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Tag: Michael

  • Michael’s TOP TEN

    Michael’s TOP TEN

    Michael Odokara-Okigbo, 33, is CEO and founder, ESM Global/NKENNE, an IT consulting firm. The versatile entrepreneur shares his favourite things with Olaitan Ganiu.

    Favourite language:

    Igbo, Pigin English, and other African languages.

    Favourite book:

    The most influential book for our company is ‘Grit: The Power of Passion and Perserverance,’ by Angela Duckworth. There are times you have to dig in as a company, and we had those moments. We were able to survive and grow because we were gritty, and made the improvement of our product our first priority. As a company, we’ve learned the power of perseverance, and we are stronger and more hungry for success.

    Favorite quote:

    ‘If you are going through hell, keep going.’ — Winston Churchill

    Favorite movie/TV show:

    My favourite movie is ‘The Jacksons: An American Dream.’ My favourite TV show is ‘Succession.’

    Read Also: Ex-militants seek pipeline protection contract for Ondo, Ogun, Lagos

    Significant professional accomplishment: In August 2023, we were awarded a National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research grant to help us elevate our artificial intelligence capabilities. That was major for us. Also, getting 50,000 users this year has been a big accomplishment for us as well. Our first accomplishment was our first Phase 1 grant from the Maine Technology Institute. As a company, we will always be grateful for MTI for their early belief in us, and their continued support. Winning an American Music Award was a significant accomplishment related to my other career in music.

    Passion project:

    Singing

    Audacious goal:

    ESM Global/NKENNE becoming a multibillion-dollar enterprise, and owning the African language learning and translations market.

    Favourite relaxation:

    Running or eating.

  • Family’s ‘greed’ endangers Baby Michael’s health

    Family’s ‘greed’ endangers Baby Michael’s health

    The health and future wellbeing of rescued Baby Michael Alvez, who suffers from face ulcer, seem to be on hold. Project Alert and rescuers have decided to refund donations raised, following alleged money-consciousness on the part of his family. GBOYEGA ALAKA reports.

    A thick shadow, penulti-mate week, fell on the future of four-year-old Baby Michael Alvez, who had been undergoing treatment for a diagnosed Facial Hemangioma at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

    Project Alert, and his rescuers, Kate Henshaw, Aramide Kasunmu and Temitope Oluwagbemi, who had been raising money and working hard towards the baby’s treatment and rehabilitation, have decided to refund the money, over nine million Naira, to the respective donors, following what they termed “problematic” attitude from his parents.

    Over a year ago, March 16, last year to be precise, Henshaw, who incidentally is brand ambassador to Project Alert, and the two other ladies, came across a very sick boy with open, degenerating face sore, running in traffic and soliciting alms around the Lagos Museum Roundabout, Onikan.

    Moved with pity, they got hold of him, located his mother, who had brought him to the location to solicit alms and offered to help.

    Following Michael’s admission into LUTH, Henshaw, Kasunmu and Oluwagbemi footed his bills along with his mum, Mary’s upkeep, until his ailment was confirmed and it was decided that he would require a long period of treatment and huge financial intervention. Together with Project Alert, as a host organisation, they went public for donations.

    Mary was initially billed to be a signatory to the account, along with Henshaw and Effah-Chukwuma (Executive Director, Project Alert), until she was dropped, following a discovery that she had once raised money from the public, raising about N700,000 through a television (TVC) campaign, without attempting any major treatment or leaving the streets.

    The account was opened and people kept donating for the boy’s treatment. The donations came notably from friends of the rescuers, Henshaw, Kasunmu and Oluwagbemi. Kasunmu, through her online GoFundme account, raised N597, 000 within three weeks of Michael’s admission, which was used in funding the baby and his mum’s weekly bills, medical tests and medications.

    In all, Kate Henshaw and her group of friends raised 50 per cent of the total money generated.

    Everything worked well until the family started making trouble and the money, which Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, Executive Director, Project Alert said is in excess of N9 million, allegedly became a target for Baby Michael’s family.

    According to Effah-Chukwuma, at a recent press conference, Project Alert and the rescuers have decided to refund all donations to the respective donors because Baby Michael’s family has frustrated their efforts.

    “Their antagonism was not only limited to the rescuers and Project Alert, but also to the different government agencies responsible for care and protection of children such as Michael. Not only did his mother, Mary, abandon him in the wards; she was also maltreating him…and even beat up another woman in the ward, and threatened to burn down the ward when accosted by the matron,” a statement signed by Effah-Chukuma read.

