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Tag: strength

  • 2019: God our refuge and strength

    In September 2018, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) held its Standing Committee Conference in Minna Niger State with the theme “GOD OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH”.

    No topic could be more appropriate for focus at this hazardous time in Nigeria when the Christian comunity, especially our brothers and sisters in the northern part of our country face realties and threat of persecution, violent attacks and extermination.

    There is no pretext about this as we witness and read everyday how the blood of the innocents is shed daily and tears and sorrows envelop communities and families of victims. Not only that, thousands of infant and school children are daily orphaned and forced to helplessly watch their promising dreams evaporate and gaze at a bleak future, eking their daily bread from dustbins!

    Even those at Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps are no better off as Boko Haram terrorists are regularly raiding, looting their domains and wreaking havoc on their means of livelihood. In the same breath, their social welfare is nothing to talk about as money allocated for their upkeep is allegedly being mismanaged.

    Against these pitiful and horrific tales, the choice of the theme of the bi-yearly Conference in Minna, was therefore premised on the need to seek God’s face in recognition that all human efforts had failed to solve the quagmire.

    The Primate Of All Nigeria and Archbishop Metropolitan, The Most Revd Nicholas Okoh, set the tone for the conference by speaking to the theme with comforting assurance of God’s love and protection to the bereaved, homeless, widows, widowers and orphans.

    Primate Okoh pointed out that the world had known great evils in the past, considering the magnitude of evil unleashed upon it by the first and Second World Wars and national, regional and international conflicts with crises across the globe which had also found their way unto the shores of Nigeria, in form of the vicious and deadly Boko Haram insurgency.

    Side  by side the rampaging terrorists and suicide bombers  are also the menace of money ritual killings, invasion and burning of churches, mass murder of worshipers and predominantly Christian communities by land grabbers and power mongers by some armed gangs and youths especially in the Northern part of the country.

    The Primate describes this gruesome trend as sad, unfortunate, alarming and reprehensible. He said: “The nation is being surrounded by unrelenting enemy where innocent people are being gunned down and butchered.

    “Bomb manufacturing factories are being discovered. The Boko Haram terrorists have unrepentantly sworn to destroy Nigeria, unless their interests and that of their sponsors prevail.”

    Describing these times as troubling, Primate Okoh asked: “Would God help her? Has He helped in the past? Can we rely on His Faithfulness?”

    The Primate was affirmative in his Episcopal response, stressing the Lord has always intervened timely to rescue the nation and restore peace “following past powerful interventions in our national affairs, one can say God is a Nigerian.”

    Primate Okoh admonished political gladiators and the nation not to despair but to embrace peace and faith in the Lord as demonstrated by renowned Civil and Liberty Rights crusader Rev Martin Luther’s who on hearing depressing and gloomy reports, summoned the faithful brethren around him and exhorted: “Come let us sing (or read) 46 Psalm?” and thus challenged God ‘the mighty one in battle to arise and let His enemies scatter’ saying “This is the time such prayer should continue to be repeated by all.”

    The Minna meeting rounded off with an intercessory prayer by delegates and participants comprising the houses of Bishop, priest and Laity for urgent Divine intervention in the affairs of Nigeria and for immediate end to the merciless killings and persecution of Christians and innocent Nigerians by the Boko Haram terrorists.

    • Folu Olamiti writes from Abuja.

     

  • Guys, your chastity is your strength

    DEAR Aunty Temilolu, There’s a saying that “anyone who pushes you closer to God is your real friend.” You are more than a friend to us. I’ve been reading your column since its inception and my life has never been the same. Thank you so much for encouraging me. God will continue to bless you in Jesus name. I love you dearly.

    Adeola Adeyemi, 16 (P/H)

    Dear Aunty Temilolu,

    I am a 19-year-old guy and still a virgin. However, in the last few months, my girlfriend has mounted serious pressure on me to have sex with her and I really don’t want to. What do you advise, please?

    Mike

    TO ALL THE MIKES OUT THERE

    I must not fail to congratulate you for being wise enough to preserve your life because any form of fleshly lust wars against the soul which is not only the seat of our entire existence but the source of our intelligence and knowledge out of which comes everything we do with our lives. Now, what happens when it is contaminated or polluted? The result is a life of bondage and slavery under the devil who is meant to be permanently under your feet. I tell you, a real man is one who cannot be controlled by that which he should be master over. MEN, PLEASE THINK ABOUT THIS. Besides, why do you want to get yourself embroiled in an emotional/spiritual quagmire which could hamper your development and growth at a time when you should be concentrating on your studies and laying a solid foundation for a successful life? I don’t know your financial capability at the moment. However, this lady would expect you take care of her material needs as well as her emotional needs. You begin to stress and drain yourself of what should give you the much-needed comfort to pursue your education. What if she gets pregnant? Are you ready to have a baby? Why go through the hassles of becoming a baby father or having blood in your hands as a result of terminating a pregnancy? You need to be wise my friend! Once you get into it I’m afraid you become unstoppable and eventually give the devil too much access into your life!

