The Nation Newspaper

Tag: happy

  • Ooni happy over Araba Agbaye’s appointment

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), has welcomed the new Araba Agbaye,  , Chief Owolabi Awodotun (Orishada11).

    He was speaking when  the Awo Olodumerindinlogun paid him a courtesy visit to present  the new Araba Agbaye- elect to the Ooni. The Ooni also used the opportunity to unveil the Olojo festival holding at the end of this month to journalists.

    After the demise of the former holder of the position, the late Adisa Aworeni Awoyemi, the Agiri descendants of Oketase compound, Moore Quarters, Ile-Ife, Osun State, chose Chief Owolabi Awodotun Aworeni, the Afedigba Awo Olodumerindinlogun,  as the Araba elect.

    The Ooni used the opportunity to thank the entire Agiri descendants of Oke-Itase compound especially elders and youths of the compound for choosing the new Araba. He advised the Araba to be patient, tolerant, accommodating, peace-loving, and generous.

    Chief Owolabi Awodotun Aworeni is a professional and well trained Ifa priest who learned the art of Ifa from his late father, Chief Adisa Aworeni Awoyemi.  Ifa training later took him to Oluwo Fawole of Agesinyowa compound of Ile-Ife in the late 1990s.

    His passion for Ifa has since established his name both in the country and outside the shore. He has travelled to different parts of the world extending frontiers of Ifa knowledge. This has taken him to Venezuela, Mexico, Italy, USA, United Kingdom, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Cuba and host of others where he also has Omo-Awo.

    He has received numerous awards and honours in promoting and propagating Ifa, Yoruba history and Culture.

    Araba Agbaye is the highest Ifa priest in the world. It is the Pope of all Ifa practitioners both in and Diaspora. Since inception of Ifa practices, the Araba at Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba civilizations and culture is recognized as the Araba Agbaye. It is from Araba Agbaye that other Yoruba Araba derived their titles from including those in diaspora. The Araba Agbaye is a direct descendant of Orunmila. That is, Araba Agbaye title whose meaning can be explained as a big silk cotton Tree. Due to its big/huge size it could be refers to as father of trees which is very pertinent to the importance of the title. Thus, with this literally meaning, Araba Agbaye is the father of all Awo Olodumerindinlogun, Araba, Oluwo and Ifa practitioners.

  • We’re happy over honour, says widow of Abiola’s senior brother

    IT was all jubilation at the Abeokuta home of late Musibau Abiola, the late elder brother of MKO Abiola, on Wednesday night, following the news of the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day henceforth.

    When The Nation visited the Abiola family home, the members were still in a joyous mood some minutes after nine o’ clock when the NTA network brought the news to their living room on Wednesday.

    Alhaja Kudirat Musibau, widow of Abiola’s elder brother, told The Nation that she heard the news on the NTA network news and instantly went into a frenzy without waiting to hear the details.

    Mrs. Abiola said she dashed down from upstairs apartment to the basement shouting and jumping at the same time, calling other members of the family to come and hear what she heard.

    She said: “I heard over the NTA network news and couldn’t wait for the newscaster to conclude before jumping up in joy and calling on others to know if they also heard the news about Chief MKO Abiola and June 12. We all erupted into jubilation in the compound that Wednesday night.

    “We have long waited for the good news but didn’t expect it will come from this government.”

     

  • 10 simple ways to make your wife happy

    WHILE dream vacations and life milestones are important, it’s the simple things you do that make your wife happy. Show love and respect to your bride every day, and remind her why you were the best choice she’s ever made. Here are 10 basic tips for showing every day love. Remember:

    Happy wife, happy life.

    Introduce her with a compliment

    Saying something like “I’d like you to meet my beautiful wife,” or “Here’s my better half” goes farther than you may realize. Publicly recognizing her as your cherished partner validates that you love her.

    Embrace when you see her

    At the end of a long day conquering office battles and keeping the kids from climbing walls, you could both use a loving hug. Make a point of showing you missed her and are glad to be reunited. A big kiss doesn’t hurt, either.

    Ask her how you can help

    If this is a new one for you, she may think there’s a catch. With a sincere willingness to give a helping hand, ask how you can lift her burden. This gesture applies to more than yard work, but being in tune with her needs emotionally and spiritually, as well. Sometimes she just needs a listening ear.

    Let her pick the movie

    Or, if you’re playing games, let her choose. She needs to know her opinion counts in your marriage. Taking turns with these simple choices makes it easier to compromise on the bigger choices together.

