The Nation Newspaper

Tag: caring’

  • Caring for all

    Caring for all

    •No Nigerian should be abandoned in time of need

    The recent leg amputation suffered by former national team player and coach, Paul Ebiye Hamilton, is symbolic of the shameful neglect with which many of Nigeria’s greatest stars are being treated. Popularly known as “Wonder Boy,” Hamilton’s superlative football skills took him to the heights of sporting success with top teams like ECN of Lagos and the Green Eagles. As a coach, he took the Super Falcons, the senior women’s football team, to two consecutive World Cup appearances, and masterminded the Flying Eagles’ bronze medal at the World Youth Championship in Russia in 1995. He also coached the Super Eagles and oversaw its qualification for the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
    It is a tragic contradiction that the shabby treatment Hamilton has received stands in direct contrast to his sterling contributions to the nation. The last time he received his pension from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) was in 2014; repeated efforts to resolve the situation have failed. He suffers from hypertension and diabetes, complications of which led to the amputation of a leg.
    Hamilton’s predicament is replicated over and over again in the depressing tales of other athletes and other stars whose only crime is that they chose to serve their nation with honour and dedication. Football players like Haruna Ilerika, Anthony Igwe, Samuel Okoye, Kenneth Olayombo, Yakubu Mambo and Christian Madu have all endured the privations brought on by national neglect.
    Many are battling serious health challenges, and are in danger of dying prematurely like so many of their compatriots in the past. In spite of the glory and renown that characterised their heyday, they are often abandoned to their own devices, with only the philanthropic assistance of staunch admirers to rely on.
    This cannot continue. Nigeria’s sense of itself as a nation is built primarily on the efforts of those whose selfless service over time inspires and energises the country as a whole. When a player scores a goal that wins a match for the nation, he does not do it only for himself; it is a national achievement. Citizens are fired by such examples of patriotism and learn to apply it to their own endeavours, thereby setting in motion a virtuous cycle of achievement which benefits everyone.
    A nation that cannot take care of past heroes is setting itself up for inevitable collapse. Just as the citizenry is inspired by sporting achievement, it is also discouraged by the malign neglect of sporting heroes. The signs of such discouragement have already become manifest: athletes who refuse to play for the country, or who flee to other nations at the slightest opportunity; sportsmen and women who insist on the payment of allowances and bonuses as a condition of playing; below-par performances on the field of play due to fears that any injury incurred will not be treated by the local sports federations.
    A database of all of the country’s stars should be built up in order to determine exactly how many there are, what their living conditions are like, and what sorts of assistance they may need. Working with the state governments in which they are resident, the Federal Government should develop a system of heavily-subsidised medical care, housing and welfare payments. Insurance schemes should be established for them, regardless of where they are plying their trade, and their unions should be strengthened and formally integrated into the national labour framework.
    All the patriotic sentiments in the world will count for nothing when it is painfully obvious that sacrifice will not be rewarded with the care and concern that it so justly deserves. If this situation is allowed to persist, Nigeria will eventually become a nation that nobody will be prepared to live in or die for.
    Ultimately, however, governments at all levels must play their parts to ensure that necessary welfare facilities exist for all Nigerians in need, irrespective of whether they are stars or not. More often, we focus more on the country’s stars that have been abandoned whereas the neglect cuts across board. Many Nigerians have died or are undergoing what some of our stars are going through today unsung. There should be equal opportunities for all Nigerians irrespective of their social standing.

  • Caring for your weave-on

    Caring for your weave-on

    Time was, when weave-ons were regarded as a complementary accessory strictly for social events, like weddings, and parties. Weave-ons are now essential fashion accessory that could be used by most women for offices, and many other occasions like they are actually wearing their natural hair. You would probably find a woman who may not remember the last time she carried her natural hair for the space of a month.

    Weave-ons have gone through a whole lot of metamorphosis in designs and styles. In vogue now are human hair, afro, super curls etc. In some cases there are crazy styles that have made heads turn.

    Weave-ons are fixed in different ways and styles, depending on how it complements your dressing or the kind of place or event one plans to attend and how well it suits you, makes you standout wherever you go.

    Darlynyaki is a straight weave-on without curls, it’s of different length and colours. Bright colours are loud and makes you noticeable. It has a way it changes your looks, it will either give you a younger or older look or make you appear taller or more attractive based on how it is styled.

     

    Tips to keep your weave-ons beautiful and attractive

    • Use a shower cap, when having your bath to prevent your weave-on from getting wet and losing its curls and attractiveness.

     

    • Cream or oil your weave-ons every morning before you brush to prevent it from tangling and dryness. It makes the weave-on look silky and pleasant.

     

    • Be sure to use the appropriate weave-on brush that would not tangle your hair. Brush thoroughly to get a natural look.

     

    • Make use of good weave-on sprays to make it smell good.

     

    • Air your weave-ons especially in the sun to prevent it from smelling.

     

    • Avoid scratching roughly so that the sewing can remain firm. Rather wash your hair before fixing to prevent itching.

