Kogi/Bayelsa Elections: Who Emerges Victorious

ISSN-2052-1979

BOSS NEWSPAPER

Vol.2.27

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Kogi/Bayelsa Elections: Who Emerges Victorious

EVENT

PENDULUM

Prominent Nigerians Hail Femi Otedola Ovation Editor, Michael Effiong James And His Five As He turns 50, becomes Billion Naira President Rotary Club, Donation Ikeja South LEAP Africa Maps Ambitious Goals For Africa In 2020

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David-West, Akinyele: They Came, Saw, Conquered

By Eric Elezuo

Prof Tam David-West

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hile the nation was still mourning the demise of the first military governor of Lagos State, Mobolaji Johnson, the week claimed yet two other strong irokos of relevance in Nigeria's socio-economic landscape. They are a former Minister of Petroleum and Consultant Virologist, Prof Tam David-West and a former Minister of Information as well as former Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Chief Alex Akinyele.

TAMUNOEMI SOKARI DAVID-WEST was born on August 26, 1936 in Buguma, Kalabari, Rivers State. He was well read and had his education at the University of Ibadan (1956–1958). His other academic qualifications

included a B.Sc degree from the Michigan State University (1958–1960), an M.Sc degree at Yale University (1960–1962), and a PhD degree at McGill University (1964–1966).

David-West qualified as a Consultant Virologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Ibadan in 1 9 6 9 a n d w a s subsequently promoted to Professor of Virology in 1975.

According to Wikipedia: "David-West served in Nigerian government as commissioner of education and a member of the Executive Council of Rivers State (1975–1979), as a member of the fiftyperson Constitution Drafting Committee for the Federal Military Government of General

Chief Alex Akinyele

Murtala Muhammed (1979), as federal minister of petroleum and energy under General Muhammadu Buhari (1984–1985), and as minister of mines, power, and steel under General Ibrahim Babangida (1986). He was eventually removed as minister and arrested by the Babangida regime for allegedly contributing to the economic adversity of the country; He was discharged and acquitted of these charges by Nigeria's Special Appeal Court on 8 August 1991.

D a v i d - We s t w a s a n outspoken and

controversial critic of Nigerian government policy since his purge and arrest under the military regime of General Babangida.

David-West criticized the unconstitutionality of the advisory council established by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010, and he voiced caution against g o v e r n m e n t unreservedly opening its doors to United States intelligence. Although he was not affiliated with any political party, David-West supported Chibuike Amaechi of the right-wing-leaning

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Prof Tam David-West

People's Democratic Party for reelection as governor of Rivers State.

David-West is the author of academic papers in virology that have appeared in scholarly journals such as Journal of Pathology and B a c t e r i o l o g y (1966),Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (1973), Intervirology (1974), and Journal of Hygiene (1974). He also wrote the book Philosophical Essays: Reflections on the Good Life (1980), in which he describes himself as a follower of British analytic philosopher and social critic Bertrand Russell.

David-West's lecture in philosophy "God, Nature

and the Universe" (1981) was delivered at the University of Ibadan."

PROF TAM DAVIDWEST died at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, on Monday, November 11, 2019 at around 11:05 am as confirmed by the hospital's Public Relations Officer, Mr. Toye Akinrinlola, at the accomplished age of 83.

A L E X A N D E R OPEYEMI AKINYELE, popularly known as Alex Akinyele, was born 1938 in Ondo town. His father was a teacher but later served in the West African Frontier Force during World War II. Akinyele had to wait for his father's return from the war before he could begin

his education. According to Wikipedia, he started his primary education at All Saints School, Ondo and completed secondary studies at Gboluji Grammar School. He then attended St Andrews College, Oyo to obtain a teacher's training certificate. At St Andrew's, the principal was Seth Runsewe Kale, who took a liking to Akinyele and appointed him a receptionist prefect, an ambassador for the school to receive visitors.

After graduation, he taught briefly at his alma mater, Gboluji, before earning a degree in English language from the University of Ife. His degree was partially sponsored by a secondary school in Idanre and after

obtaining his diploma, he returned to the school to teach English for a number of years.

In 1967, Akinyele transferred services to the Department of Customs in Lagos. While staying in Lagos, he found time to work with a group of writers of the Village Headmaster.

On the recommendation of Customs director, Etim Duke, Akinyele became the Public Relations Officer of the department. He worked in that position until 1978 when he joined a cosmetic company.

Akinyele was an investor in Newswatch magazine and played a role in negotiations between the federal government and magazine when the latter

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was proscribed in 1986.

In 1995, Sani Abacha appointed Akinyele as head of a National Reconciliation Committee with the objective of opening dialogue with interest groups in the

country to support the democratic transition program of the government.

He also served as Minister of Information and Chairman, Bational sports Commission.

Akinyele is fondly remembered for being at the helm of sports affairs when the Super Eagles of Nigeria qualified for their first ever World Cup tournament after a 1 - 1 draw in far away Algiers.

He died on November 15, 2019 at the age of 81.

Prof David-West and Chief Alex Akinyele gave their best in the service of the fatherland while they lived. May their souls rest in perfect peace.

Chief Alex Akinyele

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PDP, Atiku's Allegations Against Buhari Remain Unproved - Supreme Court

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he Supreme Court on Friday said all allegations raised by the Peoples Democratic Party and Atiku Abubakar, challenging President Muhammadu Buhari's victory at the February 23 presidential election, were unproven.

Atiku, a former vicepresident who contested the election against Buhari, claimed he won the election.

Justice Inyang Okoro said this while giving reasons why the apex court on October 30 dismissed the appellants' appeal that challenged the judgment of the presidential tribunal.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that the appellants had claimed that the tribunal erred in addressing all the issues raised in petition.

NAN further reports that the issues brought before the tribunal bordered on the qualification, electoral malpractice, and transmission of election results electronically, among others.

In the circumstance, the appellant prayed the tribunal to rule all the issues in their favour and return Atiku as winner of the election.

However, Okoro, who provided the definitive reasons by seven-man panel of justices, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, also held that: "the appeal lacked any scintilla of

merit and therefore needed to be dismissed."

On allegations on the president's qualification, Okoro said Buhari was eminently qualified to contest the election as sufficient evidence was adduced to confirm both his educational and candidature status that were accepted by INEC. Okoro, therefore, upheld the decision of the tribunal on the issues around the president's qualification and possession of relevant certificates was legendary.

The judge also said that Buhari was not liable of any irregularities and corrupt practices before, during and after the election as claimed by the appellants.

He also said the president was not under any obligations to attach his credentials to his INEC nomination form as contested by the appellants, adding that

such demand was not provided for by the Constitution.

On the allegation of the use of server by INEC in transmitting results of the election to a central point, Okoro, said PDP and Atiku failed woefully by not providing evidence to substantiate such an allegation.

"They were wrong to have relied on the so called results obtained from a website not maintained by the electoral umpire, adding that the claim by Atiku that he won the election based on information from such a clandestine source was questionable.

"I agree entirely with the court below that the appellants failed to prove that INEC has the server from which they got their figures.

"As a result, all the results, calculations and analysis based on the results from such a source that did not

belong to INEC are of no moment,'' the judge said.

On allegations of over voting, violence and malpractices, Okoro held that the failure of the appellants to call credible witnesses was fatal to their case, adding that five witnesses invited to prove such allegations was unimaginable.

According to the judge, most of the issues raised by the appellants were based on to prove hearsay evidence, adding that the apex court could not grant prayers that were not proven beyond reasonable doubt.

"We are of the conviction that the lower court did a good job based on the evidence brought before it by the appellants. We also unanimously dismissed the appeal as all five issues remained unproven,'' the judge said.

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Kano Elders To Meet Fashola Over Bad State Of Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi Road

orried by the deteriorating state of Kano-GwarzoDayi road which links Kano to four states, communities in the area have resolved to send a special delegation to meet with the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, to elicit government action.

"We are formally going to lodge a complainant on the deplorable condition of the Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi road, which has become a death trap," the member representing Gwarzo c o n s t i t u e n c y, Yu n u s a Haruna-Kauyu, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano on Friday.

He said the delegation will

comprise the Kano State Commissioner of Works, Muazu Magaji; the Senator representing Kano North senatorial zone, Sen. Barau Jibrin-Maliya; and members of the House of Representatives from the zone, among others.

"It is necessary to meet the minister in order to express the concerns of our people on the deteriorating condition of the road.

"It is a very important road which links Kano with four other states and Niger Republic.

"The potholes along the road had witnessed a number of patches, but even the potholes that were patched

last year have already gone off.

"What this road requires now is total rehabilitation not patching of potholes.

"So we want the Federal Government to look at the possibility of awarding contract for the total rehabilitation of the road," Haruna-Kauyu said.

NAN reports that the KanoGwarzo-Dayi road is a major link to Katsina,

Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states, as well as parts of Niger Republic.

The road was constructed during the administration of military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and had never witnessed any major rehabilitation since then.

The lawmaker said that the total rehabilitation of the road would boost social and economic activities across the four states and beyond.

NECO Dismisses 70 Workers Over Certificate Forgery

T

h e N a t i o n a l Examinations Council has approved the dismissal of 70 of its workers over certificate forgery, asking them to quit work.

The NECO Governing Board carried out the dismissals, according to a release on Friday, after a report on certificate verification was carried out by the council's management committee.

The certificate verification

committee had invited the workers with allegedly questionable credentials to appear before it, after which some workers reportedly confessed that their papers were fake.

The council noted that the dismissal was the first phase in the series of the on-going staff certificate verification exercise in NECO. According to the release, the committee also contacted the institutions the affected workers claimed to have attended and found out that they did not obtain the certificates.

The NECO Head of Information and Public Relations Division, Azeez Sani, said, "The NECO management has approved the dismissal of 70 staff from her services for certificate forgery. These dismissals are sequel to a report submitted by a management committee constituted to verify workers' certificates.

"The verification committee carried out its assignment by inviting all workers with questionable credentials to appear before it, during which some staff actually attested that their certificates were fake.

"The committee also contacted the schools which the affected staff claimed to have attended but the institutions denied them. On

completion of the assignment, the committee submitted its findings to the NECO management which forwarded it to the NECO Governing Board.

"At its 17th extra-ordinary meeting, the Governing Board vetted the report and approved the dismissal of the affected staff. “The council under the a c t i n g R e g i s t r a r, M r Abubakar Gana, has no tolerance for corruption and is sanitising the system in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. The dismissal of the 70 workers is the first phase in the series of the ongoing staff certificate verification exercise in the council."

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Legislation To Punish Open Defecators Coming Soon - FG

T

he Federal Government on Friday said it was set to create legislation to punish individuals who indiscriminately defecate in the open.

It said an Executive Order shall be signed in that effect

by President Muhammadu Buhari soon to help reduce significantly or completely eradicate cases of open defecation in Nigeria.

The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, disclosed this at a

press briefing in Abuja and stated that the move was part of efforts aimed at achieving the national target of ending open defecation in Nigeria by 2025.

He said, "In the national WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) action plan that we are promoting which the states are adopting, there is a provision for some legislation to be made against open defecation.

"And there is going to be an Executive Order signed by

President Buhari to that effect, where there is a law against open defecation.

Also, law enforcement agencies will do their bit."

Adamu said the law when in place, would promote behavioural change in the hygiene of citizens and would curb the menace of open defecation.

"We need individuals and communities to have this behavioural change. It is the responsibility of a household and for their well-being and dignity for them to imbibe the culture of building and looking for toilets to relive themselves," he stated.

The minister further noted that in commemoration of the World Toilet Day, the Federal Government will inaugurate the 'Clean Nigeria: Use the toilet'

campaign on November 19, 2019, as approved by the Federal Executive Council.

"The whole point is to provide political leadership and awareness on the ills of open defecation," he explained.

Adamu added, "We are hoping that once the campaign gets into the mind of people, our job is done.

So when the communities begin to see that this is not right, this behaviour will change. “Open defecation is a bad practice and should be stopped. We as governments at the federal and state levels have our own responsibility, where these facilities are not available we should make concerted efforts to provide an alternative."

Borno Govt To Rehabilitate 42-Year Maiduguri Zoological Garden

T

he Borno State Commissioner of Environment, Kabiru Wa n o r i , o n F r i d a y, announced plans by the state government to rehabilitate the 42-year Maiduguri Zoological Garden.

Wanori told the News Agency of Nigeria in Maiduguri that the zoological garden would be restocked and upgraded, in line with international standard.

He disclosed that the state government had adopted proactive measures to reinvigorate the garden, encourage tourism development and boost its

revenue base.

Wanori explained that the moribund zoological garden would be stocked with various animal species of reptiles, monkeys, cats and birds, among others.

"Some of the ageing animals, such as lions, monkeys, hyenas, elephants and leopards were not replaced in the past.

"The zoological garden lost some of its precious animals, including buffaloes, rhinos and giraffes. We have a special place where their biographies are kept for interested visitors.

