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Tag: Nigeria News

  • You win by playing by the rules

    Winning has different definitions for different people. To one, it could be recovering from an illness; it may be passing an examination. To others, it could be suddenly becoming rich and to some others it is having enough to meet one’s needs. For a woman, a win should be a must. What is a win to you may be a walk-over to me and vice versa.

    Winning is triumphing. It is having or being that which makes you fulfilled. Many set on the paths of triumphs but get weary along the way and return to defeat, depression and misery. Others think they should win because they have suffered for so long, forgetting that probably that they have not done what is needful to win.

    A top female physician, Mrs Rosemary Abuah, said: “You don’t win because you have a suffering experience; you win because you play by the rules”. She further explained that “one of the rules of winning is fighting. If there was no opposition, everyone would be a winner. It is the situation that calls for war. You don’t just fight, you fight lawfully. Some women can fight but they do so unlawfully.They fight the wrong people, using the wrong weapons. They fight for the wrong reasons. They fight for their enemies and not against them”.

    We asked how women can fight lawfully, she further explained. “You participate, you enlist, then go out and let people know you are competing. You demand for what you want. Crying or self-pity is definitely not participating.”

    She added: “Sitting idle is not fighting. Go where you are likely to get help for what you need. Do only those things that can change your situation. Negative thinking and taking wrong attitudes, desiring pessimism, emotional problems, wrong choices, keep people constantly out of the ring, you stand disqualified, no matter how hard you try”

    Mrs. Abuah further gave a few tips that women need to know to ginger them up to fight and win.

    Goal setting: You cannot win without a goal post. It is often said that the higher the goal post, the easier the chances of scoring. Losers, on the contrary, think that the lower the goal post (or desire) the higher the chances of winning. Those who don’t set goals at all, get tossed to and fro every year with nothing to aim at or fight for.

    Enthusiasm: Every woman that must win needs that inner fire to burn from within, otherwise there will be no reason to go on when things are bleak.

    Before you win, there could be many discouraging reports. A lot of excitement, enthusiasm and interest about something will keep you on the road for a win.

    Persistence: Continuing to try to do something in spite of difficulties, especially when other people are against you and thing that you can be stopped, then, you win. See it: If the naked can see her clothed, she will fight to have same. If the hungry can see a prepared table, she will fight to have same. If the homeless can see a beautiful home, she will fight to have same. People do not fight because they see nothing. It is what you keep seeing that keeps you fighting till you win. So, what do you see?

    Have it: If you must win, this is the path to take. Begin to live as if you already have it. You won’t have it when you have won. You have it before you win. It knows that you have it that will make you refuse a no for an answer.

    We have no idea when you will win, but we know that with the above tips, meaning, if you have set goals to aim at every day,every week, every month, every year, so many good things will start happening to you. You will become stronger everyday with growing self-esteem. When you look back, you will marvel at the changes that have taken place in your life.

    If you win in the real sense of the word, there will be other successes to celebrate. In like the non-fighters, you can count some blessings. Another fact is you will win if you don’t change your mind about winning. Women will win when they understand that there is a battle to fight before winning.

    Women will win when they stop waiting for trophies. There is something to do, to win. Don’t forget, it is always well done. There is a price to pay. We have to face the real opponents, our fears, our inhibitions, our mental weakness, our visionlessness, our painlessness, our slothfulness, our ignorance, our selfishness, our superficialness, our idleness, our solitude and fight to win.

    Pursue success: Be loyal to your success. Work at it. Work it out. Women are no failures. Art Williams says, “Somebody is going to win and the person who wins will be the person who is just a little bit tougher. The person who waits just a little bit more”.

    I challenge you to surprise everyone, including yourself. John Mason says, “One of the greatest pleasures you can find is doing what people say you cannot do”.

  • ‘Olojo festival’s theme ‘ll boost celebration’

    One of the rallying points for all Yoruba in Nigeria and the Diaspora, Olojo cultural festival, will this year come with unique features and upscale celebration, said the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, in Ile-Ife.

    The Ooni, who was speaking before going into seclusion, said during the 2019 Olojo festival with the theme: Developing our cultural heritage for sustainable domestic and international tourism patronage, there would be a new leap through innovative means to make the celebration a globally driven event that will attract both domestic and diaspora patronage.

    According to the Ooni , we are exploring all trendy avenues to make the Olojo festival a strong international brand identity that will not only project the cultural ingenuity of the Yoruba people, but also institutionalise the celebration as a point of convergence for the Yoruba as one people with our festival and one source.

    Oba Ogunwusi acknowledged the presence of some of the corporate sponsors who he described as faithful brand supporters who have been identifying with the Yoruba cultural pride.