    The whole world lies in great mystery and wickedness and the devil-our common enemy is raging so wildly and wishes to have a grip over as many destinies as possible and dispossess them of their natural entitlements. One of such ways as I emphasise here is ungodly sex. Why would you want to go against your source-God and live a life of struggle and hardship? The devil has turned too many girls and women to weapons of mass destruction because they refuse to have a deep relationship with God and have a grip over their souls. The devil cashes in on their superficiality and possesses them with all sorts of bad spirits that they might not even be aware of. And just one of these bad spirits which are virtue vamps, could divert the course of a man’s destiny. Now, can you imagine what happens to a man who would sleep with anything in skirt? He’s finished because he’s sleeping with multiple partners with probably a legion of demons. What a waste of life! I tell you, a lot of men would have fared better in life if they guarded their loins jealously. No matter how successful a man is, as long as he is still engaging in ungodly sex and fighting the source of his existence, he isn’t where he is destined to be yet!

    Mike, try and convince your friend to stay chaste but if she won’t stop troubling you, please run away from her before she gets you into trouble. You never can tell the destiny you carry and what it requires to manifest in full force. Would the biblical Joseph have ever become the prime minister of Egypt at such a young age, if he succumbed to Mrs.Potiphar? NO!

    “Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

    Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;” 1 Corinthians 6:16-19 (NIV)

    MAY THE SPIRIT OF GOD OVERSHADOW THE LIFE OF EVERY MAN THAT’S READING THIS IN JESUS NAME! AMEN!

    I invite you to follow me on facebook –TEMILOLU OKEOWO (not Temilolu okeowo girls club or TEMILOLU OKEOWO Girls Club group).

    Scam Alert: Temilolu okeowo girls club page and group as well as Temilolu cares for you are fake facebook accounts.

  • Our unity is our strength, says monarch

    The Traditional ruler of Oworonsoki, Oba Basiru Oloruntoyin Saliu, has called for peaceful co-existence among various ethnic groups in his domain.

    At a meeting held with the ethnic groups, the monarch urged them not to be deceived by various agitations in other parts of the country.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the area, the monarch said, was in attendance.

    “Due to the happenings in the country, I decided to call for the meeting of the ethnic groups on peaceful co-existence. I let them realised that having lived together for 57 years as one big family, there is no need for us to start contemplating dividing the country. We cannot afford to give up our unity.

    “What do we stand to gain from splitting? The bitter lessons of South Sudan should not be easily discarded. We should learn from other nations’ woes so as not to fall victims,” he said.

    He urged all ethnic groups in Oworonsoki and Ketu to be united and live in peace.

    “We do not want criminal activities including cultism in our domain. Whoever engages in crime, will find him or herself to be blamed,” he said.

    Nigeria at 57, he said, all hopes are not lost.

    According to him, the task of making Nigeria great is a collective one, saying that breaking up will only bring hardship.

    “We all need not only to believe in the Nigeria project, but work assiduously with prayer to make the country develop. Our together, no doubt, is a great advantage if only we could build on it,” the monarch said.

    Oba Saliu congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on the 57 Independence Anniversary.

    He prayed to God to continue to grant them wisdom and good health to move the country forward.

  • ‘BEING ABUSED AS A CHILD GAVE ME STRENGTH’

    ‘BEING ABUSED AS A CHILD GAVE ME STRENGTH’

    Fisayo Ajisola started as an actress but recently produced her own short movie titled ‘Road To Ruin’, a movie that focuses on child abuse and trafficking. The Biochemistry graduate from Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun state, a victim of child abuse, started an NGO, ‘The Jewel Empowerment foundation’ which celebrated five years last December. She speaks with Adewoyin Adeniyi in this interview.

    WHAT inspired you into acting?

    My life as a whole inspired me into acting. I started stage plays when I was in secondary school (FGC Odogbolu) at the chapel and then I realised how good I am at it. Some of my classmates, juniors and seniors in school encouraged me and they all used to look forward to the next show.

    All of these gave me inspiration to take up acting professionally after my secondary school. That was the reason I went to PEFTI Film Institute, having been a science student. Though, long before I started stage plays, I have always been part of the cultural and drama group since primary school but I was too young to decide on what to do.

    How long have you been acting and what are the challenges so far?

    I started acting professionally in 2011 and so far, it has been fulfilling. I have featured more in television series such as Jenifa’s Diary, Tinsel, Hush, Nectar, This Life, Shadows, Burning Spear, Circle of Interest, to mention a few.

    You know, I got admission into the university same year I started professional acting, so it was a big challenge travelling in and out of Abeokuta to location. It was very stressful but I was determined to do school, acting and NGO successfully. I never entertained the thought of dropping school for anything in this world. But now, school is over and I can fully concentrate on my career, NGO and other businesses.

    You recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of your NGO; can you tell us how it all started?

    Yes, this is one of my greatest achievements in the out-gone year. It is a testament that we have been impacting lives positively for five years now. I started my NGO work in my first year in the University; I just had this urge to give back and to help the Nigerian youths get it right, especially children. I have always believed that one of the biggest problems we have in Nigeria is having the wrong orientation, the wrong mindset towards life, which has aided corruption, high crime rate and an increase in unemployment.

