Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Apostle Kure Consecrated 'Global Spheres International Ambassador' in USA

Apostle Emmanuel Kure, Vision Coordinator of the Throneroom (Trust) Ministries, Kafanchan, Kaduna State at his consecration as Global Spheres International Ambassador to Africa and as Convening Apostle for Africa by American clergies Peter Wagner, Pat Francis (middle ) and Chuck Pierce in Texas, USA recently.




Apostle Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, Vision Coordinator of the Throneroom Trust Ministries, Kafanchan, Kaduna State and a fiery preacher was recently consecrated as Global Spheres International Ambassador to Africa and as Convening Apostle for Africa, by American clergies and famous prayer ministers Peter Wagner, Pat Francis and Chuck Pierce at the Global Spheres Center, Denton, Texas, USA, May 25.
Global Spheres is the new name for Global Harvest formerly led by Peter and Doris Wagner but now led by his successor Chuck Pierce.
In reaction to the new appointment, Apostle Kure, one of the four clergy men who were called upon to pray for late President Umaru Yar-Adua shortly before his demise in 2010 and a renown prayer minister, enthused;
“It is a new dawn of great opportunities for Africa and African apostles. The world is going global and those with the secrets of the Lord must unite to give it direction and meaning. This is the opportunity and platform."

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

'Environmentalists Query World Bank's Honesty on Climate Change initiatives'

Photo above
L-R: Mr. Kokou Amegadze (FoE Togo), Mr. Noble Wadzah (FoE Ghana), Chief Temitope Agemo, Mrs. Dele Omobuwayo and
Chief Alex Kunnuji (JP), reps of Badagry communities impacted by the WAGP projects.

Does the World Bank mean well for developing nations? When they announce their 'good intentions' on salvaging us, should we trust them or take their words with a large dose of salt?

These contentious issues were among those discussed at a two-day workshop held recently in Lagos by the Environmental Rights Action\Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA\FoEN).

With the theme, 'Exposing the World Bank's Complicity in Worsening the Climatic Conditions of African Communities', it examined the negative impacts of the West African Gas Pipelines (WAGP) on communities in Nigeria, Ghana and Togo through which the pipelines traverse. The workshop paid particular focus on the global financial body's interest in climate financing, as participants wondered; 'how can World Bank claim to be honestly keen on mitigating the impacts of climate change when it at the same time enthusiastically finances projects such as the WAGP which worsens climate change conditions in poor and defenseless communities, when it impoverish their lives by polluting their water bodies, forcefully annex lands, under-pay or refuses to pay compensation for lands taken among other oppressive measures?

One of the slogans at the workshop, held from May 24 to 25 was, not surprisingly;
"WE CAN'T BANK
ON WORLD BANK
To Save Our Climate!"

The workshop which had representatives from WAGP host communities in Badagry, Lagos Nigeria as well as Friends of the Earth, Ghana and Friends of the Earth Togo, similarly witnessed presentations and discussion sessions presided over by Barrister Chima Williams, Head, Legal Resources of ERA from the Benin City headquaters of the ngo, Noble Wadzah of FoE Ghana and Kokou Elorm of FoE Togo. Betty Abah, Gender Focal Person, ERA and coordinator of the workshop also gave presentation on how women's health, livelihoods etc in all the impacted countries were affected, having been to several of them and discovered that 'it is the same sad story, the same story of socio-economic dislocation and broken promises.'

There was also a provocative presentation from Mrs. Victoria ibezim-Ohaeri, ED of Spaces for Change, formerly with SERAC, on 'The Legal Options'. Another was by Mrs. Sophia Mbanise, founder of Healing Hearts Foundation, (a charity ngo focused on widows and orphans) on 'Wounded Women'.

Among the several community reps from Badagry representing Ajido, Imeke and Araromi communities in Badagry was Chief Temitope Agemo, the Oba-elect of Araromi-Ale.
Discussions and strategy sessions on the second day climaxed in a press briefing with the FoE countries' reps and community people fielding questions from journalists drawn from the electronic and print media.


