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Tag: crowd

  • Massive crowd storms Daura prayer ground for Buhari

    Massive crowd storms Daura prayer ground for Buhari

    •President hails NYSC for driving national unity

    Residents of Daura, Katsina State, trooped out in their thousands yesterday to attend the Eid-el-Kabir prayers with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Eid prayer ground in the city.

    The President is in his native town for the first time since he returned from medical vacation in London.

    He arrived Daura on Wednesday.

    The crowd, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state, lined the President’s route from his residence, waving as his convoy snaked its way to the prayerground.

    It was gathered that some of the people had already observed their owns prayers at different prayergrounds in the city.

    They concluded their prayers before 9 am and immediately headed straight to the President’s route to catch a glimpse of him.

    By the time Buhari arrived the prayerground, it was already filled to the brim.

    He joined the congregation to observe the two rakaat prayers led by the Chief Imam of Daura Emirate, Mallam Muhammadu Salisu Rabe.

    The crowd that greeted him on the road as he headed back home after the prayers seemed to have doubled with many of them struggling to record  the President and his convoy on their mobile phones.

    A similar large crowd of residents had trooped out on Wednesday to welcome him back home.

    Many of them  rushed to the helipad to receive him and his entourage.

    So massive was the crowd that he opted to walk from the helipad to his residence with the people.

    Speaking with journalists at his residence after the prayer, the President expressed happiness that many Nigerians came out to observe the prayer.

    For the umpteenth time, he asked Nigerians to continue to live peacefully together for the sake of national unity.

    He was particularly pleased to see the NYSC members, noting that the scheme has gone a long way in fostering national unity since its inception in 1973.

    ”I am always pleased to see corps members in Daura and other parts of the country. From the postings, we get to learn more about other cultures,” he said.

    He also posited that that the large number of corps members in Daura, mostly from the southern part of the country, was an indication that the dream of a unified Nigeria remains a reality.

    According to him, graduates from the North serving  in the Southern states also learn a lot from the diversity that makes Nigeria a unique country.

    He recalled his experiences working in different parts of the country as an army officer, saying that serving in southern parts of the country, including Lagos and Ibadan, gives him a lot of joy.

    Through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President sent a  cow, ten bags of rice and N250,000 cash to members of the NYSC who lined the road to greet him.

    The Corpers Liaison Officer (CLO)  Nnamdi John, on behalf of the group, thanked the President for the gift.

    He expressed happiness with the President’s decision to do everything within his power to keep Nigeria united.

    Corps members, he said, would be safer under a peaceful and united Nigeria.

    Shehu later told reporters that the President’s kinsmen had the double joy of celebrating Eid-el-Kabir and seeing him after almost a year since his last visit home.

  • Crowd hosts Kumuyi in Aba

    Crowd hosts Kumuyi in Aba

    A mammoth crowd fanned out at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State, as the General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Christian Ministry (DLCM) Pastor William Kumuyi preached in his yearly visit there.

    Over 100,000 people, among whom were those who came in from outside the city and state, listened to the preacher.

    The theme of the crusade was “A Day to Change Your World.”

    The crusade lasted over four hours, attracting clergies of other denominations, professionals from all walks of life,  those suffering various ailments and the barren,  amongst others.

    Some of them including Pastor Emmanuel Offor said that they could not afford to miss what they described as the undiluted teaching and spiritual impartation of the word of God.

    They said that importance of being part of the event especially now that the country is passing through various challenges including insecurity, high cost of living, loss of job and unemployment, among others, cannot be over-emphasised.

    Over 20 persons claimed to have been healed of various ailments.

    Special prayers were also said for the church, Abia State, the country and its citizens.

    There was also a special song rendition from the church’s choir during the event.

    Kumuyi spoke on the topic, “A Day to Change Your World”.

    He said, “I love the people of Abia State as you know and the brethren and believers in general are quite receptive to the Word of God and they love the Lord and I see their response and I want to be of tremendous benefit to both the people in the church and outside the church and to connect them with the power of God and salvation of the Lord.”

    He was asked: What informed the theme of the crusade?

    “People are looking for change. There is a kind of national and global problem in various communities, families and problem within individual and then we need a change for the better and God will make that change so because of that we want to tell the people that this day could be the day of hope, healing, advance and the day of moving forward in various ways that is why we have the topic of the theme as ‘’the day for change and wonder of the Lord”.

    Another question was how the crusade would impact the life of the average Nigerian in economic recession.

    His answer: “We understand that in a programme like this we have different kinds of people that is common people that are just concern for their own personal problem and when you heal their problem just like many people today that got some spiritual that they couldn’t receive adequate healing their testimony is that they are heal instantaneously. Other people with eye and other kinds of sickness, and when personal problem like that they are pivotal to their problem and they cannot think for a way forward to even solve their personal problem and fend for themselves when they are release like this it makes them not to see a way forward for themselves not only that there are decision makers in our land that attend some of this program and while they are here they miracle they need we not be like the miracle of healing if they are not saved or miracle of psyche if they are not mind. The Lord can give them a little of wisdom and touch and show them the resources where we can have solutions to the problems (ideas) and ideas are powerful and ideas actually are the things we need to turn our lives around. This is how this kind of programme will help in various ways; we help families, government, decision makers and even the common man on the street, so that is why this program is important as we can change our world by connecting with the Lord.

