Maryland, Gbagada KSM mark Founders Day with Lecture, say Fr. Abraham Anselm Isidahome Ojefua was embodiment of humility

It was encomiums on the Founder of the Order of the Knight of St. Molumba, Fr. Abraham Anselm Isidahome Ojefua, as he was described as a bundle of humility.

The celebration which was also marked with a Public Lecture, was held at Our Lady of Apostles, Maryland, Lagos State on Saturday, July 29, 2023, with a lecture titled ‘Humility in the Life of Servant of God-Fr. Abraham Anselm Isidahome Ojefua and presented by Fr. Godwin Chinedu Obah.

Speaking on humility which was the theme of the lecture, Obah said “Humility is at the core of Fr. Ojefua's character. Despite his numerous achievements and accolades, he remains grounded and unaffected by his success. He never seeks recognition or personal gain, instead, he prioritizes the needs of others. This humility is reflected in his interactions with people from all walks of life. Fr. Ojefua treats everyone with the same level of respect and kindness, regardless of their position or status. 

“As a servant leader, Fr. Ojefua selflessly dedicates himself to the service of others. He tirelessly devotes his time and energy to helping those in need, without any expectation of reward. Fr. Ojefua goes above and beyond to extend his assistance to individuals, families, and communities, making a meaningful and lasting impact on their lives. He understands that true leadership is about serving others and making a positive difference in their lives.

“Fr. Ojefua's humility and servanthood also extend to his spiritual journey. As a priest, he embraces his vocation with unwavering dedication and humility. He guides and supports his congregation, providing them with spiritual care and nourishment. Fr. Ojefua shows great compassion and empathy, offering solace and guidance to those who seek his counsel. He exemplifies the teachings of the faith he professes through his humble and selfless service.

“Within the wider community, Fr. Ojefua's humility and servanthood are evident in his involvement in social and developmental projects. He recognizes the importance of uplifting and empowering others, particularly the marginalized and less fortunate. Fr. Ojefua actively participates in initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty, improving education, and promoting healthcare. His genuine care for others is reflected in the positive impact he has made in the lives of many individuals and communities. Fr. Ojefua's humility and servanthood serve as a radiant example for all, reminding us of the power of selflessness and compassion. His unwavering dedication to the service of others, coupled with his humility, demonstrates the true essence of leadership. Fr. Ojefua's actions inspire and encourage others to follow in his footsteps, making the world a better place one act of kindness at a time,” he stated.

Father Obah described the late Fr. Abraham Anselm Isidahome Ojefua as a Catholic priest who was well-known for his service and contributions in various fields. Born and raised in Nigeria, Fr. Ojefua dedicated his life to the service of others, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and community development, adding that Fr. Ojefua was deeply committed to improving education in Nigeria and played a significant role in establishing and expanding educational institutions. He worked diligently to enhance access to quality education for students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. By prioritizing education, Fr. Ojefua strived to empower individuals and communities to overcome social and economic challenges.

Fr. Obah also stated that Fr. Ojefua was also actively involved in healthcare initiatives, recognizing the need for accessible medical services in underserved areas. He worked closely with healthcare professionals and organizations to provide medical facilities, resources, and support to those in need. Through his efforts, Fr. Ojefua helped improve healthcare outcomes and living conditions for many. He said “Beyond education and healthcare, Fr. Ojefua has also engaged in community development projects. He has been instrumental in advocating for the rights and welfare of marginalized communities, promoting social justice, and fostering sustainable development. His initiatives have focused on empowering individuals and communities, enabling them to thrive and reach their full potential.

In conclusion he stated that Humility forms the bedrock of a Servant of God's life, shaping their character, relationships, and spiritual growth. Through humility, these individuals place their faith in God above all else and recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every human being. They embody compassion, empathy, and a genuine desire to serve, helping to create a more just, caring, and harmonious world. By following the teachings and examples set by Servants of God, we can all strive to cultivate humility in our own lives, thus deepening our connection with the divine and enriching our interactions with others.

According to Worthy Brother Simon Ogbe-Ogboyi, Grand Knight, Maryland Sub-Council, the order of Christian Knight is an old institution in the Catholic-world, it has always been an organisation of good and brave men, but it became very glorious and famous in the middle ages, when Christian Knights organized a series of crusades against the enemies of Christianity.

With little modifications, the order of Catholic knight has continued till modern times and now flourishes in many countries. Thus, we have the Order of Knight of Martha in continental Europe, the Knight of Columbus in America, the Knight of St. Columbanus in Ireland, the Knight of St. Columba in England, the Knight of Southern Cross in Australia, the Knight of St. Thomas in India, the knight of Dagama in South Africa, the knight of Marshal in Ghana, the knight of St. Peter Claver in America, and in Nigeria, the Knight of St Mulumba.

Speaking further he said the aims of the organisation is to bring Catholics together and organize them to participate in Catholic action and assist in all matters concerning the progress of the Catholic Church. The order promotes the moral, intellectual and material welfare of its members and of the whole Catholic community. It also seek the welfare of the whole country and of all men. 

Answering to the question whether Catholic Knight is a secret society, he said “Our other is not a secret society because in secret society, as condemned by the church, is that which plots against the church or the legitimate civil authority, or which assumes a religious character or cult, or which adopts a profane imitation of religious rites. Since a Catholic must not take part in plotting against his church or the lawful civil authority and since he must not participate in any religious worship or cult that is not catholic, he cannot belong to any such secret society. 

 

SCOAN, waxing stronger with explosive Living Water Service

Like a bolt from the blue, the Synagogue Church Of All Nations SCOAN and  its Ikotun-Egbe axis were in weekend overwhelmed  by mammoth crowd of pilgrims coming all over the world to partake in the LIVING WATER SERVICE scheduled to hold by the SCOAN leader, Pastor Evelyn Joshua.

The whole of Ikotun-Egbe road, PROPHET TB Joshua Avenue, the new land of the church with an overflow of over 30'000 worshippers not to mention inside the overcrowded main church auditorium that could ordinarily take less than 20'000 people were all jam-packed with additional plastic chairs after the original seats were all compressed to no avail. It was spiritually electrifying!