"Rehabilitation of the zoological garden will encourage wildlife conservation, tourism, generate employment opportunities and boost the state revenue base," Wanori said.

He noted that the number of visitors to the zoo had

dropped drastically in the last 10 years due to the lack of animals and insurgency.

The commissioner added that the rehabilitation effort would lead to the upgrade of the zoological garden and enhance its operations.

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Wike Releases N132m For Corps Members' Allowances

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has announced the release of N132 million for the payment of the monthly allowances of corps members serving in the state.

Wike disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the Governing Council of the National Youth Service Council to the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The governor explained that the payment process has been activated by his administration. " We h a v e r e l e a s e d N132million for the payment of the allowances for corps members serving in the state," he said.

Wike added that funds have been released for the

construction of drainage, completion of the 5,000capacity auditorium, 3,000 mattresses and 1,500 doublebunk beds for the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp at Nonwa.

He said, "The corps members are serving the interest of the state. We are only investing to enhance their performance.

We have released funds for the construction of internal roads, drainage, 1,500 double-bunk beds and 3,000 mattresses at the Permanent Orientation Camp."

He promised that the 5,000seater auditorium at the Permanent Orientation Camp will be delivered to the NYSC Governing Council in May 2020.

He urged the NYSC

Tinubu

management to work out the issue of security at the NYSC Orientation Camp with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

"Rivers State Government will give all the required support to ensure the NYSC carries out their responsibilities to the people of Rivers State," he said.

Earlier, the Acting Chairman of the Governing Council of

NYSC, Mrs. Binta Muazu, appreciated Wike for his investments in the NYSC. "We were at the Permanent Orientation Camp and we saw the construction of a massive 5,000-capacity Amphitheatre. We want to b e p a r t o f t h e commissioning of that facility.

NAF Training Helicopter Crash In Enugu

A

training helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Air Force has crashed in the NAF Base in Enugu State after returning from a routine training exercise.

According to NAF twitter

account on Friday in Enugu State, the crash occurred on Thursday after a routine training.

It said that although there were casualties, the cause of the incident was still sketchy and unknown.

@NigAirForce twitter that .accident was re-twitted by Air N i g A i r F o r c e @ " Commodore Ibikunle continues to solicit the Daramola, reads; "NAF understanding an helicopter suffers mishap support of the general upon landing in Enugu. public as it daily strives to Helicopter has crashed" ensure the security of on landing in Enugu after .Nigeria and Nigerians a routine flight .''Details later . t o d a y The News Agency of ,Fortunately Nigeria reports that there were no efforts to get NAF fatalities or officials on the ground at injuries to any the NAF Ground Training c r e w m e m b e r ,Command, Enugu State or persons on to speak on the incident .the ground .were not successful CAS_AMS@" Those that responded to adique hascalls, who spoke on directed that a ,condition of anonymity Board said of that it was only NAF Inquiry beHeadquarters that can constituted to authoritatively speak on determine the.the matter causes of the www.thebossnewspapers.com

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Kogi/Bayelsa Elections: Who Emerges Victorious

By Eric Elezuo

T

he quest for the next governors of Kogi and Bayelsa states did not begin today, but will surely climax today. In Kogi, the battle as it seems is pitted between the incumbent governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Musa Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the surprised entrant, who seems to have taken the

shine off the other two major contestants, Mrs Natasha Hadiza Akpoti of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). While in Bayelsa State, the duo of Douye Diri of the PDP and David Lyon of the APC will be the main contestants. This is taking for granted that Lyon has already been jolted as a result of a court judgment which annulled his candidature just 48 hours

to the election. He got a reprieve however, hours later when another court judgment ordered a stay of execution.

The battle without in both states, mincing words, is far from fair as the contestants have been locked in a free for all, using every manner of aspersion as weapon to get SKC Ogbonnia the better of their opponents.

Ever since individual party

primaries, especially in Kogi State, were held in September, each of the contestants has been on each other's neck, attempting to prove that the other is not eligible to contest the election albeit with deeply expressed misgivings, creating an atmosphere that suggest that the November 16 governorship election in the state will be anything but peaceful.

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Yahaya Bello

The first sign of discontent reared its ugly with the disqualification of the candidate of the SDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The commission had refused to accept the candidature of Khalid in replacement of the earlier nominated deputy governor, Mohammed Yakubu, on the grounds that Yakubu was not qualified in the first place to be fielded as a deputy governorship candidate in the election on account of his age.

The SDP reacted speedily, rejecting INEC's disqualification, and saying "Our principal having declared her interest to contest for the governorship election in the party and went through the party scrutiny and had subjected herself to the internal democratic mechanism, (Primaries) and emerged victorious with her name forwarded to INEC within the

timeframe stipulated by the law and have met all eligibility criteria for running for the governor, its therefore not an issue or any contemplation to be on the ballot box come November 16th."

They however went to court, and in the suit m a r k e d FHC/ABJ/CS/1129/2019 and filed on Oct. 3 by their lawyer, Ola Olanipekun, SAN, sought a declaration of the court that INEC's declaration vide a letter with reference number: LEG/PP/23/T/107 that "the nomination of Mohammed Yakubu as the deputy governor of the SDP in the gubernatorial election is "invalid" on the grounds of qualification is ultra vires the statutory powers of INEC and it's therefore null and void."

In its judgment, the Federal High Court, Abuja, and presided over

by Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa directed INEC to restore the SDP

candidate, Mrs Natasha Akpoti, on the ballot, pointing out that the electoral umpire lacked the powers to prevent any candidate from participating in the election without a court order. The judgment just about one week to the election proper.

Meanwhile, Akpoti in what looked like a reprisal attack approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, s e e k i n g t h e disqualification of Ya h a y a B e l l o o v e r alleged double registration as a voter.

In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1221/2019 and dated October 10, Akpoti said Bello allegedly committed the offence of double registration on May 23, 2017 at the government house in Lokoja after he had reportedly registered as a voter in Abuja in

2011.

The suit has the All Progressives Congress (APC) (first defendant) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) (second defendant) as defendants.

Akpoti formulated three q u e s t i o n s f o r determination by the court which reads; "Whether Ya h a y a B e l l o , t h e candidate of the 1st Defendant (APC) in the forthcoming Kogi governorship poll being organised by the 2nd Defendant (INEC) has by his act of double registration committed a wrongful act capable of disqualifying him as a voter or person to be voted for having violated the provisions of Section 24(E) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).

"Whether Yahaya Bello, candidate of the 1st defendant, is on account Mrs Natasha Hadiza Akpoti

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Alhaji Musa Wada

of his double registration as a voter, a fit and proper person to be sponsored as a governorship to candidate by the 1st Defendant or allowed by the 2nd Defendant to contest as a governorship candidate the forthcoming Kogi state governorship election.

"Whether Yahaya Bello, the candidate of the 1st defendant in the forthcoming Kogi state governorship election is not liable to be disqualified and/or barred from participating or contesting in and/or voting for any political office for the next 10 years, pursuant to his flagrant violation of the provisions of Section 24(E) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended)."

The plaintiff further asked the court to declare that Bello violated section 24(E) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) by virtue of his act of double registration as a voter, and a declaration that he is liable to be disqualified and/or barred from

contesting, participating and/or voting in the November 16 Kogi governorship poll "on account of his wrongful act of gross violation of Section 24(E) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), which act of violation robs him of the capacity or vires to contest the forthcoming Kogi State governorship election."

She also prayed for an order of the court disqualifying and/or barring Bello, or directing INEC to disqualify the APC candidate from the governorship race or for any political office for the next 10 years and an order of mandamus compelling or mandating INEC to investigate the allegation of double registration against Bello and as well prosecute him on completion of his first t e n u r e o f o ff i c e a s governor in January, 2020, among others.

Akpoti's action brought her face to face against the

ruling party, and the battle line was drawn. The APC saw in her a threat, not electorally per se, but in unearthing the hitherto hidden fact, a fact capable of truncating the second ambition of the incumbent governor. The supporters of the governor therefore, took it upon themselves to teach her a lesson. During the weekend before the election therefore, alleged loyalists of the APC and Yahaya Bello invaded the SDP secretariat in Lokoja and vandalised it, returning later under the cover of darkness to raze it down.

The SDP candidate had pointedly accused Ya h a y a B e l l o f o r masterminding the attacks, stating that he was not fit to be governor.

She also accused the police of complicity,

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claiming that the Police gave the hoodlums cover while they perpetrated their act of terror.

Akpoti and SDP cried foul, but until this day, no action worth mentioning has been taken by the law enforcement agencies as no arrest has been made so far. The helplessness of the security personnel was further exposed when a Mrs Akpoti and her encourage were denied entry into the stakeholders meeting venue. The chairman of SDP, Kogi chapter was also manhandled and property of the party including cars were destroyed.

But a lawyer from Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Femi Joseph, also asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to disqualify the Peoples

Douye Diri

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David Lyon

governorship candidate in Kogi State, Musa Wada, from participating in the election.

The plaintiff, who filed the s u i t m a r k e d FHC/ABJ/CS/1147/2019, a l l e g e d t h a t Wa d a submitted false information about his primary school certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission as the PDP's candidate for the poll.

H e alleg ed th at th e certificate, which Wada claimed to have obtained in 1973 in the old Kwara State, was either a fake or forged.

The tension reached a crescendo with the calling from prominent organisations and individuals for all aggressors to sheath their swords and let peace reign.

One of such individuals was former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who urged the candidates in

Kogi and Bayelsa states to avoid violence, saying that election is not war.

"Election is about the people and not a war against the people," Atiku said.

He said it was pertinent for all political actors to exhibit necessary decorum and sportsmanship while urging all security agencies on election duty to do their jobs with utmost professionalism.

In the same vein, the E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflicts Resolution, Mr Idris Abdul, urged political parties, their candidates and supporters to avoid mayhem during the election.

He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to live up to its constitutional responsibilities by creating a level playing field for all stakeholders in

the elections.

In Bayelsa, the PDP and APC are singing discordant tunes. While PDP maintains that APC had no business participating in the election following the disqualification of its candidate, Lyon and his running mate, by two courts of competent jurisdiction, APC remains undaunted standing on the stay of execution rule.

PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity S e c r e t a r y, K o l a Ologbondiyan, said the development pointed to nothing but victory for the PDP and democracy in the country. The party asked INEC to delist the APC from the ballot as any vote cast for the party would be a wasted vote.

"The PDP invites INEC to note that no fewer than two decisions of courts of competent jurisdiction

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have negated the participation of the APC in the race," the statement said.

But in a rather frightening report by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), it was said that there is a great sign that the APC has a high chance of wresting power from the PDP, which has produced three governors in the state since the return of democracy in 1999. The report titled: "The Godson Turned Godfather: Governor Dickson and Bayelsa's 2019 Election" suggested that the "growing popularity of APC in the state could make the election fiercely contested".

It further projected that the internal crisis within the PDP and its primary election in September may be the "straw that will finally break the camel's back".

The centre warned that violence, fake news, vote buying and complicity of security agencies are likely to mar the election.

The Kogi and Bayelsa elections seem to have jettisoned reliance on peoples' votes to place their hopes on intrigues and maneuvers. While APC is hoping the internal crisis in the party will break and cause its lost, PDP on the other hand is relying on the confusion that brought about the disqualification of all APC candidates.

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Meet the Gladiators of Kogi/Bayelsa Guber Election

By Eric Elezuo

Yahaya Bello

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s the race for who rules Kogi and Bayelsa for the next four years kicks off, The Boss takes a peep into the world of the contestants.

We serve you hot the very details of the men and women who wish to occupy the number position of the states.

Enjoy: YAHAYA BELLO Yahya Adoza Bello is the incumbent governor of Kogi State who was thrust unto the position by fate.

He was declared winner of the 2015 Kogi gubernatorial election after he was chosen on the platform of the All Progressives Congress as the replacement for the late Abubakar Audu who originally won the election but died before the result was declared.

Born on June 18, 1975 in Okene, Kwara State, Bello is not only the youngest

governor in Nigeria, he is also the youngest of six children. He started his early education at LGEA Primary School, Agassa in Okene LGA in 1984 where he first manifested his leadership qualities leading to his appointment as a class prefect of class two and later the school Head Boy in class six.

After his elementary education, he attended Agassa Community Secondary School, Anyava, Agassa-Okene for his secondary education and obtained his JSSCE and SSCE certificates from Government Secondary School, Suleja-Niger State in 1994.

He was admitted to Kaduna State Polytechnic Zaria in 1995 and obtained an Accounting degree from Ahmadu Bello University ABU Zaria in 1 9 9 9 . Ya h a y a B e l l o

that necessitated the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir elRufai kneeling before the people of Kogi to beg for forgiveness on his behalf at his campaign ground.

He is presumed to be the well beloved of President Muhammadu Buhari, and that singularly and allegedly presented him the ticket to run for a second term in office.