    Forgive her fast

    She forgot to pack your lunch, or accidentally broke your TV remote. So, she’s human, after all? With all that she does right, let it go when she makes mistakes. After all, you’re no perfection yourself, cupcake!

    Open the door for her

    Chivalry is not dead. Opening the door is a gentlemanly way to take care of your lady. She likely grew up wanting to be a princess. Be her prince.

    Hold her hand in public

    Some women are less inclined to public displays, but when appropriate, reach out and squeeze her hand. With the reassurance you’re proud she’s yours, she’ll walk a little taller, and smile a little bigger.

    Write her love letters

    You don’t have to be Shakespeare; the thought matters most here. Focus on specific things you love about her; the wrinkle in her nose when she laughs or how she finds joy in the little things. You can hide it in her makeup bag, under her pillow, or somewhere else she’ll discover it. She’ll be happily surprised and treasure your words for years to come.

    Carve out time for consistent date night

    In an on-the-go digital world, it’s easy to get caught up in the minutia of kids, work, community, extended family and even church responsibilities. Set aside a weekly special night just for the two of you. It doesn’t need to be costly or extravagant. Just make an effort to court her, as you did when you were dating.

    Let her fly

    As her partner, you are in the best position to help her reach her dreams.

     

    Source: familyshare.com

  • How to he happy in your home (4)

    Dear Reader,

    You are welcome to another exciting moment in God’s presence! I shared with you last week on Spices for a Happy Home. In that teaching, I showed you some examples of spices like Joy, Excitement, Praise and Appreciation. This week, I want to share with you the Main Reason You Must Train Your Children.

    For you to enjoy a happy home, you must train your children according to God’s guidelines. The following are the reasons you must train them in the way of the Lord.

    God commanded it

    Child-training is not a piece of advice, a suggestion or a thing you do at your convenience. It is a commandment from God and His commandments are neither grievous nor burdensome (1John 5:3). My husband says, “God’s commandments are not to grieve you, but to groom you.”  Bring your children up in the way of the Lord because if you refuse to do so, you are disobeying God’s commandment. As far as God is concerned, disobedience is as terrible as witchcraft. 1 Samuel 15:23a says: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Disobedience is like drinking the blood of another human being as witches do. May God not catch you as a witch! His Word also says: Do not suffer a witch to live (Exodus 22:18). In other words, if you are not bringing up your children in the way they should go, you are cutting short the number of your days. Receive grace from God now, to be obedient to this commandment on child-training in Jesus’ name.

    It is the responsibilities of both parents

    Take a look at Proverbs 22:6 again. God did not mention here who, particularly, should do the training, but definitely it is the parents. I mean both parents because neither the father nor the mother alone can give birth to a child. It is a combination of forces; therefore, the training must be done by both parents. Child-training is not the responsibility of the mother alone; it is that of both the father and the mother. For example, in Nigerian culture, every good and well behaved child belongs to the father, but the one that is bad and corrupt is for the mother.

    Remember it is a combination of forces that brought the child to be. So, it must be a combination of forces that will fulfill that commandment. Both parents must create time for their children, so that the children will not become thorns in their flesh tomorrow. Training your children in the fear of the Lord is your primary responsibility. Don’t be slack about it! Both parents ought to fulfill their parts and make it a joint effort. The Bible says in Ecclesiastics 4:9 that: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

    As parents, pay close attention to your children and create time to listen to them. Also, fellowship with them and give them opportunities to ask questions that are bothering them. Learn to create time for fun and excitement and all tension will be defused. Do not allow your children to become victims of neglect by being too busy to attend to them. I pray for a release of grace upon you now for the fulfillment of your role as parents in Jesus’ mighty name.

    It is a seed

    Whatever you do in life is a seed and you will eventually reap the fruit. Likewise, child-training is a seed. You will reap the harvest of whatever training you give to your children tomorrow. The Word of God says: While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease (Genesis 8:22).

    When you sow the seed of good Christian upbringing into the lives of your children, they will give you joy, happiness and fulfillment tomorrow. For your children not to give you heartache tomorrow, you must to sow seeds of proper upbringing into their lives.

    Certain things were sown as seeds into my life as a little girl and for that, I will never forget my parents. I advise you to do the same for your children. In Jeremiah Chapter 35, Jonadab sowed the seed of good child-training. Even after he departed, generations after him still continued to follow his footsteps. No wonder in verses 18 & 19, God had to make a promise. The seed that Jonadab sowed into his children began to bring forth fruits which eventually brought them to the throne. Even our Lord Jesus Christ came from his lineage. What a harvest of fruits!

