Nigeria forward Stephen Odey has completed a season-long loan transfer to French second division club Amiens SC from Belgian club KRC Genk.
This followed a successful medical at the French club, who have an option to buy the striker after the loan.
Odey, 22, has failed to establish himself at Genk since his move from Swiss side FC Zurich last summer in a deal worth 3.5 million Euros.
Barcelona-based Nigerian Singer, Attih Soul pulled off a stellar performance at the just concluded ‘Road to Yalta’ Russian Music Festival (RMF) in Yalta, Russia.
The Nigerian singer who happened to be the first African to have been selected to perform at such a prestigious festival didn’t disappoint as his unique voice further caught the attention of one of the big names in the Russian music industry, Lev Leshchenko, who was the Chairman of the music jury at the festival.
The great Leshchenko was so impressed that he awarded Attih with an amazing cash prize, an award of excellence, and a Golden Microphone, describing him as the ‘The African With The Golden Voice’.
Attih Soul sang alongside the famous Russian music Icon, Yaroslav Sumishevskiy, and the prestigious Otta Orchestra, his performance was so impressive that speculations are building up that he might just be invited to perform at the next edition of the RMF.
Attih Ekpenyong popularly known as Attih Soul hails from Cross River State and graduated from the University of Calabar with his first degree in Biochemistry. He started his singing in Calabar, after which he moved to Abuja to further pursue his music career. Attih Soul has since performed in places like South Africa, Won the French Music Festival, hosted by the Institut De Francais, and on May 29th, 2017.
Attih was given the honor of writing and performing the theme song of the 2017 Democracy Day, before President Muhammadu Buhari and the entire nation.
Some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State have condemned a series of advocacy for zoning being peddled in some sections of the media in the state, which according to them is a ploy to deny the people of Ekeremor local government area fair representation in the political affairs of the state as the state prepares for the Bayelsa West Senatorial by-election.
The party leaders added that the calls for zoning are a deliberate attempt to foist the immediate past governor of the State, Seriake Dickson on the people thereby concentrating major political offices – Governor, Deputy Governor, and Senator in one local government area denying others opportunity to be represented.
The leaders under the auspices of Bayelsa West APC Leadership Forum made their position known in a communique issued at the weekend in Sagbama Town and signed by Chairman of the group, Nestor Binabo, and Secretary Gad Ombeh.
The Bayelsa West Senatorial seat became vacant following the Supreme Court judgment which nullified the election of David Lyon as Bayelsa governor-elect and declared Senator Duoye Diri as governor. Until his swearing-in as governor, Diri was the Senator representing Bayelsa West at the National Assembly,
As the zone prepares for a by-election in October, the APC leaders said they condemned the increasing calls for zoning because it will shortchange a section of the senatorial district and deny them fair representation in the political affairs of the state.
“The group unequivocally contends that there has never been any form of zoning in Bayelsa West Senatorial District in view of the fact that it is used as a political gimmick to advance the personal political interest,” the statement read.
This, the group said, is underscored by the sinister motives and activities of the same apostles of the idea of zoning in the past. “A case in point where former Governor Seriake Dickson obtained the form for the office of Senate when Salga had even served out two consecutive tenures in 2007,” the APC leaders added.
The group said it believes that the trend and call for zoning is an offshoot of avarice, greed, voraciousness, and deep-seated hatred against the people of Ekeremor local government area on the part of the PDP to have zoned all the elective offices meant for the two LGAs – Governor, Deputy Governor, and Senate to one LGA.
“This has further been exacerbated by the level of insensitivity displayed by some self-seeking politicians who flagrantly abused the golden principles of fairness, equity, and justice as they failed to consider the number of years the people of Sagbama LGA had served in the Senate (14 years) in relation to the people of Ekeremor LGA who had served only eight years in the Senate.”
The leaders said after widespread consultation and robust discussions with major stakeholders and people of the area have decided to provide an acceptable balance that will assuage the ill-feelings of Ekeremor LGA, encourage fairness that will breed a lasting relationship among the people of the senatorial district.
