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Tag: day

  • Ndigbo and the festivity of their day

    Ndigbo and the festivity of their day

    The Old Parade Ground in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory was a beehive of activities on Monday, September 29, this year when Nigerians of Igbo extraction gathered to celebrate the World Igbo Day.

    It was a day set aside by the umbrella body of the Igbo race, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to celebrate the rich culture of the Igbo across the world.

    From hundred of metres to the venue, visitors could hear the sound of Igbo music; well dressed men and women danced to the melodious rhythm of the music. Interestingly, even though the atmosphere was a festive one, organisers of the event were, no doubt, conscious of the security challenges in the country.

    Right from the entrance of the venue, the security was tight as visitors were subjected to serious security scrutiny. The fact that the venue shares boundary with the Defence headquarters, may have contributed to the tight nature of the security put in place by the organisers.

    Dressed in their traditional Igbo attire, with flowing beads and traditional caps, among others, both young and old added colour to the event as the different Igbo traditional dresses beautified the place, conveying a typical Ndigbo style of celebration.

    Typical of an Igbo celebration, visitors were ushered into the venue with fanfare as guests were entertained by masqueraders and other traditional dances. Those who were witnessing the day for the first time may think they were watching a film that should not end. There were assorted foods and drinks for everyone’s satisfaction.

    Even though they came from the FCT with their leaders for the celebration, it was not all merriment as they found time to express their thought about various issues which include the need to promote the Igbo language at home, the need for Igbo businessmen to invest more at home rather than states outside Igbo land, the need for equal representation in governance non-imposition of candidates on the people during the 2015 general elections.

    President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Abuja, Chief Emeka Mbagha was excited about the success of the event, especially the large turnout of Igbo resident in the FCT, even though it was a working day.

    He told our correspondent that he had passionately appealed to all Igbo residents in the territory to suspend everything they were doing in order to attend the event. He was excited that the people listened to his appeal, suspending their trading and other businesses to participate actively at the event.

    Mbagha was, however, concerned about the security situation in the country. He said the problem of insecurity in the country has greatly affected his people, even though it was not restricted to the Igbo alone. He expressed optimism that the situation would be resolved through collective effort.

    The Igbo leader in Nyanya, Chief Ifeanyi Nwoye, said the importance of the celebration to them was enormous because it was a showcase for the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo, their character and their identity.

    He said: “What the Igbo are celebrating today is pure culture, custom, what to do, what to eat and what to avoid. Everything being celebrated here is totally Igbo. As men who have versed knowledge about tradition, we want to tell the world that everything we do, we do it for the Igbo.

    “Ohanaeze is the backbone of the Igbo. Anything that happens to an Igbo man here in FCT, he runs to the Ohanaeze. So, our purpose and aim is to protect the interest of every Igbo person in the FCT.”

    Also speaking, Chief Cosmas Okolo said, aside from being a day set aside by the Igbo to celebrate themselves, it was a day to celebrate the new yam festival. For Mazi Paul Nwachukwu, the celebration is a special day to the Igbo race.

    “It is meant to remember their beginning and the events that have evolved in Igbo nation until today. It will enable us to assess and re-assess all that had happened to the Igbo in the time past,” he said.

    The founder, Movement for the Restoration of Igbo People Dignity and Unity, Archbishop Chy Oriaku described the occasion as an opportunity to encourage Igbo parents to always interact with their children at home in Igbo language.

    She said plans have commenced to come up with measures to inculcate Igbo language in school curriculum.

    “If it is enforced, teaching and learning the Igbo language will be made easy. More so, in occasions like this, we won’t need to speak the English language but our Igbo language,” she said.

    Prince Bashiru Osondu Emetumah said the event aimed at preaching peaceful co-existence and progress of the Igbo Kingdom. Emetumah attributed the survival of the Igbo race to God, even as he implored Ndigbo to be at peace with other religions and ethnic groups across the country.

    President, Solid Women Initiative for Development, Chief (Mrs.) Queen Ezike urged Ndigbo resident in Abuja to always remember to invest at home.

    She said: “Whatever we make here, don’t invest all here in Abuja. Go back to Igbo land and invest your money. That is why Chairman of Chisco Transport Company has relocated most of his establishments to Igbo land, especially in Anambra State.”

