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Ëž MAY 20, 2018
Overscenes
with LEKAN FATODU 08060140882
‌Happenings Around the Diaspora
UK Court Sentences Two Nigerian Students Who Attacked Friend over Whose Father is Richest Lekan Fatodu
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all it absurdity of the highest order, and you won’t be out of order. There’s actually no need searching for a better word to describe the stupid acts of two Nigerian students, from a country where millions of their mates live in despondence in terms of access to quality education, who attacked a friend for bragging that his father was the richest. Elvis Ilonze, an engineering student at the University of Sussex and Daniel Oluyemi, an accounting student from the same university, were handed a one-year prison sentence each by a UK court after both offenders admitted to two counts of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. Trouble began when a childhood friend of Ilonze named Prince Nnaji bragged that his father was richer than Ilonze’s father, a remark which Ilonze deemed untrue and insulting to his well-heeled father and family. So to correct the supposed insult and disrespect, Ilonze, along with Oluyemi, chased Nnaji down the street and battered him with a shisha pipe and
Oluyemi
Ilonze
a bottle of wine. It’s not surprising that this matter has generated serious debate particularly amongst Nigerians living in diaspora with many saying that the shameful acts of the two students over such a frivolous argument is an indication of how low moral has sunk in Nigeria with young people copying and fighting over irrelevancies as shown by many leaders in Nigeria. Though some reports have suggested that the reckless youngsters are children of top Nigerian politicians, no recognisable name in the country’s political sphere has come out to speak on their conducts. In handing down the judgement, Judge Christine Laing QC said, “Unlike many of the people who pass through the courts, you both come from, effectively, backgrounds of privilege. “It couldn’t be more childish, effectively an insult on somebody’s parents – who’s got the richer dad – that started this fight. You both appear to be incredibly immature, perhaps as a result of being cosseted in your upbringing.� The two students are also said to face possibility of deportation and criminal records to boot, obviously a tortuous journey to learn and imbibe good behaviour.
Girl Power ! 22-Year-Old British-NigerianWomen Emerge Youngest Councillors in the UK
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t’s gratifying to see that despite the misconduct of some Nigerians abroad, many are still striving to represent the country well through their endeavours. Amongst those who are making this tremendous impact and upholding the glory of Nigeria overseas are two young British-Nigerian women, Elizabeth Bright and Ramota Tele Lawal, both 22 years old. Bright, a student, was elected councillor to represent Eastbrook ward in Dagenham, during the UK’s local council election held early May. Similarly, Lawal, was elected to represent the London Borough of Havering Council, representing residents in Heaton Ward, Harold Hill. Fascinatingly, by winning the elections as councillor in their respective boroughs, the two women have set records as the youngest councillors to emerge in the country. Little wonder that, to many, the BritishNigerians have become the realities of the Girl Power mantra in the UK, a famous term that
Bright
Lawal
seeks to promote the need for empowerment and more opportunities for women, young and old. For Bright, politics is a strong passion that
runs in the family. Her mother, Afolasade Bright, also a UK-based politician, just got re-elected as a councillor in the Borough of Barking and Dagenham. Afolasade is also a
former speaker and civic mayor in London Borough of Hackney. The evidently excited little Bright wrote after her victory at the polls, “Today 4th May 2018, God did it- He turned my setback into a comeback. I WON. “Officially been elected as the youngest Labour Councillor in my Borough, representing the fantastic Eastbrook Ward at the tender age of 22, alongside two amazing people- Mick McCarthy and Tony Ramsay. We have worked so hard in this election, with one of the most target wards, but all the hardwork, commitment and tears have finally paid off. “Would like to say massive thank you to all who have supported Eastbrook in this campaign. From the CLP to the Borough-wide councillors, my amazing MP, Jon Cruddas, who canvassed with me till the last hour, volunteers and friends and, of course, to the most supportive parents, Afolasade Bright and Pastor Gbolahan Bright.�
So Far on Prof Abass’ Overseas Duty in Lagos
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uring his campaign for governorship of Lagos state in 2015, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode promised to create a government entity that will effectively oversee and vigorously unravel potential foreign investments and opportunities for the state to boost revenue and infrastructural development. So upon his successful election and assumption of office in May 2015, the governor announced the creation of the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment fondly called “Lagos Global� to undertake the aforementioned functions amongst other lofty foreign-focused goals. And in choosing a good hand to
manage the new government organ, Ambode went for a proven and tested expert in international affairs and global partnership in the person of Prof. Ademola Abass. Abass is an accomplished scholar and administrator who has proven his worth in a globally renowned body like the United Nations amongst other meritorious engagements. He had his education at the Universities of Lagos, Nottingham and Cambridge, where he obtained a PhD in International Law. Thus, in Abass, Ambode found a fitting round peg for a round hole. And the outcomes of Abass’ service in Lagos state so far have been tremendous. Recently at a diplomatic function
in Lagos, a senior diplomat from a top Western nation spoke glowingly about Lagos’ commitment to extract huge gains through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), especially amongst Nigeria’s vast diaspora population and the state’s dedication to ease of doing business in the state which he alluded to the amazing undertakings of Abass’ office of Overseas Affairs and Investment. Meanwhile, as it’s been said that considerable share of the $22 billion diaspora remittances to Nigeria in 2017 went to Lagos, it’s to be hoped that Abass’ office will deepen its diasporacalling initiatives that will draw more international projects to Lagos.
Prof. Abass