    As a result, she was banned from the hospital and the baby’s grandmother came to stay with him, while his aunt, Syndi Ezeanyeji assumed guardianship.

    Effah-Chukwuma spoke of how Ezeanyeji, in November, last year, sent lawyers to them requesting information on the account and amount raised and how the family vehemently rejected efforts by the state government to place the baby under proper hygienic care, accusing the state and the rescuing team of conniving to take their child away from them.

    Things reached a head in February this year, when, at a meeting of all parties convened by the Lagos Social Welfare Department, at the Secretariat, the family vehemently refused to give up their son, rejected further medical intervention and signed an affidavit with the welfare body to the effect. Aside that, Ezeanyeji got another law firm, Beacon Solicitors to write to Project Alert about the fund.

    As a result, Project Alert and the rescuers wonder why the family is more interested in the money which was raised for the boy’s treatment than his health and have decided to reimburse the donors.

    The donations will be refunded in the following order: 50 per cent to all donors who made donations of N20, 000 and above; and 100 per cent to those who donated N19, 999.

  • Michael and Cecilia Ibru varsity unveiled

    Michael and Cecilia Ibru varsity unveiled

    Co-founder of Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbarho-Otor in Delta State, Dr. Cecilia Ibru has said that the institution was established to reduce poverty by raising well-rounded graduates who will be builders of any society.

    Mrs Ibru spoke at the unveiling of the university penultimate week.

    “The focus of the university will be on well-rounded development of the individual member of the university community without discrimination on the basis of gender, ethnicity or religion,” she said at the well-attended event.

    She said the university boasts of facilities that are world class. All teaching and learning is e-based with solid linkages and exchange programmes for workers and students with universities in Europe, and North America.

    Mrs. Ibru assured the large crowd of dignitaries that the university would be remembered as a place where excellence and godliness will be preached and practised by all students.

    One of the highlights of the colourful ceremony was the presentation of scholarships to students of Delta State origin by the university.

    The Delta State government is expected to match the same number of scholarships offered by the higher institution.

    Notable academics associated with the university are the Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo; the Chairman board of trustees, Prof. Onigu Otite; Pro-Chancellor, Joop Berkout; the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uvie Tobore Igun.

    The Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa sent a delegation made up of the Secretary to the State Government, Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas and Hon. Joyce Overah, the Commissioner for Science and Technology. The Delta State government promised to partner with the university as it lauded the bold initiative of the Co-Founder for finding it worthy to help to interpret the SMART AGENDA of the Delta State Government and bring prosperity to all Deltans.

    The motto of the university, which began  academic activities last Monday, is: “Knowledge Alleviates Poverty.”

    Working in synergy with the university is the Michael and Cecilia Foundation Training Institute, College of Education and the Michael and Cecilia Demonstration schools.

     

  • African offers for ‘Nigerian Messi’ Michael Babatunde

    African offers for ‘Nigerian Messi’ Michael Babatunde

    Super Eagles rave of the moment Michael Babatunde is attracting offers from the Maghreb nations, SportingLife can exclusively report.

    The Nigerian international, who is currently holidaying in Lagos, revealed that the European offers he is currently considering are not willing to match up the valuation his Ukrainian side, Volyn Lutsk have set for him.

    “I will be making a decision of my next move once an agreement has been reached with my agent,” the 21-year-old player revealed.

    “Some Maghreb teams have tabled a lucrative offer for me but I want to join a team where I will be happy and play without regrets.”

    Babatunde also added that he was delighted that Nigeria escaped the FIFA ban.

    “My job is to play football but I’m glad we were not banned.”

    Nigeria was suspended by World governing body FIFA because of the interference from the government.

  • Dear Michael

    “DEAR MICHAEL,”

    “HERE I AM” at the fourth anniversary of your death. It is hard to believe that June 25th will mark four years since you left us. Whenever I “REMEMBER THE TIME” I heard the “NEWSFLASH” on the “NITE-LINE” that your life was “ON THE LINE,” I prayed for your soul not to “FLY AWAY.” It was a “HEARTBREAKER” because by the “BREAK OF DAWN” when I learnt that you weren’t “GOING BACK TO INDIANA” but that you were no more with us “IN THE FLESH,” I felt as if I was “EATEN ALIVE.” I felt that “THERE MUST BE MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS” pain of losing you. Your death made me “SPEECHLESS” and made me “CRY;” I had to “STOP” and ask friends to “TELL ME I’M NOT DREAMING;” for Michael at the prime age of 50, you had “GONE TOO SOON.”