    You need grace to be able to train your children. This can only be received when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour. Are you set to receive Him into your life today? Say this prayer of faith with me: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

    Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are born again and you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name!  Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • How to be happy in your home (2)

    Dear Reader,

    It is a wonderful time in God’s presence. Last week, I started sharing with you on how you can be happy in your home. This week, I will be teaching on Hospitality: the Gateway to a Happy Home.

    What is Hospitality?

    Hospitality is the friendly, generous reception and entertainment of guests or strangers, especially in one’s home. It is the willingness to share, with discernment, what God has given you. This includes sharing your home, finances and food with others. Hospitality is an attitude of stewardship, knowing fully well that you do not own anything but you are merely the caretaker and God is the real owner.

    He desires that you share His love with others, and all these must be done in reverence and gratitude to Him. Likewise, in relationships, you can be hospitable yet honour the boundaries of others; sharing all you have without strings attached. This will convince them that you are a Christian thereby leading to the growth of the Church. The Word of God says: Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2).

    Hospitality also enables you contribute to the development and growth of your family, friends, and fellow Christians; it is the door to discipleship. Without hospitality, discipleship will be limited because it is an integral part of the Great Commission that Christ gave us as a Church. (Matthew 28:18-20). You must be willing to go beyond your defined needs, comforts, and ideals to provide an environment that contributes to the physical and spiritual growth of people around you. Furthermore, we must understand that hospitality is not a gift; rather, it is a call to us all!

    One of the most important calls that Christ gave His church is to show hospitality towards people. We are His ambassadors who He uses as His welcoming arms to draw people from outside into His presence! He is the Seeker; we are the ones He seeks, and sometimes we are the ones He uses to seek others (It is God’s desire that all His children be saved, yet it is only a few that accepts His grace). It is the role of the Holy Spirit to save people, and we are the instruments through which He works. So, we must be a church that welcomes not only believers, but also those who may never have been inside a church before. This ministry of hospitality is about being His ambassador on the earth.

    As a single person, you can also be hospitable. Rebecca was a perfect example of hospitality. When Abraham’s servant came to Mesopotamia to take a wife for Isaac, he said a prayer to God:…Let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down your pitcher, I pray you, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give your camels drink also: let the same be she that you have appointed for your servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that you have showed kindness to my master (Genesis 24:14). Abraham’s servant knew that Isaac belonged to a hospitality addicted family. Thus, he prayed for a kind and hospitable wife for him.  He knew that any woman who would offer water to a stranger and his camels would be a hospitable person. The criteria for his choice were not based on possessions, height, beauty or education; but a warm and loving heart.

    Singles who are hospitable will certainly welcome their life partners unknowingly. Do you believe God for a life partner? How hospitable are you? The choice is yours!

    Let brotherly love be the reason for reaching out to others (Romans 12:10/13). Brotherly love makes hospitality easy, it makes you want to reach out to others and give them a helping hand and it is also what makes you want to share what you have with others. This was the strength of the first century church; no one had a need among them. Those who had, eagerly distributed to others who had none; they shared all things in common (Acts 2:44-45). As a result of this display of brotherly love, God’s power was evident in their midst. You need to be sold out to hospitality; it’s the path to God’s presence in your marriage and home.

    However, the grace to be hospitable is available when you give your life to Christ. You do this by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. If you want to receive this grace, could you please say this prayer of faith with me? “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

    Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are born again and you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name!  Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored)

  • Happy times for Chris Ubah

    Happy times for Chris Ubah

    When outsiders scorn, disappoint or betray you, it is to your family that you look for solace and comfort. So, having seen his political ambitions cut short by his political opponents, albeit temporarily, Anambra-born billionaire business tycoon, Chris Ubah, is drawing succour from the recent joyful happenings in his household.

    Penultimate Sunday, the hand of beautiful Nkemjika, one of his daughters, was given away in marriage to the love of her life, Obinna Ajugwo, at a colourful church ceremony at Holy Trinity’s Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja. The service was followed by a grand reception at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, attended by pillars of high society.

    The couple’s union is the culmination of school love. They had met while schooling abroad and struck up a romantic bond. It will be recalled that the traditional engagement held two months ago at an elaborate ceremony in the bride’s hometown of Uga, Anambra State.

  • What makes you happy?