Following the successful outing of his single “Excuse me sir”, fast-rising artiste, Tolulope Oluwaferanmi Oduwole simply known as Wole DSB has teamed up with top Nigerian act, Jaywon on a remix.
‘Excuse me sir’, a song that calls the attention of political leaders and addresses societal needs has been widely accepted even as a result of the current economic crisis faced by the country.
Speaking on the acceptance so far, Wole DSB said: “Huge, very big. The acceptance of the song has even surprised me. I didn’t realize the lyrics were that deep, not until people started messaging me about it. Some fans would send me messages telling how deep the lyrics of the song is, some said the song is spiritual I mean based on the way they feel whenever they play the song”.
On whether the song can bring about the desired change in governance he said: “It might but I was just trying to do something about the situation of things in the country because people are suffering, nothing is working. Even Baba Fela has sung a lot of songs about the same situation until he died many years back, but still, nothing has changed up to this date. I just hope they listen to the song because trust me I don’t think they would want to listen to this type of song, you know what I mean”.
He further revealed why he employed the musical prowess of Jaywon.
“Jaywon is the type of artist that likes to sing lyrical songs, songs with deep lyrics, if you listen to his songs, you will find out that he has contents. And this song “Excuse me sir” needs that type of artiste on it, and he killed it, to be honest”.
“I have always been the type of artist that likes to sing songs that will have an impact on society. Even if I decide to come up with a party song, that aspiration kind of lyrics will still be there, for example, if you listen to my other songs like; Letter to God, True love, the lyrics are there too, can’t take that away from me.
He further revealed that he is currently working on an EP which will be released soon. However, the visuals to ‘Excuse me sir’ is out on YouTube and all musical platforms.
The Governor Abubakar Badaru-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Reconciliation Committee on Thursday night brokered peace among party leadership and stakeholders from Oyo state, with a resolution by all to work together for the good of the party.
The reconciliation panel in a bid to bring genuine reconciliation and establish lasting peace and unity among the stakeholders of the party in the state held a crucial meeting where all attendees agreed to embrace peace and reposition the party to reclaim the state.
This was contained in a statement on Friday in Abuja by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena.
The meeting, it was gathered held at the Plateau State Government lodge on Thursday in Abuja, where all the leaders and stakeholders pledged to work together in ensuring APC become strong and formidable party in Oyo state.
Stakeholders from Oyo state in attendance at the reconciliation meeting include: Former governor of Oyo state, Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala; former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Alake Adeyemo; former Minister of Communication, Barr. AbdulRaheem Adebayo Shittu; Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare; Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle; Senator Ayo Adeseun and Senator Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi.
Others are Senator Olufemi Lanleyin; Senator Teslim Folarin; Senator Fatai Buhari; Chief Akin Oke; Alhaji Olaiya; Hon Bimbo Kolade; Hon. Shina Peller; Hon. Bimbo Kolade; Dr. Yinus Akintunde; Chief Bayo Adelabu; Mr. Joseph Tegbe; Mr. Zacchaeus Adedeji and Hon. Segun Odebunmi.
Also in attendance at the meeting which was presided over by Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa state were other members of the Imo, Ogun and Oyo States Reconciliation Committee, which include Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong; Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi; Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya.
The Chairman of the APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CENCPC) and Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni recently inaugurated the reconciliation committee in line with its mandate to achieve peace building, true reconciliation and to give every member a sense of fairness and belonging.
The hands do the bulk of the work in every cooking process. They arrange all the recipes and deliver them in the cooking pot, but food blogger, Winifred Emmanuel, the founder of Zeelicious Foods, believes the hands have very little role in creating dishes that really excite foodies.
According to Winifred, who has been running the sensational food brand, Zeelicious Foods for about 3 years now, the most important part of cooking is the flavour and this comes from a combination of mind and senses.
“it’s not just the work of your hand, it’s a work of a whole lot of components, your nose has to come to play; of course, your hands do most of the work but it is not your hands that create the flavour or delicacy you are making, it is about your sensitivity; Your mind must come to play, without your hands you can’t do all this too, but your mind and sensitivity are great tools in ensuring a mouth-watering delicacy”, she says.