Chima Williams, ERA's head of Legal Resources Dept, addressing the participants at the workshp held in Lagos Nigeria

Betty Abah, Gender Focal Person, ERA

Mrs. Victoria Ohaeri, Executive Director of Spaces for Change, who gave the talk on 'The Litigation OPtion'

Mrs. Sophie Mbanise, ED of Healing Hearts Foundation who spoke on 'Wounded Women'.

KING SUNNY ADE MARKS 50 YEARS ON STAGE AS EVANGELIST EBENEZER OBEY CLOCKS 70

It was a fun filled Sunday for those who graced the show that involved two great Juju music icons in Nigeria. Evangelist Ebenezer Obey who clocked 70 and King Sunny Ade who marked his 50th year on staged did a live performance at the Harbour Point event centre in Victoria Island Lagos on May 27, 2012. The hall which was filled to it`s capacity witnessed dignitaries from all walks of life. The concert also unveiled the mentors of the great music icons (Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade). Fatai Rolling Dollars of WAN KERE SI NUMBER WA is Evangelist Obey`s mentor and Moses Olaiya aka Baba Sala is Sunny Ade`s mentor. The event was also used by the organisers to raise funds for the less priviledge in the society.
Picture above shows L-R King Sunny Ade, Moses Olaiya Sunny Ade`s Mentor, Fatai Rolling Dollars, Obey`s Mentor and the grand commander himself Evangelist Ebenezer Obey on stage on May 27, 2012
Sunny Ade on his kness pays homage to his mentor, Moses Olaiya aka Baba Sala who is putting on a black hat.

Governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola first left and the Asiwaju of Lagos Bola Ahmed Tinubu first right were also present at the event


Thursday, May 24, 2012

SENATOR ABIOLA AJIMOBI INAUGURATES OYO STATE SIGNAGE AND ADVERTISEMENT AGENCY

Yinka Adepoju, Director General Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency


The Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency established by Law to regulate and Control Outdoor Advertising practice in the State has been inaugurated by the Executive Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and a Director General, Mr Yinka Adepoju who will steer the ship of the Agency appointed. With this development, it is now an offence punishable under Law to practice Outdoor Advertising in the State without being duly registered by the Agency.
The newly created Agency will from Tuesday 15th May embark on the first leg of its many initiatives to change the face of Out-of-Home Media in Oyo State. According to the Director General “Our vision is to be in the forefront and a role model in Signage Control, Outdoor Management, Civic beautification and Revenue optimization which is required to carry out other developmental projects in the State”.
                We are not going to leave any stone unturned in our determined effort to improve the Outdoor life of this State he explained. The deplorable State of many Billboards and Signs on our highways is something to worry about. We are not happy that a good percentage of billboard structures are displaying torn posters, some of them are already dilapidated, some are completely broken down while some are with faded posters, we cannot continue with this situation he affirmed.
                Mr Yinka Adepoju further explained that with the emergence of OYSAA, it is a new dawn in Oyo State as the Outdoor space will be re planned, reengineered for mutual profitability. There shall no longer be passion for massive display of billboards at Road Junctions and Roundabouts.
With the ongoing sanitization exercise, we will get rid of clustered billboards and there shall be proper regrading and reallocation of Outdoor Space in order for practitioners and advertisers to enjoy orderliness, decency, beauty and friendly business environment. For these reasons therefore, we solicit for the cooperation of all our stakeholders to cooperate with us in our bid to achieve positive and remarkable changes in the Out-of-Home Media he concluded.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

NO ELABORATE NAMING CEREMONY FOR TIMAYA`S BABY

Ace singer, Timaya, now a proud father of a baby girl.

Timaya on Monday May 21, 2012 through his girl friend, became a father of the beautiful baby girl. The Portharcourt boy who once dated a top Nigerian actress named Empress Njamah made it known to close friends that the naming ceremony of the baby will not be elaborate.


Timaya`s new joy, a bouncing baby girl God gave to him and his girl friend on May 21, 2012 in Lagos Nigeria.