    Happiness is just round the corner. It comes from the smile you get from your neighbour, employee, friend, spouse or fellow citizen

    Today, Reader, we are taking time away from the hot topic of just who is responsible for Nigeria’s unhappiness. Clearly, Nigeria has no happiness to speak of. I want to thank all those who reacted to those articles, many passionately. We shall pick up the gauntlet a little later after this short break on happiness. Now, what makes you happy?

    I have often thought of happiness and how to get it. I know for a certain it does not reside in the bottle. How do I know this since I have never tried to bury my head in alcohol? Well, I have observed that most people who do that often come up with their heads plastered. Their hairs are stuck fast to their heads, eyes unfocussed and steps swaying to music no one else is hearing. I also know for certain it does not reside in my pots. Believe me, I have tried gorging myself in gluttony in my search and all it got me has been one colossal weight increase that has my pair of scales screaming, ‘are you seriously expecting me to read that weight?’ Of course, I have hissed back at them scales, ‘Liar, Liar!’

    Nevertheless, I checked my physique to see if that machine has seen something that I failed to. I saw that my limbs had somehow taken to resembling the teenage daughter of the trunk of an Iroko tree. Well, that’s no reason to grumble, I thought. I picked up the tape rule to check my waist and I had trouble finding it. So, I enlisted the help of my dressmaker who asked me, ‘where is your waist?’ My arms also seemed to have a mind of their own. They no longer obeyed me when I said, ‘fit into the sleeve’. They would prefer to wave their fat pockets at the wind. I also noticed that my head had somehow slipped from being a size dumb to a size dumber. When I checked with the doctor, he said something like ‘aging process’ but luckily, I didn’t hear him properly.

    I knew I had to shift the weight off me or it might submerge me. First I put on the trekkers and took to walking early in the morning as the doctors recommend. Along the way, I gathered a great deal of greetings and good wishes from fellow passers-by, but no happiness as such. My return smiles lit my own face though. Somehow, I could not see the effect of my suffering on my weight.

    So, I took myself off to the gym. What first hit me was the array of machines that had been arranged to help me slice off the fat, no matter where it’s hiding. The ambitious trainer told me to hang on something and lift my legs off the solid earth. I looked at him as if he had just said I should lift myself off the ground. He was not joking. I failed of course, so he said that was a confirmation of the bad state of my health. ‘When you can lift yourself off the ground, you will be amazed just how good you will feel about yourself,’ he said. It sounded suspiciously like he was saying there was a lot of happiness to be got from some physical wellbeing.

    Out of pity for him, I refrained from running out of there and never going back there. Instead, I picked up a pair of weights and tried lifting it above my head. Instead, I went sliding down, backwards. I went on the bicycle and it creaked under me. I took pity on it and got down. Then, I went on the elliptical and it swung me around so much I felt my weight was in danger of flying off. So, hugging my weight to me, I got off it and went crying to the massage machine, popularly called the tianshi. It vibrated under me and threw me off. Round one to the gym, I concluded as I took my towel and headed home in humiliation. I knew though I would go back. Reader, you should try it some time.

    Next, I took my search for happiness to my money. I went to my bank and asked them there to help me count my filthy lucre. It took them exactly … two seconds. The other second was for the page bearing my name to open on the computer. No, I’m not going to tell you how much or little, you thief, but it was enough to cause happiness to flee from me. As a matter of fact, it did at that point. So, I thought, perhaps this is the reason why Nigerians seize every opportunity to pretend that every monetary vote that comes into their keeping automatically becomes theirs for the spending. That would amount to a lot of happiness going around, I am thinking. But one lesson was drummed into me and I think I’ve mentioned it here before but since I like repeating myself, here it goes again.

    There is a difference between having money (yours or not) and being wealthy (often yours). Money, I am told, is what temporarily comes into your hand by any legitimate or illegitimate means, and wealth is what comes into your hand through entrepreneurship. So, one may have money through borrowing, embezzling, frauds, etc. One however only has wealth through investing one’s money in manufacturing or stocks so that it yields for you whether or not you are there. This follows that even a salary earner who does not invest his/her money cannot be said to have wealth, only some money. On the other hand, one who embezzles and invests the money cannot be said to have wealth, only stolen loot. The day the loot crashes soon comes. So, definitely, money (especially other people’s) cannot house any happiness either.