     

    • Use hair net when going to bed to avoid tangling and roughness.
  • ‘I haven’t met a man more caring than my husband’

    ‘I haven’t met a man more caring than my husband’

    What was your initial reaction when you heard that your husband was going to be nominated as All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate?

    My initial reaction was that of apprehension.

    Why?

    Because I knew I would have to share him with others, I mean political associates, official functions and all the likes. And I would rather have him to myself alone. So, that was my initial reaction.

    So, how were you able to overcome that?

    I guess I realised that the handwriting was always on the wall; that this was what he is being prepared for. If you look at what he has done over the years, you will realise that the Lord was preparing him for a time like that. I realised and remembered that. That put my fears aside and I told myself I had to allow the Lord do what He wants to do with him.

    I shouldn’t be selfish but release him to accomplish for Nigeria what God has been putting in his heart. His works, like I said, over the years and his experiences in public life have all pointed to the fact that he is a man for a season like this.

    So, are you comfortable so far?

    With what?

    With how the campaigns have gone so far and how the APC is moving on?

    Comfortable is not a word you can use at this point, considering what the nation is right now. But in terms of the campaign, yes, things are being done in a noble way. Things are different from what they used to be in the past. I believe that things will take a turn for the best for this nation.

    Do you believe he is up to the task ahead?

    I don’t think I am in the best position to answer that (laughter). But I think he is the best man in the whole world. One thing I can say is that we have been married for the past 25 years and every day, I get to respect him the more. He is very kind and lovely. I have never met a man more caring than he is. He is the most caring person I have met.

    There are things Nigerians don’t know about him that only you can tell us about. What are some of these things?

    Well, I will just say he is a lovely and kind man. He loves to a fault. He cares a lot. His life is all about caring and giving. When he was Attorney-General of Lagos, he proved that over and over again. Our church currently runs two free schools through his initiatives because we are interested in people.

    One has run for a year and the other one just started. In the school, there is no tuition, registration or any fee. They are entirely free. They don’t pay for books, stationeries, uniforms or feeding. One of the schools is in Obanikoro, while the other is in Okota in Lagos.

    We also run a soup kitchen in the church that we run now and the one we ran before. The soup kitchen provides food for the students every day. No child gets to the schools except he or she is poor. So, these are some of the many things he does for people to show his love.

    Won’t these stop if he gets elected as Vice President?

    Not at all. If you know my husband, he is a thorough and meticulous person. He doesn’t get into something until he has figured everything out. What will happen is that he would be able to do more as a Vice President on a larger scale.

    The ones that he is going now, he has structures in place to handle them whether he is around or not. They are not just about him because other members of the church contribute. He has people everywhere running stuff that are from his heart.

    I believe if he is elected, he will have more opportunities and platform to do much more for the people.

    As a very private woman, how are you preparing for life as a public figure?

    Honestly, I can’t tell. There is nothing I am doing or intend to do. I just trust God for grace. I am in His hands and I believe He won’t take me there and leave me stranded. I am just in His hands for whatever He wants to do with me.

    Your book, They call me Mama, details your activities with street urchins in Lagos Island. What on earth was driving you to have anything to do with such people?

    (Pauses) I don’t even know how to answer that question. That was just my life at that time. That was my own expression at that time. I am really thrilled I could reach those people in many parts of Lagos. When we started, they started introducing us to their friends in other parts of Lagos.

    They were really my family members at that time and for me, Under Bridge was the safest place in Lagos. I felt so safe there that you couldn’t just move any close to me once I was there. The boys loved me so much they wouldn’t allow even a fly come close to me. For me, it was the safest place in Lagos.

    Do you still get to see or meet some of those boys?

    Of course, I do. For the book presentation, I asked two of them to come so that people could see what we have done. One of them just got married in Benin and introduced his girlfriend to me before they married. He is now such a gentleman. He couldn’t even talk the way he used to before. The other one we took under the bridge at 11. Today, he has graduated on scholarship. We had many of such transformation stories coming from these boys. They were good guys who only found themselves in situations they couldn’t help and I am glad God used us to lift them up.

    When they finally realised who you are, how did they feel?

    Well, they just knew I was their mama, someone who cares so much about them. They didn’t know my background or husband’s status in the society. I was only giving them lunch, releasing them from police stations and visiting them in prisons.

    So, I was just someone who loved them. Then, one day, one of them came across a newspaper cutting of a picture we took during the presentation of a book written in my husband’s honour when he left as Attorney-General. The function was at Muson Centre. So, one of them saw the picture and they couldn’t get to believe it was me.

    That Sunday, they showed me the newspaper and wanted to know if it was me. I had to persuade them that yes it was me but it has not changed anything. Immediately, they started feeling uncomfortable and I assured them that I care for them, regardless of the differences in our status. Until then, they just called and saw me as mama, a church pastor that they could talk to and run to with any challenge or trouble.

    Supposing you become the First Lady to the Vice President, what new initiatives will you bring to the office?

    There is no office of First Lady to the Vice President.

    But you will be playing some roles, won’t you?