    Our youths have misplacement of priority and most of them are lazy both in reasoning and creativity, they just want to get quick money. Self-discovery is a major key in accomplishing great things in life and through my NGO, we organise seminars, pep talks, career talks, workshops and skill acquisition programs for youths to help them discover themselves and also help them channel their energy into productive activities. If Nigerian youths can focus on what they can do to contribute to the development of the country, Nigeria will become a better place.

    Celebrating The Jewel Empowerment Foundation’s five years anniversary was very emotional to me, seeing how much impact we have made makes me want to do more. We have impacted over two thousand lives and these bring joy to my heart.

    Let’s talk about your short movie, Road to Ruin. How would it help fight child labour?

    Child labour is on the increase, especially now that the economic state of the country isn’t friendly. Some parents and guidance are sending their children/ wards to hawk on the street. They force these kids to contribute to the welfare of the family.

    These are children for God’s sake and what they need at this stage of their lives is love, care and education but they are sent out to “hustle”. Some of these kids go to school but they become hawkers after school hours, when they are supposed to be resting, doing school assignment or preparing for the next school day. This makes these kids vulnerable; they are exposed to kidnapping, highway accident, rape and other vices. It also makes them uninterested in school. They start to believe since they have money to spend, education isn’t important.

    So I and my NGO team came up with Road to Ruin. We understood the impact of using film to pass a message across to the populace. The main objective behind Road to Ruin is creating an alternative means of survival for children and youths hawking on the street. Children should be off the street, so they can focus on education and unemployed youths/ parents should be trained on skills that would help to improve their standard of living. We were happy that we were able to let the state governments and the federal government to see the need not only to shun these things but to provide adequate measures to empower these young Nigerians to have a life for themselves through acquisition skills.

    Why did you decide to start an NGO? Was it because others are doing it?

    It is very wrong to do things because others are doing it. I have an independent mind and I channel my energy and resources towards productivity. I started Jewel Empowerment Foundation (JEF) at a very young age and I remember my mum telling me it is people that has achieved one thing or the other that do this.

    People that are established and have enough for themselves – they are the ones that then give the rest to charity. But I had a different perspective about NGO. It is about giving the all that I have now for the betterment of lives in my community. I didn’t have to wait till I am rich monetary, I saw myself having beyond money and I wanted to give back. Discovering my purpose on time is the actual reason the NGO started.

    But the NGO can’t help all the needy/less privileged…

    The fact that NGO can’t help all the needy is the reason every NGO should have a target audience. You can’t just do things for everybody, one has to be specific. Just as I stated, The Jewel Empowerment Foundation focuses on children and youths. Even under the children and youths, we focus more on youths in secondary school level; unemployed and undergraduate.

    For children, our targets are those on the streets without care, Children that are being abused in one way or the other, those at the juvenile and orphanage homes. NGO having specific audience helps to have effective impact. There are NGOs for health, agriculture, empowerment (just like JEF), education, disability ETC; so NGOs is to reach out to specific audience to provide specific solutions. I am yet to see an NGO that helps ‘all’ the needy.

    How have you been able to stand strong since inception of Jewel Empowerment Foundation?

    Grace! Grace!! Grace!!! Sometimes, I find it very difficult to explain. I’m just a young girl with a strong will. Whatever I make up my mind to do, I make sure I do and most importantly, I make sure I do it well. I told you the NGO started same year I gained admission to study biochemistry, so it was kinda tough. Plus the fact that acting was already on going. I practically face one at a time, so I don’t get choked up. When it was time to study, I give it all and I try to concentrate. Likewise going to location and also NGO event. I give my full attention per activity and I separate them from one another. All of these kept me strong and gets me inspired.

    You once mentioned that you were abused at a tender age. Was that what brought about the Jewel Empowerment Foundation?

    I don’t know if I’m ready to share this now, but I have once shared it with the media. Somehow, it inspired the creation of the NGO and that is why one of my focuses is children that have been abused in one way or the other.

    My life story is a constant inspiration for me because every day comes with a fresh inspiration to prosper, to make sure I achieve greatness irrespective of my childhood. And sincerely, this is the gospel I preach through The Jewel Empowerment Foundation. Nothing can stop us from achieving greatness.

    Are you still traumatised by the abuse?

    No! Rather than paralyze me, it gave me strength. It gave me reason to look inward and appreciate my inner being. I learnt to love and accept who I am. And as you can see, I am happy.

    Has the experience affected your sex life in anyway?

    (Laughing) I don’t know, I don’t think I want to talk about it right now. But usually, early exposure to sex as a child affects one’s life when matured. Most times, ladies who are abused as a child tend to stay off men completely or they are often being with men. It’s depends on the personality of the person.

    How do you think the government can curb violence against children as it is among the objectives of your NGO?

    This can be done through partnership/collaboration. Government must continually partner with nongovernmental organisation, agencies and other relevant organisations to curb violence against children. Our collective effort as a body would yield significant results.

    What are your plans for 2017 as an actress?

    I’ve got a lot but most importantly is to produce a feature length movie that would be shown in cinemas across the country and also continue to thrill my fans with other projects I am part of. Don’t worry; you will see more of me on your screen this year.

    Who is the lucky man in your life?