OYSAA BEGINS TRAINING OF STAFF

One of the numerous billboards in Oyo State in a sorry state before the appointment of Yinka Adepoju as Director General of Oyo State Signage and Advertisment Agency.
 Yinka Adepoju, Director General of Oyo State Signage and Advertisment Agency working hard to reform the outdoor advertising industry in the state.
The Director General of the newly created Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA) Mr. Yinka Adepoju has said that in its' Agency's determined effort to rid Oyo State of Sub-Standard and non-conforming Outdoor Advertising Structures no stone will be left unturned.
He made this Statement at the commencement of a one-week Training exercise organized for fifty cadets of the YES-O Scheme seconded to the Signage Agency from the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA). They are to serve as Enumerators for OYSAA.
Charging the participants at the workshop, the Director General stated that it is no longer business as usual in Oyo State for Out-of-Home media practitioners and advertisers that wish to do business in the pace setter state will henceforth go through due process.
In what he termed a ‘Silent Revolution’ to make Oyo State Outdoor Space more beautiful, decent and conducive he enjoined all stakeholders in Outdoor advertising practice to join the Transformation Train in order to achieve an unparalleled success in this herculean task of bringing a new lease of life into Oyo State Outdoor Space, a mission that must be accomplished.
The Enumeration exercise he affirmed will form the Database for the Agency as a proper audit of all categories of Signs and Billboards which will detail out the advertisement on the structures, areas where the hoardings are located, condition of the structures and the GIS location map will be carefully carried out after the training.
 
Mr. Yinka Adepoju however reassured the Stakeholders and the general public that with this new initiative there will be provision of limitless opportunities for better Outdoor growth in Oyo State and a level playing field for all who want to practice in the State.

 

Monday, May 21, 2012

CRISIS ROCKS FIRST CITY MOMUMENT BANK`S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Sunny Nwosu in black cap pacifying the young man who wanted the annual general meeting stopped until shareholders were given their packs

About three minutes into the 29th annual general meeting of First City Monument Bank which was held at the Muson Centre in Onikan Lagos Nigeria on May 21, 2012, and presided over by the Bank`s Chairman, Jonathan Long, a young man in the audience stood up in anger and ordered that the meeting should be stopped. The Chairman pretended not to hear and the young man kept shouting at the top of his voice to an extent that he got recognition from top shareholders like Sunny Nwosu and others who actually pacified him in other to allow the meeting hold.The reason for the young man`s anger was the fact that most shareholders were outside the meeting hall queuing to collect the Bank`s branded bag containing a take away pack that was meant for shareholders. These shareholders should be present in the meeting before the meeting can commence he argued. After some few minitues, he was pacified with array of packs and the meeting continued leaving behind shareholders who had no voice at the entrance of hall to battle for the pack which at the end did not go round.   
  

Shareholders battling to collect their packs

Group Managing Director of FCMB Ladi Balogun Left and Jonathan Long Chairman of the Bank who despised the order of the young man who wanted the meeting stopped until shareholders queuing outside for packs are settled, at the 29th annual general meeting of the Bank which took place at Muson cenre Onikan Lagos Nigeria on May 21, 2012

Saturday, May 19, 2012

CHELSEA F.C. WINS EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Nigeria`s Lampard displaying the trophy in Nigeria hours before the real Lampard displayed the real European Champions League trophy in Ikeja.

The prediction of the Nigerian supporters of Chelsea football club of England as the team to win this year`s (2012) champions league trophy came to manifestation this night as Chelsea defeated Bayern Munich on their soil via penalites. Victor Abraham a carpet retailer in Ikeja Lagos said even if it`s half zero, I know Chelsea will win this trophy. When asked why he was so confident about Chelsea`s victory over Bayern, he pointed at his shop and said if we don`t (Chelsea) win this trophy today (May 19, 2012) come to my shop and call me a bastard. You have not answered the question, why do you think Chelsea will win? Look oga he replied in Pidgin English saying wetin I talk Na him dey happen, Chelsea don win this one simple.
Another Chelsea fan Kehinde Coker also known as oldskool who works with Ikeja Local Government also said hours before the match that Chelsea will be crowned at the end of the day. Why? He said I believe in them. Hours before the match was played, Chelsea fans in Ikeja were already celebrating Chelsea`s victory in advance as a little boy in Chelsea`s colour displayed a trophy to symbolise Chelsea`s victory over Bayern Munich. Fortunately, hours after, the prediction of the Nigerian supporters came to past as Chelsea defeated Bayern Munich in Germany via penalty shoot out to win this year`s European Champions league.