The maiden edition this year and second since the passing of Prophet TB Joshua, it was a landmark service drawing pilgrims from about 40 countries across the continents painting the whole environment red.

Living Water Service is usually a sober spiritual moment for personal encounter with God once on the ALTAR to fetch the living water in a 50ml improvised cup on the basis of one's problem as brought before God. It's neither a moment of laying hand on any worshiper by the pastor nor evangelists  as usually seen during normal deliverance time on Sunday services. It is the time you are left alone by your faith with God.

To fruitfully and maximally benefit from attending the Living Water Service as instituted and instructed by the late God's General, TB Joshua, "you must come with a clean heart where no uncleanliness of any kinds such as envy, malice, unforgiving spirit, sexual immoralities and some other sins in any way must be found lurking by the Holy Spirit in you. You must put your heart in order because that's your communicating point with God otherwise you will not encounter God's presence and you will fetch not the Living Water but ordinary tap water because God cannot be mocked".

In the light of this spiritual caveat, many usually go through self imposed fasting, self denials and internal sanitization towards the service.

Declaring the Service open, Pastor Evelyn Joshua thanked God for the grace He gave for the event, His faithfulness and His enduring mercy and grace for SCOAN and to those who put their trust in Him 

Quoting copiously from scriptures on JESUS CARES, the Woman of God said: "God is with us in this Arena of Liberty. Jesus cares for you by seeking sinners, the rejected, lost souls and all that are heavy laden to give them rest and salvation. You are here to have an encounter with Him, to give you freedom, hope and new direction for the joyful fulfilment of your destinies. Prepare your hearts and sanctify yourselves because today is your day, the day you have long been waiting for. Jesus will never disappoint or forsake His own. Ensure your heart is thoroughly sanctified. He is ever concerned ready for your well being and salvation", she counselled.

SCOAN Living Water Service is undoubtedly the spiritual litimus test on how the individual worshiper or Pilgrim stands before God as you kneel down with your supplications. It has become a moment of spiritual self rediscovery in the ultimate journey of life and salvation of your souls.

It was a big marathon event which started early Friday morning nonstop cutting across overnight to Saturday sunrise.

All hotels and guests houses around Ejigbo, Egbe, Ikotun, Idimu, Igando and Egbeda axis were all overbooked by visitors with some other people vacating their residences for visitors to make quick economic gains. 

It was attended by unusual exceedingly great multitudes. But why this big crowd?

"A lot of people have seen that God of TB Joshua is still in SCOAN and vigorously alive. People have seen the dumbfounding miracles and indisputable testimonies on Emmanuel TV and various spiritual exploits of  God's raw power in foreign countries under the leadership of Pastor Evelyn Joshua still pointing to the unbroken continuity of God's presence and power in SCOAN as the last bus stop", said Princess  Mobolaoluwa Olotu a pilgrim coming to SCOAN for the first time, adding that "what I witnessed live without any hands being laid on the people, only by just climbing the altar to pray and fetch the living water was beyond human imagination. God is great. You can just see God's raw power in transparent action manifesting in people. I thank God for coming to attend". 

Apparently there was an explosion of miracles and testimonies in diverse forms of healing, deliverance, with the blind regaining their sight and those on crutches and wheel chairs walking as they reached the ALTAR. It was awesome!

"The moment I rolled my body on the altar of prayer, I felt a healing sensation from my neck downwards and that was the end of my chronic cervical spondylosis that had put in anguish for years" said Angelina Forson a foreigner pilgrim jumping and praising God.

 "As I stepped on the altar, there was a sudden transformation in my life and health. From that moment I have stopped experiencing incessant bleeding in the operated part of my body and could effectively move and bend my body in an unbelievable manner. I couldn't believe I could come back to life like normal human being again" said Jane Peters a retired General who had been bedridden with spinal cord problem for years.

This Living Water Service has undoubtedly opened a new progressive spiritual chapter on the enduring God's grace, mercy, power and presence in the Synagogue Church Of All Nations SCOAN as once anchored by the God's General, late Prophet TB Joshua. It's an additional spiritual feather in the cap of SCOAN, a glaring  confirmation of God's promise that He would never forsake His own and those who diligently seek and trust in Him

 

Opeyemi Bamidele, a trail blazer @60

By Modestus Umenzekwe:

Prominently known as MOB, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele is a lawyer of repute, a political icon, a man with Midas touch and just very recently, another feather was added to his cap when he emerged as the Majority Leader of the 10th Nigerian Senate.

The day the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio was announcing him as the majority leader, you could decipher the enthusiasm, the joyous expression on the face of the senate president and all other senators present because they all knew the pedigree and the political sagacity of which Senator Bamidele is made of.

I started taking passionate and clear interest in the political activities of the amiable senator during the battle for survival at the court in the United Kingdom by the embattled Senator Ekwerenmadu, though a Yoruba man but there was nothing he didn’t do to make sure that Ekwerenmadu was released, but all to no avail. This showed that he is detribalized, humane and bears another’s burden as his own. Ad

Since birth July 29, 1963, at Iyin Ekiti, in Ekiti State, Nigeria, it became obvious that a star has arrived on the planet earth. He started his early life in Lagos State, attending Baptist Academy Secondary School, from there he went to Obafemi Awolowo University now known as OAU. He is also a Lawyer, having studied Law at the popular University of Benin where he received a bachelor’s degree in law in 1990, and was called to the bar in 1992, having attended the Nigerian Law School.

Bamidele is so well equipped educationally to handle national assignments, with a Master in Law from the Franklin Pierce University and making himself all-rounder when he was called to the New York Bar in January 1999.

From record, Bamidele was one of the defence Counsels, led by Chief Godwin Olusegun Kolawole Ajayi to defend Moshood Abiola on his treason trial. He served as special assistant on legal matters to Senator Bola Tinubu until November 1993 when Nigeria’s democracy was truncated by General Sanni Abacha.