     

  • Ikorodu, 3SC game abandoned due to crowd trouble

    The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) MatchDay 29 match between Ikorodu United and 3SC held at the Onikan Stadium yesterday was abandoned in the 89th minute following  trouble caused by fans.

    The irate fans suspected to be supporting the home team began to throw objects on the pitch and at match officials after Shooting Stars striker, Ajani Ibrahim equalised for the away team in the 89th minute of the game.

    Chinedu Onyekwu had given the Oga Boys the lead on the 25th minute  and the home fans were hoping to get their first win in the second round before Ibrahim dented their hope of survival in the elite division.

    The equaliser was however a bitter pill for the fans to swallow as they accused the centre referee and his assistants of bias officiating, denying them penalty calls.

    The home fans then started throwing stones and other dangerous objects onto the pitch, while they also attacked the supposed supporters of the away team who also retaliated in their own might.

    The referee then ordered the players off the pitch and into the dressing rooms for 30 minutes before ultimately deciding to call off the game after speaking with representatives from both clubs.

    Followers of the Nigerian league however blamed the match commissioner for allowing the game to go ahead without the availability of 50 policemen as stipulated by the rules and regulations governing the Nigeria league.

  • Buhari and the venal crowd

    These certainly are not the best of times for the grex venalium (the venal crowd) popularly known by ordinary Nigerians as treasury looters. The ongoing battle by President Muhammadu Buhari against this corrupt cabal who have held this nation hostage for years leaves no one in doubt that it is no longer business as usual for politicians of fortune.

    It is a mistake to assume, that this is President Buhari’s private battle to clean the Augean stable. Rather, it should be seen as a determined effort to right the wrongs of the bad leadership which has been the bane of Nigeria’s development for decades.

    Previous attempts to fight corruption were somehow symptomatic but the present government has adopted a strong, pathological approach that aims to get to the root of the matter, which is why every Nigerian should give the president total support. What is being done now, if carried to the logical conclusion, would free the country from the labyrinth of a deeply entrenched tribe of Machiavellian politicians whose sole purpose for seeking power is to loot our common patrimony.

    When former President Goodluck Jonathan emerged on the scene, he came across as a power –shy, harmless politician on whose shoulders providence placed the leadership of this great nation at a critical period in our political evolution. His moving story of grass to grace, with the memorable line that he went to school like many Nigerians without shoes, caught the attention of the electorate who gave him the mandate in his first-ever quest to seek elective office in 2011.

    Once on the presidential seat in that enclave called Aso Rock, we saw a different Jonathan altogether. Never has a president in this country come to power with such level of goodwill and blow it just as fast as Dr. Jonathan. Perhaps, overwhelmed by the demands of office, or ill-prepared for its challenges, the first president from a southern minority exhibited poor governing capacity and inherent weakness unbecoming of the leader of a huge country like ours. He had to be goaded to act with firmness when occasion demanded, which was why he virtually lost control of his presidency to his cronies. His appointees and associates went about looting the public treasury with unprecedented impunity; not even the intermittent public outrage moved President Jonathan to sanction them. And when he did, it was either too little or too late. Corrupt ministers were relieved of their posts with slaps on the wrist, while nothing was done about their loot. With the current anti-corruption saga, we can now understand why Jonathan and his PDP cohorts spared no expenses to buy themselves back to power. This time however, the fairy tale run of goodluck failed them.

    The hapless president was sent packing. Serendipity was out of kilter!

    That era of impunity ended suddenly, but we cannot just sweep what happened during the PDP government under the carpet. Regardless of who is involved, justice must be done to send a clear message that leaders must be accountable even after they leave office. I perceive that this is what President Buhari is trying to prove, that is why I support him.

    The charge of selective prosecution and the ethnic or religious card being played by some to discredit this anti-corruption war is nothing but a mischievous charade. Those arrested for suspected corrupt

    practices cut across the party, ethnic and religious divide. Nigerians must therefore, not fall for the antics of the venal rich, who are fighting back, using media propaganda to win sympathy.

    One is however, constrained to raise this point because of a public statement credited to Anthony Cardinal Okogie in which the Catholic prelate expressed reservations about the government’s philosophy in prosecuting the anti-corruption war vis-à-vis the Rule of Law and his perceived thinking that other governance issues are not being addressed as should. The cardinal is entitled to his opinion, but there is no factual evidence to support this claim.