Bello has faced serious opposition especially from the SDP candidate, further enrolled for a and except for power of Masters program in incumbency, his chances A h m a d u B e l l o of retaining the University in Zaria where governorship seat is very he obtained Masters in slim.

Business Administration MUSA WADA (MBA) in 2002. Bello One of Nigeria's foremost became a chartered engineers, Engr. Musa fellow of the Association Wada, PhD, FNIS was of National Accountants born on May 17 into the of Nigeria in 2004. He is a family of Alhaji Wada; a seasoned businessman. family deeply attached to Having served four years Moslem values in Odu, as the executive governor D e k i n a L o c a l of Kogi State, Bello is Government Area of seen by many as a failure; Kogi State. His mother not a true representative Hajia Awawo hails from of the much clamoured Idah Local Government 'not too young to run' Area of Kogi State. c a m p a i g n . H i s He began his education at administration has been LGEA Primary School, c h a r a c t e r i s e d b y Okura-Olafia before u n p o p u l a r p o l i c i e s , attending Government incessant political Secondary School, rivalries not forgetting Dekina, and thereafter backlog of debts owed the proceeded to the School state's workforce. It is of Basic Studies at also said that his party, the A h m a d u B e l l o A l l P r o g r e s s i v e s University, Zaria.

Congress (APC) is aware He had his first degree of his many faults, and B.Sc in Building from Ahmadu Bello www.thebossnewspapers.com

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Feature

Musa Wada

University, Zaria and his second degree M.Sc in Transport from Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University). He also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Akure and a doctorate degree (PhD) in Environmental Science from the University of Calabar, Nigeria. He practically traversed the length and breath of the country in search of formal education.

His a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping as well as a Member of many professional bodies including the Nigerian Society of Engineers and Institute of Building. He is a n O ff i c e r o f I g a l a Kingdom (OIK).

He worked with the Engineering Division of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and rose to become the Chief Port Engineer, Tin-Can Island Port between 2004 and 2007, in charge of general monitoring, overseeing

and maintenance of the Tin-Can Island Port facilities and equipment.

His zeal for all round performance catapulted him to a position where he was saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the Capital P r o j e c t o f N PA Headquarters as a P r i n c i p a l M a n a g e r, Capital Project of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Headquarters in Lagos.

Wada is the younger brother of a former governor of Kogi State and may likely ride on the goodwill of his family to victory. He is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) NATASHA AKPOTI Natasha Hadiza Akpoti was born on December 9, 1979. She was educated variously at the University of Abuja and obtained a law degree. She also attended the University of Dundee.

An astute legal practitioner, Natasha also comes around as a determined politician who

seems to know what she wants.

She also is the F o u n d e r of Builders Hub I m p a c t Investment Program and the only woman in the list of contenders for t h e K o g i government house.

Earlier in 2019, she ran for the post of Kogi Central Senatorial District seat under the Social Democratic Party, the same party she is representing in the governorship election.

Without a care of whose ox is gored, Akpoti calls a spade a spade, and will not spare anyone whose stock and trade is to take advantage of the gullibility of fellow Nigerians. In 2016, she exposed how information was withheld from Nigerians concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Complex as well as those

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supposedly sitting on the completion of the project.

In a 2016 interview with Kogi Reports, she described herself as follows: "I am a lawyer, an MBA professional, social entrepreneur and the founder of Builders Hub Impact Investment Program. My father is from Okehi Local Government Area in Kogi State while my mother is a Ukrainian. I have three male siblings and three amazing children. I had my elementary education at Christ the King Nursery and Primary School, Okene and my junior secondary at Government Girls Unity Secondary School, Oboroke, both in Kogi state. Senior Secondary in Federal Government College Idoani, Ondo State; where I was the Head Girl. I obtained my Bachelor of Law from the University of Abuja, attended Nigerian Law school, Abuja and was called to the bar in 2005.

Natashaakpoti

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Feature Douye Diri

Worked for a few years as a legal counsel at Brass LNG Lagos before proceeding to the United Kingdom for my MBA in Oil and Gas management and LLM Petroleum Law and Policies. I have an insatiable appetite for acquiring knowledge and thus, attended a number of international professional courses. However, of all my life achievements, nothing is dearer to me than my desire to impact socio-economically in the lives of poor and ordinary people."

Akpoti in the run off to the election has put the major contestants on their toes, unleashing one fiery statement after another, suggesting she is not a candidate to toil with.

Notwithstanding, it is only the sympathy of the people that can possible see her make a headway in the contest of winner takes all.

DOUYE DIRI Douye Diri has been a seasoned administrator and prolific politician who has managed to remain in the corridors of power. He is the senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District 9th National

Assembly and is aiming to take over the state from Seriake Dickson under the umbrella of the PDP. Diri, who was described as the best lawmaker in effective advocacy holds a Bachelors of Education in Political Science which he obtained in 1990 after a gaining a national Certificate in Education in 1985.

His pedigree in the political and general career landscape include M E M B E R REPRESENTING YENAGOA/KOLOKUM A - O P O K U M A F E D E R A L CONSTITUENCY 20152019 P R I N C I P A L E X E C U T I V E SECRETARY TO THE E X E C U T I V E GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE 2013 DEPUTY CHIEF OF S TA F F TO T H E GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE 2012 MEMBER GOVERNING C O U N C I L UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI 2008-2012 H O N O U R A B L E COMMISSIONER FOR YOUTHS AND SPORTS

2006-2007 E X E C U T I V E SECRETARY CENTRE F O R Y O U T H DEVELOPMENT 20002002 DAVID LYON He was born on December 20, 1970 into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Arukubu Lyon Ekpeke of Abebiri family of Eubiri compound, Olugbobiri Community in Olodiama clan of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

He attended Saint Gabriel’s State School Olugbobiri, from 1978 to 1983, and community secondary school, Olugbobiri, from 1984 to 1988 before proceeding to Rivers State College of Education, where he bagged the National Certificate of Education (NCE).

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Lyon is a seasoned technocrat who sits on the board of several conglomerates. He is known to have been doing so since he was a foreman with Western Company Ltd. A shrewd businessman with matching acumen, Lyon has been able to stay afloat in the complex oil a n d g a s i n d u s t r y, servicing diverse oil and gas multinational companies.

Lyon's disqualification from the governorship race and consequent reinstatement may have jolted him a little, abut his entrepreneurial sojourn which faces ups and downs on a daily basis will likely see him through. More so, even as APC seems to be gaining ground in the oil rich state.

David Lyon

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Pendulum

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Tinubu

Pendulum - Dele Momodu -

Dele Momodu

Dele Momodu

Delemomoduovation

momodudele@yahoo.co.uk

Femi Otedola And His Five Billion Naira Donation

F

ellow Nigerians, let me say it has been a particularly hectic month for me. I have had to juggle a lot of things including pursuing my Fellowship, dealing with the business affairs of the Ovation Group, private media work, writing columns, charity work and attending a variety of

“

Cuppy herself is a Save the Children Ambassador and a feature film on her harrowing visit to the Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camp in Maiduguri was shown.

functions and events. This has necessitated my travel between Oxford, Ghana, R w a n d a , G e r m a n y, Amsterdam and Nigeria. I now totally understand what Chief Moshood Abiola meant by his popular saying "the bigger the head, the bigger the headache…"

To s u c c e e d i n l i f e , especially if you were accidentally born into a humble family and not a silver-spoon background, you must work like work is going out of fashion. To quote Chief Abiola again, "hard work is prayer in action…" It is difficult, if not impossible, to find a successful man who just sat at home doing nothing! Even winning the pools or lottery requires some effort, albeit a lot of luck.

The story of my life continues to be like a fairytale. I get invited to so many events and places practically every week. I'm hardly able to honor up to 20 percent of requests for my personal

attention and presence. For me, it is a great honor and privilege to receive invitations from everyone including certain friends and distinguished personalities, especially those who have also supported my dreams over time. I do not discriminate between my friends. I find each is unique and distinct in his or her own way. I cherish everyone of them irrespective of background, wealth or lifestyle. As they say, to whom much is given, much is also expected, and such was my situation, and dilemma, these past couple of weeks.

Recently, I received a message from my friend's d a u g h t e r, F l o r e n c e Ifeoluwa Otedola, asking if I would be able to join at the launch of her Cuppy Foundation, on November 10, dovetailing into her birthday at midnight, on November 11, 2019. My God, I thought aloud, how could I ever say NO to a young lady I have come to

like so much and admire for certain sterling qualities, and several reasons including her humility, warmth and charm.

I was present when she launched her musical career as well as celebrated her birthday and graduation in a gala of triple festivities, five years ago, at The Mandarin, a premium class luxury hotel, in Knightsbridge, London, a stone throw from her dad Femi Otedola's historic home, where Dodi Fayed and Princess Diana once bonked before their controversial deaths. But that is another story for another day. Femi has always been a man of great charisma and style. Even when he didn't command and control the kind of stupendous wealth it has pleased God to bless him with today, he was known generally as a man of impeccable taste and sartorial elegance. His adorable wife, Nana, has

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Pendulum remained a paragon of beauty since those days, when I used to visit them in Ilupeju, Lagos, before the deluge of cash flooded in, like an angry hurricane. So I was not surprised that their children took after them in the area of exotic lifestyles and vocations. It is remarkable, and a sign of the great spirit that Femi has, that he has supported his children as they take on careers in the arts and entertainment. He is not the typical stereotyped Dad who would frown or smirk at the prospect of his children turning their noses up at formal careers in law, accountancy, medicine or pharmacy. He has not just been financially supportive, he had thrown himself wholeheartedly into the genre they have chosen and assisted and boosted others like them.

On that occasion, five years ago, I saw first hand

Ife's passion for music and entertainment. DJ Cuppy, as her moniker goes, was all set and ready to explode on the music stage and prove cynics wrong about being a spoilt brat, which was never the case. Her humble spirit totally disarms you on first contact, garnished with her infectious smiles.

Cuppy smiles so much that you would forever wonder if she ever frowns.

Thus you can imagine why I instinctively said yes, instantly, without even thinking or checking my diary or itinerary.

Beyond family ties, Cuppy has been totally supportive of The Ovation Carol annual event we host, for the past few years. She might say "I'm sorry Uncle Dele, I'm likely to come a bit late but I will certainly make it" and she's never failed to join us and perform in her inimitable style. And she's

grown very big in her trade over the years maturing into her status not only as a much sought after world class DJ but also a delectable, tuneful and soulful musician with a glittering career ahead of her. How on earth would I ever say NO to Cuppy!

Again, to Femi Otedola, the enigmatic but gregarious gentleman himself whom I have known for close to 30 years, starting from our days of rocking the phenomenal music of Sir Shina Peters with many other friends. From those days at Surulere, Femi has grown in leaps and bounds.

His has been a meteoric rise to wealth and stardom.

But you must give it to him that he never forgot his old friends. Every now and then, he would check on you and even support you in your days of tribulations and triumphs. He has been very kind to me. The

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easiest way to get me hooked is by supporting Tinubu my hustle and this Femi has done relentlessly by patronising Ovation International magazine loyally. When I launched my books last year, Femi did not stay with us from the beginning to the end, he bought hundreds of copies and he's been gifting them to many of our mutual friends. Femi has greatly inspired my affable son, Eniafe M o m o d u , a photojournalist, speaker and wordsmith, even hosting him at home.

About two weeks ago, Femi sent me a WhatsApp message requesting for our full address, to be doubly sure, since he's visited me at The Penthouse before. I immediately responded and he told me he was sending me Cuppy's invitation card. That was the last straw that broke

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Pendulum the camel's back. For sure, there was no going back on my promise to Cuppy now that her Dad had also reached out personally and frontally. I crossed the Rubicon.

However, I soon discovered one major obstacle. I had assumed the event was going to be in Lagos until I suddenly realised it will take place in Abuja. Cuppy's event clearly clashed with our Editor, Michael Effiong James' investiture as a Rotary District President which was at Ikeja Sheraton, as well as his 50th birthday on the 11th of November, just like Cuppy's. Since I do not own a private jet, how would I get to Abuja same evening? I had no ready answer but I knew I would have to perform the miracle of Jesus Christ by turning water into wine and by developing wings and flying like an Angel towards Abuja.

My confusion was so monumental but I was determined to crack the nuts and bend the irons with bare hands, if need be! Our Editor's event was billed to start at 2.00pm and Cuppy's at 7.00pm.

Knowing Nigeria reasonably well, I added one to two additional hours to waiting time, meaning the Ikeja event may start at around 4.00pm. I figured that I must immediately find a flight around 6.00pm7.00pm to Abuja. I left nothing to chance.

Everything was meticulously planned and

assiduously executed.

Neither Michael nor Femi would ever forgive me, if I failed in this mission.