Picture above is Victor Abraham, a carpet retailer in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

Kehinde Coker, believes in Chelsea

Chelsea supporters at Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria pose for photograph on May 19, 2012

A shop owner at Ikeja preparing to make good sales from Chelsea`s outfit.    

A Nigerian who supports Chelsea lying hopeless on the floor after Bayern`s Thomas Muller`s goal sinked into the net of Chelsea in the 83rd minute of the game.

Chelsea supporters in Nigeria, celebrating their victory after  Didier Drogba successful penalty in a beer parlour where most Nigerian watch matches because power supply in Nigeria is a big luxury

Sunday, May 13, 2012

SEASON 3 OF THE SUPERMOM TV REALITY SHOW UNVEILED.

The third edition of the Supermom TV reality show was unveiled in Lagos Nigeria on May 13, 2012.

The TV reality show started in 2010 and the winner smiled home with a house while the first runner-up went home with a car and the second runner-up smiled to the bank with Five Hundred Thousand Naira. The same thing happened in the second edition in 2011 but this year`s is different as the winner will be given a cash prize which is expected to be given to motherless babies home of their own chioce and a return ticket to Dubai will be given to the winner and her celebrity son or daughter.
There are twenty celebrities in this year`s supermom reality TV show.
1.      Abass Akande Obesere
2.      Binta Ayo Mogaji
3.      Chico Ejiro
4.      Cobhams Asuquo
5.      Flavour
6.      Foluke Daramola
7.      DJ Humility
8.      Jaywon
9.      Julius Agwu
10.    Kenny Saint Best
11.    Kefee
12.    Olu Maintain
13.    Seyi Law
14.    Skales
15.    Kunle Afolayan
16.    Tony Tetiula
17.    Yaw
18.    Femi Adebayo
19.    Ara
20.    Ice K-Artquake
The show will run for thirteen weeks and it will be shown in various TV stations like NTA Network, Africa Magic, Galaxy Networks, On TV Lagos, STV P/H, ITV Abuja, Capital TV, Kwara TV, BSEs Ekiti, ESBS Enugu, ABS Awka, EBS Benin,CRBC Calabar.
THE FORMAT
Nigerians were encouraged to write a short story on why their mum is the greatest. The stories were sent in via SMS to a special short code. The top 20 twenty stories were selected, a special interview was conducted for the entrants and the mothers while professional movie stars re-enacted the stories in a very emotional drama.
Each episode featured two stories and the best story of the week was voted for by the viewers to qualify for the final.
Picture above shows Tony Tetiula left and Olu maintain right as they pose for the camera at the Supermom unveil, which took place on May 13, 2012 in Lagos, Nigeria.




Friday, May 11, 2012

LEARN AFRICA PLC DELIGHTS BOOK FAIR VISITORS WITH NEW PRODUCTS


Fred Ijewere, MD Learn Africa Plc

Lagos, Nigeria, 8 May, 2012: Nigeria’s leading learning resource company, Learn Africa Plc (formerly Longman Nigeria Plc) has put up a very strong participation at the 2012 edition of the Nigeria International Book Fair holding in the multipurpose hall of the University of Lagos, Akoka.

Located in a very spacious and comfortable exhibition stand (C10 & D11) at the fair, the company has held visitors spellbound with its range of innovative products, especially its tablet personal computer, the LA Pad, that enables learners to learn in a fun and interactive manner, using the company’s suite of digital resources.

The LA Pad has received numerous enquiries from visitors to the fair, especially from parents and teachers who are seeking innovative ways of getting children to apply themselves better to their studies.

The company is also showcasing other new products such as Concise Grammar, a handy companion that helps learners master the principles of English Grammar; New Concept Mathematics for Secondary Schools, a new series that uses simple language and a step-by-step approach to make the teaching and learning of Mathematics interesting and accessible; New Concept English for Secondary Schools, a new series that helps learners develop competence in the key language skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening, while preparing them for the language requirements of higher education. The new publications fully satisfy the requirements of the relevant curriculums.