    The venerable Cardinal is unappreciative of the dialectics of change within the Nigerian context. The Nigerian scenario is indicative of an aberration embedded in our political genes. Whereas politics and

    economics are sociological kinsmen, yet politics maintains an ascendancy over economics in practical realities. The hoi polloi determines the political leadership but economic superintendence is the prerogative of the elite. Nigeria’s existential bane is not lack of professors in mantled academia, nor is it a paucity of economic knowledge in the geo-political arena. Rather, it is leadership, leadership and yet leadership. Ad nauseam!

    Leadership is the terra-firma upon which the citadel of progress can be erected. If the foundation be destroyed by corruption what can the righteous do? It is my founded expectation that the respected cardinal would urge the government to probe the leadership of CAN, PFN and other pseudo religious organisations who acquired their fabricated titles under spurious Christian nomenclature.

    If Attahiru Bafarawa was the accredited agent of the Muslim prayers welfare package, who then collected on behalf of the multitudes of Christians? Who? Who is that Christian proboscis whose insidious suction availed himself of billions of naira on behalf of the followers of Christ? Who is that Judas? Maybe Judases? What about Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor’s one-plane airline becoming the surreptitious instrumentality for some covert military operations involving over $9 million in South Africa? All sacred cows must become secularized.

    Government must ascertain the scope of pecuniary inducement that informed their political alignments in the 2015 elections. What an irony, that those who should scrupulously guide the people are themselves poisoning the water from which the flock will drink. Corruption is a hydra headed monstrosity that must be confronted by the gladiators of righteousness. For indeed, he who dares to face his maker will not tremble before the sons of men. Satis verborum!

    We must understand that even if the law is an ass, corrupt folks must not be allowed to ride it out of the dragnet of the law when apprehended. The present campaign is a challenge to the integrity of our jurisprudence. Members of the bar and bench are Nigerians, and they must not sabotage the efforts of this government to restore sanity to governance in this country. There’s nothing the EFCC has done so far to suggest that it disrespects the rule of law. The president himself has said, “You cannot fight impunity with impunity”.

    • Rev. Okotie, a former Presidential candidate of FRESH Democratic Party wrote from Lagos.

  • Crowd of supporters hold Akpabio hostage at Etiebet’s funeral

    Thousands of supporters of the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, literarily held him hostage on Friday at the funeral of the former governor of the old Cross River State, Chief Donald Dick Etiebet, in Ikot Ekpuk, Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

    The supporters who got wind that the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State would attend the burial of the late Etiebet laid siege for him at Ikot Ibritam junction. On sighting the convoy of the Senator, the supporters blocked the road and forced him to walk a distance of about three kilometres to the deceased’s compound.

    A team of security operatives had a hectic time keeping away the surging crowd who accompanied Senator Akpabio amidst drumming and dancing. The Senator at most points cautioned the security operatives to relax the ring around him since he was ease at home with his people.

    However, the crowd became uncontrollable when the former Petroleum Minister and brother of the deceased, Atuekong Don Etiebet, stepped out to receive Senator Akpabio and walked hand in hand with him into his house where Akpabio joined him for a drink and lunch.

    It would be recalled that in the run up to the last general elections, both Atuekong Etiebet and Senator Akpabio belonged to different political camps with the former minister defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Supporters of both camps were surprised when the two leaders held hands and danced together.

    Addressing thousands of his supporters from the balcony of Etiebet’s House, Senator Akpabio, whose election was upheld by the Appeal Court on the same day, thanked the youths for their support and said his victory would spur him to do more for his constituents.

     

  • Crowd at Olokun Festival boosts Badagry’s economic activities

    Crowd at Olokun Festival boosts Badagry’s economic activities

    Chief Promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams and a guest during the grand finale of 2015 edition of Olokun festival in Badagry
    Chief Promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams and a guest during the grand finale of 2015 edition of Olokun festival in Badagry

    THE sleepy town of Badagry witnessed an unusual gathering of people from within and outside the country during the annual Olokun Festival that held last week in the Lagos State suburb.

    Commercial drivers, motorcyclists and traders enjoyed brisk business with the tumultuous crowd that graced the occasion.

    Some who spoke with The Nation wished the festival could be a weekly celebration. A commercial motorcyclist who identified himself as Mauho said: “I have not made the kind of money I made within this period in a very long time because we hardly have this kind of crowd in this area. Before now, I could carry one passenger and wait for another 30 minutes before seeing another one. But since yesterday that this event began, I have not been idle.

    “I wish I could even take a break but I cannot because it is a rare opportunity. In fact, some of our people who left the business to do other things quickly rushed back when they heard the festival was going to take place. They did because they knew it was an opportunity to make fast money.”

    His commercial bus counterpart who gave his name as Osawe said he was spared the stress of shouting for a long time in search of passengers. “I have not experienced the usual stress that comes with shouting to attract passengers since the festival started. This is because the huge crowd here for the festival made it very easy for my colleague and I. They have been coming in their numbers and boarding our vehicles without any of us shouting himself hoarse to attract passengers. We wish the festival could be a weekly thing because it boosts our income and living standard.”