Fortunately, my office said they found a 7.00pm flight on Arik, meaning I could leave Sheraton at 6.00pm and get to Murtala Muhammed Domestic Airport well before my flight departs. That was how God opened his doors of favours and my best friend, Adedamola Aderemi, who as a Director of Ovation would not miss Michael's event, and who had also been invited to Cuppy's event, finally boarded the Arik flight and landed in Abuja at some minutes past 8.00pm. We had both booked our dear Transcorp Hilton for our accommodation since the show was taking place there and we are Diamond members (I am a proud lifetime Hilton Diamond m e m b e r ) . We j u s t managed to quickly freshen up before rushing down to the venue of the great event.

The whole space at the banquet hall was totally filled up by guests, artistes, government officials, led by The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, State Governors, Ministers, legislators, top journalists, past leaders at both executive and legislative levels, captains of industry and many others. It was such a magnificent and colorful affair. It was televised live by Ayo A n i m a s ah u n ' s w a v emaking HIP TV. Above

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Tinubu

all, most of the top echelon of Save the Children, UK, one of the biggest children charities in the world, which has The Princess Royal, Princess Anne as a Patron. Leading the team were Kevin Watkins, the Chief Executuve and Dianna Melrose a member of the Board of Trustees.

Cuppy herself is a Save the Children Ambassador and a feature film on her harrowing visit to the Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camp in Maiduguri was shown.

Cuppy has adopted the camp as her main charitable and philanthropic project with

the able support and endorsement of Save the Children, UK. The high point of the event was when Tolani, Femi's first daughter, came on stage and announced a donation of an unprecedented sum of 5 billion Naira to Save the Children UK for use in the Maiduguri IDP. His close friend and ally, Aliko Dangote, had earlier weighed in with a donation of N100 million to the same cause.

Needless to say, the top brass were gushing and effusive in their praise for Femi and Cuppy as they acknowledged that the

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Pendulum stupendous sum had already been transferred to them.

Social media ignited fire with automatic alacrity.

Most people were touched by this remarkable act of benevolence, graciousness and Femi got a standing ovation for it…

The grand finale of the night was a rave performance by Cuppy, the singer and DJ. Cuppy gave an amazing account of herself and wowed and dazzled the appreciative audience with her mellifluous voice and slinky dance steps.. She

performed two of my favorite tracks "Abena" featuring Kwesi Arthur, Shaydee and Ceeza Milli, as well as "Gelato", featuring Zlatan. She seemed destined and determined to demonstrate her full maturity on the music scene… And we all

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had great fun, which continued well after the Tinubuat midnight clock tolled and Cuppy was serenaded with a wonderful rendition of the happy birthday song and the cutting of the birthday cake!

Adieu, Sir Alexander Opeyemi Akinyele

T

he news sneaked in, like a thief in the night. A strident call from my wife jolted me out of sleep, while at Oxford two nights ago. I had slept late two nights in a row upon my return to my base at Oxford, in England, sitting for many hours, studying and doing my work. "What's it o my dear, at this ungodly hour…?" My wife wasted no time in breaking the sad news. "Someone just called that Chief Alex Akinyele has died…"

"Wow!" I exclaimed.

My mind instantly raced back to our good and bad times together. I was friends with his children, especially Kayode, now addressed as Constantine Akinfolarin Akinyele and his lovely wife Funmi, from his days at Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe. Eerily, it was about this time last year that unfounded rumours about his demise surfaced but were quickly quelled.

Only last week, I posted the Ovation International cover we published some 20 years ago after I travelled to Mumbai, India, to cover the wedding of Sir Alex to his

second wife, Lady Maria.

Chief Akinyele loved life and lived well.

It was always fun sharing bowls of pounded yam and bush meat in vegetable stew with the High Chief of Ondo town. The death of his South African wife, Lady Yvonne Akinyele, a South African, had left him devastated.

They were like Siamese twins.

Every other wife became a competition to the attributes of Lady Yvonne, a near impossibility.

We had traveled all the way to India to bring home his next wife, but Lady Maria eventually left Nigeria with their son. He subsequently married a third wife, Lady Ella, a Nigerian, but not much was known of her or their relationship.

Alex Akinyele was flamboyant in all ramifications. He was a t h o r o u g h b r e d administrator and politician who once served as a Minister. A keen sports enthusiast, he

played numerous roles in the development of sports in Nigeria.

Chief Akinyele was passionate about whatever he believed in. He once told me in an interview that the President of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Babangida, whom he served as Minister of I n f o r matio n , w as s o powerful and capable of turning a man into a woman. He was a prominent devotee of the former President.

He was a man of letters and he loved to quote copiously from William Shakespeare, offhandedly.

As he advanced in age, he withdrew from public life

and the klieg lights. Age was obviously no respecter of status, an enduring lesson to all of us to live life to the fullest while it lasts.

Chief Akinyele once said in an article: "I won't be a slave of my conscience.

Lady Ella knows I love her, but I love Yvonne more…" Such was the candour of this effervescent soul, this great and noble Nigerian who has ended his sojourn here on earth and begun a permanent one in the great beyond. A worthy testament of the life he led.

May his soul rest in perfect peace …

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Opinion

Understanding Vision and Mission

By Tolulope A. Adegoke

“

Y

our gifts or anointing isn't really a blessing, but responsibility on shoulders to help those hanging others through in their course and causes to fulfilling destiny! When you are anointed or gifted it is not for you, but for your generation. The first rule of IMPACT states that: it has been given, to be given! Success is measured by income, but greatness is measured b y I M PA C T ( S ) ! " – Tolulope A. Adegoke God can empower anyone.

In fact, God has empowered everyone; but our roles involve activating and engagement of these anointing or gifting. When God

empowers you, it is not meant for you to be contained, but to be a channel of distribution to your generation.

To receive anointing or gifting in higher capacity, you must be channelled.

When you are anointed or gifted it is not for you, but for your generation. When a man is anointed with knowledge or skills, it is meant for impact, not for selfish interest. To me, the first law of IMPACT says: "it has been given, to be given!"

There are two critical factors that we must consider if must fulfil a purpose: i. TIME ii. SEASON

The book of Ecclesiastes 3:1 reveals that: "To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" Speed is good, strength is also good (it gives the capacity to do exploits), wisdom is as well the principal thing, but in all our getting, understanding is paramount. Of all the thing that you shouldn't joke with is TIME! It TIME lies CHANCES! If you cannot understand TIME, you will not be able to understand what opportunities mean.

Chance is the anointing for capabilities!

SKC Ogbonnia The great men that we celebrate and continue to

celebrate today are being celebrated because they knew or have the understanding of TIME which encapsulates C H A N C E S f o r opportunities!

November 1884 (The Berlin Conference) which featured the Scramble and Partitioning of Africa as a continent was a monument. Twenty (20) determined men changed the lives and destiny of billions across the world.

These people sat in a room to discuss the fate races; they discussed and partitioned the world for their making and to take charge and impact their culture on them for their continual generational

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gains (The Liberation).

TIME & CHANCE happens to every one of us!

You do not need to be saved alone to understand these basic truths tagged TIME & CHANCE. There are some factors we must also consider per time, which are: · Seed · Time · Harvest Some humans are making it big today, even though are not believers, but because they understand the fixed principle which is culled out of the Holy Scriptures: The Power of Time & Season. The Holy Scriptures affirms that Time andSeasons happens to them all.

Preparation is what you do

in a season, so as to be able to harvest in the next season!

A generation is a group of people with a common course for common cause(s). The likes of Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir. Nnamdi Azikwe, Ahmadu Bello and the rest) were able to fulfil the M A N D AT E o f LIBERATION! The likes of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Rt. Ibrahim Babangida, Gowon amongst others were TRANSFORMERS! But, I must reveal an absolute truism to you today that "this generation of ours, as at today have been charged with the M A N D AT E o f TRANSFORMATION,

Opinion therefore, you and I are The TRANSFORMERS! This is a noble cause that is worth living and dying for!

Of course, it is a course worth squeezing the juice.

The answer to you knowing, understanding and fulfilling your authentic purpose on earth lies on you meditating on this mantra: "Oh God of Creation, show us the TRUTH, why we are here on Earth!" Because there is a saying that when the essence of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable!

I charge you to aspire for greatness, not mere success! Prominence is attached with greatness!

Success is measured by income, but greatness is

measured by IMPACTS! God does not answer to songs alone, but prayers!

Redemption, Relief, Comfort, Blessing, Blessing and Grace is all you are bound to carry the course of you acting inline with the above generational mandate.

Guess what? You are not going to be a leader; you are one already! You are not too young to T R A N S F O R M (influence) the state of your nation and the world at large! Never underrate the grace which you carry as a being! …. To be continued Thank you for reading. I trust that you have been activated for IMPACTS!

SKC Ogbonnia

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ADDING VALUE WITH HENRY UKAZU henrous@gmail.com

The Experience of Life

G

reetings Dear Friends, Life is an experience every one of us must surely pass through. It is often said that our experience shapes/defines who we are. Regardless of how true or false you may feel about life, you'll agree with me that to a reasonable extent, your experience has helped to shape some of your thoughts and actions. Isn't it true that it is only the person who wears the shoe who can tell where the pinches? It is a well-established fact that experience is the best teacher. This is because we all feel pains differently.

According to a philosopher, life is about experiences. We all have to dream, strive, and fail before we can achieve success. Maybe we'll discover along the way that the journey is more important than the destination In one of my articles, published a couple of years ago what is life and how can one live through it? I defined life as a woman because you cannot "really" know her.

During the course of this article, we shall be discussing many components of life and how the experience can shape you. We all need experience to survive through life

because it helps to shape us in addition to giving us more exposure, opportunity, and respect. For instance, we all sit in the same classroom, but we don't hear and understand the same thing; we all look at a picture but we don't see the same thing; we all might be walking to a location but we all have a different vision; we all have a business but we run it differently based on our experiences, knowledge and even networks. The same theory is applicable to marriage, job, academics, business, sports etc.

Let's share some practical details on how experience can shape us.

Marriage/Relationship This is one of the most complicated and sensitive part

of life any human can relate to. Marriage in simple term is life itself. As fondly opined by many rational minds, it is the school one can never graduate from, because you'll continue to learn until the end of life. In our contemporary society, we have recorded so many divorces and questions flood the mind as what the secret to a successful marriage relationship actually is.

Well, in my own humble opinion, there's no clear cut secret to marriage except the presence of true love between both parties. This is because lots of factors contribute to a make a successful marriage. Every marriage is different and only the partners themselves

can decide how they can manage their affairs.

Where there's a misunderstanding between both partners, it will be in their best interest to settle it themselves, and where they can't settle it, a married or informed counselor can assist. I'm not insinuating that unmarried counselors with insightful positive experience can't advise married couples, but I do know that whenever couples have problems, they are the only ones who can address their concerns better because nobody knows the root and fundamental cause of the problem more than do especially when they are not comfortable letting it out which leaves the counselor with the only option of speaking from his/her own experience.

There have been cases where unmarried couples give advice to married people, in as much I won't kick against that idea, I feel that sometimes, if not most times, experience plays a huge role in solving problems especially a sensitive one like marriage.

Moral: somethings are best experienced than imagined. This is because of the practicality that

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comes with it. It's just like driving, having sex, running a business etc.

Business Just like the saying, old wine tastes better, the same can be said for business. The more time you spend learning the ropes in addition to equipping yourself with knowledge can play a huge role in shaping your business.

Just like every great work takes time to manifest, business takes time to grow. I doubt if there's any overnight successful in business. If at all one ever exist, it's an exceptional circumstance it's quite unfortunate many people jump into a business with the mindset of having a great turn over/profit just because they see it is flourishing or they see their friends/colleagues making great strides in the industry.

What they fail to understand is that it is not greener out there and every business has a secret.

It's imperative to note that one of the greatest ways to succeed in business is by having a great network.

People find it comfortable to relate with people they know.

According to Robin Sharma, "the business of business is relationship, but the business of life human connection". In business, a lot of factors come into consideration before one can have a headway. First and foremost you must know what you are passionate about and what your skills set is composed of. Then, give yourself the necessary time to learn the business/trade. This learning can take several forms such as reading, volunteering, taking a class, networking

and gaining exposure in the sector.

Furthermore, to succeed in business, you must learn soft skills in addition to being creative with emotional intelligence. For example, a creative and proactive businessman/woman must meet people where are as opposed to having the clients meet him/her where he/she is. A prudent businessminded fellow must have a great attitude to listen to customers, he/she must take the initiative of providing ideas on w h a t might b e benefic ial to t h e business , a n d he/she must have a great attitude to relate with not only his/her clients but the public at large. According to John Maxell, 'Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them'.

Job One of the places that experience plays an influential role is the aspect of a job. Most employers always look for candidates with experience during the hiring process. It's only in a few and rare instance they accept a candidate without experience. An experienced candidate tends to do a better job than a new hire. For example, a new hire may do the job in the right way, but an experienced being may do it in an efficient way.