He has also served as Senior Special Assistant on Political and Inter-Governmental Relations to the Lagos State Governor in 2002, and later appointed as commissioner for Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development in governor Bola Tinubu’s administration. In April 2011, he was elected as a member of the 7th National Assembly to represent Ekiti Central Federal constituency 01.

Whichever way you look at him, Bamidele is very prepared for legislative assignment and other national engagements, giving his intellectual capacity, sound education, sociable personality and political erudition, a three-term commissioner in Lagos State, a member of the House of Representatives and a two-term Senator.

The Senate Leader is a man of immense capacity, a great political mobiliser and strategist with extensive contact that cuts across different strata, He would certainly bring all those qualities to bear on his new role as leader of the 10th Senate. People like Bamidele would make the citizens to be proud of their leaders talking about excellent representation, cohesion, dynamism and delivery.

He has started using his position to build harmonious working relationship with various sectors in the National Assembly and between the legislative and executive arms of government, in the interest of the country.

Bamidele has demonstrated consistently an untiring dedication to the Nigerian youth and their aspirations. 

As you celebrate your 60th Birthday with much gaiety and trust in God almighty, I congratulate you, I congratulate your immediate community for giving Nigeria a rare gem, I congratulate your state, Ekiti, I also congratulate Lagos State for bringing you into political limelight. A special mention must be of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who loves picking youths and developing them for national assignments.

 

Rotary Club of Ikoyi partners Sarah Ayoka Oduwaiye Foundation for breasts screening

Rotary Club of Ikoyi under the able leadership of Rotarian Funsho Gbogboade in partnership with Sarah Ayoka Oduwaiye Foundation, has embarked on breast screening to ensure early detection of the devastating disease.

The screening exercise which took place at the Lagos Island General Hospital, Lagos State, on Thursday, July 27, 2023, witnessed the screening of over 500 persons.

Speaking to Journalists on the project, Rotarian Funsho Gbogboade, the 39^th President of Rotary Club of Ikoyi said that the breast screening exercise was just one of the numerous projects mapped out under her leadership.

She said “We have so many projects and one of our projects for the year is free breast screening, so that if anything is discovered in the breast, then it can be quickly referred to the hospital. We have doctors, specialists; we have doctors here to screen the breasts. There is enough publicity to make sure that people come out to come and enjoy the free breast screening exercise today. We have screened over 500 people.”

She expressed happiness saying that there was nothing to fear as the exercise just recorded one incident, “We thank God because the result so far has been okay, except for one.”

She added that the reason for the choice of Lagos Island General Hospital is because the hospital is within the jurisdiction of the club. “We are from the Rotary Club of Ikoyi and this is our jurisdiction, Rotarians elsewhere would handle the hospitals elsewhere, therefore we choose the hospital because it is within our catchment.”

Also speaking on other area of assistance the club could render to those who happen to have the disease, she said “Definitely, we have specialists here, this is Dr Akintayo, we have Oduwaiye, he is a Specialist; they will counsel the person and they will refer the person to appropriate unit to do the follow up.”

On how she would raise money for all her capital intensive projects for the year 2023/2024, she answered that Rotarians would raise the money. “Rotarians will make sure that we contribute, Rotarians have contributed to the success of this and we want to thank Eko Electricity Distribution Company, they have contributed immensely to the success of this project. We must also thank Professor Sampson Afolabi; he has contributed from America. This is not the only breast screening we are doing, we are still going to do one or two more before my tenure runs out, it is an expensive project.”

Rotarian Gbogboade hinted that a screening exercise will be carried out by Rotary in May during the group’s Annual Conference which usually takes place in Abeokuta.

On his part, Dr Olayinka Oduwaiye, Founder of Sarah Ayoka Oduwaiye Foundation who said he is based in the UK but comes to Nigeria for Cancer awareness programmes said “We thank God and really appreciative of Rotary Ikoyi, Lagos. I am also a Rotarian, so I am wearing two hats today as a Rotarian from Rotary Ikoyi and also as Founder of Sarah Ayoka Oduwaiye Foundation, and we thank them very much especially the presidency of Rotarian Funsho Gbogboade, they have actually come out to support us for this project.

“We are all here today and we thank God the response has been very good. This is not just a one off thing, this is how we have been doing it. Last week we were in Abeokuta in Owu Palace, doing exactly the same thing in the palace in Abeokuta with the Kabiesi and the Olori, and all the local communities in Abeokuta, not only just scanning their breasts, we also give them health talks, to know what signs and symptoms to look out for and how to look for help.

“Cancer is very expensive thing anywhere in the world, so it is very easy to get it easy and then treat it, rather than going down from one pathology or consultant but if you can catch it early, it is curable, he said”

Oduawaiye spoke on his passion in sensitizing the people on the dangers of Cancer. “I am very passionate about my country because the late Madam Ayoka Oduwaiye died of breast cancer while I was a medical student in Zaria in 1984, that is the basis of all these and starting from there, here we are today, going round Nigeria, America and UK. So we thank Dr. Akintayo, Funsho Gbogboade and all members of Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Lagos and our Chairman here in Nigeria, Dr. Banji Oyegbami, and our chairman in America, Mr Albert Van-Lare, they are all represented in our programmes here throughout this period.”

Dr Akintayo, the current Chief Medical Officer for Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council said “In the community, a lot of people are still ignorant of breast cancer, most at times, our experience in the communities is usually that they spiritualise some of these things, attributing it to evil spirit or someone passing a spell on them, until when we now try to link them up to healthcare facilities where appropriate investigations will be conducted and they will be referred for appropriate treatment.

“The message we are bringing to the community is whenever they notice anything unusual in their system, they should relate to medical practitioners so that they would be able to explore the appropriate interventions to ensure that those things are properly sorted.”

He said cancer is curable particularly if it is discovered early.

Speaking on the causes of cancer he said, “There are so many factors, for instance, there is a kind of belief that it is associated with some other factors, one, what they eat, taking fatty diets, then exposure to some hormones, especially hormones that are not recommended by the doctors, or these family planning pills not all of them; there are some that trigger cancer.” He added that the bottom line is that on no account should they take any hormonal drugs without accurate evaluation of a medical doctor. 