    He said: “I thank all our sponsors who have been supporting and still making sure that the Olojo festival is still classic and people driven.

    “I assure you that this year’s edition will be coming with more innovations as we are working round the clock with our consultants and festival committees to pep up the outing of the event.

    “We have announced some of our brand sponsors (Nigerian Breweries and Cways) today, but there are other brand sponsors which will be unveiling soon as some of them are still finetuning their corporate social responsibility support with us”.

    Speaking at the seminar, the guest speaker, Mr Dare Babarinsa, whose paper focused on developing our cultural heritage for sustainable domestic and international tourism patronage, said considering the avalanche of benefits that could be derived from Nigerian cultural heritages, there is need for a clarion call to consciously develop, sustain for domestic and foreign tourism patronage.

    Babarinsa, who did not spear the rod in his choice of words and usage, said Nigeria and Nigerians should stop apportioning blames on unfounded obstacles and be ready to build a selfless threshold for the promotion of the commonwealth for the benefit of all, adding that he sees the Olojo festival as an auspicious time to take the bull by the horn in making things better for all.

  • Xenophobic attack: Andy Boyo’s new movie ‘Fugitive’ preaches peace

    A new movie, ‘The Fugitive’, that preaches against terrorism, injustice and disunity among Africans hit cinemas nationwide on Friday, September 27, 2019.

    ‘The Fugitive’ which was written and directed by veteran filmmaker, Andy Boyo, and Omoefe Kingsley featured prominent actors like Wole Ojo, Kate Henshaw, Daniel K. Daniel, Blossom Chukwujekwu as well as Rwandan and Zambian actresses, Denise Gakire and Cassie Kabwita respectively.

    The movie is a must-watch for believers in the Africa project and it also serves as a mouthpiece for the modern-day human smuggling in Africa. The Fugitive also exposed bribery and corruption in the judiciary system.

    In the movie which was shot in Nigeria, an innocent man is wanted alive by the police to talk while a syndicate want him dead as dead men don’t talk. Who will get to him first?

    Speaking at the private screening held at Cineplex Cinema, Ikoyi, Lagos, the producer cum director, Boyo, said his latest flick discourages xenophobia and encourages unity among Africa countries.

    “It is not the typical Nigerian movie that people expect, the audiences in Nigeria are known to accept comedy films but this is a story that preaches uniting among Africans,” the award-winning filmmaker said.

    “I shot the movie barely a year ago. I don’t know the xenophobia will erupt again because I saw disuniting. It is to tell Africans that the United State of Africa is possible. There is the discouragement of people kidnapping albinos and traded to other countries. There are so many ingredients in it and at the same time it’s entertaining, full of suspense, there is a law case full of theatrics in the courtroom.”

    Andy Boyo has produced several films including ‘Untamed’, ‘Spirit of Assassins’, ‘Reflections’ and ‘Destitute’. He is currently working on a movie titled ‘Haram.’

  • Setting a solid foundation for your home

    Dear Reader, I welcome you to this teaching, in Jesus’ name! The quality of success you will ever achieve in any given venture hinges on the quality of the foundation you lay. You cannot enjoy a glorious marital life without paying attention to the foundation you build for your marriage. Last week, I taught on what a solid marital foundation is and that for your marriage to last, it must be founded on God. In this edition, I will be looking at understanding your spouse as one of the foundations for a solid union.

    As male and female partners in marriage, we must understand and appreciate the peculiarities which make up our personalities. Your understanding of your spouse is very important in becoming a good partner.  For you to have a stable home, you need to understand your husband or wife. You must get to know that everything about your spouse is unique. There are no two people on planet earth that are exactly the same. You are unique and peculiar; your spouse and children are equally unique and peculiar, fashioned to fit a particular purpose.  You are not a carbon-copy of anyone; you are an original and so is your spouse.  You and your spouse are wonderfully and fearfully made (Psalm 139:14). You must understand your spouse if you must enjoy a stable family.  Understand his or her background, his or her likes and dislikes, what makes him or her happy and what affects his or her mood.

    For those who are yet to be married, before you say, “Yes I do’ to any man or lady on the altar, ask yourself, “How much of him or her do I really know?”  Someone met me some years back, who had only been married for three months and both of them were already so fed up that they were ready for divorce.  I asked a simple question, “How much of your spouse did you know before you got married?” I was amazed at the next-to-nothing knowledge of the spouse this person had. No wonder in three months, their marriage had technically broken down. If not for divine intervention, that would have ended their marriage with all of its consequent effects.

