LEO STAN EKEH: Technologically Savvy, Industrially Innovative page 2
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e has an eye for details, and is very prompt in attending to the said details. Little wonder even his name is prompt, precise and easy to use. He is Leonard Stanley Nnamdi Eke, better known as Leo Stan Eke, the Nigerian name synonymous with technology. Leo Stan Ekeh, as he has come to reduce his name for easy access, was born on February 22, 1956 in Ubomiri, Mbaitoli in Imo State to a middleclass family with three brothers and two sisters. His mother was a dietician while his father was a nurse. He attended Holy Ghost College, Owerri for his secondary education. As a young lad, Stan’s dream had been to own the biggest transport company in Nigeria. But today, he is the indefatigable Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the well-known indigenous Zinox Technologies Limited, makers of personal computers. It is however, surprising, but accurate that the first name in Nigeria technology does not have a technology background as he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Panjan University in India and a postgraduate degree in Risk Management from Nottingham University in England after a short spell at Cork City University. Ekeh believes that studying in India was “a great turning point in my life because I found the economy of India a realistic economy”. The ebullient industrialist began his journey in the
By Eric Elezuo
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technology business and business in general when he set up Task Systems Limited which was a pioneer in desktop publishing and computer graphics in Nigeria. The company set the pace for technological build up that it was to his credit the computerization
went ahead to found other including companies ITEC Solutions Limited and Technology Distribution Limited, and in October, 2001, he set up the mother of all technology businesses, Zinox Technologies Limited to produce locally made
puter has some innovative features, which include the Naira sign, and a Power Supply designed to contain the erratic nature of electric power in Nigeria. Zinox was the first computer manufacturer in West Africa to attain the
their first tablet computer called Zipad produced locally at a media conference at the Company’s headquarters in Lagos. The company is the leading computer manufacturing company in Nigeria and is patronized heavily by the Nigerian govern-
of a high percentage of print media in Nigeria. Not a man to shout eureka on a short notice, the astute businessman
computers., and his computers were the first Nigerian made computers certified internationally. Leo Stan’s Zinox Com-
WHQL certification and the ISO 9001: 2000 certification. Recently in October 2013, Zinox Technologies unveiled
ment, especially during elections. For the magnanimous Chief, the issue of ‘chop alone’ is not part of
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his life style as he has given back variously, through his company, Zinox Technologies, to the society in several ways. One of which is the Computerize Nigeria Project which was launched on August 5, 2000 whose goal was to sensitize and encourage development in the use of computers by Nigerians, another such project is the CANi scheme which was set up to provide quality desktop and laptop computers to the Nigerian populace at below normal market prices with the option of bank financing and a 24 month repayment period. It is not unusual for a businessman of the nature of Chief Leo Stan Ekeh to be a cynosure of all eyes as his business genius can be seen in the numerous awards he has won as a person and as a corporate entity. These awards include Zinox computers as ICT Company of the Year at the Thisday Awards for Excellence in 2007, Computer Brand of the Year in 2006 at the Nigerian Information Technology and Telecom Awards. He is also credited with four doctorate degrees from reputable universities across the country. They are. • Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa) Imo State University, Owerri • Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa) Federal University of Agric, Makurdi • Doctor of Technology (Honoris Causa) Federal University of Technology, Owerri. • Doctor of Science (Honorary) University of Jos. On the national level, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh was conferred with the honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) of Nigeria by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004, and is also a board member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. He was
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also made the Icon of Hope by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on October 1, 2002. In addition to Zinox, he has been involved with companies Task Systems, Technology Distributions Limited, ICT Brokers, TD Plus, Connect and ICT Buyright AFRICA Dotcom. Task Systems Limited, his first company has consistently won outstanding industry Awards as Best Partner Award for Compaq, HP, Microsoft, American Power Solution, APC, etc. for 20 years. He also pioneered
for market penetration, revenue, and preferred partner status to become the most decorated ICT Distributor in West Africa. He pioneered the deployment of digital dispensing pumps in Nigeria in partnership with Elf Petroleum and Schlumberger, France, through his company Stanoil. His business mind jumped at this after he was cheated by a petrol station attendant in Ikeja, Nigeria, who used analogue pumps to dispense fuel into his car. Leo Stan Ekeh has a record of incisive entrepreneurship and his vision to Computerize Nigeria has rewritten the history
whole of Africa, the Zinox Group has shown multiple competencies in manufacturing, solutions delivery and logistics. The Group salvaged the 2006 Voters’ registration exercise by delivering 12,000 systems to INEC in 3 weeks. Again in 2011, under his leadership, the Group has been responsible for the technology backbone for the 2011 voters’ registration through the supply of 80,000 DDC Machines in 35 days, an awesome accomplishment for an indigenous firm in Nigeria or anywhere in the world. In addition to Leo Stan Ekeh’s aforementioned awards, the following
the Nigeria Law School • 2003 Nigerian Science and Technology Achiever of the Year • Life Membership, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Stan, addition to his business prowess, is a prolific family man, who is married to his wife of over 30 years, Chioma, who is also technology savvy, and they are blessed by Gozie, Nnamdi, Chidalu and two other boys. It is worthy of note that Gozie and Nnamdi have become a chip off the old block, treading the path of their father in the world of technology. A deeply religious per-
IT Solutions in West Africa through his company ITEC Solutions Limited through which he has delivered the largest IT Solutions ever, from an indigenous firm, to the Nigerian Corporate Market. Ekeh also pioneered IT Distribution in West Africa through Technology Distributions Limited, TD, which has emerged the Number 1 ICT distribution company in West Africa. TD has consistently won, for ten years, the highest industry Awards and recognitions
of Information Technology in the Third World. Mr. Ekeh who believes that no one is destined to be poor in this knowledge century has been the main driver of digital knowledge Democracy in Africa. Again, as Chairman of the Zinox Group, he believes one of his legacies is to alter positively the destiny of many poor Nigerians through his knowledge democracy platforms. The most integrated Information Technology Group in the
come in handy: Fellow of the Nigerian Computer Society, FNCS • ICT personality of the Year • Corporate Citizen of the Year Award 2002/2003, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria. • Information Technology Personality of the Year 2002 Award (IT & Telecom Digest) • Fellow of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Lagos. • Fellow of the Federal Polytechnic, Idah. • Fellow of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Imo State • Distinguished Fellow of
son of Catholic extraction, Stan Ekeh lived a disciplined life as it is on record that he had neither smoked nor tasted alcohol in his entire life. He dedicated his success to the Almighty God, humbly adding that his achievements in the life notwithstanding, he is still an orphan in the business world. Your business sincerity and achievements based on innovation have earned you the singular honour of being our Boss of the Week. Congrats sir!
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Kwankwaso: One Leg APC, One Leg PDP By Eric Elezuo
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he bid for Nigeria’s highest office is heating up and getting dicier as a growing number of political heavyweights continue to throw their hats into the ring. Among them is the strong man of Kano politics, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the inspiration behind the popular Kwankwasiyya Movement that has made and continues to make waves in the Northern political arena and beyond. Posterity has given the reputed former Kano State governor and current senator pass marks for eight years of stewardship in the ancient city-state. At the funeral service of late elder statesman, Dr. Alex Ekwueme in Anambra State recently, Alhaji Kwankwaso publicly declared his intention to vie for the position of president come 2019 under the umbrella of the party he helped to form,
the All Progressives Congress (APC). In the prelude to the 2015 General Elections, Kwankwaso narrowly lost to President Muhammadu Buhari at the party primaries held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. He beat former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to second place. Today, followers of the Kano politician believe that his growing influence in northern politics means a paradigm shift is taking place which will inevitably clear the coast for him to trounce President Buhari should he decide to run for a second term. This belief by the Kwankwaso crowd is given fillip by the knowledge that when Buhari was in and out of the country as a result of illhealth, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Ba-
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bangida, reportedly considered their man as a potential replacement for President Muhammadu Buhari, ahead of 2019. It is not on record yet that the plan has changed. According to an APC chieftain at the time: “They may have settled for Kwankwaso, because of certain factors; part of the reasons is that more than any other politician in the north, Kwankwaso is seen as commanding a large followership in Kano and most states of the North-West.’’ He is also said to be preferred by Obasanjo, who is allegedly doing everything he can to ensure that Atiku Abubakar, his former Vice, does not get the presidential ticket for any major political party ahead of 2019. Now that Atiku has even defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, the trust that existed between him and APC leader, Asi-
waju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is reported to be on a rapid decline. Kwankwaso too faces a similar dilemma as he is under pressure to decamp to the PDP and reports have it that the former governor had asked his supporters in the state to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the just concluded local council elections. The situation was made known by his nephew, Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, who is also the Commissioner for Special Duties in Kano State and a loyalist of current Governor, Ganduje. This alliance of Kwankwaso’s nephew with the governor with whom Kawankwaso does not see eye to eye, may prove to be a clog in the wheel of his presidential ambition.