 

Omoragbon President of Nurses Across the Borders advocates the promotion of interest of AFRALO, increasing its voice within ICANN

Delegates of the African At-Large Organisation (AFRALO) at the just concluded ICANN General Assembly in Accra Ghana

Pastor Peters Osawaru Omoragbon, President of Nurses Across the Borders and First Fellow from Nigeria to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers [ICANN) has advocated the promotion of the interest of Regional At-Large Organisation (AFRALO) which is the home of the individual Internet User Community for the African Region, saying there is need to increase its voice within the ecosystem of ICANN.

Omoragbon made this advocacy as part of his intervention at the African Engagement Forum 2023 which took place at Marriot Hotel, Accra, Ghana from July 23 -27 2023.

The engagement came up a day after the meeting of the General Assembly of the African Regional at Large Organization (AFRALO) under ICANN with over 54 delegates from Africa representing 71 At Large Structures ( ALSecs).

He said “I don’t know if there are plans for the ICANN Board to extend sponsorship of those that attended the AFRALO GA to be at the ICANN Rwanda Summit in June 2024. What am I trying to bring out here? Any region ICANN appears to be having or hosting their event, one major way of inclusivity is to first of all encourage and enable members of ICANN constituency in that region to be fully involved because they are the ones that promotes ICANN activities within the region, so if you are going to take this to Asia, the RALOS or the ALSecs within the Asian region should be given the first priority to be part of it, so if it is coming up in Rwanda efforts should also be made to ensure AFRALO members should also be there by increasing their participation, that will also help to enhance the voice of Africans, ditto for Asia, Latin Americans and the rest in the interest of ICANN.”

He commended ICANN for increasing Africa’s participation in their affairs but also called for more inclusivity in all its engagements. “We should commend ICANN’s efforts in trying to increase the involvement of participations of African community within ICANN ecosystem.”

Omoragbon therefore explained what he felt should be the modality for ensuring that Africans are well represented. “If we are to increase the voice of African communities within the ICANN ecosystem, there is also the need to also increase the participation of the various stakeholders within ICANN, and what do I mean? AFRALO represents the various interests within ICANN in Africa and the GA that is being sponsored by ICANN is a welcome development, the last was in J’bourg, but my concern is that having a GA and this African Engagement Forum immediately after the GA without the active participation of the AFRALO that constitutes an integral part of ICANN; that to me defeats the purpose. What do I mean? The GA ended yesterday, so majority of the African delegates to the GA have to depart yesterday! What ICANN should have done was to increase their stay by just a day, so that we have a full participation at this African Engagement Forum. So the question is, as desirable as the GA is for AFRALO, where is the engagement if those organisations putting up their best in Africa for ICANN within AFRALO are absent from programmes like this? That is ICANN shooting itself on the foot. If you are having an African Engagement, merge it together with the General Assembly, by making everything inclusive.” If there is no GA but there is an ICANN Summit in any region make the RALO in that region fully participatory.

Omoragbon congratulated the organization and appreciated the group for what it has been doing so far with the series of Stakeholder Engagement all over the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Africa: Why isn’t FIFA red-carding Africa’s Soccer Bodies over women’s low wage?

By Promise Joshua:

With the Women’s World Cup launching this month, FIFA is still siding with corrupt national football federations over women players. Across Africa, wage theft for female players and rampant gender inequality continue to characterize the women’s game.

My national team, the Nigerian women—nicknamed the Super Falcons—are supposed to open the tournament playing host country Australia on July 20. But they are shockingly considering to boycott their first match after the squad were informed they won't be paid tournament match bonuses, an essential part of their income.

From Nigeria to South Africa, female players are paid significantly less than their male counterparts, and have their wages stolen. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) still owes several female players their $1,500 allowance from the 2022 Women's African Cup of Nations, a regional tournament. In South Africa, female players are paid one-tenth their male peers for the same 90 minutes of play.

Despite these violations of labor rights and non-discrimination rights, FIFA remains a spectator, sitting and watching as its associations violate women’s rights with impunity.

At the core of the human rights violations is the problem of unpaid wages. “Can you believe that we are still owed our bonuses?” exclaimed a female player of Nigeria’s Women’s National Football Team, three months after the 2022 WAFCON Championship, to  The Punch .

In the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, each female Nigerian player was  only paid half of the approximately $5,300 owed from previous international fixtures. In 2016, following their eighth-time win of the WAFCON championship, the NFF also owed each female player $23,650 .

Meanwhile national football federations receive a vast inflow of revenue towards the running costs of their national teams. As a member association of FIFA, the NFF receives up to $1 million annually from the FIFA Forward Programme to fund operating costs, including costs for the national teams. In addition, the Programme  grants each member an extra contribution of up to $2 million specifically to cover the costs of projects to develop women’s football.

A discrepancy exists between the funding of women’s football and the shortage of funds for both training and salaries of female players. This discrepancy suggests national federations misappropriate the grants that FIFA distributes through them. Sahara Reporters stated that since the former NFF president Amaju Pinnick’s era began in Nigeria in 2004, “financial discrepancies, misappropriation,” and “diversion of money” have been “the order of the day in the operations of the NFF”.

Worsening this chronic problem of wage theft is the problem of gender inequality. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa's call for pay parity   after the Women's National Team win at the WAFCON 2022 was a wake-up call to FIFA to rectify the problem of pay disparity in African football.

 

Concerned indigenes of Nzerem cry out to Uzodinma over deplorable roads in their communities

Coffin being conveyed due to the deplorable roads in Nzerem
Concerned indigenes of Nzerem in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of lmo State have cried out loud to the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, over deplorable road networks in their area.

The group at a press conference on Monday, July 24, 2023, stated that over 14 communities in Umuoma/Dioka Nzerem all in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state have been cut off due to the impassable nature of the road.

They called on the governor who is prominently known as Mr Project to remember their area by completing the tarred road coming from Ezeoke Nsu to Afor-Nzerem down to Umuosu Nzerem to link it up to Umunumo road. This road, according to the group, was started but has been abandoned.