In addition, the company is exhibiting the Echo series, a collection of creative writing masterpieces and the LearnAfrica dictionaries, a set of world-class dictionaries that promises to help users get ahead by making them confident with words.

According to the company’s head of marketing, Allwell Nwankwo, “for the first time, Learn Africa Plc is participating in the Nigeria International Book Fair as a wholly-owned Nigerian company.  We are delighted to be here.  As the nation’s foremost learning resource company, we will always be in the forefront in providing innovative products and content that serve the learning needs of the nation’s teeming population.  Although we are showcasing a lot of books at this exhibition, we currently do much more than publishing.  We also provide an array of services that support the educational sector, such as teacher training and development, testing and assessment, and digital content provisioning. That’s why our company is the learning resource company.”

With the aid of multimedia resources, the company has also effectively used the opportunity of the fair to further disseminate information on its ongoing branding exercise and the ever-expanding range of products.

The Nigeria International Book Fair, the biggest book event in Africa today, is an annual book trade and exhibition that creates a vibrant platform for the stakeholders in the book industry both within and outside Nigeria to network and have business interface for the growth of their respective businesses. NIBF comes up in the second week of May every year.

This year’s event has attracted organizations, publishers and printers from America, Europe, United States of America, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirate, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Cameroun, Senegal, Botswana and Ghana.



Thursday, May 10, 2012

Wande Coal, Terry G, Others Storm Uniport for Etisalat Cliqfest

DJ ZEEZ

Port Harcourt Nigeria; May 2012: The 4th of May, 2012 was an unforgettable day for the students of the University of Port Harcourt as they were given non-stop entertainment by top Nigerian artistes during the Etisalat cliqfest powered by easycliq.

With performances from artistes such as Dj zeez, Wande Coal, Rayce, Terry G, Chuddy k and Joe Blue, first runner-up in the just concluded Nigerian Idol II, the students couldn't get enough of the fun and excitement.

An outstanding moment was during Wande Coal's performance as he wowed the students with a medley of his most popular songs and got them singing and dancing along to his tune. Next was Terry G, who is known for his wild style of music who came on strong too as he dished out his songs, making the crowd hunger for more. Chuddy K, Dj Zeez, Rayce and Joe Blue also had their moments of shine with the students.

But the students were not the only ones present at the show, as the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bene Willie Abbey and the Dean of Students Affair, Prof. Mathew Wegwu were also there to watch the popular acts strut their stuff.

Speaking later, Prof. Abbey thanked Etisalat Nigeria for bringing Cliqfest to the school. She also commended the brand for introducing the Easycliq package to the Nigerian market, describing it as the most youth-oriented product in the telecom market. She encouraged the students to utilize what they had learnt during the seminar organised by Etisalat by putting them to good use to enable them improve their wellbeing.

An overtly excited Students' Union President, Owhorkire Rhino echoed similar sentiments, and thanked Etisalat for bringing the Cliqfest train to the school.  According to him, the university had never had such a gathering of celebrities.

The high point of the day was a raffle draw in which Ezinma Fabulous, a 400-level student, won the star prize of a Hyundai i-10, in a raffle draw, courtesy Etisalat’s Easycliq. Several other students also won laptops, Blackberry phones, dual sim phones, recharge cards, and many branded items. There was also a football match with each team member wearing jerseys with the names of Etisalat’s products and services emblazoned at their backs.

CliqFest is powered by Etisalat’s youth package, EasyCliq, a product tailor-made to suit the lifestyles and communication needs of young people. EasyCliq offers unique features including bonus-on-incoming calls, cliq for the week, unlimited SMS, free midnight calls, Facebook updates by SMS and MMS and lots more.