Nonetheless Kwankwaso is not deterred in his intention to leave the APC and this confidence was given a boost by a meeting the former Kano governor had with President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and APC Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun. The meeting was convened as a result of warnings former Managing Director of the Nigeria Port Authority, Arc. Aminu Dabo, that Kwankwaso’s departure could pose a huge disadvantage for the party. Kwankwaso had accused the Federal Government led by Buhari of taking sides with his sworn political adversary, Governor Ganduje to frustrate his political moves in what many observers believe to be deliberate so as to dissuade him from chasing his presidential ambition. Kwankwaso and Ganduje have been locked in a su-
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premacy battle that has kept the former from stepping in his home state for about three years now, which also occasioned the cancellation of a planned
viewed it as a very unfortunate situation and said he would not allow his visit to Kano to be used as an excuse by some misguided people to kill inno-
mer Lagos state governor and APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu. The lawmaker listed incessant killings and economic meltdown
tional Assembly, the presidency, the APC and Kano government won’t allow him because they now have a candidate. Another issue that
visit recently. Giving an inside account of what led to the cancellation of the planned visit, Dabo revealed that the police, the presidency and the governor worked hard to frustrate the visit. He stated, “After giving a month’s notice to the police for the visit, the same police also agreed with Governor Ganduje to do a similar political rally on the same date, which is quite unfair. So, at the peak of the visit, we realised they have mobilised virtually all the police from all the northern states to Kano. “In fact, a day to the activity, there were over 100 police vehicles, intimidating our people in the state, going round and causing panic among the people of Kano. “Meanwhile, the same police gave maximum security support to the governor — to organise his political activities the same day. They were there in the stadium; they brought a group of sects, who were beating people across the town, and they created a scenario of chaos and anarchy; they wanted to cause mayhem. “So, our leader – Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso,
cent people for no just cause. “So, he realised that it was better to put off the visit for some time, to allow peace to reign. He doesn’t want to cause any confusion in Kano State. However, this is the last time we will allow our fundamental rights to be breached.” Kwankwaso is believed to have the vigour to carry the weight of governance if elected as president as he is said to be very hard working, philanthropic, charismatic, faithful and sincere in all his commitments. His followers are also of the view that he will carry everybody along. But in the midst of the brouhaha, Kwankwaso maintains his earlier stance of waiting for the right time to dump the ruling party for the PDP, a party he helped to destroy in 2013 when he led four other governors to abandon the ruling party. He is said to be waiting on the outcome of peace moves initiated last week by President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve intra-party crisis in some states. The reconciliation committee is headed by for-
as what informed his decision to dump the ruling party and attempt a shot at the presidency. A source in his camp gave some of the reasons that made Kwankwaso conclude that now is the best time to leave the APC. He alleged that the presidency had displayed partiality in the crisis rocking the Kano APC chapter and that the politician no longer feels the party needs him, claiming that
is motivating Kwankwaso’s plan to dump APC is what happened when Lado declared for APC. The Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano was shut down with police protection on January 27. The rally was attended by Deputy National Chairman, Segun Oni and top party leaders. Buhari was absent because of AU involvement. “But when a former governor and sitting Senator wanted to meet
the APC invited a former PDP Senator, Basheer Lado, who just joined and offered him automatic ticket to return to the Senate in 2019. A close source hinted that “What this development means is that even if Kwankwaso decides go back to the Na-
his people in his home state, they said there will be violence. This is a man in the same party with the President of Nigeria and the incumbent Governor,” the source complained. Much as Kwankwaso’s friends, associates and followers have been telling him to make his move, he
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keeps telling them to ‘keep calm’. The source further confirmed that the PDP hierarchy has been inviting Kwankwaso “to return to the fold since last year”. Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin’s utterance about receiving some former chieftains of the party last month could be an allusion to the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement. He said: “We are also expecting a big return of some of our former governors, our National Assembly members and very renowned party followers. “We are therefore calling on the Senate President Bukola Saraki, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and all our former legislators who have left this party to come back quickly”. It is believed that Kwankwaso may fix another date for his Kano trip, to announce his exit from the APC in what Kwankwaso himself has described as “impressive homecoming” rally. He said: “The retreat of a ram does not mean cowardice. I only heeded the call of some respected personalities in Kano and Abuja to suspend the visit.” In a chat with DAILY POST, a close aide of Kwankwaso said his principal remains in the ruling party. “Oga is still a member of the APC. However, we are waiting for outcomes of the Tinubu peace committee set up by President Buhari. That’s all I will say for now”. The way things are right now, Kwankwaso is not at ease - with one foot in the APC and the other foot in the PDP. No one can say for now what foot will shift to meet the other. But obviously, it won’t be long before a decision is reached by the embattled senator.
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PEARL Awards is Not Sentiment Based, But Scientifically Proven with Empirical Data – Tayo Orekoya
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By Eric Elezuo
ith an intimidating academic, financial and professional background, TAYO OREKOYA sits atop the prestigious PEARLS AWARDS NIGERIA, as founder and president. In this interview, he highlighted the qualities that
- from 1982 to 1992. I was a pioneer staff of the then Eko International Bank (EIB). I've been a publisher for over 22 years - including publishing the Nigerian Stock Market journal since 1995. Does that mean that your career has an element of
into publishing. Again, I am a certified PPP specialist from the Institute of Public Private Partnership in the United State of America and I was also in the public sector. I was a director with the World Bank for twelve and half years, assisting the proj-
Institution Training Consultants to CITC Global Consultant Limited. What was the intention behind setting up PEARL Awards? PEARL is an acronym that stands for Performance Earnings And Returns Leadership, and like I
meetings, good presentation background and financial report. But PEARL Award decided that there was the need to actually look at the empirical review of these companies and then we were able to come with clearly defined criteria of which could be proven scientifically based
make him thick, and those never seen or heard about criteria that determine what quoted company carts away the much sought after PEARL Awards yearly. The Oxford trained Chartered Accountant also gave indepth analysis of the Nigerian business environment, and the way forward. Excerpts: Apart from Pearl Awards, what else are you known for? Yes, apart from being Tayo Orekoya, President, PEARL Awards Nigeria, I'm a Chartered Accountant by profession. I was a banker and my banking career spanned 10 years
journalism I am an accountant by training, but an award like PEARL is a product of the mass media. We started by educating people through a programme called Stock Market This Week on NTA Channel 10, as well as Banking and You which I executively produced and anchored. So, when Pearl Awards started, we decided it was also necessary to have a publication that would explain in detail our criteria and categories of the awards and facts behind the figures of how the winner emerges; including contemporary issues in the Nigerian Capital Market. That was how I got
ect of Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority. I have actually been in so many areas, of course, and this is not exclusive of organisational development consultancy as the Managing Consultant of Corporate Institution Training Consult (CITC) Global Consultant Limited, which started off as a training institution. Over time, it has metamorphosed into becoming more than just a capacity building, human capital development organisation to an organisation of development consultancy and we, among other things engage in management consulting. The name changed from just Corporate
mentioned earlier, the objective of setting up Pearl Awards is traced to the TV programme, Stock Market This Week, and in the course of reporting activities in the capital market, it was observed that there was a yawning gap which has to be filled. That gap expresses that companies quoted on the stock market were not being recognised or rewarded for their outstanding performances based on empirical data. At that time though, we had what was called Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) President Merit Award, which was centred on just orderliness, conduct of annual general
on the actual performance of these companies and that was what gave birth to the awards way back in 1995; 23 years ago. In these 23 years, have there been challenges in organising the PEARL Awards? Yes, just like every human endeavor, there had been challenges, but the good thing is we have been able to deal with them. When we were starting up, there were issues of funding and that of track record, but we got over them because we were able to put together a very strong board of governing team, comprising first class professionals.
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These were people who have personal track record of credibility and professionalism, and they positively impacted on the awards projects such that right from the very first edition, the issue of credibility was not much of a problem. Indeed, at the maiden edition of the awards, we had the number two citizen in the country at that time, the then Chief of General Staff, General Oladipo Diya, personally represented as well as numerous chairmen and managing directors of quoted companies coming personally to receive their awards. It is instructive to note and recall that the over-
companies are nominated, and they get awarded at the PEARL Awards event, the share prices automatically go up. So, indirectly there is the benefit of improved share value. Again, this dovetails into financial benefits to the shareholders of the companies that get nominated or win the awards because the value of the shares increases. And of course, the project engenders competitiveness among quoted companies in a way the companies try to outperform one another with a view to winning thereby enhancing value to their shareholders. Also, it is not surprising to see that when you go to the
ship awards, companies are measured based on the nine indicators to determine how they fared within their sector. The first three companies with the highest aggregate within the totality of these indices are nominated for the sectorial leadership awards. And of course, the company with the highest aggregate points emerges the winner. In the market excellence category, we have all the companies in the entire markets compete in each of the criteria. For example, the company with the highest turnover growth among the over 200 companies quoted on the stock exchange
also accessed as a sector, because we don't want to run an award that is based on sentiment. We want an award that is scientifically proven, and based on empirical data. So, because we rely on the financial statement approved by the stock exchange and presented before the annual general meeting of quoted companies including the daily official lists and the Nigerian Stock Exchange 52 weekly reports, for data to process, companies that are SMEs they do not have participation at this level, apart from their annual financial report. Therefore, we believe and focused on the stock ex-
all highest award at that maiden edition was won by Nigerian Breweries Plc., and the then Executive Chairman, Mr. Felix Ohiwerei was there personally to receive the awards. This was as far back as 1995. Also, over time, we've been able to overcome challenges of funding and today the Awards is much stronger. Is the PEARL Awards purely recognitional or does it come with benefits like financial rewards? Well, the benefits are not financial but they far outweigh financial gains in terms of the fact that for a company to be nominated at the Pearl Awards in the sector or market excellent category, it underscores the fact that the company is a high flyer and a high performing company. As such, it is not surprising that immediately
head offices of quoted companies that have won the awards, they conspicuously display their laurels, and of course at their annual general meetings and general reports they flaunt the fact that they have won so and so categories of the PEARL Awards. Therefore, the benefits are really, really enormous. Itemise in certain terms the parametres used in deciding winners in various categories? There are essentially nine basic criteria that we employ which are in line with international standards; among them is turnover growth, earnest yield, returns on equity, net asset ratio, profit margin ratio, dividend cover, dividend yield, dividend growth; these are the criteria that are used. In the sectorial leader-
would be accessed, and the company with the highest percentage in terms of turnover growth wins the award while the other nine companies are allocated points ranging from one to 10. So, at the end of the day, the three companies with the highest aggregate on the market excellence category are nominated provided each of them is a sectorial leader; you must have emerged as sectorial leader in your sector for you to compete for the overall highest awards category. PEARL is not an award based on sentiment. What leverage do the awards give to upcoming enterprises in terms of participation? What we have done is to ensure that companies listed on the second tier of the Nigeria Stock Exchange are
change. The other thing we have introduced is the special recognition awards category, which will reward the clearing house of the year and the stock broking firm of the year, the good governance award of the year, the non-listed stock of the year for companies that are listed on the NASD platform. So, for us, we are not focusing on the SMEs for now. However, companies that are on the second tier listed on the stock exchange have opportunity. Any hope for the SMEs getting a chance someday as many believe they are the mainstay of the economy? You never say never! If the Board of Governors of PEARL Awards decides that we should create another level of award for SMEs, it’s something that we would
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consider and it is very, very possible. I agree that the SMEs are the engine room of any nation's economic growth and development. So, we believe that in the course of time, we could be looking at that as you have rightly mentioned. United Capital won the overall best in the last awards, what did they do better than others? Well, it was obvious that United Capital not only won in their sector, they performed a fit that had never been witnessed in the annals of PEARL Awards because they won in each of the five category awards. They won in the sectorial leadership award category. They won in the market excellence award category. They won in the special recognition award category by winning the good corporate governance awards. They won in the honourary award category by winning the CEO of the year award, which was won by the managing director, and they also won the overall highest award. Therefore, in terms of performance, sectorial leadership and market excellence they out performed every company in the capital market. So, it was a well-deserved award. Are there new innovations the award is initiating ahead of the upcoming Awards in November? We keep trying to better our best. The awards secretariat is currently putting together the central organising committee for the 2018 Pearl Awards coming up on November 25 by the grace of God. And I must assure you that we have some other innovations in place, but at this point I think it would be better we keep them under our arms. Do any international stock exchange bodies participate in the awards to give it an international outlook? I would not say outside of Africa but within Africa. We have a vision to introduce Pearl Awards Africa. We have actually been given an endorsement by the apex capital regulatory authority, the Security and Exchange Commission to have Pearl Awards Africa.