Academic

In our contemporary society, many people seem people to downplay the role of education as it relates to succeeding in life. They opine that you can always "learn from the street", you can also learn in an informal way as opposed to formal education. However, they fail to realize that education itself is an experience because you need to get theoretical knowledge before applying practical knowledge. It should be noted that academic education gives you an edge o v e r a person w h o doesn't have any opportunit y/exposure to one. It is a w e l l established fact that no knowledge is a waste and having a basic theoretical knowledge can take the place of experience in certain situations.

Sports This is another great area where experience plays a role. Sports is one of the great areas where experience is needed. It doesn't matter if you play football, soccer, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, track and felid events and wresting. Your experience will definitely make a difference if you harness it well.

In conclusion, regardless of what you may have experienced through life, having a positive attitude is a guaranteed way of overcoming negative

experience. According to Reno Omokri, an author and Pastor, "the secret of love is sacrifice. The secret of happiness is giving; the secret of life is GOD." This nugget may have informed his line of thought. I don't know your experience, but whatever it is continue to learn from it because one day it will add up and when you look back, you'll understand why you have to have to go through the whole experience.

Personal Just like every taste bud is different, each and every one of us experience different things in life.

According to Eleanor Roosevelt, "The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." If you ask anyone what's the purpose of life, you'll likely receive different responses.

The answer to this question is subjective and deeply personal. Different things are important to us throughout the course of our lives. Yet one thing stays with us no matter where we go: our experiences. With respect to personal experience, definitely it's important to note that your network determines your net worth.

Therefore, cultivate your friendships and find companies that fulfill you.

It's from those experiences in life that you'll learn and grow. In this process, we can learn valuable lessons about ourselves and the world around us. So, don't be hard on yourself.

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Business

BOSS NEWSPAPER

PalmPay Raises $40m From TECNO Mobile to Deepen Financial Inclusion Across Africa

A

frican payments startup PalmPay has announced a $40m USD seed round as the company launches financial services in Nigeria.

The round was led by leading mobile phone brand TECNO Mobile.

NetEase, one of the largest internet technology companies in China and Mediatek, a leading semiconductor company, also participated in the round.

The company will use the capital to grow its digital financial services businesses in Nigeria, Ghana and to support upcoming launches in several other African countries.

PalmPay offers consumers

a range of digital services via its mobile application, including P2P transfers, airtime and bill payment.

Billing itself as "the payment app that rewards you", its USP of offering cashback and discounts to its users has caught on in the price-sensitive Nigerian and Ghanaian markets.

In Nigeria, PalmPay is offering 10% cashback on airtime purchases and bank transfer rates of N10 with free deposits and withdrawals to its mobile wallet. Over a million transactions have been made on the platform within its first two months of pilot operations and the company is now eyeing rapid expansion.

PalmPay also announced a

strategic partnership with major mobile phone brands TECNO, Infinix, and Itel, which will see the payments app exclusively pre-installed on at least 20 million phones in 2020.

The mobile app is also available for download on the Google Play Store and iOS App Store.

In a market where only 40% of adults have access to a formal financial account, PalmPay plans to provide for both banked and unbanked consumers to help it achieve nationwide reach. To do this, the company has obtained an Approval-inPrinciple to operate as a Mobile Money Organisation (MMO) from the Central Bank of Nigeria. This allows it to

build an agent network to facilitate inperson cash in and cash out to its mobile wallet.

First in line to be converted to PalmPay agents a r e t h e thousands of retail stores that are part of the T E C N O distribution network, and the company is in the process of onboarding independent agents too.

PalmPay's stated aim of including the unbanked in its payment platform comes at a time when the Nigerian government is promoting several policies and initiatives aimed at furthering financial inclusion.

The Central Bank of Nigeria plans to ensure that 80 percent of Nigerian adults are included in the financial net by 2020. It launched the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) in January 2012 to help achieve the set target.

However, recent data by EFInA put Nigeria's financial inclusion rate at 63.2 percent, meaning that as much as 36.8 percent of adults still lack access to financial services.

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LEAP Africa Maps Ambitious Goals For Africa In 2020

A

fter nearly seventeen years of building one of the most prominent leadership development non-profit organisations in Nigeria and across Africa, LEAP Africa said it is ready to take on new targets and to realign its strategies to meet new 21st century realities.

LEAP which derives its name from four pillars; Leadership, Effectiveness, A c c o u n t a b i l i t y, a n d Professionalism, on Thursday, said it plans to become a youth-led organisation addressing challenges facing the youths in Africa.

The new strategy became necessary because of the widening gap between the education system in Africa and the realities that confront young people.

Apart from the widening

gap, the number of young people gaining access to secondary education is not growing as expected. Only 1 in 3 young Africans gets to go to Secondary School.

Since 2002 when it was established, LEAP Africa has expanded to 6 other African countries and has its curriculum translated in Aramaic in Ethiopia. It also recently broke the grounds for its LEAP Africa Institute where it not only plans to make its center of operations but also to grow leadership and research talents from across the continent.

During a presentation at the LEAP Social Impact Award, Femi Taiwo, executive director of LEAP Africa said over 7600 entrepreneurs have been supported by the organisation in the areas of education, employment,

access to health, social Mastercard Foundation mobility and exercising and Union Bank of citizenship.

Nigeria.

To help young people Mastercard Foundation, deploy themselves to through its vision of changing society, Taiwo making the invisible said there is a need to visible, has invested over build ecosystems that $2.6 billion in social engage, engage in critical development projects t h i n k i n g o n y o u t h within the continent and development and be beyond. advocates for everything R e e t a R o y , c h i e f youth. executive officer of Read also: MasterCard Mastercard Foundation Foundation President to said while there are plans s p e a k a t L E A P for more investments, A f r i c a & # 8 2 1 7 ; s S I P but the target remains Awards 2019 developmental programs "It is no longer simply and ideas. about employment for “Entrepreneurship can young people in Africa. It be a lonely journey," said is about deployment. We Roy. "Sticking to your must prepare young o w n m i s s i o n t a k e s people to think differently discipline and it is & t o b e s o l u t i o n curiosity that enables providers," he said. LEAP innovation."

Africa has been supported by many partners over the years including www.thebossnewspapers.com

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Vivo Launches First Ever Dual Pop-Up Front Camera Smartphone Into Nigerian Market

V

ivo, a Chinese s m a r t p h o n e manufacturer that recently decided to play in Nigeria's competitive mobile phone market has broken the norm in the world of innovation with the launch of the first of its kind dual pop up camera and AI quad camera smartphone –the Vivo V17 pro.

Considering that camera has become very vital in the day to day activities of every individual in this generation, the OEM decided to showcase its strong consumer-centric innovation approach by releasing the new V17Pro, focusing on brilliant camera systems as its first flagship device launched in the Nigerian market.

Speaking at the launch of the launch of the device in Lagos recently, Felix Lu, the country manager, Vivo said; "V17 Pro is a

masterpiece that we are extremely proud of, as it reinforces our position as a pioneer in bringing bestin-class mobile experiences to the Nigerian market."

The V17 Pro comes with 6 high-end cameras positioned in the front and rear of the device. The 32MP dual pop-up camera and a complimentary 8MP wide-angle front cameras ensure every detail is captured clearly. The 8MP super wide-angle selfie is able to capture wide angles up to 105-degrees, allowing perfect group shots.

Similarly, with the help of its 48MP main camera, 8MP wide-angle camera, 2MP Bokeh camera and an additional 2MP macro camera, the device's rear cameras are just perfect for that spot-on picture and also capturing landscape shots even further.

The V17 Pro smartphone also features two impressive beautifying features and is supported by qualcomm snapdragon 675 AIE processor with 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM that ensures performance for applications and system can be operated smoothly at any time.

Also speaking in response to questions from j o u r n a l i s t s , Ta y o Odunowo, marketing manager, Vivo, said the company was ready to bring something entirely different and valuable to compete in the Nigerian market.

"We brought a top range device with 4100mAh battery and dual-engine fast charging technology which brings higher durability and faster charging to address our unique power challenges in this part of the world," Odunowo said.

V17 Pro is also designed for gamers. It comes with optimized game mode that brings out a smooth new gaming experience.

The multi-turbo acceleration technology actively tunes the operating system to ensure users can enjoy a more exhilarating game performance.

Transsion Bets $40 Million, 20 Million Users To Launch Payment Platform In Nigeria

F

ollowing its successful IPO on the Chinese stock exchange where it raised $400 million, Transsion, the parent company of Tecno, Infinix a n d i Te l , h a s n o w announced its intentions for Nigeria's payment space with a $40 million splash on PalmPay, its mobile payment platform.

Apart from Transsion, other investors who participated in the seed

round include NetEase, a Chinese Internet technology company and Mediatek, a Taiwanese fabless semiconductor company.

The investment in PalmPay is the second largest seed investment in a startup operating in Nigeria. The first was OPay, another Chinese company owned by Opera which raised $50 million earlier in 2019. www.thebossnewspapers.com

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Tizeti Targets Improved Connectivity With Solar-Powered 4G LTE

T

izeti, an internet service provider is looking to improve its quality of service with the launch of a 4G LTE network in three states including Rivers, Ogun and Edo. The company said in a statement sent to BusinessDay that it is k i c k i n g o ff i n P o r t Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State with a new solar-powered 4G-capable tower which will enable it to provide first 4G and ISP services in the city. New towers are also planned for Ogun and Edo states.

The solar-powered 4G tower may not be unconnected to the inefficient power supply situation in Nigeria which impacts the services of ISPs.

Kendall Ananyi, CEO and cofounder said the strategy is also aimed at driving down the cost of operations of the towers, which achieves selfsufficient energy.

"We can offer customers unlimited internet at 30 to 50 percent of the cost of traditional mobile data plans," he said.

Tizeti also expects the solar-powered 4G towers to deepen internet penetration in the three states.

"Access to affordable and reliable unlimited internet connectivity has been an intractable problem for a lot of Nigerian businesses

and residential customers, especially for people in Edo, Rivers and Ogun States. To address this and provide a sustainable and cost-effective solution, we leverage our solarpowered, always-on towers and robust internet bandwidth from MainOne to create a low CAPEX and OPEX network of owned and operated towers," he said.

The price for a Tizeti

unlimited plan is N9,500 per month. The company has 1.1 million unique users and internet services that include a new Skype-like personal and business enterprise communications service – WiFiCall.ng and access to video streaming sites s u c h a s Yo u T u b e , Netflix, and Iroko.

NSE Gains Sustainability Eminence With Head Corporate Communications Elected Into GRI, Amsterdam

T

he thought leadership demonstrated by Nigeria's premier bourse, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), in the field of sustainability, is gaining global attention as its Head of Corporate Communications, Olumide Orojimi was recently elected into the Stakeholder Council of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Amsterdam, Netherlands, for a three-year term, commencing January 1, 2020. The election announcement was made via a press release posted on the GRI website announcing departing and joining new

members of its various governance bodies.

GRI is an international independent standards organization that helps businesses, governments and other organizations understand and communicate their impacts on issues such as climate change, human rights and corruption. The Stakeholder Council draws up to 50 diverse members from all United Nationsdefined regions: East Asia and Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, North America, South Asia and

Sub-Saharan Africa. The Council is one of GRI's three governance bodies that advise the Board on strategic issues.

The Stakeholder Council's key governance functions include appointing Board members a n d m a k i n g recommendations on future policy, business planning and activity.

According to his LinkedIn page, Orojimi has 18 years' experience as a leader in triple-bottom-line (People, Planet and Prosperity) business practice. He started out his career on the Advisory services side working in Advertising,

Public Relations and Experiential Marketing. He was headhunted by one of his financial services client (3rd most capitalized bank then) as Corporate Brand, Events and Sponsorship Manager. The switch marked a new career in brand management, events, investor relations, public relations and sustainability.

He later joined Africa's leading indigenous integrated energy c o m p a n y, w h e r e h e managed the corporate brand as well as marketing communications for some of its subsidiaries.

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ISSN-2052-1979

BOSS NEWSPAPER

Lifestyle

Vol.2.27

www.thebossnewspapers.com

A Publication of Ovation Media Group

TOP NOTCH

AFRIFF 2019: Funmi Iyanda's 'Walking with Shadows' Premieres At Film Festival EVENTS

Sanwo-Olu, Kuku, Momodu Others Hail Ovation Editor, Michael Effiong @ 50, Becoming President Rotary Club Ikeja South

BBNaija 2019 Winner Mercy Takes Over Dubai in Style

Morocco Become First African Nation to Introduce VAR in Local League

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TOPNOTCH ...Celebrity Gist Unlimited

Davido Takes 30BG Crew On A Shopping Spree

O

ne of the benefits of hanging around Davido is the freebies he shares and this time around it's his 30BG who all got an all-expense paid shopping spree.

