The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ita-Giwa

  • High society warms up for Ita-Giwa’s 70th birthday

    There is a world of difference between a high society party and one organised by a commoner. Unlike parties hosted by proletariats, things are not done by half measures and  no stone is left unturned in high society shindig to ensure that guests have a swell time.

    In the next few weeks, the Lagos social space will be agog as one of the pillars of high society will be celebrating her 70th birthday in grand style. In February, to be precise, the thrills of Eden will re-echoe in Lagos as stylish Ita-Giwa joins the league of women in their 70s. She will pull all the stops to celebrate this milestone  in grand style.

    There is palpable exhilaration among friends and family members as almost everybody in her household is already in the mood for the big day. Before she left as the Special Adviser to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo on National Assembly Matters, Florence Ita-Giwa had been a senator.

  • Ayade appoints Ita-Giwa, Kate Henshaw, others as aides

    Ayade appoints Ita-Giwa, Kate Henshaw, others as aides

    Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade Wednesday, approved the appointment of Senator Florence Ita-Giwa as the Chairman of the Cross River Ports Authority.

    Ayade who made several appointments into key boards and parastatals, also appointed Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw as his Special Adviser, Liaison, Lagos.

    The appointments were made known in a press release signed by the Governor’s Special Assistant on Media & Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita.

  • SECRET OF MY YOUTHFUL LOOK –ITA GIWA

    SECRET OF MY YOUTHFUL LOOK –ITA GIWA

    FOREMOST socialite, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has said that one of the reasons she has maintained a youthful look, despite her age, is because of the sporty nature of the annual Carnival Calabar and Festival.

    Ita-Giwa who is the leader of one of the frontal bands, The Seagull, while speaking at the unveiling of the 2015 theme of the Carnival tagged ‘Climate Change’, noted that “Cross River is the only State where you see a grandmother dancing and somersaulting; “I’m approaching 70 and I’m still blasting and dancing on the street of Calabar.” Earning a rousing applause from the crowd, she continued, adding that contrary to the notion in some quarters that the festival is all about dancing and merry-making, “it is capital intensive and intellectually challenging.”  The challenges of interpreting the theme, she said, “is difficult than running for election.”

    “Once the theme is released, the band leaders begin to have sleepless nights. Each time we are having our rehearsals, I remember the American comedian called Mr. Bean. And I can tell you that there is nothing as difficult as creating expressions without voicing. Band leaders tear themselves apart during rehearsals and to imagine that we manage about a thousand people.”

    Praising the governor for what she described as not only sustaining the festival, but taking it a notch higher, Ita-Giwa who is Chairman of the Carnival Calabar Band Association, noted that she too was initially worried about the disposition of the new governor to the festival.

    “When Donald was leaving, we thought that would be the end of the Carnival. But when Imoke came in, he took the carnival a notch higher. With time, the carnival also became capital intensive, but despite the challenges, Imoke managed to keep it going. When Professor Ayade came, the same fear was entertained, but with what you are all witnesses to this evening, it is obvious the Carnival can only get better.”

  • Ita-Giwa buries dad

    Ita-Giwa buries dad

    FEW women are gifted with both beauty and brains. Among the lucky ones is Senator Florence Ita-Giwa. At 69, she is still full of life. Recently, Mama Bakasi, as she is fondly called, staged a lavish burial ceremony for her stepfather, the late Godwin Akinwale Bajomo, at The Haven Event Centre, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

    There to grace the occasion were close friends and associates of the founder of Children of Bakassi Foundation, including Sisi Abba Folawiyo, Yeye Oge Opral Benson and Mrs Ireti Asemota, among others. Ita-Giwa ensured that her guests were pampered with choice dishes, drinks and dessert.

  • National Assembly: Ita-Giwa seeks independent legislature

    National Assembly: Ita-Giwa seeks independent legislature

    Former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters Senator Florence Ita-Giwa yesterday urged the 8th National Assembly to be independent-minded in their choice of leadership.

    The former lawmaker,  who served two former Presidents as liaison officer between the Executive and the legislators, in a statement in Abuja, underscored the need for cordiality between the legislators, its leadership and presidency to strengthen democracy and the rule of law.

    She insisted that irrespective of the different political leanings of the lawmakers, they should ensure that they work together as an entity without undermining the dignity of the institution.

    She added that the 8th National Assembly  has to hit the ground running and do the right thing and avoid distractions and unnecessary altercations with the executive arm in other to legislate excellently for the nation.

    The statement reads in parts:”I urge the 8th National Assembly that will be inaugurated in June to be independent minded. They should put the nation first ahead of their personal interests.

    “This should be reflected in their choice of leadership. The upper and lower house are symbols of pride and dignity. Nigerians look forward to them to make people oriented laws and to partner seamlessly with the executive arm of government.

    “Inasmuch as they are under obligation to provide check and balances and carry out other functions, there should be cordial relationship between them.

    “This is necessary for our democracy to thrive. I advise that in all they do, they should dignify the hallowed chambers and promote peaceful atmosphere irrespective of their political differences.”

  • Cross River must remain PDP state – Ita-Giwa

    Cross River must remain PDP state – Ita-Giwa

    Political leader of the Bakassi people in Cross River State, Princess Florence Ita-Giwa, Wednesday said the state must remain a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) state despite losing the presidential elections.