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We are working on that, and very soon we would make the announcement of when the first Pearl Awards Africa would be held, but for now we are working within Africa. What are the qualifications – academic, professional or attitudinal that made the world believe you can organise such awards? Firstly, I want to attribute everything to God, because every good thing comes from God. Again, it also has to do with good and God fearing up-bringing that I had, which emphasizes the values of integrity, credibil-
stitute of Chartered Accountants, our motto is accuracy and integrity. So, integrity for me is key. Again, as a banker, integrity must be your watchword, therefore, the totality of all these formed who I am by the grace of God. Like I said, most importantly, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. These are the values. Trace your background - educational or professional Interestingly, I attended about seven primary schools, and this was because my father was a police officer, and he was being transferred from one place
Saint Charles, worldwide. I was the 10th president and served two terms (2010 2014). In 1992, I obtained a Higher National Diploma in Accounting with a distinction. I qualified as a chartered accountant in 1999 in the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria, and became a fellow of the institute. Thereafter, I qualified as a certified public private partnership specialist from Institute of PPP in Washington DC. I've attended various executive leadership programmes, including at University of Nevada, IC Business School in Nevada, Spain, Keliot University,
Again, the issue of infrastructure development is key. Power is basic for business and economic development; we have been on this over the years. Our companies are not in the position to compete internationally because the cost of production is outrageous here. Almost everybody is a government unto himself. You provide your own water, electricity, even the roads, and all these things don't work together. I must say that the Federal Government has now put in place some initiatives that are positive and would begin to rake in some of the benefits
What’s your family life like I must say I married reasonably early, though not too young when I got married, but by April I would have been married for 32 years (1986). I married my best friend, Abimbola. The good thing now is that I'm also a grandfather; I have three wonderful children, and a grandson. What food makes you happy? I like pounded yam with Ogbono soup. How do you relax? I relax by watching movies. I like to swim and play golf.
ity and accountability. I must appreciate my parents; they inculcated these in me when I was young. My father, despite the fact, that he was a police officer, was a thorough disciplinarian. He joined during colonial era and whenever people ask if I am his son and I said yes, they acknowledge he is a nice man, and a man of integrity. And I challenged myself that when I grow up, I would want people to say the same to my children about me. That was part of the foundation. Again, I decided to qualify as a Chartered Accountant, and of course, as a fellow of the In-
to another often. And very importantly, I remember my primary three was in three different schools, but I never repeated a class. So, I moved from Army Children School, Eleyele, Ibadan to Salvation Army Primary School, CAC Primary School in Oshogbo, CAC Primary School in Ile-Ife, Salvation Army A, and B, where I finished my primary school and at the end of the day, I attended St. Charles Grammar School Oshogbo. I attended public schools at a time public schools were public schools. Eventually, I emerged as the president of the old boys association of
University of Chicago, USA, Oxford University, United Kingdom etc. What do you think can be done to better the Nigerian economy? For me, I think the basic thing is that we need to have policy consistency. There has to be dynamism, but at the same time, we must ensure that our policies are such that will make investment planning possible. We cannot continue to change our policies, and then we also need to look at the issue of the fiscal and monetary policies. We must be able to align them with current economic realities.
soon. Also, we must consider the issue of interest rate; our interest rates are outrageous. We're talking about 27 percent interest rate; there is no way companies can prosper under this regime. In advance countries, you have single digit interest rate; that makes it possible for investment to thrive and people to have adequate returns on investments. I believe the Federal Government is trying, but there is still much more to be done, our foreign reserves have gone back to about $40 billion, and we also need to have the impact felt by the people.
How do you combine your work with your family life? I'm a consummate family man. My family after God is important. When I travel, I travel with my wife. Therefore, we are always together and by this year, we would be 38 years in relationship, our six years courtship inclusive. The children have grown up now, but when they were younger, I gave them adequate time. Two of my children are abroad, while one is here in Nigeria.
Events
The Grand Burial Ceremony of Late Dr. Julius Doherty in Lagos and Ibadan
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D
Story: Ajibade Morakinyo
eji Doherty, gave his late dad, Dr. Julius Adetunji Doherty, who passed on at 84, a burial befitting of royals in an elaborate event that held in two cities - Ibadan, Oyo State, where the deceased lived and Lagos State. The programme of events commenced with two lying-instate sessions that held consecutively at Banuso Complex at Iya-Olobe, Ekotedo, Ibadan and the residence of the deceased in Old Bodija Estate, for friends and family members to connect with the deceased and both sessions were quite touching – the moments reflecting the significant
role the deceased played in the lives of his loved ones. The rites continued at Pentorise Events Center, Bodija, Ibadan where a service of songs that pulled countless tributes from loved ones was held. The service was presided over by clergymen from All Saints' Church, Jericho, Ibadan - where a commendation service was later convened. Thereafter, a motorcade of exotic automobiles stormed Lagos for the family’s service of songs, and night of songs and praises, at 10 Degrees Events Center, Oregun, Lagos, presided over by the Cathedral Church of
Photo: Segun Lawal
Christ, Marina, Lagos. A grand performance by juju legend, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey capped the event. The funeral service held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos after which the remains of the deceased were committed to earth at Old Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos, amid an outpouring of emotion. A classy reception followed at 10 Degree Events Centre where another juju impresario and master guitarist, King Sunny Ade, was on hand to entertain the esteemed guests including Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Senator Anthony Ade-
Otunba Gbenga Daniel www.thebossnewspapers.com
fuye Amb. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, Chief Idowu Sofola, Bashorun JK Randle, Bashorun Dele Momodu, AIG Tunji Alapini (rtd),Alhaji kashim Imam, Senator Buruji Kashamu, Mr. Bayo Fatusi, Mr. Tope Abere, Otunba Lai Oriowo, Hon. Titi Oseni, Hon. Dipo Olorunrinu, Mr. Rotimi Paseda, Mr. Gboyega Isiaka, Dr. Tunde Osinowo, Mrs. Funke Obebe Opadiran, Mrs. Lawunmi Biliari, Mrs. Joke Sogunro, Hajiya Fatima Tukur, Mr.Gbenga Adeyinka, Daddy Showkey, CEO HealthPlus, Bukky George among others.
Events
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Mr. & Mrs. Roland Iyayi
Mr. & Mrs. Adeyemi
Hon. Dayo Ogunjebe
Representing Ooni of Ife, Oba Muraina Adedini
Mr. & Mrs. Fashanu
Bashorun JK Randle
Senator Anthony Adefuye
Amb.Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu
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Engr. Deji Doherty & Mr. Dehinde Harrison
Mr. Adetunji Doherty, Elizabeth Ewusu Doherty & Engr. Adedeji Doherty
DIG Tunji Alapini, Alhaji kashim Imam, Bashorun Dele Momodu & Mr. Gbenga Adeyinka
Hon & Mrs. Dipo Olorunrinu
Mr. Tope Abere, Mr. Bayo Fatusi & Dr. Tunde Oshinowo
Events
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US Consulate Premieres "Black Panther" In Lagos The
BOSS NEWSPAPER
Story by: Bamidele Salako Photo: Segun Lawal
H
ighly anticipated Marvel movie, ‘’BLACK PANTHER’’ premiered in a worldwide release yesterday, with drooling movie buffs flooding the film house Lekki, Lagos, to take in what was expected to be an awesome cinematic experience. The premiere was hosted by the US Consulate to commemorate Black History Month - an annual celebration of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora.
The movie which has been described by reviewers as arguably the greatest movie in black history, not just for its entertainment value, but for its scope and relevance in capturing the cultural opulence of the black race, casts Nollywood superstars such as Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and the Oscar winning Lupita Nyongo from "Twelve Years a Slave." Time Magazine has called the Black Panther movie, "Radically Different" while Variety crowned it a
"Cultural Milestone." Segun Oduolowu, Host of "Rotten Tomatoes See it/Skip it" tagged the movie a demonstration of "African Cultural Excellence." The Lagos premiere expectedly drew a good number of prominent individuals including, US Consul General, John Bray, Professor Zizwe Poe, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate Lagos, Darcy Zotter, US Embassy, Information Specialist, Temitayo Famutimi, Mary-Anne, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, President,Nigeria Guild of Ed-
itors, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Editor, Ovation International Magazine, Michael Effiong, Mr. & Mrs. Innocent Idibia, Olu Jacob & Joke Silva, Chioma Udeh, Mr. Laurent Polonceaux, Consular General of the German High Commission, Ingo Herbert, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Mr. Efe Omoregbe, Mr. Toni kan among others.
Jennifer woods & Oz Tat
Mr. Efe Omoregbe, Mr. Tuface Idibia, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Mrs. Annie Idibia & Mr. Michael Effiong
Caity Keegan, Bart Thiltgen &Laura Fields
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Tope Oshin
Brian Oji, Olu Jacob & Sharon
Pastor Femi Adefarasin
Mr. Michael Effiong & Mr. Efe Omoregbe
Margaret Peter-Obi & Chioma Udeh
Thang & Vince
Gina krapf & Nella Hengstler
Chidera Muoka & Wale Adenuga
Essé & Renée
Sola
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Ingo Herbert,US Consul General, John Bray &Mr. Laurent Polonceaux
Events
Professor Zizwe Poe during his speech
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CEO, Film House Lekki, Kene Mkparu
US Consul General, John Bray during his speech
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Olu Jacob & Joke Silver
Brandyn Richardson & Richard Ledesma
Nwaji Jibunoh, Nneka Jibunoh & Chinomso Odocha
US Consul General, John Bray, Richard Mofe-Damijo & Barrister Margaret Orakwusi
kaffy, Professor Zizwe Poe, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate Lagos, Darcy Zotter & Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Mr. Steve Ayorinde
Hank Mattson & Lorrie Hutchison
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Interview
BOSS NEWSPAPER
People Living with Disabilities Must Be Treated as Equal Members of Society – Abiodun Paseda The
By Eric Elezuo
H
e does not live with a physical or mental disability, but Abiodun Enilari Paseda, a Business Administration and Marketing Management graduate of the Ogun State University, Ago Iwoye, and University College, Birmingham, respectively, is consumed by a burning passion to alleviate the plight of the disabled and the needy in the society. In this interview with The Boss, Abiodun, who runs a Non-Governmental Organisation, called Focus on Disability Foundation, communicates how ef-
fortless altruism can be, especially when targeted at those who are not in a position to reciprocate. Abbey, as he is fondly called, states the reasons every person should endeavor to give and why they must treat citizens living with disabilities the same way they treat the able-bodied. Excerpts: How would you describe yourself I am the founder of Focus on Disability Foundation UK. Born on December 27 in Lagos, Nigeria, I see myself as a reputable international campaigner for so-
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cial justice for the vulnerable and disadvantaged people, especially people born and living with disabilities in Nigeria and Africa. In this humanitarian function of yours, what are your core concerns My major interests are anchored on social inclusion, human rights protection of the vulnerable, prompt response to humanitarian crisis, global awareness and not forgetting general world campaign on issues with peculiar to disability. You are not disabled.