    Chief Daniel Atuonwu restated the importance of the festivity and urged every Ndigbo to be united in order to forge a common front.

    “We review our activities and see what we have done well. Where we failed to do well, we improve on it. Normally, it is one thing that will bring us together. There is nothing that will bring us together here in Abuja except this celebration,” he said.

    Another resident, Chief John Okpor said there was the need for Ndigbo to come together and assess the progress and achievements recorded by the Igbo people within the previous year, adding that “we are doing these things in remembrance of Igbo Day. Every Igbo community will come out and display what they have to offer.”

  • Day of rage in Ekiti

    Day of rage in Ekiti

    Hoodlums went on the rampage in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital last week, burning, looting and brutalising people. A judge was beaten up and his suit torn. Courtrooms were turned upside down, provoking outrages across the country. SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN reports.

    IT was not a good week for Ekiti State.  For three days last week, hoodlums were on the rampage, wreaking havoc on the High Court, some judges and politicians.

    It all started on Monday when thugs believed to be loyalists  of Governor-elect Ayodele Fayose stormed the Ekiti State High Court for the hearing of a case bordering on his eligibility to contest the June 21 election which he won. The things disrupted  court proceedings and what after the judge.

    Justice Isaac Ogunyemi, who was spirited away by the Police.

    They returned on Thursday when the election petitioners tribunal was to hear the petition of the  All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging Fayose’s election. They moved into the court premises when the Fayose was allowed in by securitymen. Without wasting time, they went round, ransacking the court rooms, smashing windows and beating up anybody who came their way. They beat up Justice John Adeyeye and tore his suit. In  the night of that day, the immediate past chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chief Omolafe Aderiye was killed.

    His death sparked last Friday’s skirmish during which properties including campaign office of Governor Kayode Fayemi and the secretariat of his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) were destroyed.

    A dusk-to-dawn curfew has since been imposed on the state to stem the violence. Two days, before Omolafe’s death, the house of former chairman of the Road Transport Employee Association of Nigeria (RTEA) Rotimi Olanbiwoninu aka Mentilo and six of the cars parked in his compound wee burnt. Most parts of Ado Ekiti are gradually returning to life, but in area like Ijegbo and Ikere Federal Polytechnic roads, passerby are being checked by soldiers and other armed security personnel.

    In  the beginning

    That Monday in court, the hoodlum numbering over 100, brandish tree branches and some letter weapon attacked those they regarded as ‘opposition figures’, dragging them on the floor, slapping them and dealing them blow on the head, face, chest and stomarch. They invaded almost all offices in search of their victims. A target, who attempted to escapte through the windwo was pulled back and brutalised. No fewer than 20 men with canes wept in till body became sore. But he escaped.

    The ‘scene’ of the Justice Ogunyemi, who, also escaped, was his rulling early that day on the application of E-11, a social cultural group in the state, assuming the jurisdiction to hear the case on Fayose’s eligibility to contest the June 21 Governorship Election. The group is claiming that Fayose is yet to discharge the burden place on him by his 2006 impeachment by 2/3 majority member of the then House of Assembly.

    The following day peace seem to have returned and people taught the war was over. But Aderiye’s death on Thursday night altered thing is killing in front of his home in Ajilosun in midst of his friend spark violence on Friday as early 7 am hoodlums poused on supposed said on the enemy of the Governor-elect, who they suspected on masterminded the killing of Aderiye who was Fayose’s ally. The hoodlums tourched the offices of APC, shops/business of those identiify with party including Fayemi’s campaign office and party’s main office adjascent to it on Ikere road in Ajilosun.

    THE MENTILO

    CONNECTION

    Olanbiwoninu  aka Mentilo was a target of the mob, but, he escaped.  According to him, the destruction of his house at Oke Ila and burning of his vehicle came as surprise

    Olanbiwoninu, who said he travelled to Abuja two days before Aderiye’s death, stated: “I was his close friend, although we belonged to different transportation unions”.