    There just “AIN’T NO SUNSHINE” without you, there’s just no one else that could “BOOGIE ON DOWN” and gives us “BUTTERFLIES” the way you do. As sure as “ABC,” for any Tom, Dick, Harry, “BEN” or “JOHNNY RAVEN” who grew up anytime between 1970 and 2000, you were part of our “CHILDHOOD,” even if it was just for “ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE.” Whether we liked you or not, whether we saw the man “BEHIND THE MASK,” in life as in death, you remain an object of fascination, you remain “INVINCIBLE” not only for the “SUPERFLY SISTER,” “CIRCUS GIRL,” “ROCKING ROBIN,” “TABLOID JUNKIE” or even the “STREET WALKER.” From your “HAPPY” contributions to the “HOT STREET” of entertainment, to your “UNCONVENTIONAL” private life, most of us have our memory of you made palpable every time one becomes a “DANCING MACHINE” to “GET ON THE FLOOR” to “JAM” to your music till the “BREAK OF DAWN.”

    “WHATEVER HAPPENS,” the world of entertainment will never “COME TOGETHER” and “SHOO-BE-DOO-BE-DOO-DA-DAY” the way you made it. Never “AGAIN” will we have the kind of “SPEED DEMON” that could “BURN THE DISCO OUT” on the dance floor like you did; never again will there “BE A LION” of the ineradicable and “MORPHINE” talent that you were. They say some “PEOPLE MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND;” you certainly did Michael because yours was the “GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH.” When we hear your beat, we don’t need to ask “WHO IS IT?” When you sing, it’s as if “WE’VE GOT FOREVER.”

    Your “HISTORY” began when your “MOTHER” gave birth to nine children in a family of talented and creative artists. From the very beginning there was “SOMETHING ABOUT YOU ‘BABY” Michael’ and your star shone brightly with “MONEY” and fame beckoning. You undoubtedly took all “THE LOVE YOU SAVE” because by the age of five, you were belting out a string of No.1 hits and everybody was wanting to “ROCK WITH YOU.” As you “EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD” to stardom you proceeded to “ROCK MY WORLD.” Your voice was the “MORNING GLOW;” your lyrics made us believe in “A BRAND NEW DAY,” your “MELODIE” gave us “THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF OUR LIVES” and your dance moves were just literally “OFF THE WALL.” You were phenomenal, electrifying and marvellous. The talent you exhibited was so epic that it was only “HUMAN NATURE” for you to be “COMFORTABLY NUMB” and unable to thrive as normal men do. Your controversies were a far “CRY” from the days when you were a “P.Y.T (PRETTY YOUNG THING),” who made millions “SHOUT,” “SCREAM” and jump “UP AGAIN” with joy. You gave us hits that could have easily been regarded as the ultimate “EARTH SONG.” “2 BAD” you lost your “PRIVACY” to “THE THIN ICE” of the media but your personal life also took a strange turn. Never mind the fact that you jilted “BILLIE JEAN,” your face and your lifestyle spelt “TROUBLE” and “THREATENED” your popularity. You appeared to be “STRANGER IN MOSCOW” than a conventional pop star when you traveled there to have a few face lifts.

    At that point I didn’t “GET IT” Michael, I thought “WHATZUPWITU” man? I no longer knew if you were “BLACK OR WHITE” when you transformed yourself from big Mike to “LITTLE SUZIE”. You looked like you “WERE ALMOST THERE”, but not quite; because you resembled “SOMEONE IN THE DARK”; like “ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL” of weirdness. To honestly “SAY, SAY, SAY” that before your death you looked like a voodoo-death-god “WAITING FOR THE WORMS” on the “CAROUSEL” is implying the subtlest of innuendos to someone rather thick; somewhat like saying Charles Taylor fought his war like a “LIBERIAN GIRL.” Before your “FAREWELL, MY SUMMER LOVE,” you didn’t look like the man who urged us to “HEAL THE WORLD,” you looked gaunt and ashen, much like the “GHOSTS” in the thriller video. You looked like a man that was “SCARED OF THE MOON” or one who had been electrocuted by “2000 WATTS.” Your eccentric conduct made me confused; and yet despite this, my admiration for you was “UNBREAKABLE.”  Even now that you are gone, even now that “YOU ARE THERE” and not here, “I CAN’T HELP IT,” every time I hear you sing, you “TAKE ME BACK” to “THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL” when I first heard the Jackson 5 album.