    (Smiles)I love to keep this private, you should find out.

    What’s your kind of man?

    My kind of man is the type that enjoys togetherness, very hardworking, loving, patient and very understanding. I love freedom, especially freedom of expression. My kind of man would give me that liberty to say all and of course, he would trust me.

    Don’t you think ladies go extra mile with their dress sense which might be a major factor of sexual abuse?

    I don’t think so. Do children dress to seduce? So why are they usually victims of sexual abuse? And when I mean children, I mean both male and female, so it’s not about the ladies. Some insane people just use dressing as an excuse to execute their evil act. You must have been nursing the idea to do something before you eventually do it. So, I would advise we guide our minds diligently and make sure whatever we find ourselves doing should be things we are proud of and things that would promote Nigeria for good.

  • Kate Henshaw shows strength in power work-out

    Kate Henshaw shows strength in power work-out

    Award-winning Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw is strong. And that’s a verdict from Fayemi Beatrice, fitness enthusiast, who worked out with the 45-year old star on Saturday.

    ‘Finally got to workout with @k8henshaw today,’ she wrote.

    ‘It was lit. She’s so Strong. kudos ma’am.’

    Posting a video on Instagram, on her account, fayemibeatrice, Beatrice, who is also the owner of Trissie’s fitness, according to her profile, expressed the Nollywood star’s strength by working out for 80 minutes doing exercises such as running, walking lunges, walking push ups, burpees, abs stretch, planks, side crunches and bicep curls and reps in the workout.

    Responding to @fayemibeatrice, Kate who last December, unveiled her clothing line, Kates pants, wrote: ‘We did it! Thank you for an awesome workout ooo. Saturday is looking fab already.’

    Among movies which Henshaw has acted in include Games Men Play, The Meeting and Above Death: In God We Trust among many others.

  • Senate: Old warhorses test strength in Oyo

    Senate: Old warhorses test strength in Oyo

    All eyes appears to be on the April 11 governorship election in Oyo State, but from all indications, the battle for the three senatorial seats in the state would be not be less fierce and unpredictable, reports Remi Adelowo 

    The political climate in Oyo State has been turbo-charged in the last couple of weeks, no thanks to the heated campaign by the leading political parties all aiming at winning the hearts and souls of the electorate ahead the next general elections.

    While the major focus is on the governorship seat currently occupied by Senator Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the race into the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, has equally reached a feverish pace, with none of the major candidates leaving anything to chance.

    Without any prejudice to the other registered political parties fielding candidates for the Senate, it is incontestable that candidates of four parties-the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the Accord Party (AP)-are, unarguably, the frontrunners for the three senatorial seats comprising of Oyo Central, Oyo South and Oyo North.

    Another factor that would make the race even more interesting is the quest for another term by the current occupiers of the seats, all of who are household names in the politics of the pacesetter state.

    The three senators are Olufemi Lanlehin of the Accord representing Oyo South; Ayoola Agboola popularly known as Halleluyah of the PDP and Ayoade Adeseun, also of the PDP, representing Oyo North and Central zones respectively.

    In the run-up to the primaries of the respective parties, Lanlehin and Adeseun had defected from the APC following irreconcilable differences with Governor Ajimobi.

    Would these men retain their seats or get swept off by new comers?

    Oyo Central

    The intense jostling for this seat currently held by Ayo Adeseun would, no doubt, be too close to call. The election in the district, which cuts across three major towns of Ibadan, Oyo and Ogbomoso, is between Adeseun, who hails from Ogbomoso; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu of the APC and Oyebisi Ilaka, the AP candidate, both of whom hail from Oyo town.

    The dark horse in the race is Comrade Olu Abiala, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), who is banking on the influence of his party’s governorship candidate, Adebayo Alao-Akala, to clinch the seat.

    Adeseun’s strength and weaknesses

    A former member of the House of Representatives where he held the Chairmanship of the powerful Committee on Appropriation, Adeseun is vying for a second term in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.

    In 1999, he was a member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and in 2003, he defected to the PDP before joining the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (now APC) on which platform he contested for the Senate in 2011.

    Very popular across the district, he is an experienced politician with a solid structure strong enough to deliver on Election Day.

    Beside his goodwill among his constituents, the lawmaker is also counting on his goodwill among constituents, support of the Presidency and his party’s governorship candidate in the state, Teslim Folarin, to retain his seat come March 28.

    But unlike his election in 2011, Adeseun may find it tougher this time around. Not only has party’s popularity decline in the state, his fall-out with Akala, who wields a larger than life influence in Ogbomoso, may also count against Adeseun when the chips are down.

    In Ogbomoso, his home town, three people are vying for both governorship and senatorial seats on the platforms of different parties. While Alao-Akala is vying under the LP platform, Hon. Fatai Buhari is the APC’s senatorial candidate for Oyo North. He is the third candidate from the town. Obviously, votes in the town will be divided across the three lines.

    Adeseun is not likely to pull any meaningful votes in Oyo, where Sunmonu and Ilaka hail from and the remaining two local governments in Ibadan.

    The senator would, however, count on the PDP’s strength in Ona-Ara, Oluyole and perhaps, Egeda local governments to get sizeable chunk of votes.