What prompted your concern to lose sleep over the handicapped In case most people don’t understand, the disabled are the most important yet most neglected people in our society today. It is really a sad commentary of how we treat our disabled people. When I travelled to the United Kingdom and some other countries in Europe, I was privileged to come in contact with the special ways these countries treat the disabled. In the first place, there is a disability law which we don’t have in
this part of the world. As a result, the handicapped have no place to fall back to, and this explains why they are treated the way they are. Having seen the two very different ways disabled people are treated in both Nigeria and Europe, I felt I should reciprocate the European standard in my country in the little way I can, and with what little resources I can lay my hand on. How did you kick off My kickoff point was Abuja, and because it has already become my passion, I made it mandatory to distribute materials to those suffering any form of disability wherever I am privileged to meet them. I must say that the turning point of my disability focus initiative began when I relocated to London. I have a Business Administration background and had a stint with the defunct Intercontinental Bank as a graduate assistant before finally moving to London. I had been making voluntary donations before I felt that there was a need to give the act a platform, and that gave rise to Focus on Disability (FOD) Foundation in 2010. The foundation was completely saddled with the responsibility of dishing out unconditional charity and passionate assistance to the less privileged in Africa and the United Kingdom. I started with the Leonard-Cheshire Cancer Centre, UK, and Global Care International where I was involved in voluntary work for children with disabilities in Africa. Itemize some of the activities your foundation has been involved in FOD has really been involved in a lot of humanitarian work including the distribution of 60 wheel chairs and other disability aids in Kano and Kaduna in 2012; distribution of crutches, wheelchairs and other disability aids in Ogun State in March 2013. In September of the same year,
Interview FOD was involved in the distribution of food items to towns around South West of Nigeria. Your organization is supposed to be international, why is your presence basically only in Africa and UK Yes, we are international, but we are limited by resources and fund, and that explains why our activities for now are restricted to the shores of Africa and UK. We most times depend on the generosity of well-meaning people to work. These people include but are not limited to churches, mosques, faith groups, social groups, communities, corporate bodies as well as individuals. What challenges have you encountered so far in the selfless work The major challenge
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we face is getting the people to participate. You know most people don’t believe in charity, but God is giving us victory in every way, and
good Nigerians sometimes what area do you need government attention come to our aid. As at now, there is Has your organization so far received any govern- no government attention, no ment attention, and in there is none. If the government come in by enacting a law or laws to support disability and the disable, we will so much appreciate it. Again, there is the need to introduce inclusive education where both the able bodied and the disabled can co-exist using the same educational facility like it is in Ghana. It must interest you to know that we have reached out to the National Assembly on the matter, and it is believed that before long, something good will happen to the benefit of people living with disabilities. In 2011, we were among those that protested against the government of Donald Cameron when they tried to cut off the disabled. We got him to change his mind. I believe such is possible in Nigeria much as we are a difficult people. Howbeit, we are working towards getting the National Assembly to enact a law supporting the disabled, and we believe that no matter how long it takes, we will achieve it. How have you managed to achieve the progress you have made so far I return all the glory to God for his steadfastness. Again, my team has been very supportive. They are everywhere doing a great job. Our presence is felt in Nigeria, Ghana, and we are not resting on our oars. We are sold out to supporting children and adults with disabilities. Who are your mentors in the affairs of life‌ people you
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look up to God has remained the first and foremost. There are many others. However these ones I’m about to mention are really special, and selfless. They include my loving and caring wife, Mrs. Esther Paseda, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi of Esther Ajayi Foundation, who is an epitome of giving; Chief Dele Momodu of Ovation Media Group, Henry Cofie-Squire, Dr. Dapo Williams, Dr. Abbey Akinoshun among many others. I am inspired by these people and they make me learn every day. In fact, I love moving with people who has something to offer. What is your greatest desire as a person and as a professional I wish above all things that disabled children and adults are included as equal members of the society with equal rights with their able-bodied counterparts. At FOD as well, we are developing a project where disabled adults will learn a vocation. Any message for the society at large We all must know that disability is not a respecter of persons. It can happen to anybody at any time. Everyone should rally round the less privileged; help and love everyone equally. And to the young ones, focus is the watchword. They must understand that the likes of Dangote, Otedola and others we celebrate today would not have got to the level they are today if they had derailed from their set objectives and goals.
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Ambode’s Development Train Sweeps Through Ladipo Market
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E
By Bamidele Salako Photo: Ken Ehimen
arlier this week, on Monday, February 12, 2018, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode paid a courtesy cum sensitisation call on the traders at
sidewalks of the expressway. The furniture traders who had been fixture along that axis for years were also issued a 24-hour evacuation notice. In explaining the
dents around these areas no longer sleep with their two eyes closed because of criminal activities being perpetuated by some miscreants who pretend to be furniture traders
‘Cleaner Lagos Initiative’ at different designations across the state.” While addressing the traders, Governor Ambode pointed out that the reconstruction of the Os-
the yearnings of traders and residents of the area. Ambode said, “When I came here last year and I went through the Ladipo Market, I promised you I will do all
the multimillion dollar Ladipo International Auto Spare Parts Market, situated in the Mushin area of Lagos, along the OshodiApapa Expressway. His agenda was to secure the cooperation of the traders just as he approved the extension of an ongoing reconstruction of the Oshodi-Airport Expressway to the link road interfacing the market. The State Government had swooped in a day before with its task force and other associated agencies to demolish shanties and evacuate scraps that previously lined the roadside and
state government’s actions, Chairman of the Lagos State task force, Olayinka Egbeyemi, who is a Superintendent of Police (SP), decried the environmental degradation that illegal trading along the corridor had caused iterating that no responsible and responsive government would turn a blind eye to the development. Egbeyemi also bemoaned the rising incidence of crime in surrounding areas perpetrated by miscreants whom he claimed were sheltering in the illegal shanties along the expressway. He said, “Resi-
around Itire and Ijesha axis.” Egbeyemi The task force chief also disclosed: “Residents of Oshodi to Mile 2 areas have been warned to desist from dumping refuse on the median, road setbacks and walkways. This warning became imperative as anyone caught dumping refuse at undesignated spots by the task force would be charged to court for prosecution. The Lagos State government, however, enjoins members of the public to properly package and dump their refuse inside waste bins provided by the
hodi International Airport Road would be incomplete without a restoration of the adjoining roads traversing Ladipo Market. He stated that the developments were in fulfilment of promises he made to the traders during an earlier visit to the market in 2017. While pleading with the traders to suspend trading on the roads under rehabilitation in order to ensure on-time delivery by the contractors, the governor announced plans to begin construction of a foot bridge at Toyota Bus Stop next week in response to
the roads within the market and you will all cooperate with me. So, last year August, I fulfilled my promise; I awarded the contract of Akinwunmi Street, the Ladipo Street and then the other streets on the adjacent side. “The contractors have gone to work; I have just inspected the project at Akinwunmi Street and the drainage has been completed. You were the ones that told me I should come and do the roads; I have asked the contractors and they are promising me that Akinwunmi Street will be delivered by May but I have an issue and
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News that is why I have called the Vice President of your association to stand by my side here.
Ambode addressing traders at Ladipo Market
“Now, the only reason why that contract will not be completed on schedule is that some of you are trading on the roads that we want to repair and you were the ones that said we should come and repair the roads and so you need to talk to yourselves; I
don’t want any trading on that road until we finish it. This is February, in another three months, we will finish it. So, the leaders in this market, please talk to your people, they should vacate the roads; let us bring development to your market. “I have come to appeal to you. If you don’t do it by way of appeal, you know I also have the power to close the market but I don’t want to do it and so let there be peace and when there is peace, there is progress and there is development,” he said. Ladipo Market link road adjoining Oshodi-Apapa
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developmental projects he had embarked upon, particularly, the rehabilitation of the link roads in and around the market but pleaded that the state government provide alternative spaces for the street traders at affordable rates so that they won’t lose their livelihoods. Mrs. Ogo-Oluwa, who was identified as a market women leader and who Egbeyemi also sells auto lubricants Expressway scheduled for the governor’s directive. on Ladipo Street pleaded rehabilitation Emeka Okorie, a motor with the Lagos State govThe Boss took a trip to the parts trader, who sells on ernment to provide an-
Ambode addressing traders at Ladipo Market
Ladipo Market link road adjoining Oshodi-Apapa Expressway scheduled for rehabilitation
market on Wednesday to feel the pulse of the traders and to see how seriously they were taking
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the sidewalk at Ladipo Street, lauded the governor’s commitment to delivering on the
other market where they could sell their goods as the existing ultramodern market had become crowded and could no
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longer accommodate the growing number of traders flocking the area. She stated that the traders were ready to vacate the streets as soon as the road construction reached the points of the roads where they were selling. On his part, Mr. Jude Nwankwo, who is the Vice President of the Ladipo Market Traders Association told The Boss that the traders were ready to cooperate with the state government. Nwankwo hailed Governor Am-
bode’s approach in reaching out to the traders to discuss his intentions without resorting to rash actions such as shutting down the market without due consultations or sensitisation. Noting that the governor was fulfilling the promises he made to the traders during his campaign, Nwankwo acknowledged that the ongoing developments would mean many of the traders who could not afford proper shops, would be inconvenienced and in need of some form of support.