    Traders shared in the huge benefit flowing from the festival. Some of them said they repeatedly exhausted supplies and often had to go back fresh supplies. With a wide smile on her face, a trader who gave her name as Bose said: “Olokun has, true to its title, brought blessings to us. We had had a worrisome lull in our businesses, but the celebration of this festival has reversed that. Most of us have up to three times exhausted our wares and gone back to take fresh supplies.

    “It is unbelievable because we hardly exhausted our supply in a whole week before now because of the state of the economy. I would be glad if there could be similar festivals from time to time so that we could be prospering in our businesses and not die of hunger.”

    The chief promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams, said the presence of the mammoth crowd at the event is good for the development of tourism as an alternative revenue earner for the country.

    He said: “The presence of people from different countries here today is a magnet that can attract the anticipated foreign investment that continues to dominate desire for national economic growth and development. Our traditional festivals can also be used as a tool of cultural diplomacy fast appreciating and showing preference for the use of soft and persuasive power rather than futile resort to strong arm tactics and gun boat diplomacy, our religious and cultural festivals given their wide acceptance and practice in the Americas are capable of improving Nigeria’s respect and influence in the world.

    “They represent positive aspects of the Nigerian story that can improve our image. Our religious and cultural festivals can serve as a good medium to change negative mindset against our people and about our environment. Our decision to promote Olokun Festival through its celebration is further informed by the growing need to call attention to the development of numerous water bodies and the benefits they can confer on our quests for socio-economic development. It has the huge potential of promoting global peace, economic prosperity. This is why we chose “Traditional Festival and Prospect of Cultural Dividend” as the theme of this year’s celebration.

    “Part of the reasons we celebrate this festival is the name Olokun itself. The word Olokun is universal. In Edo language, Olokun is called Olokun. In Urhoboland, particularly in Okpe, Olokun is known and called Olukun. Olokun is known as Ndem Mmo among the Efik and the Ibibio.  In Gaa language, in Ghana, Olokun is Farr Ingmo. Beyond Africa, Olokun and its festival is celebrated in the Diaspora. Olokun is among the belief treasures of the Yoruba that survived among the descendants of enslaved Africans in the Americas.

    “Like in these places, Olokun is widely held as the deity in charge of the seas and the oceans. You would therefore agree with me that irrespective of the location or clime, Okun and Olokun are concepts that pervade and unify the entire globe. You would also agree with me that no deity or festivity linked the Yoruba to its Daspora, particularly the Americas, as Olokun festival. “Consequently, our decision to foster global visibility of Yoruba culture is another important reason for our investment in Olokun festival. On the whole, the celebration of Olokun festival represents our people’s way of giving thanks for its benevolence, seeking forgiveness for our sins in past years and praying for favour and blessings of the goddess.”

    Delivering his keynote address, Prof Muyiwa Falaiye, Professor of Philosophy and Dean of Arts, University of Lagos, said: “The  religion of Orisha, which the Olokun Festival partly represents, portrays a spirituality of tolerance and peace. Its spiritual activities are devoid of pernicious tenets of sectarianism, intolerance of other’s doctrines and worldviews as well as horrendous carnage and bloodletting on behalf of a deity.

    “The new generation of Nigerians, like the organisers of the Olokun Festival, forms part of those Africans which the Ghanaian economist and philosopher George Ayittey has chosen to call ‘the cheetah generation’. This generation of Nigerians must move forward to confront the challenges posed by the crises of development.”

    He advised that Nigerians look inward for solution to the myriad problems confronting the country. “As it has been demonstrated in the area of culture, the Olokun Festival justifiably showcases this possibility of a cultural rebirth with its annual cultural celebration and rally. Just like the forward-looking energetic minds who form the face of the Olokun Festival, young generation of Nigerians must accept the reality that no one can solve our problems but Nigerians themselves.”

    members of the high-table
    Some members of the high-table

    The festival earned praise from Mrs Sally Mbanefo, the Director General of Nigerian Tourism and Development Corporation, who described it as progress in the promotion of cultural heritage of the Yoruba and Nigeria by extension.

    “Tourism is the greatest employer of labour in the country. Out of every 11 workers that you see, six are employed in the tourism sector. The sector contributes about 10 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is not limited to Nigeria as it also does in other African countries. In Gabon, it contributes 17.7 percent of GDP, in Kenya, it contributes 11.9 percent, in Egypt it contributes about 13.3 percent and in Brazil, it contributes 13 percent of their GDP.

    “Domestic tourism campaign of the NTDC is to encourage activities like the Olokun Festival. We are driven by the passion to encourage Nigerians to visit their local communities and promote the tourism potentials in those places. The Yoruba culture has been exported outside the country and as I am speaking to you now, Sango Festival, for example, is celebrated in over 40 countries today. Let us not forget our language and cultural heritage. A country without culture has no history.”

    Elated by the mammoth crowd that thronged the beach to enjoy the enormous display of cultural heritage during the festival, the Director of Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, Sir Ferdinand Anikwe, urged the organisers to make it a national event. “I am to be part of this festival because it seeks to promote our cultural heritage. I must let you know that other carnivals across the world took off from here. It is people that were sold into slavery that are trying to replicate these festivals over there.

