30/ NEWS
21.10.2016
Baring It All at Strugz
Baptist Cleric Bags Doctorate Award
Mary Ekah It was all white and bare foot event at Strugz, themed, ‘Letting Go of Your Inhibition in: Entrepreneurship, Relationship and Career’ aimed at creating a platform that enables individuals let go of their inhibitions in the areas of business, entrepreneurship, relationship and marriage where guest speakers shared their experiences and daily habits that hinder and restrict self growth. The Strugz event, organised by Amaka Orakwe and held at The Garden, an exclusive open-door relaxation spot in Lekki Lagos, was actually a perfect opportunity to network in a relaxed and fun filled setting. The tranquil ambiance of the garden bordering the Lagos Lagoon provided the right venue for the event organised by Strugz.com. The event had experts who drilled the guests on how to really let go on any inhibition they may have had in the past across all spheres. However, the intrigues of the event were the all-white dressing and bare foot by the guests. The unique outing and, especially the non-resistance by the guests at the request by the female ushers to remove their shoes marveled all, some onlookers and residents where The Garden is situated. Yet, after a seeming shoe removal ritual,
Host, Amaka Orakwe (middle) with guests at the Strugz all white event
the guests proceeded to the well-laid mat on the green grass; some sitting, some squatting and others in leisure positions they fancy. But the fact is that they all paid full attention, participated in the interactive and audience-friendly event, while the organisers marvel at the high level of compliance to the ‘rules of engagement’ of the event. While sitting leisurely and listening, clapping, cheering or contributing to the several discussions at the event, the guests were effortlessly relishing on small chops and food courtesy of Savory Delight, while the fresh sea breeze from the Lagoon kept
caressing their bodies, relaxing and further indulging them on a roller coaster postIndependence Day outing. Amid all these, the guests were, especially empowered through various coaching, business and entrepreneurial insights, work, relationship and life experiences of two wonderful guest speakers. The first to mentor the guests was Victor Okigbo, a coach/mentor. But you can hardly distinguish Victor, who also bared his feet and decked on all-white attire, from the crowd save for the fact that he had the microphone and all eyes glued on his direction.
Lagos State Engages Sabo Market Traders in Ikorodu The Lagos State government innovative interactive market activation otherwise known as Ibile aimed at strengthening its relationship with the Lagos market community has berthed in Sabo Market in Ikorodu. Sabo Market in Ikorodu activation last week became the first in the pilot, which will also include Aiyetoro Market, Epe; Sura Market; Lagos Island, Oke-Odo; Alimosho and Alaba International/Rago markets. The event attracted hundreds of traders in Ikorodu where several issues bordering on street trading and hawking, market sanitation, market security and payment of taxes were discussed. Addressing the traders, the Special Adviser to the governor on Community and Communication, Kehinde Bamigbetan, said the event is about bringing Lagos State government closer to the Lagos traders. “It is a form of interaction between Lagos state government and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode educating them about the works and achievement of Lagos state in this past one year in office,” he said. According to him, “the governor is trying to establish a relationship with the traders via this platform. The impact at the end of the day is that these people
L-r: Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Communities and Communications, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan; Iyaloja General of Ikorodu Division, Alhaja Taofikat Abiodun Allison; Market Woman, Faidat Adejoke, and National Coordinator, Traders’ Rights Protection Initiative, Comrade Christopher Okpala at the flag off of Lagos State Market Activation
will go back home to their wives, friends and relatives and spread this wonderful experience and information they’ve got from here, so that our target to use the market as a point of celebration would have been achieved.” Bamigbetan added, “We are also using this medium to educate the market men and women about things they should not
be doing in the Lagos market.” One of it according to him is to always keep the market clean, and that peoples should not be sleeping in the market. “Another one is the use of electrical appliances in the market; they should make sure they switch everything off before leaving the market, because a lot of market get burnt because of this simple negligence.”