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Pendulum
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BEFORE NIGERIA GOES The
THE WAY OF RWANDA
Fellow Nigerians, I finally found my way to Kigali, By Dele Momodu Rwanda, two weeks ago. I had procrastinated and postponed that journey for too long, for no justifiable reason. I visit Nairobi quite regularly and could easily have travelled to Rwanda, as part of my trip, but it never happened because for once, I simply did not put my mind to it. My interest in Rwanda had been stirred by recent news and events in that country for some years now. I had heard and read so much about the amazing transformation going on in a country that witnessed one of the deadliest civil wars in 1994, just about the time Nigeria was going through the June 12, 1993 Presidential election crisis. Today, Rwanda has virtually recovered physically, even if not psychologically, from the scourge of that tragic, destructive and devastating war but our dear beloved country Nigeria is yet to come out of the aftereffect of the political imbroglio which culminated in the death of the two prime actors in the June 12 1993 aftermath, Chief MKO Abiola and General Sani Abacha. My decision to travel eventually came from a simple flight from Accra to Lagos on RwandAir a few weeks ago. Sorry if I’m advertising the airline but I was pleasantly surprised to fly such a beautiful and brand new A330-200 aircraft belonging to a national carrier of a country that had been so ravaged by an internecine war . The crew was extremely warm, courteous and dutiful. There was no sign amongst them of the tribal warfare that had almost practically sunk and sucked the country into the abyss. They were all smiles and interacted with one anwww.thebossnewspapers.com
other like brother and sister. It was a remarkable throwback to Nigeria of yesteryears when there was no distrust or enmity between us even though we faithfully clung to our tribal groupings. Back to Rwandair! The food was excellent for a 45-minute flight. The journey was smooth and the timing was spot on, unlike our epileptic airlines, where
construction and rejuvenation of their beloved country. I wasted no time in calling my ever-dependable travel agent, I call her Mrs A, and she booked me from Lagos to Kigali, Kigali to Johannesburg, Johannesburg to Kigali and Kigali to Lagos. To my surprise, the fare was very reasonable and affordable. I made up my mind to explore Africa
most of us have flown too many times to Europe, America and Asia but know practically nowhere in Africa. For as long as RwandAir remains efficient and affordable, I will remain its self-appointed Ambassador. The appointed day was very soon upon me. I had no anxieties when packing and preparing for the
interminable delay is the order of the day. That was it. I was sold instantly on the Rwandan magic. I needed to experience first-hand what had changed and was making these people tick and preform near miracles in the re-
more than anywhere else this year with this Airlie and other African Airlines like Kenyan Airways and Ehtiopian Airways who also have a very good fleet of aircraft and dependable and reliable service and safety history. It is a big shame that
trip as I often have when flying abroad with some of our Nigerian airlines. The flight from Lagos to Kigali was wonderful. It arrived with some passengers from Accra and picked those of us from Nigeria. We flew for a little under four hours.
Pendulum The Business class was not very full despite the fact that some Access Bank executives were on the flight for their retreat in Kigali. RwandAir needs maximum publicity to market such a fantastic brand. I love the availability of WiFi during the flight. Some major international airlines, including the much vaunted British Airways, are yet to have these feature on their flights yet those managing RwandAir have seen the vision and realise that this is one of the ways to enhance the travel experience of their passengers. I am very active on social media and was able to communicate and update my social media accounts throughout the flight thus ensuring that I missed out on nothing during the entire flight. There was never a shortage of champagne, but I indulged a bit requesting for one glass only before reclining and stretching out to catch a much-needed nap. The announcement by the Captain woke me up and brought me back to reality as we started our descent into Kigali. The crew went through the usual ritual of getting the cabins ready for landing. In minutes the massive plane opened it flaps and landed perfectly. The plane taxied to its parking bay in the small airport. The door was swung open, by the crew and not by unknown forces, and we were told we could disembark. I was the first to leave, anxious to get to my hotel. I approached the Immigration counters and was invited by an officer who granted me visa on arrival. The visa cost 30 US Dollars and the process was easy and smooth. No one requested for tonnes of documentation or any gratification to get what was clearly my entitlement. I went to the luggage claims area after passing my handbags through x-ray machine. I picked my suitcases and put them on a trolley which was free of charge. DJ Cuppy and I had spoken before my trip and she had mentioned a few good hotels to try. I readily settled for the Marriott Kigali. I walked out of the airport and located a taxi rank. I got a driver in little time and we drove to the hotel about 25 minutes away. I did not regret my choice. The hotel was reasonably priced and very comfy. I had a quick check-in, showered and went straight to bed. www.thebossnewspapers.com
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I woke up in the morning to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast. I hired a car to take a tour of Kigali and enjoyed taking in the atmosphere of a battered but recovered nation. After two nights, I headed to South Africa and landed at about 2a.m. By 3a.m, I was in my hotel in Sandton. No unnecessary argument with the front desk officer, I was granted early checkin. Elsewhere, I would have been punished for arriving too early and advised to wait till 3p.m. but South Africa understands tourism. I settled to my meetings in Johannesburg and spent my two days well. One of my plans was to meet the aging and ailing Winnie Mandela, one of the greatest icons of the anti-apartheid struggle. Thanks to my friends, Ms Cebo Hlatshwayo and Mr Malcolm X, an appointment was arranged pronto. I had met Winnie Mandela about 14 years ago at the 70th birthday of Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion and remain one of her biggest fans till this day. We were minutes to her home in Soweto when we received a call that she was being rushed to hospital. What a shame, I soliloquised. We decided to go to a nearby restaurant to sample some local cuisine. I was humbled when Winnie called Malcolm from hospital just to offer her apologies to me. She promised to see me before flying out that night if the doctors released her to go home. Winnie kept her word and we met for about 30 minutes before I headed to the Oliver Tambo Airport to catch my flight back to Kigali. There is so much happening in Africa that I hope to capture in the books I’m working on. The story of Rwanda is one that I believe every Nigerian should study and understand well. It seems we did not learn much from our own civil war experience. At the rate, and the way, Nigeria is going, we need special prayers not to go the way of Rwanda. In case the story of Rwanda is strange to you, please, allow me to give you a quick summary. The genocide that rocked Rwanda is better left to the imagination. Like all pogroms the world over, it started with one ethnic group hating the other, in this case the Hutus hated the Tutsis with so much passion and venom. It is always difficult to
determine the source or cause of such monumental dislike for a fellow human being. The situation gets worse when leaders who should discourage such malady actually encourage and partake in the orgy of violence. In Rwanda, the Hutu were said to have had a pathological hatred for the Tutsi. I stumbled on the Hutu Commandments and I had goose bumps all over me. I wondered why anyone would hate another being in such ungodly manner. Let me share some with you: “All Hutus must know that the Tutsi woman wherever she may be, is serving the Tutsi ethnic group. In consequence, any Hutu who does the following is a traitor: acquires a Tutsi wife acquires a Tutsi mistress acquires a Tutsi secretary or dependent. All Hutus must know that our Hutu daughters are more worthy and more conscientious in their role of woman, spouse and mother. Are they not more beautiful, good secretaries and more sincere! Hutu women, be vigilant and bid your husbands, brothers and sons to come to their senses. All Hutus must know the Tutsi is dishonest in business. His only goal is ethnic superiority… ”Now, as if this is not bad enough, wait for this, my dear reader: “In consequence, any Hutu who does the following is a traitor: whoever makes an alliance with Tutsi in business whoever invests his money or state money in a Tutsi company whoever lends money or borrows it from a Tutsi whoever grants favours to Tutsi in business (granting of import license, bank loans, building parcel, public tender offers…) The strategic political, administrative, economical, military and security positions must be reserved for Hutu. The education (students, teachers) must be of Hutu majority. The Rwandan Armed Forces must be exclusively Hutu. The war experience in 1990 teaches us this lesson. No military man should marry a Tutsi woman…” This was how the Hutu clan brainwashed their own people. Isn’t this similar to what is going on in our own country? Politicians daily regale us with their predilection for restructuring on the basis of primordial tribal sentiments when the restructuring
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that this country needs is on a political, social and economic front, devoid of religious or ethnic considerations. Anyway, Rwanda exploded as the warmongering protagonists had wished and in no time, a million lives were wasted by blood-sucking bigots and jingoists. I was stunned when I visited the genocide museum. It brought home the grim reality of war in a way in which history books, documentaries and other works of art can never do. We must commend the government and people of Rwanda for preserving this important moment in the country’s history. Emmanuel, my driver, brought the reality home when he blatantly refused to enter the museum. I asked him why and his response was that “I have both my parents there…” I didn’t understand him at first. I thought they worked in the place. I prodded further, and he told me sadly that he lost his parents to the senseless war and they are buried in that museum. Perhaps if our country had preserved some of the relics and experiences of the Civil War that almost nearly tore us apart and led to millions of deaths, we would not be beating down what we should realise is a well-trodden path to destruction and perdition. I had tears in my eyes as I toured the well-kept monument. The tears were not only for Rwanda but for the unseen future of my country where ignorance and our unique ability to lose sight of history is leading us to a ruinous date with the destiny of war. My fervent prayer continues to be that reason and good leadership will prevail in Nigeria, and we will be brought away from the brink of the grave disaster, that our foolhardy leaders appear to be steering us towards. I bought many books, in fact every book written in English. It is one important history I cannot afford to ignore or forget. The lessons are of flaws in humanity leading to a human calamity. Those who are beating the drums of war should please cool temper. They will probably be the first to flee and disappear when the first shots of battle ring out. It is the ordinary man, woman and child that will suffer the most. Indeed, war is never a tea party …
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Ladipo Traders Are Solidly Behind Ambode – Jude Nwankwo, Vice
F
President, Ladipo Market Traders Association Interview: Bamidele Salako
Photo: Ken Ehimen
ollowing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s recent visit to Ladipo International Auto Spare Parts Market along OshoshiApapa Expressway, to solicit the support of traders there, Jude Nwankwo, Vice President of the market’s traders’ association has expressed the traders’ unflinching support for
campaign to deliver some of the ongoing developments around the market which you can see. He is currently doing everything he promised. That’s why when he visited, I gave him that titled name, Ekwueme, which means, someone who does what he says. He is not political about his promises. We are ready
operate with him and talk to our people. I know that this will not be an easy decision for the people of Ladipo market. We all desire the ongoing development but some of us will inevitably be inconvenienced as this happens. However, I believe that by the end of it all, we will all have cause to smile.
not afford to rent shops to make use of makeshift spaces – sort of attachments to those who do so they can keep trading. What are you saying to the street traders at this time and how are you mobilising them to ensure they follow the state government’s directive I am essentially
but he must always strive to rise every time he falls. I have advised them to start searching for alternative spots where they can sell their goods because from what I am seeing, once the roads are completed and the whole place is wearing a new look, street trading will be completely outlawed from Ladipo market.
the state government’s ongoing rehabilitation of link roads in and around the market. What did Governor Ambode discuss with you and your fellow traders when he came visiting the market? The governor had promised us during his
to cooperate with him. He promised us in three months’ time, Akinwunmi Road will be completed, if we cooperate with him by getting the street traders impeding the ongoing work of the contactors, off the road. I assured him that we would co-
So what alternative arrangements have been made to relocate the street traders so they don’t lose their businesses? A new market is currently being constructed. Some of them are going in there. We also told those who can-
encouraging them. There are some of us that came to Lagos without a dime but today we have made some significant achievements. I am encouraging them to take what they see. My father used to tell me that a man may fall ten times
People like us who travel abroad often and invite our international partners to the market and they find the whole place tattered. But once the roads are ready and the market is wearing a new look, we can be proud to invite our partners here.