    “Otunba Adams is playing a role in history by organising and promoting this festival. His action, I must say, is not by accident. I have seen the Hausa community here today. When the event takes place next year, I want the organisers to invite all the other tribes making up the country. The whites have beaten us to so many things but this is one area we have beaten them.”

  • ‘Any man who can’t impress his Crowd should not step out’

    ‘Any man who can’t impress his Crowd should not step out’

    Sijibomi Ogundele runs Sujimoto Group. The nation’s youngest billionaire recently featured in Forbes Africa as a brave young entrepreneur, an astute businessman with the capacity to change the Nigerian real-estate industry and stylish entrepreneur in his 30s shares with ADETUTU AUDU his humble beginning.

    SHARE with us your experience of your meeting with the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai?

    Sheihk Mohammed Al Maktoum is one of the greatest visionaries of all time. His works as seen in Dubai today affirm that dreams can be transformed into reality. It was a brief encounter that made a great impact in my life and one I will find difficult to forget. Bear in mind that this is a man of vision and innovation that I have admired and looked up to for so long that when the opportunity to actually meet and discuss with him arose, I seized it. The defining moment that day was the advice and words of encouragement he gave me. He made me understand that the sky should be my starting point and never limit my dreams if I’m ever to achieve greatness. He added that I can relax if ‘ordinary’ was my interest. I find it strange how a king that knows nothing about me can give counsel that fills me with hope and inspiration. Meanwhile, I get discouraged about my ambitions countless times from close associates.

    You took the real estate sector by storm. The real estate industry in Nigeria has to be one of the most challenging industries so far and very few investment strategist and ventures capitalist go into this sector. What inspired your move into this industry?

     Currently, real estate in Nigeria is next to oil. The fact that we have a housing deficit in the country speaks volumes of the opportunities in this sector. It is challenging due to various factors, but it is not impossible to overcome if planning and execution from a financial point of view down to construction are diligently done. In whatever I do, I go into it with an optimistic mindset. Coupled with my exposure, this has consciously elevated my standards and expectations in life; failure is not an option. To answer the latter part of your question, I bought and renovated an apartment in Paris. To my friends, it seemed like quite a lavish expenditure, but a friend saw the beauty, the opportunity and bought it for double the price within two months; today that property has doubled in value. The investment flip in such short time ignited my interest in real estate and changed my career path.

    Recently, you were featured in Forbes Africa as a brave young entrepreneur, an astute businessman with the capacity to change the Nigerian real-estate industry, what does this mean to you?

    For me, to be second is to be last. I approach any industry with a position of abundance, not lack. I’m quite humbled by the acknowledgement and will continue to contribute to the real estate industry in every way that I can. My mind set is quite unique, that’s why I can’t resist voicing my discontentment and doing something about it when the highest standard is not set. It is a popular notion in developed countries that today’s order winning criterion is tomorrow’s qualifying criterion, in the sense that people’s expectations change over time with regards to their value for money. So, we should be able to meet up to those expectations by making essential things like quality, transparency and so on a given. If we imbibe this culture in all aspects of business, we will see all round change in all industries in the country.

    What were your initial challenges?

     To me, settling for less is an attribute for followers, not winners. As a new comer, everyone said, “go easy, invest small” and so on, but the challenge I thought I’d face as a newcomer was market acceptance. Surprisingly, we were accepted more than anticipated due to the fact that there was a gap in that market and we made people know that business as usual is over. Architects, engineers and many other labourers knew that Sujimoto would never put its name on anything ordinary; this mindset changed the quality of expectations, which increased the level of delivery. We, however, had to contend with the low level of skilled labour at our disposal, and eventually had to train the optimistic few and relieve the lazy. We couldn’t afford any room for error. The significance of expertise and proper training are undervalued in Nigeria and as a result, finishing, quality and attention to detail are compromised. After assessing all these things, amongst others, we made it a point to only work with the best; from human resources to technical resources. It obviously demands a lot of dedicated investments to ensure quality but I say it is more expensive to compromise on quality.

    What are your upcoming plans with regards to luxury properties?

     We are currently in the process of unveiling our latest project called Lorenzo, bringing a redefinition in high value residential structures, exclusivity and hospitality. Very few properties would be comparable to the Lorenzo in terms of architecture, finishing and features. It is fully automated and each apartment has a double kitchen, two maids’ room and three parking spots. The interior architect is renowned for building private villas for ultra-wealthy Sheikhs in Dubai. The property comprises 2, 3 & 4 bedroom apartments and a fascinating addition of penthouses with private swimming pools on the 25th floor. With this property, we will cater to the vital few home-owners and investors looking for properties that suit their lifestyle and aim to yield high returns. Off-plan buyers would be lucky to buy into this at this point as it is in very high demand and selling out fast even before our unveiling. The gain they stand to enjoy is as high as 40% when they place it back in the market.