    He added:“I didn’t know about the development when I was leaving for Abuja on Tuesday and I was there (Abuja) till Thursday evening when I returned to Ado.  My return was even to attend a burial on Friday. I was in my house that Friday around 9:30 am when this multitude came. I did not even think they were coming for me. I just thought they were protesting Aderiye’s death.

    “I was a bit at rest when I saw a police van coming behind them but I could not identify the vehicle’s registration number. At a point I heard them mentioning my name in a song they were singing.

    “I was in front of my house. I overheard them chanting abusive words and singing songs against me. Then it became apparent they were coming for me. I decided to run. But what I sensed was that although the police were with them, the hoodlums were many and the police could not have overpowered them when they were setting my property on fire.

    “In five minutes, they called to inform me my house was on fire, alongside my vehicles. In all they destroyed 11 vehicles. I was not around to salvage even a pin from the house. All I have worked and laboured for in my life is gone. Now, I have continued to receive threats from factions of the transporters that they are still coming for me and that I should be writing my will. I have no hand in the death of Omolafe. Ekiti State Government, the Nigeria Police and all well meaning Nigerians should come to my rescue. I know nothing about the death of Aderiye”.

    On the streets of Ado Ekiti are tell tales of the mayhem-black patches on roads, razed buildings and burnt vehicle. But the curfew imposed in the state seems to have restored sanity. The curfew is being enforced by a  combined team of soldiers and policemen, who are protecting sensitive institution and roads around Ijegbo and Ajilosun. There are also police pick-up vans parked at strategic corners to deter trouble makers.

    There are rumours of renewed skirmish, but troublemakers are warned daily to desist from such action or face the consequences of that action.

  • Impact Journalism Day: 40 newspapers share stories about initiatives for positive change

    Impact Journalism Day: 40 newspapers share stories about initiatives for positive change

    Day after day, the news confronts us with the world’s troubles. This constant reminder can make us anxious, afraid—or even worse, anesthetized.

    But now more than ever, citizens, companies, universities, and organizations are developing new ways to solve humanity’s problems. We are witnessing an outpouring of social innovation and social businesses around the planet.

    The job of the press is to keep us informed. And yet the time has passed when the media’s greatest impact came essentially from « turning the pen in the wound, » as the great French journalist Albert Londres once wrote. Increasingly, reporters want to contribute to the common good by writing about solutions, thereby amplifying their effects and creating a sense of hope.

    Nearly 40leading newspapers from all over the world— including The Nation—joined our effort and are publishing supplements dedicated to innovative solutions. Each paper contributed one or more original articles, then chose what to publish from the 100 or so stories we assembled. In a few days their editors in chief will gather in Paris to and discuss ways to take this project even further.

    Last year on Impact Journalism Day, a woman in Singapore read an article about adjustable eyeglasses that could correct more than half of the world’s vision problems for only US $4 a pair. She showed the article to her husband, an executive at a multinational lens manufacturer. He contacted the inventors, and now they are collaborating on a pilot project in India that could improve the lives of millions.

    This is the kind of impact we set out to achieve.

    Today, you are one of 100 million readers discovering our stories of hope. Imagine if every reader shared these stories with those around them. Choose one and tell it to your children, your colleagues, your friends. Become a part of the movement by motivating others.

    There is more you can do to promote solution-based journalism. Take part in our « selfie » contest by posting a photo of yourself and this newspaper via Twitter (#ImpactJournalism and add the # of your newspaper) or the Facebook page of our founding partner, AXA (facebook.com/AXAPeopleProtectors).

    Help the innovators and entrepreneurs in these stories to overcome the challenges they face by joining a brainstorming session (www.sparknews.com/ijd/makesense).

    And feel free to suggest projects we might consider for next year’s Impact Journalism Day (http://www.sparknews.com/ijd).

    We hope you enjoy today’s edition!

  • Musicians mark No Music Day

    Musicians mark No Music Day

    The strategic move to stamp the social import of music has been more emphatic in the last couple of years with a No Music Day being declared, once in a year, by the coalition of music industry stakeholders.

    The event, which holds today, is expected to focus attention on the widespread infringement of the rights of composers, songwriters, performers, music publishers and other stakeholders in the Nigerian music industry.

    As usual, the coalition is requesting all broadcast stations and users of music across the country not to broadcast music between the hours of 9am and10am today.

