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Tag: dinner

  • Graduating students hold dinner

    Graduating students hold dinner

    Graduating students of the Department of Political Science of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) in Ado-Ekiti have marked their Final Year Brethren (FYB) Week with social event, which was ended with a dinner and award night.

    At the dinner, CAMPUSLIFE correspondent, Olatunji Awe, a 400-Level student, was honoured as the Most Outspoken Student.

    The event was attended by dignitaries, including a politician, Hon. Kayode Oshinubi, an Ekiti-based businessman, Boye Ogunremi, and lecturers of the department.

    The Week started with Ankara Day during which the graduating wore elegant Ankara attires. It also featured seminar, music performance and the award night.

    The dinner started at 7pm with a seminar tagged: Life after school anchored by Ehivoren Adichie, a motivational speaker. It was followed by music performance by campus artistes.

    A graduating student and chairman of the organising committee, Gbolahan Abimbola, said the dinner was to make their graduation from the school memorable, noting that their academic journey since their admission in 2010 was challenging.

    He said: “We want to thank our lecturers, the school management and department for giving us their best and equip us with good knowledge in academics and morality.”

    Tayo Akadiri, another graduating student, described the event as “unforgettable”, saying the outging set had laid god foundation for its junior sets.

    The outgoing set donated a photocopy machine and accessories to the department. The gift was received by the Head of Department, Prof A.A. Agagu, who praised the students for the gesture. The HOD urged the students to be good ambassadors of the department.

    Dr Mike Omilusi, a lecturer, praised the students, saying: “You should never forget your alma mater when life gets rosy.”

    Olatunji, who was a runner up in Most Politically Oriented Student and Final Year Student of the Year, appreciated his colleagues for the honour. He said the department taught him everything he has become.

    He was also awarded EKSU Student-Image Maker of the Year by the Students’ Union Press.

  • A sour carnival dinner

    The arena and settings to host the Abuja Carnival 2014 Command Performance and dinner at the State House, Abuja, last Wednesday, were promising to those who saw the elaborate preparations before the programme kicked off.

    The carnival, which involves the 36 states, the FCT and foreign countries, is packaged by the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism, headed by Edem Duke, while the FCT is to provide all necessary facilities and welfare for the state contingents.

    At the dinner, 74 round tables, with ten chairs surrounding each table, were well decorated for the occasion billed to hold for four hours from 6.30 pm to 10.30pm.

    Apart from the tables decorated with new green super print wrappers and assorted drinks and water on them, the white curtains on the wall surrounding the hall was intermittently decorated with the same green super print wrappers and orange-coloured version of the wrapper from the ceiling to the floor.

    Besides the drinks on the table, there were several drinks’ service points by the walls surrounding the hall. There were also eight service points for assorted local and continental dishes.

    Signs that the elaborate occasion may not be well attended started showing when the hall was barely half-filled by 7.30p.m.

    According to the programme for the occasion, guests were expected to be seated by 6.30p.m., special guests to arrive by 7.00p.m, while the National Anthem was supposed to be rendered when the President arrives by 8.00 p.m.

    Probably because of the poor turnout at the occasion or the hectic week for President Goodluck Jonathan who returned from London last week Sunday after attending Honorary International Investors Council (HIIC) meeting, went to Chad on Monday, was in Kebbi State on Tuesday, and went for screening at the PDP secretariat on Wednesday afternoon, the President’s podium and security details were withdrawn from the arena few minutes to 7p.m.

    Those who noticed the withdrawal of the podium and security details still kept hope alive that the event will be attended by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

    But the hope was dashed when the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, was ushered into the scanty hall as the President’s representative by 7.40p.m.

    To make the hall a bit presentable, guests who were scattered round the 74 tables, planned to seat 740 guests, were made to move to unoccupied seats between them and the special-guests’ high-table.

    After the scattered guests have been moved forward to sit together, the unoccupied tables in the hall were 35 in number, which would have sat 350 guests.

    Analysing of the guests seated in the hall also showed that almost half of them are foreigners.

    Interestingly, out of the over 30 ministers in the present cabinet, only three ministers were present at the event including Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, and Supervising Minister of Health, Khaliru Alhassan.

    The Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed and the Minister of State, Akinjide Olajumoke, who are the host for the carnival and whose pictures were in the event programme, also did not attend the function.

    The Director-General of an agency under the ministry, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, Sally Nbanefo, who came in around 8.40p.m after the event started for about one hour, stayed only for about ten minutes at the occasion.

    She completely stayed away from the high-table as she sat among the guests in the middle of the hall before leaving.

    The few dignitaries and guests at the occasion, no doubt, had a splendid time as there was food and drinks in abundance. Some of them helped themselves to double ration of the food. Some artistes and cultural dancers from Nigeria and outside the country also performed at the occasion.