     You speak passionately about Nigeria’s potential, despite its current economic climates. If you had to sell investing in Nigeria to your foreign counterparts, what are some of those things you’d like them to know about Nigeria?

    Nigeria is like a gold mine that is yet to be discovered. The real estate opportunities in Nigeria have not met five percent of its potential. The real estate industry is catching up with foreign markets and we can see today that the demand for top quality housing is growing by the day. Only the brave few would enjoy this opportunity, and these few are those who take the driver seat today. Over the years, Nigerians have invested millions of dollars buying properties abroad, but in recent times, we can see a shift in the market. Consumers are growing more and more confident in the Nigerian real estate sector, particularly the high-end properties. For any investor, ROI is the key thing. When you go to London or NYC, some properties yield between 3 -4 % in rental income, but with our properties you’ll get a minimum of 8-12% on rental returns and also an annual 12-15% return on equity. This gives you an aggregate of about 22%. If you ask me, this needs no convincing.

    Do you feel pressured by all the press coverage and spotlight your business is currently under?

    The Nigerian media has increased their value for information and they have increased their demographics to only showcase the best. We have no pressure. For a young company like us trying to make an impact in an industry dominated by older firms, it is expected and can be classified as brave and newsworthy. It is not surprising to be watched closely by the public and most importantly, the inspiration we give to young and upcoming entrepreneurs. We channel this kind of attention towards showcasing our skills and being more socially responsible. To be honest, there will always be critics, which is always welcome as far as it is constructive. We pay very few attention to what people have to say, we allow our work speak for us.

    No doubt you are also stylish. How would you describe your personal style?

    Dressing to impress is a standard. But one’s style is an introduction to who you are as a person. It’s not a function of the big names or if you choose to go with western designs or African designs; once well put together, it will definitely make one stand out. But any man/woman who can’t impress his crowd should not step out of his home.

    You are making history right now as a young business CEO, with no silver spoon upbringing and at a young age already a billionaire. What would you want the average youth who is reading this to know about making it in life, especially the business world?

    I had a choice, to either remain where I was or strive to achieve beyond my environment. It was tough but it was worth it; people, teachers, uncles never believed in me, so it took me a double effort to always prove myself. I tell young Nigerians, success is like a game of chess, and to be superior at this game, you must understand the rules and the first rule of success is determination. No one would increase your interest but yourself.  Nigeria is becoming more and more competitive. As a youth, you have to deny your environment from having an impact in your life or bringing you down. In a country like Nigeria where the opportunities surround us, we have no excuse to achieve more with less. If we were living in underdeveloped countries with less opportunities, I would understand the justification of these failures, but we live in a country where a man can turn 500,000 naira into a multi-billion dollar empire. This tells you that the capacity to become super successful is not beyond our reach. The process of self-development is never ending. Youths must continue to strive to be better today than they were yesterday. They should take hold of their destiny and start looking for opportunities surrounding them. Nigerians have been described as natural entrepreneurs. From the man selling on the streets to the man with a billion dollar company, we should be able to maximise the resources around us efficiently and effectively. I keep making reference to Aliko Dangote because that is a man worthy of emulating by anyone going into business. He was able to defy the norm and create wealth. Distractions and influence from the wrong people are some of the main reasons for failure; I never keep friends who would bring me down.

    My only friends are those who have specific impacts in my life, others are acquaintances.

    What drives you?

    Success is good, but making an impact is sustainable; when I build and people look at it with the ‘WOW’ effect is what motivates me. I was somewhere and a lady was talking about my apartments, the intensity and genuine passion in her voice almost made me cry, and at the same time made me proud of our hard work.

  • Between Orji and Aba crowd

    Aba, the famed Enyimba City, is not only the commercial nerve centre of Abia State. It has, also, in a way, become the barometer with which acceptance or rejection of anybody or anything is measured in Igbo land.

    Side by side the entrepreneurial activism with which the city is known, there is also the kindred spirit that moderates people’s action in Aba. It is this kindred spirit that unites the residents, who may not have been related in any way, to rise up against crime and criminals when it matters most.

    This is the spirit that at the point of need erupts and propels the people to fight against injustice. It is in this instance, that Aba, according to many, is seen as the conscience of the Igbo nation – a trend that predates the current dispensation.

    Back in 1929 for instance, when the British colonial authorities came up with an unjust taxation regime in Igbo land, it took the women folks in Enyimba City to rise up against the imposition in the famous Aba Women Revolt.

    Though the uprising took toll on the rampaging women, it nonetheless sent strong warning to the imperialists that there was a level beyond which a people would not tolerate an unjust system. The same kindred spirit resurrected in the second republic, when the people rose against the late Yoruba leader and presidential candidate of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Chief Obafemi Awolowo who came on campaign to the city. The residents revolted against Awolowo for allegely authoring and championing the economic blockade against Biafra during the 1967 – 1970 Civil War.

