The Nation Newspaper

Tag: book

  • Book to mark Utomi at 60 for launch

    Book to mark Utomi at 60 for launch

    A compendium of readings in honour of the erudite scholar and entrepreneur, Prof. Pat Utomi, titled: Nigeria’s Political Economy and Courtship with Poverty, is to be unveiled tomorrow as part of activities marking Utomi’s 60th birthday.

    The book gives great insight of Utomi, a reformer, political economist, management lecturer, industrialist and entrepreneur, who has waged relentless and sustained intellectual assault on poverty, poor governance and their attendant ills, such as deprivation and disintegration of social values and cohesion in Nigeria.

    Utomi, who hails from Ibusa, Delta State, is a professor of political economy and a management expert, whose aspiration is to positively impact humanity.

  • CBN’s new rule book

    CBN’s new rule book

    •What matters most is not the rule, but its enforcement

    Last week, the media reported a set of fresh-mint regulations being proposed by the apex bank to protect bank customers from exploitation by banks. The draft regulations, said to be currently under consideration by the stakeholders, is as detailed and comprehensive as it could be –a rule book– a rather ambitious attempt to re-order and or erect a new operational and ethical foundation for the industry.

    Among many, it starts with the broad goal for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) – which is to “ensure that operators (banks) establish structures to prohibit predatory lending and hence support a positive credit culture in the industry”; for financial operators, it spells out its role in “credit counselling to prevent consumers’ indebtedness due to limited financial knowledge” as well as disseminate information on the existence of the services while also encouraging them to take advantage of them. It also wants lenders to “provide detailed information on the terms and conditions of a loan agreement to consumers prior to executing the loan agreement”. This must include the “pricing, repayment schedule, repayment amount, tenure and opt out options”.

    On the thorny issue of loan recovery, whereas the CBN is to set guidelines for ethical debt collection practices in the industry based on “dialogue, respect for the consumers’ privacy and longevity of consumer-operator relationships amongst others”, actual debt recovery processes, the rule prescribes, must be courteous, fair and non-coercive. Moreover, personnel assigned to recover debts are expected to be properly trained while consumers shall be informed in advance before a recovery process is initiated.

    In case of contract variations, operators are expected to give prior notice to consumers within the time specified in contracts, before implementing variations in terms and conditions of contracts. Contractual language, it proposes, must be “precise, clear and unambiguous”. “Information”, in all cases, “must be communicated in plain and simple language to limit the possibility of misinterpretation. Contract documents must be in legible font size. Where technical terms are used, the financial operator shall take due care to ensure that such technical terms are clearly explained to the understanding of the consumer to avoid the occurrence of confusion or miscommunication”.

    To generate increased business volumes or attract new customers, financial operators are mandated to “provide factual information and shall not seek to mislead consumers. Financial operators shall also not take advantage of consumers’ inexperience, gullibility or lack of understanding”.

    These are just a few of the many provisions of the new rules.

    We observe primarily that the rules are not necessarily novel or even different, at least in any fundamental sense, from the well-known conventions that have evolved over the course of the years and which have come to govern the operations in the financial services industry globally. That our practitioners have been carrying on in the absence of a codified body of guiding rules for financial service providers; the very idea that such important rules are only being set out in the form that is being proposed by the apex bank given the state of development in the industry is not only incongruous but unsettling. Indeed, it may well serve to explain a number of the puzzles that have hobbled the industry, factors that have rendered the goal of financial inclusion for majority a non-starter. Need we further ask why consumers of financial products are constantly treated to the short end of the stick; or question the arbitrariness that has characterised relations between service provider and the consumer, not to talk of the brazen criminality that some of these factors have given rise to?

    We must however say that rules are important only to the extent that they are kept. The challenge really is getting the operators to obey them. In other words, the true test of the effectiveness of the rules would come later when practitioners are seen to abide by them. At the moment, we can only say of the proposed regulations: better late than never.

  • Book on appellate court judgments for presentation

    A book: Hon. Justice J.A. Fabiyi: Landmark judgments (being selected leading decisions of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal) will be presented on November 26 at the Court of Appeal Ceremonial Courtroom, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.

    Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mahmud Mohammed will chair the event, while Dr Arthur Eze will be the chief presenter. Katsina State governor Bello Masari will be a guest of honour.

     

     

  • My new book will “draw blood”, says Soyinka

    My new book will “draw blood”, says Soyinka

    Playwright and Essayist, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Saturday disclosed that he wants to “draw blood” with his latest book, InterInventions.

    Soyinka said it is his own tool of “vengeance” against “unprovoked assault of public lies,” many of which were directed against him.

    The Nobel Laureate who disclosed this in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, in his remark at the formal inauguration of The Wole Soyinka Foundation, a retreat haven for writers, described InterInventions as “the nastiest book” he has ever written.

    The 130  – page literary work  – InterInventions, Between Defective Memory and Public Lie, A Personal Odyssey in The Republic of Liars, was presented to the public at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, by the Edo state governor, Adams Oshiohmole.

    Soyinka said the book is “so truthful that it hurts” and recommended it to people who “feel vengeful” towards purveyors of public lies because of its expected therapeutic value.

    “(InterInventions), it is the nastiest book I have ever written. It is so truthful that it hurts… it is my vengeance against public lies. It is not one of the butterfly books, no, it is not a butterfly book.

    “I want to draw blood (with it). I’m warning all of you, if you feel vengeful, read this book and you will be alright. It is like homeopathic medicine,” Soyinka said.

    He noted that public lies have become an industry of sort, multiplying itself and is even being made worse by the internet age technology that is now facilitating the predisposition for lies.

    In page seven of the book, he decried public lies – “lies of staggering impudence, especially considering the fact that, in most cases, both victims and their traducers are still living.”

    According to him, there is the need for a “ritual of  public purgation where both sides – such victims of lies and the traducers, are brought together before the public tribunal for the world to know the truth.

    In the book, Soyinka also gave insight into lies, allegedly, told him by some individuals, past nation leaders including former Governor Gbenga Daniel, stating in first paragraph of page 82 that “it was a great fun(for him, Soyinka) to watch him(Daniel) lie his head off.”

    He revealed why he was able to keep his sanity as a creative writer in midst of “unprovoked assault” of public lies, saying he “would have gone insane” if he had not found a serene place to hide himself while doing his creative work.

    In his remark, Oshiohmole described Soyinka as a great and relentless fighter, saying the nation needs social warriors who speak the truth without giving a hoot to whose ox is gored.

    The Governor who attended the event in the company of his wife, added that The Wole Soyinka Foundation is a worthy cause that should be identified with by Nigerians.

    In attendance at the Foundation inauguration were Govetnor Ibikunle Amosun represented by the Secretary to the state government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, ex – governors Rotimi Amaechi, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Donald Duke, Mr Odia Ofeimun, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo among others.

     

  • Breaking barriers through the power in his book!

    The Bible is God’s most authentic dream Book for man waiting to be discovered. We also understand that the Bible is full of dream seeds. Remember, from the “parable of the sower” in scriptures, the seed is the Word of God. If the Word of God is a carrier of God’s plan and purpose for our lives and God’s Words are seeds, then the Bible contains God’s dream seeds for our lives (Luke 8:11; Isaiah 29:11-12).

    However, just like the natural seed does not bear fruits except it is cultivated, our dream seeds wouldn’t become realities until they are cultivated. For instance, if you have a bottle filled with mustard seeds and you do not plant, cultivate or nurture it, it will become a waste because it cannot grow. Likewise, every dream seed from the Word remains eternally valid when cultivated. This is because every purpose contained in the Word, is sealed with an oath of affirmation from God. As it is written: The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand. (Isaiah 14:24, Matthew 24:35; 1 Kings 8:15, 56; Joshua 21:45; Isaiah 55:10-11).

    This means that the dream seeds from the Bible are real, but they wouldn’t bring forth proofs until we take responsibility for their actualization. Moreover, accessing God’s plan is one thing, nurturing it is another. Therefore, until God’s dream seeds for our lives are cultivated and nurtured, the proofs will remain a day dream.

    But, What is a Covenant Dream?