    Ilaka’s best chance

    A United Kingdom-trained tax consultant, Ilaka contested and lost to Adeseun in 2011. But the fortune of Accord has risen in the last two years in Oyo, making him a strong contender once again.

    The candidates fielded by Accord are mostly riding on the fame of Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who is well known in the state. With the possibility of getting reasonable votes in Oyo, Ilaka is also likely to enjoy Ladoja’s goodwill in some parts of Ibadan.

    Sunmonu, no pushover

    A former employee of the British Immigration Service, she returned to Nigeria in 2010 to join politics. She represents Oyo East/Oyo West Constituency in the House of Assembly.

    Described as a no nonsense politician, her tenure as Speaker has witnessed unprecedented peace in the House, judging by the vices that have assailed the parliament since 1999. This, no doubt, has boosted her popularity in the district and the entire state.

    The APC and Accord had zoned the senatorial slot to Oyo due to the fact that it is the only town in the district that has not produced a senator since 1999 and this factor, pundits argue, would work in the speaker’s favour.

    Her party, the APC also seems to be waxing stronger in two local governments in Ibadan among the five that make up the district in the capital city. They are Lagelu and Akinyele.

    With her grassroots style and gender appeal, Sunmonu stands a good chance in the race.

    The major hurdle she is likely to face is the opposition from Ilaka, whose popularity in Oyo has been on an upward swing in the last few months. It is, however, expected that with the alleged support of the paramount ruler of the town, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, to her aspiration, the speaker could still record a good showing in her hometown.

    Abiala stands an outside chance

    Abiala, a renowned labour unionist, is in partisan politics for the first time.

    An unlikely victory for the former Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State chapter, analysts say, would be a major upset. But that is almost an improbable task for the Ibadan-born former unionist.

    Oyo South

    Can Lanlehin win another term?

    The senator joined Accord from the APC earlier this year. An experienced politician, the distinguished senator hopes to win another term with his power of incumbency and popularity. He may also enjoy some goodwill in Ibadan because of the Ladoja factor, say political analysts.

    But on the other hand, Lanlehin, who rode to victory on the platform of the defunct CAN, may not find it smooth sailing this time. The political space is not only sharply polarised today, the APC-run administration in the state is working harder daily to win more voters.

    Another big minus against Lanlehin’s candidacy is what many perceive as his unprincipled political philosophy due to his flirtation with many political parties since the advent of democracy in 999.

    From being a member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999, Lanlehin has crisscrossed across other political parties including PDP to ACN and now Accord.

    Adedeji Otiti

    The PDP candidate relies mostly on her party and gender appeal to win the election. The PDP candidate in the 2011 election, Kamorudeen Adedibu, was defeated by the incumbent, Lanlehin.

    A relative greenhorn in the politics of the state, her political inexperience and lack of a strong network may ultimately be her undoing at the polls.

     

    Soji Akanbi

    The APC candidate, Soji Akanbi, was a governorship aspirant in 2011.  Since he picked the APC ticket, he has been working to entrench himself within and outside the party across the senatorial district.

    A follower of the late Alhaji Lam Adesina, a former governor of the state, Akanbi is close to key players in the Lam Adesina political family.

    His party is an added advantage because it is popular in the district. But he must work very hard to defeat Lanlehin and also need to warm himself into the hearts of voters outside his immediate political camp.

    Nurudeen Akinyo

    Nurudeen Akinyo, who recently defected to the LP, is also new in Oyo politics.

    A former Special Adviser to the current governor, he hails from Ibadan, but that may not count much when the poll gets underway on the basis of his weak political structures and inexperience.

    Keen contest expected in Oyo North

    Hosea Agboola

    The incumbent Senator Hosea Agboola is, unarguably, the candidate to beat in this senatorial election.

    A grassroots politician who is well entrenched in the district, the power of incumbency may also count for him.

    He, however, faces a huge hurdle in his Oke-Ogun constituency, because the LP candidate, Hon. Tajudeen Abisodun Kareem, who represents Atibo/Saki East/West in the House of Representatives, is also a grassroots mobiliser.

    Both former political associates of Alao-Akala, Kareem however followed his boss to LP from the PDP.

    The major hurdle Agboola faces in the election is getting foothold in the three local governments in Ogbomoso, which Alao-Akala delivered for him in 2011.

    Fatai Buhari banking on APC appeal

    A former member of the House of Representatives, he is the immediate former Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs. He relies on his popularity and that of his party, the APC, in Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso to win the election.

    But, Buhari will need to work extremely hard to win the three councils in Ogbomoso, where Alao-Akala also hails from. Sources also say he must go the extra length to garner enough votes in Oke-Ogun to win the election.

  • Their advert style, their strength

    Their advert style, their strength

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Akinwumi Ambode and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart Mr. Jimi Agbaje have been trying to outdo each other in their ongoing campaign for the exalted seat. They are exploring different creative tools in their campaigns, reports ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    A campaign advert contains what a candidate wants to share with voters. It is to get those who share his ideas to support him. The message often consists of several talking points about policy issues.

    The points summarise the main ideas of the campaign and are repeated frequently to create a lasting impression on the voters.