    Don’t forget, reader, we are looking for just where happiness resides. Could it be in the genders then, I asked? I looked at the males and females I came across and tried to gauge their happiness quotient. Let me just summarise my findings. From most of the males I came across, I got the impression of people wondering what exactly they were doing on Planet Earth. I saw them thinking, like the speeding motorist, ‘this world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through…’. They had this glazed look, you see. I think they got it from watching too much football. So, I put their quotient of happiness at forty-five per cent. Please feel free to agree with me.

    The females, on the other hand, had this definite look that only colonisers have, you know, the kind Britain had after it swallowed America. The whale also had it after it swallowed Jonah. The females have not only colonised Planet Venus (where they come from) and Earth (where they are now), they are already eyeing Mars. Have you seen a colony of females at any event? My goodness! They are worse than a colony of ants. They are forever swishing around in their one-foot high heels and perfumes that smell worse than horses’ sweats and dresses that evoke the conquering of Sumatia all over again. Of course, I have no idea where that is. Look it up. Anyway, I put the happiness quotient of females at forty-six per cent.

    March 20 is the UN’s International Day of Happiness. It’s just to remind us that happiness is not something to pursue through cheating or misuse of public funds as most of us in this nation currently believe. I believe happiness is just round the corner. It comes from the smile you get from your neighbour, employee, friend, spouse or fellow citizen. So, I ask again, what makes you happy?

  • Why the Governor is Happy and Smiling

    Why the Governor is Happy and Smiling

    A member of the Kenyan delegation which recently visited Taraba State was asked by a reporter of his impression after touring some parts of the state. His answer was an instructive take-away package. Taraba, he said, is a state in a hurry to renew and reposition itself to meet the people’s need for modern amenities. He did not stop there.  He said: “Everywhere we went during the tour men were at work on the roads. On-going water projects sites were numerous and contractors were battling hard to meet stringent completion deadlines given to them by the Governor.”  All of these, the Kenyan gentleman said, underscored one vital point: Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku’s determination to take the state off the reverse gear and move it forward.

    That determination informs the way things are done in Government House, Jalingo, the seat of political power in the state. The Governor is ever in a hurry to touch lives positively and he is frequently reminding his aides to increase their speed because there is no time to waste. It is for this reason that Government House under the watch of Governor Ishaku is always a beehive of activities. At any point in time during work hours, there are meetings and consultations going on, all in the efforts to seek new and realistic approach to the all-important issue of taking the state to greater heights.

    The situation was very much the same in Government House last week. Government House was in a very busy mood and so was Governor Ishaku, its Number One tenant. The star event of the week was the visit of the Kenyan delegation from Nairobi Water and Sewerage Corporation to Taraba State. And the star subject of the week was W-A-T-E-R. Water was the most discussed item in government circle during the week.

    Governor Ishaku for whose administration the provision of water is a priority, received the visiting seven-member Kenyan delegation three times in four days. The first was a courtesy visit in the Governor’s office, the second a private dinner for the visitors in the Governor’s Lodge and the third and last a farewell visit during which the group submitted a diagnostic report on how effective management of water can be achieved by the Taraba State Water Agency. It is rare for Governor Ishaku to be so generous with time as he did with the visitors from Kenya but this had to be so because the provision of water and its management for profitable efficiency are a priority of his administration. During the visit, each member of the delegation received a souvenir from both Governor Ishaku and his wife, Barr. Anna Darius Ishaku.

    The visit of the Kenyans was an opportunity for Governor Ishaku to also check on the contractors handling government’s water projects at the various construction sites in Jalingo and he came out of each of the sites happy and smiling the way I have never seen him do. The secret? He was happy with the level of progress that has been made by the construction firms and smiling because water will soon be flowing into the homes and offices of the residents of Jalingo.  He told his audience during the brief but remarkable ceremony in his Lodge on Friday afternoon that he was anxious to have in Taraba State a water agency that is as efficiently managed as the one he saw in Kenya. About 50 staff members of the Taraba State Water Agency are soon to depart for Nairobi to be trained in the culture of efficiency in water management. The Kenyan team has since left for home.

    The euphoria of victory over water problem that is certain and already knocking at doors in the state also radiated and coloured almost all the other events of the state during the week. The graduation ceremony of the first batch of 335 beneficiaries of the Ishaku administration’s Youth and Women Empower Programme was a huge celebration of success that is unique in the state. The scheme is the first most productive economic empowerment programme since the creation of Taraba State in 1991. It is the greatest gift from the state to the 335 participants, one they will never forget in a lifetime.