    A covenant dream is not a desire, but a discovery of one’s future, gleaned from scriptures. It is not an ambition, but a vision borne out of a revelation from scriptures. Also, it is not a goal that we set, but a future we discover as gleaned from scriptures. Furthermore, it is not just a mental picture of the future, but a picture of the future gleaned from the scriptures.

    For instance, God speaking to Abraham the dreamer, said: …Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever (Genesis 13:14-15).

    We must understand that every Word-borne dream engenders a glorious future and usually provokes dramatic transformation. This is because no one ever arrives at a glorious future he cannot see. God asked Jeremiah, “What seest thou?” Jeremiah said, “I see a rod of an almond tree,” and God replied: “Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten My Word to perform it.” This means that what we cannot see, we cannot dare and what we cannot dare, God cannot deliver. Therefore, all we can see from the Bible, as it pertains to us, is all we can get (2 Corinthians 3:18, Jeremiah 1:11-12; 1 Samuel 17:37-57).

    What are the Proofs of Authentic Dreams?

    • Every authentic dream confers Joy Unspeakable: When we encounter God’s dream for our lives, it stimulates joy unspeakable (Hebrew 12:1-2; Genesis 39: 1-5, 21).
    • It confers Peace: Every of God’s plan is accompanied by divine peace (Psalm 85: 8).
    • Tireless pursuit: Every authentic dream injects us with grace for tireless pursuit (Philippians 3:12-14; 1Corinthians 9:16-17; 2Timothy 4:6-7; Genesis 40:14)
    • Unstoppable declaration: We can see it and not declare it, the prevailing circumstances notwithstanding (Genesis 37:1-19; Acts 4:20).
    • Sustainable focus (Genesis 39:9; Genesis 42:18; Acts 20:24; Romans 8:35-38; 1Corinthians 15:58).
    • Every authentic dream is highly protected by the dreamer (Philippians 1:21; Philippians 3:7-14).

    Having established that God’s plan for our lives is in the Bible, we must understand that the Bible is sealed and only accessible to the redeemed; for unto the redeemed it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. But to unbelievers, no matter how learned they are; they cannot access it. Also, we must understand from scripture that it’s one thing to be saved; it’s another thing to be committed to discovering and pursuing God’s plan and purpose for our lives, from His Book (Isaiah 29:11-12).

    It is also important for us to note that every picture that we discover and believe of ourselves from the dream Book called the Bible is deliverable, realizable, and actualizable, if we meet all the requirements stated therein (Isaiah 14:24; Malachi 4:2; Acts 20:32; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Joshua 1:8).

    What, then, are our pictures from the dream Book?

    Every child of God is a child of destiny: Redemption guarantees us a glorious destiny. Therefore, shame and reproach is not part of God’s plan and purpose for our lives (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:5; 2 Peter 1:3).

    Every child of God is ordained the salt of the earth and the light of the world: Salt is an essential commodity of universal and global relevance. Therefore, we are redeemed sorted after and ordained to be positive influences in terms of preservation, restoration and taste. As lights of the world, we are also ordained to lead and be the envy of our world (Matthew 5:13-14).

    Are you born again? If you are not, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: The Blood Triumph, Miracle Meal and The Force Of Freedom.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. respectively.

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • Fayose, others hail cleric at book launch

    Fayose, others hail cleric at book launch

    Encomiums came the way of Reverend Kunle Salami, the Senior Pastor of Chapel of His Glory with headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital as he launched three books.

    The three books he unveiled were How to Become Wiser, Effective Leadership and How to Manifest Greatness.

    Reverend Salami, former chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), had written 10 books before the launch of the three current ones.

    Governor Ayo Fayose described Salami as a “man of integrity, humility and a mentor in all ramifications.”

    The governor, who was represented by the Government House Chaplain who also doubles as Special Adviser on Religious Matters to the Governor, Pastor Seyi Olusola, also described Salami as “an exceptional minister of the New Testament.”

    “Reverend Salami is always available anytime we need his assistance and we pray to God to continue to strengthen him, empower him, energise him, influence him and organise him,” he said.