    In many elections, the opposition party tries to get the candidate “off message” by raising issues not related to the talking points. Most campaigns prefer to keep the message broad in order to attract potential voters.

    A message that is too narrow can alienate voters or slow the candidate down by trying to explain details.

    In the 2008 American presidential election, John McCain originally used a message that focused on patriotism and political experience. The short and crisp message was Country First. It was later changed to shift attention to his role as: “The Original Maverick” within the political establishment.

    President Barack Obama ran on a consistent, simple message of “change” throughout his campaign. However, even if the message was crafted carefully, it does not assure the candidate victory at the polls. For a winning candidate, the message is refined and then becomes his or her’s in office.

    In the ongoing electioneering in Lagos State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has shown is keeping the discussions cerebral and issues-based.  This is evident in his radio and television commercials.

    In the commercial with a simple theme message, “Believe”, Ambode rallies people to believe in Lagos as the place where they can play their part and fulfil their potential. Boasting an intimidating array of leading Nollywood actors including Desmond Elliot, Funke Akindele, MI, Banky W, Yemi Alade, Uti, youths, professionals, traders and artisans, the commercial takes the word “Believe” to a whole new level.

    The campaign presents people of different social strata: youths, professionals, artisans, parents, leading artistes, traders, key opinion formers from diverse ethnic backgrounds expressing their aspirations, belief in Lagos. The main character, Ambode, however, did not differ: “I believe together we can build the Lagos of our dreams.”

    Pictured as a core democrat, Ambode rallies the people, singing, “I believe in the power of you and I. I believe together, we’ll fly. I believe in the power that comes from a world brought together as one.”

    To connect with the youth demography, Ambode’s campaign song explores ‘emotion’ to win the youth, particularly the students into his vision. The television commercial opens with an undergraduate who focuses on achieving her potentials through academic success. The female cast voices her belief: “there comes a moment when my heart must choose on this great path I’ve chosen. Like a house that is a home. Sometimes I feel like it’s not enough and I know that we can’t give up. You’ve willed me to be all I can be. Now nothing can stop me.”

    The commercial also enlightens electorate on the need to vote wisely and present people of different social classes in Lagos, their aspiration and belief in Lagos.

    “This is the moment we have dreamed of all our lives.” She swiftly focuses on fellow youths with the lyrics: “We’ll be the change we wish from others; we’ll stand tall for what is right. And in my heart, there’ll be no doubt. The arms of the world will come reaching out; and embrace me to be all I can be! Now nothing can stop me!,” the Female voice sings.

    However, to re-connect audience to Ambode’s agenda for the state, she thumbprints her belief: “I believe Lagos is the place, where I can achieve my full potential” and some professionals join her to sing the theme song with her: ‘I believe Lagos gives me the best opportunities.’ These groups were later joined by an upcoming guitar-clutching musician who jumps-off a tricycle, popularly called, “Keke Maruwa” and also declares ‘I believe Lagos gives me a stage to conquer the world.’ The campaign also delivers key promises in the areas of youth development.

    Traders and artisans take turns to express. With the fact that Ambode is contesting under the platform of the ruling party in the state, the campaign ads raises issue of continuity considering the number of big projects such as Eko Mega City among others, which will enhance the profile of Lagos state across the globe.

    With the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos, the commercial shows an Igbo man saying “Nna men! I believe Lagos is a place where you can come from your village and make it big!” Also, an Hausa brother choruses “Walai, I believe Lagos is a place where you can do your business and practise your religion with peace of mind.”

    The campaign also explores celebrity endorsement model to deepen Ambode’s campaign messages as celebrities express belief in their special areas ranging from arts, entertainment, youth empowerment, guarantee for children’s future, qualitative education, peaceful coexistence and individual aspirations. One of the celebs, Banky W says: “I believe ain’t no party like the Lagos party. Turn up!”

    For Jimi Agbaje, the campaign commercials explore various musical genres such as Hip Hop, Fuji and Juju to drive his campaign promise using English language, Pidgin English and Yoruba as a means of communication. The campaign songs come in various headings as sub-theme of the central campaign direction: “Bold Ideas and New Opportunities.”

    In one of his campaign adverts, Agbaje’s creative team shows their candidates vision for the education sector and his deep concern for moral decadence.  Little wonder, it explores a child cast who admonishes other children to listen to their parents in order for them to become worthy leaders of tomorrow. In the introductory part of the English version, the child cast urged the parents to vote Agbaje on the promise of good education. The campaign ads also reveal Agbaje’s intention to transform Lagos under another sub-theme.

  • Pace, strength but no stars

    Pace, strength but no stars

    Equatorial Guinea has shown that Africa has what it takes to host big soccer competitions at short notice, with the remarkable manner the matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations have been played without hitches.

    The few hitches so far have resulted from the pressure on the pitches in two centres, no thanks to the hurried manner in which the facilities were completed. Consequently, two matches will be played today and tomorrow. Indeed, today at Bata, hosts Equatorial Guinea will seek to grab a quarter-finals ticket by beating Tunisia. The game had been slated for Ebebiyin but was moved to Bata. And Sunday’s quarter-finals between group c winners and Group D runners-up would be played in Malabo instead of Mongomo.