Leader of the group, Eze (Pastor) Okeh Anorue, former President of Imo State Towns Development Association Lagos said, “He should complete the tarred road coming from Ezeoke Nsu to Afor-Nzerem down to Umuosu Nzerem to link it up to that Umunumo road. This road was started but has been abandoned.”

“The road from Afor-Nzerem to Nkwo-Dioka which has been approved by the Imo State House of Assembly and has been gazetted in the 2023 Imo State budget should also be constructed as the road has not been started at all,” he said.

Other roads that have become a death trap include the Orie Ikpa, Agbaja which the group said should be connected to Onicha Uboma by a motorable road, and the Ikpem to be connected to Nkwo Dioka by a motorable road also. 

The group stated that it has become embarrassing that during burials, coffins are carried on the head or at most, transported on Okada due to the deplorable nature of the road, and described the situation as not only an eyesore but sacrilegious. They therefore appealed to the Governor to do something urgently to help the communities.

The concerned indigenes also disclosed other projects begging for attention which include the renovation of both the Secondary School and Primary Schools, the Union Comprehensive Secondary School Nzerem and Central School Umuoma, Nzerem.

The group also stated that poor communication network has been the bane of the community and called on the governor to use his good offices to assist the community in the area of communication so that they are not entirely cut off from the outside world.

 

 

 

 

 

Lady cries for help, prefers to die than go back to Nigeria

The Nigerian society has become a potpourri of the good, the bad, and the ugly, but indeed more of the ugly.

One of the issues that readily indicts our society more is the issue of trafficking in person. Human trafficking, like kidnapping has become an easy cash cow whereby even parents don't mind consenting to their daughters, sisters, or even wives to go abroad, not to just to go and work for them for money but also to prostitute for years before they are granted freedom to be on their own.

A clear example is that of Mrs Adeola Olatunji, married to one Johnpaul in United Kingdom. Adeola while in Nigeria lived at 43 Alayesoro Ogufunmi, Lanre Busstop, LASU Road, Ojo, Lagos State.

Adeola a victim of emotional and sexual trauma, distress, abuse, caused by her step mother, further abuse got enforced and orchestrated by the so called step mother due to her excessive greed for money, she married the 34years old Adeola out in exchange for repayment of millions of money she owed

Adeola's only job while in Nigeria whilst living with her step mother with no option was always given to different calibers of men for sex in exchange for money by her stepmother. Adeola was always treated as an outcast because she's into lesbianism which it's against their religion and also the part of the society she hails from" also due to her step mothers influence, all efforts of complaints at the police went to no avail and no help came through, due to the corrupt system and society. 

It just didn’t end there,Adeola was asked to go and meet her husband John-Paul in the UK so they can make babies, Adeola who has no choice left to the UK with the hope that God would come through for her and rescue her from been enslaved and get her freedom from the heartless woman, unknown to Adeola that it was part of the debt exchange agreement done by her step mother 

Adeola is calling for help on how she could forever gain freedom from her stepmother and live her own life without having to be indebted to her because if she goes back home, she would have to continue living as a sex worker so as for the stepmother to pay back the millions of money taken already and also sponsoring her lavish lifestyle.

Adeola is in the street again with deportation looking her in the face. Where is she going from there? back to Nigeria? to her old home? to her wicked step mother? to get criticized of her choice of been a lesbian? To get condemned because her choices of lesbianism is against her step mother religion and that of her tribe? That is unthinkable and unimaginable. For Adeola the only option is death.

She is soliciting for assistance from well meaning individuals, as her going home would mean to die in the hand of her wicked step mother who is not only greedy for money but also fetish.

 

 

Funsho Gbogboade inaugurated as 39th President of Rotary Club of Ikoyi, rolls out projects

L-R: Past president of Rotary club of Ikoyi, Rotn. Loye Akinbami; District  9112 Governor Elect, Femi Oyenekan; New President, Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Rotn. Funsho Gbogboade; Past District Governor, Rotary International Nigeria, District 9110, Dr Kamoru Omotosho; and the Immediate Past President of the club, Rotn. Augustine Irabor during the investiture of Funsho as the 39th president & Inauguration of the club’s Board of Directors, 2023/2024 in Lagos on Saturday. 

Rotarian Funsho Gbogboade on Saturday, July 22, 2023 was installed as the 39^th President of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi. The event which was graced by the crème de la crème in Nigeria took place at the popular Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi. JOHN SILAS reports.

As an organization Rotary has objectives of encouraging and fostering the ideal of service as a basis for worthy enterprises and in particular to encourage and foster the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service, high ethical standards in business and professions, it also recognizes the worthiness of all useful occupations and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve the society, among others.

But most significant about Rotary Club is the four way tests which try to find out things they think, say or do if they are true, fair to all concerned, build goodwill and better friendship and lastly, whether their actions are beneficial to all concerned?

Therefore in making sure the club realize its set objectives, Rotary has a well thought out succession plan which has passion for the club as a primus inter pares in terms of one of the consideration for whoever takes up the top job. No wonder, this rare gem, Rotarian Funsho Gbogboade was elected as the 39th President of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi. Indeed her choice was not by accident.

Her tenure to run from July 22, 2023 to July 2024, Folasade would not be alone in piloting the affairs of the club in the year under review, she would be working with other eminent personalities as board members who were also inaugurated same Saturday, July 22, 2023.

Funsho Omolara Gbogboade, born on 18th October, 1962 hails from Aran Orin in Kwara State, Nigeria, she is a graduate of the University of Ilorin with BA Hons in English Language. She joined Rotary Club of Ikoyi 14 years ago, and has virtually served in almost all the committees as member, Chairman and Director. She has also served in RYLA and Family of Royal Committee at District level amongst others. Also she has won several awards at club and district levels. Gbogboade is awesomely blessed with four children.

Speaking to the media, Gbogboade spoke on her she felt “I feel so so delighted, I bless God for giving me this wonderful opportunity because serving humanity has always been my passion, and I see this as a very successful achievement.”