With the flavours oozing out of her culinary endeavours, Winfred has had to create many followers on YouTube, making her brand, Zeelicious Foods, a renowned partner with YouTube. Narrating her journey with YouTube, she says it started when the company noticed the success she was making with her posts on the video-sharing platform.
“When I discovered YouTube, I felt that was the platform I have been waiting for since TVs are not coming for me because they don’t believe in me. I created a channel on YouTube and created contents that have to do with culinary art. I put out tutorials, and amazingly when I started, the goal I set for myself was to get 5,000 subscribers in the first year, but amazingly, in 6 months, we got 50,000 subscribers and in one year, we were in 100,000; it was amazing; it happened beyond my imagination, and I noticed that as I was growing, I got the attention of the YouTube company.
‘They called me because they just moved into Nigeria at that time, they called me to their events, they saw the success of my channel, as time went on, they started featuring me in their contents, I have been to a couple of countries through YouTube. They gave me an award for reaching 100,000 milestone subscribers. My next target is getting 1million subscribers. I will be there soon”, said Winifred.
Winifred, an Economics graduate from the University of Lagos, who hails from Anambra State took to her passion, cooking when she was posted for the compulsory National Youth Service scheme.
Being a real estate agent in the United States of America demands focus, dedication and hard work, according to Kayla Obloh, otherwise known as Kae Monae.
“As a real estate agent, my foremost offering is home buying services. I am in charge of legal paperwork and documentation. I’m also responsible for the safety of my clients as well as any equipment that may be under my care for whatever reason,” she said.
Kae Monae, 25, who is combining her realtor job with her education (as she is presently an undergraduate at the University of Maryland) and her duties as a wife and mother, explained that her job is not a burden but a passion for her.
“I have been an estate agent for five years now and I enjoy my job. I sincerely feel that owning a home is a substantial part of the American dream, so I am, always happy each time I am able to assist people to reach their dreams,” she said.
Still, on her drive as an estate agent, she further explained: “I also derive motivation from my husband’s experience; being of Nigerian descent, he has his fair share of challenges when he was trying to own his own home in America for many years. Remembering is experience fuels my passion to help as many individuals and families as possible to secure homes.”
While she is resident in Maryland, Kae Monae works across the United States because “over the years, Homestart Realty covers more regions and connects to a much larger real estate network,” she said. “What that means is that I have been working locally and nationally.”
On her practice as a realtor in Maryland, she said: “My current location is one of the most influential districts in the world. The possibilities for growth in my profession here is almost unparalleled. I truly believe that if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.”
An ex-aide to Late Governor Olusegun Agagu, Pastor Ola Amuda has commended the electioneering strategies, for the re-election of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in Ondo State.
Speaking to journalists recently at Oke Agbe: the Headquarters of the Akoko North West Local Government, he noted that the re-election bid of Aketi has started gathering momentum.
He said that “It is quite interesting that within seven days of launching his campaign, Governor Akeredolu’s image or acceptance has been on the rise compared to the statuses of Candidates of other Political Parties. And I am quite impressed by the peaceful atmosphere and joy present at the rally here today like in other places he had visited”
Pastor Ola Amuda, a former governorship candidate in the 2016 election and an indigene of Ogbagi Akoko joined ranks with other political leaders in the Local Government to welcome Governor Akeredolu to Oke Agbe.
He said that with the decamping of other major political actors in the Local Government to APC on that day he was sure Aketi would have at least 70% of the total votes coming from the Local Government.
Ola Amuda also used the occasion to commend Arakunrin Akeredolu for easing the restrictions hitherto placed on religious worship in the State, which has now allowed for mid-week Services.
He finally enjoined all to continue to pray for the good health of the Governor and peaceful conduct of the 2020 Governorship Election in Ondo
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has described as insensitive the arrest of some Nigerians protesting the recent hike in the price of petrol and electricity tariffs.
CNPP General Secretary, Chief Willy Ezugwu, in a statement on Thursday advised President Muhammadu Buhari to “allow citizens to freely express their displeasure over government policies.