    Interestingly, the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), in a statement on Tuesday, said: “The two matches (in Ebebiyin and Mongono) have been adversely affected by the combination of wear and tear from six games played or to be played in each of them and the unstable weather conditions seen lately.”

    Good talk CAF.  This is a departure from the buck-passing of the past. CAF knows that the hosts saved it the embarrassment of postponing the event, had they opted out of hosting it like Nigeria and two other countries did.  Until the competition began, some Europe-based African players launched subtle protest about the possibilities of hosting the event in Malabo and its cities because of the fear of the dreaded Ebola disease. Most of them asked CAF to postpone the competition. Others demanded another country should host the event at a later date.

    But CAF stuck to its guns. The event has turned out to be a thriller and easily the most competitive Africa Cup of Nations, with the closeness in the qualification race. A couple of games will be decided by the toss of the coin, one of the technicalities used to determine eventual winners of competitions when all the known indices fail to produce a winner.

    The results have been very close, even as pundits have marvelled at the pace of the matches. These purists point at the fighting spirit of the players, their passion as well as their determination and dedication. Countries with big ego players have been taught the lessons of their lives as they have been made to dig deep to secure draw results in games where they were tipped as favourites.

    The classic between Cote d’ Ivoire and Cameroon must have told the Ivoirens that they need to rebuild their team if they hope to make any impact in the game. Players, such as African Footballer of the Year Yaya Toure, can no longer produce the form that we see him exhibit with Manchester City while playing for his country. No disrespect to Yaya, who tries to give his best during matches for Ivory Coast. But there is a limit to what a tired body can give.

    The Cameroonians may be out of the competition but they have a new team that can reproduce the golden era of the country’ football, if the new boys are kept together and exposed to quality matches. What this trend shows is that there are a lot of players in the continent. The problem with local coaches across Africa is the difficulty in picking these rookies at the grassroots in preference for the established stars. Our local coaches have refused to update their knowledge to complement the players’ skills, especially those of them who are in Europe.

    Little wonder we are talking of Equatorial Guinea, Congo Dr and Congo Brazzaville Little wonder we are talking of Equatorial Guinea, Congo Dr and Congo Brazzaville qualifying for the quarter-finals. What this also shows is that the game is growing in Africa, more so when some established countries, such as Senegal, are at the African soccer showpiece without some of their celebrated stars, most of whom were dropped because of their attitude, loss of form or being bad influence on the budding youths in their squads.

    Besides, most of the countries that qualified for the quarter-finals were coached by foreigners – a fact that lends credence to the claims that African coaches need to undergo refresher courses to learn the tricks of the game. It also shows that African players have grown in their trade, making it absolutely impossible for our domestic coaches to impact the kind of knowledge that they are exposed to in their European clubs.

    The dearth of players at the grassroots is also traced to the fact that African coaches don’t take the time to teach the young boys and girls the basics of the game. The result is that most of the new lads that we have seen in Equatorial Guinea have pace, strength and the will to give their best but no skill to excite the fans. This lack of skills – except for a few of the players – has accounted for the low score results of matches.

    I’m not surprised by the glut of foreign coaches among the African countries. The trend is in sync with global best practices where if you don’t have the men to do the job, then seek quality tacticians until such a time when your nationals can compete favourably with these better exposed foreigners.

    It must be noted that most of the countries with foreign coaches have had them take charge for the first time in this competition. What it means is that these countries could get better, especially those countries that have qualified for the quarter-finals, making the race for the five tickets allocated to Africa for the 2018 World Cup in Russia one to follow with keen interest.

    It is difficult to state categorically the best African team in this tournament. But countries like Algeria and Cote d’ Ivoire have built on the gains of their participation at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. They either changed the coaches or dropped bad influence players or both to rejuvenate the sides that we are watching. They may be slow to find their rhythm during the three games they have played. But you could see a bright future. The Ivoirens would be happier for it watching their coach change Yaya Toure in the closing stages of the game against Cameroon, yet the Ivoriens still won. Such an action would have been tagged a taboo in the past.

    On paper, Algeria looks like the odds-on-favourite to replace Nigeria as the next Africa Cup of Nations winners. Both they have to beat Cote d’ Ivoire, easily the game of the four quarter-final matches. If the Algerians win the trophy, their template will serve as the model for confused countries like Nigeria to copy. The Algerians have rebuilt their team from a fallen dynasty of spent stars which they held on to. It dawned on the Algerians that something radical had to be done with their senior national team when they were beaten by hitherto rookie football nations in Africa.

    But is anyone missing the “big-for-nothing” Super Eagles in Malabo? Who will miss players who specialise in protesting against everything without thinking of the odium such acts pour this country? Who will miss players who cause their nationals heartaches enroute winning matches? Who will miss the Eagles whose coaches are all-knowing and impervious to change? Who will miss the team where coaches sell wrist watches to players at exorbitant rates? Who will miss players who love to mix the serious business of playing soccer with attending discos?

    In Malabo, we have not heard of cases where football federation chiefs and the players or coaches are quarrelling? We have not been told of instances where players are talking on telephone with their country’s presidents before and after games? We have not read stories where players and coaches bar their countries’reporters from reporting their activities the way ours do?