Chuddy K

Joe Blue

L-R: Winner and student,  Mr. Ezinma Fabulous; Dean of  Student Affairs,
Dr. Matthew Wegwu;  Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bene Willie Abbey, all of
the  University of Port-Harcourt and Head, Events &Sponsorship, Etisalat
Nigeria, Ms Modupe Thani during the prize presentation of a brand new
Hyundai i-10 at the Etisalat Cliqfest  Campus tour  which held in the
University of Port-Harcourt  on Friday, May 4

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

AIRTEL NIGERIA, COMMISSIONS DATA CENTRE IN LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Some of the equipments at the centre
Picture above is Oba Otudeko Chairman Airtel Nigeria, middle commissioning the data centre in Lagos, Nigeria on May 9, 2012 to his right is Rajan Swaroop chief executive officer/MD Airtel Nigeria and to his left is Kohli Manoj, international CEO and joint MD Airtel Africa
 
Airtel Nigeria on May 9, 2012 commissioned it`s ultra modern Data centre in Lagos Nigeria. According to the Chairman of Airtel Nigeria Mr. Oba Otudeko who officially commissioned the centre, “this data centre comes with state-of-the-art technology and equipment. It is the biggest Data Centre in Airtel Africa with 20,000sq feet of equipment space and goes live with multiple back-ups in terms of power and redundancy for delivering seamless service to the millions of Airtel Subscribers in Nigeria.
In everyday language, I can describe the Data Centre as the intelligence nerve-centre of our network, which also provides redundancy to ensure that the network performs unhindered even in times of crisis.
Let me reiterate at this point that Airtel is in Nigeria to stay and is, therefore, committed to building a world class network so as to recapture the leadership of the market, and ultimately become the most loved brand in the daily lives of Nigerian.
Our 3.75G network, which is the widest and the best in Nigeria, among other ground-breaking products and services, is an eloquent testimony to our firm resolve to dictate the pace of innovation and value creation in the Nigerian telecommunications market.
I would like to thank all our partners, including Ericsson, Astra and Resourcery, who have worked extremely hard for the realization of this project. “

EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD WOMAN AND FOUR OTHER GIRLS ESCAPED BEING RAPED BY NIGERIAN POLICEMEN


L-R Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Chairman NHRC, Prof. Akin Oyebode Guest speaker and Barr. Richard Nwankwo president of Crusade For Justice at the 10th Anniversary/ Annual lecture on the theme HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND ABUSES ON THE NIGERIAN ROADS which was held at Sheraton Hotel on May 8, 2012

Crusade For Justice, a non Governmental Organisation organised a lecture with the theme-HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND ABUSES ON THE NIGERIAN ROADS at Sheraton Hotel in Lagos on May 8, 2012. The lecture was delivered by Professor Akin Oyebode (Professor of International Law). The Prof. made it known that Law enforcement agents must respect the rights of Road users in the country. He said the years of the locust by which the orge of military dictatorship had since been characterized were particularly acute in relation to abuse of the rights of Nigerians by rampaging hordes of uniformed personnel who envinced scant regard for civility and respect for their compatriots. This has been particularly so when ordinary citizens were caught in traffic logjams which impeded movement of the khaki-clad lords of the manor, ostensibly, on urgent national assignment. This hapless victims of the impunity of these lords of the manor were not spared of instruments of terror and intimidation, raging from sirens, Horse whips and even gun-shots in a bid to exact right of way from the “bloody civilian” who dared stand their way and remind all and sundry who was boss. This act is a Human Right violation and abuse on the Nigerian Road. After a wonderful lecture, the audience where asked to ask question, rather than ask question, Mrs. Mandy Asagba took the house back memory lane of how she escaped being raped by armed policemen alongside four other girls. According to her, she was a stucent of the University of Benin in Abraka campus studying Political Science and she had just finished her exams so she had to travelling to Lagos for her holiday. She boarded a vehicle and inside the vehicle were four other girls who were students and where heading to Lagos for their holiday. I was eighteen years then she said. On our way to benin, we met a Road block and the Policemen stopped the vehicle, did the necessary inspection, then asked us( Five girls) to come down, we came down and to our surprise, they asked the vehicle to go and the vehicle left. We were forced into the bush by the policemen who later asked us to undress. I and the other four refused and I started screeming, but as God will have it, one of my lecturers, Rev. Echecube came to our resue. If not for God, we would have been raped says Mandy Asagba who was then Miss Mandy Demechi. That experience made switch from political science to Law said Mandy.
Another example of Road abuse was stated by Rev. Tunji Adebiyi Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Regional Integration. According to him, a Bishop was travelling and he met a Road block and after the policemen had finished searching and found not incriminating, they then asked him why he was travelling alone? He responded that he was not travelling alone and that he was travelling with God the father, Son, Holyspirit, God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and quickly one of them answered oga, you are carring overload, this he said is a Human Right Violation and Abuse on the Nigerian Road.
Another example that was sighted was by Leonard Dibia, director access for Justice. He said a justice was travelling to his home town and decided to drive himself, after some kilometres, he met some policemen and they did all the search and found nothing, then one said why is your engine this dirty, don`t you know it`s a crime? Then the Man (Justice) then identified himself and they started begging these and more are what Nigerians experience on the Roads and according to Barr. Richard Nwankwo President/Founder of Crusade For Justice the organisers of the lecture, said that the purpose of the lecture was to create awareness to the Nigerian public that when they experience similar situations, they should know that their rights are infringed on and that they have every right to re-dress them legally.