On her programme for the year she said, “In Rotary we have seven areas of focus, we have disease prevention and treatment, for this year we have what is called basic life support, we are going to spend money on that, we are going to spend money on donations to hospitals, we are going to spend money on donations to orphanage homes, and we have just completed a project, that is solar and inverter project to enhance power supply to our blood donor centre at Falomo Police Hospital, so we are doing a lot, I am telling you.

“We are going to embark of cataract screening and surgery, we are going to have free cancer screening and breast cancer screening for women; that will take place next week. We are also adopting a school, we are going to fix the toilet, the library in order to enhance learning and make the children happy, because what Rotary does is to put smiles on the faces of the less-privileged people," Gbogboade stated.

Answering question on how to raise money for the projects she said, “In Rotary, we believe that people will support us, companies will support us, organisations will support us and in Rotary, we have gold hearts, Rotarians; we give and give and give. There is polio eradication that Rotarians are involved in and every Rotarian, every year will give at least a hundred dollar, this is for children we don’t even know, we have not met them in the world, so Rotarians, we have a gold heart, it is not that we have so much, but we have the heart to give”

She has a message for Rotarians “I want to appreciate my members, they have been so supportive, in Rotary we don’t even relent in giving, so I want to appreciate my members for their great support.”

For Rotarian Augustine Irabor, the immediate past president, he said “I am very relieved, it is one year call to duty, like I mentioned during my speech, this is exactly one year ago, when I took over the mantle of leadership of this club and we have touched lives in various ways. I am happy today we are here again to hand over to my successor.

“The past one year has been very interesting and very motivating and with all the challenges that go with because it is not an easy ride, managing people, projects, finance and so many other things. It was quite interesting and quite motivating. I am quite pleased that we were able to do what we were expected to do by bringing smile to the people.

Under Irabor, the club recorded a total of 14 new members, and in line with the district’s target, the club also recorded an increase in the percentage of female members from 25 per cent to 30 per cent. During that tenure the club ensured provision of well-meaning and impactful projects, with specific time lines which were unveiled during the investiture, the projects include tree planting in support of the environment at king's college, Lagos, introduction of life saving squad, organisation of school reading exercise, donation of Rotary branded exercise books to schools, hearing for learning in collaboration with district and 15 other clubs, family health days, support for routine polio immunization in collaboration with Rotary Rlub of Victoria Island,

Other activities under Irabor includes Golf tournament, voluntary blood donation exercise, micro credit (global grant), donation of office Printer and Rotary branded exercise books to Junior Boys Academy, Lagos Island. Wash project, donation of hospital consumables, support to free prostate screening exercise, Pro Bono legal services, teacher support, among other achievements of the club under Irabor.

Also speaking at the event was Emmanuel Efutayo, the President elect or what you called the incoming president of Rotary Club of Ikoyi, he said “My year will be next year, Gbogboade is passionate about rotary and she will put everything that is required to make her year a success. As a board we have so many agenda, especially on how to grow our membership, I am Chairman of membership committee, from about 84 now to about 100, we want our club to be a mega club. We have some projects in place, we did one last week at the Blood Donation Centre in Falomo, there is a school; we are adopting, also we are sending some of our youths to what we call Rotary Youth Leadership Academy, we are also collaborating with some other clubs.

Albert Van-Lare who was the Chairman of the occasion spoke glowingly about the new president. “I think they have done great job, I like the foundation they have set, and I like the direction this organisation is going to.”

On what Rotary should do to sensitise Nigerians on their activities, “I think going to the communities is a way to publicise the organization and I think the result eventually will show to the public how to understand their activities.”

Responding if rotary club has done enough in Nigeria, he said, “I don’t think you will ever do it to get to a point when you have done enough, there will always be more to do. But I will put it differently, I will say they have made a remarkable presence in the community, is it enough? No, enough suggests we have reached a point of stopping, they need to do more.”

On what he expected the new president do he said, “I will expect that she is going to put her mark on this club by putting in place those projects that she has spoken about and should concentrate effectively more on projects that actually touch human lives, I like the project of school where they want to do some construction work, I like the idea of breast cancer screening because this is very important, and other projects she mentioned.”

Commissioner of Police Nkechi Eze, a Dental Surgeon, she is in charge of police hospital, Falomo. Appreciating donation of solar inverter by the club she said, “I feel wonderful, it is been a great privilege being associated with the club, I am very very happy. I am very glad that it happened in our time, and in the present president’s time, we are quite grateful to Rotary for donating the solar inverter machines and batteries for us. Actually there was a blood transfusion center that they had helped the hospital set up few years back, and we were having some power outage issues but with the solar inverter that the club just donated it is going to go a long way in helping us alleviate the problem.”

Special Guest Speaker of the day was Prof. Folasade Akinsola, Consultant Ophthalmologist LUTH/Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences College of Medicine, University of Lagos. While almost all the past president of the club were present.

I’ M certain Akpabio will bring uncommon leadership to 10th Assembly—Umenzekwe

Chief Modestus Umenzekwe (Onwa Achina) is prominently known as a political commentator, a Writer and most importantly, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In this no-hold-barred interview, he speaks on the 10th National Assembly and why Nigerians should have implicit confidence in Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio who has brought uncommon leadership to the Assembly. Excerpts:

The Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly has been inaugurated, do you think the assembly given its leadership as constituted will deliver?

They will certainly perform, with Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio as the head of the National Assembly, I see no reason the lawmakers will not deliver; he has come with uncommon leadership style; his leadership will bring about stability in the senate in particular and the legislature generally.

Are you not suspecting that the current Assembly will end up being a rubber stamp legislature considering the support the executive gave the leadership of the two chambers leading to their being elected?

I am not sure. No, no, it’s not going to be so. It was a party decision to ensure that there was need for politically mature, intelligent and knowledgeable people to occupy the leaderships of both chambers for the benefit of Nigerians, recall that they are just the heads, they don’t have the words of their own per say, the majority opinions will always carry the day, their own responsibilities are to direct the proceeding and procedures of the assembly.  

What appeals to you about the leadership style of Senator Akpabio?