    No stories of players jumping the hotel’s fence to boogie at night clubs. No football federation chief is keeping vigil to prevent players from sneaking into other rooms to visit girlfriends like our Eagles did at the Tunisia 2004 Africa Cup of Nations. There are no threats of players and coaches seeking audience with the FA chiefs, sports ministers and highly placed government officials to know how much they would be paid for matches not yet played. No scenes where coaches blatantly wear sports apparels in conflict with the country’s attires at training sessions and pre-match and post-match conferences. Not at all. Oh! How we miss our dear Super Eagles.

    Everything emanating from Malabo and the smaller cities where the matches are being played bothers on football. Government officials are not flying into Malabo in droves to support their national teams.

    Have we learnt a lesson from missing out on the Africa Cup of Nations? No. We have spent the last three months toying with the simple task of sacking the team’s coaches. A lull exists that may continue until a clearer picture emerges on the political scene. By October when the 2018 World Cup qualifiers begin, we will still be rebuilding when the last eight nations at the quarter-finals stage at this year’s edition of AFCON would have found their range, scoring goals with aplomb.

    These quarter-finalists will spend the next six months correcting the flaws they have noticed through international friendly games while Nigeria will be struggling with who should coach the Eagles or not.

    If Nigeria is to participate in the crucial soccer competitions for 2018, beginning with the Africa Cup of Nations, then the government must allow the NFF pick a coach it can control. This is the key to success as a ship cannot have two captains.

  • ‘Patience, strength needed to win war on terror’

    ‘Patience, strength needed to win war on terror’

    •Nigerian releases book to mark 9/11

    For the war on terror to be won globally, patience, strength and resolve are germane, author of a book on terrorism, Abayomi Mumuni has said.

    Mumuni has completed plans to distribute 300 copies of his book, entitled “Global Terrorism and Its Effects on Humanity” for free in the United States to commemorate 13th anniversary of 9/11 attacks.

    Mumuni, a politician and businessman, in an interview with reporters, said the matters raised in the book would not only help in the fight against terrorism, but provide a long-lasting solution to the scourge.

    The former governorship candidate under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Lagos State during the 2011 general elections, said: “The US and its allies will win the war only if they fight it in the right way – with the same sort of patience, strength, and resolve that helped win the Cold War and with policies designed to provide alternative hopes and dreams to potential enemies. The war on terror will end with the collapse of the violent ideology that caused it.”

    He also spoke on why the Federal Government should dialogue with Boko Haram.

    He said: “It is becoming obvious that without negotiation, not much can be achieved by authorities in their fight against terrorism. So far, the only option I have identified as alternative to negotiation is military strike, and by which authorities will end up being accused of one crime or the other. Take Nigeria government’s efforts to destroy Boko Haram for instance. Out of eagerness to strike the terrorist group, collateral damages touched many civilians to the extent that the civil rights organisations accused the Nigerian government of a massacre in Bama village. Violence begets violence. In the new up-coming book, Demand by Terror, I am coming out with the conclusion that any response to a terrorist’s demands should not ignore negotiation. Negotiation has achieved more than military strikes, especially in hostage taking situations.”

    He described terrorism as a man-made epidemic.

    “There is no doubt that terrorism, a man inflicted malignant epidemic, is ravaging humanity at an alarming rate. This week (September 11) marks 13th anniversary of the US bombings. I believe the best way to show support in the fight against terrorism, which is still the biggest threat to America, is to come up with an intellectual work of this nature, and roll out, free copies to the States.

    “There have been different discussions, debates and issues bothering on global terrorism in the 21st century world, none has been able to present an overview of its origin, types, justification, flight or fight and its effects on humanity as captured in this book. That is why I have divided it into about seven chapters for everybody, irrespective of nationality, race or creed to understand,” he said.

    Printed in by Friesens Corporation in Canada  and published by WSGF PTY, South Africa, and Media-Connect, an Advert-Consultant firm in New-York, the book comprises seven chapters and shows the sociological, psychological, physical, political, and economical toll of the war on terrorism on America and its lasting impact on humanity and human rights.

  • Okpokwu to use pace, strength against Sharks

    Okpokwu to use pace, strength against Sharks

    Dolphins new boy, Ebube Okpokwu says he will score against Sharks on Saturday if called on to play.

    Okpokwu joined Dolphins from El Kanemi Warriors and has only had a cameo on match day one against Crown so far this season. However, he says he will take his time and not be in a hurry to play but will deliver goals if called on to play against Sharks.

    “I understand that the club already has strikers they have depended on in the past, so I need to take my time, impress the coaches before I get a regular run in. So, I am not in a hurry. By the time I played against Crown it was late in the game so there was little I could do, but if I get the chance against Sharks I am sure I will score,” Okpokwu said.

    “I have qualities like strength, pace, goal scoring instincts and hold up play that will help my team achieve their targets for the season,” he said.

    Okpokwu, being new in Port Harcourt has never played in a derby game but says he is excited at the prospect.

    “Remember, Abia Warriors beat Enyimba last week in the derby? I think we will do the same in this one against Sharks,” he said.