    On account of the obnoxious policy, many children from the East purportedly suffered malnutrition – some, in fact, falling to the dreaded Kwashiokor. When therefore, Awolowo came to Aba to campaign, and even remarked that he was going to ban importation of second hand cloths (Okirika) and Stock fish (Okporoko) – the two viable economic engagements of the residents, it was seen as rubbing salt into injury. And Aba residents gave it to him.

    It is on this backdrop that what befell Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule (T.A) Orji, in the city recently, would be appreciated. The governor, who had attended the burial service of late Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, Most Reverend Vincent Valentine Ezeonyia, was reportedly booed and pelted with sachet water. The ugly incident was the sixth time the governor was visited with such harsh treatment in the city. Aba, considering its status, is supposed to be the second most important city in Abia, next to Umuahia, the capital. On account of its commercial orientation, it has representation from virtually every family in Igbo land residing in it. It had in the past, played the role of the economic hub of the then Eastern Region. Due to the streams of industries and commercial activities taking place in the city, it had served as major revenue centre for the state.

    But the city has sadly experienced unprecedented neglect in the hands of successive administrations in Abia. Analysts, in fact, remark that Aba received the last major facelift during the administration of the late Dr. Sam Mbakwe, governor of old Imo State. Ever since, the city has suffered from one degree of neglect to another. But never had the situation been as bad as it had been in the last 16 years. Governor Orji, incidentally, is a product of that system that is seen as holding down the city. The government’s manipulations that resulted to emergence of Dt. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu as the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is thus, considered a further slap on the people.

    Aba residents, not given to sitting on the face, have not been taking the issue lightly. What particularly irks the people is that an unlikely victory for Ikpeazu, would mean extension of the old order that has only brought misery to the state.

    The PDP candidate has curiously not been helping matters. For a state that was originally conceived to be a pacesetter among its peers but was derailed by a succession of bad leadership, many had expected Ikpeazu to exhibit evidence of being prepared for the job. But on occasions that he had made guided appearance before the people, he had manifested copious emptiness.

    He has for instance, failed woefully to present the people with any coherent economic agenda that will lift the state from its present economic doldrums, apart from lazy dependence on the paltry monthly allocation from Abuja.

    Seen from this insightful background, Orji’s Aba humiliation becomes quite instructive. The action is also a signal to the departing governor that the people would not take lightly at any attempt at manipulating the April 11 governorship election in the state. This veiled warning, is particularly remarkable, given the increasing level of excitement that has been generated by the candidacy of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) flag bearer, Dr. Alex Otti.

    Otti, who rode into the race on the wings of fascinating reputation that he earned from his successful management of Diamond Bank – a feat that earned him term renewal as Managing Director – has laid out a template for reinventing the God’s Own State. With an elaborate programme that touches various facets of the people’s life including infrastructure renewal, and resuscitation of the near comatose health, education, tourism, sports and civil service sectors, among others, Otti has understandably been the toast of the Abia electorate.

    Where, perhaps, the APGA candidate stole the show from his PDP candidate, is his vision of creating the Ministry of Aba Affairs, if elected. Given his pedigree in keeping to pledges and agreements, residents of Aba, who hardly forget favours, have been rooting for him.  It is also argued that with the Aba episode, the governor has lost the grip on the people. Of course, his crony, Okezie Ikpeazu, is ordinarily, out of reckoning, having failed to deliver in his last assignment with Abia environment protection agency.

    What the situation on ground also means is that with the rejection of the governor, it is only Otti that can guarantee electoral victory and development for the state and the entire Igbo race.

    • Ezeocha writes from Aba, Abia State
  • Martins, others draw capacity crowd to Campos Stadium

    Martins, others draw capacity crowd to Campos Stadium

    Out of favour Super Eagles’ striker, Obafemi Martins scored the lone goal that propelled the Super Eagles to victory over BRF and Friends in the Football for Hope game meant to draw awareness to the plight of the less-privileged in the society.

    The goal was scored in the first half and the introduction of Governor Babatunde Fashola in the second half of the game failed to inspire his team. The match, played at the Campos Stadium, Lagos, witnessed a capacity crowd with the fans trooping to the stadium to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars.

    Other Super Eagles players in the game were Nnamdi Oduamadi, Haruna Lukman and Babatunde Micheal. Super Falcons duo, Azizat Oshoala and Onome Ebi also featured. Former international, Waidi Akanni also played for the Eagles while the team was handled by Coach Tunde Disu. Fashola’s team had former internationals like Jonathan Akpoborie, Victor Agali and Teslim Fatusi

    The moves of the Super Eagles’ players drew applause from the crowd with fans calling for their inclusion in the Coach Stephen Keshi-led team as Nigeria begins afresh after the Eagles failed to make it to this year’s Africa Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea.

    The initiator of the event, Anthony Adeboye, the special assistant to the governor on football matters, stated that the event was meant to encourage the football stars to adopt some of the less-privileged homes in the state.

    He commended the players for showing up for the game and said efforts were on to make the event an annual one.

    “The players have really done well by showing up for the games and showing the needy that they are with them. I must also thank the governor for finding time out of his tight schedule to lead his friends to the game,“ said Adeboye.