    Every man should be knowledgeable about his wife and the wife about her husband. Know your likes and dislikes, preferences, choices, etc. It is common knowledge that men and women do not have the same needs. A man derives his self-worth from a sense of respect, recognition and reputation, while a woman wants to be appreciated, loved and praised. Failure to know how to satisfy each other’s needs might be a problem to your relationship.

    To enhance the understanding of your spouse, two things must be in place:

    1. You must be sensitive: Never walk around with your eyes closed. Your mind is a sound mind; be sensitive.
    2. Communicate effectively: Communication is the life of any relationship. Learn to communicate effectively with your spouse and when you know how to do this, it will help you understand who your spouse is. You need to ask questions. The disciples of Jesus were around Him; they didn’t only listen to His teachings. Whatever they didn’t understand they always asked and Jesus never told them to “shut up”, He always answered their questions.  So, rather than assume to understand what your spouse is saying, ask questions such as, “How about this area? How about that area of your life?”  Communicate so you can have a better understanding.  And when communication is effective, you will become a good spouse.  Understanding is required to have an outstanding marriage.

    Wisdom – The Principal Thing

    Wisdom is the principal tool for securing peace in the home. The Bible says: Wisdom is the principal thing… (Proverbs 4:7). Both the man and the woman in the home need to constantly ask God for wisdom in handling the day-to-day affairs of the home. Most times, what people call affliction in their home is nothing but ignorance. The treatments for ignorance are wisdom and understanding which enhance peace in the home.  In fact, the Bible says: Through wisdom is an house builded, and by understanding it is established (Proverbs 24:3). Also, James 1:5 says: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and unbraided not, and it shall be given him. Wisdom tells you when to talk, when to keep quiet, what to say and the right time to say it, where to go and at what time.  Do you know it is possible to say the right thing but at the wrong time and thereby jeopardizing the peace in the home? I pray for a fresh baptism of the wisdom of God upon your life today, in Jesus’ name!

    Compliment Your Spouse

    One other way to nurture your relationship is by an often neglected key, and that is compliment. Every human being loves to be praised either for what he/she has done or simply for who he/she is. However, the key is to locate the good qualities in your spouse and focus on it. Then express your appreciation for those good qualities by the words of your mouth. Learn to show appreciation for both small and great acts of kindness. You can also show appreciation by giving little gifts. Make room for praise in your home. Praise God always and compliment your husband or wife and your marriage will be a heaven on earth!

    In all, you must understand that you need Jesus to achieve anything worthwhile in your home. If you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, then say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

    Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are born again and 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).

  • Malaria: The drugs we use

    With two hundred million people in the most malarial part of the world, Nigeria possibly treats more malaria cases than any other country in the world. This discussion on treatment of malaria is therefore based on treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Nigeria.

    The main drugs we shall discuss are artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), drugs for the treatment of severe malaria, agents for prevention (chemoprophylaxis), and a few others.

    For Plasmodium falciparum, medical authorities recommend use of more than one drug taking advantage of drugs with different modes of action, drugs having effectiveness on different forms of the parasites (such as blood schizonts and liver merozoites), drugs with different onsets of actions, and drugs with different durations of action such that the drug combination has an overall effectiveness and reliability in killing the plasmodia, achieving cure, and can prevent development of resistant strains of the parasite.  Drug combinations also allow us to reduce the respective doses of the drugs combined and thus reducing side effects.  Pharmaceutical industries have developed several combinations which are marketed as prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs.    The well-established combinations are:

    ”          Artemether plus lumefantrine

    ”          Artemether plus lumefantrine plus paracetamol

    ”          Artemisinin plus piperaquine

    ”          Artesunate plus amodiaquine

    ”          Artesunate plus mefloquine

    ”          Artesunate plus sulfadoxine plus pyrimethamine

    ”          Artesunate plus pyronaridine

    ”          Dihydroartemisinin plus piperaquine

    ”          Dihydroartemisinin plus piperaquine plus trimethorprim

    Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are the most popularly used for treatment of malaria and are the most reliable for common or routine treatment of malaria.  They are regarded as first line drugs that are used before other alternatives. They are generally safe drugs when used according to manufacturer’s instructions.  They are popularly known by their trade names.  Examples are: Camosunate which is an ACT manufactured in China and contains artesunate (100mg) plus amodiaquine (300 mg); P-Alaxin TS is an ACT manufactured in India and contains dihydroartemisinin (120 mg) plus piperaquine phosphate (960 mg); and Gloatem Forte is an ACT manufactured in India and contains artemether (80 mg) plus lumefantrine (480 mg). There are numerous other trade names of ACTs belonging to different drug manufacturers.  EMDEX – The Complete Drug Formulary for Nigeria’s Healthcare Professionals – (2019-2020 Edition) lists two hundred and twenty (224) ACTs according to their trade names.