    The group expects all stations to be sympathetic to the flight of the artistes who are known to be devastated by massive copyright infringement. It is their belief that refraining from music broadcast today is a mark of solidarity with the nation’s creative industry.

    Within the specified period, all stations are also requested to dedicate their time to interviews, documentaries, debates and discussions that focus on the rights of creative people and the state of intellectual property rights in Nigeria, while newspapers and magazines are also being encouraged to do special features on the industry to mark the day.

    On its part, the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) said it would commemorate the day by flying its flags at half mast, while there would also be a bonfire of pirated materials at its headquarters in Lagos.

    Speaking on the event, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, said: “No Music Day is a day the music industry in Nigeria comes together to say no to the incessant abuse of our rights. For too long our industry has suffered great loss because of piracy. We have watched big record companies close shops and move away from Nigeria, while our young talents roam the streets looking for record deals. This has got to stop. No more will we tolerate the years of monkey dey work, baboon dey chop. Piracy is a crime against creativity, so it must be brought to an end urgently.”

    The president of Music Label Owners and Recording Industries Association of Nigeria (MORAN), Hon. John E. Udegbunam, urged commercial users of music to acquire the right licence.

    “We want to call on all lovers of good music to join the ‘No Music Day’ campaign as we forge ahead for a more vibrant Nigerian music industry. We appeal to all users of music to ensure that they obtain the appropriate license for the music they deploy. By so doing,  we can ensure that our creativity outlives us,” he said.

  • ‘Day I almost died on stage’

    ‘Day I almost died on stage’

    Philip Okolo is one of the oldest stage artistes in Nigeria. When he started his stage career in 1977, his dream, along with his contemporaries then was to infuse a new lease of life into live theatre. This was during the era of Dr. Bode Sowande, when street theatre was the vogue and Nigerians had the freedom of watching theatre whenever the opportunity  offered itself.

    “After a while, I joined the group of artistes with Bayo Oduneye who introduced me to the late Sam Loco Efe. I told him I wanted to be a full time actor and that theatre was in my blood. That was how I started as a full time actor.” Okolo reminisced, smiling.

    After he got to know Loco and others, they then gave him a role to play, which he did very well.  From then on, the sky became his limit, he stated. “ Then it was in1984, that I actually started professionally. There was a show in England, that was the Commonwealth Festival of Arts and Culture. They wanted to pick the role of Akaraogun in Wale Ogunyemi’s Langbodo. I was then picked against so many other big names in the industry then. Uncle Jimmy Solanke and Loco were to play that role.  But lo and behold, the role fell on me.”

    That was how it all began for him. Professor Adelugba who directed the play wanted to experiment with a younger artiste. In the process, he chose Okolo who incidentally dazzled the whole arena with his professional dexterity. “After that outing in England, when we came back home, I began to get more sensitive roles which also began to shore up my resume as a stage actor. It was during this period that I encountered other older professionals like the late St. Iyke and then Chief Fred Agbeyegbe whose plays formed part of what we were doing then.”

    Even though he has worked as a television actor, Okolo said he has not felt quite at home doing so. “I like live audience.  To me that is pure theatre.  Stage brings out total theatre and the people can easily feel it. See, if I had wanted to be in Nollywood, it would have been easy for me. What they churn out, most of the time, are below standard practice. I am not really condemning what they are doing, but for me, it is an easy way out.  On stage, you are on your own and you have to be accountable to the audience.  And that is why I love stage.” In acting out most of these roles, Okolo has discovered that one has to prove the stuff he is made. While acting in Langbodo in one of those roles that spells one out as a professional, he sustained a serious injury on stage.  “You see, in my overzealousness in one of those shows, I jumped on to the stage instead of walking in through the auditorium.  It was then that I sustained the injury. I had this costume that was very heavy and it hardily allowed me space to exercise myself.  I was feeling more like a hero and so when they heralded Akaraogun, instead of appearing the normal way, I jumped onto the stage.”

    By the time he landed on the edge of the stage, he had got a deep cut on his ankle. But like most brave professionals, he got on with it, while blood kept tricking out. “At the end of that show, when I got to back stage, I passed out; I fainted because I’d lost a lot of blood” he said. Before the acting ended, all the cast and crew were scared, for they thought the show would flop. The solution was that Okolo tore a part of the costume with which he covered the wound. But even then, the director of the play was not at ease until the show was over.