    Other dignitaries who attended the book launch were the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe represented by the Odole of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Bayo Ogunmodimu; wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Janet Olusola; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Prof. Ibiyinka Ogunlade; General Secretary of the state chapter of the PFN, Reverend Tunde Afe and other Christian ministers.

    Oba Adejugbe described Reverend Salami as a man of substance whose impact has been felt within and outside Ekiti State.

    The guest minister, Reverend Sunday Akingbelure, told the congregation that he had known the author since 1982 when they met at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.

    He described the author as a diligent man of God who has served in the Lord’s vineyard with enthusiasm. He urged the younger generation to look up to him as a role model.

    Akingbelure urged the congregation to avail themselves of the opportunity the books offered to develop themselves spiritually and help their destiny to fulfil God’s plan in their lives.

    The book reviewer, Prof. Bayo Oloyede, who is the Senior Pastor of the Restoration Prayer Ministries, gave glory to God for what he has done in the life and ministry of Reverend Salami.

    He narrated how he also came in contact with the author at OAU, Ile-Ife, describing him (Salami) as a “dynamic teacher who is passionate about the Word of God and dedicated to building lives”.

    Oloyede said Salami excelled in various leadership positions he occupied, including the chairmanship of PFN.

    “Dr. Salami is a team leader, and, under his teaching and prophetic pronouncements, he has imparted greatness to his generation. He is a helper, encourager, a lifter and an apostle of our time.

    “He is worth listening to and his books are worth reading. This presentation is worth celebrating,” Oloyede stated.

    The first book, How to Become Wiser has 133 pages and 14 chapters while the second book, Effective Leadership comprises 161 pages divided into 26 chapters. The last one, How to Manifest Greatness has 141 pages and has 12 chapters.

    Salami said he was inspired to write the books because of demand from places he had been privileged to minister at home and abroad.

    He said he had been involved in leadership training since 1994, saying there was need to document the ministrations so that posterity would have opportunity of being blessed by them.

    The ex-PFN boss said he got the draft of his first book when he was the Bible Study Secretary of Evangelical Christian Union in Ado-Ekiti and didn’t publish it until 10 years after.

    He also said the books were parts of his contributions toward adding value to the lives of the readers and to make them fulfil their God-given destiny.

  • Ajimobi, Afe Babalola for book launch

    A book “Imaging the Nigeria Police: A Public Perception” written in honour of an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Sybil Olufunmilayo Akinfenwa, will be presented tomorrow.

    The event, which will take place at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, will be chaired by Aare Afe Babalola. Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase is the chief host.

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi is the special guest of honour.

    Chief Kola Daisi and Alhaja Sarat Adeola Adesina are father and mother of the day.

    Chief Adejare Adegoke is the Chief Launcher while Prof. Oyesoji Aremu of the Guardian and Counselling Department will review the book.

  • Breaking the Guinness World Book of Records

    Breaking the Guinness World Book of Records

    Nigerian Breweries and Guinness are, indisputably, rivals. With the recent unveiling of the world’s largest poster, Nigerian Breweries has tactically entered its rival’s book of world record, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    The Nigerian Breweries (NB) has a way of upsetting its competitor, Guinness, which always wants to play by the rules when driving its marketing efforts for market share. Ruthless and offensive, the NB will not care when thinking of the ways to edge out competitors in order to have a good posting and make shareholders smile at the end of financial year.

    Last week, the brand handlers did the unthinkable. About 80 journalists were ferried to Enugu. They were oblivious of the purpose of the trip and tricks of the NB this time around. As the event kicked off last Monday, it dawned on them that they have been brought to participate in what appeared to come  for a game: Guilder Ultimate search, where the ultimate winner was expected to win an ultimate prize: a Hyundai car. The event was meant to kick off the National Consumer Promotion, with 123 journalists invited from all over Nigeria as participants.

    But more important to NB was not just having a winner to go back with the ultimate prize and consolation prizes, but the unveiling of the world largest advertisement poster measuring 5,367 square metres, which, perhaps, was meant to make a headline: NB Guilder’s world largest breaks Guinness Book of Records.