The cross section of the audience

Mrs Mandy Asagba narrating how her and four other girls escaped being raped by Nigerian Policemen in 1983

Rev. Tunde Adebiyi said that a bishop was accused by Nigerian Police of overloading his car just because he said we was not travelling alone.

Leonard Dibia second left narrating the story of a justce who was accused by Nigerian Policemen on the highway for committing a crime because they said his car engine was dirty.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

THE REIGN OF BOKO HARAM IN NIGERIA WILL BE OVER IN A FEW MONTHS- PASTOR ODESOLA SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO PASTOR ADEBOYE.

Pastor Johnson Odesola of the Redeemed Christian Church of God says that the terrorist group called Boko Haram will crash in a few months from now


At the conference held on May 6. 2012 after the service at the Headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Johnson Odesola an engineer by profession before he got God`s call to take up the ministry fully assured Nigerians that the terrorist group called Boko Haram that have been giving Nigerians sleepless nights will crash in the next few months.The man of God said that Nigerian should keep hope alive because the beginning of the end of all those troubling the country will soon come to an end. The man of God also used the opportunity to condole the families of the people who are affected by the recent attack of the terrorist group. It`s not a mistake that God made us to be Nigerians and nobody has the right to make this country inhabitiable says the man of God who is also an in-law to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. He gave out his daughter Titi last December to Leke the son of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye in a holy matrimony at the redemption camp.    

Monday, May 7, 2012

PEOPLE OF DISTINCTION JOURNAL LAUNCHED

Mr. James Akinsola publisher of the People of  Distinction Journal

A Christian journal published by Mr. James Akinsola was launched recently at Ebute Metta Lagos Nigeria. The journal reports everything concerning the kingdom of God at it cost One Hundred Naira and it`s sold in Churches and Christian bookshops all over the nation.


The cover of the recent publication


MOTIVATIONAL SEMINAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT-HARCOURT

L-R:  Specialist Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Ms Bukola Balogun;
Manager Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Idiare Atimomo and
Motivational Speaker, Mr. Niyi Adesanya  during the Motivational Seminar at
the  Etisalat- sponsored Cliqfest Campus Tour in the University of
Port-harcourt on Wednesday, 2nd of May,

US EMBASSY RAISES THE STAKES FOR NIGERIAN WRITERS AND LITERARY ENTHUSIASTS

Betty Abah, Gender  Focal Person Environment Rights Action (ERA) reading her poem