  • Mammoth crowd welcomes Okorocha

    Mammoth crowd welcomes Okorocha

    The return of Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha from a three-week vacation in the United States of America drew a mammoth crowd. He got a hero’s welcome from the people of the state who turned out in their large numbers. The crowd was unprecedented as the people, both young and old turned out in great numbers to catch a glimpse of their governor.

    The governor, who travelled to the USA to felicitate with his daughter who was delivered of a set of twins, could not restrain his emotion when he saw the mammoth crowd that came to welcome him home and to rejoice with him for joining the league of grand fathers.

    As early as 7:00 a.m. on that fateful Friday, vehicular and human movements along the road leading to the Sam Mbakwe International Airport were already grounded as large number of people, including gaily-dressed women, businessmen, religious and pressure groups, traditional rulers, student bodies, clergymen, artisans and politicians headed for the Airport to await the arrival of the governor.

    At the Airport, several dance troupes took turns to entertain the crowd that defied the scorching heat of the sun, dancing to the rhythms of music that were mainly songs of praise for the governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The atmosphere was also charged in the VIP Lounge of the Airport where senior officials of the state government and other dignitaries waited anxiously for the flight scheduled for 12 noon. They chatted away time over political developments in the state and the country.

    At about 1:30 p.m., the jet marked LearJet45X conveying the governor touched the tarmac. The impatient crowd broke loose and officials of the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and efforts of security agents to prevent the crowd from rushing into the tarmac were somewhat taxing.

    On hand to receive the governor were his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, the Chairman of Imo State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Eze Agunwa Ohiri, members of the state Executive Council and chieftains of the APC, among others.

    Speaking with newsmen shortly after his arrival, the visibly elated governor restated his administration’s determination to continue to provide the dividends of democracy for the people.

    He assured his teeming supporters who were eagerly waiting to know his next political line of action that he would run for an election, even though he said his position would be communicated to them at the appropriate time.

    Away from the Airport, the various groups who were distinguished by their colourful attires, walked the over 16km distance to the venue of the grand reception, disrupting the governor’s convoy as he had to stop at several points to acknowledge cheers from the surging crowd who waved at him relentlessly.

    Travellers along the Owerri/Aba Road were stranded as a result of the heavy gridlock resulting from cars that struggled to keep pace with the convoy. At various villages along the route, cannons were fired by ecstatic villagers in salute to the governor.

    The event, which was meant to be a mild reception for the governor who was away during the Yuletide, turned out to be a massive political rally where the ideals and prospects of the APC were exhaustively discussed to the admiration of party supporters.

    Arriving at Emmanuel College Roundabout, venue of the grand reception, Okorocha, who was obviously stunned by the large crowd of party supporters started singing and dancing to songs of praise to God for leading the state thus far.

    He told the crowd that he has been re-energised to do more.

    “I want to tell you that we are ready to do more. When we came on board, I assured Imo people that we are no longer under bondage. Imo today is free and better. The Egyptians we see today we shall see no more.

    “Let me assure you that the free education will continue. This year will be better for our people; we are going to chase away poverty from the land. The 27 brand new government hospitals will be completed this year and no Imo man will die as a result of treatable diseases,” he said.

    Half way into his speech, the governor, apparently moved by the women’s show of solidarity, announced thus: “henceforth in all the government-owned hospitals, pregnant women will be given free maternal care.”

    The announcement sent the crowd into frenzy as the women temporarily took over. They danced and sang the governor’s praise.

    Continuing, Governor Okorocha urged the women to continue to support his administration’s effort to rebuild the state.

    “We will continue to emphasise on the free education as the biggest investment in our state. Our children will have access to quality education irrespective of their background. No Imo child will ever be allowed to waste away because of poverty,” he said.

    However the import of the historic gathering was not lost to political analysts who described it as a test of the Governor’s control of the political machinery of the state.

    The overwhelming turn out of people who were neither coerced nor induced to attend, proved beyond doubts that the APC-led administration in the state, had come to stay.

    Chants of ‘up APC, up Okorocha, down PDP, down corrupt leaders, rented the air as the governor, who inaugurated two strategic roads close to the venue of the event, reeled off the endless list of what his administration had achieved in the last two-and-a-half years.

    An octogenarian, Nze Chibuike Onyeukwu who leaned heavily on his walking stick, apparently out of exhaustion, said: “I came out to see the man that has followed the footsteps of one of our great sons, Dee Sam Mbakwe. Okorocha has truly rescued the state from a clique of misguided young men who looted the state.”

    The retired civil servant further added: “What I have seen and heard is a testimony of the fact that our governor is sent by God to wipe away our tears. The projects, completed and ongoing, are there for all to see unlike before where projects only existed on the pages of newspapers and internet.”

    Before the curtain was drawn for the day, the governor dispelled the rumoured rift between him and his deputy, urging the people to ignore the falsehood.

    He described Madumere as his ”political son in whom he is well pleased”.