    When the stewards noticed movement of some of the guests to the unoccupied tables, including ladies wearing dresses that expose their cleavage, breasts and barely cover their backside, to take away the can drinks in their bags, the stewards started removing all the drinks on the unoccupied tables.

    But there was more than enough to eat and drink in the hall.

    The poor turnout at the event could be partly attributed to the seemingly disarray in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which has been weighed down by fraudulent allegations and counter-allegations.

     

    Unending clashes of the titans

     There seems to be no end in sight for the frequent clashes between the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan.

    In the past, such clashes were underground and most times discarded as rumor and figment of the imagination of bad-wishers.

    To confuse Nigerians then, the two leaders were often seen together after such report of rift between them with the former President paying visit to Aso Rock or attending one official function or the other at the seat of power..

    Such was the situation until Obasanjo released a letter on the 2nd of December last year raising weighty allegations against Jonathan.

    Among the allegations was that Jonathan was training snipers and keeping over 1000 Nigerians on watch list towards the 2015 elections.

    Jonathan, through a statement issued on 22 of December last year by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, replied Obasanjo accusing his administration of carrying out many irregularities during his tenure.

    Jonathan then accused Obasanjo of granting questionable signature bonuses waivers, and lack of carrot and stick approach in the invasion of Odi.

    Jonathan then also declared that Obasanjo’s letter was a threat to National security as he ordered the probe of Obasanjo’s allegations.

    Almost a year after that clash, the result of the probe has not been made public as many Nigerians believed that the two leaders have finally reconciled. They have even been seen together several times since then.

    But surprising the hostilities between them came to the fore again with the former President raising fresh allegations against Jonathan twice in the past ten days.

    Obasanjo on Friday 21st November, 2014 during an encounter with book writers in Abeokuta, Ogun State, scored Jonathan’s administration low when asked of his view on Jonathan’s performance.

    Jonathan replied through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, claiming that Obasanjo’s comments were untrue, misleading and that his achievement is better than any administration since 1960.

    Obasanjo fired back on Wednesday 26th of November Obasanjo, insisting that the economy “is in the doldrums, if not in reverse”

    The earlier these issues are addressed and laid to rest the better for Nigerians as they are not only heating up the polity but increasing the apprehension of the citizens towards the 2015 elections.

     

  • Mass Comm dept holds dinner

    Association of Student Communicators (ASCOM), The Polytechnic, Ibadan (IBADAN POLY) chapter, on Monday held a dinner at the Club De Ace in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The event, held overnight, started at11pm. It featured awards and inauguration of new executive for the association. The timing of the event led to a controversy, which made many students to be absent at the show.

    Unlike previous edition, only two awards were presented in this year’s event. The association honoured, the publicity officer of Buggati Records, Ajibade Tunde, with the Most Expensive Student award. Also, Bisi Omoseye was awarded with Most Popular Student.

    There was also a beauty pageant, where Femi Bolaji and Temitope Adedeji won Mr and Miss ASCOM. They were decorated by their predecessors Ola Ayodele and Omoniyi Omolara amidst applause by the audience.

    The ASCOM executive led by Gabriel Adekunle handed over to a new executive led by Ayodele Bello. In his valedictory speech, Gabriel urged his successor to improve on the achievement of the outgoing executive.

    The Social Director, Mr Oni Opeyemi, said the event was a success despite absence of many students. “I can say it was better than the one we had last year. Glory be to God and my colleagues, who co-operated with me to organise the show,” he said.

    For Miss ASCOM, winning the pageant is a dream come true. Temitope said: “I had been told I possess the quality to win the pageant but I didn’t believe. But, I made up my mind to contest and with God by my side, I won. I have all it takes to be a beauty ambassador.”

  • Final year students hold dinner

    The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Association Students (CMDAS) has held a dinner for its graduating members.

    The programme, tagged: “The Light” was held last Saturday at the Multipurpose Hall of the All Saints Chapel on the institution’s Ugbowo Campus.

    Dr Stanley Okugbo of the Department of Surgery, UBTH, charged them not to allow the love for money override the ethics of the medical profession. He highlighted the challenges of medical practice in Nigeria and encouraged them to take up the responsibility of redeeming the nation’s health sector.

    “As Christian doctors and dentist, you are expected to make impact because your life is that of purpose. You would be privileged to meet more people who wou;d come to the hospital for consultation than a typical religious leader. When patients come, don’t fail to attend to them with empathy. See patients as real human being and not mere cases or guinea pigs,” he said.

    He added that men like the late Nelson Mandela were those who contributed to their community. He charged them to be ambassadors of God wherever they aspire to practice, stating that their training in medical school was well grounded to meet the 21st Century challenges of the profession.