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have been political about it, promising but never delivering on their promise once you have voted them in. But this governor is already delivering on his promises including the pedestrian bridge. He promised us that work would begin on the bridge next week and we believe he will deliver. We have lost a lot of people along that Toyota axis and we have been pleading to have a pedestrian bridge constructed there. If he is able to do as promised, we’ll be delighted. We are confident that he
that mandate, what I say is what they will do. And not just that, they can see themselves that the governor is performing. Ambode is doing a lot of work in Lagos State and we the Ladipo market people are also beneficiaries of. So what will stop us from voting him in again? When Governor Ambode assumed office, he called us to a meeting and told us that his own administration differs from previous ones in the sense that we would not just resume to the market one morning and
will because he has started to fulfil previous promises already. Part of Ladipo Street pencilled down for rehabilitation With your obvious confidence about Governor Ambode’s administration, does this mean he is guaranteed the votes of the Igbos in Ladipo come 2019? As far as I am concerned, I will tell you the truth, Ladipo market traders are strongly behind Ambode in the coming elections. And as I am regarding recent de- there. The way it looks promised that they sitting here and disvelopments? now – neat, crowd-free would build a pedestrian cussing with you, I beThey are very happy. and no indiscriminate bridge at that spot. They lieve God has given me
find that government had shut down the market. He said if any issue arose, he’d call us to a roundtable discussion to tell us what we were doing wrong. If after that we do not comply, he would then swoop in to shut the market. So his coming here on Monday to address us was in fulfilment of his promise to us. We informed our people as soon as the governor left, and they came and cleared out their containers. If it was another administration, they wouldn’t have informed us before shutting the market down.
parking of vehicles. In terms of parking spaces, are there parking arrangements for customers plying the market? Yes, arrangements have been made. The governor promised to build car parks – one at Cemetery and one at Ojekunle. The governor promised that work would begin on the pedestrian bridge planned for Toyota Bus Stop, of how much People have been com- help would that be? Beyond the road con- menting since yesterday. It will be of imstruction, do you see a If you go through Toy- mense help. It’s what we future where the state government would look to modernise the entire market and what implications do you think that would portend for you guys? Ambode is passionate about modernising Lagos State, including Ladipo. If he decides to modernise the entirety of the market, it would be beneficial to us. I believe he is a listening governor and if the incidence was to arise, we would discuss alternative arrangements with him. So what kind of feed- ota Express, you’ll see have been looking for. backs are you getting that people are happy Several governors have from your colleagues with what has happened
www.thebossnewspapers.com
page 23
G
The
WHEN THE SUN SET AT NOON
Sermon
BOSS NEWSPAPER
reatness is earned by those who embrace challenge, stand tall in the face of adversity, persevere, learn from failure; never give in, never give up and inspire others to reach great heights. Forty years ago, the sun set at noon for an accomplished middle-aged man; an entrepreneur, business mogul and titan, who bestrode the nation’s business firmament like the proverbial colossus; a master, of every commerce he was engaged in and an example per excellence of the importance of hard work and perseverance. He was the epitome of rags to riches and a quintessence of God’s grace and blessings for the industrious. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also”. James 2:26 He was a personification and embodiment of organization and it reflected in his pioneering efforts in the unions he led and the business pressure groups whose cause he championed. Unlike today’s men of money, he was antiestablishment and fought the government of the day to secure space for the growth of commerce and industry. His unrelenting efforts yielded bountiful fruits for fellow travelers in the business terrain and many profited from his leadership. Most importantly, he did not rely on government patronage and largesse for his gettonity. Forty years after his demise, his constituency have not had any leader like him and probably ever will. Our persona is late Henry Oloyede Fajemirokun: A born leader of men and a veritable example of reward for industry and business acumen, laced with dogged determination and a can-do spirit. His rural and non cosmopolitan upbringing contrasts with his meteoric rise to fame and riches. His is an example of what perseverance, resolve, will and determination can bring about in the life of man. Henry Fajemirokun
was two years younger than my late father who was his very good friend and neighbor in the early days in Apapa. He was born in rural Ile-Oluji on the suburb of Ondo town in 1927: Son of Pa Daniel Famakinwa Fajemirokun, ‘Dani Ado’, an indication of his remote ancestry: Which would account for Henry’s lifelong friendship with late General Adeyinka Adebayo. They actually hailed from Ile Ife, the Source and went on a migration trail that saw them settled at Ifewara, Ado and later Okeigbo. At the age of 16, the trajectory of his life changed when he absconded from school at Ondo Boys High School and secretly enrolled in the British Army to fight in the Second World War. He saw action in India and the Far East. This was the first exhibition of his nonconformist disposition, which was to manifest in his championing of trade and industrial unions in later life. After the war, he settled in Lagos where he got a job with the Post and Telegraph department (P&T), and at the same time, he decided to further his education by studying privately under the tutelage of the late Chief Olowu, then a staff of the CMS Grammar School, Bariga. He later sat for his School Certificate and passed: That showed determination; a hallmark of his life. Henry became interested in trade unionism and it paid off when he was elected President of the P&T Workers Union; and later President General of the Nigerian Civil Service Union in 1957; a post he held until 1968. He also represented the labour movement on the Board of the ECN (Electricity Corporation of Nigeria) from 1957 until 1960. He was appointed by the Western Nigerian government as a member of the Salaries Review Commission in 1959. His foray into commerce started when he floated
By Babatunde Jose
Henry Stephens and Sons HSS, in partnership with his friend and In-Law, Stephen Adepetun, also of the P&T. HSS would eventually grow and blossom into a conglomerate of over 20 companies; ranging from importation to export of bones and commodities, leading to his becoming the first African to have a seat on the London Commodity Exchange with an office in London: HSS London.
sels for the cement, building materials and basic foods trade. There was also Henry Stephens Shipping Company, which bought its first ship in 1970, named MV Ifewara. He ventured into banking, insurance, and was the first Nigerian to prospect for oil. Henry Fajemirokun was best noted for his pioneering role in the Chamber of Commerce, a business pressure group that would
He became a leading exponent of regional integration and trade in the West African sub-region and this led to the founding of the West African Chamber of Commerce of which he was President from 1972 until he died while on a trade mission to Abidjan on February 15, 1978. The man died in active service! Henry lived an exemplary life, unlike that of today’s crop of ‘evil men’
It is axiomatic to know that long before Dangote and Folawiyo, he was importing cement from Egypt and Poland; and was the biggest player in that sector. He later invested in construction equipments and the local assembly of concrete mixers. He was unfazed by calamity or adversities: Even when he lost a shipload of cement in a deep sea disaster; a situation that led to the withdrawal of Stephen from the partnership; he still forged ahead, because he saw it as one of the risks in business. He never changed the name of the company because he did not believe in changing a winning brand with foreign connotation. In 1962, he formed Nigerian Maritime Services (NMS): The pioneer of household packaging and removal business in Nigeria. Nigmarship Agencies was formed in 1968 as a stevedoring and ship Chatterage Company: It chartered ves-
see him clashing with the military administration: A role which he played until the end. He was very vociferous against inconsistent policies of the government. From 1971 until 1975, he was President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce; during which he insisted that the Chambers should have input in budget preparation. In 1977, he championed the interest of British/Nigerian trade when, in partnership with his friend, Sir Adam Thompson, formed the Nigerian–British Chamber of Commerce. He was also Vice-President of the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce and President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). His activities during the clamor for the integration of trade in West Africa were influential in the formation of the ECOWAS.
who are hell bent on milking this nation to the bone. His was a life of service in the very short period of 20 years. Given the opportunity to continue stealing, many of our leaders would never achieve a tenth of what Henry did in a thousand years and they would never have anything to show for it. Today, Henry’s worthy legacy can be seen in the odyssey of his son, Dele; a quintessential chip of the old bloc. As we remember late Henry Oloyede Fajemirokun, we pray that God continue to grant him eternal rest. From God we come and to Him we will return. Barka Juma’at and a happy weekend: And Blessed Lenten season. With kind permission from Dele Fajemirokun; Adapted from the forthcoming book: My Odyssey in Business – An Autobiography.
Zuma: As South Africa
Opinion
Page 24
The
BOSS NEWSPAPER
Shamed Nigeria Yet Again...
J
acob Zuma, the embattled President of South Africa, has resigned. But that is not the news. I carefully followed the events that led to Jacob Zuma's exit and the whole thing lasted less than FIVE days. Again, that is not news.
* The party was more interested in saving its NAME and LEGACY, than saving Zuma. * Zuma did not deploy police and army to seal off the venue of the ANC meeting and teargas his party members. * There was no rented crowd at the ANC secre-
But note these: * In the build-up to Zuma's exit, no one played the ETHNIC card. His place of birth in South Africa did NOT matter. * Again, RELIGION was not an issue. Nobody even remembered he bore a Christian name.
tariat singing Zuma's praise and trolling Cyril Ramaphosa. * It was NOT even the ANC that reiterated the supremacy of the party, it was Zuma himself. Politics is played everywhere. It can be fun and interesting. But it is played FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF
By Samuel Ajayi
THE SOCIETY. IT IS TO IMPROVE THE CONDIHUMAN TION. But here in Nigeria, ours is for the self, our family and cronies and people of our ethnic and religious backgrounds. IN NIGERIA, IF A PRESIDENT GRABS
his supporters could throw up all sorts of mundane excuses to remain in office. ** Do you now see why Toyota, Mazda, Daimler Chrysler, BMW, Volkswagen and so on all have Assembly plants in South Africa? ** Do you now see why
about the black man. We are not intellectually inferior to the white man. Something is just fundamentally wrong with Nigeria and its LEADERSHIP MANAGEMENT. And that thing is INSTITUTIONS. Both at governmental and
THE GUN OF HIS POLICE ORDERLY AND SHOOTS A CITIZEN, or DOES ANY VISIBLY DESECRATING ACT, SOME OF US WILL STILL DEFEND HIM. Were it to be Nigeria, Zuma would not leave office. Never. He and
they generate almost 40,000 megawatts and we are calling thanksgiving service for 7,000 megawatts? ** Do you now see why they successfully hosted the World Cup? ** Do you know why our citizens rush there? South Africa has again showed that it is NOT
non-governmental levels. As long as we continue to produce LEADERS that we MAKE STRONGER than our INSTITUTIONS, we will NEVER make progress! No be curse...