Muoka Takes Prayers To Aso Villa The General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, last week led other senior leaders of the church to the office of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Aso Villa, Abuja, for prayers. Muoka who was accompanied by his wife, Joy Muoka, the chairman of the church council Pastor Sam Obijiaku, spokesman of the church and head of press Pastor Louis Chidi, the pastor in-charge of FCT Pastor Raphael Oloyede among other pastors said that they visited the Vice President who is a co-worker in the Vineyard of the Lord to passionately appeal to the leadership of the country to lookup to God for solution to the current economic, political and social problems that are threatening the coexistence of the citizens. The cleric pointed out that God is the creator of all things and only He can change situation. “Therefore, we must see our help in God and not in man.” He said that the solution to our problem does not lie in the accusation and counter accusation ongoing among the elites but in the hand of God Almighty who created and allowed the amalgamation of this country called Nigeria.
(l-r) G O of The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries Pastor Lazarus Muoka, Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria Prof. Yemi Osibanjo and Joy Muoka 1
Speaking further, the man of God known for holiness preaching used the occasion to announce his plan to hold an international crusade at the Abuja National Stadium with the theme: ‘God Has Sworn To Bless You’ scheduled on October 22 and 23. He said the crusade offers all Nigerians the opportunity to come together and pray on the blessings of God upon the country. He said that he has watched keenly the
precarious economic and political situation as it unfolds in recent days, and has come to the conclusion that this time demands from real Christian’s fervent intercessory prayers for the country and her leaders. According to him, prayers open closed doors and heal human, political and economic sicknesses. “And through prayers, we can bring the enemy of this country unto subjection and under our control.”
Rev. Akanbi
Peter Uzoho The Pastor in-charge of Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Igando, Alimosho, Lagos, a member of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Reverend John Oladapo Akanbi has received an award for Doctor of Ministry (D. MIN.) The award conferred on the cleric recently by the United Church of Africa Theological College (UMCTAC), Ilorin, Kwara State, an affiliate of the University of Ibadan, is another milestone in his life, which he said would add value to his apostolic work. Speaking on the sideline of his thanksgiving service, Akanbi noted that the journey to his recent award began in January, 2014, about 12 years after completing his Master’s Degree programme, adding that the journey had not been easy as he did the programme in a time when the country was experiencing serious economic hardship, saying his family and church members fully supported him spiritually, morally and financially, during such a challenging time. The cleric who described God as his ‘ultimate support’ noted that serving God was worthwhile. “It wasn’t easy because the age is there, the economic situation of the country, coupled with the activities of the church, but finally I’m happy because I’ve received my Doctor of Ministry, and I’ve achieved my aim which was to reach the peak of my profession. “I’m happy that my God has been answering my prayers. At school, it was not easy financially and academically, but whenever I called upon God he would answer me. He has been my ultimate support, and this gives me the confidence that whosoever that calls upon God and asks him anything in faith he will answer.”
US to Showcase American Contemporary Films at Eko Film Festival Alex Enumah in Abuja As part of activities aimed at strengthening cultural ties with Nigeria, the United States Consulate General Lagos, in partnership with the Eko International Film Festival, will showcase contemporary American films highlighting secrets behind the many successes of American producers at the 7th edition of the Annual Eko International Film Festival in Lagos. The Showcase which is being slated for October 21 and October 24, present documentaries by independent filmmakers that uncovers powerful stories of American youth overcoming social, cultural, business and inner growth challenges. US Consulate General, Lagos, Public Affairs Officer, Darcy Zotter in a statement said, “The American Film Showcase is a rare opportunity for all Nigerian film enthusiasts to watch great documentary films by independent American producers and directors, and hear from Nigerian and American film industry experts.” Zotter noted that the films insightfully portray diverse cultures in America, adding that, “They connect to common challenges for youth who yearn to achieve great things in the United States and Nigeria.” During the programme, the participants will share their experiences and expertise while leading Nollywood artists, Nigerian academics, and students will discuss approaches to addressing common challenges specific to the filmmaking industry in Nigeria. According to the statement, the films scheduled are: Keepers of the Game by Judd Ehrlich, CodeGirl by Leslie Chilcott, Generation Startup and I’m Not Racist…Am I? They films which would be screened across cinemas in Lagos also features virtual dialogues with the American filmmakers. The American Film Showcase is the U.S. Department of State’s premier film diplomacy programme, connecting foreign audiences to film screenings and workshops with American filmmakers.