very impartial about it, when you call your own person that person will not be serious, but if you call whoever you can call, call for serious prayer, people that understand, people God speaks to, people that when they say this will happen tomorrow at so so time and it is going to happen, then we get direction, then God will help us.”

 

 

 

  

TD Africa offers free smart watch for every Infinix Smart TV purchase

Success Damian: 

TD Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading tech, lifestyle and distribution giant, has rolled out a mouthwatering offer to reward shoppers with a smart watch for every purchase of the 55-inch Infinix Smart TV.

The offer is available to shoppers via e-commerce giant, Konga while bulk buyers can take advantage of the offer by purchasing direct from TD Africa.

The Infinix Smart TV comes with an exciting range of features, including hotspot screen mirroring which allows viewers the freedom to mirror their mobile device to the TV screen, using mobile hotspot without consuming mobile data. The device also comes with air mouse technology, availing users the opportunity to deploy their smartphone as air cursor pointer to connect their TV device via Wi-Fi/hotspot.  

Interested shoppers can get the device with the offer of swift delivery on Konga by using the link: https://www.konga.com/product/infinix-55-smart-tv-free-smartwatch-5291492 with the free smart watch accompanying the order. On the other hand, consumers looking for bulk purchases can reach out to TD Africa on 09029174191.

Executive Director, Sales, TD Africa, David Okunola Akindele, says the offer is a great one for shoppers looking for a bargain.

“We are very excited to offer our numerous customers the opportunity to get a free smart watch, once they purchase the strong and beautifully designed 55-inch Infinix Smart TV on Konga or from TD Africa directly, for bulk purchases. The Infinix Smart TV is designed with every sense of duty and responsibility to enable intelligent interactions between the TV and smartphone for the enjoyment of smart TV lovers.

“There is no better way to have a smart TV experience at a price that makes sense in the light of current realities. Then when you throw in the offer of a free smart watch, you will agree with me that this is a win-win situation for consumers,’’ he disclosed.

Further highlighting the features of the Infinix Smart TV, Akindele, who described the device as cutting-edge, urged consumers to take advantage of the deal on offer.

 “The Infinix Smart TV comes with an e-remote feature, which means that when a remote control is not readily accessible, you can control the TV with just a smartphone via Infinix Life App either to adjust volume or seamlessly operate many other functions available on the device.

“The Infinix TV device also comes with exquisite craftsmanship, elegant and frameless design, which allows immersive wide viewing experience of TV anyone can think of. It also boasts of super-rich colours and deep contrasts opportunities, promoting a breathtaking viewing experience one can never forget.  The Infinix Smart TV comes with 20watts full range speakers to promote best and safe sound experience.  

 “There is also a Bluetooth feature, which is compatible with a variety of entertainment upgrades designed in such a way to enable consumers connects their TV device with Bluetooth speaker, earphones and game controllers without hassles. When it comes to storage, this device also beats expectations. The electronic device has Read-Only Memory (ROM) 8G and 1.5G random-access memory (RAM) storage capacity. Therefore, the Infinix Smart TV is a new seamless way to enjoy media without stress.

‘‘Savvy shoppers are encouraged to seize this opportunity to grab the existing offer which is only valid as long as stock remains available,’’ he concluded.