    Again, the artiste in him blossomed in the other shows that today, anytime there’s a tough role that needs serious role and stage interpretation, Okolo is usually sought after. “The role of a serious actor is to interpret his role convincingly”, he said. “I have not been out of active career since 1977. Even when I was at Saint Patrick’s College, Ibadan, I knew I’d be an actor. It was through literature that one of my teachers lured me into acting. I love story telling and of course my mum, at night would tell us plenty of stories. So, we kind of had the background, my brother Felix and I.  So when we graduated while he went for directing I went for acting. But above all, watching Sam Loco in Ibadan in those days got the better of me. Then when we were in Benin and I used to watch Hotel De Jordan in which Loco and others took part, my imagination and love for the theatre  grew.

    “I also love Bata drums,” Okolo revealed. “More so I love Yoruba acting. I love the traditional sentiments expressed in Yoruba theatre. When I listen to bata drums I feel like dancing and I really want to act and you cannot discountenance the place of Yoruba theatre in Nigeria. For me I try to spend some of my earnings to produce some plays. I work on mini festivals and it is an aspect of theatre I want to revive to bring back live theatre. We used to have open theatre at the National Theatre. Then if you had a show and people attended, and thereafter you’d share the proceed. That’s the sort of thing I want to bring out now. That will be in Delta State. I am in touch with them to that effect.”

    So far, his intention is to have some stories by Nigerian writers into stage. “We need to adapt those stories to give theatre real life flavour. This is one of the ways to bring theatre to its fullest meaning in Nigeria. From there, we’ll go into community theatre too. This will give us fulfillment, fun, joy and then writers would get their royalties,” he said.

     

  • Huge sales on lovers’ day

    Huge sales on lovers’ day

    For the Valentine’s Day celebration, traders in  Ikorodu and its environs are recording high sales from variety of eye-catching valentine gifts.

    On  display in Ikorodu are cakes in red colour, flowers, hampers, clothes, wrist watches. A medium-sized Valentine cake goes for N3,500 while small-sized is sold for N2,000. The biggest-sized cake cost N4,000. Also, love roses goes for N5,000,N3,000, N1,500, N500  and N200 respectively depending on its sizes.

    Hampers are also in their various categories and sizes. A pack of hamper with a Teddy Bear, a bottle of wine, flowers and jewellery costs N20,000 while that which contains a bottle of wine and a bar of chocolate costs between N5000, N3500, and N3,000.

    Items with red white colours have suddenly increased in price, but people still buy them, notwithstanding. Proprietor, Just Your Size Boutique, Madam Stella Oduyemi said red dresses are more expensive because they are in high demand now.

    She said: “A red dress sells for between N5,000, N3,500 and N3,000 depending on its quality while blouses goes for N1,000.”

    Mr Tobi Johnson sells valentine accessories also in Ikorodu. He said he has not seen the kind of sales he is experiencing before on valentines day. “I have sold all the accessories I came to market with, it wasn’t like this last year,” he said.

    At  Ayoola Shopping Plaza, in Ijegun, a Lagos suburb, Mrs. Ayoola Aunoluwapo, who owns the plaza said people’s  response to items this valentine is better than the past year. According to her, sales get better each valentine, adding that despite the fact that items have become costlier than they used to be, people still buy them. For her, business has been good. “ Today alone, I have sold more chocolate and cakes. I have also sold hampers. So, business has been good,” she said.

    A house wife, Mrs Grace Okaro, was at Ijegun market to buy red and white cloth for her six months old baby. According to her, its prices vary between N1,500 and N2,500 and while baby shoes cost N2,500.

    At Ajegunle, another Lagos suburb, Mrs Ruth Obiofia, who runs a floral shop, said she has sold more rose and tulip flowers in the last two weeks. She said this is so because flowers are suitable for expressing love.

    She said: “Valentine is a day to show love to people. Artificial flowers can be used to express love on a day like this. It is  warm and affectionate. I have been selling more of roses and tulips in the last two weeks and sales have been high.