    Prior to the competition among journalists, Nigerian Breweries set the world record to unveil the world largest advertisement poster. The epoch-making poster measuring 5,367 square metres unveiled at the Michael Okpara Square in Enugu State broke the record for the largest poster measuring 4,793.65 square metres, which was displayed in India last June 27.

    The size of the poster was attested to by a chartered quantity surveyor, Mr. Nath Agu, while a lawyer, Mr  Onyekwuluje Ogochukwu, legally affirmed the measurement.

    The Gulder poster was to kick-start the 2015 edition of the Gulder National Consumer Promotion. The new poster is said to be another way to showcase the commitment of Nigerian Breweries to win with Nigerians and is said to be larger than the Baahubali poster, which is rated by the Guinness Book of record as the largest poster in world with a size of 4,793.65 meter square in India.

    In order to attract attention of a large number of people and quickly deliver the intended message, the poster was creatively and colourfully crafted with the Gulder drink.

    Speaking during the event  at Eagle Square, Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the governor,  represented by Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Sam Ogbu Nwododo, said the event was a remarkable investment in advertisement, adding that the Ministry in Enugu will continue to support business activities in the state.

    According to him, “Rockefeller Foundation added Enugu as one of the hundred most resilient cities in the world and the unveiling today adds to that as Enugu hosts the first largest advert poster in the world.”

    The Commissioner also explained that the award opened up the state and showcased what has been the fruit of long toil in the state, adding that current administration is working hard to ensure the state becomes the first destination for tourists and investors all over the world.

    The Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries, Nicholas Vervelde,  said the event came with a promotion where four million prizes would be won, adding that this is another way to showcase Nigerian Breweries’ commitment to winning with Nigeria through its brands, investment, footprints and social economic impact.

    Vervelde noted that Enugu being the choice of state for the launch was strategic as the foundation of the city has been laid by people, who used their strength and power to build the city and Gulder has these same characteristics.

  • Health insurance book for launch

    A chartered Insurer Bimbo Banjoko has written a book ‘Health Insurance Made Easy’    to fill the knowledge gaps in the practice of health insurance.

    It is a 166-page book written to remove abuses and arbitrariness in bills and medical charges by providers who already provide care on a retainership basis to employers and employees.

    Banjoko, Managing Director of Expatcare Health Limited, a HMO, explained that his interest in clearing all the grey areas, led him to a private research in 1990 and the subsequent practice of health insurance o in 1997 when he co-pioneered Clearline Int. Ltd.

    Banjoko studied for the Associateship of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London (ACII) at Glasgow Caledonian University (former Glasgow College of Technology), Scotland. He is also an associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria.

    He served on the Council of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) between 2009 to 2011.

    Speaking on the book he said: It is “put together for ‘students’ of healthcare finance, health insurance and managed care for effective operations and modeling of contracts because managed care practice brings with it prospects of litigation, need for actuarial valuations and appropriate pricing mechanism.”

  • The ‘Book of Negroes’ premiers on BET

    The ‘Book of Negroes’ premiers on BET

    A drama series titled the Book of Negroes will be premiering on Monday, August 17 on BET, DSTV Premium channel 129. The mini-series is based on a 2007 novel of the same name, written by Lawrence Hill about life in the 1700s as seen through the eyes of a young female slave. It a graphic retelling of the events that happened during the slave trade, when Africans where items for sale in the slave market.

    Based on the memoirs of Amina Diallo (played by Aunjanue Ellis ), an 11-year-old West African abducted from her village in West Africa, sold to slavery, and sent to a South Carolina plantation. The series chronicles her journey over the Atlantic, first to North Carolina, then to New York, and finally back to set up a colony for freed slaves in Freetown.

    It parades a star-studded ensemble cast which includes Oscar winners Cuba Gooding Jnr. and Louis Gosset Jr., and is directed by Clement Virgo.

    Parading a host of South African actors and actresses like Andile Gumbi (Isibaya), Fana Mokoenya, Siya Xaba amongst others, the movie was shot on location in Cape Town- South Africa, and Canada.

    The six part drama is meant to boost the channels historical drama offerings.