    The only role I will play is to look after my family, especially my husband, so that he can concentrate and do the works committed to him. That, to me, is the only assignment expected of me. There is nothing more. As long as I can help my husband to do a good job for the nation as a mother and wife, I am done.

    What is happening to your legal practice?

    I studied law but never practised. Studying law helped me to understand my husband’s stories and cases when he returns home.

    How can you convince an ordinary, average woman out there that your husband is deserving of her vote and those of her family members?

    All I will just say is that he won’t let them down. He is a good, caring man. If he could take care of me well at a personal level, he will look after women more than well if he is elected.

    If he succeeds in becoming Vice President, what do you imagine will happen to Nigeria?

    I sincerely believe there will be a great turnaround. He will do Nigeria and Nigerians good. He will change things and will never cheat or shortchange them.

    Do you believe he will win this election?

    I believe so with all of my heart.

    Not minding he is contesting against the incumbents?

    Yes, not minding that. I believe change is coming and Nigerians will witness it through the APC.

    How is your typical, average day like lately?

    I don’t have an average day because what I want to do determines how the day runs. I have now two shelters for battered women and victims of sexual abuses. One is on the Island and the other on the Mainland.

    It is a non-governmental organisation called Women’s Helping Hands and we get to hear heart-breaking stories. One is that of a woman whose husband held down and battered with hot iron. She was so scary when we saw her.

  • ‘She’s humane, caring’

    ‘She’s humane, caring’

    The downpour could not stop former Miss Ogechukwu Kendra Emedike of Afube Village, Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area, from saying: ‘I do’ to Onyemuche Jubril Madubueze of Umuamadi Amawom Village, Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State, that Thursday.

     

    Thursday, August 28, 2012 was unique for former Miss Ogechukwu Kendra Emedike of Afube Village, Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area.

    It was her traditional wedding day and she appeared in her best, waiting for her beau. She was not only dazzling in her traditional attire but sensuous, attractive, unique and beautiful.

    The weather was clement initially but suddenly the entire scenario became cloudy and it started with droplets before the heavens opened.

    It rained cats and dogs but that did not deter handsome Mr Onyemuche Jubril Madubueze of Umuamadi Amawom Village, Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State from keeping the date with his heartthrob. He endured the rigours of the rains and arrived before the host villagers came for the event.

    The rains demoralised the people of Afube. They wondered what would happen next but a prayerful Ogechukwu was calm.

    On seeing the entourage of the Madubueze family with Onyemuche, a staff of Ceragon Network, Lagos, arrive in the rain, she beamed smiles.

    Adoring a satin designer’s lace, Oge, as the bride is fondly called, glowed, about exhibiting the innate qualities in Igbo land of maids about to be handed over to their suitors. She wore various attires for the event. She was the cynosure of all eyes.

    Her husband was not left out in his Senator attire with a cap to match. Despite the rains, Oge and Onyema completed their traditional marriage rites. At the end of the rites, they were declared husband and wife amid a thunderous applause.

    The rains did not spare the guests but they were not deterred. They sat through the ceremony.

    That day, Afube village witnessed an unprecedented influx of people from all walks of life.

    On his attraction to Oge, Onyemuche said: “ A lot of things; but I will only say one. She is a very humane person and caring. She is kind, humble and caring. So, these attracted me to her. She is loving, too.”

    They met two years ago in Lagos.

    Onyemuche said of the event:“It is not easy thing to pull all these people from all nooks and crannies of this country to come to this place for our sake. My heart is gladdened.

    ‘’When you see the attributes you need in a woman or man , that you want to spend the rest of your live with, you don’t have any choice than to go to the next level and that is why we are here today, moving to the next level,’’ he said.

    On her part, Ogechukwu was joyous. What do you expect? She said. “I feel very happy because I am married. We began as friends and, today, it has reached its climax — becoming husband and wife. So, I am glad that I am marrying a friend,”

    For the bride’s aunty, Mrs Ngozi Emedike, who nurtured her, it was a day to treasure.

    She described Ogechukwu as a good and obedient child.

    “My expectation is that she will do well in her husband’s house because I did well in my own husband’s house. If she follows my footsteps, the way I trained her, it shall be well with her. My prayer is that they shall prosper and God will give them long life and good health,’’ Mrs Emedike said.

    Chairman, Bengas Group of Industries ,Chief Bethram Ichiebuka, congratulated the couple.

    He prayed God to grant them peace, love, understanding and fruit of the womb.

    The bride’s mother, Mrs Paulina Emedike, prayed for them to live in peace.

    The groom’s mother, Hajia Mariam Madubueze, also expressed joy seeing her son getting married.

    Various groups of women, including Umuamadi women Amawom Owerri, Umuada Ime Umuno, Amichi, Uyom Oha Amichi and others showed their solidarity in line with traditions.

    Madubueze Ikechukwu, the groom’s younger brother, who was happy with the reception accorded them, said their journey to Amichi “is that of fetching water from the stream and not looking for wood.”

    Chief Pius Umeigbo (Obi Afube) said his inlaws were worth their mission to Amichi as they did everything as custom and tradition demanded.