    Addressing market women in a campaign to mobilize support for the PDP governorship candidate, Prof Ben Ayade, in Calabar, she said everyone must not belong to the same party.

    According to her a proper democracy required healthy opposition. “I don’t intend to cross carpet because we did not win at the centre. There must be healthy opposition in a good democracy. The All Progressives Congress (APC) played a healthy opposition, so the PDP should also play that part,” she said.

  • Over 70 per cent of Bakassi people yet to get PVCs, says Ita-Giwa

    Over 70 per cent of Bakassi people yet to get PVCs, says Ita-Giwa

    A former Senator and Special Adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on National Assembly Matters, Florence Ita-Giwa, has said over 70 per cent of her constituents are yet to get their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs).

     Describing the postponement of the general elections as an act of God, Ita-Giwa said it would enable the over 5000 Bakassi people to collect their cards and vote for their preferred leaders at the Dayspring Island where they registered.

    “The poll postponement is a blessing because it will now afford my people the opportunity of voting on March 28 and in April.  The few that has collected theirs are those that are in the refugee camp and their neigbours.

    “Thousands from the Southern part of Bakassi who left for Cameroon just to earn income since they are all fishermen registered at Dayspring and they are willing to return to get their PVCs and vote at Dayspring.

    “Now that the borders are open and the sea is sailable, I have started arranging boats to convey them so they can come and collect their PVCs. Over 5,000 of us cannot and should not be disenfranchised.

    “They are all keen to return home as soon as the federal government develops the Dayspring Island and until then, I have built a town hall with few rooms at Abana, the headquarters to accommodate some people and should officials want to make use of the hall for their various assignments.

    “I have concluded plans also to move generators to the place so that there will be light there.”

     So you can see that the postponement has given us ample time to complete the town hall and make it very habitable for my people and the electoral officers that will come there,” she said.

  • Ita-Giwa, others task women on business risk

    To succeed in business, women have been enjoined to be ready to take business-related risk.

    Speaking at the Nigerian Leadership Summit 2014 under the theme: ‘Entrepreneurship and the Nigerian Woman’ in Lagos, recently, former senator representing Cross River South Senatorial district Chief Florence Ita-Giwa impressed the need for women to take risk in business ventures if they truly want to succeed.

    According to her, it was regrettable that women have not made good use of the opportunities available to them, stressing that women must strive to conquer the fear of failure in order to make impact in business.

    “Even when women have the opportunities to secure bank loans, they were held back whether they will succeed. The major problem is fear of failure. The men understand that women were afraid to take risk, so men use that fear to intimidate the women when it comes to competing for scarce resources and business opportunities.”

    Expatiating, Ita-Giwa said it is high time women rise above parochial interests and be ready to invest in commerce, transportation, agriculture, telecommunication and politics, stressing that it was the only way the country will become better.

    “I have come to understand that you have to confront the obstacles that stand in your way. As for me, that been my attitude, I have been in politics for over 23 years, I know it’s not easy but you must be determined to excel. That is the spirit the Nigerian women need to succeed in business.”

    Also speaking, the CEO of Anabel Group and convener of the event, Nicholas Okoye urged women to be self confidence when they are undertaking a business venture.

    He said: “You must believe in yourself and those who work with you. You must believe in God. I believe nobody can succeed in life without the support of others, so cultivate others to buy into your dream.

  • Ita Giwa for Deputy Governor?

    Ita Giwa for Deputy Governor?

    AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, politics and politicians are really getting very interesting by the day. Specifically, the politics of erstwhile docile Cross River State is becoming full of intrigues and permutations too.

    If feelers emanating from the camp of one of the governorship aspirants in the state is anything to go by, then Senator Ita Giwa, former presidential liaison officer to the National Assembly, may be on her way to becoming a deputy governorship aspirant.

    Ripples learnt that she is being considered for the number two position on the ticket in the event that the said aspirant emerges as the flag bearer of the ruling party in the oily state. Perhaps, this explains why the flamboyant politician has suddenly become very outspoken in support of the aspirant of late.

    Anyway, these are uncertain times indeed. Otherwise, one may want to wonder if Ita Giwa would really love to take up the job of a spare tyre after all she has been.

  • Pillars of high society dazzle at Ita-Giwa’s daughter’s wedding

    Pillars of high society dazzle at Ita-Giwa’s daughter’s wedding

    The city of Lagos was painted in beautiful colours last Saturday over the wedding of Senator Florence Ita-Giwa’s daughter, Kokoeka, and her beau of many months, Chimaobi Obioha. The event presented an opportunity for the high society to reciprocate Mama Bakassi’s kindness and support for which she has been known for ages.

    Senator Ita-Giwa is one socialite always counted on by friends for moral and financial support. Little wonder they trooped out to return Mama Bakassi’s good gesture.

    The matrimonial ceremony was held at Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu Square, Lagos, followed by a one-of-its-kind reception at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos. From the nation’s corridors of power to its socio-economic milieu, men and women of clout and substance showered the couple with luxury items.

    Notable names at the event included Hajia Abah Folawiyo; Oba Otudeko; Funsho Amosu; Senator Ken Nnamani; Onari Duke; Folorunsho Alakija; Aliko Dangote; Sam Iwuajoku; Andy Uba and Nike Akande, among others.