    No longer looking like a “MAN IN THE MIRROR,” you hoped to “KEEP THE FAITH” in your Never-land Ranch because it kept you in touch with the child within. After you said “SHE’S OUT OF MY LIFE” to your first wife Lisa Marie and said “THE GIRL IS MINE” to your nurse Debbie Rowe, you went on to say “BABY BE MINE” when you had three beautiful babies. If I thought that the saga in your life was “OUTSIDE THE WALL” of normality or that your problem was that you were still “IN THE CLOSET,” I hadn’t seen anything till the 2003 documentary that featured you as “THE WIZARD” who did “MONKEY BUSINESS” with young boys like they were your “GIRLFRIEND.” Like a perverted “SUNSET DRIVER” or your proverbial “DIRTY DIANA,” you saw nothing wrong with sleeping in the same bed with underage boys. Unfortunately for you, many thought this incongruity was “LOVE GONE BAD” for the poor “LOST CHILDREN.” You were prosecuted for preying on vulnerable young boys, “TOO YOUNG” for you to urge them to “GIVE INTO ME”. You demanded for your adversaries to tell you, “WHY YOU WANNA TRIP ON ME?” You asked all your fans; “WILL YOU BE THERE” for me?” I know that you wondered, “IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE;” please “DON’T LEAVE ME NOW,” “DON’T WALK AWAY” and abandon me”. However, just when I thought “YOU CAN’T WIN” Michael, at “THE TRIAL,” your exceptional defence team insisted that all the people that “WANNA BE STARTIN’ SOMETHING” by accusing you of being a “DANGEROUS,” child-raping “SMOOTH CRIMINAL” should “BEAT IT” and be ready to “RUN LIKE HELL.” After you saw the child molestation cases “FLY AWAY” when the judge ruled the boys were “JUST GOOD FRIENDS” to you, you pleaded with the public to “LEAVE ME ALONE” since your kindness was treated like “BLOOD ON THE DANCEFLOOR.” Was it scary then, “IS IT SCARY” now?

    The one thing I knew about the people who wrongly accused you was that “THEY DON’T REALLY CARE ABOUT US” fans the world over. They said you were a “CHEATER” and you were “BAD,” they wanted you to “FALL AGAIN” but in “OUR SMALL WAY” and “IN THE BACK” of our minds, we knew you struggled to make the world a better place by reaching one person at a time with your music. We knew you were kind, gracious, generous, compassionate and burdened. We knew you felt like you had “GOT TO BE THERE” for those who were downtrodden and “YOU WERE THERE” for them. You must have had “LONELY TEARDROPS” at their false accusations and lies before you said “GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD.” But “HEY YOU;” don’t worry because “WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.” There is a saying that “EVERYBODY’S SOMEBODY’S FOOL;” you certainly were nobody’s fool Michael.

    “THIS TIME AROUND” everyone will agree that despite your battered reputation, amidst all the things you were and “ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE,” your gift was unparalleled. “THE FEELING THAT WE HAVE” when we hear you sing is rich enough to “TOUCH THE ONE YOU LOVE,” which was almost everyone. Your “MIND IS THE MAGIC,” you were a genius; “THE MAN” with the Midas touch. No scandal can torpedo your legacy now; “THE SHOW MUST GO ON” for the King of Pop. The “THRILLER” may be gone, but the thrill will always remain…”CAN YOU FEEL IT?”

    Michael you make me “SMILE” when I see your videos, when I hear your voice, your lyrics make me see “ANOTHER PART OF ME” and you make me believe that, as people, “WE ARE THE WORLD” and that “WE ARE HERE TO CHANGE THE WORLD.” You said that “PEOPLE MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND” if only they could “COME TOGETHER.” You were “WORKING DAY AND NIGHT” to represent all this and I believe “THAT’S WHAT LOVE IS MADE OF.” I sing your songs to tell my “BEAUTIFUL  GIRL,” my daughter, “YOU ARE MY LIFE”, I mimic your words “TO MAKE MY FATHER PROUD,” I belt out your melody to let my mother know that “YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND, MY LOVE,” I repeat your songs to tell my friends that “YOU CAN CRY ON MY SHOULDER”, I chant your lyrics so my sisters can know that “YOU ARE NOT ALONE” and they can “CALL ON ME” whenever and I use your vision to write to my fellow countrymen weekly that “WE’VE GOT A GOOD THING GOING” if we “DON’T WALK AWAY” from Nigeria.