You see, what I don’t normally like is journalists bumping into me at any point in time to ask me jaw breaking questions, however, I am not afraid of talking, I am not afraid of discussing issues of crucial national importance which will enhance nation building and so far as I am doing it in good faith.

His Excellency Godswill Obot Akpabio, I am not close to him, we have never sat one-on-one, I see him from a distance, even though we are members of the same political party. I know that he is a lawyer and a politician of note. When he was governor of Akwa-Ibom State he did a lot of things which I am going to substantiate in the course of this interview. When he defected from PDP to APC, it was a landmark defection that shook the foundation of PDP, you needed to watch the mammoth crowd, the jubilation that followed that defection, and since then he has been consistent and resolute in making sure that the All Progressives Congress (APC) stands the test of time. He brought his ingenuity in building the party, and you know he is an orator. His excellent administrative achievements in Akwa-Ibom State earned him the name, “The Uncommon Governor’, and today, by the special grace of God, we have an uncommon governor as the uncommon senate president and those things that made him uncommon, he will introduce in the 10th senate. I congratulate him on his achievements so far. I congratulate him for successes so far, I also congratulate our great party for making the right choice, I congratulate the president, our revered Jagaban, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making it possible, one way or the other, for Akpabio to emerge as the Senate President. He deserves it. After all during the primary, having seen the quality Asiwaju is made of, having seen his sagacity in politics, he humbly, mark my word, he humbly and willingly stepped down for him, I think he was the first person to step down when others were shouting, he humbly and willingly stepped down, that was the time I now sat back and told people around me at the convention ground that for this uncommon governor to step down, Asiwaju is already the president of this country, and it has come to pass.

So I believe that the 10th Assembly will take this country to a greater height, yes there is hardship now, I won’t deny that, but it didn’t start now, it has been there. Buhari tried his best, in his regime, and mark you, he governed this country from two backgrounds, as a military man, and as a converted democrat; I congratulate him for the much he achieved. Now we have pure democrats, somebody who has never been in the military as the president, somebody who has never been in the military as Vice President, somebody who has never been in the military as the senate president, somebody who has never been in the military as the first lady, somebody who has never been in the military as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Greater number, if not all of them, were senators before and are still senators, so if they were involved in making the law, now some of them are involved in executing the law, that means we have square pegs in square holes or round pegs in round holes, and that is what His Excellency, Godswill Akpabio, the 15th Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria represents, I wish him well.

You have so much confidence in Akpabio, where is this confidence coming from?

I am certain Akpabio will bring uncommon leadership to 10th Assembly, considering his pedigree. The Ukana, Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom born politician is not a learner, he has done it before and he will do it again; as governor, he performed; and as the Minster of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), he performed. A legal luminary per excellence and a Telecoms giant, so there is no doubt about the quality of his leadership.

Recalled he was commissioner under Obong Victor Attah Administration between 2002 and 2006; he was first appointed Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources and later, commissioner for Lands and Housing, as well as Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He was governor of Akwa-Akwa-Ibom between 2007 and 2015. Akpabio was appointed Minister for Niger Delta Affairs in August 2019 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari after a successful screening by the Nigerian Senate. So he is not a learner, I have implicit confidence in his leadership.

Many people do not know most of his uncommon policies in Akwa-Ibom. As governor he introduced free, compulsory and qualitative education for all school age children resident in Akwa Ibom State, without political, religious or cultural considerations; free medical care for pregnant women, children and the aged; as well as massive infrastructure investments in the state. He is also highly detribalised. He pays no attention to where anyone who crosses his path comes from. It is on records that as a governor, his CSO, Orderly and ADC were all non-indigenes of the state.

When Akpabio assumed office as governor, he made sure the Victor Attah International Airport, which he met at site clearing level, became functional, internationally required landing and lighting system installed in one of the longest runways in the industry in Nigeria. The uncommon Governor also witnessed the first take-off and landing of international flights before he left office in 2015. He empowered many, built capacities, having abolished the house boy/girl syndrome through free and compulsory education for the youths.

His environmental master-plan was second to none, as he was determined to put an end to the perennial problem of flooding across the state during the rainy season. He got the construction giant, Julius Berger to deploy the pipe jacking or micro-tunneling technology to put an end to the menace that had become a yearly horrific experience for the people of the city. Apart from saving the structures in the areas from being submerged, Governor Akpabio had reckoned that flood would make nonsense of the huge sums of money that had been sunk into road construction and the flyover projects if the issue of flooding was ignored.

He ensured Free and Compulsory Education; Free Medical/Health Care to Children and the Elderly; Building of an International Airport; Payment of 13th Month Salary to civil servants fittingly dubbed AkpabioMber; Building of Four Flyovers; Building of the new Government house; Provision of Civil Service Buses which are still conveying civil servants from their respective LGAs to Uyo today; Building of the 21st Century Anniversary Hospital in Uyo; Building of new Ikot Ekpene Correctional Facility etc.; Building of Five Cottage Hospitals in Akwa Ibom State; Building of new Police Secondary School and also Mobile Police base; Attracting a Federal polytechnic to Akwa Ibom State (Federal Polytechnic- Ukana); Initiated the construction of 1000 units Housing Estate per senatorial estate at Urua, Eket and Ikot Ekpene, amongst other Housing Projects; Building of an International Stadium in Uyo known as Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium.

His tenure was the era Akwa Ibom had the slogan "Akwa Ibom Ade OK" which means "Akwa Ibom is OK".