    “Contrary to what people think, Nigerian ladies appreciate flowers. A lot of men have been coming here to purchase flowers which they would give as a gift to their lovers today.”

    A bouquet of rose flower sells for between N3,000 and N7,000, depending on the colours, as against N1, 500 and N3,000 before valentine.

    A lady who simply identified herself as Eunice and owns a boutique in Ajegunle said red colours sell more on Valentine’s Day.

    “I have made more sales in the last three days with more  people coming to buy valentine clothes.

    “Some people  make special demands for clothes I don’t have in stock and I meet those demands all for valentine,” she said.

    Another trader, Mrs Remilekun Adebisi, said there is a remarkable increase in the sale of specially made valentine hampers in her shop. Valentine hampers cost N5,000 and N15,000, depending on their content.

    But a customer, Patricia Nwafor, decried the hike in the prices of commodities because of valentine. “Prices of cake have suddenly increased, but their sizes have not. It is so carzy and exploitative and it is all because of the valentine day,” she said.

     

  • Day Igbo in Rivers elect new leadership

    Day Igbo in Rivers elect new leadership

    Igbo in Rivers State, under the aegis of United Igbo Community (UIC), last weekend, gathered at No.4c Ikwerre Street, Diobu, Port Harcourt to elect the Executive Committee to pilot their affairs.

    The peaceful election conducted by the electoral body of United Igbo Community was monitored by policemen, other security operatives and reporters.

    The election, which started with the screening of delegates, was observed by Chief Livnus Ofoegbu, the representative of the Igbo apex unifying body, Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo.

    The Electoral Committee Chairman, High Chief Nkeiruka Rita Onwunali, who is also the Adandigbo of Rivers and Bayelsa states, who was supported by Sir Peter Onu, said the UIC election was important due to the need to campaign for peace in Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole .

    She said: “We want people who will serve the interest of UIC and Ndi –Igbo as a whole because the delegates who are here today are ready to elect their leaders. God will help us with our intensions in this election. 90 delegates were screened and thirteen offices will be contested.”

    At the end of the election, a new leadership of UIC was declared by the chairman of electoral body with Mr. Arungwa Chrysoganus as the President, Okafor Chinedu as the Vice President, and Ajaiero Abraham as Secretary-General.

    Chrysoganus, while giving his acceptance speech, thanked all the delegates for giving him their mandates.

    He said: “For giving me your mandates, the new leadership will ensure that the promotion of peace will be the ultimate concern in Rivers State chapter of the organisation.

    “However, I advised UIC members in Rivers State to shun violence or any activity that will tarnish the image of the organisation. Of course, that is the only way the Igbo organisation could be respected in Rivers State.”

     

  • Ikale students mark day

    Ikale students mark day

    The Federation of Ikale Students (FISU) at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU) has held its yearly day. The event, which also witnessed the inauguration of national executive council of the association, was hosted by the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    In her address, a lecturer at the Department of Sociology, Dr Ayoade Adebowale, said promotion of cultural heritage remained one of the solutions to underdevelopment in any society.

    She said: “Sustainable development is usually driven by a people’s culture. A country would do itself great good by exploring this key aspect of its social make-up.” She bemoaned the prevalence of social vices and youth restiveness caused by unemployment and failed economic policies of government in the country.

    Adebowale decried the struggle for white-collar jobs by graduates, saying that young people should embrace entrepreneurship to achieve self-reliance.

    The new executive council led by Olusegun Enisan as President and Charity Itansehinwa, Vice-President, took the oath.

    Others members of the executive include Oyeniyi Iwakun, Senate President; Oluwadamilare Omopariola, General Secretary; Olusegun Jawosimi, Public Relations Officer and Abosede Aladekoye, Financial Secretary.

    Olusegun said the event was organised to foster unity among Ikale students. “We are using this occasion to promote the unity of all Ikale students. We understand that such co-operation is needed to bring about real transformation in our community,” he said.

    The event was attended by Bode Ojajuni, a Chief Superintendent of Police, Lagos State Command; Dr Francis Adebayo, chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State chapter, Donald Ajibola and Mr Henry Oloja, Editor, Ikale Voice.