The music star took to his Instagram page on Thursday, November 14, 2019, where he shared a photo of his 30BG crew and himself after taking them on a shopping spree. " To o k w h o l e s q u a d shopping!!! 30BG," he captioned the photo.

Juliet Ibrahim Stars In Bobby Valentino's Music Video

I

t's the dream of most actors across the globe to make it to Hollywood and Juliet Ibrahim has made a step closer to this feat.

The Ghanaian and Nollywood actress has been featured in a new music video by American singer, Bobby Marcel Wilson, popularly known as Bobby Valentino for his "Slow Down" hit which topped charts about 5 years ago.

Like many of the Hollywood star actresses do for American music stars in their music videos, Juliet played the lead role as a vixen in the visuals of Bobby V's new

song titled "Everybody", a song about relationship and love.

Sharing her excitement about this job, the actress shared behind the scene footages from the making of the video and wrote "it was fun being on set as the Lead g i r l o f @bobbyvshow new single #Everybody Watch full video on his page. #dopemusic #RnB #StarGirl".

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AFRIFF 2019: Funmi Iyanda's 'Walking with Shadows' Premieres At Film Festival

W

alking with Shadows' had all the viewing halls at the AFRIFF 2019 filled as it premiered in Lagos, Nigeria on Thursday, November 14.

The premiere and screening had several Nollywood stars that include Rita Dominic, Hilda Dokubo, Ego Boyo, Akin Omotosho, Shawn Faqua, and Blossom Chukwujekwu in attendance.

Also present are cast and crew of the film, which includes Funmi Iyanda, Adunni Ade, Seyi Asurf, Zainab Balogun, and Ozzy Agu, who played the

lead role.

O t h e r notable film practitioner s present at the event are K u n l e Afolayan, U z o r Osimkpa, L i n d a EjioforSuleiman, Ibrahim Suleiman, Tope Oshin, Ufuoma McDermott, and Michelle Ashionye.

Bose Oshin, Mildred Lasting Okwo, over 60 minutes, the film focuses on sexuality John Njamah, Kemi and Lala, equal rights amongst same-sex relationships.

BBNaija's Ifu Ennada Clears Air Over Leaked Chat With Alex

I

fu Ennada is in the news again and this time around she is apologising and clearing the air over the gist that she leaked a chat conversation between former BBNaija housemate Alex and herself.

The reality TV star took to her Twitter page on Thursday, November 14, 2019, where she addressed the gist that she leaked her conversation with Alex. According to her, she was surprised some people believe she leaked the chats on purpose.

"I know a lot of you are mad at me because you believe I leaked my chats with Alex, but ask yourself this questionWhy will Ifu leak a chat

where she -Ifu was the one talking bad about someone?" My choice of words on Instagram today might not have been the best... "...but I decided to clear the air just so you can hear my own side of the story.

This is really heartbreaking for me especially because people love to believe bad news without asking questions...but if I've been there for someone through everything, why will I ruin it all now?" she tweeted.

Ifu Ennada tweets are coming barely a few hours after a chat conversation between Alex and herself leaked.

In the conversation, both ladies were chatting about Ghanaian actress, Yvonne

Nelson. and clearing the air over the Ifu Ennada is in the news gist that she leaked a chat again and this time convers. around she is apologising

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Entertainment

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BBNaija 2019 Winner Mercy Takes Over Dubai in Style

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Events

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BOSS NEWSPAPER

Sanwo-Olu, Kuku, Saraki, Momodu, Adetu, Ajayi, Others Hail Ovation Editor, Michael Effiong James As He turns 50, becomes President Rotary Club, Ikeja South Photo: Ovation Media Team

By Eric Elezuo

I

t was an admixture of fun, class, colour and glamour, showmanship as celebrated Nigerians from all walks of life l a u d e d E d i t o r, O v a t i o n International Magazine Editor, Mr. Michael Effiong James as he hit the golden age of 50 in addition to becoming the 33rd President of the Rotary Club of Ikeja South.

Held at the Main Hall, Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja, the venue was filled to capacity with heavyweights and Compere, popular Comedian, Tunde Adewale Tee A had a herculean task recognising guests in the course of the wondrous ceremony.

The multifaceted gathering which witnessed the installation of Michael Effiong as the 33rd President of the Rotary Club of Rtn. Michael Effiong and family

Rtn. Michael Effiong being installed as 33rd President of Rotary Club of Ikeja South

Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi & husband, Dr Muyiwa Ajayi & Bashorun Dele Momodu

HRM Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Otunba Seni Adetu, Mrs Janet Adetu, Olor’ogun (Dr) Sonny Kuku, HRM Oba Saheed Elegushi & Mrs Oluwakemi James

Dayo Adedayo, Mr Kanmi Osobu, representative of Mr Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu with Gbenga Olunloyo

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Events

HRM Oba Saheed Elegushi of Ikate Land, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa & HRM Oba Adedokun Abolarin of Oke Ila

Mrs. Oluwakemi James, Bashorun Dele Momodu & Hajia Bisi Shuaibu

Lanre Ogunlesi & Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde

Ikeja South, celebration of his 50th birthday, induction of new members into the Rotary family and inauguration of members Board of Directors, kicked off with the singing of the Rotary grace shortly after the arrival of the dashing journalist, his delectable wife, Oluwakemi and two adorable childrenKufreabasi and Anietientebasi.

With a call to order by Immediate Past President, Rtn Yinka Adeosun, the business of the day kicked off properly just as the Doyen of Past Presidents led the procession that joyfully ushered in the President-in-waiting after which he took his place among notable dignitaries on the top table such as Olor'ogun Dr. Sonny Kuku (Chairman), Otunba Seni Adetu (Guest Speaker) & wife,

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Princess Toyin Kolade & Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi

KWAM 1 with Rotary President of Ikeja South and his family

Sen, Florence Ita-Giwa & Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi & husband, Dr Muyiwa Ajayi

Janet, HRM Oba Adedokun Abolarin, HRM Oba Saheed Elegushi, Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi & Husband, Dr Ademuyiwa Ajayi and Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the event and Co-Founder, Eko Hospitals, Oloro'ogun (Dr.) Sonny Kuku, described Mr. Effiong James as a personality who has given his best to his profession and has affected the lives of many with his work. Dr. Kuku encouraged him to continue be his original self and live his life to supply succour to all and sundry.He promised guests a wondrous and fun filled time.

The Installation Chairman, Past present Azuh Arinze thanked guests for attending the event and noted that the event has be planned to be exciting and meomorable. He reminded guests that the day was

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Events

Directors of Hurlag Tech. Ltd receiving their special from DGE Bola Oyebade & DGN Remi Bello

Mrs Tosin Bakare & Rtn. Micheal Effiong

Princess Toyin Kola, AIG (rtd.) Tunji Alapinni, Rtn. Michael Effiong & Prof. Tokunbo Fabanwo

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Rtn. Remi Bello District Governor Nominee Presenting Award to Prince Bisi Olatilo

Seyi Orolugbagbe, Amb. Toye Okanlawon, Rtn. Micheal Effiong & Chief Larry Ofuokwu

Azuh Arinze, HRM Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Rtn. Ehi & Rtn. Agbo

to raise funds as well as have fun.

Guest Speaker, Otunba Seni Adetu in a very incisive and cerebral presentation titled " Winning in the Corporate World", identified three areas which needed attention in order to move ahead in the corporate world. They include speeding up technological advancement, giving attention to infrastructure development and enhanced leadership.

Adetu also highlighted that for any leaders to live up to expectation, six key functions must be undertaken, and they are:Hold your destiny Less is more...meaning that few things will deliver more impact, Focus your energy on what you can change, Measure yourself against the best, Inspect what you expect, and Take calculated risk.

Bashrorun Dele Momodu, Tee A,Elisha & Azuh Arinze

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Events

Dr. Reuben Abati with Dr. & Rev. Mother Ajayi

Rtn. Elisha Atai, Rtn. Annie Essienette, Charles Otudor & Lanre Ogunlesi

Muyiwa Akingbolade , Rtn. Micheal Effiong James & Akin Akingbolade

Assistant Governor Remi Babarinde & Wife with Michael Effiong James

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Amb. Toye Okanlawan, Dr Peter Obafemi, Chief Gboyega Okegbenro & Daddy Showkey

Mr. Steve Ayorinde , Rtn. Micheal Effiong & Mr Remi Aboderin

Jire Anifalaje & Olumide Iyanda

Michael Effiong James & Fateema Mohammed

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Events

Bashorun Dele Momodu, Michael Effiong, Azuh Arinze, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, & Prince Damola Aderemi

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Mrs Ayeni, Afolabi Imoukhuede, Michael Effiong, Godwin Mekweye, Mrs Imoukhuede, & Mr Sesan

Sir Gbenga Badejo, Bashrun Dele Momdu & Rtn. Niyi Adelaja

Members of J9C

Rtn. Michael Effiong and Ovation Media Group Colleagues

Bashrun Dele Momdu, Eniafe Momodu, & Elisha Atai

Henry Alade, Aare olanrewaju Yakub, Kunle Afolayan & Prince Layinka Oyedeji

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Events

Michael Effiong James with St. Joseph Boys High School, Surulere

Henry Alade, Israel Opayemi, Ayeni Adekunle, & Loye Hamzat

Hakeen Anjolaiya & Ronke Tanimowo

Tony Obot, Loye Hamzat & Remi Aboderin

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Mrs Tolani Adeniran, Ms Moni Yusuf, Mrs Ayoola Ikhizama, Mrs Justina James, Imisi Adeniran & Mrs Vivian James

Ms Moni Yusuf with Anietie and Kufrie James

Rtn. Sam Ayetutu, Rtn. Tonia Taiwo & Rtn. Abiodun Oshinibosi

Rtn. Tonia Taiwo, Bashorun Dele Momodu, & Godwin Mekuye of Vivid Imagination

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Events

Seun Soyinka, Jide Adediran, Lead Visioner, Jandor Foundation with Ksquare Security officials

Niyi and Bukky Arolehun of DePotters

Senior Rotarians from District 9110

Rtn. Akunna Nworgu and friend

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Board of Directors, Rotary Club Of Ikeja South

Mrs Deola Macaulay & daughter, Kofo Owotomo with Macaulays

Wole Olagundoye receiving a Special award for Jandor Foundation

Mrs Abisola Abegunde, Mrs Deola Owolabi iwth Mr & Mrs Deji Owolabi

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Events

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Arch. Biodun Farole, Michael Effiong, Richard Akinnola & Oladele Ogunlana

Mr & Mrs Ogbonna with President Michael Effiong and Wife

Ronke, Bianca, Daala Oruwari & Tope

Segun Adesanya & Rtn. Michael Effiong

Abiola Koya (R)

Mr. Femi Akintunde Johnson

Adekoya Abiodun, Bayo, Ronke, Eric Elezuo, Ajibade Morakinyo

Sis Bukky, Evans James, Pst. & Mrs Michael Effiong

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Rtn. Funmi Abe, Rtn. Michael Effiong & Family with Mrs Gbemisola Aluko

Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya & Rtn. (Dr) Gbenga Badejo

Hagia Bisi Shuaibu & Mrs Deola Macaulay

Azuquo James & wife

Bernice Eriemeghe, Pretty Mic & Mrs. Bukky Aroyehun

Bayo Fatusin & Michael Effiong

Adetu's presentation was loudly appreciated after which he and wife who were celebrating their 29th birthday were presented a surprise cake by members of Rotary Club of Ikeja South.

Then, after a speech outlining his achievement, the immediate past president, Rtn Yinka Adeoson aided by past presidents and Oba Saheed Elegushi then installed the new president.

In his acceptance speech, Effiong expressed his heartfelt joy at the honour, giving glory to the Almighty God, and appreciation to his parents, who unfortunately could not live to witness his day of reverence. Full of emotion, he called for a minute silence in honour of his departed parents. While itemising his projects, he stated that he has various water, sanitation and eucation projects that will be executed in Lagos State but noted "the Mr Abisoye Fagade & Dayo Israel

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Events

Rtn. Funmi Abe, Rtn. Michael Effiong & Family with Mrs Gbemisola Aluko

Hagia Bisi Shuaibu & Mrs Deola Macaulay

Bernice Eriemeghe, Pretty Mic & Mrs. Bukky Aroyehun

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project closest to my heart is the refurbishment of the dilapidated state Temidire Primary School, Olambe, Ogun State' His speech was punctuated with a short documentary on the dilapidated state of the institution prompting dignitaries to make pledges to the delight of all present.

The evening also saw awards being presented to Olajide Adediran of Jandor Foundation and and Hurlag Technologies Limited. The newly inducted members were Dr Elisha Attai, Fateema Aduke Mohammed, Nelson Ndubuisi Collins and Casmir I. Anyanwu.

In their individual remarks, special guests showered encomiums on Effiong, describing him as an achiever of no mean abilities.

The Chairman of Ovation media Group, Chief Dele Momodu, who doubles as Effiong's immediate boss was also full of joy having produced a 'worthy successor' to the Ovation dynasty.