    The trainees were selected through a rigorous process, two from each electoral ward.  They were trained in carpentry, hairdressing, footwear designing, computer operations, soap making, wood carving, cloth weaving, fish net production and welding. They had become proficient in these areas of entrepreneurship at the end of the three-month exercise. At their graduation ceremony held in the sports hall of the Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo, on Tuesday, all participants received special free packages of equipment they require to set up their own business. These include, photo copiers, computer/printers, generators, machines and tools. The programme was implemented by the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and co-ordinated by Rescue Watch, the monitoring organ of the government’s Rescue Agenda.

    Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Governor Ishaku said the programme was his administration’s response to “our people’s desperate desire for jobs as expressed in almost all reports from our local government areas” collated for him by members of the Rescue Watch. He also explained what decided his choice of areas covered by the skills acquisition training. “My decision to approve the skills acquisition programme to cover tailoring, shoe making, soap making, wood craft, carpentry, weaving of “Kyadzwe” and “Lantang” traditional clothes, welding, hairdressing and computer services was deliberate”, he said. He said it was because of a strong personal conviction “that the things that our women and youths can leverage on for self-sustenance are right here at our backyards.”

    Ishaku urged the grandaunts to take advantage of the skills they have acquired from the training to create wealth and employment opportunities for others.  “You cannot afford to fail the people of Taraba State by misusing the public funds that was committed to your training. Any attempt to abuse this gesture by any beneficiary of the scheme shall be met by the full wrath of the law.” He warned the grandaunts against the temptation to sell equipment provided for them to set up their own business. “The idea of selling off these equipment provided for you should never in any way be contemplated because all the ward contact persons are hereby charged to keep watch over the beneficiaries and report non-compliance.” There are plans, according to the Governor to start the training of yet another batch of women and youths.

    Mr Rebo Usman, Chief of Staff to the Governor who supervises the Rescue Watch and the empowerment programme said all the grandaunts had signed an undertaking not to sell the equipment given to them. During their three month period of training, participants were each paid a monthly salary of Ten Thousand Naira. While the ceremony lasted the participants kept singing special songs and clapping hands in appreciation of Governor Ishaku for the great turn around in their destiny courtesy of the economic empowerment training.

    For Governor Ishaku, it was yet another glorious moment of accomplishment. He was again happy and smiling, especially as he toured through the stands where items produced by the trainees were on display.

    Earlier, Governor Ishaku had flagged- off the Third Nigeria Medical Association games tagged Jalingo 2017 and took the kick-off at the opening soccer competition. He noted that the games were an opportunity for the doctors to savour the traditional hospitality of the Taraba people. Ishaku said he was impressed by the idea of a Doctors’ Annual Games because in the past, doctors were often portrayed as too busy saving lives to save their own. By exercising through sports, doctors were showing the way to a healthy living. Ishaku also directed that each participant in the games be given one carton of Highland tea. Highland tea is one of the major products of the state.

    Dr Henry Okon Achibong, a member of the House of Representatives who represented Speaker Yakubu Dogara said it was a welcome coincidence that the Doctors’ games were being hosted in Taraba at a time that the health sector in the state was getting the best of attention.

    While all these were going on, Ishaku was also busy with preparations to host many of his colleague governors, traditional rulers and other prominent Nigerians from all parts of the country at the 40th anniversary celebration of Aku Uka’s ascension to the throne of his forefathers, scheduled for Friday, March 17 in Wukari. Details next week.

  • OLUMIDE OYEDEJI – Why i love to make people happy

    OLUMIDE OYEDEJI – Why i love to make people happy

    Former NBA star, and captain of the Nigeria Basketball team take time to chitchat with TAIWO ALIMI, on his illustrious career, retirement and plans to empower Nigerian youths.   

    Olumide Oyedeji1AT every point of this interview with Olumide Oyedeji, the longest serving captain of Nigeria Basketball team D’Tigers, you know you are with a man who is passionate about God, his people and his environment. “A man plans his ways, the Lord directs,” was his simple answer when the reporter asked how he turned out to be the first Nigerian National Basketball Association (NBA) draft, without attending U.S College.

    Born and bred in Mokola part of Ibadan, Oyo state, Olumide said he never dreamt that he would become a professional basketball player, not to talk of a successful one that would play in most continents of the world.