5 Steps You Can Take to Live by Design, Not Default
page 25
The
Personal Development
BOSS NEWSPAPER
By Margie Warrell
D
o you ever find yourself just going through the motions, as though on autopilot? If so, you’re not alone. In a recent study of 3,000 people, 96 percent reported living on autopilot. The researchers concluded that as our lives have become more frantic and the needle has moved ever more toward the “overwhelm,” autopilot has become our default mode. It’s led to an epidemic of subconscious decision-making, with the average person making 15 “mindless” decisions every day. This adds up 250,000 autopilot decisions over a lifetime. Of course, many of these unconscious decisions and behaviours actually spare our overloaded brains of unnecessary work—like your morning hygiene ritual or daily route to work. However, left unchecked, operating constantly in “default mode” can exact a steep toll on your sense of well-being, your relationships, your career, your productivity and even your bank balance. (Nearly 50 percent of people in the study reported forgetting important things while on autopilot, like birthdays, paying bills and collecting their kids from activities.) The reason is simple. When you’re on autopilot, you operate reflexively, habitually and mindlessly. Your decisions aren’t based on careful consideration, but by the instinctive desire to avoid short-term pain, hassle and discomfort and to maximize in-the-moment gratification, pleasure and security. Over time,
however, those decisions can keep you from taking the very actions that would lead to a greater sense of connection, well-being and personal fulfilment. The research backs this up. Seventy-five percent of people reported spending their time poorly, as though “sleep-walking” through their daily tasks and responsibilities. Chances are that as you read this now, you’ve made a few decisions today without really thinking about whether they are serving your highest good—moving you toward whatever it is you most want… or away from it. Perhaps considering other options just seems like too much of a bother. Yet consider this: Where might you end up one, five or 25 years from now if you stay on the default path and change nothing? As you look out toward a new year ahead, just know that it is entirely within your power to live more intentionally: by design, not by default. Here are five steps you can take to do just that.
1. Set your compass. Vision = Power. As I wrote in Make Your Mark, any area of your life in which you have no vision for what you most want (in your career/business, relationships, physical wellbeing, finances, lifestyle, etc.), you are like a ship adrift at sea, moving in whatever direction the prevailing winds and currents go. You can reclaim your power by creating a bold vision for your life.
What do you want to do? How do you want to make your mark on the world? What dreams do you want to turn into reality? Only when you get clear about what you most want and why it matters at the deepest level can you forgo what you want now (like safety, comfort, security, familiarity, approval) for what you want most (like deep connection, contribution, meaning.) 2. Set goals. A vision without action is a mere dream. So break your vision down into shorter-term goals that enable you to focus your time, energy and resources most effectively. Set deadlines and schedule actions in your calendar to achieve the “vital few” lest it get crowded out by the “trivial many.” 3. Say no more often. Saying yes is always easier (in the short term) than saying no. It’s what people want to hear! It’s also why people operating on autopilot reported saying yes to things they actually didn’t want to do approximately four times each day. Sometimes you’ve got to say no to the good to say yes to the great. So dial up your courage and start saying no far more than you have been, knowing that you aren’t serving anyone when you sell out on yourself. 4. Review often. Set aside time each week to reconnect with your vision and the higher intention behind it (your why), to review your goals and to adjust your actions accordingly. As
I wrote in my previous article, never be too attached to your plan. Flexibility is crucial. 5. Take “micro-moments.” Living by design means living mindfully. The more mindful moments you have each day, the better decisions you’ll make. So set reminders in your phone or visual triggers to help you remember to pause what you are doing, take a few long deep mindful breaths and simply notice who you are being. What are you focusing on? What are feeling? How present are you being to those around you? Mindfulness is a muscle, and the more you practice it, the more you strengthen your ability to connect deeply, perceive intuitively, and make decisions that are not guided by a short-term impulse but by a long-term commitment to living a life that truly matters. In today’s accelerated world that has become increasingly anxious, hectic and superficial, never has it been more important for us all to disrupt our default mode; take a long collective breath; and make the very deliberate decision to live each moment more purposefully, less passively, more bravely, less fearfully. The path of least resistance may feel safe, it may be comfortable and it may require little of you, but it will never lead you to soul level success.
Gele
Fashion
I
magining this present fashion world, people are gradually going back to preserving culture and heritage. Stepping into occasions like weddings, burials, investiture, convocation, coronation, birthdays, house warming and the likes, people dress gorgeously in native attire. Not only that, they complement it with accessories like beads, chains, various shades make ups and the most hilarious part is their head tie known in local parlance as Gele. Gele is a cloth for covering head for women. In other words, it is a specific head scarf, widely used by women predominantly in Western and Southern Nigeria. It is a part of the dressing which has lately become one of the most popular fashion accessories for women of different ages, and it is worn as a matching piece. Gele is made from different and special fabrics like: sego, jubilee, basin, damask, aso-oke, Ankara, brocade etc. The gele does not just end in the kind of fabric made from, some women also go extra mile to design the fabrics to their taste and this designing
Styles That Stand You Out
includes the stoned gele, beading gele and sequined gele. Speaking of the amazing styles these gele are folded and warped on women’s’ head includes some of the popular ones which are: Small gele, Sideway gele, Infinity pleats gele, take bow gele, icon gele, butterfly gele, double gele, knot gele, aso-oke gele, orente gele, rose gele etc. Trying these styles will leave you wawoo! And draw attention your way ‌ surely! By: Adedayo Christiana
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The
BOSS NEWSPAPER
page 27
Leadership
Why You Should Treat Your Employees The
BOSS NEWSPAPER
Like Your Most Loyal Customers By Brigette Hyacinth
ployee productivity. Moreover, dissatisfied employees will share their negative work experiences with family and friends thus turning away potential customers and employees.
The employee experience is influenced by three factors: The physical environment in which an employee works. The support and tools an employer provides. How an employer takes an interest in the well-being and success of employees.
M
any companies invest heavily to improve the customer experience but side-line employees who are responsible for delivering that experience. What some organizations forget is that their employees are their first and most important customers (internal). They use your tools and systems and they know first-hand about your culture. Business success starts with the employee experience. When employees are happy (feel valued, welcome, respected, heard), they will create remarkable experiences for your external customers. Your employees are your greatest brand advocates. You can’t expect stellar customer service from employees who feel distrusted and discounted. Successful businesses focus on creating memorable employee experiences to keep their staff engaged and happy. In 2015, Airbnb announced that they were appointing a Global Head of Employee Experience. The following year, the company topped Glassdoor's list of the 50 Best Places to Work. Instead of following the traditional business model, Airbnb creates change and empowers employees at all levels, which has a huge effect on the success of the
Here’s an example. A retail store stated their employees were the “heart of the business.” The retail area was clean and wellstocked. Aisles were wide and wellmarked with bright signage. Even the parking lot sparkled - there was rarely any litter seen in customer parking areas. Customers were impressed. Employee space was an entirely different matter. Stock rooms were cluttered and dark. Staff locker rooms were poorly lighted and poorly maintained. The break room was bleak, with old, uncomfortable furniture, and trash bins overflowed. Even the vending machines were incompany, both monetarily and culadequately stocked with only junk turally. food. Always be quick to recogThe message was clear - the nize and reward the efforts and concompany cares more about cus-
tomers and less about employees. “I tributions of employees. Nothing truly believe that if you take care of says we value you like showing how your employees, they will take care much you appreciate them. of your business.” -Richard Branson How can you ensure you’re "Customers will never love a comtreating employees as your most pany until the employees love it loyal customers? First, engage them first." -Simon Sinek in this conversation. No one knows Employees spend half of how to upgrade the employee expetheir lives at work. It should at least rience better than your employees be a pleasant experience. When emthemselves. Ask them what they ployees are treated unfairly and as love about working in the company "second class citizens", it results in and what they would want you to do decreased employee morale. Low differently to reduce frustrations and morale results in decreased emimprove work conditions. Listening
is crucial. Involve Employees in decisions. Grant them autonomy and flexibility. Show you trust them to do the job you hired them for. Employees want to know their voices are being heard and their opinions matter. Consistent communication and a culture that welcomes feedback, keeps employees from feeling that they're kept in the dark. Employees who are involved in any aspect of the company feel ownership. Be Authentic. The driving force behind everything you do should be to create an atmosphere where everyone feels like they belong. With a strong purpose, employees can easily see why leaders are doing what they are doing. Take action. Observe closely. Refine systems, policies, and practices to honour employees. When people see you are sincere, you will get employee buy-in and win their trust. "You can't be the best place to buy, if you're not the best place to work" -Fred Reichheld Furthermore, show employees that you sincerely care about their well-being. Employees want to be treated as human beings. They have feelings, emotions and personal lives. When employees are facing personal issues (illness, family crisis, bereavement) - be empathetic. Inflexibility and insensitivity
will cause employees to withdraw and become disengaged. When employees are consistently treated with trust, dignity, and respect, they respond by giving their best. They care about the business, their colleagues and their customers. Employees demonstrate that care by serving customers wholeheartedly, solving problems quickly, and working cooperatively. If you want to get the best from your employees Treat them like your most loyal customers!
Faith
THIS IS LOVE!
Page 28
The
BOSS NEWSPAPER
(A brief commentary on John 3:16) By Pastor Emmanuel Iren
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16 It was Valentine’s Day recently. Even on a day like that, it is important that we remember that the true symbol of love is not teddy bear
and roses. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the single highest demonstration of the love of God ever. So much that Paul says: "He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" - Romans 8:32.