He said: "Tonight, I'm letting the cat out of the bag. We call Mike the Olorogun of Journalism. And that was the reason he got another Olor'ogun Dr Sonny Kuku to be Chairman of today. He is my second in command, and has been very dutiful, very loyal.

It is impossible not to know Michael if you know Ovation. that means that Michael is synonymous with Ovation. And i always say it that a successful man without successors is a useless man.

So I'm very proud to say we have a worthy successor in Olorogun Mike.

"When I asked him how his birthday was going to be, he told that it was not about his birthday, but about giving back to the society. That it is Rotary event and his birthday is secondary.

That is a selfless man. I know that Olorogun Mike will tonight receive more from Almighty God and mankind," Delivering Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's message, his representative Mr. Kanmi Osobu, said it was a good thing to be at Effiong 50th birthday celebration and installation as 33rd president of Rotary club, Ikeja South. He described the celebrant as a worthy journalist who has used his profession to elevate society. he also praised the good work of Rotary and the organisation's tremendous philanthropic work.

Lending credence to the already selfless life and character of the celebrant, former aide of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa said she had known Michael as a young reporter in Fame and has remained consistent. She wished him well and promised to support his cause.

Prayerful Woman of God, Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi on her part, showered the celebrant with prayers and then revealed that she promises to ensure that he will accomplish his dream project. Noting the President's tenure is already a success going by the calibre of people and turn out at the event.

The presence of the wife of former Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki, was felt as she sent a recorded goodwill message from Nairobi, Kenya where she described the Rotary President in glowing terms. the celebrant, urging him to continue the good work of putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged.

Flanked by his immediate family, the highly elated man of the moment cut his birthday amidst deafening cheers and glad

Mr Abisoye Fagade & Dayo Israel

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Events

Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya & Rtn. (Dr) Gbenga Badejo

Azuquo James & wife

Bayo Fatusin & Michael Effiong

wishes. It was not without the cascading of prayers from the one and only K1 the Ultimate, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal. Who performed for a few minutes to the delight of all present. Guests were further thrilled by the famous Shuga band and World-class DJ, Cool DJ Jimmy Jatt. Guests were also pampered with canapĂŠs

by Saheeto & Cocktails by Depotters while Ksquare Security ensured everyone was safe and sound. Of course, Segun Inawole of Inawolay Creates & Abelini handled decor and technicals.

An elated Michael Effiong, who adorned a pin-tripped suit by David Wej noted that he was humbled by the expression of love. He thanked God God for keeping him hale and hearty, and promised to ensure that he delivers all the projects he had planned in order to make the necessary impact.

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The roll call of guests at the event which was rounded with a vote of thanks by Club Doyen, Rtn Oliver Ogbonna included: HRM, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Orangun of Oke-Ila Orangun; His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom; Co-Founder/Joint Chairman, Eko Hospitals, Olorogun (Dr.) Sonny Kuku; Member, Fidelity Bank Board of Directors and CEO, Algorithm Media, Otunba Seni Adetu and wife, Janet; Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Bashorun Dele Momodu; President/Founder, Esther Ajayi Foundation, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi and husband, Dr. Ademuyiwa Ajayi; Chairman, Biscom Communications, Prince Bisi Olatilo; Founder/CEO, Fisolak Global Resources, Princess Toyin Kolade; Senator Florence Ita-Giwa and District Governor Nominee, Rtn Remi Bello.

Others are Mr. Kanmi Osobu who represented Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, AIG Tunji Alapini ( Rtd), Fuji music maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal; Veteran Sports Broadcaster, Dr Larry Izamoje, Godwin Mekwuye of Vivid Imagination, Mr Lanre Ogunlesi of Sofisticat, Hajia Bisi Shuabu, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Benny Obaze, Arch. Biodun Fari-Arole, Mr. Abisoye Fagade, Pastor Dotun Ojelabi, Pastor Femi Faseru, Gbemisola & Kunle Aluko, Femi AkintundeJohnson (FAJ), Rtn Bala Yesufu, Rtn Ade Adenekan, Rtn Niyi Adelaja, Chief Gbenga Obasa, Rtn Ehi Braimah, District Governor-elect, Jire Anifalaje, Kunle Afolayan, Rtn Bola Oyebade, Rtn Winifred Igweonu, Rtn Uche Ukah & Annie Esseinette, Former Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru and accomplished entrepreneur, Mr. Bayo Fatusin, Otunba Dayo Adeneye, Dayo Adedayo, Dr Reuben Abati, Femi Awoyemi, Lanre Ogunlesi, Charles Otudor, Ayo Animashaun, Ayeni Adekunle, Wale Adebajo, Debo Ayoade, Solomon Kolade Olotu, Fela Amosu, Hakeem Anjolaiya, Richard Akinnola, Mayor Akinpelu, Prince Damola Aderemi, Ayo Aminu, UBA's Ramon Nasir, Access Bank's Abdul Imoyo, former Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, accomplished entrepreneur, Mr. Bayo Fatusin, Remi Aboderin and Mudi.

Others at the glitzy event included the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Youth Engagement, Afolabi Imoukhuede and wife; Mr Ademola Adedoyin, Chief Gboyega Okegbenro & wife, Mojeed Jamiu, Niran Adedokun, Ajayi Oyebo, Pastor Soji Adediran and wife,Tolani, the Director of Hurlag Technologies, , Abib Aruna, Azuka Ogujuiba, Kemi Akinyemi, Bayo Ogori, Kunle Afolayan, Chief Larry Ofuokwu, Oladele Ogunlana, Prince Folarin Ogunsanwo, Alara of Ilara-elect, Aare Olanrewaju Yakub, Former Lagos State Commissioner, Mr Steve Ayorinde, Mike Dada & wife, Dupe; Oye Balogun, Funso Arogundade, Mr Debo Adeniran & wife, Imisioluwa Adediran, Mrs Elizabeth Adegbite, Mrs Bisola Abegunde, Ms Deola Owolabi, Mr Deji Owolabi & wife, Wole Olagundoye, Seun Soyinka, Akin Adeoya, Mr Segun Inawole & wife, Loye Amsat, Henry Alade & Arch. Niyi Adelaja.

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Events

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Avila Appreciates Distributors With Excellent Dinner And Awards In Lagos By: Funmilayo Adeyemi

A

vila Naturalle, a beauty and skin care organisation, has organised a splendid dinner and awards ceremony to appreciate the efforts of its distributors nationwide.

The event, which took place at the Banquet Hall of the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, was an exercise in thanksgiving and gratitude.

In her remarks, shortly after Pastor Ayobami L. had taken the prayers to kickstart the p r o g r a m m e , t h e F o u n d e r / C E O o f Av i l a Naturalle, Mrs. Temitope Mayegun, heaped encomiums on the distributors, saying they are

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During the cutting of the cake

Mrs. Temitope Mayegun with distributors

the life wire of the company, and as a result deserves every appreciation they can get.

"We feel the best way to appreciate their work is to give them awards and other deserving gifts. That is what Avila does every year and we are committed to it. We have distributors from many countries including Ghana, UK, and US, and Avila awards is about appreciating our distributors.

"Our aim is to research more and venture into new aspects of natural skin and health care. We trust Avila Naturalle will indeed be a household name globally," she said.

A complete package of fun and glamour, the event featured popular comedian, MC Ajele with his rib cracking jokes among many other entertaining side attractions.

The high point of the event was the introduction, recognition and presentation of awards and gifts to outstanding distributors.

The cutting of the beautifully designed cake followed before the entire guests engaged in a furry of photographs with management of Avila.

Avila products include Albinism Body Wash , Albinism Hair Treatment, Almond Oil, Aloe Vera Oil, Ant-Fungi Organic Body Odour Wash, Avacado Oil , Baby Body Wash, Anti- Aging cream, Baby hair Tonic, BabyHerbal Soap, Baby Castor Hair Cream, Beet Root Oil, Bergamot Oil, Black Seed Honey, Body Moisturizer Melanin, Carrot Oil , Calendula Oil, Castor Hair butter Eden Scent, Clove Oil, Foot Cream,Fertlity Booster Oil, Foot Soak, Hair Mayonnaise and many others.

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Events

Ihuoma Agaecheta, Joy Emmanuel & Buchi Amierobi

Mr.&Mrs Taiwo Olayemi

Amaka Juliet Obi, Oluchi Ezekoye, Omenogor Anthonia& Gabriella Ezeokonkwo

Nduka Jessica, Ngumezi Chimsom& Ngumezi Chidinma

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Sanusi Abisola, Bankole Olawunmi, Oguntola Gbemisola & Akinsanya Rahmat

Oguefor Goodness, Bisuga Temitope, Bisuga Oluwatosin & Ochiobi Chidinma

Abidemi Awoyemi , Victoria Onyeanula & Salome Umani

Mr. &Mrs. Oludaisi

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Events

Dr. & Mrs Orji Obioma

Omotosho Hafsat Balogun, Oteri Nathaniel Adeyanju Adeola & Adeyemi Omobolanle

Babajide Akanni

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Mr. & Mrs. Mayegun

Balogun Oluwatosin & Salam Rukayat

MC Ajele thrilling the guests

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Relationship

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Difficult Partner:

Know If Your Boyfriend Really Loves You

S

ince life itself is not static, no doubt, everything in it cannot be stagnant. From humans to animal, to plants and other creation; they all have unique identity.

Meanwhile, as amazing as love is, it can also a bit scary especially for ladies, and a lot of them keep their guard up until they are sure their boyfriends feels a certain way in order to keep from getting hurt; since everyone’s

behaviour differs.

However, these 5 signs are prove that your boyfriend really loves you.

1. He listens to you We can't deny the fact that women are much better listeners than men. So, when a man not only hears you but actively pays attention and responds – a skill called active listening – you can have confidence that he cares.

2. He plans the 'us' future If he constantly talks and

daydreams about you two in the next year or years together every time, he definitely loves you. That would simply imply he can't see himself in the future without you.

3.He supports your aspirations He always lifts you up and never puts you down. He wants to see you succeed in everything you do.

4. You are his priority Does he put his phone down, pause the video

game, halt the sports anytime you are around ?

If he does all of these then you should know he is number one on your list.

5. He involves you in his life He’s not distant; he doesn’t keep you at arms length from the various things he’s got going on in his life. Instead, he’s an open book who wants to involve you in everything he does.

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Fashion

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Rocking Lace-Up Heels Effectively By: Ajibade Morakinyo

L

ace-up heels are go-to party dress. Urban inspired combinations get a lift with defined ankle boots, definitely having a best worn with a figure hugging skirt or midi length jersey dress and a chic biker fashion moment right jacket. now as several individuals and fashionistas prefer to rock it to normal heel. This season, it's all about experimenting with oversized bows and skinny laces across soft suedes and velvets.

For a good statement with lace-up heels, go for a contemporary British look by teaming a pair of brogue style lace-up heels with your cigarette pants and a tailored trench coat, accessorising with a leather chain mini bag.

Explore vintage inspired bohemian trends with soft Mary Janes in a berry hue, complete with ribbon tie fastenings. Use yours to brighten up a seasonal lace dress, wearing with a tonal printed scarf or cardigan to draw together the colour contrast.

Stacked patent heels in a nude hue take you from dawn to dusk, looking fresh when worn with a floaty tulle skirt or slim fitting jeans.

For versatility, play with a balance of new geometries with lace-up heels formed from laser cut panels, wrapping the laces around your ankles to create a lattice pattern.

These polished, lace-up stilettos are great for taking on a night out, adding a sleek touch of height underneath your www.thebossnewspapers.com

Fashion

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Sermon

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Death of a Wife: Lesson in Acceptance

By Babatunde Jose

T

here is no single, universal way to grieve. The ways that older widows and widowers grieve reflect how the couples related during marriage, how their spouses died, the strains experienced during the final weeks and months, and their other roles and relationships that might protect against (or exacerbate) the pain of losing a loved one.

The whole life of man constitutes of a trial and test by means of which his final destiny is determined. For man, death is the return of the soul to its Creator; and the inevitability of death and the Hereafter is never far from his consciousness.

This serves to keep all of his life and deeds in perspective as he tries to live in preparedness for what is to come. For Muslims, the concept of death and the afterlife in Islam is derived from the Holy Quran, the final revealed message from God. We learn that death is exactly akin to sleeping; complete with dreams (Quran 6:60, 40:46). The period between death and resurrection, passes like one night of sleep (Quran 259; 6:60; 10:45; 16:21; 18:11, 19, 25; 30:55). The Quran contains various death themes that add significantly to our insight

into the meaning of death; however, the concept is left undefined and always portrayed in close relationship with the concepts of life, creation, and resurrection. All that is on earth will perish.

(Quran 55:26) Allah says in the Quran: "Everyone shall taste death. And only on the day of resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full.