    Hear him: “I did not know I was going to be a professional basketball player. I grew up in Mokola area of Ibadan in a family of six. I played all kinds of sports at Loyola College; volleyball, football, basketball, track and field, handball, table tennis, badminton and field hockey. I chose basketball because I found myself growing taller than my age group.” Olumide’s daily routine as designed by his mum only accommodated school and church and she would not hear of him going off to play basketball or any sport for that matter. “My mum had designed my daily activities around school and church, so I could not tell him about my passion for sport. Aside from the Sunday service, I must be at the Wednesday vigil. School is also paramount as well as after school lesson from 2-4pm.”

    In between, young Olumide had to trek 12 kilometers to Liberty Stadium for basketball training and 15 kilometers back home. “On getting home my mom would punish by withholding my allowances and launch. It was tough because my mum was strict but I did not mind the extra efforts to play the game. Sometimes I would go to vigil and be sleeping and my mum would notice, but I did not tell him about the games.”

    Fortune smiled on him when Dodan Warriors of Lagos spotted him, but after three games, he was on the move again. “Customs Basketball team lured me with a job offer in 1996,” he revealed. And, it is from here that his career blossomed.

    He later travelled the Nigeria Basketball team to Senegal 1997. “Coach Ayodele Bakare gave me the chance to be with the team, although I was the youngest in the team as I was very young and inexperienced.

    I practiced with the team and gained confidence that prepared me very well for the job ahead.” The 6ft 10 in star has seen it all, played in the Olympics, Commonwealth games, All Africa games and captained D’Tigers.

    Last year, Olumide announced his retirement from D’Tigers after 20 years of dedicated service. “I captained the team for nine years, though tough, I learnt the rope and grew with each game. There were lots of things to complain about, but we try to ignore many things and just play our game.”

    An NBA veteran with stints in China, Korea, Kuwait, Russia, Spain, and Italy, Olumide would love the game to be better organised in his country. “It is important for us to progress and handle things better. We should stop putting people who don’t know about a sport to run it. Professionals should be allowed to run things in sport, as it is done in other sphere of governmental industry. In health, you expect someone with medical background to be in charge, so, why don’t we have same orientation in sport.

    Welfare of players should be paramount because athletes can work forever like people that work in offices do. Our career is short and there is no pension. So, we need to take care of ourselves. I was injured in the 1999 Africa games and was neglected by my country. There is no insurance for us, so I took care of myself and came back to play for Nigeria. We deserve to have a say in how Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBF) is run.”

    Oyedeji advocates for fresh and young Nigerians to get in charge of sports. “I’ve been hearing the phrase ‘young shall grow’ since I was born’, when will the young grow when we are still here and after what we have done for our country. We have to appreciate what we have. I am the first African player to play in every major basketball tournament in the world: World Championship, Olympic, NBA, Euro League, Asia League, South America League, Commonwealth Games, and Africa Games.

    I have seen it all and that is why I have offered myself as role model to Nigerian youths. There is a need to improve on the way we run sport and allow the athletes to run the game. ”

    In spite of his frustration,Oyedeji said he would continue to build bridges and influence positively on Nigerian youths. His Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Camp (OOBC) is waxing stronger after 18 years, and has added three more foundations since then. “I have launched the Olumide Oyedeji Youth programme, Shot a ball not a gun initiative, Prove to succeed: Readers to be Leaders, Inter College Basketball  programme and others to empower youths, reduce crime and show them the right way,” he said.

    “For 18 years I have been running OOBC and I have watched many kids grow into stars and responsible adults. Over 4500 kids have attended it and one of them is Kaffy (Popular dance instructor and choreographer), who has done well for herself today. About 75 are playing professionally and 250 in U.S Colleges playing basketball too.  I am happy that I have brought smiles into their lips and that is what I set out to do.”

    Oyedeji did not just set out to do all these; he said he was inspired by his background and under vow to his creator. “In December 1995, I made a vow to God that if He would bless me I would take care of the unprivileged. I would empower the youth and use my resources to bless others. ”

    Yet, he abhors wastefulness. “I love good cars but I am not the type you find driving a Ferrari or Porch.

    These are racing cars that you cannot drive very fast because of mandatory speed limit in developed countries, so, why waste money on them. I prefer my BMW s, Mercedes Benz, and Audi. They are classic cars that are efficient too. I do not fret about what I eat too.  I eat whatever that is set before me. I am not choosy. In-fact I love to cook my food myself. I am the homely type that would not be caught eating out every time. I love to cook my own food,” he added.

    Without been told, Oyedeji has a strong personality. “I just want to be the best. That is my philosophy in life. Everything I touch, I just want to come out the best. I am a warrior and I like competition. I thrives best where there is a goal to meet and go for things that look impossible to achieve. I just want to be the best,” he added as his voice rose to drive home his point.