    Highpoint of the dinner was the presentation of gifts to all the graduating students and leaders of the association.

    A representative of the doctor’s arm of the association later presented induction certificates to formally induct the students. He charged them not to shy away from caring for their patients. This was followed by games and thanksgiving service.

    Godspower Ogbebor of the School of Medicine said he was grateful to God for sustaining him. He thanked the association for their support and encouraged the younger colleagues to be studious and cling to God.

    In attendance were doctors from the School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, executives of the association and members of the University of Benin Medical Students Association (UBEMSA).

  • Dinner on dhow cruise

    Dinner on dhow cruise

    The dhow boats are common in the Gulf and eastern countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and East Africa. The boats have been in use in this area since 1785 for commercial activities like conveying of goods and passengers from one point to the other. But they are no longer as popular as they were for such purposes now. In Dubai, however, they have become key attractions in driving the tourist industry. Thousands of tourists troop to the quays of the Deira area of Dubai for a dinner cruise  adventure.  The dhow dinner cruise is a huge hit,  and in this write-up, Okorie Uguru recounts an experience on a dhow cruise.

    Adventure in Dubai comes in different forms and shapes. However, not many offer the opportunity for one to feel the essence of this gulf country like the dhow cruise.

    Wikipedia discribed dhow  as the generic name of a number of traditional sailing vessels with one or more masts with lateen sails used in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean region. Dhows are trading vessels primarily used to carry heavy items, like fruit, fresh water or merchandise, along the coasts of the Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and East Africa. Larger dhows have crews of approximately thirty,while smaller ones typically have twelve.

    Well, in Dubai, these traditional boats are used more for leisure cruises. It offers fun-seekers the opportunity to dine on middle eastern cuisines and also explore the creeks of Dubai leisurely, taking the skyline and some of the more traditional Dubai settlements. This is done in style.

    Arriving for the traditional dhow dinner cruise, one is a little uneasy by the rather austere nature of the boats. They are built with woods, a jutting front that ends with a sharp edge. From outside, the only thing that looks modern about the boats are the huge electric cable of tiny lights that is woven round the the boats like a Christmas tree. At night while sailing, what one sees is a floating  spectrum of colours rather than a boat.

    Most of the dhow boats on dinner cruse starts boarding around 8pm after the Moslem prayers. There are normally stewards that welcome one onbard with a  glass cup of fruit juice.  The interior of the boat is tastefully decorated, sharply different from what one sees from outside. It is not the normal Arabian living room sitting arrangement that seats are much lower with throw-in pillows to recline on. This is more of a Western  sitting arrangement.

    The most dhow dinner cruise boats are double-decker. Guests have the choice of settlement deep in the boat below or take a seat at the top. The top is obviously much better simply because it gives one better view of the Dubai in the night, a rather enchanting sight. Arabian music plays from the background as one sits. One may not understand the wordings of the music, but that does not stop one from enjoying the sonorous voice of the singers and the instrumentation which is eastern. Musicians sing about different things based on their reality,  but there is always one common topic that they sing about and this is love. Occasionally, habibi, the Arabian word for love, is not far away in the music.

    Gradually, the dhow set sail, the music continues to blare on the quiet Dubai creek and the silver water ripples as the dhow slices through. The light of the tall buildings reflects on the water.  Guests are allowed to sail and enjoy the calmness of the water and senses suck in the exquisite feelings. With a glass of drink, one could simply recline by the boat, enjoy the solitude of the blend of nature and man as seen in the water and the  modern buildings all around.

    Then the entertainment starts, the Sufi dancer comes on board to entertain. He twists and turns with his tambourine altered with some other objects.

    The dance is very intricate and done with a certain grace and elegance in steps. It is difficult to imagine how one could dance for such a long time without falling.

    Sufi dance essentially rotates about its own axis, and through this movement, the dancers alternate states of consciousness and mystical ecstasy, while his soul emerges from earthly ties to enter the kingdom of God. The dance is a universe of Sufi mystics to connect with God.

    It was dinner time and one after the other, the guests filed to the dinner table to serve themselves. There was no alcohol served. The cruise went on for about one hour and then it was time for the return journey. Along the way, more 20 dhow boats cruised by filled with people.

    Although some cruises offer performances by belle dancers, our was just the Sufi dancers. But most of the guests did not seem to mind as they enjoyed the performance.

      The guests can enjoy the exquisite oriental cuisine. Daily boarding starts at 8 pm and the dhow sets sail at 8:30 pm providing everyone aboard with a wonderful two-hour experience.

  • Azazi’s children recount their last dinner with dad

    Azazi’s children recount their last dinner with dad

    Death aborts Xmas carol, likely ambassadorial job

    AFTER overcoming the initial shock of losing their loved dad, the late Gen. Owoye Azazi’s children relived yesterday their last moments with him.