Now if you look at his tenure as the Minister, Niger Delta Affairs, you will certainly see his footprints. His first work plan was to ensure that the region remains very peaceful while various stakeholders were frequently engaged on ways to move the region forward for its development. He gave the region newly-completed 13 and 8-storey buildings as the NDDC headquarters, completed and set for commissioning, 52 projects in the Nine Niger Delta States, over 77 roads were ready for commissioning in the region as at the time he was leaving office, the commissioning of the Police SPU Quarters in Port Harcourt. The over 1000 bed space built by the commission for the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State was ready for commissioning, while the electrification project in Ilaje Ese-Odo, Ondo state was at the verge of completion and commissioning when his tenure as NDDC minister elapsed

Some other projects completed are the Skill Acquisition Centre (SAC) at Agadagba in Ondo State with 38 buildings. Train 7 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) anchored on the Under Water Welding Facility at SAC Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State, Cassava Plant Processing Plant at Usugbene Irrua, Edo State; Health Centre, Amauzari Community, Isiala Mbano, LGA, Imo State; Health Centre, at Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, Bayelsa State; Land Reclamation/Erosion Control Works at Nsit Attai LGA, Akwa Ibom State; Health Centre, at Eworkpe, Emede, Isoko South LGA, Delta State; Umudike-Umueze-Umuoyere Road Project, (Phase 1) River State; Mini Water Works at Ikot Effiong, Effiong Village, Akasoko Clan (Idundu/Anyanganse Ward) Akpabuyo LGA, Cross River; Boreholes and Reticulation in Ndulu-Amaoba, Oboro Water Project, Ikwuano LGA, Abia State.

I know the coming on board of Akpabio as senate president didn’t come very easy, there were oppositions, of course that was normal, it was a keenly  contested election, what do you expect him to do in order to have a rancor free senate? Talking about reconciliation.

You see, that fierce contest as it happened in the presidency shows that our democracy is deepening; that Nigerians are not robots, I like it, it was a very good challenge, in as much as I knew that no matter what, he would emerge the winner, he scored 63, while his closest rival scored 46, if I am not mistaking, making it 109. So it is healthy for our democracy, and that has exonerated the president from certain insinuations that he imposed, in as much as a person, he would have an interest somewhere, because he is a human being, but that fierce contest exonerated him, and that fierce contest shows that Akpabio was the man to beat, and based on that I urge him to carry everybody along, I urge him to behave uncommonly as he has been behaving, so that that status of uncommon personality will remain indelible in his life, and his activities in the cause of this nation building and handling of the 10th assembly.

People still complain about the bogus salary which the national assembly pay to themselves, it is rumour to me because nobody has come out clean on this to tell us exactly the amount being taken by the lawmakers, but if it is true, is it right?

Why do you want me to talk on rumour? I have never granted interview based on rumour. Do you want to tell me that the entire national assembly don’t know what to do? Mark you, both the president and national assembly are working round the clock, sleepless night to make sure the hardship the people are facing is ameliorated; they can’t wipe it out, nobody can tell me it will be wiped out, but it will be reduced to the barest minimum, after all right from the time we had our independence we have never solved all our problems. So let us allow them to come up with their resolution before I will be able to talk. I know that they will do something that is reasonable, in as much as in this country whatever you do it will be criticized, everything is being politicized, this is a place where, once you are in governance, even if you hand over your wife to your enemy they will still not be happy. So let them do the much that they can do and leave the rest to God.

Your final word

The only thing I can say is, I am appealing to myself, to you interviewing me, and to Nigerians, to calm down and give the president, the federal executive council when it is constituted, and the national assembly, some time, I am confident that they will come up with better policies, better legislation, and then will execute properly. You can see, the president talked about N8000 per household, and people started talking, and he quickly retraced his steps and called for a review. That means he meant his word when he said at the inauguration ground that he is not going to be a ruler, he will be consulting, he will do what greater Nigerians agree, so my advice is let us calm down and keep on praying for them and praying for ourselves so that we leave in peace and not in pieces.

 

NDDC: Authentic Ex-Niger Delta agitators restate support for Ogbuku-led MGT

The authentic former Niger Delta agitators on the aegis of Ex-Agitators Forum, have described as mischievous, a publication in the media by some persons it described as impostors, who are threatening to disrupt activities of the Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The group said as genuine leaders of all ex-agitators, it finds it absurd that a group of impostors will be issuing threats to cause disaffection among the people of the Niger Delta region.

In a statement, signed by HRH Henry Binidodogha (President First Phase), Olotu Wanemi (National Chairman Second Phase) and Tonye Bobo (National Chairman Third Phase), the ex-agitators, equally condemned calls for the removal of the present Management Committee of the NDDC.

The group expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led management of the NDDC, and therefore, distanced itself from anyone or group holding contrary views. It cautioned such persons and their sponsors to desist from their mischievous antics as they are unwittingly pulling the Niger Delta region backwards.

The statement read in part: “As major stakeholders in the region, we are worried by the frequent changes of leadership in the foremost interventionist agency in Nigeria’s oil-rich region. This disruptive change of guards impedes the development of the region.

“We are aware that some powerful individuals who previously benefited from the years of sleaze are behind the new threats. Their unfortunate mission, which is against the mandate of the NDDC, is meant to truncate the changes that are taking place at the Commission.

“We urge Niger Delta stakeholders to disregard those seeking to disrupt the system because it is obvious that they are sponsored to sow the seeds of discord in the hope of benefitting from the chaos that will follow. The stakeholders should note that the self-serving agents of disharmony are merely heating up the system knowing that President Bola Tinubu is in the process of reconstituting the NDDC Board.”

Reminding Niger Deltans that the threat to shut down the operations of the NDDC is no longer fashionable, the group said as genuine stakeholders in the Niger Delta region, they have since embraced peaceful engagement since the emergence of the Ogbuku-led management team.

“It is noteworthy that within a very short period of the time, Dr Ogbuku and his team have laid the foundation for the rapid economic development of the region and put in place an enduring and sustainable governance structure for the effective operations of the Commission.

“We note that as a former youth leader himself, Dr Samuel Ogbuku has been through the mill and is well prepared for the leadership position he is occupying today. The leadership of the authentic ex-agitators is happy that Mr. President retained Dr. Ogbuku to continue to pilot affairs of the commission until a new board is constituted.

“Majority of genuine ex-agitators, who were in the thick of the struggle to emancipate the Niger Delta region, know their own.  It is, therefore, unthinkable for fellow ex-agitators to call for the sack of the management currently headed by Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who is dearly loved by his people.

“We appeal to Niger Delta stakeholders to refrain from destabilizing the development vehicle that is being strengthened to provide for the welfare of our people,” the group said.