In the death of Christ we see the highest demonstration of the love of God. If he gave us Christ, what will he withhold? Our conviction of God's love therefore, need not be subject to our see-saw emotions. We may not always feel loved but we can always know that we are loved. Why? We see the love of God in the death of Christ. This is repeated time and again in the bible. Let's read: "GOD shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8 "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us..." 1 John 3:16. Now to the least obvious of them: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoso-
ever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16 This is the same thought corroborated here. The expression: "God SO loved the world..." is old English way of saying: "This is how God loved the world...". 'SO' doesn't describe the intensity of God's love (even though God indeed loves us very much) but the demonstration of God's love. Replace 'SO' with 'By this' and you'd get the point. "God by this loved the world: He gave his only BEGOTTEN son that whosoever believes in him should not perish..."John 3:16. The New Living Translation puts it better: "For this is how God loved the world: He gave[a] his one and only
Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.". Why is this important? It shifts your mind from the mere emotional revelation of God's love (As many have been found saying God sooooo loved the world) to the practical demonstration of God's love. All texts quoted actually have the same message; God loves me. He proved it on the cross. My emotions about his love may shake but the demonstration of his love remains unchanged. God loves me. I'd never doubt it. Praise God
For more, visit: http://www.triumph30.o r g / http://media.ccing.org
Tourism
Oguta Tourism Resort: Aesthetic Paradise For Relaxation
page 29
The
BOSS NEWSPAPER
Olatunde Jogunomi and Eniola Jolaosho
A
ll work and no play, they say, makes Jack a dull boy. This is because even a machine, at one time or another, has to take a break to avoid break down, and so it is with humans who even need the break more. Sometimes, saying thanks to one’s body requires more than buying or preparing a delicious delicacy, taking a day off from work or even dumping your work load and resting your head on a desk for a short while. One also needs to go out to cool places like an attractive and secluded tourism environment either alone, with friends or family just to hang out and have fun. Visiting tourism centres doesn’t only entertains; it also educates and exposes guests to all they need to know about the particular place. It also recreates old feelings, thereby helping not a few persons fall in love with History, while it makes some people decide to go into tourism. Consequently, If one is wondering which tourist centre is best for relaxation and tourism, Oguta Lake Holiday Complex, located in the Eastern part of Nigeria, is a sure bet. Oguta, which is known for its well equipped and glamorous
hotel, relaxation zone and beautiful golf course, is a town made up of 27 villages, and it could easily be identified with commercial fishing as a major profession of the people. The city of Oguta is also divided into two townships: Oguta 1 and 2 as they are separated by its popular lake within the local government headquarters located at Oguta 1. The lake also consist of two major rivers; Njaba and Orashi rivers. Oguta was one of the first territories used by the British to advance into the Igbo hinterland. As of 2012, Oguta's population was estimated at 20,096 and it has a huge cultural and spiritual value on the indigenes. During the civil war, the lake was used as a marine base, and it also served as an evacuation port for the United African Company. Today the lake isn’t remembered for any of those, but simply seen as an aesthetic paradise for relaxation. You can enjoy a day out on a boat cruise on the lake or on the golf course. The resort hotel near the lake has standard accommodation facilities and a golf course to make your stay much more exciting and unforgettable. Take a trip to Oguta Lake Holiday Resort today, and you will be happy you did!
Sports
Page 30
BOSS NEWSPAPER
Chelsea Face Acid Test Against Barcelona FC in CL
N
orth London loved club Chelsea FC will this Tuesday face Barcelona FC in what many sports pundits believe could go anyway. The Blues as they are polularly known have, in recent times been recording disappointing losses including losing at home to Bournemouth by a whopping 3- 0 margin. In terms of form and recent performance, bookmakers have tipped the Camp Nou war
lords who are seeking to equal their rivals, Real Madrid, intimidating record. The match will kick off at 7:45pm Nigerian time. Chelsea last 6
12/02/2018 Premier League 3 - 0 v W Brom (h)
05/02/2018 Premier League 1 - 4 v Watford (a)
31/01/2018 Premier League 0 - 3 v B'mouth (h)
The
28/01/2018 The FA Cup Fourth Rey Semi-Final 2 - 0 v Valencia (a) Round 04/02/2018 Spanish La Liga 3 - 0 v Newcastle (h) 1 - 1 v Espanyol (a) 24/01/2018 Carabao Cup 01/02/2018 Spanish Copa del Semi-Final Rey Semi-Final 1 - 2 v Arsenal (a) 1 - 0 v Valencia (h) 20/01/2018 Premier League 28/01/2018 Spanish La Liga 4 - 0 v Brighton (a) 2 - 1 v Alaves (h) Barcelona last 6 25/01/2018 Spanish Copa del 11/02/2018 Spanish La Liga Rey Quarter Final 0 - 0 v Getafe (h) 2 - 0 v Espanyol (h) 08/02/2018 Spanish Copa del
page 30
Meet Nigeria’s CelebrityScandal-Free Couples The
Entertainment
BOSS NEWSPAPER
Compiled by Eric Elezuo
S
Olu and Joke Jacobs
candals and counter-scandals are known to be the hallmarks of celebrity life. Hardly will one see a celebrity couple that has no challenge of one kind or another. It could come
Ali Baba and wife
in form of cheating on the other party, domestic violence or outright neglect. But the truth remains that many celebrity couples have called quit following one or two irreconcilable differences. There is the Emeka Ikes, the Mercy Aigbes, Saheed Baloguns and a host of others. However, a couple of celebrities have tried to whether the storm through
other. Despite all the glamour and fame, the couple chooses to be down to earth and stay committed to each other.
relationship. The couple got married in 2000 and is blessed with wonderful children. 2Baba and Annie
2face and Annie Idibia
thick and thin, and at the moment, are still crazy about each other. Some of these couples include: Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva Veteran and award winning actor, Olu Jacobs and wife Joke Silva, are ar-
guably Nollywood’s most celebrated couple. In their almost 30 years marriage, the couple has maintained decorum, and not a pinsound noise regarding marital brouhaha has been heard about them. Much as Olu Jacobs is way older than Joke Silva, and even as Joke has not used Olu’s name in public, the pair has remained scandal free in the eye of the public.
Richard and Jumobi Macaulay They met for the first time Mofe-Damijo This couple’s story at the National Theatre, RMD and Jumobi is fairytale in nature. Their Lagos almost three hooked up after the death love story still needs to be decades ago. Isaac and Nneka Moses Movie brought Nneka and Isaac Moses together in 1996 and since then the couple have been inseparable. They have come to share the same dream and worked on it till it became a household name. The couple is the brain behind the panAfrican culture and tourism TV show Goge Isaac and Nneka Moses Africa, on television and cable networks. Much as of RMD’s first wife, and made into a movie. Theirs for donkey years, their even while they were dat- is a love that has withmarriage did not produce ing, they kept a low pro- stood many storms but it a child, the couple re- file, and even denied their is a love that is unshakemained scandal free and glued to each other – then God blessed them with a wonderful son. Patrick and Ireti Doyle This Nollywood couple has been able to handle their marriage with so much maturity that there had never been any news of rift between them, not even a rumour. Both had been in previous relationships before they met but it never gets in the Tunde and Wunmi Obe way of their love for each
Entertainment
Page 31
BOSS NEWSPAPER
Bob-Manuel and Cassadra Udokwu
Mathew and Omotola
they have so many things in common especially acting and music since when they were students. Matthew and Omotola Ekeinde Nollywood beautiful face, Omotola, aka Omo Sexy, was swept off her feet by her heartthrob, Mathew when she was 23 years. Now, Omotola is 40, and the pair is still waxing wrong, proving detractors wrong. They loving couple has four children together. The couple has been able weather many storm that is associated with celebrity marriages. Omotola once said that she can never divorce her husband. It was her husband that nicknamed her Omosexy and that has stuck to her ever since. Nobert and Gloria Young Nollywood couple Nobert and Gloria Young has been married for over a decade and have three beautiful kids together. The couple has stood the test of time and their love is waxing stronger.
Norbert and Gloria Young
Prince and Mercy Johnson
Soni and Betty Irabor Soni and Betty Irabor have to be one of the most adorable celebrity couples in Nigeria. They make marriage look easy. Soni is a broadcaster and CEO of Inspiration FM, and Betty is a journalist, author and publisher of Genevieve Magazine. The couple has been married for over thirty years.
RMD and Jumobi
able. At a point their relationship had been off and on but they sealed it when they got married in 2013, and scandal has not visited them. Tunde and Wunmi Obe
The
Sony and Betty
This is another celebrity couple many never gave a chance when they started but has proven them wrong. Rather than break their marriage has been waxing stronger. They are soul mate as
Patrick and Ireti Doyle
page 31
The
Editorial
BOSS NEWSPAPER
JAMB Money, Mystery Snake and Story Tellers
BOSS The
ISSN-2052-1979
NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL TEAM ISSN-2052-1979
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dele Momodu momodudele@yahoo.co.uk
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Mobolaji Momodu EDITOR Michael Effiong
mikeffiong2009@yahoo.com mikeffiong@ovationinternational.com
ASSISTANT EDITOR Eric Elezuo, Bamidele Salako PHOTO EDITOR Adekoya Adegbite
PRODUCTION MANAGER/ART DIRECTOR Isaac Edoh-Philip
DESIGNER Adekoya Abiodun Afeez Kwaku Yeboah Darteh
M
ost people are still laughing their hearts out over a testimony given by one Philomena Chieshe, an employee of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over unaccounted N36 million that suddenly disappeared from the coffers of the agency. Chieshe had told a team of auditors dispatched to different state offices of JAMB to take inventory of sold and unsold scratch cards and recover the generated money that a “mystery snake” sneaked into JAMB accounts office in Makurdi, Benue State, and made away with the N36m cash. In a swift reaction, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board had ordered that Philomina Chieshe proceeds on indefinite suspension on account of the N36m which was reported to have been swallowed by a snake in the board’s office . The JAMB Head of Information, Fabian Benjamin, disclosed that the board was taking her through other disciplinary measures while security agencies were investigating the matter. “She has been suspended and she is going through all other disciplinary procedures while investigation is ongoing on the matter. Her claim was that a snake came into the office and swallowed the N36m proceeds.” The woman reportedly told the team that she could not account for N36m made in the previous years before the abolition of scratch cards, claiming that a snake swallowed the huge sum of money from the office of the agency.
PHOTO JOURNALISTS Colin Ramsay… Ade James (USA)...Dayo Adedayo Isaac Adegbite...Dragan Mikki (UK)…Bodise Wilson Soji Adekunle…Vera Odjugo...Tope Brown Segun Lawal...Ken Ehimen... Guy L’ Avenir (Benin Republic)...Ben Dzakah (Ghana) WEB DESIGNER/MANAGERS Innih Inyang
But Chieshe changed her narrative while under interrogation, saying that it was her housemaid who connived with another woman, Joan Asen, to “spiritually steal the money” from the vault in the accounts office. Meanwhile, Punch reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had begun investigation into the matter following a recommendation by the Federal Executive Council late last year that JAMB should be investigated. The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, who briefed council about the performances of some government agencies last year had said JAMB for the first time remitted N5bn to the government’s coffers with a promise to pay the balance of N3bn compared to maximum N3m remitted yearly in the last 40 years. Adeosun had said the disparity in the remittances of agency in the past had necessitated the decision to probe all previous heads of the two agencies. The discrepancy associated with the employee's narratives is a sign of the rot that had engulfed the agency in the last 40 years where an estimated sum of N120 million was recovered as against N5 billion that was remitted in one year. In yet another development, another N26 million allegedly proceeds of scratch card sales, was declared missing from the coffers of the Board. It is obvious that JAMB needs a thorough surgical operation to determine the culprit or culprits behind the 40 years of impunity.
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BOSS NEWSPAPER The
Vol.1 No.55
ISSN-2052-1979