    “I CAN’T HELP IT” Michael but your “MUSIC AND ME” are a match made in heaven. Through your music your “LOVE IS HERE AND YOU ARE GONE.” Whenever I hear your songs “I HEAR A SYMPHONY,” then “IT’S THE FALLING IN LOVE” and ‘whoosh,’ “I’M IN LOVE AGAIN.” “I JUST CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU” on my CD player. Your songs “ROCK MY WORLD,” have a “SERIOUS EFFECT” on me, “GIVE ME HALF A CHANCE” to “XSCAPE” and “SAVE ME” from boredom especially when there’s “NOBODY HOME.” “I WANT YOU BACK” for “ONE MORE CHANCE” to sing again and despite your troubled life, “I LIKE THE WAY YOU ARE” and “I’LL BE THERE” to listen to your music for as long as I live…I only wish “HEAVEN CAN WAIT!”

    “THIS IS IT,” I loved your music Michael, I remain your number one fan and I still believe in your ability to bring together people, cultures and kinds through it. I could walk more than “25 MILES” to celebrate your life and all your accomplishments and I know “I’LL COME HOME TO YOU” on my record player. You brought joy and entertainment to my life. Although I don’t “WANNA BE WHERE YOU ARE,” I still miss you. “MAYBE TOMORROW” or as “SOON AS I GET HOME,” I’ll put on your music and dance and when I “DON’T STOP TILL YOU GET ENOUGH,” I won’t blame it on you Michael; I’ll “BLAME IT ON THE BOOGIE.” …And “THE BEAT GOES ON;” Thank you. Peace to you brother…”FOR ALL TIME!”

  • Ideye misses Emenike partnership

    Ideye misses Emenike partnership

    Super Eagles striker, Brown Ideye, has declared that his strike partner at the African Nations Cup, Emmanuel Emenike, will be missed when the team faces Kenya in Calabar on Saturday.

    The 24-year-old formed a deadly bond up front with the Spartak Moscow forward which helped Nigeria to win a third Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in February, Supersport.com reports.

    But Emenike is currently out injured and misses out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying against the Harambee Stars of Kenya.

    Ideye said he had built a “good relationship” with Emenike off the pitch leading to their telepathic performance for Nigeria at the AFCON.

    The ex-Ocean Boys’ man is however prepared to play up front with any other striker should he be selected for the game against Kenya.

    “I played with him, he’s a great player. I built a good relationship with him outside of the pitch and it helped us a lot. Apart from playing on the pitch you have to have a close relationship with other players to help team spirit so that it will rub off on the team in matches.

    “I’ll really miss him (for his style of play) but I just have to work with whoever the coach picks to play with me,” said Ideye.

    Seattle Sounders forward, Obafemi Martins, who has similar power-playing style with Emenike, might start up front with Ideye.

    Also, Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih attacking midfielder, Babatunde Michael, is available for selection and has same bulldozing quality.

    Ideye has played 12 times for the Nigerian national team and scored two goals.

     

  • The Gatekeeper’s Fortune: Michael, James warned over insubordination

    The Gatekeeper’s Fortune: Michael, James warned over insubordination

    MICHAEL Ogbuefi and James Adah escaped being punished for insubordination towards Bornford Patience the Head Warrior. They had the weather elements to thank as the clouds gave way to rain, truncating the meeting at The Place of The Talking Drum. According to Mokeme, the punishment for the pair would have been grave.

    The warriors’ food basket was stolen at night and Patience as Head Warrior, directed that all be involved in the search for the missing food items. According to her, both Michael and James initially refused to partake in the search for the food basket before later joining the search..

    Chidi ruled that their obey Patience as reigning Head Warrior was tantamount to disobedience to the Council of Elders. A grave offence indeed!!

    To forestall a reoccurrence of the food items being stolen, the subsequent Head Warriors was ordered to draw up a nightly roaster for warriors to keep watch over the food items.

    The day’s task was the Gauntlet Challenge a team challenge. The warriors were grouped into three teams of three members each. Each team member would fill a basket with as many palm kernels as possible, walk across a beam on an elevated platform, holding the basket with both hands and then empty the palm kernels into another basket.

    As the team member walked across the beam, the members of other teams hurled heavy sacks at them. Falling off the beam or losing grip of the basket, would lead to the individual starting all over again.

    Team B comprising Adah James, Nuhu Zigwayi and Uzor Osimpka emerged winners followed by Team C with Paschal Eronmose, Michael Ogbuefi and Priscillia Ezeh as members. Team A with Patience Bornford, Onyinye Udodi and Ifet Iniobong lost. Their punishment: constructing two wash areas; one for males and the other for females.

    Tagged The Gatekeeper’s Fortune, GUS 9, a flagship reality show of Nigerian Breweries plc airs every night on AIT, African Magic World (DSTV), Real Star (Star Times), Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) and ITV, Benin at 10pm.