It couldn’t have come at a better time. A time when the reading culture in Nigeria is nose-diving and public exams such as WASC and UME are producing unthinkable mass failures, the US Embassy in Nigeria appear to be coming to the rescue.
A few months ago, the embassy started the READ-IT-LOUD programme, an initiative that would bring budding Nigerian writers to a few hours of literary fiesta. There, poets, short story writers, playwrights and novelists bring their works to read and to be critiqued. It is held every first Thursday of the month.
The third edition of the programme held on May 3 at the Whitney M Young Hall at the embassy, attracting a full house and brimmed with enthusiasm.
The reading session was preceded by a small talk from an embassy official. Typically American, there was no waste of time as the writers, mostly young men and women, took turns reading from their works.
The first was Ajibola Adeoya, with the poem, PASSER-BYE, which centres on extra-judicial killing by the police in Nigeria, a poem which was very well received by the audience and also sparked a debate. A young lady, Omidan Kemi-Sola Badejo read LONELY PATH. Then came VULTURES OF GOD by Adetoba Adeoye, which sparkled another round of heated debate. The poem itself dwells on a heated theme—killing in the name of God. He later read another poem, THE CUTLASS.
One of the poems with which the audience fell in love was CREATION by Maya Olufemi. Infact, Ter Agbedeh, a literary editor with National Mirror Newspaper and one of the audience members said ‘This is the first (real) poem I have listened to today. The audience were captivated by its delicate and dexterous nature.
Isaac Emordi recited THE GOLDEN JUBILEE in which he re-affirmed trust in Nigeria while Oluseyi Macaulay, one of the embassy officials who coordinate the program, presented his poem DEUS EX MACHINE, which centres on military dictatorship in Nigeria. He explained that it was inspired by an experience about a decade ago when he was detained for one day by a military general. His offence: standing in the way of a convoy of the general!
Olayemi Ayo read from his poem LET US PUT OUR HEART TOGETHER (a love advance). The poem was written in a prose form.
Then came Iyam Daniel who read an excerpt from his novel, FOREIGN DREAMS,  the story of a Ghanaian forced into prostitution in Libya and Europe. As with some of the poets, audience suggested a few editorial advice for him.
Last but far from being the least was Betty Abah who read two poems from her new collection GO TELL OUR KING. First, she read, PERMIT PEACE,  poem which deals with the consequences of global conflict, and attracted a protracted reaction from the audience, followed by SIGHT IN SCHIPHOL,  inspired by her sighting the glass-case-smoking room at the Amsterdam Airport in Schiphol.
It was an exciting evening. Many saw their experiences reflected in the poems and prose works read. Notably, the works express anger and sometimes frustration with the state of affair of the nation. One of the audience members who would easily identify with military oppression was Elvis Irenuma, who was incarcerated unjustly for 15 years over the Pa Rewane murder saga, only to be ‘discharged and acquitted’ about two years ago, after undergoing untold torture alongside two others who were similarly freed, while five others arrested with them were tortured to death. Elvis, 44, is now happily married and works as a marketer with a petroleum products marketing company in Lagos.
Others in the audience include Richard Mammah, a reading promotions experts and MD of Sunbird African Media Limited.
Besides the literary entertainment, members were given several copies of the embassy publications, links to its free library services and other opportunites.
The next event holds on June 7, 2012. More information can be found on: http://www.nairaland.com/891572/all-poets-nairaland-residing-lagos. To participate. Send your poems to: usalfwriter@gmail.com, or call: 08074601731.

One of the poems read at the event is Betty Abah’s PERMIT PEACE, seen below:

PERMIT PEACE
(For Mr. President)

The choices are yours
To save the sovereignty
To serve the Sovereign
That earth may know peace
That men may mingle minds
In mutual matrimony.


Yesterday,
Shells minced meats
Hot blood spilled
On sacrificial mounds
To appease malevolent gods
To inflate noble egos,
Beaming lights dimmed.


Yesterday,
To inflate noble egos
Japan was jeopardised
Biafra burnt
Liberia looted
Iran ruined
Iraq cracked
Haiti halted
Somalia summed earth’s sorrow


Last night,
Afghan fagged
Liberia lumped
Sudan shrank
Pakistanis panicked
Sierra Leone still sings our summed sadness


Today,
Heavens bleed the sacrilege
Nomads turn numerical
Now, Death grins, gloats over
Macabre’s magnificent monuments


Did the nations’ Lords
Through glassy palaces
From cool conference caves,
Not see…. Feel…
The martyrdom of the earth?



Did they see
When…. While
Biafra burned…
Iran cracked…..
Haiti halted…..?


They brace still for noble egos
They did not see,
Have you not seen
The rubbles of the earth?

--BETTY ABAH (An excerpt from ‘GO TELL OUR KING’)



A United States embassey official addressing the audience before the reading started

A line up of writers who read their poems at the US embassey