    Because of issues of age, sex, drug allergy, pregnancy, liver function status, finance, etc., particular ACT formulations may be preferable therefore it is important to seek a doctor’s prescription even if many of these drugs are available over the counter.  Always ask your pharmacist for advice when making an over the counter ACT purchase.

    Because of the nature of the malaria parasite’s life cycle and the adaptability of the parasite within the human host, a person who tends to have malaria often may change formulations to use, for example, for one episode artemether plus lumefantrine and for the next episode artesunate plus amodiaquine, and possibly back to artemether plus lumefantrine for a third episode.  People who take antimalarials frequently may try such methods to prevent hosting of resistant parasites in body tissues. To be continued.

    Dr. Theresa Adebola John is a lecturer at Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) and an affiliated researcher at the College of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis.  For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 08160944635

  • Olawale Obadeyi presents ‘Tongues of the Forecourt’ today

    Olawale Babajide Obadeyi, popularly known as Wally Jay, was an artiste, writer, compere extraordinaire and social commentator. Sadly, he passed on to eternity in the early hours of Saturday, 30th June 2018.  If Obadeyi was alive today, he would have celebrated his 57th birthday on 28th September 2019. But as the Yoruba would say, tí iná bá kú, á f’eérú bo’jú; tí ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ bá kú, a f’ọmọ rẹ̀ rọ́pò (when a fire is finally extinguished, it replaces itself with ash; when the plantain withers, it replaces itself with its sapling). So it is with Obadeyi: when he suddenly and unexpectedly passed away on that fateful morning, he left behind a wife, three wonderful children and a number of uncompleted artistic projects. One of such projects is his book of proverbs, Tongues of the Forecourt: A Collection of Yoruba Proverbs and Aphorisms.

    It is thus to forever keep Obadeyi in our hearts and to ensure that his idea of a book of proverbs sees the light of day, that a committee of friends have come together to posthumously publish and host on 28 September the formal release and presentation of Tongues of the Forecourt: A Collection of Yoruba Proverbs and Aphorisms. This date coincides with Wally Jay’s second posthumous birthday.

    Uniquely translated by Obadeyi, the book comprises a careful selection of 250 Yoruba proverbs, epigrams, saws and aphorisms that have been subdivided into five themes as edited by Leke Akinrowo. “As one turns every page of Tongues of the Forecourt, one will always remember that there once lived Olawale Obadeyi, a vivacious and innovative poet, storyteller and dramatist who mastered his mother tongue, Yoruba, and his second language, English, with astounding profundity,” writes Professor Gbemisola Adeoti of the English Department of Obafemi Awolowo University, in his Foreword to the book.

    “Quite certainly,” Adeoti concludes, “the book will be an immense asset to scholars of African cultural studies, Yoruba folklore, oral literature and language. It will also be of assistance to the practitioners of Nigerian home video film tradition in Yoruba language, especially the script writers and sub-title writers, who often find translation of Yoruba proverbs into English a kind of hard nut to crack. Contemporary writers and general readers will also find in it, a wide window into the ancient and modern world view of the Yoruba people as well as the essence of their complex existence.”

    Mr Steve Ayorinde, former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Culture will be the Special Guest of Honour of the event.

  • Nickfest With Maltina to hold this weekend

    Nickfest, in partnership with Maltina, is set to host Nigeria’s biggest family festival.

    The event holds on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29, 2019, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel and Casino, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The weekend which is set to be the happiest days in the lives of all attendees’ will see children and parents witness Maltina’s fantastic Happy Land, Happy the mascot and their favourite Nickelodeon characters in brand new live shows.

    The children will see Nick characters like SpongeBob Square Pants, Dora The Explorer, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol and Shimmer and Shine, the two genies who can solve any problem, take the stage.

    Making their debut appearance in Nigeria are the new and super-charged ‘Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.’

    Speaking on the fun awaiting all attending families, Ngozi Nkwoji, The Portfolio Manager, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Nigerian Breweries Plc, said: “Nickfest is a very important investment for us, as we recognize the significance of family time. As a brand that is all about nourishing family moments, we are once again excited to open the gates of Happy Land to thousands of families from across the country even as we prepare to share happiness all around.”

    Nickfest is an annual family spectacle, a weekend of epic entertainment that has annually, since 2017, welcomed over 4,000  children and parents. It has featured celebrities like Simi, Mr. Eazi, Yemi Alade and the online comedienne, Emmanuella amongst others.

  • Lagos Tourism Ministry seals partnership with ANJET

    Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has declared readiness to unlock its huge tourism potential as it renewed partnership with the travel and tourism media with a view to effectively mining the sector.