    The former National Security Adviser (NSA) and his family had dinner with his children on Friday at his Ikoyi home in Lagos, The Nation was told.

    He joked with them and spoke about the planned Christmas carol billed for tomorrow at his residence.

    Gen. Azazi died in Saturday’s naval helicopter crash in Tombi, Bayelsa State. He was with Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa and four others, who all died in the crash.

    Three of Gen. Azazi’s children – Owoye Jnr, Benatare and Pelede – recounted their last moments with the former Chief of Defence Staff.

    They spoke after the visit of First Lady Patience Jonathan, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, former Head of Interim National Government (ING) Chief Ernest Shonekan and former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba, among others.

    Owoye Jnr said: “I do not know where to start from, but what I do know is that we have to work hard to ensure our mum gets over this shock.

    “I saw my dad last on Friday night because we had dinner in the house here. At dinner, he cracked his usual jokes; we all laughed and we discussed some things we needed to do. I told him we would continue when he returned.

    “Because he was to travel to Abuja from that trip; we agreed we would see on Monday, little did I know it was my last with him.

    “I heard about the crash but could not believe it and just wished he was not there, even though I knew he was in the aircraft.

    “Life without him is really unimaginable, but can we question God? As you can see, most of the people here today are those who had personal encounters with him. They knew him because he affected their lives in one way or the other.

    “He was not our dad alone; he was father to everybody. That is the kind of person he was. It is going to be hard, but God will be our strength.

    “Our main interest now is our mother and how to ensure she does not miss him so much. We have not set a burial date yet; we are still deliberating as a family,” he said.

    Benatare, who was in tears as she spoke with our reporter, said she was at the airport until the airport closed for the day, just wishing her father would come out somehow, somewhere.

    She said: “I saw my dad on Friday in Abuja. He brought some things for me from Lagos, so, I met him at the airport to pick the things up. He told me he was coming back and we would have time to discuss and so I left.

    “On hearing about the crash, I rushed back to the airport. I was at the airport until they closed for the day, wishing something would just happen and he was not inside that helicopter.

    “But it dawned on me my dad was not coming back when the airport closed for the day. I am yet to come out of the shock.

    “He was a wonderful father. I do not think there is any dad like mine. Nothing he wouldn’t do for us. He did everything. I cannot even imagine he is no more. It is really hard to believe.”

    Pelede said: “I will surely miss my father and no matter how anybody tries to father me, it will never be like my dad.

    “I had a close bond with my father. I remember we all came here to have dinner together on Friday and my brother Owoye was supposed to go and watch Sunny Ade (a juju musician) at Ikoyi Club.

    “My dad laughed and spoke about how Sunny Ade would normally dance while playing, which he can no longer do so well now; he is an old man.

    “We all laughed and shared jokes. We discussed our annual carol, especially because this year’s was to hold on Wednesday. So, I told him, ‘okay dad, have a safe trip tomorrow, I will see you when you return, but here we are.

    “I still believe it is a nightmare. I really wish to wake up to realise I have been in a dream all the while. But it has happened and we thank God. We have to thank God in all things.

    “He was a great gentleman; he served this country with a passion. He was a father who can never be replaced and I only wish I could just see him one last time to tell him I love him.

    “Life without him will be unbearable but we have to do our best to cope. I will say he left a big legacy for us to feel. His shoes are really big for us to occupy, but we will make sure we do our best not to disappoint him.

    Feelers from the late general’s home yesterday indicated that his family and close associates suspect foul play in the way he died.

    Some family members believe that the late Gen. Azazi was to be appointed an ambassador in January before the disaster occurred.

    A family member said: “No one can convince me that the helicopter just crashed. Whoever killed him will not see the end of this year; it has been my prayer since I heard about the crash.

    “Daddy Azazi was a good man, very bold, outspoken and God-fearing. He never discriminated against anyone. He was to be made an ambassador by January and now they have killed him.”

    Moreover, sympathisers who visited the family yesterday prayed with the widow and children and unanimously declared that Gen. Aziza’s killer(s) will also die. Christians and Muslims prayed together and sang praises to God.

    The First Lady, who came into the house at 4:30pm, was received by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, and Gen. Azazi’s first son, Owoye Jnr.

    Mrs. Jonathan broke down in tears as she consoled Gen. Azazi’s wife, Alero.

    The President’s wife, who spoke in a low tone, muttered such words as “God knows best; it is shocking news but God is your strength, my sister.”

    She wrote in the condolence register: “My dear brother, your demise is so painful, but we take solace in the fact that death is an inevitable end.

    “You came, you saw and you conquered. You were a fine, courageous and professional soldier. You made your mark.”