And whoever is removed away from the fire and admitted to paradise, this person is indeed successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception."

(Quran 3:185) In the same way that a person does not cease to exist in sleep, similarly he does not cease to exist in death. And in the same way that a person comes back to life when waking from sleep, also he will be

revived at the 'great awakening' on the Day of Judgment; Day of Resurrection. Hence, Islam views death merely as a stage in human existence or the translation to another realm or consciousness.

Physical death should not be feared but one should, however, worry about the agonies of spiritual death caused by living a life of moral corruption, debauchery and iniquity.

The mystery of life and death is resolved in the holy Quran by linking it to the working of human conscience and its ability to maintain a healthy status of human spiritualmoral existence with faith in God. Human efforts should be concerned with the revival of human conscience, which will lead to a meaningful life.

Death is divinely willed

and when it arrives it should be readily accepted. There should, therefore, be no reasoning by the bereaved as to why they have lost their loved one. Islamic scholars such as the twelfth century theologian, Al Ghazali stress that death is unpredictable and can happen at any time and as such Muslims should always be prepared for the inevitable and for what is about to occur. It is but a gateway from this short but mortal existence to a life of immortality in the afterlife. Illness is not a true sign of impending death. Men have survived 20 years or more of illness while a feeling of slight discomfort could be the precursor of death.

This brings into focus the death of Taiwo Soyombo, wife of our amiable friend and brother Kayode

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Sermon Soyombo; mother of his three boys; Ayodele, Olumide and Ladipo. A friend of our wives and a very temperate soul; despite her afflictions, she always kept a cool and unassuming mien. Aged 63, she was in the evening of her life.

This kind of death is usually referred to as an untimely death. But in fact, no death is untimely. Every death is a timely death according to the Creation Plan of God. Every death is consciously planned by the Creator. The form may differ but in terms of i t s r e a l i t y, every death is the same.

Untimely what? Who determined the time? Who knows the time? The Good Books tell us that 'no one knows the time, place or manner of death: Only the Creator; Matthew 24:36; Quran 31:34. A perfectly sound man can drop dead at the barbers shop or on the train to work or at the traffic light in his car. Death is no respecter of mood, place or time.

Every death gives a message to those alive that they still have their chance and therefore must avail of it. Every person is born into the world according to

a divine plan. Each person spends his life on earth for a limited period. To be born is to be given a chance. When a person reaches the end of his destined period, death is decreed for him by the Creator—neither before nor after. The manner of death is irrelevant; the fact remains that the time of death has approached for the concerned person.

"To Allah (Almighty God)

– they all had two things in common, first, they were all delivered from their mother's womb (birth) and second, they all tasted death. Taiwo has tasted both and was interned yesterday at the Vault and Gardens, Ikoyi; May Her Soul rest in Perfect Peace.

Her death like all deaths is a sermon for those of us alive. The outpouring of friends and relations is a glowing testimony to her

we belong, and to Him is our return." (Qur'an 2:156) Multitudes of men have walked on the surface of this Earth. They all belonged to different nations and cultures. A few of them made history for which they were remembered, whereas others were never to be mentioned again.

Although each one was personally different from another – their habits, thinking and tastes differed

life of righteousness. It is therefore left for us to keep up our good work and seek the benevolence of God in all that we do.

We need to walk on the right path of the spiritual realm in order for us to reap Jannatul Firdous when the time comes for us to depart and translate into the other realm.

There is no doubt our riches will not avail us in the presence of the Almighty as He would

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never ask us for what we have brought for Him. God does not need our houses and mansions neither does He need our limousines nor our jewelry, wives or children.

What is required from us is our attitude to life and our fellow men. This is what will ultimately determine our altitude.

"The Sun travels to an appointed place. This is the decree of the Mighty, t h e A l l Knowing."

(Quran 36:38) Almighty God blesses us with all His gifts.

The Sun gives us light during the day to help us see and it helps our crops grow so that we can eat. But the S u n a l s o teaches us other things. The Almighty God causes the day to die with its setting and allows the night to take over, which is a time for rest. In this way, He may be showing us that all of us will eventually have to die just like the day.

And when the Sun rises in the morning again after our period of rest, it is as if Almighty God is telling us that we too will be raised to life after we have died.

These are all signs of Almighty God to teach us to take care of our life.

Barka Juma'at and a happy weekend

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Sports

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Iheanacho To Leave Leicester City On Loan In January

L

eicester City are expected to send Kelechi Iheanacho out on loan during the January transfer window.

The Nigeria international has struggeld for regular playing time this season and is yet to feature in the Premier League.

Iheanacho has managed just two appearances in the Carabao Cup for the Foxes.

A move to Leicester in 2017 was supposed to give him the chance to play regular top-flight football and fulfil his vast potential.

The Foxes certainly expected a lot from him, having invested £25 million to bring Iheanacho to the King Power Stadium.

But the 23-year-old has looked a shadow of the relentless goal-poacher who shot to fame at

Manchester City.

Bleacher Report believes that Iheanacho will be allowed to leave on loan in the winter with Leicester looking to bring in a new striker in his place, believed to be Rangers talisman Alfredo Morelos.

Iheanacho still has plenty of time on his side and it is too soon to write him off yet and maybe a short-term move elsewhere could be exactly what he needs to get his golden touch back.

Morocco Become First African Nation to Introduce VAR in Local League

M

orocco have become the first African nation to introduce the technology driven Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in their domestic football league.

Faouzi Lakjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), declared in F e b r u a r y t h a t VA R technology will be introduced in the Moroccan football league starting next season.

“Referees will also be

trained for the task ahead”, the Moroccan FA boss said.

“The VAR technology will be implemented to avoid referees mistakes similar to those during the 2018 FIFA World Cup”, he added.

The North African c o u n t r y ’s F o o t b a l l Federation on Friday confirmed that International Football Associations Board, IFAB, had granted their request for the

introduction of VAR in their local football.

Following Morocco’s request for the use of VA R , t h e FA m a d e elaborate preparation for the use of VAR, which included training programs for 110 referees on the use and application of the technology in the game.

The VAR training sessions were held at the M o h a m m e d V I Conference Palace in Skhirat near Rabat in

September.

Thierry Henry Appointed Montreal Impact Head Coach

M

LS side Montreal Impact has appointed Thierry of the game.

Henry as their new head coach.

“Henry will bring a new energy to our club. He shares Henry, 42, who spent four-and-a-half years with the New our vision to elevate this club York Red Bulls before ending his career in 2014, has signed and will help us achieve our goals on and off the field. a two-year deal with the option for an extra 12 months.

“It’s an honour to coach the Montreal Impact and return to “He is a competitor and a MLS. It’s a league I know well, in which I had some very leader who has proven himself at the highest level nice moments,”Henry said after agreeing the move.

“To be in Quebec, in Montreal, which has an enormous throughout his career. He now multicultural heritage, it’s extraordinary. I’ve always kept brings these qualities with him to Montreal, a place he an eye on the club and now I’m here.”

Montreal president and CEO Kevin Gilmore said: “We are wants to be.” extremely happy to announce the nomination of this legend After retiring, Henry spent

time coaching in Arsenal’s academy and was an assistant to Roberto Martinez with Belgium.

He took his first steps into management with Monaco last season but won just four of his 20 matches in charge and was sacked after only three months.

He will officially begin his role in January ahead of the start of the 2020 MLS season a month later.

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President Buhari and Osinbajo's 35

I

n one fell swoop, President Muhammadu Buhari

visit without handing over to the vice president via a

came down hard on Vice President Yemi

letter to the National Assembly.

Osinbajo, cutting off 35 of his personal aides.

But if the President is not back within 21 days, the

The President had earlier a few weeks back

Doctrine of Necessity law will become operational

disengaged a good number of the Vice President's

and Osinbajo 'may' be empowered to function as

men in addition to stripping him of some of his

acting president. The Doctrine of Necessity law was

oversight and constitutional functions. The move has

passed in 2010 when late President Umaru Musa

generated discourse in many quarters, questioning

Yar'Adua traveled out without handing over to his

the rationale and the intentions behind laying the Vice

then vice, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. The then Senator

President bare in terms of work force and job

David Mark-led National Assembly passed the law

description.

which also operates at the state level if governors

However, in a brazen show of superiority, even as the

travel without formally handing over and remain

Vice President's camp was denying Buhari's action,

abroad for more than 21 days.

the Presidency owned up to the action, saying it was

Adding insult to injury, Buhari, last week signed a bill

part of the ongoing overhauling of the seat of

into law while holidaying in London, sparking a

government. It blamed the desire to cut down

debate in the country. In defence, the chairman of the

multiple authorities and reduce cost of administration

ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade

as some of the reasons the VP had to be stripped.

Adams Oshiomhole, the APC and the presidency said

"The exercise, which has been ordered by the

he could rule from any part of the world.

President, is to streamline decision-making, cut down

Nigerians are worried at the way and manner the vice

multiple authorities and reduce the cost of

President has been cowed into irrelevance, and seems

administration.

to send a strong to the Buhari Presidency to take heed

"It is also an appropriate response to the general

before it becomes unbearable.

perception that the Presidency has an oversized and

Much as it is obvious that almost all the Presidents so

bloated workforce which acts as a drag on efficiency.

far existed in the country has not treated their deputies

"As may have been noticed by discerning members of

fairly, a great number of Nigerians are of the opinion

the public, a number of political appointees among

that Osinbajo's case has gone beyond the ordinary. It

the few that served in the office of the President were

is therefore, imperative for the President to rescind

not returned for the Second Term.

his steps before tempers go higher than it is now.

"The office of the Vice President, His Excellency

But coming to look at it, the 35 sacked Osinbajo aides

Yemi Osinbajo has, in compliance with the directive

are just a part of the over 80 personnel in the Vice

of the President, equally been shed of a number of

President's retinue of staff, and one is tempted to ask

such appointees", a State House statement by

what the VP is doing with much number of aides

Buhari's Senior Special Assistant on Media and

when cost cutting is being canvassed and the regular

Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, said.

Nigerians are eating from hand to mouth, and in most

The gestapo fashion with which the President and

cases, not eating at all.

Presidency have dealt with and been dealing matters

If Buhari is cutting cost as he tries to make Nigerians

relating to the VP's office has called for a thorough

believe, well and good. But his manner of approach

review, the good intentions notwithstanding. While

leaves a lot to the imagination. This is a country

everybody no doubt is crying blue murder, Osinbajo's

highly polarised by ethnic, sectional and religious

camp has however, maintained a dignified calm, in an

coloration, and the president must learn to trade

attempt prove nothing is amiss.

cautiously. It's time he changes his tactics; vendetta or

Recently, the President asked the Vice President to

not, to avoid an uncanny situation from yet unknown

seek approvals for agencies under his supervision,

corner.

and moved the National Social Investment Programme from the Office of the Vice President to a

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EDITORIAL TEAM PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dele Momodu momodudele@yahoo.co.uk ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Mobolaji Momodu EDITOR Michael Effiong mikeffiong2009@yahoo.com mikeffiong@ovationinternational.com ASST. EDITOR Eric Elezuo PHOTO EDITOR Adekoya Adegbite PRODUCTION MANAGER/ART DIRECTOR Isaac Edoh-Philip GRAPHICS DESIGNER Ajibade Morakinyo 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/MANAGER Kwaku Yeboah Darteh MARKETING/ADVERTS Zed Dominic Okolue (Benin Republic) US CORRESPONDENTS Samantha Ofole Prince...Shola Orolugbagbe CONTRIBUTORS Jimi Akinniyi...Sanya Ojikutu...Isatou N’jie Dayo Olomu...Makeba Boateng LAGOS OFFICE Babatunde Martins - Head Admin Aderemi Abiola - Admin. Officer UK OPERATIONS 7, Du Maurier House, Lawn Road, London Nw3 2XE Tel: +447951026178, +447956967160 UK DISTRIBUTION/WORLDWIDE SUBSCRIPTION Jay Magazine & Newspaper Distribution, UK +44(20) 76358888, +447976628251 UK AND EUROPE DISTRIBUTION Quality Magazine Distribution Global Distribution MANAGING EDITOR BENIN REPUBLIC BUREAU Jeanne-Frances Maduakor Centre Commercial Xanadu-Ancien Pont, Wlacodiji Contonou Tel: +229 97221918, +229 98155422 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Ike Okonta...Sunmi Smart-Cole...Okagbue Aduba Osasu Obayiuwana...Dupe Ashama Isha Tejan-Cole (West Africa)...Richie Dayo Johnson GHANA OPERATIONS 17, Asafoatse Afua Street, West Airport.

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TOGO BUREAU King Nee +2289160855 Chinyere Ndukwe +22890039631 DIRECTORS Segun Fatoye, Mobolaji Momodu, Damola Aderemi, Dele Momodu (CEO)

Economic Advisory Council.

As if that wasn't enough, last week, Buhari traveled to the United Kingdom on a 10-working days private

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