    “That is the personality I try to build in youths that comes for my programmes. Make them strong and believe in themselves. Make them to believe that they can climb any mountain and achieve whatever they set their minds on. It is the way I started and they can get to the highest point too by believing in their abilities,” he said.  Life in retirement, Oyedeji reasoned is an opportunity to do things that are important to him.

    “I retired from the national team to do other things that I have passion for. I’m not entirely out, I still offer useful guide to the team and NBBF. I can now contrite on running my foundations and programmes. I build bridges, I don’t burn bridges.”

    Oyedeji is blessed with five children: three boys and two girls. “My first and second sons play basketball while the third plays soccer. The girls are active too in sports,” he added.

  • How to be happy in 2017

    You must have either greeted someone happy new year or received happy new year greetings after 12:00 a.m. on December 31, 2016. The greeting is a wish which may come to pass depending on many factors.

      Here are my suggestions on how to experience a happy 2017.

    • Resolve to be happy

     If the current state of the economy in the country and other challenges  Nigerian have to cope with in the new year are anything to go by, not many will be excited about 2017. For many Nigerians, nothing has really changed, except the calendar year to warrant the kind of excitement and celebration of the new year.

     If anything, indications are that 2017 will be a tougher year with little hope of improvement despite assurances by government at all levels.

     Notwithstanding, you must resolve to be happy that you survived 2016 unlike many others and be hopeful that you can weather the storm, however fierce.

     Your state of mind has a lot to do with your ability to survive yet another year and be able to stay above the depressing situation in the country.

     2016 might have been a very difficult year for you, but like the song by Bobby Macferrim says, “don’t worry, be happy.”

    • Make resolutions and work hard to keep them

     Making new year resolutions is one way to taking necessary  steps to redress  whatever didn’t work well for you in previous year. It  is an old  practice which many find difficult to keep except for those who are very disciplined and determined to get rid of old habits to make necessary progress.

     Right from the first day of the new year, some people break their resolutions and soon give up before the end of the first month.

      If you want to be happy in 2017, you must do a honest self-assessment of your life journey and decide on realistic resolutions which can help you achieve what you should accomplish at this time of your life.

     Resolutions may be hard to keep, but if you really don’t want to end up being miserable this new year, you must make the necessary sacrifice.

    • Plan your life

     Closely related to resolutions is planning your life. If in past years you have been guilty of leaving your life to time and chance, 2017 is the time to get serious about taking your destiny in your hands.

    What will be will not be except you make it to be. You must have a good plan, including timelines about your goals and aspirations.

     There are things to prioritise and there are things you must stop doing if you don’t want to look back in December 2017 and start wondering why you wasted the new year like other years.

    Like the popular saying, a failure to plan, is a plan to fail. The option is yours. It’s your life and what you make of it will depend on your decision.

    • Overcome your fears

    What keeps some people from making progress in life is the fear of their past failures and feeling of inadequacies. The fact that you didn’t achieve much in 2016 and past years should not stop you from being determined to succeed in 2017.

     Learn to put your past behind you and overcome your fears.

     Don’t judge yourself or allow others to judge you by your past; you are no longer there. 2017 is yet another opportunity to be what you are created to be.

      It’s never late to get things right if your default mindset is not failure. You need to give yourself the benefit of the doubt that you can succeed in 2017 and you will be surprised you can. Don’t write yourself off if you want 2017 to be a happy year for you.

    • Learn new things

     So much is changing in the world today and one of the major  keys to succeed  now is to acquire new knowledge in whatever one is engaged  in. With the rapidly changing technological advancements and information overload at the disposal of all, not even the knowledge of 2016 may be enough to succeed in 2017.

     You must go out of your way to know new ways of doing things.

     The world has truly become a global village with the Internet providing access to all the knowledge required for any interested person.

     Again, the choice is yours if you want to take advantage of what new technology offers to be the best at whatever you do.

    • Pray

     In the kind of troubled times we live, when many things defy logic and well known strategies, one crucial way to guarantee happiness is to pray and have faith in the almighty God who knows the end from the beginning.

     In my church, our slogan for the year is “My case is different”. Your case can be different if you hold on to God’s promise that when  men shall say there is a casting down, you shall say there is lifting up  for you.

     A thousand shall fall by your right hand and ten thousand by your left hand, but no evil shall come near you, if you believe.