    Making the pledge, while receiving members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET), who had paid a courtesy call to her office in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, newly-appointed commissioner, Mrs. Shuli Adebolu, also announced that it is now ‘a new dawn for tourism and people of the state,’ as she reached an agreement with the travel writers, urging them ‘to work with her ministry in achieving the new mandate.’

    Also on hand to receive the ANJET members at the Alausa Secretariat office, was Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Arts and Culture, Bonu Solomon Saanu.

    “My mandate from Governor Sanwo – Olu, is very clear and it is to ensure that we achieve success in making Lagos the number one tourism and entertainment centre of the world. Therefore, it is now a new dawn for tourism in Lagos in terms of driving development and we are prepared to turn things inside and outside,” the commissioner said.

    While disclosing that tourism is the next revenue base of the state, the vision, according to her, remains to be the top tourists’ destination in the world.

    The commissioner, therefore, called on members of ANJET to partner with her in achieving this goal, as ‘the role of the media is very crucial, especially that of the travel and tourism writers.’

    “ANJET is essential in putting the state on the global tourism map and earning her visibility, hence the need to collaborate with the body in the discharge of her mandate. My office is open to them. We are also set to unveil the agenda of the tourism and culture ministry in the coming days,” Adebolu remarked.

    As part of this partnership, the commissioner pledged the support of the ministry towards the successful hosting of the body’s tourism seminar, which is scheduled to hold on October 8 at Eko Hotel and Suites, while accepting to grace the event as special guest of honour.

    Earlier, leader of the ANJET delegation and president, Mr Andrew Okungbowa, congratulated the commissioner on her appointment and pledged the commitment of the association in working with her office towards achieving the state government’s mandate and vision on tourism.

    This is also as the delegation expressed gratitude to the commissioner for hosting them, even as they promised to play their role in ensuring the success of the newly-forged partnership, which, according to Okungbowa, will be ‘taken with all seriousness.’

  • Lifestyle influencing led me into fashion business – MUFASA

    Upwardly mobile event and public relations practitioner, Aliu Oluwadamilare, is set to officially launch his fashion line, ‘Major General’.

    Oluwadamilare who is popularly known as Mufasa said that lifestyle influencing led him to start his fashion business.

    “Major General is a lifestyle and fashion brand that will seek to change the narrative of fashion and lifestyle with the new generation,” he said.

    “This is a brand that is set to kick off its activities with series of events like the “Major General Collection” release, so everyone should watch out.

    My inspiration stems from the innate urge to do something different in the Nigerian space and very inspiring and exemplary to the youth and coming generation. Everyone begins to do something which a lot of people are already into. I want to do something not so many people have tried; something irregular and uncommon. That has been my moving and guiding principle over the years”.

    The 21 year-old indigene of Ondo Town in Ondo is a fast-rising new generation lifestyle influencer and an event/PR practitioner. He has a Higher National Diploma, HND, in Metallurgical Engineering and a certificate in Google’s Digital Skill Acquisition program.

    Some projects that Mufasa has worked on include Trace Live in the city; Welcome 2 Summer; Oxymoron of Kennyblaq and Tripple Slam Festival. He has also worked with brands such as Gokada, Kpako Wears, No Story TV, Nescafé and others.

    Mufasa believes that, in a few years from now, he would have been able to execute some personal projects of his and a proper agency that will operate to empower youths through the entertainment and showbiz industry.

  • Group mentors vulnerable teens

    No fewer than 54 teenage girls were hosted to three-week Mathematics, Empowerment and mentoring session in Lekki, Lagos during last holidays. It was organised by the Grass Root Health and Promotion Organization (GHAPO), a non-governmental organization that is concerned with affecting the population through healthcare research and screening.

    Founder and CEO of the organization, Mrs Esther Imogu, a US trained medical doctor said her passion was borne out of the fact that teenage girls are most vulnerable and at a higher risk of being victims of sexual predators. This, she said, informed why she organized a  three week long mathematics and empowerment training for the girls during the holidays in order to keep them engaged meaningfully all through their break from school.

    One of the beneficiaries, Monsurah Akande who is in her second year in the senior secondary said: “I’m very grateful to Dr.Imogu for this once in a lifetime opportunity. I have learnt soap making and make up, I have also greatly improved on my math and writing skills. I look forward to more to the Saturday tutorials that will commence as soon as we resume school.

    Imogu while commenting on how trainees are recruited said that letters are written to public secondary schools to encourage girls in the senior classes to apply. “We also collaborate with National Youth Service Corps and other youth organizations, which has been really productive,” she said.