“That is the only way the government can understand the pains the masses have been bearing all these 5 years with the hope that their lives would be better but have gotten worse.
“How on earth will you send armed policemen to forcefully dispersed protesting members of the public, who are already in agony over COVID-19 lockdown induced economic hardships?
“Even though there has been unprecedented hunger in the land since the last five years as a result of complicated Nigeria’s economic woes, the lack of adequate COVID-19 palliatives for citizens was painful enough but now arresting these suffering masses who are merely telling the government that their pain is getting too much is insensitivity taken too far.
“The overzealousness of the security agencies could not allow them to distinguish between journalists carrying out their constitutional assignments from the protesting citizens exercising their legitimate rights.
“It is only a draconian government, which is desperate to hide its regime atrocities that can go this low.”
He added: “While governments across the globe are providing palliatives for citizens, businesses and many sectors of their economy to cushion the hardship occasioned by the COVID-19 lockdown, the Nigerian government which claims to have spent over N30 billion in less than three months to fight COVID-19 is increasing fuel price and electricity tariffs simultaneously.
“No sensitive government does that. And to take the insensitivity to the highest new level, the government is arresting citizens for voicing out against the increment in fuel price and electricity tariff.”
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged to give cars to 20 deserving teachers across the six Education Districts of the State.
Speaking during a virtual training of teachers tagged Eko Educators Webinar Performance Series 3.3, he said teachers were change agents who will be remembered for shaping future generation of leaders.
On the importance of technology, Sanwo-Olu counseled teachers to embrace technology to upgrade their delivery.
“This is the era of technology and it is working well for us. Technology has become a very strong tool that we cannot do away with in our everyday lives. With technology, we can think locally and act globally,” he said.
He added great teachers are always remembered for the lives they shape, deriving satisfaction in their students becoming role models to be proud of.
Also, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, emphasised that most critical to the success of any school system is the quality of teaching and learning which is exhibited in the quality of teachers with a multiplier effect on our children.
Adefisayo appreciated Lagos State teachers for their continual self development in addition to the government efforts in their development.
She commended TESCOM board for the idea of the Virtual training, which she said was doing well for the progress of the Education Sector and Lagos State at large.
She noted that as the pandemic was winding up, teachers are expected as locus paretic to put in their best in bringing up the children who might have gone through different degree of trauma during the pandemic.
The Chairman, Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Elizabeth Olabisi Ariyo, while welcoming Governor Babajide Sanwo -olu during the Webinar series, said that the Webinar was a conscious effort of the Commission in improving teaching styles, optimize the teaching profession, turn around the life of our children, and ultimately, impact on our future.
She noted that the Webinar has initiated Post Primary School Teachers in Lagos State to be prepared and proactive in teaching and learning to meet the challenges of the ‘new normal’.
“The platform portends to address teachers’ wellness and wellbeing, update them with trending facts to update their teaching skill, and has had notable distinguished personalities of interest in the public service and society at large to discuss issues”.
She appreciated the magnanimity of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu for approval of the Teachers’ Exit Replacement programme with over 1,000 new appointees , the Retrospective Course approval for over 700 Teachers which had lingered since 2013, Digital training of all Post-Primary Schools Teachers on Microsoft Teams platform, varying Digital Virtual trainings exposing our Teachers to be digital complaint, various Capacity enhancement of Teachers in Lagos State and a host of others which has up scaled and enhanced proper integration of TESCOM in the “new normal”
While appreciating the Governor for his visionary leadership and role model, the Chairman urged teachers and other participants to be attentive and ensure active participation in the course of the session.
The Permanent Secretary, TESCOM, Mrs. Toyin Awoseyi, while applauding the presence of Sanwo-Olu on the webinar, affirmed this was an attestation to the priority placed on Teachers and the Education Sector and opined that to whom much is given, much is expected.
The facilitator, Mr. Fela Durotoye, CEO, Gemstone Group, delved extensively on the topic “The making of a great teacher in the Centre of Excellence”, emphasising the importance of striving to become ‘’great teachers’’.
“As important as teachers are, teachers cannot be remembered, but great teachers cannot be forgotten”, he added.