  • Blessings on Rag Day

    Blessings on Rag Day

    They wore rags and tattered clothes to cut a pictures of beggars. That was not all; they wandered around the city and street corner with used cans of powdered milk, begging. They are not common beggars, neither are they mad. They are students of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE) in Owerri, Imo State, observing Rag Day to raise money for their matriculation. The activity, which was mainly for 100-Level students, is held yearly by freshers.

    “We are just trying to catch fun. It is a normal activity in the school. Before matriculation, 1000-Level students would put on rags and walk around to beg for money from people. They would explain why they need the money to enable them afford books and other necessary materials that will aid their studies,”explained Emmanuel Chukwuemeka, 100-Level Economics.

    The activity lasted for a day. Some students dressed from their hostels, while others got dressed on the campus. A student said: “I went to school with rags and use make-up to appear like a mad person. It was an exciting exercise because we trek all day, from street to street. But I feel relaxed, happy and I am in high spirit because it was all fun.”

    The students were seen in groups in Owerri city. Some of them went to commercial areas and banks, requesting for money using flattering expression.

    A bank customer, who was accosted by the students, willingly dropped money into the can when the students acted a funny drama at the bank entrance. He said: “I was once a student, so I understand the situation. I just withdrew some money I had already budgeted, but I had to give them a token because they were so funny.”

    Casmir Ugwu, 100-Level History and International Studies, said he was participating in the activity to catch fun. “Our seniors did same and the activity is turning to a tradition in our school. That is the reason why I am also involved,” he said.

    Darlington Ifeanyi, a student of Biology, said he would spend the money he got from the exercise on his matriculation. Unlike Darlington, many of the students attached importance to the activity. They saw it as a harbinger of good luck and success. Some of them said it was an avenue to announce their entrance in higher institution.

    One of such students is Prisca Ibekwe, Health Education, who said: “I think every new student in the college should participate in the exercise. By so doing, people will know you have gained admission into a higher institution. Although not everybody you meet on the street will give money, but those that give are, in a way, wishing us well in our studies. So if anyone did not partake in the Rag Day, he may as well miss the blessings and prayers of people.”

    A market woman, who did not mention her name, agreed that the exercise has its good side. “Most African culture believes that a child is not that of the parents alone, so when these students come around, we pray for them and give them tokens to support their schooling,” she said.

     

     

     

  • Their day of joy

    Their day of joy

    Life is full of possibilities and everyone has his own time of greatness, only if you persevere and are consistent. For me, I just want to give praise and glory to God.”

    Those were the words of Mr Victor Omelieme, one of the foremost telecommunication mast builders, who turned 50 last Saturday. He not only revelled in the day, his wife of many years also celebrated her 40th birthday with him.

    Love filled the air as the Edo State born couple was celebrated by their friends and family members.

    Dressed as a typical Edo man with a wrapper slung over his left shoulder, the birthday ‘boy’ entered the topmost hall of the Civic Centre with the birthday ‘girl’ beside him.

    The celebration, which began at midday, had an array of Nollywood comedians, artistes and actors in attendance.

    Baba Nothing Spoil held sway as the MC, till other comedians, led by the don of comedy, Julius Agwu arrived. Other comedians were Kolo and G-Paul.

    The Awilo group and Francis Agwu, aka Bobo Shakira did the hip and waist dance that left guests asking for more. DJ Ocean dished many memorable old songs.

    There was never a dull moment.

    Soon after the couple cut their cake, gospel musician, Benita sang her Osemudiamen hit song, to the delight of the guests. She led other guests to their traditional dance and kept them on the dance floor for some time.

    Prince Henry Ojobor, a childhood friend of Omelieme, recalled how they began life in a one room apartment in Okokomaiko axis of Lagos. Thanking God for how far they have come, Ojobor proposed the toast and led five other men to pop a massive sized bottle of Moet.

    Mrs Philomena told The Nation that even in their more than two decades of marriage, she never had reason to fret about the future because she believed in her husband and in God. She was full of praise to the Almighty for the grace bestowed on them.

    To the guests, it was the perfect way to spend the weekend as everyone took to the dance floor till late that night.

    Guests from telecoms companies, MTN and Etisalat, were there in their number to felicitate with them.